The following morning, Alexander sat at his desk, the early light streaming through the large windows of his office in Volkshalle. The previous day's meeting with Prince Theodore had left him mentally exhausted, but his resolve remained unshaken. There were far more important matters at hand, and he could feel the weight of them pressing against the edges of his mind.
As he reviewed reports from his intelligence network, the soft knock at his door broke the silence.
"Enter," he said, his voice as steady as ever.
Julieanne stepped in, her expression uncharacteristically grim. She held a folder in her hand, the contents clearly not of the routine nature. She moved across the room with her usual grace but paused slightly before speaking.
"Your Excellency," she began, her tone laced with unease. "I've just received a report from our intelligence in the Black Continent. It concerns the Kingdom of Zambesi."
Alexander set down the document he had been reading and turned his full attention to her. His brow furrowed slightly, though he remained composed. "What's happening in Zambesi?"
Julieanne hesitated for a moment, then handed him the folder. "The Kingdom of Zambesi has begun a ruthless campaign against the Matalebe tribes. They are systematically massacring those who participated in the recent rebellion. The situation is worse than we had initially feared."
Stay updated through m-v l|-novelhall.net
Alexander's jaw tightened as he opened the folder and scanned the reports. His eyes darkened as he took in the brutal details—entire villages razed, families slaughtered without mercy, and the once proud Matalebe tribes being eradicated by Zambesi's forces.
"They're eliminating the Matalebe," he murmured, more to himself than to Julieanne. "This isn't just a response to rebellion. It's extermination."
Julieanne nodded, her face somber. "It seems they're determined to send a message. There are reports of forced marches, public executions, even children being taken as hostages or worse."
Alexander sat back, a dark shadow passing over his features. "So, the Kingdom of Zambesi has revealed its true nature. They're doing this to solidify their hold on power, to crush any hope of future rebellion.
While he was talking, Alexander remembered the words from Theodore. About the Zambesi not aligning with any nation's morality, their ruthless nature, and their disregard for outside influence. Theodore had hinted at the darker side of Zambesi, perhaps even knowing more than he let on during their meeting.
Now, it was his turn to wield power. And he would do so with precision.
As the door clicked shut behind Julieanne, Alexander returned to his desk and picked up the intelligence reports once more.
Two days later, in the bustling capital of Zambesi, Ambassador Viktor Reinhardt sat in his office, focused on the letter that had arrived from Valoria. The situation had grown tense, and he knew this task was far from routine. The Supreme Leader had issued a clear directive, and Reinhardt's job was to deliver the message firmly.
He glanced over the letter one more time, making sure he understood the tone and intention behind every word. It was straightforward: Zambesi's actions against the Matalebe tribes had to stop, or Valoria would withdraw its support. With the atrocities continuing, Reinhardt knew this would not be an easy conversation.
Reinhardt made his way to the Ministry of State, where Minister Khama was waiting. The streets of Maputo felt uneasy, with rumors of the massacre spreading. Upon arrival, he was quickly escorted to Khama's office. The minister, known for his tough stance, greeted him with a neutral expression.
"Ambassador Reinhardt," Khama said, gesturing for him to sit. "What brings you here today?"
Reinhardt handed over the sealed letter without hesitation. "Minister Khama, I bring a message from the Supreme Leader of Valoria regarding the situation with the Matalebe tribes."
Khama opened the letter and read it carefully, his expression hardening as he took in the contents. Once he finished, he looked up, his tone sharp. "So, Valoria condemns our actions and expects us to stop?"
Reinhardt stayed calm, replying evenly, "Valoria respects your right to govern, but the ongoing massacre of the Matalebe tribes is unacceptable. If it continues, Valoria will have no choice but to withdraw its support for Zambesi."
Khama's face tightened. "You think you can threaten us? We handle our internal matters as we see fit."
Reinhardt held his ground. "This is not a threat, Minister. It's a decision. Valoria will not be associated with these actions. You must stop the killings or lose our backing."
For a moment, there was silence as Khama weighed his options. Losing Valoria's support would weaken Zambesi, but Khama wasn't one to back down easily.
Finally, Khama spoke. "I will inform the King."