Fangzhou Xier, starting with failing the art exam

"Throw these troublemaking Letanians out of town and never let them come back."

Throughout the entire process, there was no interrogation, no investigation, and not even a single decent question.

……

The following morning, when the news, accompanied by close-up photos of the three agents in their miserable state, appeared on the front page of the Workers' Daily, public opinion throughout Letania was instantly ignited.

"Shameless Syracuses! How dare they assault a citizen of the Empire!"

Where is the law in Syracuse? Where is justice?

"Your Majesty, we cannot tolerate our compatriots suffering such humiliation in a foreign land!"

Gertrude's propaganda machine was in full swing.

On the radio, the host recounted the "Lucalia tragedy" over and over again in the most inflammatory tone.

To portray a minor border conflict as a deliberate violation of Lytania's national dignity by Syracuse.

Newspapers were filled with a plethora of commentary articles.

This paper argues for Syracuse's betrayal from a historical perspective and analyzes its internal barbarity and corruption from a contemporary perspective.

The public's anger was completely ignited.

A procession took place in the streets of Trinityl, with people waving portraits of Lassie and holding up the national flag, chanting slogans such as "Punish Syracuse!"

This anger quickly spread from the capital to every electoral district, every city, and every town.

……

Syracuse, Montelupe.

Madame Sicily put down the "Workers' Daily" in her hand, her face very gloomy.

Several family representatives stood beside her, their faces showing some disapproval.

“It’s just a small matter, madam, why are you so nervous?” a middle-aged man named Falcone said slowly.

"It was just teaching a few ignorant Leitanian merchants a lesson; we'll just have to pay some compensation."

"Little things?"

Madame Sicily sneered and threw the newspaper on the table.

"Look at the wording here! Look at the reaction in Letania!"

"This is no longer a problem that money can solve; that man has been waiting for this excuse for a long time!"

She knew better than anyone that the new emperor, who had risen from the bottom, was not someone who would be satisfied with mere verbal protests and monetary compensation.

He was like a patient beast, waiting for his prey to reveal its most vulnerable weakness.

“I must go to Yüe Yi Jiu Yao Ba Liu Cui Lin Te Er Mei in person.” Madame Sicily stood up.

"I need to see the emperor before things get completely out of control."

“You’re going in person? That’s giving him too much credit!” Falcone objected.

"He's just a usurper from humble beginnings; sending a messenger will suffice."

“It is precisely because he is of commoner origin that he is even more terrifying.” Madame Sicily’s gaze swept over everyone present.

“You people born in velvet cradles will never understand how greedy and unruly a hungry wolf can be.”

She ignored the crowd's comments and immediately ordered the car to be prepared.

This trip to Triinttelme will determine the future fate of Syracuse.

……

A day later, in the reception room of the Twin Towers, Lacey met the weary Madame Sicily.

This woman, who once dominated the underworld of Syracuse, now appeared somewhat tired.

"Your Majesty, good day." Madame Sicily bowed slightly, her posture very humble.

"Regarding the conflict in Lucaria, on behalf of Syracuse, I extend my sincerest apologies to you and the injured citizens of Letania."

"apology?"

Lacey sat in the main seat, her expression calm and unreadable.

"Madam, my three citizens are still in the hospital."

"One of them may even have a permanent disability in their arm, which cannot be erased by a simple apology."

“We are willing to cover all medical expenses and provide them with sufficient financial compensation,” Mrs. Sicily said immediately.

"As for the perpetrators, I have already ordered their arrest and they can be immediately transferred to Letania for trial under your country's laws."

"We will also replace the commander of Lucaria's city defense forces."

These conditions are undeniably sincere.

Handing over one's own citizens to another country for trial is already a huge diplomatic concession.

However, Lacey simply shook her head slightly.

“Madam, this is not a matter of a few thugs, nor is it a matter of a city defense army captain.”

"This is a blatant provocation by Syracuse against the national dignity of Letania."

“My citizens are being beaten on your soil simply because of their nationality, and your law enforcement officers are turning a blind eye.”

"This shows that Syracuse's current system is no longer able to guarantee the basic safety of our citizens."

Madame Sicily's heart sank.

She realized that the other party didn't want any explanation at all.

"Then... Your Majesty, what do you think is the best way to make amends for this mistake?" she asked with difficulty.

Lacey stood up, walked to the map, and gently tapped the location of Lucaria with her finger.

