Arideo Annexation? [GO News Cycle][Closed/GO Only]

[Parthonopia]

May 1, 2020

International News
Article by
Pepi Panforte

BREAKING NEWS

Elements of Esercito dell'Est

Cross the Border into Arideo,

Bloodless at this Point

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A parade of C1 Furia main battle tanks, apart of the 49th Armored Brigade, race across
a back road border between Parthonopia and Arideo.

Rumors have been swirling for the better part of the last month about Parthonopian Armed Forces near the Parthonopian-Arideo border significantly stepping up their activity and numbers. There has been reports emerging about the military positions along this border increasing their drills and number of staff since after the short conflict in the summer of 2019 against Winst. Military maneuvers has become commonplace for the Parthonopian people as the Risorgimento movement of the past decade saw the creation, establishment, training, and outfitting of arguably the best and strong land force on the continent of Lira. Despite this apathy towards a military presence in the region, the steadily increasing significance of one on the eastern border region has been cause for some alarm from local citizens on either side.

Despite increased presence and increased calls for answers as to why, the maneuvers of the heftily sized Esercito dell'Est (EdE) in the region has been largely uncovered. Aside from standard messages from superior ranking members of the Parthonopian Legion, including Grand Marshal Vico Bartolomeo Ongaro and EdE Field Marshal Eligio Amalia, the field operations of the EdE carried out along the border over the past few months was nothing but "standard practice and necessary drilling to maintain a fully function, well-oiled, operational force."

The Escercetio dell'Est is one of the larger army groups of the entire Parthonopian Legion, comprised of six Corps totaling near 600,000 servicemen. Other armies, however, such as the Esercito della Guardia Meridionale (EdGM) and Esercito della Parrania (EdP), have a similar number of corps and personnel. What makes the size of the EdE significant is the substantial overlap of its operational territory with the other two mentioned armies. While there is 600,000 Legionnaires spread through the southeastern coast and another 600,000 around the north, the 600,000 of the EdE have been tightly packed making their presence more apparent.

Today, early this morning around first light, questions towards the intentions of this tightly huddled mass of troops were answered, although many, many more questions arose thereafter. Elements of the EdE, specifically the highly mobile IX and X Corps, rushed across the Parthonopian-Arideo border at several points, seemingly uncontested thus far. The pictured 49th Armored Brigade, apart of the 10° Reggimento di Cavalleria "Rovigo", led a similar charge across the back country between Rovigo and the nearest Arideo village, Arvein.

Cavalry and combined arms regiments, mainly mechanized forces and armor, swiftly crossed the border within an hour. From there sources have shown the bulk of the forces seems to be traveling northeast while sections of the force have dispersed along the Aridite side of the border. Several strategic positions, such as bridges across the border and local towns and cities along it, such as Arvein, have been seemingly occupied as Parthonopian armored brigades came upon them. Shortly after the swifter divisions of the EdE crossed, they were followed by several infantry divisions in their wake.

The apparent direction of the force's movement leaves their destination up in the air. Currently they are on track for either the Aridite capital, Gvardio de Monteto, if not the Revolutionary Republic of Winst. At this point, a mere three hours after the first reports of the EdE's mobilization, there has been no bloodshed or shots fired. There also has been an eerie lack of response or comment from either the Parthonopian or Aridite governments.

Questions are aplenty and what this means for Parthonopian-Aridite relations is uncertain, let alone what the broader repercussions of this entail for the rest of Lira. This comes at a time when relations between the two Orthurian states have been relatively thawed, even on questionably good terms. Since the death of the former King of Arideo, Wilbert XI, on March 12, 2019, the foreign policy drastically changed from the standoffish nature of Wilbert. The newly crowned Queen Amadalia II was significantly more open to a dialogue and a course towards cooperation between the two Orthurian nations. Since the funeral and subsequent coronation, talks have been unfolding, and relations warming.

Specifically noted as a sign of an improved, if not friendly, relationship, was the diplomatic mission led by King Carlo's oldest son, Prince Filip dell'Ancona. Prince Filip has been staying, on an off, in Gvardio de Monteto and engaging in an unfurling series of talks between himself and Queen Amadalia directly. More recently, Prince Filip has been in the Aridite capital straight since mid January and has been seen publicly with the Aridite Queen on several occasions. During this time, announcements have come of combined efforts to combat the global recession and new steps in the free trade of goods between the two nations.

