Mai volk Yushanir.
(My fellow Yushans.)
Vi lebn in zeit ven ze vorld iz frasnod by gierup i korputiya, ven menn mit pauer fauln fon innen i natsii zerfaln unter fals promes.
(We live in an age where the world is being consumed by greed and corruption, where men in power rot from within and nations decay under false promises.)
Fon dis kollaps vi zign ze fal fon alt ordnungi i ze aufstieg fon neu natsii geborn aus opfer i entschlosnost.
(From this collapse, we witness the fall of old orders and the rise of new nations born from sacrifice and resolve.)
Yushan hot gezigt, endured, i geblibn gebundn an allianzen di nikt mer dinen ehre i spravednost.
(Yushan has watched, endured, and remained bound to alliances that no longer serve honor or justice.)
Hoit dis zadrzh endet.
(Today that restraint ends.)
Mai zon, Prinz Georg Ferdinant Yushan IV, erbe fon ze tron, vas assasinirt durkh fest zur einig unzer peopl.
(My son, Prince George Ferdinand Yushan IV, heir to the throne, was assassinated during a celebration meant to unite our people.)
Zain tod vil nikt gehn one entshuldigung.
(His death will not go without an apology.)
Es vil nikt fergezn, i es vil nikt proshen.
(It will not be forgotten, and it will not be forgiven.)
Fon disem tag voran, ikh verkundn dat di natsiya Yushan austritt fon ze Nord allianz.
(On this day forward, I announce that the nation of Yushan withdraws from the Northern Alliance.)
Ikh erklarn krig gegen di Lupish Respublika.
(I hereby declare war against the Lupish Republic.)
Hoit iz nikt di zeit fon zweifel oder zaderzh.
(Today is not the time for doubt or hesitation.)
Dis iz ze moment di fordert einheit i sila.
(This is the moment that demands unity and strength.)
Zusamn vi shmidn ain viel mekhtiger Yushan.
(Together we shall forge a far more powerful Yushan.)
Vi vern zershtern ale di vagn unzer shiksal zu widersteln.
---
18:23
Victor (Driver)
"Umm, sir, we're here."
Victor immediately got out of the car and opened the door.
Edward Laurent
"Thank you, Victor."
Victor (Driver)
"I'll park the car in the lot behind the building, sir. Let me know if you need anything."
Edward Laurent
"Victor, why don't you go home for the day? I'll just take the bus."
Victor (Driver)
"Sir, I can't do that. It's part of my job, and what if something happens to you?"
Edward Laurent
"It's getting late, and this session might run long. I'll be fine. You should go home and check on your wife."
Victor (Driver)
"But, sir-"
Edward Laurent
"Please, I insist. I'll be fine. Take care of your wife and child. Families are the cornerstone of life."
Victor let out a long sigh.
Victor (Driver)
"I understand, sir. But please let me know if you need anything. You still have my number, right?"
Edward Laurent
"Yes, I do. Don't worry too much. I've been taking the bus even before the election. This is just normal for me."
Victor (Driver)
"Alright, sir. I'll see you tomorrow then. Please be careful on your way home."
---
Woman Clerk
"Good evening, Mr. Laurent. Madam Michael is waiting for you in her office. If you need anything, just let me know."
Edward Laurent
"Thank you. Umm, may I ask where the office is?"
Woman Clerk
"Ah, forgive me, sir. Her office is the second door on the left."
Edward Laurent
"I see. Thank you again."
Edward knocked on the door twice. A few moments later, the door opened, and a woman dressed in a white uniform smiled, letting Edward enter the office.
Dr. Michael
"Good afternoon, Mr. President. I appreciate you taking the time to come in today. Please, have a seat wherever you are most comfortable."
Edward Laurent
"It's good to be here, but please stop with the formalities. I am your patient today."
Dr. Michael
"Of course, Edward. Then let us speak plainly. We are here to focus on you, nothing else. Now, before we start, why don't we have a tea?"
Edward Laurent
"Of course."
Michael poured the tea into Edward's cup as he began drinking it.
Edward Laurent
"It has a very interesting flavor. I think I've had this before. Is it Lormere Black Tea?"
Dr. Michael
"Yes, it is. It was imported from Lormere by my cousin, who currently works there."
Edward Laurent
"It's amazing how Black Tea has managed to outperform the Green Tea of Wexnold in the global market."
Dr. Michael
"I believe Lormere has been planning this for years. I've heard their Camellia sinensis plantations were a joint production with their neighbor, Southelm. Both nations have been developing it in a way that seems to have toppled Green Tea from its throne in the market."
Edward Laurent
"It has been interesting to see nations compete with each other over something as simple as tea, but these global competitions have also opened up major rivalries, especially among the superpowers. Ever since the creation of the Mosullea's Atomic Bomb that was dropped on Chima.
Dr. Michael smiles politely.
Dr. Michael
"How have things been feeling lately?"
Edward paused for a moment, sipping his tea before placing it on the table.
Edward Laurent
"It has been tough. I knew from the start that being a leader of a nation wasn't easy, but it's far harder than I was expecting."
Dr. Michael
"It sounds like leading a nation has been heavier and more demanding than you expected. That must be a lot to carry on your shoulders right now. What has felt the most difficult for you in the past few days?"
