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

Upon closer reflection, the one most likely to encounter a crisis is our little Fen.

Theresa looked at Finn with pity, but Finn only returned her gaze with dead fish eyes.

"Yes, yes, you're right—so what should I do?"

The elf was very frank, and Theresa naturally didn't mind offering advice on the matter:

"Aren't you and Yang Hao going on a business trip? Although you might bring a few more people... but ultimately, you'll have plenty of opportunities when Lalumia isn't around."

"I doubt Lalumia also possesses the ability to teleport long distances... but I'll try my best. Don't forget, it was precisely because I lacked confidence in defending against Ysgard's underhanded tactics that I gave way to Elena and the others... so..."

"...Ugh."

Theresa sighed. After clapping her hands at the maids waiting in the distance, she gestured for the bewildered Finn to wait a moment.

A while later, the maids brought over a small book box from Theresa's bedroom. As they arrived, they reminded him that His Majesty Yang Hao and Miss Nia's discussion had gone on for quite some time, and asked if they should remind them that it was time for lunch.

“No need—they’ll come out on their own when it’s time to eat anyway. Miss Nia knows today’s schedule… Instead, you should remind Natalia and Anna to finish their lessons early and go back to change… Oh, and remind Lalumia too.”

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The maids left.

Theresa slowly opened the book box, while Finn leaned in strangely and asked, "What is this?"

The young nun simply shrugged in response:

"Things that I, as a nun, should never touch in my entire life."

"In other words, it's what you, as Baselle, have to deal with?"

“Strictly speaking, these are things that a wife must come into contact with—but I have to be careful in selecting them…sigh. After all, you won’t be able to use many of those secret weapons, Finn.”

"What's with this condescending tone...?"

"You'll know just by looking at it."

The nun handed one of the books in the box to Fen, and then quickly hid the rest of the books, which were mostly about breasts, at the very bottom of the box.

Finn, bewildered, flipped through the book for a while before suddenly blushing and cursing in Elven slang:

"No...shameless?! Now I finally understand why Yang Hao felt more comfortable with you at night?! So, so you humans...you humans actually remember so many shameless things?!"

"I think compared to elves who have lived so long they're bored enough to 'imagine' the culmination of hundreds of years of human wisdom, our knowledge recorded in books is pretty normal..."

"The elves are just imagining things?! Where did they get that information? Where did they write it down?!"

"So, tell me if you want it or not?"

"......"

The elf fell silent.

She was the one who scolded the most harshly.

She's the one who's holding the book close to her chest right now.

Theresa didn't know what to say, and could only be thankful that she hadn't taken out the book that had the biggest impact on the little elf...

However, discussing these things in broad daylight does seem rather inappropriate...

They looked at each other.

The final decision was to go back and check before lunch.

..........

Meanwhile, the discussion between Yang Hao and Nia finally came to an end.

They confirmed their upcoming trip to Issugard, and Nia reassured them that there was no need to worry about the Alesers.

Before welcoming Yang Hao to Issugard, the Issugard navy will conduct a thorough cleanup of the Aleserans—not an attack on their homeland, of course. Issugard currently has no need to attack the Barren Islands.

They would simply try to ensure that the Alessar navy was confined to the port and unable to move, and then take the opportunity to return home.

"We will send the goods from this transaction back with us. If possible, we would also appreciate it if you could have some of your mages assist us in building that...teleportation system. This might facilitate trade between our two countries..."

"uh-huh?"

"After all, we've discovered the existence of [teleportation portals] in many towns within the Roman Empire's occupied territories—since you, Mr. Yang Hao, have a way to give the Roman Empire teleportation portals, then considering the trade relations between our two countries, establishing teleportation portals that allow free travel between the two countries is also feasible, right?"

"But doing so would pose risks to military operations. This means that if we wanted to invade Issugard, we wouldn't need to wait for the navy to develop at all, and vice versa."

Issugard hoped to connect the two countries through [teleportation] technology—which was exactly what Yang Hao had anticipated. However, the [teleportation portal] was still too dangerous for two independent nations.

The most apt example on Earth is the railway—two countries connected by the same standard of rails, which not only facilitates commercial exchanges but also means great convenience in military operations.

Not to mention, the advantages and disadvantages of the portal network compared to the railway are even greater—an entire legion's supplies and troops can be transported from one side to the other across tens of thousands of kilometers in a single go. If one side is well-prepared, it's practically a certainty that the city possessing the portal will fall at the very beginning of the war for the other side...

Yang Hao could open a portal over the port, since losing a port wouldn't bother him much... but the question is, does Ysgard have the guts to do that?

Faced with Yang Hao's questioning, Nia simply shrugged:

"The bond between our two countries is much stronger than you and I can imagine. It's no exaggeration to say that our country is now completely dependent on the aid of the United Nations."

After all, the minerals come from the continent of Elusia, the magic comes from the continent of Elusia, and even when your artificial magic reactor is decommissioned in the future, it will be sent over for us to install—those maintenance parts will also come from the continent of Elusia.

We simply do not have the capacity to bear the risks and pressure of going to war with the United Nations. Therefore, we are naturally not afraid of a possible invasion by the United Nations. After all, it is unnecessary for both of our countries.

"Wouldn't we find it a headache to hack into this?"

"But Mr. Yang Hao, can your population support you in launching a transoceanic invasion war? Even a portal network would be helpful."

