章 367: The Mother of the Empire's Speech

Dr. Durand led Francis to a small break room where a television was mounted on the wall. The room was cramped, with a coffee machine in the corner and a couple of worn-out sofas that had seen better days. Nurses and doctors were already gathering, taking a moment from their demanding duties to listen to the Empress's address.

The screen flickered to life, and the Empress appeared, regal yet somber against the backdrop of the imperial palace. 

"Citizens of the Great French Empire. I have an announcement to make. An influenza virus has stricken the southern regions of France and has infected thousands of our people. This outbreak is severe and is stretching our healthcare resources, but we are responding with all the strength and resolve that our nation is known for."

The room was silent, the medical staff's exhaustion momentarily forgotten as they hung on every word of their sovereign.