Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in Trullinczentyr.
Lacey put down the document in his hand. It had just been presented by Gertrude, detailing the latest intelligence trends regarding Londinium.
"The Kaest Duke... sealed the ledger and turned to investigate our contact with Deep Pool instead?"
There was not the slightest surprise on Lacey's face; instead, he wore an expression of keen interest.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Gertrude stood to the side, answering respectfully.
"She seems to have seen through our intentions and chose not to attack Wellington immediately."
"As expected." Lacey leaned back in his chair, his hands crossed in front of him.
"If she couldn't even see through this much, then she wouldn't be worthy of being a Grand Duke, nor worthy of guarding the Aslan orthodoxy for so many years."
"Although her teeth and claws are dull, her combat instincts and wisdom remain top-tier. She knows what the real threat is," Lacey said softly.
"This is good. Very good."
Gertrude was somewhat puzzled. "Your Majesty, our plan has been obstructed..."
"No, Gertrude." Lacey turned around, a confident smile on his face.
"The plan has not been obstructed. Our objective was never simply to make them fight amongst themselves, but to thoroughly shatter Victoria's old power structure."
"She thinks she has jumped off the chessboard to become an observer."
"But she doesn't know that the entire chessboard is on my table."
Lacey walked to the map on the wall. His gaze landed on the territory of Victoria, his finger lightly tracing across the area named "Hillock County."
"Since the lions of Londinium are unwilling to easily enter the arena, then we shall let the Thracian fire burn a little brighter."
He ordered Gertrude: "Notify Serafina. She may begin."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
...
Southern Victoria, Thracian region, the wilderness outside Hillock County.
The sky here was not as gloomy as in Londinium, yet it was always shrouded in a layer of mist that would not dissolve, much like the gloom lingering in the hearts of the Thracians.
The rolling hills and damp swamps provided a natural sanctuary for the masters of this land, isolating them from prying eyes outside.
In a mountain col concealed by dense forest, dozens of tents were scattered like stars.
This was one of the strongholds of the Thracian resistance organization, "Deep Pool."
Inside the largest tent in the center of the camp.
Abra Lana, the last scion of the Draco race and leader of the Deep Pool organization, sat quietly in the seat of honor.
She wore a combat uniform designed for mobility, her pale gold hair scattered casually over her shoulders.
Standing before her was an uninvited guest.
Leithanien's Minister of Foreign Liaison, Serafina.
She was not wearing the uniform of a Leithanien official, but rather the plain attire of a traveler, a gentle smile hanging on her face.
But the fact that she had appeared alone in Thracian territory, crossing through layers of blockades and secret sentries, spoke volumes of her extraordinary nature.
At this moment, several Deep Pool cadres inside the tent, including the Feline girl Mandragora, who was famous for being difficult to deal with, had their hands on their weapons, staring at this woman of unknown origin with scrutiny and hostility.
They could not understand why their leader would meet with an envoy from Leithanien—a mortal enemy of Victoria.
"You have great courage," Abra Lana finally spoke.
"This is not the Imperial Palace in Trullinczentyr. My subordinates could make you stay in this swamp forever at any moment."
"If I were afraid, I would not have come, Lady Abra Lana."
Serafina's smile remained unchanged. She looked around the room, her gaze lingering briefly on a young woman with a complex expression standing beside Abra Lana.
"I have come here bearing His Majesty's goodwill and sincerity."
"Goodwill?" Mandragora sneered.
"Does your so-called Leithanien goodwill mean swallowing Siracusa and carving up Kazimierz?"
"We Thracians have no need for that kind of goodwill!"
"Mandragora, stand down." Abra Lana stopped her subordinate's rudeness.
"State your purpose, Minister. My time is precious."
Serafina nodded, no longer beating around the bush.
"His Majesty Lacey expresses high appreciation for the Thracian people's heroic struggle for national independence."
"He believes that any people has the right to decide their own destiny, rather than being enslaved and oppressed by another people."
She paused, then threw out the first bombshell.
"The Leithanien Empire is willing to formally recognize the independent status of the Thracians and support Lady Abra Lana as the first Head of State of the newborn Thracian nation."
As soon as these words came out, the entire mine cave went into an uproar.
Even the always composed Abra Lana felt her pupils constrict sharply.
Recognize Thracian independence?
Support her as Head of State?
This was practically a fantasy!
Wasn't this exactly what they had strived for over so many years, shedding so much blood to achieve?
"And the conditions?" Abra Lana calmed down quickly.
She did not believe in pies falling from the sky.
"The conditions are very simple." Serafina held up one finger.
"In the coming changes within Victoria, Deep Pool needs to keep pace with Leithanien."
"We need you to create sufficient chaos at a specific time and place to pin down Victoria's military forces."
"You want us to be cannon fodder?" Mandragora immediately retorted.
"No, allies," Serafina corrected.
"Cannon fodder receives no returns, while our allies will receive everything a newborn nation requires."
She took several documents from her carry-on leather bag and placed them gently on the table.
"This is the list for the first batch of aid."
"It includes weapons, ammunition, food, equipment, and enough communication gear to outfit a regiment."
"This is merely the appetizer. As long as we reach a cooperation agreement, subsequent aid will continuously arrive in the Thracian territory."
"Most importantly." Serafina looked at Abra Lana.
