[Amid the clamor of international public opinion, you instruct the Propaganda Department to issue another statement, claiming that Leithanien has no intention of expansion, and that annexing Siracusa was merely a necessary measure to "maintain regional peace and stability."]
[You emphasize its historical legal affiliation since ancient times, as well as Signora Sicilia's willing endorsement of the reunification, packaging it as a unanimous decision by the leaders of both nations, thereby shutting down pretexts for external interference.]
[This high-sounding rhetoric fools no one completely, yet no one can immediately refute it either.]
[While maneuvering freely on the international stage, your gaze has already turned to that knight nation located northwest of Leithanien.]
[But clearly, launching a rash attack on Kazimierz at this moment would not only provide pretexts for criticism but also result in inestimable losses for Leithanien itself.]
[Therefore, you order the External Team, through secret channels, to extend an olive branch to Ursus.]
[In your letter, you express utmost humility, portraying yourself as the leader of a newborn regime forced to take up arms for self-preservation, and voice "sincere awe" at Ursus's mighty national power.]
[You astutely point out Ursus Empire's current predicaments: the national exhaustion following defeat in the war against Higashi, the escalating factional strife between old and new nobles, and the existence of that southern arch-enemy—Kazimierz.]
[You recount the several historical wars between Ursus and Kazimierz, every word and sentence poking at the empire's scars.]
[You hint that a Kazimierz corroded by the Commercial Federation and bereft of knightly spirit is the perfect opportunity for Ursus to wash away past humiliations and seize its fertile lands.]
[And you, Emperor of the Third Holy Leithanien Empire, are willing to become its most reliable ally.]
[At present, the young Emperor Fyodor Vladimirovich most needs a stable external environment and an outlet to divert internal contradictions.]
[A new war is the most effective means to achieve his goals.]
[Your words undoubtedly move him.]
[With the timing ripe, you hold an all-night secret meeting with the cabinet, ultimately deciding to throw out a chip Ursus cannot refuse: Leithanien and Ursus jointly invade and partition Kazimierz.]
[After the war, the two nations divide Kazimierz along its central line, with the north going to Ursus and the south to Leithanien—equal shares of territory and population.]
[This plan worries the cabinet members greatly, but you overrule all objections.]
[Serafina transforms into the secretary of a Columbian merchant and secretly arrives in Saint Petersburg.]
[After several rounds of hard bargaining with Emperor Fyodor's confidants, a secret agreement named the "Leithanien-Ursus Non-Aggression Treaty" is initialed.]
[Three days after the treaty is signed, the Ursus Empire issues an ultimatum to Kazimierz on the pretext of "a border patrol soldier missing in Kazimierz territory."]
...
Kazimierz, Grand Knight Territory, Adeptus Sprawiedliwi headquarters.
Iolanta Russell, Kazimierz's Grand Knight, slams a final ultimatum bearing the Ursus double-headed eagle emblem onto the long table.
The document is arrogantly worded, demanding that Kazimierz hand over the culprit within forty-eight hours and open its borders for Ursus troops to conduct searches.
"A single patrol soldier, and they dare to open their mouths so wide."
Russell's voice suppresses fury.
Commercial Federation Chairman Czarny, the merchant who always talks of money and profits, is unusually calm this time.
He leisurely extinguishes his cigar and even smiles.
"Your Excellency Russell, why so tense?"
"This isn't the first time the Ursus people have pulled such tricks; they just want to extort some winter supplies."
"Rest assured, I've already sent people to contact their diplomats. A bit of money solves the problem—why resort to blades and guns?"
"Money?"
Russell nearly laughs in anger.
"You think this is the same as before?"
"Haven't you seen Leithanien's movements?"
"Their army hasn't rested after the Siracusa war but has directly redeployed to the border!"
"Czarny, does that gold-coin-stuffed head of yours smell no blood?"
"Leithanien? That little emperor is busy flirting with the Columbians; he just annexed Siracusa, and Victoria is watching him. Does he dare touch us?" Czarny waves dismissively.
"Your Excellency Russell, you're overthinking."
"War affects stock prices and disrupts trade routes. Emperor Lacey is smart; he won't make such a losing deal."
"Trust me, trust the Commercial Federation's judgment."
Behind him, representatives from several major companies chime in agreement.
"Yes, Grand Knight, our trade volume with Leithanien hit a new high last quarter."
"Minister Meklen even guaranteed us priority in Siracusa reconstruction."
"The Ursus people are just barking loud; they have plenty of their own troubles."
Russell looks at this group of profit-obsessed merchants, a deep sense of powerlessness surging within her.
"I hope you're right."
She can only utter this before turning and leaving the conference room.
The door slams shut behind her, blocking the casual laughter inside.
...
Forty-eight hours later.
On Ursus's northern frozen soil, Emperor Fyodor Vladimirovich, draped in a heavy bearskin cloak, stands personally on a high ground, observing southern Kazimierz's border through binoculars.
Behind him stretches an endless flood of several field armies.
"Time's up." Fyodor lowers the binoculars, tone flat.
"Your Majesty, Kazimierz has made no response," Grand Duke Begar bows beside him.
"As expected." Fyodor's face shows no ripples.
"They're still dreaming that money buys everything. Let war wake them."
He raises his hand and swings it down sharply.
"For the empire's glory!"
The instant the order is given, thousands of heavy artillery pieces roar in unison.
Shells arc over the border, enveloping Kazimierz's northern defenses in a sea of fire and explosive smoke.
The earth trembles, the sky stained blood-red.
Ursus's massive war machine advances southward with an aura of crushing all.
...
Almost simultaneously, Leithanien's northwestern border.
Military Minister Taylor stands in the field command post; on the sand table, models representing Kazimierz's eastern defenses are clearly marked.
"Report! Ursus launched their general offensive five minutes ago!" The communications soldier's voice breaks the command post's silence.
Taylor glances at his watch.
He picks up the communicator: "Commence 'White Plan.'"
The order reaches every combat unit in the next moment.
Along the border, camouflage nets are instantly lifted.
Rows of Tiger I tanks' engines emit low roars, tracks beginning to turn.
In the sky, squadrons of Stuka dive bombers cross the border.
________________________________________
Get rewarded for helping with our community goals!
🎯 Reward for all: +1 bonus chapter at 50 Powerstones.
🚀 Tier Reward: Help us reach 20 members for +5 chapters on all stories!
👻 Join the crew by searching Ms. Medusa on (P). You know the spot! 😉