15th April, Space Era Years 102.
The fiscal report for the sixth quarter was released to the public — and it sent ripples across the stars. Under the leadership of Lord Aelyzabeth von Thors, the government of the Centory Kingdom Reich achieved a historic milestone: a 16% budget surplus, the highest since the empire's founding.
According to the Interstellar Transparency Organization, "The national corruption index has dropped to merely 24%," marking the lowest rate among all imperial powers. Though Centory's "democracy index" remained among the lowest in the galaxy, the citizens' quality of life had risen remarkably — the great cities were cleaner, safer, and wealthier than ever before.
The name Aelyzabeth Thors once again shone across the heavens, hailed as "The Iron Lady of Centory," the woman who led her empire from poverty to prosperity.
The Declaration of the Galactic Olympic.
On 7th May, at the Imperial Grand Assembly in Berlyn,
"To show the galaxy that Centory stands as the Empire of Greatness —Our people are strong, our warriors disciplined, and our technology unmatched among the stars."
Her declaration was not merely an act of pride — it was a masterstroke of politics.Aelyzabeth sought to demonstrate to both the World Government and the Keplerian Union that Centory still stood sovereign and supreme.
However, a grave issue arose — Earth had already been chosen as the official host for that year's games.Diplomatic negotiations failed, forcing the Intergalactic Olympic Committee to declare joint hosts.
The venues were divided among four + one cities:
1st New Washington D.C. – the capital of Earth
2nd California
3rd London
4th Beijing
and the fifth — Berlyn, the imperial capital of Centory.
For the World Government, this was a humiliation —the first time in history that an off-world empire had been granted co-host status for an Olympic event held on Earth itself.
The Iron Lady's Failing Health
By June, only weeks into the preparations,Lord Aelyzabeth Thors suffered another sudden pulmonary collapse,a relapse of the chronic illness her physicians had long warned about.
She was rushed to the Imperial Medical Chamber.In the white brilliance of her hospital room,the soft rhythm of the vital monitor echoed —Aelyzabeth gazed out the window, watching the imperial banner flutter over Berlyn's spires.Her body weakened, yet her eyes burned with unyielding strength.
"It's all right… the work must continue,"she said to the Regent, General Aelaera von Escheinsen."You shall deliver the opening speech in my stead.Show the world that Centory does not falter."
And so, on 1st June , when the ceremonial lights ignited the heavens,Regent Aelaera took the podium and declared the opening of the Olympic in honor of Pride Month.
Yet the World Government retaliated immediately,issuing a diplomatic boycott,accusing Centory of "using sport as a political weapon."Several allied nations withdrew from the competition.But amid the wave of condemnation —the central plaza of Berlyn overflowed with citizens loyal to their empire.
The Last Words of the Iron Lady.
Though Lord Aelyzabeth Thors could not stand upon the grand stage,every broadcast across the empire displayed her image —seated upon her hospital bed,dressed in pure white,the Thors family crest gleaming over her heart.
"As long as the imperial banner yet flies...Centory shall never fall."
Those words became legend —the immortal vow of the woman who bore an empire upon her shoulders.
Thus ends Chapter X C-XV.