With all of this in mind, it brings to question, what is being done here?

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[Meronnia]

Council of Government Minutes Excerpt
Secure Document (MS) - Declassified
2020/05/01

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Recording: Secretary Soyer
-13:12 Local Time

Sardou (FD): With that in mind, as far as we are aware the Parthonopians have just invaded a foreign nation.

Beaudouin (FoS): Lack of active resistance seems to indicate a more complicated situation than that. Ambassador Poullain has sent an inquiry to the Aridite government for clarification.

Sardou (FD): Get me their response the moment it comes in, but we won't sit and wait. Parthonopia stands only to gain by our idleness. I want feelers out to Produzland, Lunderfrau, Winst, Boaga. Merde, all of them, on establishing a pan-Liran response.

Beaudouin (FoS): Yes, First Deputy.

Sardou (FD): Have the Joint Command met yet?

Allais (DeS): They have. They're coordinating with Cisparrania on manning existing border fortifications and preparing for the eventuality of full mobilization. Force Stratégique is preparing for the activation of Plan Azur.

Lafaille (SoS): Beo.

Sardou (FD): Good. Let's not pretend we aren't staring at a potential war here. The Parthonopian government has stepped well beyond it's rights. With luck, we can see some clarification for this matter and all go home.

[Boaga]

| NATIONAL NEWS | LOCAL NEWS | ECONOMICS | WORLD | OPINION | ENTERTAINMENT | SPORTS |

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What’s Cooking in Arideo

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Ongoing developments on the Parthonopia-Arideo border

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By Artur Salazar | BARATZA | Posted: 2020

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Within the past few years, Parthonopia has been the subject of national attention here in Boaga, ever since the then Crown Prince Erramun married Princess Annamaria of Parthopia, eldest daughter of King Carlos that country. Now King Erramun XII and Queen Annamaria, the young couple have endeared themselves to millions of Boagans, while political analysts have assessed how this union would affect Boaga’s role in Liran geopolitics.

“Without a doubt, as soon as Erramun married Annamaria, Boaga bound itself to Parthonopia, for better or for worse,” explained Dr. Michael Ardugas of the Public Policy program at the University of Baratza. “Parthonopia of course, realizes this, and is eager to take advantage any way it can.”

The most recent development in Parthonopia has been a buildup of Parthonopian Armed Forced along the border with Arideo, who’s Queen Amadalia II has been rumored to be romantically involved with Crown Prince Filip dell'Ancona, King Carlos’s eldest son and heir. Amadalia is the daughter of the late King Wilbert XI, who died last year. The Queen appears far more open to Liran relations than her late father, who by all measures was isolationist and curmudgeonly.

Interestingly enough, after the engagement announcement of Erramun and Annamaria in 2018, the Boagan government entered into an oil deal with Parthonopia, the latter of which has been receiving Boagan oil exports since that time. There has been some speculation that Parthonopia may use this oil to fuel some yet to be seen military conflict.

“It’s a reasonable assumption to make that the late King Gozo III would take an alliance with Parthonopia very seriously,” commented Dr. Ardugas. “The oil deal was just the start of that, and once Erramun became king, he would undoubtedly feel the need to go above and beyond to support his queen, who by all accounts he’s deeply in love with. By all accounts, Annamaria is pragmatic like her father, modest for a princess, probably more intelligent than her brothers but in the past has taken a backseat to them. She married for love, not politics, yet there is undoubtedly a very political nature to her marriage to King Erramun.”

Queen Annamaria is the second child and eldest daughter of King Carlo of Parthonopia and his first wife, Luisa d'Ischia. As the story goes, Erramun traveled to Parthonopia following graduation from University as part of a larger tour of Lira, one of the goals of which was to seek a suitable bride. There had been some discussions previously between Gozo and Carlo about a match between their children, though both of them seemed comfortable with their children sorting out their prospects for themselves.

