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

Volume 10 Prologue: The Story of Corruption

A/N: Welcome to a new volume in this series. This volume is inspired by the results Presidential Immunity Case in the U.S Supreme Court. I encourage you to tune in to your local news stations to find out what I mean. As usual, do not forget to vote for this chapter and comment your favorite part. Let us make this story reach at the very least, 100 votes if possible.

Once upon a time, the continent of Ishgar used to be the envy of the world. Despite being made of different countries that oftentimes warred against one another, there was one thing that they all agreed upon: the rule of law. The Kingdom of Fiore was the only country on the continent that had a Supreme Court, which enforced the rule of law and ensured that justice was served regardless of who the defendant was. This ensured that everyone was held accountable for their actions and that there was no injustice. On top of that, it was the only country with an actual Constitution, while its neighbors were absolute monarchies. In the Supreme Court, sat 9 judges appointed for life by the new King after his coronation. King Touma had kept his father's Justices when he was next in line for the throne and they've shared power ever since. This commitment to fairness and justice made the Supreme Court a powerful force in upholding the rule of law, and it was a model for the other countries in the region. But one day, everything changed for the worse when King Touma found himself facing a serious dilemma. His right to rule the kingdom as his father's legal heir was challenged by his half-cousin, Lord Rishi Sunak of Transcarpathia, a feudal province famous for its wine breweries and located in the northern provinces of Fiore.

Sunak was the adoptive son of the late King George III's half-brother: the late Lord Boris Johnson of Transcarpathia. Mr. Johnson wanted his son to take the throne and promote his interests above those of other nobles he was at odds with in and out of court. Therefore, he paid the country's best philosophers, scientists, lawyers, economists, historians, and sociologists to tutor his son in how to govern a kingdom as grand as Fiore. His adoptive son was taught how to make informed decisions, how to handle political disputes, and how to manage the kingdom's economy. He was also given a comprehensive education in the history, culture, and laws of Fiore. But Mr. Johnson intervened in his son's tutoring, teaching him how to deceive the most stubborn nobles into supporting his bid for the throne, once King George had passed away. He and Sunak were both proud when the adolescent had graduated from private tutoring with flying colors. In return, his former tutors offered to support his bid for the throne and Sunak enthusiastically accepted. Mr. Johnson's dream of one day having a "friendly" man on the throne was in reach, especially on the day it was announced that King George had fallen ill with pancreatic cancer and 'twas unlikely he'd ever recover. The two men schemed away behind the scenes, while everyone waited anxiously for news of their ailing king's recovery. But alas, the news that came out the following week was tragic. King George had died while receiving chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. His final moments were spent choosing an heir to the throne and his first choice was his half-brother. The two men were not close growing up, but they shared a love of serving their country anyway they could. He was about to call for his Prime Minister, Joseph Robinette Biden to spread the word that Johnson will be crowned king upon the ailing King's death, but his wife, Queen Mary XII, intervened at the last minute along with Pope Sixtus I of the Roman Catholic Church. They warned that his half-brother had dastardly plans in store for the Kingdom of Fiore once he was crowned King. Skeptical, King George ordered Prime Minister Biden to send for his half-brother immediately for a confrontation. The moment Mr. Johnson arrived with his adoptive son in tow, they both bowed in respect for the dying monarch lying in his deathbed in the hospital. Immediately, King George confronted his half-brother asking: "What plans do you have for my country, should you be crowned?" Mr. Johnson calmly answered, "I have no plans, Your Majesty, other than to continue the legacy of peace and progress you have worked so hard to build." The king nodded solemnly, knowing that his country was in good hands. But Queen Mary XII and the Pope were still not convinced of Johnson's intentions. When King George opened his mouth to declare Johnson the new king effective immediately, the Pope intervened with an ethereal voice. "Stop! God commands you!" He shouted at the ill King. Silence ensued in the hotel room as everyone inside stared at the Pope, asking why he intervened in a peaceful transfer of power. With his ethereal voice, the Pope accuses Johnson of promoting nepotism by promising to install his adoptive son as co-monarch when he is crowned. Johnson tried to defend himself, but he was talked over by the Pope who excommunicated him on the spot. The Church has never excommunicated someone unless there was a legitimate reason for such an action by the Pope or the Bishops and Archbishops. The final nail on the coffin was a veiled ultimatum to the ailing King where the Pope warned that disaster would be imminent if Johnson was chosen to succeed him.