Lord Shadow

Chapter 1571 Her Hope

The very nature of Tartarus is a stain on the Republic reputation. 

Tartarus isnʼt just a prison; it is a place where torture is employed not for the sake of extracting information or maintaining order, but as a means of intimidation and sadistic pleasure. 

It is now quickly becoming a symbol of the darkest aspects of the Republic governance. And with it the fall of the image of the Republic

And if that is the only thing that happened because for the revelation of Tartarus then it could still be excused or pacified by other measures

But, there is another thing that happened after the revelation of Tartarus. 

Within the grim confines of Tartarus resided a motley assortment of inmates. 

Many were political adversaries of Boris, individuals who had dared to challenge the inner circle of the Senate. 

Others were branded as enemies due to their perceived subversive actions against the Republic.

And then there were those who truly deserved the label of monsters, criminals whose heinous deeds had placed them beyond the pale of society.

Yet, what made Tartarus all the more disturbing is the presence of innocent individuals among its inmates. 

People who had been unjustly accused, framed, or caught up in the political machinations of their time found themselves imprisoned alongside the truly wicked. 

Their suffering is a testament to the broken justice system of the Republic that had allowed such a place to exist.

The Republic even with their wars had always has this kind of pristine image compared to the World Government or the sketchy pas of the Leage of Freedom.

Among the Three Great Powers of Pandemonium, World Government and the Republic, the Republic has always had a  more benevolent image 

Like a torch bearer for democracy. But the existence of the prison upended that image.

When Tartarus was breached, and its captives were set free, the world bore witness to the chaos that ensued. 

Innocents were released, their lives shattered by their time in the hellish prison. 

Meanwhile, the monsters, now unshackled, roamed the world, hiding in shadows and striking fear into the hearts of all they encountered.

The events surrounding Tartarus left an indelible mark on the Republicʼs history, tarnishing its reputation both at home and abroad. 

There is also the public opinion of the world. 

The revelation of Tartarus, the Republicʼs secret torture prison, sent shockwaves through the international community. 

It is a revelation that tainted the Republicʼs image and raised deep concerns about the treatment of prisoners within its borders.

In stark contrast to the Republic, the realm ruled by Death Monarch strictly prohibited the creation of torture chambers. 

Their laws is designed to prevent any form of cruel and inhumane treatment of prisoners. 

This stance is not merely an arbitrary decision; it had been codified in the World Convention, a collective agreement that governed the conduct of the world powers in various matters.

One of the key principles established in this convention was the prohibition of torture. 

It is widely recognized that torture rarely yielded reliable confessions or information. 

Instead, it served as a means to release the dark and sadistic impulses of those who engaged in it, leaving victims physically and emotionally scarred. 

It is either Death Monarch, or the officials of Pandemonium that had articulated this position, and it had been embraced by the international community.

The World Convention also established strict guidelines for human experimentation, permitting it only under specific and tightly regulated conditions. 

However, torture is unequivocally deemed unacceptable, a practice that violated the fundamental principles of justice, humanity, and dignity of humans and of living beings.

There is a global consensus against torture and the people who sees the Republic right now are all condemning them now. 

International law, particularly the legal framework upheld by Pandemonium, unequivocally declared that torture and all forms of ill-treatment is categorically illegal. 

The commitment to these principles is non-negotiable, and the entire world is watching, ready to hold nations accountable for any violations.

Sasha, as the head of Death Monarchʼs intelligence services, operated under a shroud of secrecy, and her methods remained veiled in mystery. 

However, one thing is clear: Death Monarch, the ruler of Pandemonium, is known for his unwavering resolve. 

When he made a decision or set a policy, there is no room for ambiguity. His actions spoke volumes about his principles.

In the realm governed by Death Monarch, torture is not a tool of punishment or interrogation. If someone had earned his displeasure or posed a threat, the consequences is swift and decisive. 

Death Monarch had the power to eliminate individuals entirely, erasing them from existence.

