The Times of Vacuo:
Treaty of Atlas announced, details sparse
The Young Emperor together with the leaders of the other Great Kingdoms announced the Treaty of Atlas, the result of hours of intense diplomacy in Atlas. This comes as just hours before an unprecedented mobilization happened in Kingdom of Mistral, the Unholy Ultimus Empire, and the Kingdom of Vale for a secret military operation. While neither one of the leaders revealed the details of the treaty, they did shine light on the secret military operation. General Ironwood had said that in the midst of discussions in Vale, he got informed that "enemies of Remnant" had taken over the Kingdom of Atlas, and its forces. The Young Emperor claims to have let a "joint military operation" to "liberate the Kingdom of Atlas, a dear friend of [her] Empire". When asked about this sudden change in foreign policy, the Young Emperor insisted that they were always good friends, and denied any assertions to the contrary. Ozpin, the leader of Vale, refused to comment aside from mentioning that "stability of Remnant, and its combined strength against forces that aim to destroy it still remains the utmost priority for the Great Kingdoms"
Just Vacuo News:
Critics poke holes in the story of General Ironwood and the Emperor, claim it's impossible to have reached Atlas that fast.
Following the reveal of the contents of the secret military operation, that some have taken to calling Operation Northbound, critics denounced the given explanation, pointing out that it was impossible even for a single person, much less the combined armies of three Great Kingdoms, to reach Kingdom of Atlas in such a short time, liberate it, and then have time for hours of discussions. All that time combined wouldn't even be enough for the armies so much as reach the Kingdom, the experts claim. Some conspiracy-minded individuals have gone so far as to claim that the damage in Atlas, damage that not even the critics deny, was a false flag attack by Kingdom of Atlas to attempt to cool down the relations between itself and the Unholy Ultimus Empire. None of the leaders of the Great Kingdoms could be reached for comment except the Emperor who, through her secretary, had responded with "One would think people of Remnant would have learned not to doubt my power. The, so-called, Operation Northbound, is genuine. Do not mock the many heroes who died to rescue the Kingdom of Atlas"
The Valean Post:
'Intercontinental Atlas' tragedy evaluation' committee was formed to determine the damages Atlas had suffered
A day after the announcement of Treaty of Atlas, about which there still is no information, 'Intercontinental Atlas' tragedy evaluation' committee was formed in Vale by the leaders of the Great Kingdoms, including the Empire in the west, to evaluate how many of Atlas citizens died, as well as to determine the military damage that Atlas suffered. The committee was also to determine how many had died in the so-called liberation campaign. This marks a first step of cooperation between the Kingdoms ever since the rise of the Empire had destroyed international cooperation efforts between itself and the other Kingdoms. All of the Kingdoms agreed to label every single person who had died in this liberation campaign as heroes and do compensate their families greatly.
The Valean Times:
'Concerning' say experts on the issue on Mistrali censorship efforts
Press Whistleblowers, who had run away from the Kingdom of Mistral, claim that the Government of Mistral had leveraged their power and influence to squash any criticism directed at the Empire, and more importantly, the Empire's Emperor. Experts had denounced such practice as "deeply concerning" and urged independent investigation to determine the validity of such accusations. When asked for comment, the Queen of Mistral had denied the accusations. The Emperor was also contacted for comment, but none was given.
The Valean Truth:
A conflict resolution committee formed in Vale, more information about the Treaty of Atlas revealed
'Intercontinental Conflict Resolution Diplomatically' committee was formed in Vale by the leaders of the Great Kingdoms. Ozpin was quoted as saying, "The Treaty of Atlas demands an intercontinental organization to resolve intercontinental, territorial, or other disputes that concern more than one Kingdom, of which the Unholy Ultimus Empire is considered to be a part of". Each founding member would be given a seat on the committee, making the total number of seats four.
