Faith, Influence, and Government (Season 2 of Previous Work)

Volume 7 Chapter 2

Setting: The Kingdom of Iceberg

On the northern coast of a peninsular continent known as Ishgar, there lay a small kingdom with views of the Arctic Ocean. This nascent nation was recently established by a young man of Jewish heritage. Originally a citizen of the neighboring Pergrande Kingdom, he founded a new realm along the shared border.

The protagonist's mother worked as a tailor for the Pergrande Royal Court, a forum of nobles that gathered to discuss politics and exchange ideas for domestic and international affairs with other countries in the continent of Ishgar. She was entrusted by the court to weave suits for the men to wear during balls that were thrown to celebrate each national holiday throughout the year. As for the aristocratic women, the protagonist's mother designed glamorous dresses in the style of dresses worn by European noblewomen of the time.

The mother was paid 50 US Dollars per hour, and she worked part-time as a Royal Tailor. Her work was highly regarded by the court, and she often received compliments for her exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. Her designs were not only elegant and stylish, but also took into account the unique tastes and preferences of the noblewomen she served.

In addition to her work at the court, the mother also had a personal passion for fashion. She would often experiment with different fabrics and patterns to create one-of-a-kind pieces for herself and her loved ones. This passion for fashion eventually led her to open her own boutique, where she could showcase her creations to a wider audience.

Overall, the mother's role as a Royal Tailor and her subsequent venture into the fashion industry allowed her to combine her skills and creativity to make a significant impact on the fashion and textile industry in Ishgar. Her talent and dedication to her craft have left a lasting impression on both the Pergrande Court and the broader fashion community of the entire continent. As for the protagonist's father, he worked full-time as a soldier in the military. The protagonist's father played a crucial role in the military as a high-ranking officer. His responsibilities included overseeing strategic operations, training soldiers, and ensuring the kingdom's defense against potential threats. His leadership skills and dedication to duty earned him respect and admiration from his subordinates, as well as recognition from the kingdom's leadership, including the Royal Family of Pergrande. King Boleslaw I of Pergrande was especially proud of the work the protagonist's father had done to defend the Kingdom's sovereignty from foreign incursions. They were both Jewish and were allowed to celebrate religious holidays in their local synagogue. The official language of Pergrande was Latin, but the Yiddish language was respected as a regional language spoken in different regions of the gigantic kingdom on the far eastern flank of Ishgar. Therefore, the protagonist's mother frequently spoke dual languages, because she is fluent. 

The protagonist's father was equally fluent in Latin. Raised in a multicultural home, the protagonist was immersed in both Jewish and Latin traditions. This varied background fostered a robust cultural identity and a profound respect for various languages and customs. Their distinctive heritage influenced their perspective and decisions throughout life. The world was irrevocably altered when it was announced nationwide that King Boleslaw I had passed away from pancreatic cancer while undergoing chemotherapy.

The Royal Primary Care Physicians could not save his life; thus, he was buried in a funeral ceremony that the protagonist attended with their entire family. The death of King Boleslaw prompted a sudden succession crisis as the aristocracy could not agree on a worthy candidate to succeed the fallen King on the throne. That's when a young man came to them asking for their support to make him King. This man was Simon, the nephew of the late King Boleslaus I through his half-brother Margrave Yeshua, the ruling landlord of a region in the west of Pergrande called Bithynia. The aristocracy bought into his argument as to why he is worthy to succeed his departed uncle, and summoned Pope Julius Caesar to Hercules to officialize his coronation. Simon was crowned King Boleslaus II in a secret ceremony that he insisted was necessary, because he wanted to surprise the common people of Pergrande. The aristocracy agreed and the ceremony was not publicized on national news stations. However, keeping the coronation ceremony a secret may have unintended consequences. The lack of transparency could lead to speculation and mistrust among the common people, who may question the legitimacy of King Boleslaus II's rule. Additionally, the secrecy could create a breeding ground for rumors and conspiracy theories, further destabilizing the already fragile political situation in Pergrande. So, what he does to put the conspiracy theories to bed once and for all is a tour of the entire kingdom. King Boleslaus's visits shocked the common people as this was the first time that the royal family has conducted a visit of the regions of the country. Years later, peace returned to Pergrande as everyone accepted the legitimacy of King Boleslaus II.