NOVPUBThe Palante Empire, capital Hershalraym.
Inside the Congressional Building, in the long hall, members were whispering to each other in their seats, their faces a mix of tension, apprehension, and curiosity.
The lighting was dim, as if the only things visible were the dust between black and white and the light.
When the new Prime Minister entered the hall, the tense atmosphere inside the chamber peaked.
His figure was firm and decisive, dressed in a formal black suit, impeccable. He made his way through the crowd, heading towards the platform, every step heavy with significance.
As he stood at the podium, a low murmur rose from the audience.
Prime Minister Wilford looked around, took a deep breath, and then began his speech.
His voice was strong and full of passion and determination, talking about the challenges the Palante Empire faced, his attitude, and his beliefs for the future. It was not only an explanation of the current situation but also an inspiration for the citizens.
Reporters were busily scribbling down his words, while reactions to his speech varied among the members, some appearing surprised, others remaining skeptical.
Originally a member of the conservative faction, he now displayed a rather radical attitude, which obviously made it hard for everyone to grasp his stance.
However, it was undeniable that the new Prime Minister displayed an extraordinary calm in the face of danger at this critical moment.
His speech was not only a statement within the Congress but also a declaration to the entire Palante Empire and indeed the whole world.
"Victory, that’s what we want," he claimed.
"Victory at all costs."
"We must strive for victory no matter how terrifying, no matter how long the road ahead."
"Because without victory, there is no survival!"
This was his first national speech since taking office.
Lanci’s voice was spirited and enthusiastic.
Yet it didn’t move the conservatives in the slightest.
Even members of the conservative faction did not understand why Lanci Welfort had forsaken them after taking office.
The majority of the Congressional Building was eerily silent.
From time to time, they glanced towards Duke Moriarty, the current real power-holder and leader of the conservative faction. Only when he took out the handkerchief signifying approval from the pocket over his chest would others follow his lead. This was something that even Lanci Welfort, the new Prime Minister, could not change.
Soon, with the Prime Minister’s speech coming to a close, the crowd began to disperse.
Those who were leaving did so, while those who had further meetings to attend went to another floor of the building, to the Upper House chamber.
Passing through corridors, Lanci bid farewell to many, arriving at a small, quaint meeting room with dark wooden wall panels.
The low ceiling felt suffocating.
Heavy curtains gave the space a feeling of tradition and authority, while a long table dominated the room’s center, neatly arranged with documents and pens.
Lanci sat at one end of the table, his posture dignified and firm, his hair neatly groomed, though tiredness was visible in his eyes.
He seemed to have had little rest over the past couple of days, always working against the clock.
So Lanci allowed himself a moment’s closure of his eyes for a brief respite.
Before long, accompanied by a series of footsteps, Duke Moriarty and his followers arrived in the meeting room as well.
Duke Moriarty’s demeanor seemed even more stable and relaxed, dressed in a sharply tailored dark coat and lightly chatting with those around him. In stark contrast to the other conservative members who cast skeptical and complex glances at Lanci upon entering, Duke Moriarty appeared to harbor no great hostility.
Eventually,
"Mr. Wilford, I think we have been waiting on you for quite some time, and everyone’s time is precious," reminded Duke Moriarty, sitting down at the table and leaning back in his chair, addressing Lanci from across the table.
The atmosphere in the room became somewhat tense, and the other members were reluctant to speak.
No one was sure whether Duke Moriarty’s current composure hid any malice. The conservatives only knew that the Duke had remained expressionless in the hall during Lanci’s speech, never showing any intention to touch the handkerchief that would signify approval.
"I apologize, but my attitude was quite clear in this morning’s speech, and this meeting in itself is a waste of everyone’s time," Lanci opened his eyes and replied, looking directly at his counterpart.
"Prime Minister..."
Duke Moriarty chuckled lightly, seemingly unfazed by the overbearing attitude the new Prime Minister had already shown before his position was firmly secured,
"The military power of the Huo Ning Empire is all-encompassing, superior to our forces, with the support of the Blood Clan. Once our neighboring Briss Kingdom falls, we’ll have to meet them with our full might."
Duke Moriarty leaned forward slightly, addressing Lanci and everyone present.
"I think the next month is our last chance to seek peace talks."
He murmured to Lanci,
with what seemed to be a hint of warning.
This was indeed the main purpose of today’s meeting.
As the Minister of Foreign Affairs, he could see the current situation far more clearly than Lanci.
"We absolutely cannot let ourselves be intimidated before the other side strikes."
Lanci replied calmly,
his gaze void of any compromise.
The conference room fell eerily silent; no one responded to Lanci’s reaffirmed stance. Most turned to look at Duke Moriarty instead.
"Prime Minister, I have reservations about this."
Duke Moriarty continued.
"Who doesn’t have reservations?"
Lanci raised his eyebrows.
"I believe your ideas will cause many unnecessary sacrifices and that there are other choices."
Duke Moriarty smiled lightly, unconcerned by Lanci’s earlier show of stubbornness.
"What other choices are there?"
Lanci’s question lacked the tone of inquiry, as if he had doubts about Duke Moriarty’s answer from the start.
"I will ask the ambassador from the southern Prunno Empire to help us negotiate with the Huo Ning Empire. As long as we can ensure the freedom and independence of the Palante Empire, we will consider all proposals to avoid this unnecessary war with the Huo Ning Empire,"
Duke Moriarty replied,
"because such a move would be to their benefit as well. They have no need to seek mutual destruction with us."
He added.
Most eyes followed Duke Moriarty’s gaze to Lanci.
Throughout history, as the southern hegemon, the Huo Ning Empire had never clashed with the Palante Empire of the northern continent. The two nations held no ancient enmities. The spread of war to the north was unexpected, and naturally, the Palante Empire’s high-level officials would prefer not to fight if possible.
"Do you know who our real enemy is?"
Lanci countered without pause.
"Clearly, the Huo Ning Empire and the Blood Clan,"
Duke Moriarty replied blandly, as if he thought Lanci had asked a meaningless question.
"Have you ever considered that our real enemy might be the Blood Clan rather than simply the Huo Ning Empire? The ambitions of the Blood Clan have been well known since ancient times. Now they are advancing irresistibly. Do you truly believe that these beings, who feed on us humans, will grant us freedom and independence?"
Lanci’s fingers drummed on the table, his voice echoing in the room, his stance particularly firm.
This caused a few parliament members in the meeting room to glance sideways.
Indeed, rumors circulated that "The Blood Clan has completely taken control of the Huo Ning Empire."
Although the Huo Ning Empire’s imprint in this war bore the mark of the Blood Clan.
But the claim that "The Blood Clan fully controls the Huo Ning Empire" may not necessarily be true, and there has never been any evidence to confirm it.
The crux lay in whether the current leaders of the Huo Ning Empire were the Blood Clan or humans.
If the Palante Empire’s true enemies were not a coalition of humans and the Blood Clan but the Blood Clan itself, that would indeed be a terrifying prospect, and regardless of the negotiations, the Blood Clan’s ultimate goal was likely to farm humans.
Still, the council members couldn’t understand why the Prime Minister was so adamant at this moment to believe in the alarming message from the south that "The Blood Clan has completely taken control of the Huo Ning Empire."
As the supreme leader in wartime, failing to make accurate judgments in the intelligence war would be a true disaster for the entire Palante Empire.