The Rising Heat:
Discontent in the protectorate of Menagerie
All through this month there has been loud verbal discontent at the Menagerian region of the Unholy Ultimus Empire after in a press conference the Great Emperor had confirmed that the-then Kingdom of Menagerie was a protectorate of the Unholy Ultimus Empire. Protests have become commonplace in that region, and anti-imperial sentiment is high. When asked for a comment, the Emperor replied "My people have a right to protest. And make no mistake, they are my people".
The Valean Times:
The first ever petition for the ICRD was received
Ghira Belladonna has submitted a petition to the Intercontinental Conflict Resolution Diplomatically committee ("ICRD") seeking a review over what he calls "an illegal occupation of Menagerie". Mr. Belladonna asserted that ICRD had jurisdiction as the issue affected two Kingdoms, the illegally occupied Kingdom of Menagerie and the Unholy Ultimus Empire. When asked for comment, the Emperor denied that ICRD had jurisdiction as Menagerie was not a Kingdom and instead part of the Unholy Ultimus Empire. The Emperor also asserted that their control over Menagerie was lawful and justified as per Treaty of Kua Kuana.
Just Vacuo News:
In a loss for Emperor ICRD determines they have jurisdiction over the 'Menagerian question'
In a 3 to 1 decision, the ICRD determined that they had jurisdiction to review the 'Menagerian question'. Queen of Mistral, who voted that ICRD did have jurisdiction, had agreed to comment on the decision. She said "The Emperor, for obvious reasons, voted against ICRD's jurisdictional authority. To me, however, the question was far more complex. I am sympathetic to the Emperor's plight, but I believe that the issue at hand is more than just a territorial dispute between the Emperor and her territories. To determine whether ICRD had jurisdictional authority, I had to ask myself a very important question, one I fear the Emperor had failed to consider. For ICRD's jurisdiction to be controlling there has to be a dispute between, at least, two Kingdoms. The question is whether we should read the Kingdom requirement to be a 'current' or a 'contextual' one. If we go by the Emperor's stated argument which in essence states that an annexed territory is not considered a Kingdom, that, I believe, would bring us into the specific trouble ICRD is there to avoid. For example, if the Unholy Ultimus Empire were to invade the Kingdom of Vale, and win the fight faster than ICRD was able to convene, that would mean that ICRD would have no authority to resolve the dispute between Kingdom of Vale and the Unholy Ultimus Empire, which is, I believe, the exact opposite of ICRD's intention. If we wish ICRD to be an institution of intercontinental worth, the only argument that remains is the one that Menagerie had proposed in their petition."
The Emperor did not respond to requests for comment.
The Rising Heat:
Victory for the Emperor! ICRD does "not recognize Menagerie's independence".
In a unanimous decision, the ICRD declared that they do "not recognize Menagerie's independence". The full decision can be seen below:
Intercontinental Conflict Resolution Diplomatically committee
Syllabus
Ghira Belladonna v. Unholy Ultimus Empire
On Petition Of Territorial Dispute
Three days ago, Ghira Belladonna, one in charge of the ex-Kingdom of Menagerie and who retained his authority all-throughout Menagerie's existence as a protectorate, submitted a petition before us to consider whether the Unholy Ultimus Empire's hold on them was legal.
Held: Treaty of Atlas (Year 998) recognizes the Menagerian territories to be owned by the Unholy Ultimus Empire. As such Intercontinental Conflict Resolution Diplomatically committee does not, and cannot, recognize the independence of Menagerie. Unholy Ultimus Empire's occupation of Menagerian territories is lawful and without question.
