Directus is the capital of the Republic of Ustio. The city is located in southeastern Ustio and consists of five administrative wards along the Crescere River. During the Belkan War, Directus was captured by the Belkan Army and served as the occupation's regional headquarters until its liberation by the Allied Forces on May 13, 1995.
Directus was founded sometime during Belka's early medieval era and was one of largest settlements in the region. Directus has long been regarded for its refined craftsmanship, which is reflected in the city's architecture, particularly its historic cathedrals and bell towers. However, the dawn of the industrial age led to a period of stagnation in Directus: by 1995, its population had only grown to 390,000.
Independence from Belka
Following Belka's Federal Law Review in December 1987, a portion of Belka's eastern territories were permitted to secede. On May 12, 1988, the Republic of Ustio (Belka's southeastern territory) declared its independence and designated Directus as the national capital.
When the Belkan War erupted in March 1995, Belka's blitz invasion of Ustio brought Directus under Belkan control within a week of the war's first battles. The city subsequently became the headquarters of the Belkan occupation forces stationed in Ustio.
By May 1995, the Allied Forces had begun preparations to liberate Directus. On the seventh anniversary of Ustio's independence, May 12, the Allies launched a paratroop drop to capture Solis Ortus—a mountain town located near the occupied capital—as part of the efforts to retake Directus.
The following day, the Allied Forces launched an offensive against the Belkan forces stationed in Directus. At 1630hrs, Allied tank forces approached the city from the west, while Allied and mercenary fighters targeted the Belkan defenses in the city's five administrative districts. As the Belkans were driven back, civilians began to ring bells throughout the city and fought back against the Belkans. Once the Allies had secured air superiority over the capital, crowds of citizens gathered in the streets, celebrating Directus's freedom.
- Directus first appeared in Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War's briefings, but is spelled "Dilectus". This is likely a typographical error, due to the vowel differences in the English and Japanese dialects: the latter does not differentiate "L" from "R" (see: Galm Team, a misspelling of "Garm").
- Interestingly enough, both Directus and Dilectus are real Latinate words: directus is a participle of dīrigō ("to direct", "to set straight"), whereas dilectus is a participle of dīligō ("esteemed", "loved").
- The Crescere River derives its name from the Latin verb crescere, which translates into "[to] grow, increase, expand". This is possibly an allusion to Directus's expansion during the medieval era.
- During the ending radio chatter of "Diapason", one of three civilians will provide background commentary, depending on the player's current Ace Style:
- Mercenary: a florist states she is eager to reopen her flower shop.
- Soldier: a baker is happy that he will no longer make bread for "Belkan pigs".
- Knight: a clock maker hopes that his son will return to Directus to take over the family business.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 BACKGROUND, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, Bandai Namco Entertainment (JP). Retrieved January 9, 2017.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Diapason, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Briefing, Diapason, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.
- ↑ WORLD / GROUNDS / 07, ACE COMBAT ZERO. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cutscene 02, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.
- ↑ Flicker of Hope, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.
- ↑ Cutscene 03, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.
- ↑ Crescere meaning in Latin. Retrieved August 24, 2015.