Chapter Thirteen: Glow Behind the Curtain!
Opening – Global News:
Following the annual gathering of nobles and lords, a mysterious double murder shocked the empire.
- Jenken Al-Morten, a prominent noble from a well-known commercial family, aged 35, infamous for his hatred of the poor, was found dead in the nobles' lounge with four brutal stab wounds.
- Marst Al-Travdel, a middle-class noble aged 45, was shot twice with an unidentified pistol.
Investigations revealed that only nobles could access these rooms, and food service staff reported no one entering or leaving.
Detectives described the crime as "impossible," and the killer remains unknown.
Some nobles demanded the expulsion of commoners from Tank, proposing their enslavement as punishment for the chaos.
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Empire of Santer – Holy Capital Shimura
Saint Seto: "Begin the mission immediately. We want a meeting with ministers, deputies, and only government-authorized nobles—not independent ones."
President Mens: "Understood, sir."
Saint Seto: "This will be the final meeting. It will determine the empire's policies and upcoming changes. It must be held at night."
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Empire of Sharqa
Emperor Hayman: "Begin preparations. Presidential elections will start tomorrow. Everyone has the right to participate. This is a vital step for our nation and will shape our livelihood."
Imperial Newspapers: "President Hayman announces upcoming elections to determine the empire's future."
Hayman: "This may be the only solution to build a great empire that spreads freedom and justice across the world. We must convene with political analysts to discuss this matter."
Interior Minister Arfer Mand: "Understood, sir. I hope you achieve your vision."
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Meeting at the Imperial Palace of Sharqa
Hayman: "Thank you all for attending. We have three main topics:
1. Election planning
2. Security and military development
3. Preparing for the meeting with Lord Kirzen and mapping our nation's future"
Participants: Political analysts, security experts, and senior generals.
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Continued Meeting in Sharqa:
Hayman: "Excellent, I liked all your suggestions. Now let's move to planning the meeting with Lord Kirzen."
Martchel Lajken: "I suggest we build a relationship with him, open immigration without conditions, and welcome anyone wishing to join our empire."
Ray Marks: "I fully agree. This will enhance diversity and bring valuable expertise."
Everyone: "We support this proposal."
Hayman: "Now, the final point… What should we do for our country's future? How do we define our next steps, especially as we expand our territory?"
John Laharf: "We must strengthen the army, build fuel and energy stations, and motivate our scientists to work harder."
William Graver: "I propose an annual festival to discover talent and intelligence, reward winners, and establish laboratories and a dedicated council for scientists."
Stanley: "We need widespread military recruitment, solar and electric power stations in every region, appoint scientists to manage them, create institutions for safety and education, install surveillance cameras, establish investor centers, and form a supportive police force to boost public morale."
Ray Marks: "I also suggest deploying spies in every region to identify worthy leaders and conduct investigations into public suffering to determine our stance."
Hayman: "I approve all your proposals. Thank you. You will be honored and appreciated. I will ensure my people never forget this moment."
Everyone stands and salutes Emperor Hayman with deep respect.
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Francisco Newspaper – Empire of Sharqa:
"A new plan will transform empires from mere powers into missions for justice, rights, and shared interests."
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Rising Tensions in the Empire of Santer:
Following the nobles' murder, five more crimes occurred, including the killing of a member of the Colonial Council in Tank.
The crucial Council of Elders meeting was canceled, sparking widespread anger and escalating internal tensions.
Noble Sharmel – Senior Deputy in the Council of Elders: "We must expel the commoners from the country immediately before it's too late."
That night, Sharmel returned home, ignored his security guards, and a mysterious figure entered with a group.
Minutes later, the figure made a call: "The mission is complete, sir."
The next day, Sharmel's death was announced, fueling rage and confusion among the nobles.
Investigations began immediately.
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Investigation into Sharmel's Murder:
Detective Douglas Collisens: "The room is empty. No one could enter or exit. Give me reports on Sharmel."
Inspector Louie Tarr: "He was accused of corruption and theft, and widely hated by the public. Cameras showed no entry or exit."
Douglas: "Perhaps the killer was a noble too. The blood dried 8–9 hours ago. It seems Sharmel knew the killer… but there's no evidence."
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Postponement of Hayman–Kirzen Meeting:
Lord Kirzen: "Greetings, Emperor Hayman. I apologize, but the meeting must be postponed due to important commitments."
Hayman: "Very well."
The meeting was delayed, leaving a gap in understanding Kirzen's intentions.
Shimura's capital descended into fear, and people began fleeing to Tank.
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Announcement from the Supreme Organization:
"The meeting location has been changed from Shimura to Babel Francisco. The date will be set after elections in both empires."
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Moto – Supreme Ruler of the World:
Moto: Heyman, you will regret fighting us. You and your country will soon regret it. What are you waiting for? If something happens and he infiltrates and defeats us, Heyman, Yasuto and San will all regret it too. Start preparing against Heyman،
Seto: But we're going through a difficult time! What can we do? We have a big problem.
Moto: Just do what I tell you.
Seto and San (bowing): "I know, Your Highness."
Moto: "Hold a meeting. It must happen as soon as possible. It must not be canceled under any circumstances. If it is canceled, you will all die. I will not let you, Heimen, gain too much control. You will see the great power of the Santer Empire."
The next day, Monday morning, a meeting began, and Heyman's plane arrived at Lord Curzen's palace in Tank.
Heyman (to himself): Are they just trying to deceive us? Where is all the destruction I lived in?
A meeting between Lord Curzen and Emperor Heyman began.
Heyman (speaking): First of all, thank you for inviting me. We have come at your request to open up extensive and expansive relations, where we can exchange trade and establish relationships with you. We may also purchase slaves from you, but privately, do you accept?
Lord Curzen (laughing): "Okay, I agree with that, mother. How many slaves do you want?"
Heyman: "How many do you have?"
Lord Curzen: "I have 500,000 slaves."
Heyman: "You'll take them all."
Lord Curzen: "Okay, we'll try to keep it under wraps and say trade, and also claim knowledge of conditions and progress, etc."
Heyman: "Okay, in two days I'll ask you to have them all come on planes. The meeting is over."
Lord Curzen: "Well, Mr. Heyman, welcome. Thank you for visiting us. We're honored by your presence."
Lord Curzen escorts Emperor Heyman to a plane.
(Heyman returns to the Sharjah Empire.)
Heyman (after boarding the plane): "You'll soon regret it, damned Curzen."