Reich Marshal of the Belkan Reich

RM Vol 4: War – Chapter 30: Case Yellow (Day 9 – The Brussels Agreement.)

Brussels has seen better days. Sequestered behind the city walls, the air of defeatism and anxiety reign supreme. Marketplaces are closed voluntarily by the civilian populace while the streets are left unmaintained. A majority of Darscens, those that stubbornly refused to be refugees elsewhere, hide in their homes, only peering through their window screens as the droning of propeller blades can be heard overhead. Save for the Darscen Royal Guards, the Darscen Land Component, otherwise known as the Darscen Army, has been defeated in and around the capital city. Those who survived the initial Belkan onslaught are forced to discard their weapons and munitions to their new Belkan occupiers. The Darscen citizens around the armament handover sites watch as the surrendered Darscen soldiers discard their guns in shame and humiliation.

Some of the Darscen citizens comfort the soldiers, battered in bodies and shattered emotionally. Hugs are shared, and tears are shed, with some citizens draping Darscen traditional white and blue embroidered scarves over their saddened warriors. Every Darscen citizen wears such scarves as part of their national heritage, yet the service members distinctively lack them due to uniform regulation in combat. Having these defeated soldiers wear the scarves now serves as a welcoming reminder that, even if they lost, they're still Darscen fathers and sons.

Undoubtedly, no one blames the Darscen Army for its defeat, at least not outwardly. The mystifying ways of war the Belkans brought to bear were irresistible. They brought not just quantity but also quality to squash the Darscen Army in days. Everything happened so fast, leaving the Darscen populace too confused and scared. It's why when the Belkans are allowed entry into the city to disarm the Darscen Army garrison, no one dares to protest violently. It doesn't stop the Darscens from showing solidarity among each other though, and surprisingly, the Belkans seem to allow it, not being heavy-handed despite maintaining a vigilance watch over motley groups of civilians and defeated Darscen Army soldiers.

As for the Darscen Royal Guards, what remains that didn't participate in the defense of Brussels' walls are safeguarding the Royal Palace of Brussels. Though they're still armed and combat-capable, they're disallowed from conducting acts of hostility against the Belkans. Being better-trained and loyal than most, the Darscen Royal Guards follow the order to the tee, standing at attention dutifully in various locations of the Palace. They bite down any misgivings they still carry and review the Palace security for the arrival of Belkan VIPs. These VIPs are to arrive and negotiate the official surrender of the Principality of Darscen. Though the VIPs will arrive with their security details, the Royal Guards are expected to perform their job seriously less they lose all face with the Reich. If necessary, they are required to draw their weapons against fellow Darscens. Something that causes distaste among the Royal Guards but, their professionalism and sense of duty prevail.

Soon enough, it's minutes from the appointed time for the VIPs to arrive at the Royal Palace. The Darscen Royal Guards are upholding the security of the reception area which is a garden clearing. Mixed in between the Darscen Guardsmen are elements of the Belkan Reichsguards and elite soldiers of Belkan Army Group B. In the middle of the circle of guards are the Darscen Royal Family and the Principality's Chamber of Representatives.

Before deciding on this course of action, there were thoughts of escaping to other nations to establish a government in exile. However, these were squashed when the Belkans lock-down the capital city and the Royal Family refused to run away, fearing they would be seen as deserters. Prince Leopold III even went as far as saying:

"Whatever happens, I have to share the same fate as my troops."

His words and the grim reality of Brussels ultimately convinced the ministers of the Chamber to stay their ground with the Royal Family. They then pondered the Belkan ultimatum before a decision was passed by both the governmental body and the Royal Family to stop resisting and welcome the Belkan Reich into the capital in full. Working with the initial Belkan delegation, the Darscen Prince and his ministers made preparations to welcome the VIPs.

It hasn't been formally signed, but it's clear to the Darscens that a conditional surrender is the best they can achieve. The strangely generous and amendable terms the Belkans have given out are, of course, a nice bonus. Unlike the Ustian that crushed the Principality's hopes and dreams in a time long gone, the Belkans still allow a sizeable breathing room for the Darscens to live and even thrive, albeit with the Reich as the ultimate ruling body.

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When the strange Belkan aircraft hovers above the Royal Palace of Brussels, Prince Leopold III and his ministers tense up. They then psych themselves mentally to meet with the string pullers who orchestrated their downfalls. Prior to the VIP transport's landing, two Ospreys touched down and deployed additional contingents of Reichsguards and Storm Troopers. These veterans then form an additional security circle around the landing zone of the VIP Osprey. Prince Leopold III watches as the last Osprey opens up its rear ramp before two women disembark alongside their security detail and aides. In short, it's a heavily armed delegation. The amount of firepower they are carrying suggests that they're perfectly capable of defeating the remaining Darscen Royal Guards should things come to blow. And while Leopold and his ministers have no intention of letting things devolve to that point, it's still very disheartening to see.

As the drones of propeller blades start dying down, a Belkan military band starts playing a symphonic arrangement that is surprisingly unheard of, given Leopold's wife constantly dragging him to hear many orchestral performances. For a brief moment, Prince Leopold III moves from the reception at hand, losing himself in the musical notes, and by the Lord, the symphonic track is astounding. Key components include brass instruments, such as trumpets, trombones, and Ustian horns. They contribute to the track's powerful and imposing sound. Strings, including violins, violas, cellos, and double basses, provide depth and richness. These elements, together, weave a rhythm that is best described as a rhythmic ostinato. The repetitive nature of the rhythms creates a militaristic feel, consistent with the theme of the piece, and most important of all, consistent with the images of the Reich. The track seems to represent all the notions that the Belkan Reich is well-known for, strength, order, and control. So majestic is the piece that Leopold can't help but think that it's a near equivalent to the Reich's national anthem if not being one already.

