The room settled into a quiet hum as the Nipponese delegation took their seats at the long table. Alexander, flanked by Julieanne and other high-ranking Valorian officials, remained standing for a moment, his presence filling the room. The Supreme Leader's mask caught the light, its stark, polished surface adding a layer of mystery to the imposing figure behind it.
"Let us begin," Alexander said, his deep voice steady and commanding. "You have come a great distance, Foreign Minister Kuroda. Speak plainly. What does Nippon seek from Valoria?"
Kuroda inclined his head respectfully before speaking. "Supreme Leader, Nippon has long observed Valoria's rise with great interest. Your decisive victory over Ruthenia has confirmed what many in the East have already suspected—Valoria is a power that cannot be ignored. We believe that our nations, though geographically distant, share common values: strength, discipline, and a commitment to progress."
