Fangzhou Xier, starting with failing the art exam

“The Ursus are indeed insatiable bears, but the jackals in our southwest are equally worthy of our attention,” another elector said, pointing indignantly at the map of Victoria.

"The Duke of Kass III (IV) Phosphorus Banner Er Emishi Scar Fourt betrayed his promise and caused Otto's death. This matter must not be left unresolved! Victoria must pay the price for this!"

These words were clearly pointed, but Lacey pretended not to hear them.

"And those families in Syracuse have been creating a lot of friction on the border lately, seemingly trying to test our bottom line."

"The Kasimir Business Federation is also constantly penetrating our market..."

The electors began arguing again, each arguing from the perspective of their own territory, highlighting threats from different directions, and using this as grounds to demand more military support and financial subsidies from the royal family.

Lacey remained silent this time, listening quietly and updating her mind on the global landscape.

He saw Ursus in the north, a vast and aggressive military empire, but one plagued by internal strife.

Victoria in the southwest is cunning, greedy, adept at backstabbing, and also possesses formidable military strength.

In the northwest, there is Qazimir, a country corrupted by commerce and knightly competition.

And then there's Syracuse in the southeast, a chaotic land made up of countless gang families.

Letania is located in the center of Terra, making it a battleground surrounded by enemies on all sides.

These so-called pillars of the empire, when discussing national defense, still only think about their own small sphere of influence.

Hayden Schwell only wanted to hold the North, while the others were more concerned with their own trade routes and border security.

The empire, though seemingly powerful, is actually riddled with cracks.

"enough."

The Black Queen Helimat, who had been silent all along, finally spoke.

It instantly silenced all the arguments.

“Ursus, Victoria, Syracuse… these wolves and tigers have always coveted the land of Letania.” Her gaze was sharp as a knife, sweeping over every elector present.

"But our greatest enemy has never been outside."

She paused for a moment, her gaze finally landing on Lacey, but her words were directed at everyone.

"An empire that cannot unite its forces, an empire that is still arguing over its own interests when facing external enemies, is the most vulnerable."

Everyone present heard Helena's words, but they all ignored them.

How could you possibly get your way when they so openly want to centralize power and weaken their influence as electors?

They have already experienced a power-reduction from the Witch King, and they will never fall in the same place again.

Lacey was speechless for a moment.

He felt that the Black Queen, compared to the White Queen, was more like a political novice and completely unsuitable for the position.

However, he still raised his head and met Helinmat's gaze, nodding slightly to indicate his agreement with her idea.

This subtle gesture seemed to melt the ice in Helena's eyes a little.

Finally, Liselotte parted her lips slightly and said, "That concludes today's discussion. Let's leave the meeting."

The electors rose and left one after another, while the troublemakers, looking dejected, didn't dare to look at Lacey again.

Lacey also stood up, ready to leave.

Just then, a queen's voice strode up to him and bowed respectfully.

"Lord Lacey, Her Majesty the Queen requests a private meeting with you."

Lacey looked up and saw Liselotte giving him a meaningful look from the platform.

He knew it.

……

Holy Lytanian Empire: Chapter 49: From that moment on, I vowed to change this country.

The Gemini Queen's private audience room.

Herlinmat and Liselotte were already seated at the table, having shed their facades from the council meeting; one had a cold gaze, the other a smile that was utterly devoid of warmth.

Lacey calmly sat down in the third chair, facing the two supreme rulers of Letania across the table.

“Viscount Lexi… oh no, he should be called Elector Lexi now,” Herlinmat spoke first, her voice filled with undisguised sarcasm and hostility.

"Your performance in parliament was brilliant, turning treason into loyalty to the monarch and usurpation into restoring order."

"In all my years, this is the first time I've ever seen such a shameless person."

Lacey was not provoked; he simply looked calmly at Herlinmat and said, “Your Majesty, what I said is true.”

“If you don’t believe me, you can send someone to any corner of the Wasser territory and ask any commoner what Otto Gladstone is like, and what I, Lacey, am like.”

“I have no interest in what those lowly people think!” Herlinmat slammed her hand on the table, which made a dull thud.

"All I know is that you are destroying the very foundation of aristocratic rule, a direct challenge to imperial power!"

Her voice grew increasingly harsh, and powerful Originium Arts fluctuations reverberated throughout the room, as if to crush Lacey.

Lacey, however, remained calm and composed. He knew that the real negotiating opponent was not this man.

His gaze shifted to Liselotte, who had maintained a smile throughout.

“Your Majesty,” he said to Liselotte, “do you think so too?”

Liselotte picked up the cup of black tea in front of her, took a small sip, and moved with elegance.

“Herlinmat’s words make a good point.”

“Lassie, your power has grown too fast, so fast that it has made the order itself uneasy.” Her voice was gentle, yet more stern than Helinmat’s rage.

