As Lacey unleashed a tidal wave in Trullinczentyr, the storm's aftershocks, in the form of telegrams and couriers, quickly spread across the continent of Terra.
...
Victoria, in a certain duke's fief.
Inside an office adorned with a massive lion flag, a typewriter clattered urgently.
An old duke with graying hair and a sharp gaze plucked a still-warm telegram from the machine.
"A soldier of common birth, through inciting mobs and political conspiracy, has become the emperor of Leithanien..."
He placed the telegram on the table, his tone complex.
Several other high nobles were also seated in the room.
"Have the Leithanien gone mad?" a young marquis scoffed.
"They actually let a commoner sit on the throne."
"I'd wager that within three months, that country will fall apart from internal strife."
"We cannot be careless," the old duke said, shaking his head and tapping his fingers lightly on the desk.
"This Lacey is no simple man."
"In an extremely short period, he integrated seven of Leithanien's Elector Grand Regions, took Trullinczentyr without shedding any blood, and on the very first day of his reign, dared to dissolve the Elector council and reorganize the national army."
"This is not something an ordinary upstart is capable of."
He stood up, walked to a map of Terra, and his gaze fell upon the border between Victoria and Leithanien.
"This flame of popular revolution is highly contagious."
"We must reinforce the dikes to prevent it from spreading onto Victorian soil—to Tara, for instance."
A general in a crisp military uniform standing nearby spoke up: "I propose we immediately dispatch two additional legions to the border."
"At the same time, we must activate all our intelligence networks in Leithanien."
"Could we perhaps... fund the factions still loyal to the Twin Empresses?" the young marquis suggested.
"Of course," the old duke sneered.
"A chaotic and internally consumed Leithanien is a good Leithanien."
"Have the foreign liaison department send a delegation to Trullinczentyr, ostensibly to congratulate the new emperor on his ascension, but in reality to assess the stability of his rule."
"Simultaneously, spread some news in the Leithanien border regions. For example, that the new emperor is preparing to purge all the old nobility and confiscate all private property."
"I don't care if it's true or not. I need Leithanien to descend into chaos."
...
Kazimierz, the Grand Knight Territory, headquarters of the Commercial Federation.
Unlike the worried aristocrats of Victoria, the directors of the Kazimierz Commercial Federation were gathered around a conference table, smelling the sweet scent of money.
The Federation's chairman, Chanel, waved a report in his hand. "Gentlemen, this is our opportunity!"
"Meklen Neum, the Elector of the Caplania Grand Region, is now Leithanien's Minister of Economy."
"He is a pure merchant. We have dealt with him many times. He understands our language."
He continued his analysis.
"The emperor's new regime is in desperate need of capital to implement his reforms and appease the lower classes."
"And while the Twin Empresses' economic sanctions failed, they did indeed sever Leithanien's ties with many traditional trade partners."
"This vacuum is for us to fill."
"You mean we should take the initiative to become his lifeline?" one director frowned.
"That's risky. If he can't maintain his position, our investment will go down the drain."
"The higher the risk, the greater the reward!" Chanel rapped the table.
"We can offer them low-interest loans, but with the condition that they must open up their mineral, agricultural, and emerging industrial markets."
"We can fund the construction of their various projects, but the projects must be contracted to our companies."
"Will they agree?" someone asked.
"They will," Chanel smiled.
"Because Lacey needs achievements. He needs to let the people who support him see improvements in their lives as soon as possible."
"And we can provide all of that to him."
"As for the price... that is something for him, as emperor, to consider."
"Our mission is to carve out the most succulent piece of meat from this feast of power."
"Tell our representatives not to be afraid to spend money. In Kazimierz, there is no door that money can't open!"
...
The Ursus Empire, in a military fortress near the Leithanien border.
An Ursine general with a full, bristly beard was staring blankly at a sand table.
On the table, many small flags representing Lacey's newly integrated forces were planted across the map of Leithanien.
"He has consolidated the armies of the nine Grand Regions into one."
"And he is expanding his military."
"Intelligence says there are long lines at his recruitment stations."
"The young people in their country believe they are fighting for their nation."
"An army filled with faith is far more terrifying than a band of mercenaries fighting for money," his adjutant said.
"So, His Majesty the Emperor's intention is?"
"To wait." The general's finger pressed heavily on the location of Wasser Fief.
"This newborn bear cub looks strong, but we don't know how long he'll survive."
"Internally, he faces the resentment of the old nobility; externally, he faces Victoria's covetousness and Kazimierz's greed."
"We of Ursus have no need to act hastily."
He looked up, out the window at the frozen wasteland.
"Keep the border forces on highest alert and closely monitor all developments in Leithanien."
"If he can survive this winter and successfully consolidate all of Leithanien, then we will have to reassess our relationship with him."
"If he falls, or if Leithanien plunges into civil war..."
A cruel smile spread across the general's lips.
"Then let the iron hooves of the Empire go and 'help' them restore order."
...
Siracusa, Montelupe.
As the de facto ruler of Siracusa, Signora Sicilia listened to her subordinate's report on the news from Leithanien and let out a meaningful laugh.
"An interesting lad."
"Without relying on family or bloodline, he climbed to the top through inciting the masses and violence."
She said to a young man beside her, "You should learn from this. This is what a real 'business' is."
"He has turned the entire country into his family enterprise. His vision is much grander than ours, with our petty squabbles in the city-states."
"Then... Signora, should we send someone to Trullinczentyr with a congratulatory gift?"
"Of course, we must," Signora Sicilia narrowed her eyes.
"Tell our people to bring the finest gifts and the most humble attitude."
"Go and tell that new emperor that the wolves of Siracusa always respect their own powerful kind."
...
Leithanien, Trullinczentyr, the Twin Towers.
Gertrude placed an intelligence brief summarizing the reactions of the various nations on Lacey's desk.
"The Victorians see us as a plague, the people of Kazimierz see us as a fat piece of meat, and the Ursines are waiting for us to rot from within," she summarized succinctly.
Lacey quickly scanned the document, his expression unsurprised.
All of this was within his expectations.
"A bunch of arrogant nobles, a bunch of greedy merchants," he commented.
"Their reactions are perfect proof of the old world's weakness and decay."
"But they will all become trouble for us," Gertrude reminded him.
"Especially Victoria and Ursus. It's highly likely they will secretly support rebellions."
"Then let them," a cold glint flashed in Lacey's eyes.
"We can use their hands to help us pull out all the hidden nails, one by one."
________________________________________
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