ASHERIA 3rd, 2200 MC

The next day, The news spread throughout the continent like wildfire. The first to receive it was the Grand Duchy of Asahi’s Grand Duke, Sir Daisuke Asahi, and his granddaughter, Mabel Asahi.

“Interesting. This Bargaining Chip of theirs is also an interesting gamble...They really were doing all this for more than 20 years? A real shame that only we and Calydon know about this...” 

Hugo was drinking tea as he was reading Aeneas’s message to all nations. Once he finished, he stood up and approached his granddaughter.  “Something really big is about to happen, Child. It seems that Lord Aeneas has an ambitious idea according to this letter.”

Mabel was practicing her archery skills as she began to listen to her grandfather read out loud the contents of the letter. She then lets loose an arrow.

“I’m listening.” Her arrow hits the center of the target round, hearing nothing but sweet satisfaction in Mabel's mind.

Her grandfather starts reading. “On my Authority of Prince Regent of this country, I propose the start of this Continental Alliance together…. One where we all can support each other for years to come.”

As Mabel went to put away her bow and arrows, she then begins to practice her fighting techniques. “A Continental alliance?... I never heard of such a thing. What is it supposed to be? Is it...editable?"

Her Grandfather chuckles and sighs, "No, You Silly Fool. It simply means...Aeneas wants every country in Odgard to join forces...as allies, fighting together. We had some small alliances in this continent's history but to no avail. But If Aeneas's Plan works out, alongside his gamble with the empire...It will be the greatest Alliance in History. I doubt even Vallia wouldn't dare touch us if they tried something in the future.

“Heh, sounds like quite the big deal then….What’s the name of this ambitious alliance?” said Mabel, as she thrusts her foot into a training dummy as hard as she could, causing it to break into pieces...her foot, covered in stone, then reverts back to normal.

Her grandfather replied: “The United Nations of Odgard!”

As she cleans up her mess, The idea doesn't completely form into her mind. "In all honesty...While I don't know anything about Politics since arriving...A United Alliance where there is no more fighting at home sounds like a great plan...A 1000 more years of peace basically, huh?"

Her grandfather chuckled. “I wonder where did that child get such an ambitious idea out of the blue...Well, no matter.” Daisuke then got up and walked up to his granddaughter and gives her a big hug. "If you really think so...then I'm with you all the way."

"You're hugging too hard...I'm not a little kid anymore!" she then gets out of her grandfather's grasp, and returns the hug. "I don't know Odgard's history with Alliances but...Give Aeneas a chance."

Hugo then chuckled. "Alright. I understand."

Next was the Holy Kingdom of Midgardius. The news was then received by Crown Princess Mineva Ann Midgar, who also is Aeneas's Childhood Friend. When Mineva lost his father, She had no one to take her in, and it was none other than Queen Aurelia, Aeneas's mother, who took her in for the next 5 to 6 years.

 As she headed to the throne room to see her grandfather, she read the contents of the letter.

"...and so, with that bargain in mind, The United Nations of Odgard will ensure a 1000 more years of peace." She then stopped walking and began to laugh. "A continental alliance?! This is either the greatest or the stupidest idea ever. Another alliance only spells disaster...Did he not study his history very well?"

The Princess then sighed and mutter to herself, "Well, As stupid and even Idealistic as he is...Once he sets his sights on something, He'd never let go. He fights until the very end...reckless as he can get. That's the type of guy he is, and...I always loved that part of him. He...reminds of Lady Aurelia...except he's a brute." She chuckles to herself, then placed her hand on her chest. 

"That being said, I did receive his private letter regarding the bargain...I don't really know how to feel about that "Dragonborn Slaves" claim...but If It can be used to everyone's advantage...This alliance may actually have a chance."

She then stomp her heels on the floor and continued to walk forward until she reached the throne room's doors. Overcoming her disdain for the idea, she decides to accept it for what it is, and looks forward with a bright eye.

"Not bad, you oaf. I guess I'll give you some points for that...Let's see what his majesty thinks. Looks like things will get rather messy from here on out..."

The other remaining letters arrived in the countries of Central and Eastern Odgard. And now there was one more country to face: The Empire of Thabes.

ASHERIA 4TH, 2200 MC

The Next day, During the afternoon, Aeneas went to his office after getting a message from his retainer, Reinhardt. He stepped inside, and there he was, carrying lots of forms for the Prince to review.

“Aeneas! I have letters from the nations that you told me to send them to regarding the formation of the alliance.” 

He placed all the papers and letters on his desk.

Aeneas was in shock. “That was fast. Well, I’ll be reading them right now.”

“Also, I have more news most likely regarding the contents of those letters, but I will explain the rest after you finish reading them.”

Reinhardt left the papers on his desk and then left the room.

"Now then…..Let’s see…” Aeneas began to separate the forms, papers, and letters before reading. “Woah… Well, Let’s start with this one.”

After 3 hours of filling out forms, and papers, and reading each letter from the countries, Aeneas came outside and walked down to the Backyard where Reinhardt was waiting.

“Hello, Milord. How did it go?”

“Could be worse but I’m totally feelin’ it.”

“Meaning….?”

Aeneas smiled slightly, with some doubt...but a sly smile of a small and tight grasp of hope. “...Meaning that This might actually turn out better than I thought!”