"His Majesty promises that in the future New Order, the Thracian region will be granted complete autonomy."
"Economy, military, internal affairs—all will be entirely decided by the Thracians themselves."
"Leithanien will retain only diplomatic guidance rights and hopes to become the Thracians' priority trading partner."
Abra Lana picked up the list. Looking at the models and quantities of weapons listed, her breathing involuntarily quickened.
These were pieces of equipment they had dreamed of obtaining.
Although Wellington was also funding them, the quantity was extremely limited.
But this list from Leithanien was substantial, enough to raise their troops' combat capability by a whole tier.
The atmosphere inside the mine cave became subtle.
The eyes of the Deep Pool cadres no longer held only hostility.
Just then, a crisp voice rang out.
"Sister, we cannot agree to her."
The speaker was Abra Lana's younger sister, Rafshini.
She had always existed as her sister's "Shadow," yet now she rarely stepped forward, her face written with unease and struggle.
"We fight for the freedom of the Thracians, not to be running dogs for another empire!" Her voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally firm.
"If we accept Leithanien's aid, what difference is there between us and being used by Wellington?"
"We are just switching from one master's hand to another!"
"Rafshini!" Abra Lana's expression darkened.
"I am telling the truth!"
Rafshini's eyes reddened. She looked at her sister, then at Serafina.
"Our struggle should be pure! It is so that all Thracians can live with dignity on this land, not to be dragged into dirty deals between great powers!"
Several young Deep Pool members were clearly moved by Rafshini's words, revealing looks of agreement on their faces.
They were idealists, having joined Deep Pool for a pure goal.
The atmosphere became tense again.
This was a conflict of Deep Pool's internal path.
Serafina did not speak; she simply watched the sisters quietly.
Her gaze finally settled on Rafshini, her eyes revealing sympathy and understanding.
"Miss Rafshini," she spoke softly.
"I understand your worries. You fear that the Thracian cause for independence will be sullied by our 'goodwill.'"
She took a step closer, her voice becoming gentle: "Before I came, His Majesty spoke to me specifically about you two sisters."
"He admires you both, especially you, Miss Rafshini."
"He said that a person willing to hide herself in the shadows for the sake of her sister and her people must have the purest fire burning in her heart."
Rafshini trembled all over, looking at Serafina somewhat at a loss.
She hadn't expected that the distant Emperor of Leithanien would actually know of her existence.
"His Majesty also said that a Draco is a natural-born king and should not become anyone's shadow." Serafina's gaze seemed capable of piercing through the human heart.
"What you yearn for is not just the independence of the Thracians, but your own independence, isn't it? You want to become the true Rafshini."
These words pierced the softest and most painful part of Rafshini's heart.
Her face instantly turned pale, and her body trembled slightly.
Serafina seized this opportunity and turned to address everyone.
"Gentlemen, what His Majesty Lacey wishes to establish is a brand-new order for Terra."
"In this order, might does not equal right, and all peoples are born equal."
"He helps you not to enslave you, but because your enemy is also our enemy."
"The nobles of Victoria are obstinate stones hindering Terra's progress and must be moved aside."
"As for the issue of sovereignty." She looked at Abra Lana.
"An independent Thracian nation can, of course, establish diplomatic relations with any country, including Columbia, or even Ursus."
"But please consider, after you are truly independent, who will be your most reliable friend?"
"Is it the Columbian merchants who only want to squeeze profit from you, or the Duke of Wellington who treats you as cannon fodder?"
"Only we, the rising Leithanien, share a common enemy and common interests with you."
"By helping you, we are also helping ourselves. This is not a transaction; this is an alliance."
Abra Lana fell silent.
She looked at her sister, then at the aid list on the table, an intense struggle waging in her heart.
Did she not share Rafshini's ideals?
But reality was cruel.
Relying solely on Deep Pool's own strength to oppose all of Victoria was no different from striking a stone with an egg.
Every medicine is three parts poison, but without this potent dose, the Thracians might not even have the luxury of surviving long enough to die of the illness.
"Sister..." Rafshini wanted to say more.
"Enough."
Abra Lana raised her hand, interrupting her.
She stood up, staring fixedly at Serafina. That oppression belonging to a Draco King seemed to lower the temperature of the entire mine cave by several degrees.
"I can agree to cooperate with you, but I want to see your sincerity."
Serafina smiled. "The sincerity is already on the way."
Just as her voice fell, a Deep Pool sentry ran in, looking excited.
"Leader! Outside... a transport convoy has arrived outside! They say they are... Leithanians, here to deliver gifts to us!"
Everyone was stunned.
Abra Lana led everyone out of the tent.
In the clearing within the forest, a dozen transport trucks disguised as civilian vehicles had turned off their engines and parked steadily.
A group of soldiers wearing Leithanien military uniforms, but bearing special armbands, were efficiently opening the rear tailgates.
Crates of supplies were neatly stacked on the ground.
A young Deep Pool soldier couldn't resist stepping forward and opening a crate to check.
More soldiers gathered around.
Abra Lana looked at the scene before her.
After a long while, she turned around and extended her hand to Serafina.
"To a fruitful cooperation, Minister."
Serafina grasped her hand, her smile gentle and confident.
"To a fruitful cooperation."
________________________________________
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