Author Notes:
Slime-san is back! First, let's salute Captain Valmar Shade who has been promoted! Then, we will salute Captain Lightning Ray who has recently retired! Thank you both for your dedication to the Belkan Reich!
Now, I am pleased to announce that a new chapter is up alongside the promised pictures. Quite proud in how they both turn out.
Other than that, income is sitting at 634/700 USD currently, though we won't say no to further support :D
I am happy, however, that I received quite a bit of questions, some quite fascinating to think about. I think I will soon work on that Q&A so do stay tune for that!
Live long, and prosper!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/waZgkRa3UQhqKQBi9
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The Sardegnian terrorist debacle panned out as well as one could have expected it to be, with things at the conference cooling down since then. Really, there's not much for them to discuss, and the failed attack only served to act as a reminder that they should stop chatting around and get back home. If there existed a single rogue element, who's to say there aren't any more of them? Hence world leaders and representatives must report back to countries, if only to personally take stock of what they're dealing with. Acting regents and substitutes can only do so much after all.
Despite the abruptness of the closure of the Stockholm Conference, a great many still depart with pleased expression. It has been a productive trip for them all, at some parts quite emotional even. They leave, now reassured that they have the answers and results needed to pacify their nations. China earns promises of materials to reconstruct, but in fact, it's more to modernize their nation even further. America can rest assured that their people won't be starving. Rusviet gets the open invitation they have been longing for, one that will stabilize the shaky foundation of the Rusviet-Belkan relationship. Sweden, while frustrated by the failed attack near the end, still considers itself to be a winner. Defeating the Sardegnian attack, even when aided by the Belkans, has earned the Swedish a load of prestige, not to mention the one they have been banking by facilitating a great many deals as the host nation. That said, there exists a shadow to such great rewards. Now that suspicion of corruption among their ranks is raised, King Gustaf V will stop at nothing to root them out. There's no way the Sardegnians could have gone past the Swedish Navy, not on their own. Things must be made clear and punishments must be dished out. Otherwise, the prizes may as well turn into scorns, given how close it could have been to a complete disaster.
Regardless, the general perception has pegged the Stockholm Conference to be a matter of positive development, even with the bouts of chaos that occur in the progress. Reporters of all sorts have penned down many things about the conference for the people to read. For the most part, the public can now rest easy that there are plans in action to recover from the global disaster. The news, broadcasting on all platforms, also serves to somewhat smolder the hatred people have against the Catholics. While it does assuage them from going too far, lest they invite the police into their house, it doesn't stop them from discriminating against the Catholics. As a side effect, Catholics now either hide their religion, renounce it altogether, or change to a new one, with Sunday masses being noticeably sparse, if there are any at all. Still, they will take discrimination instead of a bloody witch hunt anytime. Ironic, isn't it? They hunt witches in the distant past, only to have that same faith being brought upon them in the modern era. Safe to say that Christianity took a big blow, and for them to recover would be a thing of the unknown.
Now, if others can take some ease out of the conference, Japan is the only one to hold an ambivalent feeling about it. They had been going into the conference, flaunting their superiority, only to get blindsided by the overwhelming competency that the Belkan delegation had shown. Belka had dominated the negotiation table and attracted all the attention. They gave the world exactly everything it needed: resources, answers, and closure. Finally, Belka ended up being the biggest winner around because they, apparently, can very much fulfill all of their promises. It's an impossible thing for the Japanese to wrap their heads around, for not even Japan as its greatest can confidently say that they can feed an entire planet. Yet Belka did, and people bought it immediately. While many among the Japanese think that the Belkans will be falling flat in the end, the smarter among them all dread the prospect of the Reich actually delivering. It's literally no different than Belka buying out the entire world, the largest publicity stunt in history, and if they succeed, who the Hell would dare to bless the enemy of the Reich here?
Vill-V and Amaterasu have to make plans, any plan in fact, to at least react to the absurdity of the enigmatic Belka Reich. They have long passed the stage of counteracting whatever the Reich is planning. The pair are only hoping to at least do something about the meteoric rise of this Western superpower. Nevertheless, a traitorous part of their mind thinks that all of their planning, all of their brainstorming, would come to moot in the end.
Still, as the rest of the world turns to recover from the most tumultuous time ever recorded in history, what is it that the Belkans are doing now?
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"Mom~! Can you help me bring the appetizer out?" Yuki called out to Hel, carrying a tray of Inari Sushi.
Having just returned to the kitchen in a white apron, Hel immediately moves to grab the plate from Yuki's outstretched hand, complimenting. "They smell so good, my dear, and cutely packed too."
"Thanks, mom! I do have some leftovers here, do you want to try one?" Yuki then presented a glass bowl that contained a few bites of sushi. Of course, she only does so with her hands cleaned.