"...Sigh. That's true."

Although Nia really wanted to say, "If you invade us, we'll just lie down and surrender and then rightfully join the United Nations," seeing Mr. Yang Hao's serious expression, Nia ultimately decided to hold back this joke that wasn't really a joke.

Ultimately, there is no reason or necessity for the United Nations and Ysgard to go to war.

The United Kingdom has a sparse population. If nothing unexpected happens, during the peace period before the demonic calamity, the areas surrounding the United Kingdom should be visibly filled with families having babies... Would His Majesty Yang Hao really risk disrupting the baby boom by launching another war? It's impossible.

The United Nations' population is now a heavy burden hanging over their heads. If they don't want to be wiped out by a declining population, they can't afford to give up the hard-won breathing room... Therefore, there is definitely no need for the United Nations to launch an attack.

So, what about Ysgard?

Less likely.

Now that the colonial army has lost thousands of men, Margarita is under immense pressure... If they were to attack the United Nations, it wouldn't be a trivial matter that could be resolved by the deaths of a few thousand men.

That would be a devastating war that would kill tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions... In that case, Isgard would not only fail to profit, but would also have to squander a hundred years of painstaking development...

The injuries caused by war will lead to a series of social problems, not to mention that if the United Nations directly cuts off trade and launches an attack on the colonies on the continent of Elusia during the war... Ysgard might not be able to fight for two years before it is completely defeated.

Not to mention, considering the friendly relations between the two countries, and the United Nations' monopoly on the necessities for the development of Issugard... tsk tsk.

Screw you. If you were saying I'd have a chance to beat up the mischievous new crown prince of the United Nations from time to time, that would be one thing, but you really want our two countries to go to war?

It would be more practical to wash Margarita clean and bring her over now. I might leave her a little soup, maybe.

Nia was pondering some monstrous idea. And it was only after it was confirmed that the two countries could not go to war with each other that the matter of the teleportation portal was confirmed amidst laughter and joy.

After all, the portal would bring many benefits to the development of both countries—it would also allow Yang Hao to justify his plan to send some of Issugard's human resources to the United Nations.

"Lunch will be held in the banquet hall next time... if nothing unexpected happens. Nia, do you need to go back and make any preparations?"

"Huh? No. Rather, I've done all the preparations I needed to—but let's double-check the date, shall we? August 1st this year...right?"

"Correct."

“Then I will have Margarita prepare for the arrival—but speaking of which… Mr. Yang Hao, has anything been happening in the Khutut Khanate lately? There are reports from our colonies that the morale of the nomadic army seems to be somewhat unstable.”

"Regarding the Ice Calamity, their grasslands are covered in permafrost... But then again, the northern grasslands do indeed have quite a few resources..."

"Oh ho ho? Are you testing whether we'd like to eat together?"

“We have no intention of harming our allies—though it is true that we have recently been considering expanding northward. However, that is for archaeological research.”

"Archaeological research?"

Nia looked at Yang Hao with suspicion.

Yang Hao muttered to himself, "Yes, it's archaeological research."

Barring unforeseen circumstances, a large number of ancient Bayerzian war machines lie dormant in the permafrost north of the Sorrow Mountains, awaiting their discovery by future generations.

Yang Hao hoped to bring back those war machines to study the legacy of his ancestors and prepare for the great demonic calamity to come—but before that, he had already found a use for the [Frozen Demon Realm].

He decided to use the Frozen Magic Domain as a testing ground for testing equipment under extreme low-temperature conditions.

Not only weapons, but also warm clothing, magic, and other items can be tested inside—and crucially, special equipment that counters [Mind Mist] can also be tested directly.

In a sense, this demon-free realm is truly a wonderful thing.

Yang Hao sighed over something.

After leaving the meeting room with Nia, he naturally didn't notice the tail wagging wildly behind Nia.

And Nia's eyes, filled with appetite, as she looked at Yang Hao.

Chapter Eleven: The Night Belongs to Theresa

Chapter 1: [A Business Trip to Isgard and a New Job] - 8K

August of Imperial Year 006.

The United Nations has largely entered a period of thorough development—although there are two demonic realms on its continent, the United Nations finally has time to catch its breath and develop its own affairs.

The army has been temporarily reduced in size, and all industries that require a large workforce are gradually being replaced by small, hardworking golems who work without complaint. Scientists in Eden are researching various weapons and civilian technologies for the country's development, while the elves and the Bayrjans are also working hard to develop themselves.

All of this is inseparable from everyone's efforts, from the previously established policy of peaceful development, and even more so from the hard work and dedication of the bureaucratic organization that Yang Hao and his team painstakingly cultivated.

However... these things have gradually become distant to Yang Hao.

After all, for the next two years, only Theresa and Lalumia will remain in the country to manage it.

"However... from now on, we'll have to rely on you, okay? Although Elena can manage the Kingdom of Eden from afar and can contact you at any time... most of the time, it's you, staying at home, who will be able to directly manage emergencies..."

"I know, I know—so why are you so worried about me? It's okay."

"Sigh... If anything happens, contact me immediately through Elena or Lalumia, understand? Also, discuss anything with Lalumia. If anything happens to Natalia or Anna, tell me immediately too. Finally—"

"Okay! Get out of here right now! Or you'll be fucking late! Hurry up!"

It is said that men who are about to leave their hometown are always sentimental.