Intercontinental Conflict Resolution Diplomatically committee
Ghira Belladonna v. Unholy Ultimus Empire
On Petition Of Territorial Dispute
[September 21st, Year 998]
Seat of Vale delivered the opinion of the committee
Before this committee rests the petition of Mr. Belladonna ("Petitioner") asking us to consider the validity of Unholy Ultimus Empire's ("Empire") occupation over Menagerie. The Petitioner contends that the occupation is "illegal" and that the Treaty of Kua Kuanta ("Kuanta Treaty") did not permit a permanent occupation or annexation. Miss de Ultimus ("Respondent"), speaking in her official capacity as the Emperor of the Empire, contends that the Kuanta Treaty did make Menagerie a protectorate of the Empire and in the event that the committee would disagree, the Respondent contends that the issue is foreclosed by the Treaty of Atlas (Year 998) ("Treaty of Atlas"), arguing that the treaty recognized Menagerie as a territory of the Empire.
The Treaty of Atlas does recognize Menagerie as a territory of the Empire, and as such we do not have to resolve the question of whether or not the Empire's interpretation of the Kuanta Treaty is valid, or whether it was overbroad.
I
The controlling treaty at issue is the Treaty of Atlas signed on 16th of August, Year 998. The Treaty stipulates, in relevant part, that the Menagerian continent, and all it contains, is considered to be territory of the Empire. There is no dispute between the Seats that Treaty of Atlas is meant to supersede the Treaty of Vytal in all relevant parts, and therefore, though this treaty was not brought up by the Petitioner, Treaty of Vytal offers the Petitioner no respite either.
II
We must consider, however, the applicability of using Treaty of Atlas here*. It is a very well established legal doctrine, though all the Seats concede that they are not legal scholars, that in criminal trials the prosecution has a duty to disclose the evidence they plan to use at trial, and a constitutional duty to disclose any exculpatory evidence in their possession. While neither doctrine is a direct parallel, and the Seat of the Unholy Ultimus Empire contends that even if they were, they would not be applicable to this body, both would suggest that it would not be fair for us to use a Treaty that the Petitioner has no access to. That argument, too, however, fails. Treaty of Atlas was signed by all the parties that would be ordinarily subject to the privilege of using its constructs (such as this very body). Therefore, all the relevant parties have sufficient information about the contents of the Treaty. At the time, conflict wherein a non-existent Kingdom that was not a derivative of a signatory was sadly not foreseen. The Seat of the Unholy Ultimus Empire further contents that this is evidence enough that the original issue of jurisdiction was decided poorly. That issue, however, is no longer under our purview. Seat of Mistral's comments (see Belladonna v. Unholy Ultimus Empire, On Jurisdiction Of The Petition, Seat of Mistral concurring) regarding the potential of the jurisdictional question being decided poorly leading to an undoing of this body has moved the Seats of Vale and Atlas to vote in accordance with the Seat of Mistral. This act, however, has thrown us into a complicated position with little easy solutions available. Treaty of Atlas has bound its signatories to secrecy unless a reveal of any part of the treaty is necessary to uphold the treaty (see the formation of Intercontinental Conflict Resolution Diplomatically committee). We hold that the reveal of the Treaty of Atlas to the petitioner is not necessary to uphold the Treaty of Atlas.
III
Finally, we must consider whether or not our decision would be applicable to a non-signatory of Treaty of Atlas, one who has not consented to the reach of this body**. This question, however, as we have relayed above, is not one that is hard to decide. For one, by submitting this petition, it stands to reason that the Petitioner had consented to our jurisdictions and made peace with the idea that our decisions would be binding on them. Secondly, we have already ruled that we have jurisdiction do decide this question (see Belladonna v. Unholy Ultimus Empire, On Jurisdiction Of The Petition). As we have stated then, for us to acquire jurisdiction, there must be a dispute between two Kingdoms, and one of their representative agents must submit a petition to us. Therefore, we hold that this decision is as biding on Menagerie as it would be on any other Kingdom.
IV
We end this opinion where we began. This committee does not recognize Menagerie's independence and hold that its territories belong to the Empire. If Menagerie wishes to regain its independence they must go through the proper channels and petition their ruler for any and all appropriate relief which the Empire may or may not grant subject entirely to its own laws and decisions.
