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[RUSSIA]
It seems that I have to start this recording much earlier than usual. Well, Russian Federation here will be meeting San Marino for today. I think I have to make it clear what we'll be talking about before the conversation happens. I can't expect everyone to understand context clues, right? Some people are much more oblivious than the others. Today, it's all about Vatican City all again. Luise kept pestering me to keep covering him, so, I will. Don't worry, though, this will be the last one in a while.
Though, you know, it's more about the thing about the deals that Vatican City made back then, when he was still known as Papal States. If you haven't listened the previous recording, I do actually recommend listening to it chronologically. It'll make even more sense, but you know, it's not obligatory, as always. But to remind you, Vatican City was an angel at one point. And despite not being an angel anymore now, he still has the ability to create contracts with humans.
I'm sure Italy knows that I'm in his lands right now. Ever since we Personifications lost the ability to sense who're within our lands, people have gone more... privy to details, let's say. And for common courtesy, I did tell him that I'll cross his borders to meet with San Marino.
And, well, by all means of technicalities, I'm already within San Marino's jurisdiction here. (Leaves rustle) It shouldn't take long for us to get there. Might be a long hike, but that just means that I can keep talking here, no? Yes, exactly.
It's almost ironic, really. An angel of his kind, struck down and made into an Incarnation as a form of punishment. Being one of our kind is likely one of the out-of-the-ordinary punishments I've ever heard, especially considering he's supposed to be something holy when he's... not. Not a lot of people know of this anyway. I believe the only countries who knows of this particular aspect are San Marino and Switzerland, the former only because he's old enough to actually understand what The Illustrious—Roman Empire—was referring to every time he talked about some "guardian".
By that logic, yes, Greece should probably know as well, because she was the Eastern part of the empire at one point in time, but as much of an admiration Rome had towards the Greeks, he couldn't bring himself to tell his idol of his silly little dreams, can he? (Pause) Well, he thought it was silly. Funny, really, until his death in the fourth century, he never figured out that the thing he dreamt of was an angel.
Why would he, really? He died before Christianity was an official religion within the empire. I wonder if he figured it out in The Afterlife in the end. If he did, then I can only ponder about his reaction. He isn't known to be the most rational person, despite what he claims, anyway. I wasn't alive back then, but every time Greece spoke about how everyone fell into a panic when Rome died was... hilarious.
In the end, Italy's older half-brother—Western Roman Empire, but more known in the modern era as Sardinia—ruled in a co-representative direction with the eastern part. They managed good enough. Well, enough until the western part fell, of course.
I also cannot undermine the fact that several other countries knew as well, including Czechia and Poland. But those two only know for the same reason I am aware. I don't believe they count, considering it was a more divine intervention than anything more humanely deductive. Both San Marino as well as Switzerland fall under that second category. Are there more countries who are in the know? Likely. I'm more inclined to believe that Bulgaria knows, some way or another.
Oh, it seems I got a bit carried away. We're here in front of his house now. (Knock)
[SAN MARINO]
(Door squeak) Ah, Elena. (In Italian) I thought you were jesting when you said you wanted to give me a visit.
[RUSSIA]
Now, why would I do such a thing, Pietro? (Chuckle) I understand why such sentiments were present, though. It is not uncommon for myself to do things people do not expect.
[SAN MARINO]
Such as asking out of nowhere about my opinion that Martino may be the sentry Postumo speaks of?
[RUSSIA]
Including that, yes.
[SAN MARINO]
(Pause) Come, sit on the chair on the porch. It is better to converse comfortably.
[RUSSIA]
Appreciative, Pietro.
[SAN MARINO]
You are an esteemed guest after all... (Pause) the fact that you knew I thought of Martino and Postumo's relationship in such a way is already enough for me to deem you as such.
[RUSSIA]
(Chair screech) I assure you, Pietro, I only wish for a thoughtful conversation on such things... and as to how Postumus was not the only one Martino offered a contract to.
[SAN MARINO]
So I've heard. Do you mind waiting a few moments as I bring you a few to drink and eat?
[RUSSIA]
Do as you wish, Pietro. We are beings of patience. A few minutes is nothing compared to what we are obliged to endure.
[SAN MARINO]
If you put it in such a way, I suppose there is a lot of merit in what you say. Alright, then. I'll leave you to yourself as I prepare. (Pause) Chamomile tea as usual?
[RUSSIA]
And whatever sweet dessert you can provide, yes.
[SAN MARINO]
I'll be gone for a few, then. (Footfalls)
[RUSSIA]
Ah, always the polite one, San Marino. It's really understandable if you forget that he's a close associate in Italy's... mob dealings. After all, I am not the only expectation-defying character in this stage, am I? San Marino has played this play far longer than I have, anyway. And his eyes are wide open, there is no reason for me to doubt his experiences. Those whose eyes are open wide have a more prestigious standing in my eyes to those who don't, even if they are younger than I am.
Ah, and while we're in the topic of age, Italy does not hold as high of a standing despite being only a few decades younger than San Marino. He is... not the most adept when it comes to seeing the unseen. Not many are, granted. So, it isn't necessarily Alexander Servilius Persona's fault.