Dr. Ardugas explained that “Annamaria going off to Boaga cemented an external alliance and did better for Carlo than marrying her to some Parthonopian noble family since he has already solidified his power in Parthonopia. The other nobles at this point are his lackeys or are afraid of him. Either way towing they tow the line.”

It’s no secret that both Parthonopia and Arideo formed parts of the Orthurian Empire, with the two states sharing kindred peoples. There is ongoing speculation that there will be some sort of announcement relating to the two states, and this is supported by increased military activity on the border. Others suspect a more momentous event, such as unification of the two states.

“Whatever is going to happen, Parthonopia knows it has the support of Boaga, compliments of the alliance and royal marriage.” Dr. Ardugas then made a bold claim. “Boaga will go lockstep with whatever Parthonopia does, and if that includes something with Arideo, then I don’t see the Boagan government doing anything against that. Prime Minister Begada has made it clear that he won’t counter the king, and the king is very much the accomplish of his father-in-law in Parthonopia.”

[Parthonopia]

May 1, 2020

International News
Article by
Pepi Panforte

BREAKING NEWS

Esercito dell'Est Continues

Through Arideo Unopposed,

Both Governments Remain Silent

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Highly mobile and fast moving mechanized units from the 10° Reggimento di Cavalleria "Rovigo"
parade through Aridite village, met with cheering crowds and open arms.

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The unfurling, massive military excursion by the Esercito dell'Est into the Kingdom of Arideo has steadily continued through the day. Reports from the front line have consistently come back showing little, to no local response by Aridite officials or military elements. Fear of the outcome, earlier in the day, of what may happen when Parthonopian forces and units from the Gardistoj Armeo were to run across each other was quickly bypassed within two hours of the first Parthonopian Legionaries crossing the border. It would appear that from the start of the mobilization, Aridite forces were seeming to avoid the Divisions that had entered the nation. Numerous documented active positions of the Gardistoj Armeo, both directly on the border as well as further inland, were unmanned; Aridite troops no where in site.

It was not until armored brigades of the 10° Reggimento di Cavalleria "Rovigo", apart of the division spearheading the swift movement, encountered segments of maneuvering Aridite infantry outside of Aglesa. The larger sized, Aridite town has been a revolutionary hot spot within Arideo throughout history. On the occasions of the Aridite Civil Wars, both of the open rebellions began with an armed insurrection emerging from that very town; first in the April of 1934 and again in May, 1986. An extremely brief and awkward standoff ensued before the Aridites were said to have stepped aside and allowed for the continued passage of the Legion forces.

Utilizing the Nacia and Ŝoseo road networks in the nation, Legion movement has been swift, with forces dispersing throughout the border region and the northeast. Armored and mechanized brigades took over the Ŝoseo infrastructure, long two-lane two-way highways directly connecting cities, and subsequent Nacia turnpikes for local travel, effectively shutting them down from private use. A large, concentrated contingent of the Esercito dell'Est has been fast approaching the Aridite capital region and Gvardio de Monteto itself.

All of this has occurred, and continues, with absolutely no response from either involved government.

At around noon today, Parthonopian forces entered Drakneir, the largest and most populated city in the eastern Orthurian nation. Once again, Aridite forces were either absent or non combative. The citizens of the city, in fact, were more responsive to the Parthonopian presence than the military, as was the case across the board in many Aridite villages and towns. The response from the citizenry was, somewhat unsurprisingly, also not hostile, and rather receptive in some places. There have been multiple accounts of Aridite citizens greeting the Parthonopian troops joyously, sometimes waving flags and banners in support of them.

Responses such as this from civilians have been more than either Orthurian Kingdom has provided. Queen Amadalia II, who has been engaged in extensive talks for months with Prince Filip dell'Ancona, who still remains in Gvardio de Monteto, has yet to address her nation in the wake of the confusing play of events. So too, has any representative from King Carlo's administration been reluctant to come out and speak on the situation. Chief spokesman for King Carlo, Hugo Baldassaro, was particularly unwilling to comment when approached by LN affiliates, acting especially circumspect and avoiding entering in any sort of dialogue with journalists and media.

