After being forced to step down, the once-annoying nun eloped with me.

Nia's almost frank remarks, which could have caused a major diplomatic incident, not only embarrassed Yang Hao but also pleased him.

The awkward part is that Nia is, after all, a woman—although she seemed to have genuinely given up on herself when she said this, it was undeniably a very risky move, especially in a diplomatic context.

But the good thing is that it also proves that his relationship with Nia is getting better and better. What Yang Hao means is that there is no need to actually sleep with each other. It's good enough to be friends like this, occasionally telling dirty jokes.

Yang Hao smiled, using the act of drinking to ease the atmosphere in the private meeting room slightly, before speaking seriously:

“Well… let’s leave the jokes at that. Nia, you know this private meeting was to confirm our upcoming trip to Isgard… How should I put it? I respect Isgard’s traditions and local customs, but there are some things we need to be aware of that we feel we still need to reach a consensus on.”

"I think so too~ But... you're right. This is indeed something that needs to be agreed upon. After all, our country also has many difficulties."

"For example, if I, as a regent, were to govern your country, wouldn't that inevitably lead to a conflict between the imperial system and the democratic system?"

"correct."

Miss Nia snapped her fingers, as lively as an ordinary teenage girl.

But Yang Hao wasn't fooled at all—he just thought, "Yes, that's right." The systemic problems were the first major obstacle he would face on his journey to Isgard.

Unlike the United Nations, which is under an imperial system, Ysgard is a democratic country.

This means that Yang Hao's title of "Regent" will be resisted in Issugard. Conversely, the people of the United Nations also cannot understand what kind of democracy Issugard is.

For the people of the United Nations, if their emperor is an immortal ruler, and his relatives are also immortal or living beings, then it would be perfectly reasonable for their country to accept the emperor's rule forever.

They believed that Issugard's democracy would bring many problems, the most pressing being that the inefficiency of democracy would make it impossible for the people of the United Nations to accept it.

Naturally, if news of Yang Hao's business trip to Isgard were to spread among the public, it is estimated that many voices of opposition and concern would emerge—but Yang Hao still has ways to deal with the voices within his own country.

The problem is that the resistance in Issugard may be even more severe, to the point that even the president might find it difficult to handle.

After all, institutional evolution is relatively easy.

Reversing the course of an evolved system is extremely difficult.

Even if there are only signs, educated and knowledgeable people will do their utmost to oppose and dissuade them.

Not to mention, the "sign" that came in from outside was a foreigner.

Even a fool could imagine the assassination attempts that extremists might make against him... So, in order to make the people of both countries happier, to minimize the damage to diplomatic relations between the two countries, and to show his sincerity to the people of Issugard.

One evening, after discussing it with Theresa and the others, and seeking Lalumia's advice, Yang Hao decided—

"...At that time, I'll change my title a bit. At least I won't use a title like 'Regent' in Isgard that would make the people of Isgard uneasy."

Change your title.

Anyway, he wasn't a vain person, and as long as the title in Isgard wasn't insulting, he was happy to accept a temporary change.

Nia simply blinked at this:

"Hehe, your way of thinking is really similar to our President's... We've considered this for a long time, and the final decision is to give you the title of Secretary of State. It just so happens that Isugard is a democratic country where Margarita uses an alternative method of dictatorship, and the position of Secretary of State is still vacant."

The Secretary of State holds a pivotal position in Issugard's current government structure.

If Margaret's position as "President" involves determining the direction of the country's development and political activities, and proposing corresponding bills after consulting with the cabinet on important matters, then it is a role of "dividing the pie and considering the overall situation."

So, the position of Secretary of State is a rather detailed job.

The analogy is similar to the relationship between Yang Hao and Benjamin Roman back then.

Benjamin was responsible for dividing the pie and keeping the big picture in mind, while Yang Hao focused on national development and on-site investigations, gradually making the "pie" bigger and bigger—in a sense, this was the lifestyle that Yang Hao had once most looked forward to.

Without having to worry about dealing with politicians, one can focus on improving the well-being of the people, enabling everyone to live a better life while also enjoying a happy and fulfilling life oneself.

This was the life he had always longed for.

Nia, on the other hand, seized upon Yang Hao's past regrets and gave him the perfect opportunity to relive his happy memories... Although Nia didn't know if Margarita could reach the same level as Benjamin Roman, it's always good to try.

Besides, would Yang Hao object?

"...Secretary of State? I see. It's certainly a good name, one that won't offend the people of our two countries..."

of course not.

It wasn't just because of work and commitments; in fact, he genuinely missed the past.

It is said that people always miss the past when they get old. Yang Hao is not old yet, but the things he has experienced over the years are enough to change his mentality from an ordinary young man to an old man.

So, with the intention of spending two years reminiscing about the past, Yang Hao readily agreed to the title of "Secretary of State," giving Nia plenty of face while also digging a huge hole for himself.

Then came the second thing—the issue of [specific tasks].

Nia said to Yang Hao seriously that his work this time might be very demanding.

On one hand, Isugard does indeed have many internal problems. The domestic reforms have already kept Margarita, a vampire, up at night, so Yang Hao definitely needs to be prepared as well—however, Isugard will also offer ample rewards, so Yang Hao doesn't need to worry about working himself to the bone only to end up with nothing.

On the other hand... it's related to demons.

At the bottom of the only mineral vein in Ysgard, there seems to be a demonic mother nest awakening—Nia, to be honest, doesn't know much about the situation back home, but since it was Margarita who said it, she certainly wasn't joking.

Yang Hao could only sigh heavily: He thought he could relax a bit over the past two years, but now it seems... sigh!