*The Seat of the Unholy Ultimus Empire dissents against any and all arguments that would imply that the Treaty of Atlas could be, or could have been, non-binding in this instance.
**The Seat of the Unholy Ultimus Empire similarly dissents against arguments that our decisions could be found non-applicable.
The Times of Vacuo:
The Young Emperor applauds ICRD's decision, says "it was the only right decision to make"
Mere minutes after the ICRD released its decision, the Young Emperor applauded the decisions saying "it was the only right decision to make". Many are concerned, however, by clear evidence that the Young Emperor had clear voting power in both the jurisdictional decision, and the final one, calling it a "conflict of interest".
Menagerie News:
Riots in Kua Kuanta, the rest of Menagerie, following the decision by ICRD
Massive riots broke out, initially in Kua Kuanta, and then spread to the rest of the continent, following to the decision of the Intercontinental Conflict Resolution Diplomatically committee. Even the police joined the riots. It seems that the hatred for their illegal occupation united every resident of Menagerie. Ghira Belladonna, although deeply disappointed by the decision, urged peace, not riots. Ghira Belladonna, current leader of the White Fang, a peaceful protesting organization working to protect the rights of Faunus and to fight for those rights, has always ruled the organization with the belief that violence would create more resentment against Faunus. It seems that his views have changed very little.
The Valean Post:
The Cruel Emperor threatens the people of Menagerie
Following the riots in Menagerie, the Cruel Emperor of the West had condemned these riots, and demanded that the "Governor of Menagerie", presumingly that would be Ghira Belladonna, "resolve the situation immediately" or she would "come and resolve it herself permanently". It is understood that she wanted the rioters arrested or she would personally kill every single one of them.
Ghira Belladonna responded by simply stating that he will treat the rioters no different than anyone else under the laws of Menagerie. Even the more radical elements of the White Fang had praised this response.
Experts question what will the Cruel Emperor's response be. Will she aim to ensure total subjugation, or will people of Menagerie retain some autonomy.
The Rising Heat:
The Emperor graciously allowed Menagerie self-governance, implies plans to conquer more land
The Great Emperor had responded to a flurry of questions by reporters by mentioning that ever since the Treaty of Kua Kuanta she had made no attempt to control Menagerie's laws. She said she was "content" to let "Menagerie govern themselves as long as they remember to whom they belong". In the same response she also said that while previously her laws were subject only to "state of Vacuo alone", addition of new states, and protectorate regions would require her to "impose limited Imperial laws that all her subjects must obey". She then addressed the situation in Menagerie again by saying that as long as they "managed to maintain their own stability, the Unholy Ultimus Empire will see no need for direct intervention".
Just Vacuo News:
A day after announcement of incoming Imperial laws, the Emperor enacted the first Imperial law
Just now the Emperor announced a new Imperial law stating that under it any "stable territory of the Unholy Ultimus Empire" would be able to request "Imperial grants, funding, or other Imperial assistance". She announced that if the requests were "reasonable", she would be bound to grant them.
Some experts see it as the Emperor trying to appease the wrath of Menagerie, while others merely view it as a necessity if the Empire will expand as the Emperor has implied.
Menagerie News:
Demonic army of the Cruel Emperor descend upon Menagerie to end the week long riots once and for all
The Demons that have been seen around the Cruel Emperor, ones she calls her minions, have descended upon Menagerie to end the week long riots. No one is entirely sure where they have come from, but what was clearly observed was those Demonic forces slaughtering the rioters they came across. The riots, which have caused an estimated of 500 million Lien in damages and unfortunate couple hundred dead was over in the matter of hours. The fear this display of power put in the people of Menagerie was not over, and it's a sight no one would soon forget. The Cruel Emperor, to whom even Demons bend, in one gesture crushed the burning will of Menagerie and replaced it with horrid dread.
