Fangzhou Xier, starting with failing the art exam

"We should organize ourselves and assassinate him! Let everyone see what happens to traitors!"

The sentiment is exciting.

However, when it came to discussing how to proceed specifically, everyone fell silent.

They lost their army, their weapons, the support of the people, and even this manor was only able to provide them with shelter thanks to the charity of a sympathetic merchant.

All that's left for them is an empty slogan called "Glory".

……

Meanwhile, in the shadowy corners of the city, the remnants of the Business Federation were also secretly making connections.

Unlike knights, they weren't obsessed with glory; they were more concerned with their own coffers.

Marner's first order upon taking office was to freeze the assets of all business association associates and establish a liquidation committee.

This is tantamount to taking their lives.

“Marna has gone mad; he wants to wipe us all out!” A former banker said in a low voice, his tone full of resentment.

"We can't just sit here and wait to die! He has the backing of the Letanians, but we have our own ways!"

“We still have people in the city, foremen in the factories, managers at the docks… As long as we offer them big profits, there will always be someone willing to cause us some trouble,” another merchant said sinisterly.

"The machines broke down, the goods were lost, and even... there was a fire."

"The new government wants to rebuild? Hmph, I'll see what they can build!"

“And to the north,” the banker added.

"The Ursusians don't want to see Letania swallow up South Casimir so easily."

“We can send people to contact them. As long as it makes things difficult for Marna, it’s worth any amount of money.”

Conspiracy is quietly brewing in every corner of the city, waiting for the right moment to spread.

At the heart of it all, Chief Executive Officer Marna Linguang was sitting in his rather bare office.

This used to be a luxury suite for a senior executive of the business federation. Now all the expensive decorations have been removed, leaving only the most basic tables and chairs.

The table was piled high with documents, ranging from repair plans for the city's sewage system to the resettlement of unemployed workers and emergency statistics on grain reserves in various regions. Each document represented a problem that urgently needed to be solved.

He had been working for 36 hours straight, surviving on only black coffee and a few pieces of dry bread.

Even his usually expressionless face showed a hint of fatigue.

There was a knock on the office door.

"Come in."

His secretary, a young man who had stayed behind from the former Control Yuan, pushed open the door and entered, looking somewhat nervous.

"Sir, the governor sent by Letania... has arrived."

Marna put down the documents in her hand and rubbed her temples.

What was supposed to come finally came.

He knew very well that he, as the chief executive officer, was nothing more than a puppet on a stage, and the one who was truly pulling the strings had only just arrived.

"Invite her in."

A few minutes later, the office door was pushed open again.

Marna looked up and saw the person who walked in.

She was a woman wearing a pure white dress, her long, silvery-white hair flowing like moonlight.

She is Liselot Ivignad, one of the former Twin Queens of Letania, known as "Eternal Grace".

“Mr. Marner,” Lizzielot said with a smile, her voice as melodious as an aria.

“Nice to meet you. I am Lizzelot Ivignad, the Governor of Letania in South Casimir. I hope I have not disturbed your work.”

“Your Excellency the Governor.” Marner stood up and nodded slightly, neither appearing overly humble nor lacking in manners.

"Welcome to the Great Knight's Territory."

Liselotte gracefully sat down in the chair opposite him, her gaze sweeping over the modest office.

“It seems Mr. Marner is a pragmatic man, which is good,” she said with a smile.

"His Majesty sent me here to assist you in restoring order and prosperity to South Kazimir as soon as possible."

“Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty,” Marna replied expressionlessly.

“Assistance naturally includes clearing away some… obstacles.” Liselotte’s smile remained unchanged, but her words caused the temperature in the air to drop abruptly.

“I’ve heard that the remnants of the Business Federation, and some knights who are still clinging to the glory of the past, seem to be less than welcoming of the new order.”

Marna remained silent.

"His Majesty believes that mercy should be reserved for the people who support us, while the enemy needs to be thoroughly wiped out."

Liselotte took a list from her attendant, gently placed it on the table, and pushed it towards Marna.

"This is a list compiled overnight by Minister Gertrude's intelligence department. The people on it are suspected of inciting rebellion, damaging public property, and colluding with the Ursus Empire."

Marner's gaze swept over the list, and her pupils contracted slightly.

The names on the list almost encompass all the knights and high-ranking members of the Business Federation who are still operating in the shadows.

Letania's intelligence capabilities were even more terrifying than he had imagined.

“His Majesty means that he hopes you can deal with these troubles as soon as possible,” Liselotte said casually.

"Of course, if you feel you don't have enough manpower, I've brought some people who are very good at doing these things."

As soon as she finished speaking, a commotion arose outside the office.

A lavishly dressed, obese businessman was escorted in by two agents dressed in Letanian military uniforms.

