My PoV
I leaned against the smooth metal countertop in the galley, the cool surface a stark contrast to the warmth of the coffee mug in my hands. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the salty sea air drifting in through the open porthole. Across from me, Maria lounged in a chair, her legs crossed casually as she took another bite of her sandwich.
"So, let me get this straight," I began, trying to piece together the complex web of factions she'd been explaining for the past hour. "I'm part of the Island Commonwealth, which is essentially the Philippines, right? And we're owned by the Eagle Union, which is basically the United States?"
Maria nodded, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "You're catching on quick, my Dear Kasen. But there's so much more to it than that."
I took a long sip of coffee, savoring the bitter taste as I braced myself for more information. "Hit me with it, then. What else do I need to know about?"
Setting down her sandwich, Maria leaned forward, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Well, for starters, watch out for the Royal Navy. They're not all bad, mind you, but a good number of them are posh, egotistical assholes." She paused, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Especially Queen Elizabeth. That girl's got a crown bigger than her common sense."
I couldn't help but chuckle at that. "Noted. Anyone else I should be wary of?"
"The Sakura Empire is... complicated," Maria continued, her expression growing more serious. "Think of it as Japan's idealized version of itself. They've got honor and tradition in spades, but they're not always on the right side of history, if you catch my drift."
I nodded, feeling the beginnings of a headache forming behind my eyes. "And the Iron Blood? You mentioned them earlier."
Maria's face lit up. "Ah, now they're an interesting bunch. Strict as hell, but once you break through that tough exterior, they're some of the best people to hang out with. Second only to us in the Eagle Union and Island Commonwealth, of course," she added with a wink.
As she continued her explanation, I found myself drawn into the complex tapestry of alliances and rivalries of the world. The Dragon Empery, representing the Republic of China, with their friendly demeanor and rich cultural heritage. The enigmatic Northern Parliament, standing in for the USSR, keeping to themselves but always a force to be reckoned with.
"Don't forget the French factions," Maria added, noticing my glazed expression. "You've got the Iris Orthodoxy, which is basically France proper. Great food, even better wine. Then there's Iris Libre, the Free French forces who sided with the Allies in World War Two."
I raised an eyebrow. "Wait, so there are multiple factions for the same country?"
Maria nodded emphatically. "Oh, absolutely. Take the Vichya Dominion, for example. They represent Vichy France, which aligned with the Axis powers. And get this. The leaders of Iris Libre and Vichya Dominion are sisters. Talk about family drama on a global scale."
My head was spinning now, but I couldn't deny my fascination. "Any other factions I should know about?"
"Well, there's the Sardegna Empire, standing in for the Kingdom of Italy. They're a bit of a mystery, to be honest. Spend most of their time fighting off Sirens near their cities and perfecting their culinary arts." Maria paused, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "Oh, and I almost forgot there's a faction called Tempesta. They're pirates, if you can believe it. Old sail ships and all that romantic nonsense." I shook my head at this.
"And know I have a headache. I'll admit I knew the Main four Factions from all the Fan Fic's I wrote but I didn't know I had a faction, I knew about Dragon Empery from the anime, and other Fan Fic's I read, and I don't think I really put any thought about the others." Maria rolled her eyes, before smiling. But before she could say something, the ship hit something, before a scraping sound was heard.
