Summoning America

Chapter 149: The Home of the Brave

Neith's eyes widened in surprise as she turned to Anders, "Is this true?"

Anders nodded, "Indeed it is, Your Highness." He pulled out his phone, conducted a quick Google search of Nosgorath, and showed it to the Princess.

The groups spent a few more moments exchanging cultural introductions, formalities and inquiries, before the Cryseilians finally excused themselves and returned back to the hotel. Left with the Parpaldians, the conversation drifted toward more casual topics.

"You know, Anders," Kaios began, a smile playing on his lips. "They're finally setting up the Internet in Esthirant. Quite the development, don't you think?"

"Oh, I can only imagine the excitement," Anders chuckled. "Has it changed anything so far?"

"It seems meme culture has taken root among us few who are lucky enough to have phones and computers. Some of it is kind of... sus," Kaios grinned, stifling laughter.

Anders broke into a smile, shaking his head. "Man... I can't believe it," he said before finally bursting into laughter.

After sharing a hearty chuckle with his old acquaintance, Kaios continued, "Thanks to the Internet, we've been able to stream the latest content from the United States."

"No more waiting for DVD shipments," Raita chimed in.

"Oh?" Anders raised an eyebrow. "What stuff are you watching?"

"Have you seen the latest about 'Manifest Fantasy'? Our people are rather obsessed."

"Ah, I can relate to that," Anders said, matching Kaios' grin. "It's a popular show back in the States too. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to catch up. Work's been busy."

Kaios gave his condolences, discussing other technological developments and popular culture instead. In the past year, the Parpaldian Republic saw a lot of changes, with the integration of a modernized plumbing system and the installation of undersea cables representing the tip of the iceberg. The loss of income from their vassal states was a significant blow, but the new nation was recovering steadily under the watchful guidance of the United States government.

Anders leaned back in his chair, his expression becoming more thoughtful. "President Kaios, it's really quite something, seeing how far Parpaldia has come.

"Ah, yes. Indeed, the changes have been monumental."

"Indeed," Raita agreed, her eyes reflecting a quiet resilience. "We had to take some drastic steps, and they were not always well-received. But we knew it was necessary for the future of our nation."

Kaios cleared his throat, leaning back in his chair as he gazed out at the water, the waves reflecting the deepening hues of the setting sun.

"You see, Anders," Kaios began, his voice noticeably deeper than before. "Our transition from an empire to a constitutional republic was – and still is – a feat akin to moving a mountain. There is a deep-rooted system, a web of power, influence, and tradition that must be carefully unwoven and reshaped."

"The nobility, for one, presented a unique challenge. The old hiearchies were intricately entwined with our society's fabric. These were individuals used to privilege and power. Taking that away... It was no easy task. We had to strike a balance, ensuring their continued importance and influence in the new society without letting them obstruct the path of progress. This meant transforming their roles from rulers to advisors, and from despots to democrats."

"Anders, you remember our discussions on Imperial Japan's post-World War 2 transition?" Kaios inquired, referring back to a topic they had once delved into.