Siracusa capital, Montelupo.
The city-state joint council hall was brightly lit at this moment, the conference table filled with Siracusa's most powerful men.
They were the rulers of the various city-states, the spokesmen for the families.
The light from the crystal chandelier spilled onto their slicked-back hair and perfectly tailored suits, yet it could not illuminate the scheming hearts within.
Bernardo Bellone, the family head who hoped to end family rule, sat silently, his fingers unconsciously rubbing his cufflinks.
Sitting across from him was Alberto Saluzzo, like a vigilant fox, carefully observing everyone's expressions and calculating how to preserve himself and his family in the coming storm.
And most others, like the patriarch of the Falcone family—father of the justice-driven young woman Lavinia—wore expressions of offended anger mixed with deep-rooted arrogance.
"What utter humiliation!"
A family head from an eastern city-state slammed a newspaper printed with Leithanien war reports onto the table.
"That waste Grimaldi! He's disgraced us all! Captured alive in his own bed by the enemy!"
"Who says otherwise!" another immediately chimed in, his voice full of disdain.
"I said long ago, handing border defense to that idiot would cause trouble sooner or later!"
"What does his brain hold besides wine and women?"
"What's the use of saying that now?" a slightly more rational voice interjected.
"Leithanien's iron beasts have already set foot on our territory!"
"What we need to discuss now is how to drive them out!"
The hall instantly grew noisy, everyone chiming in with their opinions.
"Drive them out? Of course we drive them out!"
"Let that mud-legged emperor see that Siracusa is no place for him to run wild!"
"I propose we immediately form a coalition army!"
"Each major family contributes troops to teach the Leithanians a lesson!"
Once the proposal was made, the previously indignant crowd's voices unanimously quieted.
Contribute troops?
Everyone knew that family private soldiers were the foundation for seizing territory and maintaining rule.
Every person present valued their armed forces more than their own lives.
Ask them to clash head-on with Leithanien using their own assets?
What a joke!
Whoever wants to do it can; not me!
As the crowd argued endlessly, the conference room door was pushed open. Signora Sicilia, dressed in a black gown and escorted by attendants, slowly entered.
Her gaze swept across the room, instantly silencing the noisy hall.
Everyone stood, paying respects to Siracusa's nominal supreme ruler—though many privately saw her as an outdated symbol.
"Sit, all of you." Signora Sicilia said calmly.
She took the main seat and got straight to the point without preamble: "I assume everyone has heard the border news."
"Leithanien's army tore through our border defenses in less than an hour."
"Now, their armored units are rampaging near our borders."
"Madam."
The Falcone patriarch stood, adjusting his tie.
"We were just discussing how to teach those arrogant Leithanians a lesson."
"Oh? Is that so?" Signora Sicilia's smile held no mirth.
"Then what result have you discussed, Lord Falcone?"
"How many men is your family willing to send?"
The Falcone patriarch's face stiffened; he coughed dryly. "Defending Siracusa, the Falcone family is of course duty-bound!"
"However, resisting foreign invaders is the responsibility of all Siracusans. I believe Lord Bellone and Lord Saluzzo are also willing to contribute to defending our homeland."
Named Bernardo Bellone remained expressionless, saying nothing.
Alberto Saluzzo smiled. "Of course, the Saluzzo family stands ready at your command, Madam."
"It's just... our forces mainly handle city-state security and aren't suited for war."
"Not suited?" Signora Sicilia's voice suddenly sharpened. "You never lacked skill when using them to fight over turf!"
"My private soldiers need to guard my city—what if rival families exploit the gap?"
"Exactly! My factories need manpower too!"
"I say, the border families should handle their own turf!"
"Nonsense! Leithanien is slapping all our faces!"
The hyenas finally bared their true nature.
Faced with a common threat, they thought not of unity, but of sending other hyenas to die while lurking to feast on the remains.
"Enough!"
Signora Sicilia shed her usual elegance, slamming the table with astonishing force from her aged frame.
The entire hall fell silent.
"Do you think Leithanien came to negotiate with you? To fight over some street or shop?"
"Open your eyes!"
"You're still bickering over your pathetic private soldiers? You think holding your own patch of dirt means you're safe?"
"Don't you understand 'when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold'?"
"When Leithanien's flag flies over Montelupo's council hall, every one of you will lick that emperor's boots!"
Her words slapped across the family heads' faces.
Some young heirs showed shame, but most old foxes' eyes still flickered uncertainly.
Bernardo Bellone finally spoke, voice low: "Madam, what do you want us to do?"
Signora Sicilia took a deep breath, as if exhausted.
Threats ended; now came inducement.
"In the name of the City-State United Council, form the Siracusa United Resistance Army."
"Each family contributes men and money according to strength."
"Those who contribute most... get the largest share in the post-war redistribution."
She paused, dropping a bombshell.
"Including all Grimaldi family assets and lands left on the border."
The words instantly energized the crowd.
The Grimaldi family was finished—that was consensus.
Their power vacuum and vast wealth was prime meat everyone craved.
Eyes that had dodged now gleamed with greed overriding fear.
"The Meredith family pledges three hundred enforcers!"
"The Wallace family, five hundred!"
"The Falcone family will cover the coalition's military expenses!"
Watching the suddenly fervent hyenas, Bernardo Bellone closed his eyes, a bitter smile on his lips.
Siracusa was doomed.
Signora Sicilia sank wearily into her chair, no joy in the sordid scene.
She knew well: this was just binding starving wolves with a scrap of meat.
Could such a patchwork army withstand Leithanien's steel torrent?
She didn't know.
But it was all she could do.
...
Meanwhile, news of Leithanien's invasion of Siracusa spread across Terra.
Victoria, a certain duke's fief.
A grand duke in his manor listened to his aide's report, scoffing disdainfully.
"Lacey? He thinks conquering a backwater like Siracusa puts him on Victoria's level?"
"Foolish!"
He waved. "Go, send Siracusa some 'consolation supplies'—varied: guns, crossbows, armor, medicine."
He paused, adding: "But remember, private donation, nothing to do with Victoria."
"We have more pressing matters..."
...
Ursus Empire, a fortress on the icy plains.
A starred general stood before a sand table, smiling at the red arrows piercing Siracusa.
"Excellent, perfect."
"Let Leithanien wallow in the southern quagmire—the louder he roars, the happier we are."
...
Columbia, Wall Street skyscraper.
Vanguard Group's board held an emergency meeting.
"Gentlemen, opportunity!" a potbellied capitalist waved his cigar excitedly.
"War! The most profitable business!"
"Leithanien needs our engine parts, Siracusa our weapons and ammo!"
"No matter who wins, we profit huge!"
The room buzzed with glee.
...
And in distant Yan.
Within the Qian Gate, an official in robes read western encrypted intel.
He noted on a memorial: "Leithanien's new emperor has grand ambitions and decisive action."
"This war tests their new army's mettle, probes strategic realities."
"Order border generals: observe quietly, act only on direct command."
Tiny Siracusa became Terra's chessboard focus.
Players moved: probing, checking, fanning flames.
But none took the war seriously.
To them, just a minor skirmish in the board's corner.
________________________________________
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