Fangzhou Xier, starting with failing the art exam

“As for Bolivar,” Lessie said with a slight smile.

"It depends on what Colombia is thinking. Of course, we won't let other countries interfere with the interests of the colony."

He looked at Serafina: "Serafina, you're in charge of the negotiations. Remember our bottom line."

Serafina smiled and nodded: "Understood, Your Majesty."

……

Three days later, the "Joint Communiqué on Friendly Cooperation and Future Prospects between Trinity and Max in the District of Columbia" was published.

The communiqué was vaguely worded and full of clichés about peace and development.

However, the phrase "deepening strategic cooperation across all fields" made politicians throughout Terra sense something unusual.

A new axis is quietly taking shape.

One pole of it is an emerging industrial and military power, and the other pole is a technological and financial behemoth.

……

Holy Leitania Empire: Chapter 111: The Leiu Non-Aggression Pact

Amid the international uproar, you instructed the propaganda department to issue another statement declaring that Letania had no intention of expansion and that the annexation of Syracuse was merely a necessary step to "maintain regional peace and stability."

[You emphasized its historical legal affiliation and the Sicilian people's happy acceptance of the return, presenting it as a unanimous decision by the leaders of both countries, thus silencing any pretext for external interference.]

This high-sounding argument was not entirely believed by anyone, yet no one could immediately refute it.

While navigating the international stage, your gaze has already turned to the knightly kingdom located in the northwest of Letania.

However, it is clear that a hasty attack on Casimir at this juncture would not only give them ammunition for criticism, but the potential losses to Letania itself would also be difficult to estimate.

Therefore, you ordered the External Relations Department to extend an olive branch to Ursus through covert channels.

[In your letter, you were extremely humble, portraying yourself as the leader of a newly formed regime forced to take up arms to protect itself, and expressing "sincere awe" for the powerful strength of Ursus.]

[You astutely pointed out the current predicament of the Ursus Empire: the depletion of its national strength following the defeat in the war against the Eastern Kingdom, the escalating factional strife between the old and new nobles, and the existence of its arch-enemy in the south—Kazimir.]

[You recount the numerous wars between Ursus and Qazimir throughout history, every word of which reopens old wounds for the Empire.]

[You're implying that a Kazimierz, corrupted by the Merchant Guild and with its chivalry in decline, presents Ursus with the perfect opportunity to avenge its past humiliations and seize its rich lands.]

And you, Emperor of the Third Holy Leitanian Empire, are willing to be his most reliable ally.

At present, what the young Emperor Fyodor Vladimirovich needs most is a stable external environment and an outlet to divert attention from internal conflicts.

A new war is the most effective means for him to achieve his goals.

Your words undoubtedly moved him.

[When the time was right, you and your cabinet held a secret meeting all night and finally decided to offer a bargaining chip that Ursus could not refuse: Letania and Ursus would jointly send troops to divide up Qazimir.]

After the war, the two countries divided their territories along the central part of Qazimir, with the north belonging to Ursus and the south to Letania, each receiving half of the territory and population.

This plan caused great concern among the cabinet, but you overruled their objections.

[Seraphina, disguised as a secretary to a Colombian businessman, secretly arrives at Saint-Germain Castle.] 『-Moon*Ripples/Doveball?Ryus〧i（Six）Abandon?Conquer Two?

After several rounds of intense negotiations with Emperor Fyodor's confidants, a secret agreement known as the "Leu Non-Aggression Pact" was initialed.

Three days after the treaty was signed, the Ursus Empire issued an ultimatum to Qazimir, citing the disappearance of a border patrolman within Qazimir's borders.

……

Kazimir, the Grand Knight Command, headquarters of the Supervisory Council.

Ioleta Russell, the Grand Knight Commander of Kazimir, slammed an ultimatum bearing the emblem of the Ursus double-headed eagle onto the long table.

The document was arrogantly worded, demanding that Kazimir hand over the murderer within 48 hours and open the border for the Ursus army to search.

“They dare to ask for an exorbitant price from a mere patrolman.” Russell’s voice was filled with suppressed anger.

The chairman of the business association, Charné, a businessman who always talked about money and profit, was unusually calm at this moment.

He slowly extinguished his cigar, even giving it a slight smile.

"Mr. Russell, why are you so nervous?"

"This isn't the first time the Ursus people have pulled this trick; they're just trying to extort winter supplies from us."

"Don't worry, I've already sent someone to contact their diplomats. It's a problem that can be solved with a little money, why resort to violence?"

"money?"

Russell was almost laughing in exasperation.

"You think this time will be the same as before?"

"Haven't you seen what Letania is up to?"

"Their troops did not rest after the Battle of Syracuse; instead, they were directly deployed to the border!"

"Charne, can't you smell blood in your head that's stuffed with gold coins?"

"Leytania? That little emperor is busy flirting with the Colombians. He just annexed Syracuse, and Victoria is watching him closely. Does he dare to touch us?" Charne waved his hand dismissively.

"Mr. Russell, you are overthinking it."