"I see, you're a man of culture as well, Prince Leopold the Third." A charming voice shakes Leopold out of his silent musical musing.

Leopold can't help but chastise himself for that serious faux pass. The stress has gotten into him these days, and the sudden influx of an interesting tune has caused him to zone out and fail to greet the Belkan VIP. It's all the more serious when he finally realizes that the person who called him out is none other than the famed Reich Marshal, and a fellow peer of royal status, the Crown Princess of the Belkan Reich. At once, Leopold finds himself offering an apologetic bow, because it's a gentleman thing to do.

"My sincerest apology, Lady Venusian." Prince Leopold addresses the Marshal by her prized last name. "I was thoroughly grasped by the beauty of the Reich's music."

Fortunately for the Prince and his ministers, the Reich Marshal only smiled, amusement dancing in her visible red eye.

"Apology accepted, Prince Leopold." The Marshal waves a hand, signaling that no harm's done. "To find a fellow enjoyer of fine music is always a happy thing, regardless of the occasion."

Prince Leopold offers a sincere smile, glad the Marshal hasn't taken his faux pas to heart.

"I am grateful, milady. But where are my manners?" This time, Prince Leopold III performs a proper royal greeting in proper Belkan. "Leopold Philipp Karl Albrecht Meinrad Hubert Maria Michael greets the Crown Princess and Reich Marshal of Belka."

Likewise, the Marshal returns a proper gesture of her own. "Yukia Rosetta de Venusian greets the Prince of Darscen and Commander of the Land Component."

Both seal the formal meet-and-greet with a firm handshake. After that, they then introduce their accompanying staff, with the Reich Marshal giving out the name of the General that trounced the Darscen Army, Belladonna. The General is a part of the escorts and aides who join the Marshal in her retinue to the Royal Palace.

Before relocating to the meeting chamber inside the Palace, Prince Leopold and the Reich Marshal exchange one last pleasantries.

"May I know the name of the track the band played?"

"That? It's a track we commissioned the idol Eden to compose. It's called 'Belkan March', but others may also know it as 'Glory of the Reich'. The theme is also our new national anthem."

"I see. It would seem that Lady Eden strikes back at the musical world with another great piece. The theme surely emboldens everything that is Belka."

"Haha, you have no idea, Prince Leopold. Now then, shall we move onto the brass tacks?"

"Right this way, Marshal Venusian."

As the doors to the negotiation chamber close, not many are privy to the exact nature of the discussion that is happening behind them. However, the signatures on the dotted lines will move on to cement the domination of the Reich over Central and Western Europe.

The Principality of Darscen will capitulate, its Army is to stop fighting and retreat. In the future, they will be downsized and delegated to territorial control. The Darscen Chamber of Representatives is to be dissolved, though some ministers are retained to ensure a smooth transition of power. The Darscen Royal Family is allowed to remain in existence, with its titles of Prince and Princess of Darscen are still inheritable. However, unlike before, their power is almost non-existent, retaining only control over the Darscen Royal Guards which is similarly reduced in size and capability.

Still, there's a silver lining in everything. Though the Principality will cease to exist, its territories will be absorbed by the Reich and renamed Darscen province, Prince Leopold III is designated the Governor of this new province. He can hold the post as long as he remains competent and loyal to the Reich. Afterward, the governorship of the Darscen province will be held by whoever else is deemed suitable and capable by the Reich government and its people. As a province of the Belkan Reich, Darscen will enjoy bountiful aid to rebuild its economy and infrastructure, barely recovered from the Calamity before being thrust into this war. A blanket improvement of day-to-day life for the Darscen people is to be expected and Darscens are to be treated fairly under Belkan laws. It's honestly a better treatment than what Leopold and his ministers expected, possibly even unheard of in modern history. Of course, only time will tell if the Belkans will uphold their end of the deal, but at least the Darscens dare hope now that things won't be all grim and dark.

Militarily, the Reich does not force the Darscen Army to turn against their former Erusean ally, contrary to what Leopold expected. They are, however, required to stand down and retreat to uphold self-defense duties against the Demons, paving the way for the Belkans to attack the Erusean Expeditionary Force. It's something Leopold and his ministers are glad to do, though they can't help but feel bad for the Erusean Kingdom. Still, the Eruseans surely can't expect the Darscens to sacrifice for a cause that is not their own. They've bled enough already and have done well in upholding their part in the Allies' agreement.

There is, of course, the understandable fear that some of the Darscen Army may not comply with the stand-down order. To this, Leopold and his ministers have to begrudgingly agree that the elements that don't follow orders are to be removed entirely from the board alongside the EEF. While Leopold is not privy as to how the Reich Marshal will go about doing that, he witnessed enough of the Belkan ways of combat to know that the fate of the remaining Allied forces won't end well.

Leopold and his ministers find comfort in the fact that they've managed to pull the plug early. By signing the Brussels Agreement, they may be called cowards and losers now. However, if the trend continues, Leopold and his aides may even be hailed as the Darscens' wise saviors. Regardless, the Darscen Prince sincerely hopes that his nine-year-old son, Baudouin, won't grow up to a life of curses and isolation due to his father's sins.

Leopold knows he has much to atone for, having agreed to face the Belkans in this bloody war orchestrated by the Erusean Kingdom. At the time, it was the only way to pay back the debt the Principality owed to the Eruseans. The result of this was the lives of fathers and sons lost to the flame of war. Future improvements to Darscens' livelihood may turn their reputation around, but the feeling of guilt will still be there. Acknowledging his sins, Leopold vows to himself to put the needs of his people first and foremost. It may not be enough to cleanse his guilt, but it's a start. Nonetheless, it's a thing for the future.

Right now, the Allied forces can be said to be quite fucked over by the Darscens' sudden capitulation.