Private Hotel, Sovereignty Republic of Salvatia

Princess Shalina and her cat-beastfolk maid, Charia, had been assigned a private hotel room at the command of the Secretary of Homeland Security. After their heroic rescue of the beastfolk from human oppression, the two had been brought into this mysterious land, where they received medical care for the injured and were placed temporarily in a refugee center. What struck them most was the sight of this new, undiscovered nation—one composed of various races, with the beastfolk and others among them. It was a surprise, but also a source of comfort for the princess to see her people in such good company.

As she was informed of an impending meeting with a leader of Salvatia—a claim made by these people—Shalina had agreed to meet him, but only under the condition that Charia would remain her guardian. Back in their hotel room, they marveled at the unfamiliar surroundings, struck by the luxury and novelty of it all. The room was a wonder to them, one they could never have imagined in their wildest dreams. It was a civilization like no other, a paradise of peace and harmony, where the coexistence of beastfolk and wildfolk was a natural part of daily life. Shalina felt a sense of relief, trusting these unfamiliar people. Yet, curiosity tugged at her, wondering how they had ended up in such a place and why the inhabitants wore the peculiar clothing they did. Her thoughts were interrupted when Charia spoke up.

"Your Highness," Charia said, her eyes wide with intrigue. "Look at this magnificent black mirror they've made, though it barely reflects anything."

She gestured to the TV screen, her expression one of genuine fascination.

Shalina turned to her maid, her own eyes reflecting the same curiosity. "Indeed... This society is very strange. So different from anything we've seen before."

Shalina stepped closer to the window, gazing out at the towering buildings against a sky adorned with soft, fluffy clouds. Below her, she saw Salvatian citizens of every species, walking side by side, each lost in their own thoughts and actions. Vehicles moved in synchronized chaos, halting at red lights before starting again as the signal turned green. The scene before her was mesmerizing—this civilization, so unlike her own, seemed to shimmer with beauty and promise.

"Look at them," she murmured, her voice filled with awe. "People of different species, walking side by side, without fear or discrimination. Whoever rules this land, it is like a dream—a place where humans and demi-humans can live in harmony, helping one another to build a better future."

Her eyes lingered on the bustling streets below, the sight of peaceful coexistence a balm for her weary heart. But before she could continue her musings, a knock echoed through the door.

"Oh! Come in," she called out.

The door opened, revealing a male Neotype wildfolk bird agent from the Salvatian Secret Service. He stood tall and alert, his feathers a striking contrast to the quiet room.

"Are you Princess Shalina?" he asked, his voice steady.

"Yes, I am," Shalina replied, standing to meet him.

The agent nodded, his expression unreadable. "Please, come with us. We have an escort waiting to take you to him."

Charia's brow furrowed slightly. "Was this the order of your king?" she asked, her tone cautious.

The agent shook his head, his gaze never leaving the princess. "No. He is not a king. But please, follow me. We are taking you to our leader."

With that, the agent turned and led them out, leaving the princess to wonder who this leader was and what awaited her in the world of Salvatia.

...

Timeskip

Princess Shalina and her maid, Charia, rode in the luxurious limousine, flanked by four centaur guards, their hooves striking the pavement in a rhythmic, synchronized gallop as they made their way to the Palace of Order. Despite the oddity of the horseless carriage, both women felt a sense of comfort as they marveled at the passing landscape. Through the window, they observed children of various species playing together with unrestrained joy. A Neohuman and a wildfolk female jaguar walked side by side, hand in hand, clearly a couple. Nearby, a male beastfolk dog, dressed as a traffic officer, skillfully directed traffic, halting vehicles and signaling them to proceed once the light changed.

Teenagers, both Neohumans and Neotypes, enjoyed their free time. Some were lost in music through their headsets, others engaged in online mobile games, while a few demonstrated their impressive skateboarding skills. Citizens were seen engrossed in their mobile phones, likely communicating or attending to work matters. The scene outside painted a picture of a vibrant, bustling society where different species lived together in harmony.

Both Shalina and Charia were left speechless by the sight before them, unable to fully comprehend the spectacle. It was unlike anything they had ever encountered.

One of the agents accompanying them broke the silence.

"Do you enjoy the view?" he asked, his voice a gentle inquiry.

"Yes," Shalina replied, her eyes wide with wonder. "This civilization... it is truly beautiful. I can't believe my eyes, seeing angels and demons—"

"Demonkins," the agent corrected, his voice calm but firm.

"Demonkins?" Shalina echoed, confused.

"Yes," the agent clarified. "The wingless and tailless demon beings. It's more proper to refer to them as Demonkins, not just demons in general."

"Oh, I understand now," Shalina said, nodding slowly.

Charia, who had been deep in thought, spoke up. "Excuse me, I have a question."

The agent turned toward her. "Of course. What would you like to know?"