The Times of Vacuo:
Conclusion of the investigation into the casualties from the Emperor's brutal intervention leaked
White Fang leaked the conclusion from the preliminary investigation started by Ghira Belladonna into the casualties from the Emperor's intervention. The preliminary investigation estimates that around two thousand people have died from the intervention. When reached for comment the Emperor simply said, "Two thousand five hundred seventy three", before adding that it was "regretful that so many of [her] people had to die].
It seems then, that the Emperor both confirmed her involvement, and confirmed the approximate accuracy of the preliminary investigation. It also appears that her threat of "direct intervention" was not a bluff. Two thousand five hundred seventy three people stood up for their freedom, many of them policemen too, and two thousand five hundred seventy three people paid the ultimate price. People of Menagerie should hope that the Young Emperor's wrath is sated, and that they would retain the freedom that the Young Emperor had promised if Menagerie maintained their own stability.
Menagerie News:
Ghira Belladonna submits a request to the Emperor requesting 50 million Lien in Imperial funding
Following yesterday's leak, Ghira Belladonna submitted a request to the Emperor under the First Imperial Law of the Unholy Ultimus Empire, as the Emperor had declared it should be officially be refereed to, requesting 50 million Lien in Imperial funding to repair the damage of the damage. Belladonna concluded that the current lack of riots indicated their own stability qualifying them for relief under the law in question. He further laid down many reasons why such funding would be in the Empire's best interest. Some of them we shall relay here. Belladonna asserts that quick financial intervention by the Empire would help to alleviate the people "reservations" against their "rulers". The better off Menagerie is, the more happy its people would be. That would also make it easier, and therefore less costly for the Empire, for Menagerie to self-govern, and their own increased capabilities to self-govern would, of course, alleviate the strain on important Imperial resources.
The Valean Post:
The Cruel Emperor grants Menagerie's request
A week after the request was submitted, the Cruel Emperor has granted the request and gave Menagerie 100 million Lien in Imperial funding, double of what was asked, half of which was to go to repairs, the other to "ensuring sufficient measures in places to prevent, and if impossible, to handle riots". The funding comes as a surprise to many experts who foresaw the Cruel Emperor using the riots to completely annex Menagerie.
The Rising Heat:
The White Fang turns radical, threatens "collaborators"
Following the leak by White Fang a week ago, it seems that the White Fang has come to a decision to pursue the extremes of radicality. They announced their distaste for "filthy collaborators to the human oppressors" and threatened violence against said collaborators and the Emperor. It seems the era of the peaceful protests are over. This serves as yet another proof that any aid to Menagerie is wasted effort to a nation of violent brutes.
The Times of Vacuo:
Governor of Menagerie denounced White Fang's sudden change from peaceful group to one aimed for violence, announced his withdrawal from its leadership
The Governor of Menagerie, Ghira Belladonna, has denounced the path of violence that the White Fang have now sworn to walk on. The founder of the White Fang, respected for his work even by the Kingdom of Atlas, has resigned from the White Fang. He urged the White Fang to stop this path before it got too far.
The Rising Heat:
The Great Emperor announces a war on terror
Day after the White Fang issued their threats, the Great Emperor announced that the White Fang would henceforth be considered a terrorist organization, who's members will be punish by death. She had warned that any wilful cooperation would carry the same punishment. "There will be no leniency for terrorists", she had announced. She congratulated the Governor's decision to resign from his position at the White Fang, and offered to provide support in dealing with the terrorists.
Note: Yang didn't order Malachite to rule Yang's way, mostly because an agreement in the Treaty of Atlas required that Yang doesn't use her influence over Malachite to influence ICRD decisions (although stated in a way to apply to everyone). Otherwise Malachite's seat gets revoked (as would anyone else's that is just essentially a puppet-vote), and Yang constantly loses 2-1. As pointed out in Chapter 23 "when not commanded, Malachite could act as her own person" with the only difference being a total loyalty to Yang
Note 2: Calendar of Remnant (in this story) begins its count since founding of the Kingdoms that as of when the newest chapter happened 998 years ago