No matter where you go, you'll inevitably have to deal with demons in the end—Yang Hao finally understood this. Since things have already turned out this way, he might as well accept it...

“I understand, I’ll be prepared—so, what else?”

"And these... When we go, I'll also bring a Siren back with us: Miss Kino, whom you've met before. And then, regarding personnel arrangements..."

"—"

"—"

The meeting was still ongoing, but the discussions were gradually drawing to a close.

While Yang Hao and Nia were having a meeting, Theresa and Finn were taking a break in the garden of the Purple Palace.

They were discussing matters concerning Lalumia.

After all, Lalumia's behavior has been getting stranger and stranger lately... If at first Theresa thought it was just Lalumia playing a prank on her, now it seems... everything has become extremely absurd.

"...So, I told you long ago that there was something wrong with Lalumia."

The elf was quite helpless about this: she had warned Theresa, but Theresa just wouldn't believe her.

As an elf who grew up in a society with a morbid emotional environment, how could Finn not know what Lalumia was really thinking?

The deity did not lie—her desire to see some fun was genuine, her wish for family harmony was genuine, her hope that Yang Hao could unite Isugard to fight the demons was genuine, and her wish that Elena and Naruja could have a place by Yang Hao's side was genuine.

From this perspective alone, Lalumia is the perfect mother figure.

But what if the elf said that Lalumia also harbored extraordinary feelings for Yang Hao?

"Sigh... After all, Lalumia has observed him for a long time... After going through so much, it's normal for ordinary women to develop feelings for him, let alone married women—but really, this is inappropriate, isn't it, Theresa?"

"Ugh."

"No matter what, an old woman can't compete with her daughter or even her great-great-great-granddaughter for a man... The generational gap is just too big, isn't it? It's impossible, this shouldn't be—"

"Fen, if you put it that way, you're over two hundred years old, ten times the age of Yang Hao, isn't that..."

“…”

The elves were speechless. But frankly, this was the very fact that worried them.

That's Lalumia.

The true deity representing light.

Theoretically, a god should be incapable of having sexual interest in mortals.

So now...it seems she really has taken a liking to Yang Hao?

Has he fallen for the man who is Teresa, whom he has treated like a daughter?

Theresa and Finn were speechless. No matter how bright the sun shone or how fragrant the flowers in the garden were, at this moment, nothing could bring joy to the two queens.

They only felt nervous. Because Theresa knew very well that Lalumia perfectly filled the void in Yang Hao's life, something she herself could never give him...

That is the position of the mother.

As a woman and wife who has spent countless years with Yang Hao, Teresa now knows everything about him.

She knew that Yang Hao couldn't sleep well without holding her every night.

She knew that Yang Hao longed to hide his identity and stroll around the streets, but his work prevented him from doing so.

She knew that Yang Hao valued Elena as a friend because Elena really understood him and was, in a sense, his confidante.

She knew it better than anyone else.

After Yang Hao left his hometown, he longed to return to his family and his parents' embrace—even though he didn't show it, Teresa knew it.

After all, this is the nature of a wanderer who has not returned home for a long time. But he is destined not to go home, so he had been ignoring his homesickness until recently, when Lalumia appeared, and it was then released.

After all, to put it bluntly, Lalumia is a character who naturally evokes images of "hometown" and "mother".

Whether it's her gentle demeanor, her considerate nature, or her strictness without making decisions based on personal desires, but rather by carefully explaining the consequences of her actions and considering the other person's choice...

She not only knows how to take care of children, but also how to educate them. She will give them a stern reprimand when they are lazy, offer gentle comfort when they are upset, let them rest when they are tired, and recognize her own mistakes when they are angry.

...No matter how you look at it.

Lalumia truly lives up to the name of "Light." She is a perfect mother in the truest sense, one that everyone can agree on—except for the fact that she doesn't actually have any biological children.

Yang Hao, a child who secretly yearns for familial love, craves the attention of parents he will never see again, and even places some of his hopes for his mother on Teresa, unexpectedly receives Lalumia's doting affection at this critical juncture...

...As for the consequences, Theresa could only say—it was outrageous.

Since Lalumia arrived, Yang Hao hasn't even done those childish things with Theresa anymore. While it initially pleased Theresa, making her feel her man had matured... now it all seems like problems.

"Sigh... I was so stupid... I should have realized the problem back then... But I was still foolishly happy... But it doesn't seem like there's anything wrong with being happy, right? After all, this is something my husband desperately wanted but could never have... Now that he can find solace in Lalumia, I should be happy for him too..."

"But Theresa... [motherly love] is one thing, but now Lalumia seems to be planning to take it a step further. Aren't you going to stop her?"

"Of course I want to! But when I think about it, I've already given him to you, and you've given him to Naruja and Elena... I know that in his heart, I still hold the highest and only place, so why should I stop him? After all, we are a polygamous country—we should set an example."

The nun shrugged, and suddenly she was no longer afraid—after all, whatever happened to Finn was another matter, but her own position was secure.

She was easily satisfied—thanks in part to Yang Hao never ignoring her feelings and always being the most attentive to her needs. If Yang Hao were to occasionally leave her out of the picture, she would definitely worry about being abandoned in the future.

But thinking about it carefully, did Yang Hao ever ignore her? No, right?

This man, who practically wanted to feed her himself... to be honest, Theresa even felt he was taking a bit too much care of her—of course, the elf was envious and secretly wanted to ask Theresa to [talk to Yang Hao about switching], but that's another matter.

In short, Theresa never worried about her own problems.

Rather than saying this was something that Teresa and Finn both worried about, it would be more accurate to say that it was a major issue in which Teresa was worried about Finn, and Finn was equally worried...