*Capital of the Oldenburg Kingdom, San-Mormero. Time After the Capture of Andora*
The royal palace, a masterpiece of Oldenburg's architects, stood in stark contrast to the unrest within. Andrey's conquest of Andora had plunged the kingdom into a severe political and economic crisis. Andora's surrounding wheat fields had ensured low grain and bread prices, but its loss caused prices to skyrocket. A sack of grain, once 10 copper coins, now cost 9 silver; a loaf of bread, previously 25 copper, now demanded 1 gold. Such inflation threatened famine and uprisings. As a vital economic and strategic hub, Andora facilitated supply routes for border armies and generated substantial trade revenue. In the throne room, the elderly King Leopold III sat, his face etched with sorrow, listening to his advisor's report. News of his army's defeat and Princess Janet's disappearance had darkened his mood.
"Your Majesty, Andora's loss has precipitated grave financial difficulties. Its trade accounted for 40% of our revenue, leaving us with insufficient funds to sustain social services, state institutions, and other authorities. The populace demands solutions, or we risk rebellion."
"Damn aristocrats! Their negligent governance has brought us to this ruin! Yet, the constitution limits my power to dismiss them. Must I convene the Council of Estates? After years of centralization efforts, will I undo all my achievements?" Leopold struck the throne in frustration, powerless to act decisively.
Oldenburg operated under a constitutional monarchy, established 50 years ago after a civil war between royalists and democrats. The prolonged conflict ended in a compromise: the king retained power, but a constitution and Council of Estates were created.
"Must we relive that civil war?" Leopold shouted. Suddenly, a 19-year-old blond youth burst into the throne room—Prince Eugene, the heir, poised to be the first king of his name. Visibly agitated, he demanded action.
"Father! Why aren't we mustering an army to reclaim Andora?" A fervent militarist, Eugene scorned diplomacy, believing force could achieve all goals—a budding tyrant in the royal family.
"My son, our position is precarious. Aristocrats plot against the crown, and your sister vanished in Andora. I pray she's safe."
"To save her, rally our 200,000-strong army! We can't lose Andora, where we've invested immense resources!"
"Deploying our entire army risks attacks from neighbors. Other kings covet our fertile lands and mines."
"So, you'd have us sit idly while some bastard seizes *our* city?"
"Silence! You're too young and foolish to rule. Leave my sight!"
Furious, Eugene stormed out, muttering, "You'll regret this, old fool." Pacing the corridor, he plotted to gather allies and overthrow his father. Two anti-royal aristocrats approached—Duke Roosevelt and Marquis Felmor.
"Duke Roosevelt, Marquis Felmor, a pleasure to see you well," Eugene said.
"Likewise, Your Highness," Roosevelt replied indifferently.
"I presume you're aware of the Andora situation?"
"Regrettably, yes," Felmor said, dismayed.
"What do you propose, Prince Eugene?"
"I suggest we combine our forces to reclaim Andora from this pitiful foe. Its captor will lose his head, and his family will perish."
*City of Andora. Four Hours After Capture*
Andrey sat in Wilmor's former office in the lord's castle, listening to a clone medic's report on the battle's outcome, casualties, and civilian losses. Now commanding an entire city, he aimed to establish an absolute monarchy, free of senates or parliaments, with sole authority vested in him.
"Your Majesty, no clone soldiers were lost, though some were injured during AT-ST city sweeps. Several residents were arrested for inciting unrest, resisting the new regime, looting, murder, assault on women, vandalism, and marauding."
"How democratic these people are. Probably arrested a 'black guard'—expect protests," Andrey quipped, chuckling.
"Your Majesty, some detainees resisted arrest using magic. What are your orders?"
"First, inspect the local dungeon. Then, we'll issue decrees for their punishments."
"As you command. There's also the issue of the city's former aristocracy."
"Spare the former lord for now. Accuse the rest of corruption, planting evidence to justify purges and repressions to strengthen the state and eliminate spies and traitors."
"As you wish." The medic saluted and left. A sergeant entered with the next report.
"Your Majesty, I report on the city's condition, damage, and public sentiment."
"Proceed."
"The city is nearly destroyed. Homes are uninhabitable, fallen soldiers' corpses litter the streets, and epidemics loom."