Hel smiles, leaning down while parting her lips. Understanding her gesture, Yuki picks up an Inari Sushi, dipping it in a small plate of Tamari on the kitchen table, and places it in Hel's mouth. Her eyes have a curious spark in them, wanting to know her mom's feelings about this batch of food. After chewing and enjoying the taste for a bit, Hel nods a couple of times, clearly enjoying the flavor.
"It's nicely crunchy, and the softness of the rice makes it so that you don't get tired chewing them. The flavor is gentle, not oily nor overwhelming, The sauce is a nice touch, depending on the taste. It's a great starter for our family dinner. Great work, Yuki!" Hel wholeheartedly complimented her precious daughter who had taken up upon herself to be the chef doctor for tonight's gathering.
Blushing lightly at the praise, Yuki thanks her mother before dashing back to the stove. Hel smiles at the sight of her precious busying around for the occasion before leaving the kitchen area. Just in time for Nicolae, wearing a maid dress, to enter it. Both ladies greet each other warmingly before going to do their tasks. Nicolae, on her part, has taken up upon herself to help Yuki make batches of vanilla ice cream and Dark 'n Stormy Mocktail. On the other hand, Yuki is quickly setting up plates of Calabrian Chili Pasta. Not every dish is the same, however, as not everyone in her family can handle the spiciness the dish may entail. Some only like the hint of chili in it while others like a bit more heat in their dishes. As such, Yuki has to juggle many saucepans, very willingly catering to each family member's taste.
By the time both Nicolae and Yuki are done with their prep, the large dining table in the room, more like a hall after many times of rebuilding, is packed with members of their family chatting animatedly. Unsurprisingly and unlike many large families, the grown-ups and the younger generation can mingle alongside one another without any awkwardness among them. The adults are very good with the pre-teens and the little girls are adaptable and smart to understand many things their seniors have to say. The sight seems to hint that to be accepted into Yuki's family, one must be competent enough to do so.
Many topics are thrown about in between bites of sushi. Curiosity is answered. Fun is in abundance. No serious talk here. It's just a joyful gathering of their large family on the weekend, right after Lu's trip to Stockholm.
When the main course is presented with help from Nicolae, Yuki, and the maid-of-today earns the collective praise and gratefulness of everyone at the table. Yuki and Nicolae serve the dishes starting from the seat of honor before ending up at Yggdra's seat as the host for tonight. After that, Yuki and Nicolae join the rest of the family at the table, with Yuki taking up her place at the seat of honor that was once empty. Then, Yuki wishes everyone a happy meal before the table starts dining. It's a lighthearted atmosphere, one that everyone at the table cherish very much. One way or another, they have learned the importance of treasuring such peacefulness as if it's their last. As sad as it is to say even the kids have been forced to realize that, rather than coming to terms with it naturally. Nevertheless, the picturesque is most certainly ingrained in all of their minds, with Yuki glancing around the table, her face sporting a lively smile.
Yggdra
Lu
Hel
Bryn
Nicolae
Elysia
Mobius
Einstein
Eden
Rosa
Mary
They're the adults at the table, with many responsibilities on their shoulders. Yet, they have discarded them in favor of kicking back and relaxing after a stressful period. Nearly every single one of them is in a relationship with one another, with Yuki being the master link that holds them together. Nicolae is the outlier here, the girl is too free-spirited to even think of settling down just yet. That's fine for them all though, Nicolae won't be the one they cherish as a true friend if she is tied down out of peer pressure.
Ningyo
Mei
Sirin
Bella
Seele/Veliona
Bronya
Liliya
Rozaliya
Mash
Griseo
Daria
Quite literally the most important kids in the entire world, if only because of their affiliation to the family. These girls are the next generation that will be upholding the banner of the Reich in the future in their own chosen ways. Much like the adults flocking around Yuki, they flock around Ningyo, her sister, chiefly because of their age, some because of their similar past. Like Yuki, Ningyo has, in her own innocent way, managed the friendly relationship between the kids masterfully. Yuki's sister has helped resolve a great bit of trauma that some of the girls have endured, all the while helping them bond with others to stabilize their lives. In short, Ningyo became a certified therapist at the age of fourteen. Big sis Yuki is proud. Griseo and Daria are new additions, however. The latter is romantically pursuing Ningyo, much to little Mei's begrudging acceptance. Griseo, intriguingly, is an introverted girl who somehow has wormed her way into the family. Her cuteness like a little duckling must have been a contributing factor as even Mei can't resist patting the girl's blue hair whenever she shows them her painting.
Honestly, what a cute and colorful family Yuki has, and she won't change it for anything. Best give them the entire world to live peacefully in, am I right?