“War will affect stock prices and disrupt trade routes. Emperor Lexi is a smart man; he won’t do something that will lose money.”

"Trust me, trust the judgment of the Business Federation."

Behind him, representatives from several large companies echoed his sentiments.

"Yes, Your Excellency, our trade volume with Letania reached a new high last quarter."

"Minister Mekren also assured us that we would be given priority in participating in the reconstruction of Syracuse."

"The Ursus people are all bark and no bite; they have a lot of trouble of their own."

Russell looked at this group of businessmen whose minds were filled with nothing but profit reports, and a deep sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart.

"I hope you are right."

She could only utter this sentence before turning and leaving the meeting room.

The door slammed shut behind her, cutting off the relaxed conversation and laughter inside.

……

Forty-eight hours later.

On the frozen ground of Ursus in the north, Emperor Fyodor, draped in a heavy bearskin cloak, stood on a high ground, watching the southern border of Kazimir through a telescope.

Behind him stretched a mighty torrent of several army groups, with no end in sight.

“Time’s up.” Fyodor put down his binoculars, his tone flat.

“Your Majesty, there has been no response from Kazimir.” Grand Prince Baikal bowed beside him.

“As expected.” Fyodor’s face remained completely expressionless.

"They're still dreaming that money can buy everything, so let war wake them up."

He raised his hand and swung it down sharply.

"For the glory of the empire!"

The moment the order was given, thousands upon thousands of heavy cannons roared simultaneously.

The shells crossed the border, engulfing the northern defenses of Kazimir in flames and smoke from explosions.

The earth trembled, and the sky was stained blood red.

Ursus's massive war machine began its southward advance with an overwhelming force.

……

Almost at the same time, on the northwestern border of Letania.

Military Minister Taylor stood in the field command post, where a model representing the eastern defense line of Kazimir was clearly marked on the sand table.

"Report! Ursus launched its general offensive five minutes ago!" The communications officer's voice broke the silence of the command post.

Taylor glanced at his watch.

He picked up the intercom: "Initiate 'White Plan'."

The order was relayed to every combat unit in the next moment.

Along the border, the camouflage netting was instantly torn off.

The engines of rows of Tiger I tanks roared low, and their tracks began to turn.

In the sky, a formation of Stuka dive bombers crossed the border.

……

Holy Lytanian Empire: Chapter 112: Blitzkrieg in Kazimir

The northern border of Kasimir.

Constantine, the old knight and commander of the Third Banner of the Knights of the Vanguard, was wiping his 300-year-old lance with a rough linen cloth.

The family crest engraved on the gun blade remained clearly visible in the morning light; it was the source of his glory and his only solace at this moment.

The young knights around him were still whispering and laughing, talking about the latest competitive star in the Great Knight Territory, completely ignoring the Ursus ultimatum.

"Cheer up, everyone!" Constantine shouted in a deep voice.

“The Ursus people never joke, especially when they smell blood.”

A young knight curled his lip dismissively: "Sir, what else can they do?"

"Send a few Shield Guards over to show off their power, and then wait for the bigwigs of the Business Federation to send money over? It's the same every year."

Constantine wanted to say something more, but a strong unease stemming from a veteran's intuition gripped his heart.

He subconsciously looked up at the northern sky, where the horizon remained calm.

However, the next moment, the earth began to tremble without warning.

Immediately afterwards, the distant sky was lit up by countless rising flames, which traced parabolic arcs as they rushed toward their position.

"Artillery fire—!!"

"Kang Si Ling?? Er Wo Si!" Stamdin shouted these two words with all his might.

The next second, thousands of heavy artillery shells rained down on the northern defenses of Kazimir.

The fortifications were easily torn to pieces in the explosion.

The knights were blown to pieces in the first volley of fire.

The mockery on the young knight's face was frozen in time. His body was thrown into the air by the shockwave and then blown to pieces by another shell.

Constantine was thrown to the ground by the blast wave, and all he could hear was a constant buzzing in his ears.

He struggled to lift his head, and everything in his vision transformed into a burning hellscape.

His 300-year-old lance had been blown in half, with half of the shaft stuck in the scorched earth.

In the distance, Emperor Feodor of Ursus stood on the high ground, coldly observing everything through his telescope.

Grand Prince Baikal, standing behind him, bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, they couldn't even muster a single decent charge."

“Glory cannot withstand artillery fire, Your Majesty.” Fyodor put down his binoculars.

"Let the Third and Fourth Armies push forward; I don't want to waste too much time here."

With the order given, Ursus's massive army began to slowly move forward.

Imperial Vanguard, Heavy Shield Guard, Warlock Corps, Raiders...

Hundreds of thousands of troops crossed the still-burning border and rolled into the heart of Kazimir.

……

Almost at the same time, in southeastern Kazimir, on the border separating it from Letania.

The garrison here is also a war-fighting knightly order.

Their commander had just received urgent intelligence that the northern defense line was being shelled, and before he could react, a chilling whistling sound descended from the sky.

"Om-"

That was the distinctive shriek of the Stuka bomber.