Indeed, Andora was devastated. The defeated army lost approximately 69,000 men; the remaining 6,000 surrendered, pledging loyalty to Andrey. Branded collaborators by citizens, they wore red armbands with the Empire's white emblem, acting as a makeshift police force alongside clones to maintain order. Andrey witnessed a man assaulting a woman, swiftly apprehended by these new police with batons and dragged to the dungeon.
Determined to address the prisoners, Andrey, with guards, descended into the castle's cold, damp dungeon. He passed cells holding thieves, murderers, robbers, and assailants, all glaring at their new emperor. Andrey smirked malevolently. The 20 cells were overcrowded, necessitating swift judgments. Thieves were sentenced to diamond mine labor for the Empire's glory. Murderers and robbers faced execution by hanging. Assailants of women were condemned to castration followed by mine work. At the final cell, Andrey found Wilmor and Princess Janet, clad in damaged armor. Wilmor radiated fear and anxiety, while Janet seethed with aggression and murderous intent.
At 15:14, a public assembly was announced on the city square. Thirty minutes later, citizens gathered, murmuring, "What's happening? Why are we here?" Ten minutes later, Andrey arrived, followed by chained prisoners led to the gallows. With all criminals and citizens present, Andrey unrolled a scroll and read aloud.
"By my authority as lawful Emperor, bestowed by divine right, those behind me are accused of heinous crimes against our new state and will be publicly executed with their offenses and punishments declared. First accused: Jason Brown."
"I…" a 36-year-old bearded man responded, drawing whispers about his crimes.
"Jason Brown, you are charged with robbery, murder of innocents, and resisting law enforcement. Sentence: execution by hanging. Carry out the verdict." Two clone soldiers tied a noose around Jason's neck and bound his hands.
"Second accused: Carol Melvin."
"I…" a 24-year-old woman answered, shocking the crowd.
"You are charged with murdering a family, robbing their home, resisting arrest, and attempting to harm law enforcement. Sentence: execution by hanging. Carry out the verdict." Clones repeated the process.
"Final accused: Lawrence Gelfid."
"I…" Lawrence's grim voice and aura chilled the crowd.
"You are charged with assaulting women." Gasps and curses erupted, women demanding his death.
"Your sentence is castration and labor in the mines!" Andrey declared. Lawrence collapsed, weeping.
"No… please, kill me instead!" Clones dragged him to a table, securing his limbs and removing his clothing. A third clone approached with red-hot pliers, poised over Lawrence's groin. Men in the crowd instinctively clutched themselves. A sharp *snip* elicited Lawrence's agonized screams.
"Remove Lawrence! Hang the other two!" The clone who performed the castration set down the pliers, pulled a lever, and Jason and Carol gasped, strangling. Fifteen minutes later, they hung lifelessly. Andrey broke the silence with a speech.
"Let this be a warning to all who disrupt order or hinder the city's restoration! Their fate awaits such transgressors. Now, bring forth the former city government!" Moments later, corpulent aristocrats were dragged in, resisting until subdued by blows.
"These aristocrats, during their rule, engaged in corruption detrimental to society and the city. Stolen treasury funds were found in their estates. All have been arrested and will face trial."
"They grew rich off our labor while we toiled and starved!" a man shouted.
"Precisely! These swine feasted on your sustenance! Look at the ruin their governance wrought—devastation, crime! We shall deliver justice!"
"Yes! They raised taxes and abused their privileges!" another man yelled.
"Agreed! My family starves because of them!"
"They're to blame! Let them pay with their lives!" The crowd hurled insults, demanding punishment, chanting, "Kill! Kill! Kill!" as the aristocrats wept, realizing their doom.
"Silence! My people, I will not execute them," Andrey declared.
"Why not? They're guilty—punish them!" a voice protested, echoed by the mob.
"Calm yourselves! You shall judge them. I permit you to do as you wish. Release the aristocrats." Clones nodded, untied them, and kicked them to the ground, where the enraged crowd awaited.
"No… he's lying… I was framed!"
"We know you vile aristocrats, living off us common folk!"
Satisfied with the outcome, Andrey turned and returned to the palace, hearing citizens' cheers and aristocrats' pained cries. Later, shouts echoed outside the castle: "Glory to the new Emperor! May his reign be long!"