Iron Fury Stone certainly understood that they had become a thorn in the side of Holy Terra. They too had made political efforts, with Norberto trying his best to mediate the relationship between the two parties. But now, with the mediator gone, would Iron Fury Stone take this as a sign that the Empire was about to move against them? Would they believe that the option for peace had completely vanished and that war was the only choice left?
This was the biggest reason why they couldn't just swiftly eliminate Norberto: they feared it would directly push Iron Fury Stone to rebel!
The Empire wasn't yet fully prepared for a rebellion!
Troops, supplies, personnel, propaganda, policies... everything was still in the planning stages.
If Iron Fury Stone were to rebel first, the entire Eastern Frontier of the Empire might well face a major crisis!