Edward Laurent
"The feeling of failing my country, with the number of crises and problems it faces, is overwhelming. I don't know if I'm making the right decision. I always feel that the people around me will judge me based on my actions, and I don't want to disappoint them."
Dr. Michael
"You've described feeling a lot of pressure and fear of judgment. When you began noticing yourself feeling that way, what happens in your body or mind? For example, do you feel restless, uneasy, or have trouble sleeping?"
Edward Laurent
"I'm not really sure how to answer that. Yes, I would say the pressure of being president has been stressful for me. But I've been having these nightmares even before being in office. I still couldn't fully grasp why."
Dr. Michael
"Where do you think this feeling began?"
---
Year 1917
The Confederacy and Northern Alliance are now in a stalemate for three years, as trench warfare continues in the region of Yeme.
During this stalemate, the Yushan Empire declared war on the nation of Ternovia. Following the Treaty of Vraes-Yushan, signed by both leaders on February 19, 1917, the treaty lays out a full joint operation between the Republic of Vraesper and Yushan to take over all of Ternovia, the territory that once belonged to the fallen Vraisperance Empire. In exchange for this operation, Vraesper agreed to join the Confederacy in the war against the Northern Alliance.
---
Bruman Strait
21:43
"Honey, where are we?"
"I'm not sure myself, but I believe we're still halfway there."
"What about Peter? Are you sure he can be trusted? What if he report us?"
"I've known him since I was young. We've always had each other's backs, and I believe he'll do the right thing."
"If you say so."
The woman turned to the one beside her.
"Edward, are you alright?"
Edward
"Why is it so dark, Mother? I can't see anything. I'm scared. Please, I want to go home."
Mother
"Everything is alright, Edward. I'm right here-just hold me tight, alright?"
A few minutes later, we noticed a small light in the distance. It was a man holding a lamp, waiting for us at the dock.
Father
"We're here."
The man guided us as we stepped off the boat, then returned to my father to collect the rest of our belongings.
"I'm glad you all made it out, Joseph. And of course, my favorite, Edward, nice to see that you are doing well, good boy."
He gently patted my head and gave a warm smile.
Father
"Thank you, Peter. I'm truly grateful for your help during this time."
Peter
"How could I not? Not a single Vraisperancian citizen supports the new administration. They're destroying the reputation of what was once a great nation. But we'll talk later. Soldiers will begin patrolling this area. Let's get you somewhere safe first. Everyone, follow me."
We followed Peter toward a dense forest just a few meters from the shore. Before entering, he extinguished the lamp he was holding, using the sand on the ground. Then he carefully pulled out a rope hidden near a large rock. He began proceeding into the forest, using the rope as a guide to maintain his sense of direction. My parents immediately followed, each gripping the rope and our belongings as we moved forward. After a few minutes of walking, I accidentally stepped on something sharp. It didn't hurt much, but it made walking difficult. So my father decided to carry me on his back as we went deeper into the darkness.
If I remember clearly, everything was still. All I could make out was the sound of crickets. But a while later, Uncle Peter noticed vibrations in the rope coming from the direction behind us. We immediately quickened our pace, thinking the Confederacy had already caught up to us.
I could not recall much of it after, but I believe we managed to escape them, and Uncle Peter brought us to his home along with his wife, Eliza. Aunt Eliza was really kind to me and would tell me stories about gods and goddesses. The last thing I remember was that we fled their home to catch a train heading south, finally leaving the country.
Even during our escape in the Eastern Continent, I remembered stories of the world's state. Many had died, entire towns were empty, and families had been torn apart. I did not understand everything at the time, but I knew the world had become frightening and unstable.
---
Dr. Michael
"I see. So you are saying that these nightmares you have been having are because of what you experienced in childhood during the First World War?"
Edward Laurent
"I believe so. Is there a problem?"
Dr. Michael noticed the slight tremble in Edward's hand, which he tried to hide between his thighs.
Dr. Michael
"Nothing. In fact, I am glad that you are able to open up to me even though we have only just met. I have been doing this for twenty five years, but I have only met a few people who had the courage to do so like you during their first session."
Edward Laurent
"To be honest, these symptoms I am having are not just my own personal problem. This has also affected my relationship with my wife, my children, and now my nation. That is why I need your help to help me overcome this."
Dr. Michael
"Edward, I am only a therapist. I am here to guide, not to control. You alone have the ability to overcome these."
Edward Laurent
"I understand, Michael."
Dr. Michael
"Well then, it is already late. I should not make you wait any further. Let us continue our session another time."
Edward Laurent
"Of course. Thank you for the opportunity, Michael."
Michael guided Edward toward the door. Suddenly, she patted his shoulder and said,
Dr. Michael
"Oh, and tell Victoria I said hi. I missed her call during a session yesterday. I sure hope she's not mad."
Edward Laurent
"I will make sure she receives it."
---
Woman Clerk
"Madam, is so something wrong?"
Dr. Michael
"Thea, have you heard about what happened in the town of Al-Mount during the First World War?"
Woman Clerk
"Umm... wait, I think I have, Madam. It was an old town in Vraesper, right? I remember my father talking about it. It was destroyed during the Galan Festival, when a massive fire killed many of the residents. Some say the fire was caused after a large piece of cloth was hanging next to a fire torch, but many still believe the cause of the fire was-"
Dr. Michael
"Never mind. Forget I asked."
Woman Clerk
"Oh... I'm so sorry for overstepping, Madam."