"In order to ensure that such incidents do not happen again, and to protect the safety of Letanians who will travel to Syracuse for trade in the future, I believe it is necessary to establish a security buffer zone."

He paused, then stated the condition that made Madame Sicily's pupils shrink.

"First, we will cede three eastern border towns, including Lucaria, to Letania for direct administration by our country."

"Second, compensate Letania for all losses caused by this incident, including but not limited to emotional distress and damage to the national image, totaling 300 million Imperial Marks."

"Third, Syracuse must publicly apologize to Letania and promise to strictly abide by the Terra International Convention in the future to protect the legitimate rights and interests of all foreign citizens."

A deathly silence fell over the reception room.

Madame Sicily stared at Lacey in a daze, as if she were seeing this young man for the first time.

No sovereign state could agree to these conditions.

Because this is no longer compensation, but blatant extortion.

"Your Majesty..." she felt her mouth go dry, "Are you going to start a war?"

“No, madam.” Lacey turned around, a gentle smile even appearing on her face.

"I am giving Syracuse a chance to avoid war."

"Agree to my conditions, and peace will be maintained; otherwise..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the chill emanating from his unfinished words caused the temperature in the entire reception room to drop several degrees.

Madame Sicily understood.

Everything is clear.

The script was already written from the very first punch the three businessmen received.

Her so-called diplomatic mediation was nothing more than a formality.

So that the other side can write in history books that "Syracuse rejected our peace proposal".

She slowly stood up, straightened her clothes, and regained her usual composure and arrogance.

"I cannot agree to your terms, Your Majesty."

"Not an inch of Syracuse's land will be given up!"

“That’s such a shame,” Lacey said.

"Farewell."

Madame Sicily did not say another word and turned to leave the reception room.

As she stepped out of the Petronas Towers and looked back at the towering buildings and the red flags fluttering atop them, she sensed that a storm was about to break.

…………

Holy Leitanian Empire: Chapter 100: Seeking Aid from Kazimir

Madame Sicily boarded the special train back to Montelupe.

Without wasting any time, she immediately sent an urgent plea for help via encrypted telegram to the only neighboring country that might offer assistance—Kasimir.

The messenger rode swiftly across the border, delivering the letter to the Grand Knight Commandery of Kazimir, the headquarters of the Supervisory Council.

……

The highest administrative body in Qasimir, the Oversight Council.

Grand Knight Commander, Ioleta Russell, a female knight known for her composure and foresight.

After reading Madame Sicily's handwritten letter, she frowned.

“Lassie… his appetite is bigger than anyone imagined,” Russell said to his adjutant, placing the letter on the table.

"If Syracuse falls, is there any reason why Qasimir should be spared?"

"If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold; don't those merchants understand that?"

"Your Excellency, the Merchants' Guild is already waiting outside," the adjutant whispered a reminder.

"Let them in."

The president of the business federation, Ciarner, walked into the office with his signature businessman's smile.

He was followed by several core members of the federation.

“Your Excellency Russell,” Charné bowed first.

"We have heard about Syracuse's plea for help, and the Chamber of Commerce's opinion is—to refuse."

“Reason,” Russell said coldly.

"The reason is simple."

Charné spread his hands, looking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"First, from a legal and moral standpoint, it was the Syracuses who started the trouble."

"The news has spread throughout Terra in Letania, and now everyone believes that Syracuse was in the wrong first."

"If we send troops, we will be interfering in other countries' internal affairs and going against the international community's opinion."

He paused, then revealed a sly smile: "Secondly, and most importantly, we have signed a business cooperation agreement worth hundreds of millions with the New Letania Empire."

"Factory construction, mining, technology imports... these projects are bringing huge profits to Kazimierz."

"To offend our biggest business partner for Syracuse, a place we have little to do with? That's not a worthwhile deal."

"This is not a business deal, Chairman Charné!" Russell slammed his hand on the table.

"This is a matter of national strategic security!"

"When those iron lumps of Letania can garrison our borders without hindrance, what are your agreements worth?"

“Mr. Russell, please calm down.” Charner looked directly into her eyes without flinching.

"Times have changed. While the honor of a knight is certainly valuable, the Imperial Mark is the strongest shield of this era."

"Emperor Lacey is a smart man. He needs our capital and markets to build his country. He wouldn't be foolish enough to be our enemy."