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Ziro and Razak now have trapped the Cervidan forces in Seaddle who have refused to surrender. They have the opportunity to close in and annihilate the rather large pockets of deers and pony volunteer soldiers. However, the Empress orders her generals to not lay a single hoof on them, letting them secretly escape. Many generals are appalled by this decision, seeing this as allowing the Deers to escape to Equestria, garnering strength and supporting rebels in the future.

Empress' reason is both things. She believes that destroying the deers all together will enrage Equestria, forcing them to elevate their military forces. The second is that she needed to show that she still had control over her generals.

Despite allowing the Deers to escape, Celestia decides to take drastic measures (strengthen military) and punish the Roamans in some way in the future for their aggressiveness.