[SAN MARINO]
(Clutter) Alessandro Servilio Persona? It has been long since I've heard anyone use that name for Salvatore.
[RUSSIA]
How you always translate names to its Italian version will never stop in its amazement for me, Pietro. (Clink) But, yes, certainly has been a while, has it? I don't believe many know that that is his birth name anyway. Postumus was peculiar in his choice of Alexander. Do you believe it was an homage towards Alexander III of Macedon?
[SAN MARINO]
Postumo told me that he wished to name his third son Achille. He never did get himself a third legitimate son, so, I believe that's why Salvatore named his son with that name. (Pause) I asked once, centuries ago, upon Postumo's grave. "Did you name your children of that legend, in where Gaio Giulio Cesare found himself admiring Alessandro Magno, who himself viewed himself alike Achille?" (Chuckle) I would never get an answer, of course. He only looked at me with that defeated face he paraded himself in in his final years. So, yes, Elena, I do believe that it was an homage towards Alessandro III di Macedonia.
[RUSSIA]
Ah, yes, Gaius Servilius Persona is Sardinia's birth name, I believe. Though Gaius was a common name. (Clink) Well, I believe that is all for the pleasantries I will provide you with, Pietro. Tell me this, what is is that you believe to be the exact relation between Martino and Postumus?
[SAN MARINO]
I have been waiting for you to say that for a while. (Sip) Postumo, I was a close friend of his. I don't recall when or how old I was when I met him, but let's just say that I became... a part of the his own personal cohors praetoria. Postumo was old, yes, he has said that he himself has met Romolo and his brother, Remo. Whether or not that was true, I cannot say for certain. That was centuries prior to my birth, after all.
He first mentions of his dream, of a being a part of a pantheon he does not know of, guarding over him was somewhere around what Martino would call the... time between what he calls "Ancient" and "Old". Or more accurately, the earliest years of the Old Generation. Enlighten me, Elena, when was that? I'm sure you know when this is exactly.
[RUSSIA]
Within the first century anno domini.
[SAN MARINO]
Yes, around that time. And I of course didn't think much of it back then. It was really only until I saw him die and live again, did I believe his words that something inhuman was presiding over him. You know, with the current knowledge, now I do believe that he has made a Deal with the Devil with that. His sclerae were already black by then, since the Gallic Wars.
[RUSSIA]
And when did he first die in exact?
[SAN MARINO]
Within Germania, not long after the Varian Disaster.
[RUSSIA]
And how did you come to the point that Martino was, in fact, the guardian that Postumus kept mentioning in his dreams?
[SAN MARINO]
A bit after Constantino's vision, Martino emerged. All of us knew that he was a Representation, but none of us understood what he was supposed to be. Well, it's clear that he's supposed to be the Holy See now, but it wasn't back then. Perhaps the emperor's conversion made it obvious, especially to myself, but not to all, no. It's instinctual, Elena. Immediately after seeing him, I saw how Postumo looked at Martino. It was as if he had just been bestowed the answers to all of his questions within his already-long life.
Nothing came after that. I did not see Postumo as much as I used to, for by then I had already become what I am now. Though from the words of Salvatore and his brother, Martino never met with Postumo publicly, if he ever did. I did not suspect Martino as that demon he sold his soul to, at least until I died myself.
It was an odd experience. Dying, I mean. I know you would know, I have heard stories. (Hum) I saw something beyond Martino's human skin. It was clear to me in that day, that Martino was the one who kept my soul in this world, only due to Postumo's plead. I suppose he felt that it was his fault. That I died, I mean. But not long after that, he died himself. As in true death, he did not go through anastasis as he did once before. Perhaps it was the price he had to pay for my own.
[RUSSIA]
It's peculiar that you call Martino a demon.
[SAN MARINO]
Elena, I thought you once referred to that angel beside you as a demon at one point? What is the difference really, when the both of you have not set your beliefs in Christ back then? What differentiates a demon with an angel when you know not of either's existence? It is easy to assume that all you encounter are evil firsthand. We Personifications do not receive kindness as often as one might think.
[RUSSIA]
That is true, yes. So, you believe him to be an angel, Martino?
[SAN MARINO]
Of course. I've made that quite clear, yes, I'm sure you know. The only reason you ask is for the umpteenth confirmation.
[RUSSIA]
You know my antics well, it seems, Pietro.
[SAN MARINO]
You are... predictable, Elena. It is a shame that most choose to remain blind.
[RUSSIA]
Truly. (Clink) Pietro, what do you think Postumus asked from Martino, fifty years before you first saw his sclerae turn black?
[SAN MARINO]
I would assume eternal glory.
[RUSSIA]
(Chuckles) And eternal glory did he not get, through his many successors?
[SAN MARINO]
Eternal glory did he get.
(Silence)
[RUSSIA]
Postumus was not the only one Martino offered a contract towards.
