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

Then, the figure disappeared amidst Margarita's whispered words.

And it was at this moment that Margarita sighed and said:

"The Demon Mother Nest has started its activities ahead of schedule."

She said it seemed to be because the miners at the mine used too much explosive.

The bomb explosion in the mine not only shattered a large amount of minerals, but also exposed underground natural gas layers.

The explosion and combustion of natural gas caused hundreds of casualties in the mine in an instant—but that's not the main point.

The key point is that it was accompanied by a secondary explosion of natural gas.

The demons below were awakened.

-----------------

Sketch!

Chapter Seven: [The Allied Forces Stationed in Issugard] - 8K

In this era, no matter how meticulous and rigorous the excavation plan is, there will always be many changes due to equipment, personnel operation, or even the natural environment.

The recent mine explosion in Issugard is a case in point.

Without knowing that there was a natural gas reserve beneath the mine pit, the mine operators rashly chose to expand the pit area using the usual bottom blasting method.

The collision between the explosives and the natural gas caused the explosives to detonate, along with the huge natural gas storage area at the bottom of the mine.

In an instant, hundreds of miners at the bottom of the pit, along with their mining equipment, vanished in the explosion. The powerful explosion and the subsequent spewing of burning natural gas caused immense suffering for miners working in other areas, forcing them to flee in disarray.

...This was an unprecedented catastrophe in the history of Issugard.

Not only because of the losses to the mines and the loss of life, but also because Isgard's already scarce resources will now be further depleted. More importantly, because of the disaster caused by this mistake, Margarita may have to devote even more resources to public relations.

Yang Hao didn't quite understand how much effort democratic countries actually put into managing public opinion.

But judging from the pale face Miss Margarita visibly turned when she saw the bill Nia handed her... well, it looks like she spent quite a lot of money.

Yang Hao muttered to himself.

It's not a good thing.

Incidentally, they had now moved from the small conference room on the third floor to Miss Margarita's office. Although Naruja's pet-like behavior upon entering made the vampire president stare blankly, after hearing Nia's explanation, she chose to pretend she hadn't seen Naruja lying on Yang Hao's lap and went about her own business.

After obtaining Yang Hao's permission, Finn communicated remotely with her family through Elena's magic network. After all, the demonic lair in Ysgard had awakened ahead of schedule, so perhaps the troops back home needed to prepare in advance as well?

Looking at it this way...

There's nothing to do right now.

It seems like it's just Yang Hao and Naruja?

The man patted the hair of the somewhat tired deer girl with a wry smile, and it was at this moment that Miss Margarita spoke:

"Leaving aside our resource losses for now, let's talk about the demons first—the natural gas explosion and the strong earthquake have awakened them. If nothing unexpected happens, they are now trying to make a move."

Is there enough underground space for them to move around?

"We don't know either. The detectors we use to explore minerals are not accurate to begin with, and our current detection of the Demon Mother's Nest is mainly based on the [seismic effect]... But it's always better to prepare for the worst."

"I understand. So what does Ysgard need now?"

Yang Hao asked while stroking Naruja's antlers. Although he really wanted to immediately teleport the most elite legion of the United Nations over, after all, Isgard was the master of the continent of Orros.

Without Issugard's permission, his rash deployment of troops would only exacerbate the conflict between the two countries and even lead to hostility. Even if it was for the sake of the greater good, it would leave a grudge between the two sides.

So no matter what, Yang Hao needs Margarita's permission—and Margarita can see the political implications.

With her blonde hair and red eyes, she simply nodded, then fluently began to describe the upcoming situation in Ysgard in official language:

"Isugard lacks the capacity to handle underground disasters. In order to avoid further loss of manpower and to rescue more survivors, the government will request the United Nations to send a magical force skilled in healing people to provide assistance through agricultural trade."

"Considering the special nature of our allied magical forces, Ysgard will temporarily allow the United Nations to establish all the military facilities needed by the magical forces within our territory, including artificial magical reactors, and will allow the magical forces to have the highest leadership position in rescue operations."

"...Considering that natural disasters may escalate, and that the allies' military spending and trade between the two countries will require the use of valuable supply routes, after careful consideration, Isugard will allow the United Nations to establish a portal system with the continent of Orros, under certain restrictions, that has no military purpose, to ensure smooth supply and commercial exchanges during disasters."

She paused, then looked at Yang Hao, who seemed to be smiling but had suddenly relaxed for some reason, with her crimson eyes. She then smiled back, a smile that she herself didn't know why she felt relaxed about.

"...Of course. Depending on the circumstances, it could be permanent."

"We understand your political intentions, but are you really sure it's alright? As far as I know, the political landscape in democratic countries is far more complex than in ours. How do you plan to deal with those vested interest groups?"

"This is a time of national crisis. Everything must give way to the country—and Your Majesty Yang Hao, I think I have made it very clear in the terms of our cooperation."

I'll handle the political issues; you only need to focus on the practical solutions and their implementation.

In an instant, Margarita's face overlapped with Benjamin's.

But this illusion only lasted for a moment. Yang Hao thought to himself that perhaps he would still reminisce about his past life.

People are always nostalgic. No matter how wonderful the new life is, they will still miss the regrets of the past. Given the chance, who wouldn't want to change the past?

However, Yang Hao was just thinking about it. Now, he already has someone important in his life.

"...Then I'll prepare with high expectations."

His mood improved involuntarily. Yang Hao was eager to see what this Miss President, who in his eyes overlapped with Benjamin, could accomplish.

