The midday sun bathed the city of Tyrossa in golden light.
Once this city was one of the crown jewels of Carthage, it now stood battered, its proud walls marred by Ramie occupation.
Yet today, Tyrossa awoke to a different sound—cheers.
The gates had swung open, not by siege but by the hands of its own people.
Carthaginian banners fluttered alongside the crimson-gold standards of Romanus.
The occupying Ramie forces lay defeated, some executed by angry mobs, others spared at the behest of Serena herself to be dealt with properly in the future for their crimes against her nation.
Standing atop the city's grand balcony, Queen Serena raised her arms to address the assembled crowd.
The roar of tens of thousands of voices echoed through the city square below.
"People of Carthage!"
she called, her voice carrying with regal authority.
The crowd hushed.
