They don't want me to try anymore.

As for the last three words...

["Seeking outside help," as the name suggests, means finding friends outside of Connaught. On a smaller scale, this refers to other people in the vicinity oppressed by the Empire, such as Prince Ram of the Kingdom of Segar to the south. On a larger scale, it includes Alice, Veronica, and Luvia...]

Although four years have passed, one can imagine that the women in question are not in good condition...

But that's precisely why we need to communicate and help each other, isn't it?

The sooner we get in touch, the sooner we can unite our efforts.

Putting everything else aside, just being able to bring Luvia back would be a huge help.

Having clarified her plans, Katyusha suddenly understood.

Next, you begin to operate behind the maid's back, gradually implementing your new plan.

Chapter 137 Connaught, Your Prince Has Returned

Despite some initial chaos and explicit opposition from many, these noises were quickly suppressed as you used your strength to help Katyusha carry out several major operations and enhanced your prestige.

Several months later, the benefits of the reforms have gradually become apparent.

The National Protection Army has become more united, and the quality of its personnel has significantly improved. Meanwhile, you have successfully contacted Veronica and Alice; they are currently dealing with their own family matters and cannot meet with you, but they have still provided you with some financial and intelligence assistance.

Because your operations have become more moderate and decentralized, recent casualties have been greatly reduced, while the success rate of your operations has increased significantly, and your reputation among the people has not declined but rather increased.

Furthermore, sheriffs and military personnel have secretly expressed goodwill towards you, even paying you protection money to avoid attacks or selling you weapons and equipment they received from the Empire. Whether their actions stem from dissatisfaction with the Empire or fear of you, this is good news.

As I read this passage, I inexplicably felt a sense of déjà vu, as if I were facing the puppet troops during the War of Resistance against Japan...

But that's fine too. After all, most of these people were his and his father's subordinates four years ago. As long as he regains power, they will be loyal again. There's no need to kill them all.

[Your development is progressing well, your manpower has expanded to eight hundred, and you have also established three new secret camps in Connaught.]

Furthermore, out of vigilance towards White, you have been secretly on guard against the Redemption Alliance and have even planted spies within their ranks.

Hmph, it's only polite to reciprocate!

Spies, you know, can be one-sided, two-sided, flipped, or even like beef noodles—it's only fair if everyone has some on hand!

Incidentally, probably because he watched too much 007 in his previous life, Richard not only arranged for spies to infiltrate the enemy, but also personally designed many high-tech... no, high-magic gadgets.

For example, an alchemical device that looks like a beetle but can simultaneously record audio and video.

Thanks to it, Richard was able to observe the entire meeting between White and his men within the Redemption Alliance.

then……

One month later, you received this video...

In the footage, White gathers all the Redemption Alliance's officers to discuss how to absorb the National Guard.

Apart from a few close confidants, most cadres opposed and did not understand this. They believed that the National Protection Army, like themselves, was an ally in the resistance against the empire, and that the two sides should help each other instead of fighting each other.

However, White claimed that the National Guard had betrayed the path of justice, saying that their recent cessation of frequent assassinations of high-ranking enemy officials was out of fear of sacrifice and cowardice, and that they had probably secretly made peace with the Empire.

He fabricated a series of lies to slander you, even falsely claiming that Katyusha had fallen in love with an Imperial officer.

At the end of the meeting, he also subtly suggested that, regardless of the circumstances, the growth of the National Protection Army would diminish the power and influence of their Redemption Alliance. He added that if they were to achieve victory in the future, they might be overshadowed by them… If they don't annex you now, they might be annexed next year…

At this point, most people changed their minds, except for two who persisted in their opposition, then stormed out of the room and were subsequently stripped of their positions.

Good heavens, what kind of insects are these?

With the situation at this point, you're still thinking about fighting for power and profit?

No wonder no one could see anything wrong with White. Birds of a feather flock together, right?

also.

Everyone saw it, they started it! So it's only natural for me to retaliate!

You keep a close eye on the Redemption Alliance's movements and remind Katyusha to be vigilant.

You skillfully avoided two instances of provocation from the Redemption Alliance.

However, at the end of the month, White still located one of your strongholds and, on the grounds of suspecting a traitor among your ranks, personally led a team to surround it.

The leader of the stronghold went to negotiate, but they insisted on searching the entire stronghold for evidence and even attempted to disarm the members of the National Protection Army present at the scene.

The National Protection Army, believing the two sides were still allies, was unwilling to escalate the conflict and thus exercised great restraint, putting themselves in a passive position.