Broader fears among the populations of both nations is stoked by the lack of response not only from the participating nations but from the silent neighbors in Lira who have certainly been standing by and watching closely. While it is still too early to call out exactly what the situation on the ground may be, whatever the response of neighboring, aggressive republics, such as Winst and Meronia, is something that will be sure to be brought to the forefront in coming days, if not hours.

This coverage still unfolds while the face, voice, and heart of his nation, King Carlo, is entirely unreachable and unaccounted for. Sources close to the Castello d'Cormor report that the Parthonopian monarch is not within the building, nor has he been seen there since yesterday afternoon. His daily planner schedule suggests that he has a conference with Duke Valerio di Giambattista, however the Trevisa Duke has not responded after having been reached out to. LN associates in Sanluri, where Duke Giambattista's residence is, have indicated that there is no sign of the King's presence there.

With questions swirling and King Carlo unaccounted for, the people of Lira are left dumbfounded and on the verge of a panic as the questions remain unanswered.

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[Meronnia]

Outside the Palais Gouvernment, Senone
May 1st, 3:11 PM

First Deputy Sardou stood in front of a horde of reporters and cameramen, the small podium overflowing with differently-branded microphones. Perhaps apart from Produzland, Meronnia had appeared in recent months to be the nation most committed to containing the militant Parthonopian kingdom. Now, they had made an extreme play into Arideo without any explanation, and eyes were on the Federal Republic for a response. Sardou had met Carlo, and he knew what sort of man he was. He knew Parthonopia wouldn't bow to empty words, or answer to petty inquiries. They required a different sort of approach.

"Thank you all for coming. As I'm sure you are all aware, as of right now, the Parthonopian Esercito dell'Est has crossed the border into Arideo and secured a number of major towns and a large portion of the infrastructure in Western Arideo. There has been no explanation given for this action - no announcements prior to the border crossing, and no response to inquiries leveled by press organizations or national governments."

"Initial claims that this move was an invasion force have been called into question by the response, or lack thereof, by Aridite military forces. However, it can not be discounted that there is a distinct and major possibility that the Esercito dell'Est is instituting a hostile move of some kind within the territory of Arideo. This act, regardless of its original intent, has been perhaps the most irresponsible move so far performed by a government that has consistently shown a lack of respect for international stability and the rule of law. The Federal Republic of Meronnia has not, and will not, tolerate such actions going unexplained and unanswered."

Sardou looked around at the reporters before him. Some looked confused, others afraid. His own face was emotionless.

"Meronnia's defense of the international community against hostile agents is part of our national character, and not distinct to any creed. That is why I have, over the past hour, discussed with the Chamber Leaders of each represented political party in Meronnia to build a full consensus - to pass the necessary motions."

Some murmurs now, as people started to realize what consensus in the chamber is required for.

"It is then my burden to make the following abundantly clear; if a satisfactory response to inquiries leveled by the Meronnian government is not issued within fourty-eight hours, Meronnia will have to operate under present assumptions, and a state of war between Meronnia and Parthonopia will exist."

There were shouts of panicked questions from reporters, but Sardou turned and walked back through the doors of the Palace silently.

[Parthonopia]

May 1, 2020

International News
Article by
Pepi Panforte

BREAKING NEWS

Legionaries of the Esercito dell'Est

Have Entered Gvardio de Monteto,

King Carlo Leading the Way

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"What a truly, lovely home, magnificent building..." - King Carlo, upon the steps of Castrio Castle, before entering the Aridite capital building, tailed by a team of Generals.

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King Carlo standing atop of an APC on the streets of Gvardio de Monteto, along
with Major General Paolo Rizzo, commander of the 1° Reggimento di Fanteria "Ancona".

Another major turn of events in the situation rapidly unfolding in Arideo occurred around the hour of 4:00pm. To be precise, at exactly 4:07pm, the time clearly stated, along with the temperature, on an electronic billboard above a bank, the first sections of the Legion officially crossed the city limits of Gvardio de Monteto. The Esercito dell'Est was inside the Aridite capital.