"A weapon that is too sharp, if not held in the right hand, is not a tool, but a murder weapon."

She put down her teacup, looked up at Lacey, and gazed intently.

"So tell me, Lacey, what do you really want to be?"

"Is it a murder weapon thirsting for blood, or... the Queen's blade?"

Lacey was silent for a moment, seemingly thinking about the question seriously.

“Your Majesty,” he began slowly, his tone sincere, “my parents died as a result of the slander and betrayal of the remnants of the Witch King’s faction, and as a result of the selfish desires of the corrupt nobles.”

"I returned from a battlefield riddled with corpses and seas of blood, but instead of glory, I found my family destroyed and my loved ones gone."

"From that moment on, I vowed to change this country!"

His voice carried just the right amount of sorrow, enough to evoke empathy, yet without being overly sentimental.

"Everything I have done stems from this vow."

"The Workers' Party's goal is not to overthrow anyone, but to build a fairer and stronger Letania!"

"A Letania where no nobles can oppress commoners at will, and no electors can hold military power and disregard imperial authority!"

He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze fixed intently on the Gemini Queen.

"Your Majesty, haven't you seen it? In Letania today, the electoral system has become a hindrance to the nation's progress!"

"Those old-guard nobles are like aristocrats; they only care about the interests of their own families, and even secretly collude to oppose the imperial power!"

"The remnants of the Witch King's forces are still lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike back!"

"You need a knife to remove these malignant tumors clinging to the empire."

"And I, Lacey, and the Workers' Party behind me, are..."

Lacey has pledged his allegiance to the cause.

Herlinmat's anger subsided slightly.

Liselotte's smile now had a more genuine feel to it; she was clearly very interested in the suggestion.

“A knife…” Liselotte repeated the word with amusement, “But even a knife can become dull, and may even turn on its master.”

“Therefore, we need a contract,” Lacey continued.

He straightened his back and his expression became serious.

"I, Lacey, in the name of the Elector of Vaser Territory, hereby pledge!"

"The Wasser Territory will be my, and the Workers' Party's, final demand for Leitania's political standing!"

"From now on, all expansion of the Workers' Party will be directed only at local forces that do not obey the imperial authority, the remnants of the Witch King's faction entrenched in various places, and... Leitania's external enemies."

"I will become your sharp blade, clearing away obstacles and consolidating the central imperial power!"

He paused, then looked directly into Liselotte's eyes.

"In return, I need His Majesty's tacit approval of the new policies I have implemented in the Vase territory and to grant the Workers' Party a legitimate political status."

“We are not traitors, we are reformers of the empire, and supporters of Her Majesty the Empress.”

This is an incredibly bold, yet incredibly tempting deal.

Lacey was gambling that the Twin Queens' fear of the old aristocratic power was far greater than their fear of him.

Herlinmat fell into deep thought.

Although she loathed Lacey, she had to admit that letting Lacey fight with the other electors while the royal family reaped the benefits was indeed a smart move.

A complex light flickered in Liselotte's eyes.

She saw Lacey's ambition, and she also saw his worth.

This person is both a risk and an opportunity.

“You mean…” Liselotte said slowly, “you want us to recognize your Workers’ Party so you can legally annex the power of other nobles?”

“It’s a reorganization,” Lacey corrected. “To reorganize His Majesty’s disobedient vassals.”

Ultimately, all power will fall under the double crown.

A long silence.

Finally, Liselotte and Helinmat exchanged a glance, seemingly reaching some kind of consensus.

"it is good."

Liselotte spoke, making the final decision: "We can accept it."

"From this day forward, the Workers' Party is no longer a rebel organization, but a legitimate political party recognized by the Empire."

"You can continue to implement your policies in your Vaser territory, and we will not interfere."

Her tone shifted, taking on a warning tone: "But, Lacey, remember your promise."

"Your blade can only point in the direction we allow. If one day we discover that this blade is trying to point where it shouldn't..."

“It will break,” Herlinmat replied coldly, her hand resting on the hilt of the sword.

“I understand.” Lacey nodded calmly.

“You may leave now, Lord Lacey,” Liselotte waved her hand. “I hope you won’t disappoint us.”

Lacey rose, bowed to the two queens, then turned and walked out of the audience chamber without looking back.

He let out a long breath as he basked in the sunlight of the corridor once more.

My back was already soaked with cold sweat.

When they got back onto the carriage, Taylor, Gertrude, and the others surrounded them, their faces full of worry.

"How about it?"

Lacey didn't answer; she simply leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.

“Let’s go back, back to Vaser territory.”

"I'm afraid you can't leave yet."

Just as Lacey and his party were preparing to return, an old but strong voice came from outside the carriage.

"who?"

……

Holy Lytanian Empire: Chapter 50: The Old Lich Fremont