Zione's Dilemma: The Empire's Ruthless Plan and a Secret Strategy

"In their opinion, perhaps completely destroying the cities is the best course of action." Lyle continued as he glanced at everybody present.

"By destroying every single city that had rebelled and wasn't able to gain the backing of a kingdom, they will show the rebels, as well as the citizens of the empire that might have thought about rebelling, just what will happen to those that dare do so."

"It would be a powerful statement, one quite in line with how the empire usually does things, so I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if they do just that," Lyle said as the others all showed solemn expressions on their faces.

The room was filled with a heavy silence as the implications of the empire's potential actions sank in. The decision to destroy the rebel cities would indeed be a ruthless display of power and authority, one that could effectively quell any further rebellious thoughts within the empire's territories.