Snow blanketed the roads of Lublin as Hans's convoy thundered across the countryside, flanked by Iron Crown soldiers with cloaks bearing the double-eagle sigil. The Lublin Free State was less a city and more a husk, fortified against the storm but hollowed out by years of neglect.
At the gates, the people didn't cheer. They watched in silence—gaunt, cold, waiting.
Hans dismounted in front of the old Parliament building. Its windows were cracked, its banners tattered. Inside waited the leader of the Free State—Eryk Nowak, a wiry man in a patched greatcoat and spectacles too large for his face.
"You came," Eryk said, offering a stiff hand.
"I always answer when freedom calls," Hans said. "Even when it whispers."
Inside, the halls reeked of dust and desperation. The remaining political leaders of the Free State stood in a circle around a dim fire—soldiers, civil leaders, and scholars.
Eryk began: "You've seen the reports. The western loyalist militias are preparing to strike. They are backed, unofficially, by Coalition-aligned guilds. They want to reinstall the old Polish Senate. The one that signed away our rights to the Coalition years ago."
Hans said nothing at first. He listened to the arguments unfold.
Some wanted immediate unification under the Iron Crown. Others feared being annexed and losing their identity. Some wanted war. Others begged for elections.
As the shouting grew, Hans finally raised his hand.
"I didn't come to rule you," he said, his voice echoing.
"I came to offer something the Coalition never did. A choice."
The chamber quieted.
"You can choose to enter the Iron Crown willingly—as sovereign subjects with seats, rights, and your culture intact.
Or you can choose to restore your own nation—guided by monarchy or democracy, it matters little to me, so long as it does not bow to corrupt foreign powers again."
Eryk nodded. "Then what do we do, Excellency?"
Hans stepped forward, placing a rolled scroll onto the table. It bore a golden seal.
"We will hold elections. Not for rulers—but for your future.
One faction will propose unification under the Iron Crown, as a client kingdom of the Crownlands. The other will propose full independence and military partnership.
The people will vote. And the Iron Crown will abide by their will."
A stunned silence fell.
Eryk whispered, "You would allow them to vote against you?"
Hans smiled bitterly. "I would rather lose an ally with dignity than conquer one in shame."
A Week Later – The People Speak
The ballot boxes filled the chamber floor. Tens of thousands voted. The world watched.
When the count ended, the results were declared.
56% voted to join the Iron Crown as a Kingdom in Union.
Hans was presented with a silver circlet—the Crown of Lublin—and he placed it, not on his head, but on Eryk Nowak's.
"You will be King of Free Poland," Hans said. "A brother, not a vassal."
Cheers broke out across the streets. For the first time in years, the Polish flag rose alongside the black-and-gold of the Iron Crown.
In Geneva – Coalition Emergency Briefing
"He's building monarchies now?" one Guildmaster barked.
"A new Polish Kingdom voted to join him!"
"This is madness—he's rewriting the map!"
Some demanded sanctions. Others wanted negotiations. But the council was now split. The cracks were deepening—and the world was watching.
In Vienna – Nightfall
Hans stood alone in the royal chapel, gazing at a stained-glass window of an ancient warrior-king.
Colonel Engelhardt entered quietly.
"You did the right thing," he said. "Even if some don't understand it yet."
Hans didn't reply immediately.
Then he whispered: "I didn't want a throne, Engelhardt. I just wanted us to stand tall again."
"And we will," Engelhardt said. "One choice at a time."