Trullinczentyr, Twin Towers top floor.
Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling across Lacey's desk.
On the desk lay the latest frontline intelligence report.
Gertrude stood beside him, delivering a concise briefing: "Your Majesty, according to reports from our informant embedded in Montelupo, Signora Sicilia has convinced the major families."
"They are cobbling together a so-called united resistance army, preparing to set up defenses in central Siracusa and make a last stand."
"Oh?"
Lacey raised an eyebrow, his face betraying no emotion.
"A pack of hyenas, actually banding together?"
"Just toss them a few bones," Gertrude replied with a hint of mockery.
"Signora Sicilia promised that after the war, the border families' legacies would be redistributed based on merit."
"Right now, those family heads are squabbling over who gets the bigger share."
"Expected."
Lacey rose and walked to the map.
His gaze fell on Siracusa, his finger tapping lightly on the capital, Montelupo.
"Originally, I only wanted to teach them a lesson, to let them know who the future master of this land truly is."
The implication in his words sent a chill through the Cabinet members present.
"But since they've given us a better reason, it would be rude to refuse." He turned. "From now on, the nature of this war has changed."
"We are here to liberate the oppressed people of Siracusa, to overthrow the corrupt and tyrannical family rule, and bring true fairness and justice to this land!"
Lacey's voice rang out powerfully, echoing through the spacious office.
Meklen's eyes lit up instantly; he was the first to grasp the Emperor's intent.
The pretext for war had escalated from self-defense to liberation—vast room for maneuver.
This meant Leithanien's target was no longer just the border regions, but all of Siracusa!
Leinia adjusted her glasses, her eyes flickering behind the lenses.
She immediately began calculating the costs of a full-scale war and the fiscal gains and burdens of annexing all of Siracusa.
"Serafina." Lacey turned to his Foreign Liaison Minister.
"Here, Your Majesty." Serafina stepped forward.
"I need your department to draft a 'Proclamation to the People of Siracusa' immediately." Lacey began dictating his vision as Serafina jotted it down furiously.
"First, emphasize the historical ties."
"Siracusa has always been an inseparable part of Leithanien; it was only the Witch King's tyranny that led to the separation."
"Now, Leithanien has been reborn from the flames and should welcome its brethren home."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Second, expose the evils of family rule."
"Publicize all the cases our Intelligence Department has gathered—the blood and tears of civilians and Infected exploited and persecuted by family forces."
"Make every Siracusan see clearly what kind of vampires loom over them."
"Third, showcase the superiority of New Leithanien."
"Describe our people's clinics, affordable housing, and employment programs in the simplest terms."
"Tell them what life under the red flag is truly like."
"Finally, and most importantly." Lacey emphasized.
"Make a promise to all Siracusan people: Leithanien's army is a liberating force. Our target is only those family heads who lord over the people."
"All soldiers who lay down their arms will be forgiven."
"All citizens who support the new order will become masters of the new Siracusa."
"I understand, Your Majesty." Serafina closed her notebook.
"This 'Liberation Manifesto' will reach every corner of Siracusa through all our channels within twenty-four hours."
"Excellent." Lacey nodded approvingly, then turned to Gertrude.
"The Intelligence Department's work must keep pace."
"Your orders, Your Majesty."
"I hear some Siracusan youth yearning for freedom and justice have already crossed the border?"
Gertrude's lips curved slightly. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"A group of young scholars and idealists who despise family rule."
"Our people have made contact; they wish to meet you."
"Arrange it for this afternoon, right here." Lacey said without hesitation.
"I want to meet them personally."
"These sparks will ignite a prairie fire across Siracusa's plains."
"As you command." Gertrude withdrew.
Finally, Lacey's gaze fell on Military Minister Taylor.
Taylor straightened his chest.
"Taylor, since it's a war of liberation, it must look the part."
"Order the 1st and 2nd Armored Divisions to form two spearheads, tear through the enemy lines, ignore flanking stragglers, disregard individual cities—full-speed penetration, straight to the heart!"
"The Air Force's Stuka squadrons will clear all obstacles for our steel torrent."
"Your goal is singular." Lacey's finger slammed down on Montelupo.
"Within three days, I want the 1st Armored Division's tanks parked at Signora Sicilia's residence!"
Flames ignited in Taylor's eyes.
"Mission guaranteed, Your Majesty!"
He turned and strode out, eager to refine his "Siracusa Blitzkrieg" plan.
On the Operations Department's sand table, Siracusa was already painted Leithanien red.
They had even begun discussing post-war administrative districts and how to reorganize surrendered family forces.
In their eyes, Siracusa was already in the bag.
...
Afternoon, Emperor's office.
Several plainly dressed, tense young Siracusans entered under Gertrude's lead.
Leading was a youth named Giancarlo, a history lecturer at a Montelupo university and initiator of this border crossing.
Beside him stood a family member—Lavinia Falcone.
This justice-driven young woman had decisively broken with her corrupt family upon learning of Leithanien's "Liberation Manifesto," fleeing Siracusa in secret with others' aid.
"Your Majesty." Giancarlo's voice trembled with excitement.
Lacey smiled, emerging from behind his desk to pour them water personally—a gesture that instantly eased the youths' tension.
"Welcome, friends from Siracusa." Lacey's tone was warm.
"Your courage impresses me."
"Your Majesty, we... we come to request your aid!" Giancarlo mustered his resolve.
"The people of Siracusa have suffered under family oppression for too long!"
"We crave change, the fairness and justice you proclaimed!"
Lavinia stepped forward too, her voice clear. "I despise the families, that privilege built on blood and violence!"
"I want to be a judge, one who truly upholds justice for the people! But in Siracusa, that's a joke."
"Your Majesty, please help us build a nation truly ruled by law!"
Lacey listened quietly to their pleas, eyes on the light in theirs.
The glow of idealists—pure, fervent.
"I promise you." Lacey said solemnly.
"Leithanien's army entering Siracusa will utterly dismantle family rule's foundations, establishing a new government where the people are masters."
"After the war, Siracusa's future will be decided by you, by the millions of Siracusans yearning for rebirth like you."
"We need your strength." Lacey regarded them.
"Return to your people, tell them dawn approaches."
"Organize, safeguard your cities, await the liberators."
"When our army arrives at your gates, I want open doors and welcoming crowds—not futile resistance and bloodshed."
Giancarlo, Lavinia, and the others nodded fervently, envisioning a family-free, oppression-free new Siracusa.
After seeing off these young revolutionaries, Gertrude returned to Lacey's side.
"Your Majesty, you seem optimistic about them?"
"They are the spark." Lacey gazed out the window softly.
"And I merely provide the east wind."
________________________________________
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