Soon after, well within an hour, a massive concentration of mobile units, mainly armored and mechanized brigades, from the enormous force that is the EdE were swelling in rank outside of the historic city. Over the course of the hour, segments of the military display filtered into the streets of the city itself. In a stunning move, at the forefront of the parade of vehicles and infantrymen that poured down the roadway was a highly visible King Carlo. Riding at the front of the procession in an open topped armored personnel carrier, the Parthonopian King waved and smiled at the throngs of people who were brazen enough to approach the side streets, teeming with Legionaries, to be able to catch a glimpse of the history being perpetrated.

This came after a day of the 600,000 man strong army, the EdE, swiftly entering the nation of Arideo and subsequently spreading out to cover a vast swath of territory across the Northeast. So far, despite fears of alternate endings, it has been a bloodless affair with no conflict occurring whatsoever. Gardistoj Armeo units had largely avoided contact with Legion forces and those that did come face to face would undergo no issue, as far as accounts are currently concerned.

King Carlo could be seen with Major General Paolo Rizzo on his ride towards the Castrio Castle. Rizzo is the head commander of the 1° Reggimento di Fanteria "Ancona", a section within the first division of the Esercito del Principato, the army commanded by Prince Filip, tasked with the defense of the Parthonopian capital, Ancona, and the surrounding region. While it was formerly assumed that the maneuvers today in Arideo were solely carried out by the EdE, it has now come to light that the 1st Armored Brigade, from Major General Rizzo's 1° Reggimento, participated as well. The 4,800 man strong armored and mechanized unit served as the personal bodyguard of King Carlo, transporting him from Ancona to Rovigo yesterday, and from Rovigo to Gvardio de Monteto today.

The sight of King Carlo in Arideo answered some questions; those pertaining as to where he was and the cause of the silence on the situation so far. It would simultaneously raise many, many more and spark a sense of fear in some people, anger in others. In a press conference an hour earlier, the First Deputy Sardou of Meronia, whom King Carlo tangled with during the notorious Orthuria Senone Conference, raised alarms of his own. Appearing to display both the sense of fear and those of anger, as mentioned before, the Meronie First Deputy went as far as to threaten war between the radical republic to the north and the Kingdom of Parthonopia. That was contingent upon if a reasonable explanation was provided, or not, it would seem.

While no official position or recognition has been made still, by either King Carlo or Queen Amadalia II's governments, King Carlo's actions after his surprise appearance may be construed in many different ways as a position. He would soon arrive to the palace and seat of government which the Queen Amadalia II has been ruling from for a little over a year. Upon arrival at the illustrious, royal building, which Prince Filip has been living in since January while on a diplomatic mission, King Carlo came down from his APC, but not before admiring the city from it first. After descending from the vehicle, he began to ascend the stone steps leading into the building complex.

To King Carlo's flanks was a laundry list of some of the top generals in the Legion. The commanding staff of the EdE, Field Marshal Eligio Amalia at the helm, walked in rank and file, following shortly behind Lieutenant General Gianmarco Francostara and Major General Rizzo from the EdP who had personally commanded the brigade that served as the king's bodyguard. Directly behind King Carlo was man behind all of the might of the entire Legion, Grand Marshal Vico Bartolomeo Ongaro.

On the scene, miraculously, was LN journalist Edina Melosotti, our chief correspondent in Arideo, who was allowed access to the steps to catch an extremely brief exchange with King Carlo. While unable to get within 20ft of him, she was able to get close enough that she had been able to gain his attention, the King turning around to face her while his entourage stopped in their tracks. Edina reportedly asked him what he had to say about what was going on. On the footage of the interaction, King Carlo can be seen to remain emotionless in expression and look down at the steps and then above his head at the sky for a moment.

King Carlo was then recorded saying, "I was told it would be raining here, today. God is good."

He would then follow the statement by turning around and studying the building he was determined to enter and proclaiming, "What a truly, lovely home, magnificent building..."

From there King Carlo, and the gaggle of Generals following closely behind, proceeded to enter Castrio Castle. Almost an hour out from that moment and there have been no further reports or answers on what is going on.

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[Meronnia]

Mèronie 24

May 1

@M24

BREAKING - Armée de l'Air mobilizes several hundred fighter craft for patrols of Meronnian airspace, indicates that civil aviation may be grounded from tomorrow.

Mèronie 24

May 1

@M24

Advisory warnings have been issued to Meronnian citizens currently in Parthonopia to return home.

