I am on the Ark, a succubus, pure and innocent.

"Huh? You're going to compensate me with a bunch of junk, huh!"

"How can you call this dilapidated? The core city of Chernobog is still there. You can rebuild Chernobog using the legacy of the Duke of Belgaard!"

"How much money would we have to put in? It's worse than junk. Hey, Victor, be honest, can you give me a different kind of compensation? I'm not picky, I just want a complete mobile city."

"...Your Highness, His Majesty has it tough too, please be understanding."

"Tch, stingy."

Chapter 112 Core City Survey

Core city, command tower.

Witt stared coldly at the billowing black mist, which even seemed to give the space a deep, strange hue, transforming it into the command tower of a demon's lair.

The four war sorcerers beside him silently lowered the ornate metal coffin they were carrying, grabbed the chains at the top of the coffin, wrapped them around their arms, and quietly awaited Witte's final command.

Witt gazed at them solemnly and nodded earnestly: "Gentlemen, regardless of the outcome of this journey, the Empire will remember your bravery, and may glory illuminate your path ahead."

"..."

The war sorcerer remained silent, only taking steps in silence as he dragged the metal coffin into the territory of the now-state-controlled command tower.

As they stepped forward, the ornate pendants on the metal coffin began to fall off and shatter with an unusually jarring sound.

Upon reaching the designated location, they opened the coffin without hesitation, lay down directly inside, and then the coffin closed, with complex mechanisms creaking softly. Countless small siphon holes were visible on the exterior of the coffin.

*An indescribable shriek*

......

"Ha, Chernobog."

Wei Yanwu looked around at the ruins of the city. This was his second time here. The last time, he came to stop the disaster, but some young people beat him to it. This time, he came for peace.

After walking for a while, he arrived at the command tower and saw Witt, who had been standing there for a long time.

He deliberately made a noise and said, "Speaker Witt, I have come at your invitation."

Without turning his head, Witt shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Wei, things happened so suddenly that I couldn't stop it. Please forgive me."

Wei Yanwu snorted: "Please forgive me... Hehe, of course, Speaker Witt, I forgive you. The fact that you are standing here already shows your sincerity. I just hope that this matter can have a good outcome."

“Of course.” Vittorio nodded, his gaze still fixed on the command tower. “It’s for your sake, and for our own. After all, you and I both know that war is a beast that hurts both others and ourselves.”

Wei Yanwu walked over to Witt and together they watched the ominous command tower gradually fade away. He took a puff of his pipe and said, "Hmph, was it really necessary to pay such a high price in this ruined city?"

Facing the approaching smoke, Victor remained calm and said, "This city will be a gift; it must not be left with a trace of filth."

Wei Yanwu's gaze sharpened, and he asked hesitantly, "...A gift?"

Is that what he thought?

“Hmm.” Witt raised his head slightly and said solemnly, “This city will become a gift from His Majesty to those who have made outstanding contributions to the Empire, and they will also be granted a title and full authority to rule and manage this city.”

Wei Yanwu raised an eyebrow, took another breath, exhaled a large smoke ring, and said confidently:

"Then I guess this outstanding contributor is preferably a Lungmen person who inherited the legacy of some Grand Duke, possesses Ulrich's bloodline, and doesn't have any aversion to the Imperial Council, right?"

Witt's lips curled into a smile: "Assuming this person exists."

Upon receiving this affirmative answer, Wei Yanwu scoffed: "That's quite a stingy gift. Baikal's legacy is only worth one core city? Speaker Witt, aren't you afraid of being gossiped about?"

Witte solemnly replied, "For the Empire."

Then he relaxed a little: "But it should belong to that young prince, it must be his. It's just that the situation is not clear yet. His Majesty is worried that his dear nephew will be entangled in a conspiracy, so he is just keeping it for him for the time being."

Adults are keeping the kids' New Year's money safe, right? Is there any chance of it ever coming back? ... Wei Yanwu was speechless and shook his head: "That's your business, I have no opinion on it."

“Alright, Mr. Wei, but I have a personal request to make. I wonder if you can grant it?”

"...I'll listen first before I speak."

"It's nothing, just an elder's concern for the child. If possible, please ask Mr. Wei to take good care of this 'outstanding contributor.' Your Majesty... this elder cares about him very much."

