On June 1st, a World Conference was held at Avalon.
The most noteworthy attendee this time was undoubtedly Her Majesty Gerhardt, the Empress Emerita of the Shouro Empire.
Another significant figure was Arthur, the second prince of the Klein Kingdom. Having officially been named the Crown Prince, this occasion served as his formal debut.
In the Kingdom of Elias, Crown Prince Alphons Alba Elias was also soon to be enthroned. This meant that since Jin’s arrival, the monarchs and emperors of the Allied Kingdoms—the Klein Kingdom, the Kingdom of Franz, the Kingdom of Egerea, the Celuroa Kingdom, the Kingdom of Elias, and the Shouro Empire (though the latter was not strictly part of the group)—would have all undergone a generational shift.
Following these introductions, the assembly began considering the agenda submitted by the Empress Emerita of the Shouro Empire.
Namely, the establishment of the Avalon Charter.
"It is indeed a fine idea to establish a philosophy and codify it," one delegate remarked.
"Let us engrave it upon a metal plate and display it in the Great Conference Hall," another added.
Voices of agreement rose from across the room.
"Regarding its content, a draft has been submitted by Her Majesty Gerhardt. Please look at the materials in your hands," the chairman, King Alois III of the Klein Kingdom, announced.
The attendees all cast their eyes down at the documents before them.
"...I see."
"The content is excellent."
"Hmm, I would like to use this as a reference for my own country as well."
After a short while, murmurs of approval began to spread. It was generally well-received.
"I believe the phrasing is also important. I wish to express these principles in words that are easy to understand, yet carry weight," the Empress Emerita said.
Her sentiment was met with total agreement.
The dignitaries of the participating nations then set to work, racking their brains, offering opinions, and making careful revisions.
After a full day of intense debate, the results were finalized.
《The Avalon Charter》
- Sincerity: Walk the righteous path, deceiving neither yourself nor others.
- Justice: All are equal under the law.
- Good Faith: Believe in one another and help each other.
- Fairness: Respect others and act without bias.
- Philanthropy: Cooperate regardless of race or nationality.
- Effort: Strive tirelessly toward your ideals.
- Freedom: So long as one does not stray from the path, value individual autonomy and avoid unnecessary constraint.
Thus, the First Class Avalon Charter was established.
The original draft had consisted of:
- Be righteous.
- Think for yourself, and act for yourself.
- Believe in your comrades, and help your comrades.
- Cooperate regardless of race or nationality.
- Match your words with your actions.
- Effort.
- Sincerity (Devotion).
Out of these, "Match your words with your actions" and "Sincerity" were merged into the new first article, while the concept of fairness was expanded into its own point.
The seven articles decided on this day would become the governing code for everyone belonging to Avalon.
Furthermore, each nation would eventually go on to create their own charters using this as a reference, though that is a story for another time.
＊ ＊ ＊
"I see, so it's been decided."
"Yes, My Lord."
On Hourai Island, Jin was receiving the report from Laojun.
Since Deus Ex Machina was in attendance at the conference, the information was relayed directly.
"In that case, as a gift from Maquina and me, I think I'll present an adamantite plate with the charter engraved on it."
"I believe that would be most appropriate."
"But if we're doing that, I'd also like to decide on an emblem for Avalon."
Regarding the design itself, Jin was well aware of his own lack of artistic sense. While he was willing to make the proposal, he had no intention of interfering with the creative process.
＊ ＊ ＊
The next day, acting on the suggestion of Jin and Laojun, Deus Ex Machina proposed that they decide on an emblem alongside the charter. The matter was immediately brought before the council.
Since the primary objective of this World Conference was the establishment of the charter, the delegates saw no issue with deciding on an emblem concurrently.
"I suggest the base design be a circle representing the world," Maquina offered.
"That is a solid start, but I believe it would be better to base it on a map of the Known World," suggested the New Emperor of the Shouro Empire, Weissberg Ernst von Shouro.
"Then how about drawing the continents inside the circle?"
"Oh, that is an excellent idea."
"It might be a bit plain like that. Perhaps we could add stars..."
"Was it called the Solar System? How about a large circle and a small circle representing Celane and Ars?"
The room filled with various suggestions as the discussion grew lively.
"I would like it to be something recognizable even from a distance," noted Empress Emerita Gerhardt.
"After all, the Lord of Kunlun's family crest is quite distinct, is it not?"
She was referring to the "two bars within a circle." Since it was a crest unlike any other in this world, it was instantly identifiable even from afar.
"There is logic in that. It would be a great advantage for people to know at a glance that someone belongs to the World Security Guard."
"In that case, how about this..."
The debate over the emblem became quite heated, with a hundred different opinions clashing.
The discussion continued through lunch and lasted until the evening.
"Then, let us settle on this as the emblem."
They finally agreed on a design: white silhouettes of Ars and its continents set against a blue field. This specific blue would eventually be dyed using the famous Alban Blue, though that was a development for the near future.
The participants were highly satisfied with the design, feeling it was quite elegant.
Secretly, Jin thought to himself that it looked remarkably similar to the flag of the United Nations from his original world.
"These have been a very productive two days."
"Indeed. Tomorrow we shall discuss our future policies."
"Let us rest well today to prepare for tomorrow's session."
"The baths and meals here are truly exceptional."
"Truly. I should like to model the facilities in my own country after this."
"Still, the ability to travel here via Warp Gate is a massive development. We cannot thank His Majesty Cesar of the Celuroa Kingdom enough."
Exchanging such pleasantries, the dignitaries of each nation retired to their respective rooms.
Left behind in the conference hall were Deus Ex Machina, the Emperor of the Shouro Empire, the Empress Emerita, and Alois III of the Klein Kingdom.
"With this, we can proceed with the wedding of Fritz and Gloria," Alois III said, earning a warm nod from the Empress Emerita.
In truth, the whole process had started when they were planning the wedding for those two at Avalon. They had arrived at the simple, elegant idea of having the couple swear their vows before a monument inscribed with the philosophy of the Charter.
"Let us also engrave the names of those who wed at Avalon into a metal plate to preserve them for history."
"Oh, what a fine idea."
Because of those words, the names of Fritz and Gloria would be recorded at the very top of the ledger of couples who held their wedding at Avalon.