1st August, Space Era Year 100.
The bells of the Grand Oceanic Exchange rang three solemn times, announcing the commencement of "The Great Debt Redemption of the Century." It was the day when the bankrupt Republic of New Hope, after decades of economic ruin, began to repay its monumental debt of 16 billion Earth Dollars—under the command of a single woman: Lord Aelyzabeth von Thors.
This colossal debt had lingered since before the founding of Centory—a financial wound festering across generations. Even after deducting interest, the burden remained insurmountable. Yet Aelyzabeth chose a path no world had foreseen. She issued a special class of Centory government bonds titled"Austrum-A Zhav," with a two-year maturity, a 7% risk rate, and a 12% dividend.
There were 1,600 bonds in total, each valued at 10 million Earth Dollars.
Aelyzabeth herself purchased 500 bonds (worth 5 billion).
The Centory National Bank acquired 1,000 bonds (worth 10 billion).
The remaining 100 bonds (worth 1 billion) were distributed among her close kin.
The initiative became known as "The Self-Financed Policy," for it was a leader's own wealth that sustained the state's liquidity and shielded the economy from collapse.
But what truly shook the galaxy was what followed—Aelyzabeth donated over 5 billion Earth Dollars of her private fortune back to the state, using it directly to pay down the debt, slashing the national interest burden by half within just two months.
However, this monumental act triggered a political tremor across the star systems. The Earth Council denounced Centory for "violating democratic rights and destabilizing interstellar order," as Aelyzabeth had seized foreign corporate assets valued at 15 billion Earth Dollars and expelled all Terran envoys and citizens from Centoryan territory.
To the people of Earth, she was "the Cold-Blooded Dictator."To the people of Centory, she was "The Deliverer."
The Voice of the People.
Across industrial zones and commercial districts, the cheers of the right-wing echoed:
"She did what no leader before her dared to do!""Who cares what the Terrans think—so long as our nation stands strong!"
Yet among the left, skepticism brewed:
"She may have saved the nation, but who safeguards the workers in the guilds?""This state monopoly could become the class trap of the next century..."
Still, both sides agreed on one thing—Aelyzabeth von Thors had become the center of gravity in Centory's economy.
The Founding of the Three Great Guilds.
From the seized foreign assets, Aelyzabeth established Three Great Guilds, destined to anchor the economic foundation of the Centoryan Reich.
1. The Kiezseiner Guild — Monopoly of interstellar food production.Directed by Maria von Thors.
Aelyzabeth: 49%
Centory Government: 26%
Guild: 25%→ Held authority over all agricultural pricing and food distribution across the system.
2. The Virmith Guild — Exploration and colonization of new worlds.
Aelyzabeth: 76%
Guild: 24%→ Became the vanguard of Centory's colonial expansion.
Directed by Günther von Skierkolf Aelyzabeth Thors Elder relative.
3. The Fryre Guild — Monopoly of heavy industrial production.
Aelyzabeth: 30%
Guild: 30%
Government: 10%
Central Bank: 30%→ Functioned as "the mechanical arm of the State."
Directed by Marcel Yeager.
Within two months, these three guilds collectively generated 1.657 billion Earth Dollars in GDP.
Deficit Economics and the Miracle of Aelyzabeth.
Though immense revenue flowed in, the nation still faced a 30% fiscal deficit and the threat of four consecutive negative quarters (in Centory's system, one quarter equals four months).Yet through personal endowments and strict market discipline, Aelyzabeth held the nation aloft—without raising the debt ceiling or taxes beyond 50%.
Her most curious decree became legendary: the "Portrait Tax."Every ministry and state office was required to display at least one official portrait of her in each room. A modest royalty fee was levied on every copy—revenue that served both as a personal indemnity and a supplementary fund for the state treasury.
New Appointments and Structural Reform.
Aelyzabeth appointed her twin sister, Luna von Thors, a master's graduate in economics, as President of the National Stock Exchange, tasked with stabilizing market flow and safeguarding the Austrum-A Zhav bonds.
The Judgment of the Stars.
Interstellar media roared:
"Centory has become a complete economic dictatorship!""Aelyzabeth von Thors—Queen of Capital, or Tyrant in the Guise of Salvation?"
Yet independent economists countered:
"This is the first economic revolution where a ruler paid public debt with private wealth.""She turned debt into capital—and despair into a national ideology."
And as night descended, beneath the shimmer of twin suns reflected on the golden-silver flag, Lord Aelyzabeth von Thors stood upon the Führerpalast balcony and spoke:
"I shall never again allow Centory to bow its head in debt before another world—even if the price is my life."
The crowd roared her name in unison:"Aelyzabeth! Aelyzabeth! Our Deliverer!"
Thus ends Chapter C-IV.