"Hehe, I'll do my best."

...

At the entrance to the core city, heavy off-road vehicles are parked.

Chen Huijie got out of the driver's seat, Bai Yue got out of the passenger seat, and Shuangxing, Vishdale, and Lin Yuxia got out of the back seat.

Lin Yuxia walked up to Bai Yue, straightened his suit, and said with concern:

"Xiaoyue, this is the most we can do. You'll have to walk the rest of the way on your own. Remember, no matter what they promise, you absolutely, positively must not agree to go to the Ursus interior, understand?"

"Mmm!" Bai Yue nodded obediently. Of course he knew that! After all, he didn't want to live a nine-to-five life of confinement.

Chen Huijie walked around the car and came over, nitpicking at his meticulously styled, smooth hair, and instructed, "Wei Yanwu is inside. If anything seems wrong, ask him for help. He... he won't abandon you."

Froststar and Vishdel didn't exchange pleasantries; they stood directly next to Bai Yue, showing a smug look on their faces at the two women who couldn't get into the city.

Unlike Lin Yuxia and Chen Huijie, who are both individuals with sensitive identities, they are both infected individuals, Sarkaz. These two groups are unwelcome everywhere in this land, have virtually no human rights, and are considered lawless.

However, this also means that they can accompany Bai Yue as [items].

Chen Huijie pursed her lips, but still leaned on Froststar, her voice carrying a hint of pleading: "His safety is in your hands."

Froststar nodded slightly and said indifferently, "You don't need to tell me."

Compared to the animosity between the two, Lin Yuxia and Vishdale were much better off. They lightly shook hands, exchanged something (the nature of which was unclear), and then smiled knowingly without saying a word.

Bai Yue smiled and waved to the two reluctant girls, "Then I'm off. Don't worry, I'll be back soon!"

Lin Yuxia and Chen Huijie suppressed their unease and responded with smiles.

......

Not long after entering the core city, Bai Yue heard a rumbling sound, and after crossing several streets, she saw the source of the sound.

It is a large mechanical device.

Several masked Ursus soldiers were using it to cover up some traces, while an observer from Yan was communicating with the leading officer and writing in his notebook.

Upon seeing Bai Yue, the Ursus officer who had been communicating with the Yan Kingdom observer immediately stood up straight, jogged over to him, and said obsequiously:

"Your Excellency, this is Colonel Angel, from the Second Army Group. Do you need any assistance?"

Bai Yue looked at him with amusement, unconsciously adopting an arrogant posture: "Tell me what you're doing."

Without hesitation, Angor immediately began his report: "Yes, Your Excellency, what you are seeing now is the disaster relief project approved by the Imperial Diet, and our army is throwing itself into it with 100% enthusiasm!"

Disaster relief... Bai Yue almost lost her composure. Who ever starts disaster relief only after everything has settled down?

Bai Yue was speechless, then her tone became a little harsher: "Tell me the truth."

Angel hesitated for 0.11 seconds, glanced at the Yan Kingdom observer watching the show, and then whispered, "Your Excellency, this is actually dealing with some things that might cause controversy, so as to avoid causing a conflict between Wu and Yan."

Bai Yue waved her hand dismissively, saying, "Fine, I understand. You can go ahead and get busy."

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

Chapter 113 Becoming a Noble of Ursus Starting Today

Chernobog's core city, formerly the Noble Affairs Institute.

The once magnificent leisure and entertainment venue has lost its former glory after a series of riots. Although it cannot be called a complete ruin, it is still full of potholes.

Bai Yue and her group arrived here.

The stern-faced waiter pushed open the hastily repaired door and gestured in greeting:

"Sir, please come in."

Bai Yue lifted his foot without any hesitation, but just as he stepped into the building, the rigid waiter stopped Frostnova and Vishdel: "Gentlemen, infected and Sarkaz are not allowed to enter here. Please wait outside."

His formulaic speech lacked any hint of disgust; it seemed to be merely a matter of business.

Bai Yue paused, *Sarkaz curse*, this is definitely a show of force! Even if you don't respect the monk, you should at least respect the Buddha. Even when beating a dog, you have to consider its owner. Besides, we succubi haven't been expelled from the Sarkaz yet!

