크로스벨 타임즈/독립 특집 (시작)

[Special Feature] The Road to the Signing Ceremony
Today is one for the history books, as it marks the signing ceremony that will reestablish Crossbell's independence once more. On this special occasion, the Crossbell Times invites our readers to join us in looking back at the different periods in the region's history leading up to this historic moment.

◆Crossbell the Autonomous State◆
As a vital trading hub dating back centuries--one located between the Zemurian continent's two great powers--Crossbell has found itself wrapped up in multiple conflicts as its ruling authority traded places on numerous occasions. This pattern changed in 1134, when both the Erebonian Empire and Republic of Calvard became suzerain nations over Crossbell while granting it individual autonomy as a state. For a long period afterwards, the conflicts that plagued previous eras subsisted between the two countries. This is not to say that things were perfect, however. Underneath the surface, international feuding continued, placing Crossbell in a difficult position as it came under strain from various directions.
After the Orbal Revolution took place, Mainz became a significant producer of septium, leading to the rapid spread of orbal technology within Crossbell. These factors, combined with the state's geographic advantages, transformed it into one of the continent's biggest trading and financial hubs nearly overnight. Despite the many problems that the region endured in the interim, it was a time of significant progress for the people in its own right. Indeed, many would argue that the spirit of freedom that famously characterizes many Crossbellan citizens dates back to this very period.

◆Independence◆
In August 1204, Crossbell's mayor at the time, Dieter Crois, proposed independence for the autonomous state at the West Zemuria Trade Conference. Then, in October of that same year, vehemently pushing aside opposition from both Erebonia and Calvard alike, the mayor formally declared Crossbell to be an independent nation, with him sitting at the helm as president. This development profoundly rocked the Zemurian continent, triggering a civil war within Erebonia and an economic crisis in Calvard. Following that, in December, Speaker Henry MacDowell announced that the independence bid was rendered null and void. Several days afterwards, President Crois was arrested, bringing an abrupt end to Crossbell's brief time as an independent nation.

◆Imperial Annexation◆
On January 1205, the Erebonian Empire, having quelled its internal strife, dispatched its army to successfully occupy Crossbell within the span of a single day. Furthermore, according to the terms of the treaty signed with the Empire, Crossbell lost its autonomy and subsequently became an Imperial province. This, in turn, led the Republic of Calvard to invade Crossbell, unleashing a fresh flood of violence. Ultimately, the Empire's Panzer Soldat units, in tandem with the actions of a provisional military officer sent by the government, impeded the Republic's advance, compelling it to retreat.
In March of that year, Rufus Albarea, assuming the role of Crossbell's first governor general, announced its merger into Imperial territory, formalizing the province's annexation outright. From there, under the auspices of the governor general, Crossbell was incorporated into the Eight Metropolis Plan, strengthening its political and economic ties to the Empire. In turn, all diplomatic relations with the Republic were severed, shattering the sense of cultural diversity that had long characterized the region in a sign of the long sociopolitical winter to come.

◆Aftermath of the Great War◆
The Great War between the Erebonian Empire and Republic of Calvard, which saw the involvement of neighboring nations, concluded on its second day in September 1206. This led the Empire to pull out of Crossbell, which sat on the front lines of the conflict. Negotiations commenced between the Imperial government and Speaker MacDowell pertaining to the province's independence. Progress hit a road bump when in October, remnants of the Imperial Defense Force--refusing to heed the Empire's withdrawal, as well as the now former Governor General Albarea's calls to stand down--took full controll of Crossbell City, an event that came as an immense shock to citizens when Crossbell was on the verge of regaining its independence.
With danger of Calvardian military intervention looming, an operation to liberate Crossbell commenced in February of the following year. Helmed by the Special Support Section and aided by the Crossbell Police, Guardian Force, and civilian volunteers, the operation swiftly proved to be a success. The SSS overpowered the Imperial Defense Force troops holed up in Orchis Tower in a dramatic end to the two year-long saga of Imperial occupation.

◆Crossbell's Current Standing◆
Now, on March 15, 1207, Crossbell is about to embark on a new chapter in its long, proud history. At a signing ceremony scheduled for 2:00 PM this afternoon, Crossbell will once more become an autonomous state. Unlike the previous incarnation, however, Crossbell will be beholden to neither the Empire nor the Republic. Instead, the Holy City of Arteria will serve as the suzerain nation over it while guaranteeing the state's right to complete autonomy. In practice, Crossbell is to be administered free of any political interference from both the Empire and the Republic, serving as a buffer zone between them. The arrangement is expected to help achieve peace in western Zemuria as well as hugely contribute to future cultural and economic advancements in the greater region.

[Arts] 'Beyond the Countless Nights' Officially Opening Tonight
Afetr last year's public rehearsal and February's special performance, Arc en Ciel's hot new production 'Beyond the Countless Nights' is set to officially open this evening in commemoration of Crossbell's renewed independence. Tickets sold out within minutes of becoming available, as members of the public are eager to watch its trio of leading dancers perform live. A source in the troupe also stated that a special program headed up by Ilya Platiere is slated to debut in the coming days.

[Economy] IBC Building Repurposed Again
After serving for a time as a branch of the Reinford Group, the company announced its intention to reduce its presence within the IBC headquarter building light of Crossbell's reindependence. Its previously occupied the bulk of the structure's floor space during the Imperial annexation of Crossbell.
Upholding its internation reputation for attracting the world's cutting-edge businesses, the building, located in the northern part of the Harbor District, will see its newly vacant floors occupied by the Calvard-based Verne Company. (Verne had previously pulled out of Crossbell.) The ZCF, whose international collaborations have expanded in recent years, will also set up shop. Renovations to the building are currently underway in preparation for a full reopening next month.

