Reich Marshal of the Belkan Reich

RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Chapter 54-1: Stockholm Conference (Part 1)

After witnessing a splendorous morning (as advertised) and enjoying a wonderfully energetic breakfast, it's high time that we get the ball rolling. With Bryn's help, I once again make sure that I am perfectly presentable before heading off for the conference venue. Our destination is nothing more than a manor of the Hogberga Hotel that has been converted into a site to host the conference. Due to prior preparation, public access has been restricted, with only the diplomats, dignitaries, and specific news reporters able to venture into the manor. General security measures are handled by the Swedish Army and military police, though personal security details can accompany the VIPs constantly. That said, handshakes between security details will be meditated by the Swedish Army to avoid confusion.

The external of the manor is decorated with the flags of all attending countries, big and small alike. There are two entrances, the main gate, for the diplomats arriving from outside Hogberga by cars, and the internal gate for those that have booked rooms in the hotel itself. Both have welcoming parties and red carpets, though the internal gate has remarkably fewer news reporters around. I had already caused quite a bit of a hustle and bustle with my motorcade yesterday, so I followed Bryn's advice and traveled on foot, using the internal gate. Some photos are being taken, with some questions being thrown out by the reporters though nothing too major, of course. I answer a few while not spoiling any critical information pertaining to the conference. With Bryn's help, I can wrap up everything neatly so that I can move into the assemblage room inside the manor.

I am quite amused, however. Despite us taking our sweet time to enjoy the morning, the Belkan delegation is the first one to be presented. Well, the first foreign delegation since our Swedish host is already here in anticipation of others. What comes next is a rather normal exchange of greetings, from one monarch to another. We don't have much time for anything else, really, when another delegation arrives, then another, and another one. America arrived with a group headed by Franklin D. Roosevelt. Rusviet sent their second-in-command, politician and diplomat Vyacheslav Mikhaylovich Molotov. Erusea, interestingly enough, only sends a relatively unknown ambassador, one called Udina. The man is only known to me because of Yuki's intelligence profile on the man's activity in Paris. Ustio, both Reformists and Loyalists alike, also sends their own representatives. That said, they are unable to send out their faction leaders due to the potentially hazardous relationship between the two warring factions. Next are the Chinese, and I have to give due respect to their Emperor, the man sure nailed the dragon motif down without being too obnoxious. The Spanish Inquisition also come with a retinue of their own, albeit on a smaller scale with their Lord Inquisitor being the most notable.

Aside from the Erusean and Ustian Loyalists, I greet these delegations warmly, with all parties able to hold pleasant conversations with me. The Loyalists and the Chinese are a must, with them being confirmed staunched allies of ours in the European and Asia theaters. The US and Spanish are being fast-tracked to be probable friends of our country, with the latter cementing themselves to our cause under the table. And the Rusviets, well, they still have their uses, it's better to maintain a facade of friendship around them.

There are more smaller nations coming in, of course, but ultimately, they won't be able to offer much of a say in this particular conference. They're, most unfortunately for them, either too weak or subservient to the world's superpowers.

And then there's the Japanese... Oh boy, now this is just one major annoyance to deal with for an entire week. On one hand, Belka and Japan have officially cut ties with each other. From a relation scale of 0 to 100, we're solidly in the -50, with future developments that will no doubt kick the number even down further. On the other hand, Amaterasu is Yuki's aunt, and despite the obvious misgiving between our countries, we somehow still manage to maintain a cordial personal relationship with the woman and her champion Vill-V. With both Japanese leading figures being presented, I can most certainly say that the upcoming talks in both public and private settings will be... Interesting, to put it mildly.

"I am starting to regret coming here..." I muttered to myself when Amaterasu spotted me and started waving at me like old friends.

There's a warmup before the official start of the conference, meaning there's no way for me to dodge this one. "Should have paid more attention to that list of attendances, Lu." I chided myself before putting on a perfect smile.

If there's one thing that I've come to master as an Empress of Belka, it's that sometimes, you have to kick your misgivings into a corner.

"Ah~! Amaterasu, it has been a while!"

After we share a welcoming hug, with me quite literally smothering Amaterasu due to my taller and more well-endowed physique, Amaterasu says. "Honestly, your strength and body are still as ridiculous as usual."