[SAN MARINO]
That is unexpected, but unsurprising. I've always wondered if any of the big empires made a Deal with the Devil like how the previous greatest did. I presume you'd know the answer to that? Ah, who am I to ask. Of course you would! There is no reason for you to say such a statement with no clear intent behind it.
[RUSSIA]
You should instead tell me who you suspect to be another one of Martino's contractees.
[SAN MARINO]
I can't help but to wonder of that monstrous form Rosamunda has. Carlotta has also claimed that it was a hereditary form, no? And the boy, Agilulfo, he had one as well. I can only suspect that those two would only have such a thing when the first of the name, Arcenulfo Errico, does as well.
[RUSSIA]
And Charlotte would be correct in that matter. The reason why Rosamunde and Agilulf have those forms is only because Archenulf Herrich had that form. But, no, the contract provided to Rosamunde's grandfather is hardly one in the first place. He was just cursed by one of his split-selves.
[SAN MARINO]
Is that so? Then I assume it wasn't Martino, then.
[RUSSIA]
Something close, I must say (Sip) The angel he once was was also at one point considered as one of the angels of death, no? Though, not the angel over the power of Death. But for that association itself you are close on figuring out whomever made that prosoponym cursed.
[SAN MARINO]
I'm sure it wouldn't be outrageous if I were to suggest that Death itself did so, would it?
[RUSSIA]
It wouldn't, no. (Clink) Despite that, I will remain with no answers to give you, Pietro. Until you find yourself entirely sure with any answer you will claim of, of course.
[SAN MARINO]
I suppose it is back to myself and my deductions. (Chuckle) Let's see, I already knew it couldn't have been Arcenulfo Errico, only due to the fact that his sclerae had remained white as ever... I'm afraid I can't remember any influential country with such sclerae, Elena.
[RUSSIA]
Martino did not make many contracts. It just so happens that the next contract he gave was bestowed to one of the states under the rule of the Holy Roman Emperor.
[SAN MARINO]
Under Arcenulfo Errico? That opens another field of possibilities in itself. Do you know how many states he governed, Elena? I'm sure you do. You are not giving me much passage here. Could you be instead so kind to tell me on whether or not Arcenulfo Errico paid special attention to this state of his?
[RUSSIA]
Quite... he is still alive.
[SAN MARINO]
I will take that as a yes, then. And a man? I'm thankful over the narrowing. Really. Arcenulfo Errico doesn't pay attention to his own states as much as people would wish to do so—that is reserved to those who hold great power. An Archon?
[RUSSIA]
Hm... no, but close in their influence.
[SAN MARINO]
Oh, goodness me. It's awfully obvious now. It was the Duke of Luxembourg, was it not? I always knew his sclerae were black, and certainly wondered which demon he sold his soul to. I never expected Martino to be the one to have half of his.
[RUSSIA]
The price Évariste paid was... grand.
[SAN MARINO]
Evaristo must have asked for power and status, then. I do recall him only getting those things after he became emperor and Co-Representation.
[RUSSIA]
He asked for eternal wealth and I'd say he got that in the end. Being emperor was the first step. People seem to forget how well-off he is, it appears. There's a reason why Katelijne decided on living with him now, no?
[SAN MARINO]
Wealth? That was unexpected.
[RUSSIA]
Yes, he just had to go through poverty several times... he's alright now, though. Dare I say he's worth more than Rosamunde. Is he worth more than Ottokar? By a slight margin, I'd say so.
[SAN MARINO]
Ottocaro?
[RUSSIA]
Ottorica, I mean.
[SAN MARINO]
In the end they got what they wanted, it seems.
[RUSSIA]
Yes, most certainly. Of course, those two aren't the only ones contracted towards Martino... but there is no fun in telling you all the names, is there?
[SAN MARINO]
(Laugh) Always with such an attitude, are you, Elena? Ah, Postumo would have liked your character. I know I do. The Great Powers of now probably do not find it as intriguing as I do. The perks of being a backwater country, no?
[RUSSIA]
I suppose so, yes.
(Silence)
[SAN MARINO]
You are an angel, aren't you?
[RUSSIA]
Pietro, I am unlike Martino.
[SAN MARINO]
That is not the only way for you to be considered an angel, Elena. To whom are you the vessel of?
[RUSSIA]
That poses quite the rhetorical question, does it not?
[SAN MARINO]
(Sigh) That one.
[RUSSIA]
It's not a hard guess, is it not?
[SAN MARINO]
Your nickname should instead be The Unfortunate, no?
[RUSSIA]
I do not decide such nicknames. If you wish to call me that, then that is all for you to decide, Pietro.
[SAN MARINO]
I see why you avoid having any of your kin be named of that angel.
[RUSSIA]
It haunts me enough... there is no need for that name to haunt me even more through a shared heritage.
[SAN MARINO]
(Chuckle) I suppose I'll still call you as The Merciful, though. An ironic nickname to the masses is a much better comparison to one so straightforward.
[RUSSIA]
(Sip) Well, I certainly hold such values close to myself.
[SAN MARINO]
You and your sense of Mercy, Elena.
(Silence)
[RUSSIA]
For Death is Merciful.
[Click]