...

Let's temporarily dedicate more than half of our energy to political action.

With this in mind, Yang Hao led the girls away from Margarita's office.

And that was after they left.

"...Although I'm not entirely sure what's going on, it seems Mr. Yang Hao has suddenly become a little less wary of you?"

The black dragon leaned on Margarita's shoulder, swishing its tail and muttering to itself.

"Perhaps it's because we get along so well? Hmph. Let's focus on the preparations first—although I admit he's very capable in practical work, I guess I'll temporarily dedicate more than 50% of my energy to it. After all, the political implications are the main thing going forward."

As Yang Hao said, democratic countries are the least able to withstand public opinion.

Even if it's just a country that looks like a democracy, the various factions and social forces within it will still cause the president a lot of trouble.

She needs to focus more of her energy on political activities. But why does she have this confidence?

"..."

Damn Gaia.

Margarita could only curse the world god in her heart.

Then, without even looking up, she went back to arranging her own work.

......

News of the explosion at the only mine in Isgard reached West City on December 9th.

The death toll of hundreds, the continuous loss of natural gas resources during combustion, and the sharp decline in mineral output caused by repeated earthquakes in the area... all these factors had a political impact that Yang Hao had anticipated, and the overwhelming public opinion was even more unexpected.

If at the beginning he thought the impact of this was merely appeasement of Poland, then the current situation is no less absurd than the United States throwing the Little Boy into London during World War II.

"...This is a test for Miss Margarita."

Looking at the diverse crowds marching in the streets, and then at those shady individuals taking advantage of the situation to do something underhanded behind the crowd.

Yang Hao took a sip of hot tea and shook his head with a sigh: If Margarita's political maneuvering fails, then their reinforcements will also become enemies that Ysugard does not welcome... In order to avoid such a thing, we really have to take some drastic measures.

As he watched the marching crowd and pondered a solution, Fenque, who was combing Naruja's hair, remarked that they didn't seem to care about what was happening here.

"...Elena's latest intelligence suggests that the bat's operation seems to be working. For now, let's just take care of our own business."

"Ah."

Yang Hao chose to believe the girl beside him.

In the time that followed, Margarita was indeed preparing for the surge of public opinion.

She personally attended the memorial service for the victims of the mine disaster. At the service, dressed in mourning clothes, she first offered her condolences to the victims' families and assured them that the compensation would be delivered by the national government. Then she told the people that now was not the time for angry protests, and that everyone should focus on the search and rescue of the remaining survivors.

In this back and forth, the families of the victims were appeased, the attention of the families of the missing was diverted, and those who rushed up on impulse lost their initial momentum like deflated balloons.

But this is not enough.

After resolving the issue of the mass demonstrations, the President, along with the Black Dragon, immediately attended the nation's parliament. In parliament, she strongly condemned the inefficiency of private medical and rescue companies in Issugard during the national crisis. Faced with overwhelming evidence, she forced Issugard's private companies to make further concessions to the nation, while also placing the request for aid from the United Nations on the agenda.

This will inevitably upset some people.

The army feared that the United Nations would take this opportunity to launch a large-scale invasion, but they were silenced by Margarita's statement, "Their regent is still in our hands."

Researchers worried that Ysgard's already scarce resources might be plundered by its allies, a sentiment clearly expressed by Margarita's statement, "This time, our focus is on agricultural trade."

The bourgeoisie used the excuse of "national honor and disgrace," but Margarita used her own methods to make their statements public the next day, directly portraying them as "beasts who don't care about the life and death of the people," and the problems were thus easily solved.

Now, with the support of the public and various sectors of society, Margarita can finally give Yang Hao an explanation.

But to her utter surprise, while she was confirming the node with Yang Hao, Yang Hao had already completed all the preparations for establishing the portal much faster.

Thanks to the elves, and more importantly, the magical dolls' exquisite understanding of magical technology, as well as the large number of magical storage devices they brought this time.

Yang Hao prepared everything needed for the construction of the teleportation portal in less than five days. Not only that, he had already chosen the location, prepared the land application forms to be used, and even completed the communication with the local people.

Everything depends on Margarita's good news. Once her good news arrives, the portal can be established in less than a day, bringing over all the resources that the United Nations has prepared.

To this, Margarita just smiled wryly and said: Haven't you considered what would happen if I failed?

Yang Hao shrugged and, under Fen's somewhat jealous gaze, said: "Since you trust my work ability, then I also trust your political ability."

The two exchanged a helpless smile, signed their respective documents, and the important matter of the United Nations providing aid to Issugard was immediately put on the agenda.

12 month 15 day.

The Humanitarian Aid Force, composed of magical puppets and elven mages from the United Nations, arrived in the territory of Ysgard through the portal system, carrying a large amount of relief supplies.

Although Theresa was very unhappy about Yang Hao wasting the family's resources, she calmed down a lot after she asked Lalumia to personally deliver the cookies she had made herself, with crooked, angry little tiger teeth carved on them. She did indeed deliver everything Yang Hao needed.

A mixed force of approximately 400 magical puppets and elven mages, a disassembled artificial magic reactor that can be reassembled at any time, the personal arrival of Lalumia herself, and most importantly—relief supplies to appease the people of Ysgard.

Although Yang Hao didn't know why some ordinary medical supplies could win over the hearts of the people of Isgard, at least now that the people of Isgard liked him, perhaps the annexation of Isgard would face less resistance...