Mèronie 24

May 1

@M24

Meronnian Foreign Bureau reportedly in conversation with several international partners. Currently no indication as to whether the Republic of Cisparrania will involve itself in any coming conflict.

[Parthonopia]

Castrio Castle
Gvardio de Montento
1st of May, 2020

The sun sat low enough in the sky to signal, clearly, that the day was coming to a close, dusk steadfastly approaching in the coming hours. But, it still remained high enough over the horizon of Gvardio de Monteto to cast its light unto the city. Trickles of spring sunlight reflected off of a smooth, marble patio, a stone handrail and balusters spanning the perimeter of it. The time had just struck 6:00pm, bell towers across the city performing their hourly ritual of ringing out to signify the moment that would occur. As the echoes of the bell’s sounds still reverberated in the distance, an entourage of truly regal proportions exited the confines of Castrio Castle and proceeded out onto the patio.

Down below the balcony, on the streets outside the Aridite capital, a crowd gathered, teeming with people who were huddled just short of the gates of Castrio. In between the gates and the easily thousands of civilians who had gathered there, the 1st Armored Brigade from the Esercito del Principato was stretched out in a show of force. Rows of tanks from the Brigade lined up along the street out front of Castrio Castle in a formidable formation, their officers in full parade dress and standing on the steps of the castle in eager anticipation. Behind the officer cadre was a full military brass band, who began to resoundingly trumpet the Aridite national anthem.

Out on the balcony, the crowd could now clearly see a middle aged, mustached figure who was approaching a dais, several microphones atop it. King Carlo, the Parthonopian sovereign, had a grin upon his face as he gave a meticulously calm and drawn out wave to the spectators below. He was accompanied on the castle lookout by Queen Amadalia II, his son Prince Filip, Field Marshal Ongaro, and other Aridite leaders, including the Royal Affairs Minister, Percy Campbell.

Carlo readjusted one of the mics as he cleared his throat, Amadalia and Filip staying behind him, standing shoulder to shoulder, with their chests out and heads held high. A silence fell upon the crowd, ending the brief and arguably apprehensive cheers that had greeted the royal party above. Everyone was patiently waiting for what came next. Journalists flashed photographs of the historic moment, still unsure what exactly what was to happen or what the history of this day would be.

Looking out at the skies above, small, feathery clusters of clouds gently crossing the horizon, Carlo took a deep breath. He turned his gaze, looking upon the throngs of people below. He raised both arms into the air, with clenched fists, holding them there for a moment before slamming them down on the counter.

“The fine people of this triumphant nation, the glorious Kingdom of Arideo; I implore you! A dark age for your people looms on the horizon; just north, across the Relias, your enemies snicker at you, while they poorly disguise their plans on your annihilation. To the north of the Aniene, bloodthirsty hordes of ideological fanatics gather, biting at the chance to put behind them their Detente ruse and rush to end your prosperous civilization. I beseech you! I watch from my home, as these threats grow ever stronger and more present, I watch on in disgust, in horror. No disgust for the many great strides your Queen, Amadalia II, has made in improving the condition for the common man. I am horrified by the scores of scorned Liran imperialists who want to take this away from you. One may ask, what is it my concern that this kingdom face an impending carnage? It is my concern, as is it the concern of any Parthonopian, because we are all relatives. The Aridites are cousins to Parthonopia, as is the same the other way around.”

“This has been true for millennia, we are the closest Orthurian peoples, sharing the same bonds since the days of the Empire that once proudly called the whole peninsula, and beyond, its home. In fact, I believe that we are not cousins, we are more than that! Aridites and Parthonopians are brothers and sisters. Our shared histories can do nothing but attest to that. Your fight is our fight. When brutal civil wars ravaged this Kingdom twice, Parthonopian volunteer brigades came to the call of the war drums to preserve King Wilbert. When the spark that would ignite the Great Continental War was struck; when the immoral, irreligious and audacious Merons assaulted one of the most holy of places. When outsiders killed the Magi, the highest, holy man of our shared religion, it was a combined effort of Parthonopian and Aridite Verro brethren who responded to that trespass and fought valiantly together.”

