"Is there anything else you want to bring to my attention?"

"Is there anything else you want to bring to my attention?" Isabella asked, trying to move on to other matters.

General Serrano leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk. His tone was firm but cautious, as though he knew the weight of his next words.

"There is, Presidente. The Ministry of Defence, as it stands, is a redundant institution. The army is perfectly fine operating under military leadership, one which understands the realities of the battlefield and needs of the men. Yet, Morales was a civilian, one that neither understood nor cared for our advice. With his ****, I see an opportunity for a more streamlined chain of command—one where the military operates with the autonomy it requires in these dire times.”

Isabella raised an eyebrow, her voice sharp. “You’re suggesting we abolish the Ministry of Defence? Removing civilian oversight of the military entirely?”

“Precisely,” Serrano replied, meeting her gaze without hesitation. “This war against the communists demands swift action. The bureaucracy slows us down, dilutes our effectiveness. Every time I propose a plan, it is scrutinized by the ministers and aides who’ve never even set foot on a battlefield. We cannot afford hesitation. The military needs direct control under a single authority—someone who actually understands strategy, logistics, and the costs of war. "

“And that authority,” Isabella said, hiding the tremor in her voice, “would be you.”

Serrano nodded. “Yes, Presidente. I have dedicated my life to the defense of Montesoro. I had risen from Lieutenant to General, commanded men in the field in 5 different wars, 3 of them under your father. My men trust me, and I know how best to use them. And you have my word—I have no political ambitions. All I want is to serve our country as a soldier, to defend its people and do right by my men. I know you are a smart girl, Presidente, so let me promise you this as well: if you grant me this request, the Army will support your Presidency for as long as I'm in charge."

Isabella leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. She could not deny that the General made a compelling argument. With the military on her side, it would be much easier to secure power. And it was true that Serrano had served her father loyally for almost two decades, despite his many flaws.

Yet, abolishing the ministerial oversight will essentially leave her blind to the workings of the army, allowing them to move freely without having to first seek her approval. Without a check on the Generals' power, she would have no idea what they are doing, or if they are plotting to overthrow her and seize power for themselves. History has shown that such an eventuality was almost always the norm, not the exception.

Isabella contemplated silently for a while, weighing the risks against the potential benefits. Eventually, she spoke.