"I'm just... confused," Charia began, trying to make sense of it all. "How did all of you end up in this civilization? How did beastfolks and wildfolks become part of it when we are fleeing for our lives from humans? And how did you end up coexisting with humans in a society that isn't even on any map?"

The Salvatian agent looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "Most of your questions will be answered by Sovereign Excellency. But what I can tell you now is that we, the beastfolk and wildfolks, were part of the Demon Queen's revolutionary faction, fighting against the Demon King."

The revelation left both Shalina and Charia stunned. They had heard rumors about half of their people joining the Demon Queen's revolution, but they had believed the stories that those rebels perished in battle against the Demon King and his forces.

"That's impossible!" Charia blurted out. "Half of the beastfolks and wildfolks joined the Demon Queen's revolution, and they all died fighting the Demon King. There's no way—"

"Survived?" the agent interjected, shaking his head. "Yes, we survived. But the truth is more complex. When the Demon Queen failed to overthrow her husband, she used her remaining strength to open a portal. She sent us away from the demon realm, and we ended up here, on this continent. Unfortunately, she died in the process, but not before ensuring we escaped. She died for us. And we honor her sacrifice to this day."

Shalina's eyes widened as she took in the agent's words. "So you were her soldiers... her followers, believing in her vision of overthrowing the Demon King and creating a better future?"

"Indeed," the agent confirmed. "And after our escape, we faced a struggle against the Demon Lord, who was sent to eliminate us. But then, Xavier Salvador, the leader of the Neohumans, intervened. He defeated the demon lord and welcomed us into his society, not as conquerors or subjugators, but as saviors. He offered us a new home and treated us with dignity, offering us equality. He even changed our blood to match theirs, so we could live as equals."

Shalina and Charia exchanged incredulous glances, the weight of the agent's words settling heavily on them. The followers of the Demon Queen, whom they had thought perished long ago, were now thriving in this society. And the leader of this world, a figure named Xavier Salvador, was the one who had not only saved them but had built a society where all beings, regardless of race, were treated as equals.

As they approached the Palace of Order, the grandeur of the structure struck them. The guards at the gates opened them with practiced precision, and the two girls gazed in awe at the magnificent architecture. A member of the secret service opened the limo door, and they were escorted inside.

They entered the palace and were greeted by honor guards who stood at attention, their unfamiliar weapons glinting in the light. They then stepped onto a large, circular elevator platform, which began to move on its own, startling them. The smooth ascent was unlike anything they had ever experienced. Upon reaching the designated floor, the elevator doors opened, and the agent led them down a corridor lined with paintings.

Each portrait seemed to celebrate different historical figures, figures that Shalina and Charia did not recognize. They saw images of Andres Bonifacio, Antonio Luna, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Napoleon Bonaparte, Theodore Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr., Ronald Reagan, and, most notably, Huey P. Long—the man who had inspired Xavier Salvador.

The journey through the hall of portraits ended at a set of grand double doors. The motif on the doors featured a large gray dove, its wings spread wide, with a red trident behind it, all enclosed within a diamond shape.

"The Supreme Leader is waiting for you inside," the agent said, opening the doors.

As the two girls stepped into the room, they were greeted with the sight of the Supreme Leader himself sitting behind a desk, flanked by a woman, who was none other than the Supreme Magistrate and co-founder of the Black Death Legion.

A warm and genuine smile spread across the face of the Supreme Leader as he addressed the royal visitors before him.

"Greetings, Your Highness," Xavier Salvador said with reverence, his tone fitting for the occasion. "Welcome to the Sovereignty Republic of Salvation."

Rising from his chair, he placed a hand over his chest in a respectful bow.

"I am Xavier Salvador, the Supreme Leader, head of state and government of this nation. And this," he gestured to his companion, "is my trusted right-hand woman, Supreme Magistrate Frieda."

Frieda offered a polite smile and nodded. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

She, too, placed a hand over her chest in a graceful bow.

The princess, still uncertain, returned the gesture, though her voice trembled slightly. "O-Oh, it's nice to meet you both. I am Princess Shalina of Dyria, and I am the last member of the royal family. And this is my maid, my guardian, Charia."

Charia, standing beside the princess, gave a respectful bow. "It is an honor to meet you."

Xavier nodded, his gaze softening slightly. "I wasn't expecting guests from outside the New World," he remarked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"The New World?" Princess Shalina asked, confused.

"It's simply what we call this undiscovered land," Frieda explained, her tone matter-of-fact. "This continent, where we have lived in peace, is the New World, and we, the inhabitants, are its caretakers."

Xavier took his seat once more, his demeanor calm yet inquisitive. "Tell me, Your Highness, you claim to be the last royal of Dyria, is that correct?"

"Yes," Shalina confirmed with a heavy heart.

"And Dyria," Xavier continued, his eyes narrowing slightly, "was it once a kingdom ruled by both beastfolks and wildfolks?"