It’s the same old routine.

The evidence was all hidden on his person, and he would put it in some nook or cranny during a search, so that he could successfully frame someone no matter what.

Boring, I can't think of anything innovative.

Having long anticipated the Redemption Alliance's plan, you led your team to the scene and stopped White and his group.

[Faced with their provocation, you showed no restraint and slapped White across the face in public.]

[White was shocked for a long time, then flew into a rage and was about to attack, and then...]

[You defeated them with your strength. The rest of the Redemption Alliance tried to make a move, but were suppressed by the elite troops you brought.]

[White shouted, "You're being framed as a top agent from the Empire! Your very existence is evidence of collusion between the National Protection Army and the Empire!" Many members of the National Protection Army were skeptical upon hearing this.]

[You calmly released all the magical images you had accumulated. As the live broadcast of the Redemption Alliance's internal conspiracy unfolded, White's expression grew increasingly grim.]

Although he still claimed you were a traitor and a spy, you then ordered a body search. When the props you had prepared to frame the National Protection Army were found, he was completely speechless.

Just as you were about to capture the Redemption Alliance members, White suddenly pulled a firework from his pocket, shot it into the sky, and it exploded into the shape of a sword.

Then, an alarm sounded from a distant sentry, reporting that a large number of Connaught soldiers and sheriffs were heading towards the outpost.

[White laughed loudly, shouting that once the Imperial army arrived, you traitors would surely fail! He also said that the Imperial Sword Luvia had returned to the army and would soon be bringing Connaught; if you didn't release him now, you would all die by their swords, blah blah blah.]

Everyone was in a state of panic.

Wuhu.

Now it's obvious who the traitor is.

But White, you're being a bit unwise. Aren't you afraid we'll get carried away and chop you up on the spot?

As for the Sword of the Empire... well, I won't use the truth to scare you.

Without the slightest panic, you calmly directed the National Protection Army to escort the prisoners to their retreat in batches.

You yourself led the remaining warriors into the dense forest beside the only path, and had your summoned creatures move back and forth, creating a scene of dust and magic spreading, successfully making the enemy think that a large army was lying in ambush here, and thus they dared not advance.

Ultimately, White's "cloud-piercing arrow" had no effect. The entire National Protection Army provided cover in staggered formations, and the retreat was orderly and successful, allowing them to reach another stronghold.

This indirectly proves the high standard of the National Protection Army today and demonstrates the effectiveness of the previous reforms.

However, everyone's spirits remained low, partly due to the shock of their ally being a traitor, and partly due to their worry about the news White had mentioned about the Sword of the Empire.

Oh, what's so scary about that?

Just as Richard was about to say something to boost morale, new text appeared:

As soon as you returned to your office, you saw a figure that had been waiting in the corner.

[It's Luvia]

what?

Okay, this is a little scary...

Before you could even speak, she leaned close and captured your lips with her cherry-red lips.

"Richard, I miss you so much."

Unlike Veronica, Luvia, as an Imperial officer, was generally a respectable person.

But under unusual circumstances...

She will then express her love very passionately.

That night, you spent an unforgettable night with Luvia.

[Because of her status, she quietly left at the crack of dawn the next day. With her Gold-rank strength, no one else in the camp could detect her.]

She left you a box of gold coins and a bag of tonics on the table. The former can help you develop the National Protection Army, and the latter... after you wake up, your weak body tells you that you need these medicines right now.

The following day, you officially learn that Luvia has been transferred to replace Albert, who has been promoted, as the deputy commander of the Gulf Army, and will soon be touring many small countries in the south under the guise of a visit.

The members of the National Protection Army were very worried about this, but you weren't worried at all... at least not about anything other than your own health.

Every few days thereafter, Luvia would secretly come to see you, sometimes to discuss important matters or exchange information, sometimes... but no matter what, she would always leave behind a lot of good medicine.

hiss……

You truly deserve to be called the Sword of the Empire.

The Empire exploits Connaught, and you're "exploiting" me too, aren't you?

Richard was both amused and exasperated, and once again realized that he needed to improve his physical fitness.

However, that's something we'll need to consider after the simulation is over.

Now, he wants to make the National Protection Army a real thorn in the side of those villains!

Two weeks later, you compiled all the information and held a public trial for the captured White and his accomplices, and pardoned the other unsuspecting members of the Redemption Alliance.

[Subsequently, the two major resistance groups in Connaught successfully merged.]