The clamor of the Peace Games gradually faded, and Trullinczentyr returned to its former order and efficiency.
The delegations from various countries departed with mixed feelings; they had witnessed a brand-new, powerful, and vibrant Leithanien, but they also felt an indescribable sense of oppression beneath that red flag bearing the hammer and sickle.
In the Emperor's office on the top floor of the Twin Towers, the rising sun outside the window bathed the entire city in a layer of gold.
Lacey did not admire this magnificent scene he had created with his own hands; instead, he stood with his back to the window, gazing at the full map of Terra hanging on the wall.
His gaze swept across the vast territory of Leithanien, finally landing on that country to the southeast—Siracusa.
"We have created enough of an illusion of peace," Lacey said.
"The old foxes in Victoria are busy fighting over the crown, the merchants of Kazimierz are calculating profits, and the bears of Ursus are still hibernating."
"This is our opportunity."
Inside the office, Taylor, Gertrude, Serafina, Meklen, and Leinia stood in two rows on either side, their expressions solemn.
The success of the Games did not make them relax in the slightest.
"The target is Siracusa?" Taylor asked.
"Correct." Lacey turned to Gertrude. "How is the work of the Intelligence Department progressing?"
Gertrude stepped forward and placed a thick file on the desk in front of Lacey.
"Your Majesty, this is the report from the Intelligence Department after a comprehensive infiltration of Siracusa over the past three months."
"To summarize in eight words: Strong on the outside, brittle on the inside; rotten to the core."
She opened the file, revealing photographs and charts to everyone present.
"The regime of Siracusa is controlled by the so-called 'United City-State Council,' but in reality, the Council is nothing more than a puppet of the major families."
"Every decision made by the Speaker depends on the whims of the family representatives in the jury box."
"From Montelupo to remote small towns, every one of the twenty-plus city-states is firmly controlled by one or two families. They view the cities as private property, and the law is their family rule."
"What about their army?" Taylor asked in a booming voice; this was always his primary concern.
"Vulnerable and weak," Gertrude answered decisively.
"Their so-called City Defense Force is more like the families' private armed forces. Equipment is outdated, training is lax, and officer appointments are based entirely on bloodlines and bribery."
"Their only combat experience is suppressing civilians and serving as cannon fodder in family feuds," she paused, then added.
"More importantly, public grievances are boiling over. Siracusa's Infected policy exists in name only; nominally called insurance payments, it has actually become a tool for family extortion."
"Countless Infected are stripped of everything, either used by family forces as tools for accumulating wealth or discarded into the wilderness after being drained of their last drop of blood."
"Their fate depends not on the law, but on the mood of the local family boss."
Leinia added: "Your Majesty, Siracusa was historically an autonomous territory of Leithanien until it broke away during the Witch King's era."
"We have a certain legal basis for taking any action against them."
"We can declare that this is to 'restore order and rescue our suffering compatriots.'"
Meklen chuckled lightly and said, "Siracusa's east is densely forested. Although there aren't many minerals, the geographical location is excellent."
"Once integrated into our economic system, Leithanien's east will gain a solid barrier, and our goods can drive straight in, completely crushing their pitiful handicraft industry."
Leinia pushed up her glasses, throwing cold water on the idea as always: "War requires enormous expenditure, Minister Meklen. Your market hasn't been secured yet, but the treasury will be emptied first."
"Every shell fired costs Imperial Marks. I need a detailed budget and a precise assessment of post-war returns."
"Leinia, my friend, sometimes investing in the future can't just be about looking at the ledger." Meklen spread his hands.
"Think about it, how much tax revenue and cheap labor will a unified and stable Siracusa bring us?"
"That assumes you can stabilize it quickly, rather than falling into a protracted security war."
Seeing the two about to argue over the budget again, Lacey raised his hand to stop them.
"Both ministers' concerns are valid." He walked to the map, pointing his finger at Siracusa's capital, Montelupo.
"Therefore, we cannot fight a slow war."
"Before the Siracusan families can react, we strike straight at the heart."
He turned to Taylor: "Taylor, how are your armored units prepared?"
Taylor puffed out his chest: "Your Majesty, the 1st and 2nd Armored Divisions have completed reorganization. The 'Tiger' tanks and matching armored personnel carriers are ready to move out at any time."
"The Air Force's Stuka dive bomber wing has also completed coordination drills with the ground forces."
"Just say the word, and Leithanien's iron torrent will flatten the Siracusan border within twenty-four hours!"
"Very good." Lacey's gaze turned to Gertrude.
"But war cannot be launched without cause. We need a pretext, a reason that will make all the people of Leithanien share a bitter hatred of the enemy."
The corner of Gertrude's mouth curled up: "Your Majesty, I understand."
"I need a conflict," Lacey said, his voice very low. "A conflict that looks like it was actively provoked by the Siracusan side."
"I need our civilians to be treated unfairly, or even bleed, at the border."
"Then, I need your propaganda machine to magnify this incident a hundred times and spread it to every corner of the Empire."
"I want every Leithanien citizen to believe that Siracusa struck first, and we were forced to strike back."
Serafina's brow furrowed imperceptibly, but she said nothing.
She knew this was the unavoidable dark side of the new era's politics.
"Leave it to me."
Gertrude accepted without hesitation.
"I will arrange the most reliable hands. Within three days, you will get the headlines you want."
Lacey nodded with satisfaction. "Serafina, what about the diplomatic situation?"
Serafina, the Foreign Liaison Minister who had been listening quietly, spoke up: "The major families of Siracusa are endlessly fighting among themselves; they are fundamentally unable to form a unified diplomatic strategy."
"They would even actively leak intelligence to us just to strike at their rivals."
"Internationally, Siracusa doesn't have any true allies either."
"As long as our action is fast enough and the justification sufficient, by the time Victoria and the others react, it will be a fait accompli."
Lacey listened noncommittally, then looked at the other two: "Meklen, Leinia."
"Once the war starts, the economy and finance must keep up."
"I need you to formulate a detailed plan on how to quickly take over Siracusa's economic system, issue Imperial Marks, and stabilize prices after the war."
"Understood," the two replied in unison.
"That will be all." Lacey waved his hand. "Go and prepare, everyone."
The cabinet members bowed and withdrew.
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