[Ad] Hot New Properties Up for Sale
Units inside the recently finished apartment complex built in the new city block are on sale now at bargain prices! (Located near the Trinity billiard bar that opened last month.) Move in today for a life of refined relaxation.

【特集】調印式直前　独立までの道のり
　本日、クロスベルはついに再独立調印式を迎える。今日という歴史的な日を迎えるにあたり、本誌と共に今までクロスベルが歩いてきた道のりを振り返ってみよう。　

◆自治州時代◆　
　両大国の間に位置し、古来より交通の要であるクロスベルは度々紛争に巻き込まれ、幾度も支配国が代わってきた。　七耀暦１１３４年。帝国、共和国の両国を宗主国とする形で　自治が認められ、自治州として成立する。そこから長い間、表立った紛争こそなかったが、両大国の水面下の争いで板挟みに　なり、様々な歪みが生まれる事となった。導力革命後は、マインツ鉱山から七耀石が豊富に産出された　こともあり、導力技術が急速に普及。地の利も併せ、クロスベ　ルは瞬く間に大陸有数の貿易都市、金融都市へと変貌した。　この時期のクロスベルは多くの問題を抱えながらも、最も発　展を遂げた時期であった。今に至るクロスベル人の自由と独立　を求める精神もここに起因すると言えるだろう。　

◆独立国時代◆
　七耀暦１２０４年８月、時のクロスベル市長ディーター・ク　ロイスは西ゼムリア通商会議にてクロスベルの独立を提言。同　１０月、帝国と共和国の反対を強引な形で押し切り、ディータ　　ー市長が《クロスベル独立国》の成立と自身の大統領就任を宣　言した。これを引き金に帝国では内戦、共和国では経済恐慌という混　乱した事態に発展し、西ゼムリア大陸を震撼させた。　同１２月、ヘンリー・マクダエル議長により独立無効宣言が　発表され、さらに数日後にディーター大統領が逮捕されたこと　で、独立国としてのクロスベルは幕を閉じた。　

◆帝国領時代◆
　１２０５年１月、内戦を終結させたエレボニア帝国は軍を派　遣し、わずか一日でクロスベルを占領。そして調印した条約に　よりクロスベルは自治権を失い、帝国の属州となった。　　これに反発する共和国はクロスベルへと侵攻。州内で戦闘行　為を繰り広げるものの、帝国の機甲兵部隊と総督府臨時武官の　活躍に阻まれ、撤退する結果となる。　３月、初代総督に就任したルーファス・アルバレアにより、　帝国によるクロスベル併合が宣言され、クロスベルは正式に帝　国領に組み込まれたのだった。　帝国領時代のクロスベルは総督府の管理下に置かれるととも　に、帝国の『八大都市構想』に組み込まれるなど、帝国との政　治的、経済的な結びつきが強くなった。　しかし、共和国との国交は完全に断たれ、かつての文化的、　精神多様性も失われたと言っていい。クロスベル人にとっては　長い冬の時代を迎えたのだった。　

◆大戦後の混乱◆
　１２０６年９月、周辺諸国を巻き込んだ帝国と共和国の大戦　は２日目で終結し、帝国軍は最前線であるクロスベルから撤退。帝国政府とマクダエル議長の独立に向けての交渉が始まった。　ところが１０月、総督府治安部隊が撤退に応じず、ルーファ　ス元総督の呼びかけをも無視し、市内全域を制圧。独立が目前　に迫ったクロスベルに強い衝撃を与えた。　共和国軍の介入も危ぶまれる中、翌年２月――特務支援課を　中心に、警察と警備隊、市民の有志らによる解放作戦が敢行さ　れた。オルキスタワーに立てこもる衛士隊本隊が制圧されたこ　とで、およそ２年に渡るクロスベルの帝国領時代が終わりを告　げる。　

◆そして、今◆
　七耀暦１２０７年３月１５日。今日という日が歴史に新たな　１ページを刻むだろう。午後２時に予定される再独立調印式を　経て、クロスベルは再び自治州として独立を果たす。　また自治州と言っても、帝国と共和国を宗主国としていた従　来とは異なり、アルテリア法国を宗主国とし、完全な自治権が　認められる形となる。　両大国による政治的干渉を排した健全な行政の確立と、地理　的、精神的な意味で両国の緩衝地帯となり、西ゼムリア大陸の　平和と、文化的及び経済的な発展に大きな役割を果たすことが　期待される。　

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【芸能】《幾千万の夜を超えて》、今夜に記念公演　
　去年の練習公演と先月の特別公演を経て、すっかり話題とな　っている劇団アルカンシェルの新作《幾千万の夜を超えて》、　再独立を記念し今夜初めて正式上演となる。　三人の舞姫の舞台姿を実際に見ようと、チケットは発売から　僅か数分で売り切れとなった。　また、劇団関係者によると、イリア・プラティエが独自に主　導した特別演目も近日中に公開されるとのこと。　

【経済】ＩＢＣビル、二回目の生まれ変わり　
　港湾区の北に位置するＩＢＣ本社ビル。帝国領の時期はＲＦ　　グループの支社ビルとして大半のフロアが利用されていたが、　再独立を受け、先月ＲＦグループが支社の規模縮小を発表した。これにより空いたフロアは、クロスベルから撤退していたヴ　ェルヌ社と近年国際協力を強化してきたＺＣＦが入るという。　最先端企業が集う国際的なビルとして二回目の変身を予定して　いる本ビルは、来月のリニューアルオープンに向けて改装を進　めている。　

【広告】新築住宅、絶賛売り出し中　
　新街区の一角に建てられた新型集合住宅、今なら割安で購入　可能！　近くには先月開店したプールバー「トリニティ」が入　っており、貴方の生活に趣と憩いを。