This approach, while undoubtedly severe, work very effectively and efficient to maintaining order and justice within Pandemonium. 

The harrowing years of the Weronian Occupation cast a grim spotlight on the stark difference between taking a life and systematically degrading the very essence of a human being. 

In the crucible of warʼs brutality, the distinction became painfully evident.

War, with its ceaseless horrors and unrelenting carnage, exposed the darkest facets of humanity. 

Those who had witnessed this abyss yearned for a world where the light of compassion and empathy prevailed,

Conversely, there were those who seemed intent on plunging the world even deeper into darkness. 

For them, survival is paramount, and they believed that ruthless methods were the key to achieving it.

Killing, in the context of war, was tragically inevitable, but it remained a stark act—a moment of termination, swift and brutal. 

However, the degradation of a human soul is an entirely different realm of cruelty.

When one treated another human being as less than human, as a monster, the consequences were profound. 

The psychological scars ran deep, and the dehumanized individuals often emerged from such ordeals as distorted versions of themselves, their humanity fractured.

The bitter truth was that, when subjected to relentless cruelty, even the most ordinary souls could be driven to the precipice of monstrosity. 

When you treat someone like a monster, you should not be surprised when you create monsters.

Individuals who ascend to the echelons of power, much like Death Monarch, possess a profound understanding of the enigmatic concept of souls. They recognize that the soul is a potent force, a complex interplay of darkness and light.

While the history books that emerged after the Fall may have omitted certain details, those who lived through the harrowing crucible of the Weronian War understood all too well the depths of darkness that had shrouded that tumultuous era. It was a period marked by horrors too dire to be confined to mere words on pages.

In the wake of these revelations and the unearthing of Tartarus, the Republic now found itself confronting a formidable backlash. 

Boris, is now in Greece alongside the Oracle. Who knows what the Oracle is planning in her temple?

Surely, holding Boris means that she has a plan. And since Boris is there of his own free will, and under the protection of the Seven Warlords of Greece, it is clear Boris remains to be a problem for Europe

Meanwhile, Katarina remains in Moscow, poised to make her presence felt within the halls of the Senate. 

Her intent is clear: to hold those responsible for the Tartarus breach accountable. 

Her actions are bound to send ripples through the political landscape of the Republic.

Jean, on the other hand, prepares to return to his Clock Room, where the comatose Paulette awaits his care. 

As he would inevitably e-enters the Republic, he must grapple not only with the personal ramifications of these recent events but also with the daunting task of addressing the fallout of the breach into Tartarus.

And amidst the chaos and upheaval, Death Monarch remains elusive, possibly secluding himself somewhere trying to break through his strength to the next realm of power

The world may be unaware of his current whereabouts, but it is certain that his actions, his plans could not be stopped by the current events of the world. 

Erikaʼs unique connection with Death Monarch provides her with occasional glimpses into his activities and thoughts. 

In this momentous period, as Azief embarks on the ambitious endeavour of creating the Ten Realms, the focus of attention has shifted away from the Republic.

The Republicʼs internal turmoil and the fallout from the Tartarus breach have gone unnoticed by Death Monarch, as Katarina has remained unharmed and thus, the situation has not reached his ears.

On the international stage, the world powers, although aware of the unfolding events, are cautious and reluctant to become entangled in the complex and treacherous politics of the Republic.

  For now, they prefer to remain on the side lines, preparing for their own undisclosed agendas and biding their time.

As Azief grand design takes shape and the Republic grapples with its internal strife, the world watches with bated breath, knowing that the balance of power in this realm is poised on a knifeʼs edge, ready to tip in any direction, and that the actions of those involved will undoubtedly shape the course of history.

”It is simpler if things did not change. But if thing did not change, there is no hope. I just have to cope with it” 

As she descended gracefully from the sky, her thoughts echoed with a simple yet profound truth: change, however daunting, for her….it is her hope.

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