She waved a dismissive hand, effortlessly shifting from military general to annoyed aunt. "Hughes, dispatch a unit to escort them here. Treat them with every ounce of reverence due their bloodline, but search their personal guards thoroughly. I don't care to entertain any of my brother's hidden envoys."

Hughes nodded, his face grim, and immediately departed.

Ravenna dismissed the distraction of her relatives with a wave of her hand and immediately refocused on the war map. She tapped the coastline of Flask County once more, the sound sharp and authoritative. "Let us finish this offensive strike plan before my little visitors can derail it entirely."

She then stabbed her finger decisively towards the map of the Ancorna Empire's mainland. "We will issue a territory war notice to the Coastal City of Konfir in Holland Barony first," Ravenna began, tracing a line inland. "We will then advance, doing the same to every lord who stands in our way, until we reach Flask County."

Knight David, Aurora's Knight-Captain, was the one to voice the immediate concern, his voice grim. "Your Highness, that plan requires months of siege warfare, resupply, and logistical preparations. Even with our steam fleet, a full-scale territorial conquest across multiple baronies and counties will exhaust our resources rapidly. Are you certain we are prepared for that scale of war?" Aurora nodded, her expression mirroring her captain's solemn doubt.

Ravenna's eyes flashed with fierce confidence. She ignored the tactical objection and addressed her own command structure instead. "Hughes, has everything been prepared by the western beach?"

Hughes, understanding the true nature of her question, gave a short, sharp bow. "We have finished preparations as you asked, Your Highness. The testing ground is set."

A cruel, knowing smile curved Ravenna's lips. "Your question, Knight David, will be answered this evening, during Kim City's newly developed weapon's test at the western range," she purred, her eyes gleaming with dark promise. "It is sufficient to say that if everything goes to plan, we can start executing our full offensive strategy by the time people even figure out what to do with the news of my annexation of Otto City's borders."

Her plan was clear: the public chaos caused by the Otto annexation would be the smoke screen, and the new gunpowder weapons would be the devastating fire. She had no intention of wasting months on tiresome siege warfare; she intended to cut through the Empire like a hot blade through butter.

"The only issue I see," Ben, Aurora's Chief Advisor, replied, his voice measured as he meticulously lined up a stack of documents, "is that if we don't offer sufficient time to any lord for negotiating a surrender, it could be seen as disrespecting Imperial Law. Such blatant disregard might justify a military response from the Emperor himself."

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"You won't have to worry about that," Ravenna replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. Her smile remained unwavering, suggesting the legal loophole had already been secured. She returned her focus to Aurora. "Now, I would like to finalize the terms of your return to Flask County and our continued alliance."

Aurora paused, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "In exchange for your immediate assistance, I would like to offer you a tax-free transit through Flask County into the Vassal States Region for a minimum of a two-year period."

Ravenna countered instantly, her voice smooth and challenging. "For a ten-year period."

"Four years," Aurora shot back, matching her intensity.

"Eight years," Ravenna insisted, pushing the limit.

"Five years," Aurora declared with finality.

"Deal," Ravenna affirmed, her smile triumphant. She extended her hand across the table, and the two women sealed their pact with a firm, decisive handshake.

"And since you will be ruling over Flask County from now on," Ravenna added, her gaze sharpening, "I would like a few Herptian Churches built in the main city and port areas."

Aurora nodded without hesitation, understanding the cultural and political value of the request. "Done."

Southern Port, Kim City, Kim Dukedom, Ancorna Empire

Meanwhile, the Imperial carriage bearing Princess Gracie and Prince Benric was completing its journey from the port to the castle.

Having been freed from the tense formality of the knights, the imperial siblings insisted on a circuitous route to explore the marvels of Kim Dukedom. Their carriage rumbled along wide, meticulously paved avenues, passing newly constructed apartment complexes built of sturdy cement and stone. They saw steam trams hissing along tracks, effortlessly pulling carts of lumber and goods, and everywhere, they saw green. Orchards and communal gardens, irrigated by a network of iron pipes, flourished in the dry desert air.

"It's unbelievable," Gracie murmured, pressing her face close to the glass. "It's like a myth, a city conjured by a god, not an exile."

Benric, ever focused on practicalities, pointed toward a bustling square where uniformed staff were setting up tables. "Look, Gracie! They're openly selling books and papers at that stall. Are they insane? That's treason in the capital!"

"No, Benric," Gracie said, shaking her head. "It's a declaration. Aunt Ravenna doesn't hide her power; she sells it to the people."

Their awe only deepened as they passed the massive industrial zone where the Blacksmith Workshop was housed. The rhythmic clang of the hydraulic press and the roar of the furnaces were constant, powerful reminders that Kim Dukedom's progress was forged in steel and steam.

Finally, their carriage rolled through the reinforced gates of the Lord's Castle. The sprawling structure, once a crumbling ruin, now stood as a formidable, modern fortress. They were escorted through the halls, past tight-lipped, efficient maids and disciplined guards, their every step announcing the arrival of high-ranking, troublesome guests.

They reached the study. The heavy oak door was opened by a grin-faced Hughes, who gestured them inside.

Ravenna stood by her desk, already finished with her urgent war planning. She regarded her young visitors, Gracie in her elegant travel clothes and Benric still dusting snow from his high boots, with a look that was equal parts maternal fondness and predatory scrutiny.

"My niece and nephew," Ravenna greeted them, a sharp, knowing smile curving her lips. "Welcome to Kim Dukedom. I hope my little city did not bore you."

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