The pair then got out of bed, got changed, and went to have breakfast. Vivian turned on the living room TV and saw on the news that the Royal Sartherian Government's call to sign a peace treaty with Zethea was rejected by the Imperial Government, who stated that backing down right now would be a sign of weakness of the Zethean people.

  "We've been at war for twenty-five years..." - Vivian uttered, sadly.

  "I know... Why can't he just let it rest?"

  "I don't know..."

  The Imperial Government would routinely issue calls to arms that read "Join the Zethean Army today! The Empire needs you for a final push into the heathen lands!".

  The Emperor made a public announcement on television later that same day, saying:

  "The Empire congratulates and thanks the soldiers who fight for the glorious nation that is Zethea and our ultimate goal! I promise you, we are close to ending this war! The barbarians will be defeated! From the Southern Seas to the glimmering North Ocean, let us drive them out of Livath! Long live Zethea!"

  Vivian and Delilah were watching this as it played out.

  "He's gone insane... He can't be serious, right?" - Dell asked, in shock.

  "I genuinely don't know... The way he says that, it sounds like he wants to wipe the Sartherians off of the face of Vaiza." - Vivian hypothesised.

  "Oh shit, you're right, it does sound like he's planning that."

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "This is a genocide... We are watching a genocide happen. And no one is doing anything to stop him..."

  Then, came an announcement from the Imperial Economic Commission that shocked nearly the whole Empire:

  "The Imperial Government has decided to raise taxes by 25% for the coastal regions of Derohak, Joverna and the Capital District. This decision was necessary to aid the Zethean Imperial Army in our glorious effort."

  "What!?" - Vivian exclaimed, astonished.

  "That... that affects us too..." - Dell pointed out.

  "It does, and it hits us hard."

  "How are we going to afford to pay those?"

  "I... we'll figure it out. I promise."

  The pair then went out to the city to look for any place that would accept both of them as workers. Everywhere there were posters that read things like "The Empire needs you!" and "Join the Imperial Army today!" with the Emperor's face plastered all over. "Tsk, fucking bastard.", Vivian kept thinking.

  When it came to finding work, Vivian, who had graduated school, was accepted pretty much anywhere. Delilah, on the other hand, had a much harder time being hired. Despite this, they kept searching for a place that would take them both. After a week, they were both hired at a small grocery store in the northernmost district of the city of Derohak, around twenty-five minutes from Vivian's home.

  "We'll be okay, Dell." - Vivian reassured her girlfriend. - I promise you.

  The very next week, they began their shifts together, and clocked out at the same time. Things were starting to look promising to the young couple. That was until six months later, during dinner time, the Imperial Government announced:

  "The Empire needs you! The barbarians have almost been annihilated! We need your help to vanquish Vaiza of the heathens!", followed by the Emperor stating: "Soon, we will defeat the heathen foe! Soon, we will finally purify our world! Soon, Vaiza gets rid of its filthiness! Remember, from the shining south to the glimmering north! And long live Zethea!", finalized by the Zethean Imperial Anthem.