“The hardships Arideo endures, so too does Parthonopia. For decades swathes of Aridite land by birthright, and the righteous people who inhabited it, were oppressed by foreign occupiers. From the Great Continental War to the Olympic War, so too has Parthonopia bitterly faced this hardship. These systems of oppression and imperialism were put upon us by the same enemies. To this very day, the Kingdoms of Parthonopia and Arideo face the threat of these same enemies. They have not gone away, they had never left! They are not to go away either, to be here for eternity. That is, unless, we can come together and put a stop to it.”

“As I stress it; your hardships are our hardships. Your fight is our fight. Your Queen, the brilliant, young, and beautiful, Amadalia II, is my kin. Her fight is my fight, her hardships are my own.”

“Myself, and the armies you have seen before you today and throughout Arideo, they have been invited here, by your Queen, to fulfill our combined goals. These enemies I speak of, they may seem less of a threat today than they were in the past, but that is not the case. We must remain vigilant! They have grown stronger in their will to force us into submission; their tactics have grown ever shadier and sinful; their greed knows no bounds. The global recession that has crushed the economy the world over, it was masterminded by Wintonians plutocrats! Meron bankers funnel money and the hard gain resources out of the lowly countries that these self aggrandizing republics look down upon.”

“Queen Amadalia has much respect from me. Her logic is sound and she has shown much wisdom, well beyond her years, during her tenure so far as the sovereign of one of the greatest countries on Olympia. She has done well to stave the worst brunt of the recession from this land, some of her policies imitated by my own government. Now, showing the signs of a truly noble and intelligent leader, she has reached out to me for help solving issues that Arideo currently still faces.”

“I have answered her request with the replenishment of her armed forces, establishing a combined effort for the defense of Arideo, and Orthuria at large. Queen Amadalia required an expert in a particular field, and I am that expert! The field? Holding our imperialist northern and western neighbors at bay! To go beyond that, she has trusted me, as my people have done for near a decade since the birth of Risorgimento, to hold these enemies of our states accountable!”

“I ask you, Arideo, do you wish to hold your oppressors accountable? Do you wish to send your enemies a punishment that they shall not soon forget? Do you wish to live in the prosperity and wealth that they have denied you, for so long? If you do, join me, brothers, join me sisters, in harking a new day for Orthuria, a new day for Lira!”

The crowds were cheering ecstatically, the streets thundered with applause and chanting of approval. Carlo had done a fine job of roweling up the crowd, thousands of people from a nation not of his own chanting his name in between their own nationalistic chants about Arideo greatness. The Parthonopian King clasped his hands together and shook them on either side of his head, a massive grin upon his face. He waved to the crowd some more before taking a bow and stepping back from the dais. As he turned around, Queen Amadalia was approaching the microphones. Carlo gave her a courteous nod along with a sly wink while he blew her a little kiss.

“Friends! Countrymen! Heed my words! Long have we been seen as the forgotten corner of Lira; The ‘corner of rejects where outdated ideals come to fester until they needs be cut down once more’ - Well, no more! Today, and every day from now until our enemies have been defeated, we will no longer be simply dismissed at the table, but seen as a power worthy of note to our friends and onlookers, and a power to dread for our enemies!”

Amadalia’s people received her with tremendous approval, applause for her echoing across the landscape before falling silently when she spoke.

“As many of you have noted, the Parthonopian military was suddenly able to advance deep and thoroughly into our lands, with not a single shot being fired in return. Though suspicions of a coup or invasion were warranted, know that it is not so; This event has been a long time in the making, and it is for the simple reason that we wish not to reveal our hand to our northern neighbors and potential enemies that we have remained quiet until now.”

“Now, however, that the ‘cat is out of the bag’, as the saying goes, I am happy to announce that I, Queen Amadalia the Second of the Kingdom of Arideo, am to marry with Prince Filip of the Kingdom of Parthonopia, to tie our two lands together as one in an alliance in order to ensure the prosperity, security and freedom of our realms for the foreseeable future!”

“I know many of my fellow countrymen may doubt my independence in this matter; Long has Arideo prided itself on independence from all outside factions, to let Lira sort itself out whilst we look on. To that effect, most rulers of our lands, especially my father, King Wilbert XI, went to great lengths to maintain a status quo of non-intervention in any and all affairs that did not directly impact Arideo.”