Just the way her black orbs glare at my breasts is enough to make me laugh. Unlike me who is wearing a regalia that is of a Western-style, Amaterasu proudly showcases her divine drab, a white kimono with golden highlights and a sun motif. Atop her head of long black hair, shines a floating sun halo, one that is only visible when she is displaying her divinity actively. A neat trick to garner respect from normal mortals, but around here with politicians? It should be nothing more than an interesting trinket.

Still, I smile in return for her jest toward my clearly superior form. "A pleasure to see you too, Amaterasu." I do quirk an eyebrow when I start probing for something deeper than her external appearance. "And I can see that your strength has increased by a fair margin since the last time I saw you in person. All those faithful believers have not been idle in their dedication toward you, I see."

Amaterasu nods, feeling quite proud of the citizens who have given her their faith. "Their faith grows stronger with each passing day, recent events have only reinforced their beliefs in the Shinto Pantheon. My fellow gods and deities strive our best to repay our citizens who place their trust in us every single day."

I nod, taking her words at face value, Amaterasu is one of the better Goddesses out there. "That's very good then. Though even with your growing power, it's quite ironic to see that you are still quite underdeveloped in certain areas." I laid the words out with a smirk on my face.

Amaterasu's smile freezes up at the blatant jab toward herself. Her escort, Vill-V, snickers aloud much to the Sun Goddess's chagrin. With an annoyed sigh, Amaterasu complains. "Must you be so insufferable all of a sudden, Lu? I am already a fine lady as is. I need not the body of a Succubus to compensate for anything." She pouted.

I chuckle at her retort, finding it honestly tame and quite cute coming from the smaller Goddess. Though rather than continue on with my jest, I reckon that it's time to carry on. I turn to the uniquely dressed Vill-V, the summoned hero/champion of Amaterasu. Still can't quite believe that she managed to pull that off even. No doubt that Yggdra thought it was interesting to see how Japan would develop with an otherworlder being thrown in the mix. But anyway, it's best I get the introduction out of the way.

"You must be Vill-V then, it's a pleasure to meet the person who has gotten Amaterasu out of her rump." It doesn't mean I can't also take a jab at the Sun Goddess for fun and giggle though.

Vill-V chuckles at the obvious eye-roll that Amaterasu is giving me before introducing herself. "That's correct, Your Highness! I reckon that Yuki must have reported about me quite a bit?"

I smile. "You've been quite a smart girl to catch my daughter's interest." That alone should be enough of an answer for the girl.

Vill-V grins at that, though before I can introduce her to Bryn and let Amaterasu catch up with the Valkyrie, King Gustaf V makes an announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?" The Swedish King is standing at one end of the room while holding up a microphone. "It appears that all delegations are in attendance, and thus, the Stockholm Conference, in which we will discuss worldly matters together, will soon be commencing. There are assigned seating areas for each delegation, please, head to your allotted location so that we can begin the meeting."

With that as the cue, I bid my goodbye to Amaterasu and Vill-V, with the former sighing a bit regretfully. Bryn soon leads me to a large, table with enough space to hold six chairs side by side. Each delegation is given one such set and we are lucky that the manor is able to host two dozen envoys. Otherwise, we will be forced to bump elbows, and that is gonna be annoying as Hell on both a professional and personal level.

Once the politicians are seated properly, with their guards standing behind them while reporters are placed in a secluded corner, King Gustaf V surveys the conference room before nodding to himself. "I thank you for your cooperation, and as of right now, the Stockholm Conference has begun!"

A round of polite applause is what the King of Sweden gets in return for the concise announcement. There's no need to beat around the bush on this matter since time is a precious commodity for us leaders and politicians.

Gustaf V then moves to his assigned seat where there's also a mic for him to use. Sitting down, he unfolds a notebook before grabbing a pen, after that, the Sweden King starts saying. "Of all my life, I am not one to leave the most obvious question for last. Hence, I will be speaking what has no doubt run through the minds of everyone around here at least once."

The man taps his pen on the notebook a few times before breathing out. "The unprecedented disaster that has befallen our entire world, hailed by some as the second coming of Ragnarok, an event that has given birthed to the Belkan Reich as we know it... Just what has occurred for there to be a literal Hell on Earth?"

"Ladies and gentlemen right now is a good time as any to offer any insight that you may have." Gustaf V urged the participants. His question will no doubt be testing the chemistry of the factions presented in the room right now.