The businessman was one of the bankers on the list, and he was still shouting wildly.

"You can't arrest me! I'm a legitimate businessman! Marna! Marna Nearl! You traitor! You'll die a horrible death!"

One of the agents, seemingly annoyed by his noise, ruthlessly smashed the back of his head with the butt of his rifle.

The merchant groaned and fainted.

"I'm sorry, sir."

The agent saluted Marna, but there was a hint of mockery on his face: "This is my man's first time in the Grand Knight Territory. He's not familiar with the area. He originally wanted to go next door to capture another one, but he went to the wrong door."

"Fortunately, this gentleman is also on our list."

Marna watched this scene with an unwavering expression.

He knew this was Liselotte's way of intimidating him and demonstrating Letania's power.

“I understand.” Marna turned her gaze back to Liselotte.

"Thank you for your assistance, Your Excellency. I will issue the arrest warrant immediately."

“A wise decision.” Liselotte nodded in satisfaction.

"His Majesty desires a stable and efficient South Casimir. To demonstrate Letania's sincerity, the first batch of reconstruction funds and technical assistance will arrive within a week."

"At the same time, we will assist you in implementing land reform and redistributing the land confiscated from the business association to farmers who truly need it."

Bread and swords.

Letania's philosophy of governance is simple and effective.

“I will live up to your expectations,” Marna replied.

Liselotte seemed to remember something and added, "Herlinmat did a good job in Syracuse, but she always complained about the lack of discipline there."

"I hope the knights of Kazimierz will give me some peace of mind."

This seemingly casual complaint sent a chill down Marner's spine.

She was reminding herself of the fate of those families in Syracuse under the iron fist of that Black Queen.

After saying that, Liselotte stood up and prepared to leave.

As she reached the door, she suddenly stopped, turned back to Marner, and said:

"By the way, Mr. Marner."

“I’ve heard that your niece is the most chivalrous person in the Lightbringer family.”

"His Majesty is very interested in them and hopes to have the opportunity to invite them to visit Trilintelme."

Marner's hand tightened instantly around the pen.

Liselotte still wore a smile, but to Marna, that smile was icy cold.

This is the real threat.

“I will… pass on the message to them,” Marna said through gritted teeth.

Liselotte seemed oblivious to the change in his tone and turned to leave with satisfaction.

As the office door closed again, Marner slowly leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.

He felt an unprecedented exhaustion, not only physical but also mental.

The path he chose was one where every step was fraught with peril.

On one side is the hatred of national subjugation and the suspicion of one's own people; on the other side are the unfathomable calculations and threats of the suzerain state.

He opened his eyes, picked up a pen, and signed his name on the arrest list.

……

Instead of going home immediately, Marna walked alone towards the commercial district of the Great Knights Territory.

The once bustling streets now appear somewhat desolate, with many shops closed.

He walked into a toy store that was still open. The owner was an elderly man who looked somewhat fearful when he came in.

"Get me a model of the latest 'Pioneer' series drones," Marner said softly.

He remembered that Maria had recently become fascinated with mechanical engineering.

After paying, he carried the beautifully packaged box and walked home.

……

The Linguang family mansion is located in the old town of the Great Knights Territory, away from the hustle and bustle of the commercial district.

The mansion is quite old, with ivy climbing all over the stone walls, and the old oak tree in the yard is said to have taken root when the first knight of the Linguang family was knighted.

This is Marner's safe haven, and the entire meaning of his years of forbearance.

He pushed open the door, and a familiar aroma of food wafted out, dispelling some of the chill he had brought back from outside.

"Uncle, you're back!"

A petite figure rushed out of the living room and flew into his arms like a little bird returning to its nest.

It was Maria. She was only seven years old, with bright blonde hair tied in a ponytail and a little flour on her face.

"Today I learned to make oatmeal cookies with my sister! Although they were a little burnt, they were still delicious!" Maria said, tilting her little face up as if showing off a treasure.

Marna's heart was pierced with pain in that instant.

He forced a smile and stroked her soft hair.

"Really? Then I'll have to give it a good try."

He handed the drone model to Maria.

The little girl's eyes lit up immediately, and she let out a delighted shout: "Wow! It's the 'Pathfinder' III! I saw it in the magazine last time! Thank you, Uncle!"

Maria, clutching a box bigger than her upper body, happily ran back to the living room.

Marner walked into the living room and saw his eldest niece, twelve-year-old Margaret Linguang, carrying a plate of slightly burnt oat cakes out of the kitchen.

She wore an apron, her long golden hair was casually tied back, and her face did not have the carefree smile of Maria, but rather a calmness that was beyond her years.

"uncle."

Margaret placed the plate on the table.

Her gaze swept over Marna's slightly tired face, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.