“However! If the events of the Great Continental War and the recent events regarding our northern neighbor Winst is any indication, then it is clear that Arideo can no longer afford to stand alone, to be isolated from our fellow Orthurians and picked off by the vultures! To that effect, we will now vow to form a personal union with Parthonopia, that Orthuria may never again suffer the ills of the past!”

“My fellow countrymen! Join me, in securing the future of Arideo, Parthonopia, and Orthuria as a whole!”

The masses were in a fervor, chanting and cheering reaching the highest decibels. Flags of Arideo were being twirled around, those of Parthonopia that were carried in by the armed forces were being held high as well. Prince Filip strode gracefully up to the podium alongside his wife-to-be, standing to her left. He placed his right hand gently atop of her left hand which was resting on the dais. Looking at his elegant fiance, he grinned before turning to the crowd and raising his left arm with a fist to the sky.

Leaning into the microphone he roared, “Two great kingdoms! For too long, far too long, our two great kingdoms have been the Liran dumping ground. Where imperialists come to fight each other, as well as our people. Trash our lands, destroy our buildings, imprison our people, and shed our blood! This happens no more!”

The crowd was cheering him as he raised his other hand in the air, still holding Amadalia’s, “With this union of two glorious houses, the future is bright and endless! This is what Liran imperialists fear. They fear it because it is a show of power from nations they would so cynically describe as a cesspit. Our two powerful countries, what they would deride as backwaters, was the center of civilization first. It was the home, the birthplace, nurturer, and proliferator of the Renaissance. The cornerstone of advancements in the arts, sciences, maths, and medicine from this continent, they all began here. Our people yearn for a better tomorrow and work to achieve that, as our ancestors have done time and again throughout history.”

“It is this knowledge that the globalists possess, the knowledge that they could never achieve the levels of refinement and excellence that we have, that drives their hatred. This knowledge is what forged their misguided plans to subjugate our peoples for centuries. They are jealous, they wish to take from us. Steal what they cannot produce on their own labors. They wish for us to toil and then hand over our fruits to them. With this union, I, as your future king will no longer let this slide! I only hope you may accept me as that King so that we may focus on the true threats to our way of life.”

“Your virtuous, wonderful Queen has led you well; brilliantly steered you through the recession that was manufactured by the globalists to ruin us. She will continue to do so, to lead you to greatness. I am no usurper, only a man led by love, and God, to be in a position to only amplify her work and propel it, this nation, our nations, to the next level. From the day of our wedding, it will be guaranteed that the future King or Queen of Arideo will also inherit the throne of Parthonopia. As in the days of the Orthuria Empire, when this vast peninsula was united and none could stand against it, our unity will bring us strength. Our combined effort will stand to show that once again, the Kingdoms of Orthuria are undefeatable!”

The cheers were raucous, even the military men of the Legion that were scattered throughout the streets were participating in the jubilations.

“So I ask you this, if it is inevitable that our nations are unified for the glorious pursuit of our universal destiny, why wait for the stars to align to do so? Why not forge that path now, sheer willpower and strength to drive us forward to victory against whatever unknown hordes of naysayers may do! Why not, now! If not now, when? As the proverb says, the stars may guide us, but they do not bind us!”

“I say, no I scream, I demand, that is what must be done now! If one man is destined to rule both kingdoms, the heart and soul of Orthuria, respectively, why not crown that man as soon as possible? It is more than apparent that wolves are at the doors already. Vultures circle the sky above, waiting for a weakness. We must crown that man, the man who can lead us to victory, before the time to do so has come and gone. We must do so before it is too late. There is a man who is up for the task. A man who has already, single handedly, broken the circle again and again. Who has written history; tested, pushed, and obliterated the boundaries of what our great people are capable of. This man, the man who can lead us to a new tomorrow, the man who can defeat the armies of the globalists, the man who can end the recession and bring a prosperous future for all. This man, who has already achieved much of this before and can easily, and will, do so again; this man, my father; King Carlo I dell’Ancona, is the righteous, and logical choice to restore the Orthurian Empire.”