Reinhardt smiled a bit, relieved to hear the good news. “Interesting. Let’s go over these letters then. So who will join and Who won't?”

Aeneas then cleared his throat. “So, from what I understand from these letters….Sir Daisuke and Mabel have accepted my Proposal without disagreement...Nice. Next, King Hans of Midgardius is also accepting my proposal. He seemed content with the idea of nations working together. I also expected this one, honestly... I'm glad. Though, even Mineva herself was impressed here, to my surprise. I can't seem to really read her mind sometimes, but...I'm grateful for her support.”

Reinhardt, upon hearing the Princess's name, recalls her always being around the Prince before the death of his mother. “It has been about 6 years since you saw her face, right? How have you kept in contact with her to stay friends?"

"Letters, duh. Though, It took me 2 years to muster up the courage to write her one after we left," said Aeneas as he was eating an apple, making loud munches with each bite. "Though, I only wrote to her once every 5 months...but It's not like we've completely disconnected...Still, Letters are never really enough...I wonder how much she's changed. Those letters were always an interesting read, but alas...If only we had a conversation. She's changed a lot in the past years, to where I sometimes don't really understand her...but I still respect her regardless."

"Huh, Fair enough. Nevermind…Go on.” Reinhardt then took a sip from his cup of tea.

"A-Anyway," Aeneas shook his head away from his thoughts and continued to discuss the matter of the letters. “The President of Frihedsland liked the idea of joining up on an alliance but wanted more time to think about it. As you know, They have a famous history of being neutral for nearly 2300 years. But Here, We have a problem…The Brandenburg Republic.”

“...Did they decline?” Reinhardt then put down his cup.

Aeneas sighed. “I was really betting on them joining us since we’ve improved relations lately, but they declined the proposal without question, wishing not to be associated with the Kingdom of Midgarius...They know about our strong relationship, of course. At least they were still open to trading with us, but honestly, That would ruin our relations with Midgardius. I rather not risk that...”

Reinhardt then sighed in disappointment.

“....Well, Even if We may have close relations with the Brandenburg, They don’t have the best relations with the Midgarius, Milord. I hope you did your homework.”

Aeneas sighed and looked up to the ceiling in disappointment.

“They both have a long way to go to improve their relations….Anyways, Please continue, Lord Aeneas.”

“Moving on, The Dominion of Thracia has accepted the proposal thanks to our talks last time with the Kingdom of Drust that is also mentioned in the letter."

Reinhardt chuckled. "Reunification, huh? Well, At least we'll have a powerful ally at our side now. We may have been foes in the past but...This is for peace."

Aeneas chuckled and continued. "However, there is a problem. It's regarding the Izumo Union."

Reinhardt looked at Aeneas. “Ah….Did one of the states disagree?”

“According to the Letter, The Son of the Emperor, Katsura Yuzan, who is currently the Shogun of the country’s army states that He definitely loves his idea of an alliance where all countries work together. But…”

“....But What?” Reinhardt got a bit tense.

“I’ll read the important part. Ahem.”

Aeneas began to read:

“...Out of all the 5 states, only the States of Mikatsuki and Akatsuki rejected the plan. While our 3 states will officially support your cause and join your alliance, The States of Mikatsuki and Akatsuki will not join us, meaning only the States of Takeda, Masamune and Yuzan will join your alliance. I apologize on their behalf, Sir Aeneas. I look forward to working together with you.”

Reinhardt calmed down. “Phew...for a second I thought They were gonna say no, But just 3 States…I wonder if all is alright up there. That still doesn't sound-”

Aeneas brightens up. “No, This is perfect! This just shows that the Great Shogun of Izumo does support our cause! This was not for vain after all!”

“Mmm, Well...I suppose you have a point.”

Aeneas then sighed, with a concerned look on his face. “ Frankly….I was a bit nervous. I was definitely thinking that none of the states would join us, but...This turned out perfect in the end.”

Reinhardt nodded in approval but then remembered something.

“Oh, What about the Kingdom of Augustria and Silesia?”

“Mmm...The Prince of Augustria has declined and desires to be independent for the time being. However, as a sign of the fact that they are not in complete disagreement, Crimea, Nord, and Ovassa said they will work together and make our alliance prosperous. Starting next month, They will improve their military and have Joint Military Training. As for the Republic of Silesia, They are more than willing to help us, their government will do all in their power to help us, "In the name of Odin.”

Reinhardt was excited. “This is excellent! We have powerful allies on our side! You’ve really done it now!!”

Aeneas weakly smiled but then got serious.

“Now...The Empire. Just an hour ago, The Owl had retrieved it and it's on her way to Two Thabes, so that It goes to the capital...I'm quite nervous honestly. It will arrive in 7 days...”

Reinhardt then went to comfort him.

“Everything is alright...Believe in yourself too. Because there is still one more country we have to go over… and that’s the Kingdom of Drust.”

Aeneas then had a worried expression.

“About that...They didn’t respond to the letter yet...I didn't get anything from them this morning, and I’m worried about that.”

Reinhardt was then puzzled. “What?! But The Deal we made together was perfect...There's no way they're having second thoughts now?”

Aeneas then gulped...but with a determined expression, He went to tell Reinhardt the truth. “I say it right now. I was in contact with the Prince of Drust...by exchanging letters ever since the meeting.

Reinhardt then jumped out of his seat.

"You WHAT?!"