"Yes, that's right," Shalina replied, her voice tinged with a mix of pride and sadness. "But how do you know?"

"I've heard much about your kingdom," Xavier answered, his gaze meeting hers with quiet intensity. "The beastfolks and wildfolks who now live in my nation spoke of Dyria. I wanted to learn what became of it."

Shalina hesitated, but before she could respond, Charia stepped forward, her voice calm yet firm.

"Allow me to speak for the princess," she said, her eyes flicking to Shalina, who nodded in silent consent.

"Sir Salvador," Charia began, "not long ago, the human empire, known as the Latiusan Empire, unjustly declared war on the Kingdom of Dyria. They sought to conquer our resources and enslave our people. Our king fought valiantly against one of their emperor's sons, but—"

She faltered, struggling to find the right words. Her eyes closed briefly, as if refusing to fully revisit the painful memory. Shalina's head lowered in sorrow, silently acknowledging the fate of her father on the battlefield. Xavier and Frieda exchanged knowing glances, their expressions softening in sympathy.

"You don't have to speak of your king's fate if it pains you," Xavier said gently.

Shalina, her voice barely above a whisper, nodded, then gave Charia permission to continue.

"As you wish," Charia said, steadying herself. "After our king was defeated, the Latiusan forces breached our defenses and took over the kingdom. They annexed it as their own. We had no choice but to flee by sea, but they pursued us, determined to capture the princess. Then, you intervened and saved us."

Frieda nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. Xavier, I would expect that they've sent another ship, given that we destroyed theirs. They likely haven't returned yet. It's only a matter of time before they discover our continent."

"Indeed," Xavier mused, his brow furrowing slightly. "That is troublesome."

Princess Shalina, filled with a mixture of desperation and hope, took a deep breath. "Sir Salvador," she began, her voice trembling, "as selfish as it may seem, I beg of you—please free my people."

Charia gasped, shocked by her sudden plea. "Your Highness!"

But Shalina, undeterred, knelt before Xavier, her hands pressed together in a desperate gesture. "Please. My people have been reduced to slaves, forced to suffer under human ownership. You are the only one who can help us. I beg you, save my people, and in exchange, I will serve you. I will do anything."

Charia recoiled in shock. "Your Highness! No!"

Xavier, however, simply chuckled softly, shaking his head. He stood and approached the princess, his expression warm but firm.

"Oh, Princess Shalina," he said kindly, "I think you misunderstand me. First, I am not human. I am neohuman—distinct from humans. We severed ties with Old Humanity long ago. And secondly, I have no need for slaves. I detest the very idea of slavery."

Shalina blinked, confused. "You... you're not human? What do you mean, neohuman?"

Frieda stepped forward, her voice calm but explanatory. "Let us explain. Neohumans are not what you might think. Their origins, the events of the past eight years, the truth about their society—everything is far different from what you may know."

As they explained the history of the neohumans, their origins, and the dramatic events that had unfolded over the years, the princess and her maid listened in stunned silence. Their eyes widened as they learned of how the neohumans, once humans, had been saved by a deity named Caelus and transported to this world. Xavier had led them, and now they ruled a society entirely separate from the humans they once were.

Charia's voice faltered in disbelief. "You... were once human? And this Caelus saved you and brought you to this world? And you built this society...?"

"Exactly," Xavier confirmed. "Caelus owes me much for saving my people. I am thankful for what he did."

Frieda added with a slight smile, "And don't forget, I serve Lord Caelus, sent here to assist him. He and the others no longer consider themselves human. They severed all ties with Old Humanity."

Shalina, still grappling with the enormity of this revelation, finally spoke, her voice filled with a mix of awe and pleading. "I... I see. But still, I beg you, please save my people. Our land is the last place we have, the last refuge for our people. We need it to survive. Please, help us. You are our only hope."

Xavier paused, his finger tapping thoughtfully against his chin as he considered her words. After a long moment, he smiled and stood tall.

"Princess Shalina," he said with a confident tone, "it seems today is your lucky day. We have lived in peace and isolation for seven years. But now, with the end of that isolation, it is time to step out and reveal ourselves to the world."

Shalina's eyes widened in realization. "Wait, you mean...?"

Xavier nodded solemnly, and at that moment, the wildfolk princess, tears of gratitude streaming down her face, embraced him, her heart filled with a mix of joy and relief.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you! There's hope for us. Hope for the beastfolks and wildfolks. I don't know how to thank you enough."

Xavier smiled gently, patting her back. "No need for tears, princess. But now, I must convince the national congress to declare war. The Latiusan Empire will learn that their actions have consequences, and I will ensure they experience those consequences firsthand."

His voice was strong and determined, the weight of the decision clear in his words.

And so, the Sovereignty Republic of Salvatia has finally ended the 7 Years Isolation Policy, thus justifying the declaration of war on the Latiusan Empire. This is their first conflict. This is Salvatia-Latiusan Empire War.