Well, you're even insulting yourself now, huh?

He wasn't one to back down or argue with the waiter; he simply commanded: *Who told you to do this?*

The rigid waiter's face showed a moment of struggle, but he was no match for this inhuman power of words. In a fit of terror, he couldn't help but blurt out:

"It was Congressman Charlotte who put me in this delegation. He said that whatever Speaker Witt wants to do, he wants to create discord between him and his target, and preferably sabotage this meeting..."

Bang! Bang!

Witt emerged from the hall and overheard these words. He immediately struck the floor twice with his cane and gave an order to the guards stationed inside:

"He's gone mad, take him away and settle him in."

Bai Yue turned to look at him, raised her head and asked, "Then may my people come in?"

Victor did not answer immediately, but instead looked at the two people outside the door with a scrutinizing gaze, silently absorbing information about them in his mind.

Frostnova, who once displayed spells akin to a cataclysmic disaster and even clashed with the Inner Guard, is a true monster. W... now known as Vishdel, commands a group of Sarkaz mercenaries, a considerable troublesome figure.

But they were all infected.

How could this young prince possibly feel pity or even affection for such a woman? Judging from the contents of Ulrich's Secret Records, shouldn't these two women have been used and discarded, or even subjected to some kind of performance art?

Hmm... there were no signs of abuse, and her mental state seemed pretty good.

Sigh, even the official history left by the late emperor is quite unofficial.

However, this is just right. A gentle Ulrich is much easier to control than a cruel and sadistic one. At least His Majesty will not have to make the same choice as the late Emperor.

......

A flood of information rushed through her mind, but only a moment had passed in reality. Before Bai Yue could even show any impatience, Victor nodded in agreement and said, "Of course, since they are all your people, please come in."

And so, no sooner had the waiter been taken away than Bai Yue gave Frostnova and Vishdel a smug smile and said:

"Okay, come in."

Froststar nodded expressionlessly and followed behind him, her right hand resting on her sword, ready to attack or defend at any moment.

Vishdale discreetly peered around, searching for detonation points. This information would come in handy should anything go wrong, allowing him to unleash a barrage of bombs!

Witt stopped in his tracks, and only when Bai Yue walked up to him did he turn around and walk alongside him, speaking as he did so:

"Due to reasons you may or may not know, it is with great regret that this investiture ceremony cannot be held at Saint-Germain Castle, under His Majesty's personal supervision. We ask for your understanding."

"Yes, that's fine, I'm fine with either."

Bai Yue nodded casually. That was just as well; she couldn't possibly go to Saint Jun's Castle anyway. After all, just a quick recollection of her past life's history revealed countless princes who, once they arrived in the capital, could never return to their fiefdoms.

The bloody lessons are right before our eyes; we must be vigilant!

Vitter continued, "But in Ursus, His Majesty must be present when bestowing titles of earl or higher."

"So?" Bai Yue tilted her head slightly. You old rascal, you didn't trick me into coming here, did you?

“So…” Witt solemnly pushed open the banquet hall door, revealing the crown and scepter placed in the center, as well as various ceremonial objects laid out on two rows of tables covered with silk.

Witt turned to face Bai Yue and solemnly said, "So His Majesty bestowed his crown and scepter upon us. At this moment, his gaze is fixed on this place, his glory is bathed here, and he is right here."

"Oh?" Bai Yue smiled, pointing to the crown and scepter, and asked in confusion, "Then His Majesty the Emperor bestowed both of these upon me?"

!!!

"Of course not!" Witt hurriedly waved his hand. Damn it, this conversation had reached its end.

Wei Yanwu, who had been standing to the side for a long time, walked over with a loud laugh: "Hahaha, Speaker Witt, after knowing you for so many years, this is the first time I've ever seen you so flustered."

Witt took a deep breath, suppressing his momentary loss of composure, and regained his usual demeanor, calmly saying, "You jest. The crown and scepter are symbols of His Majesty. It is already a great fortune that His Majesty has granted them to be used here. How can we ask for more?"

Bai Yue suppressed her gloating smile and calmly nodded, "Thank you for reminding me, I understand." Then she turned to Wei Yanwu and smiled, "What a coincidence, Uncle Wei, you're here too."

Wei Yanwu glanced at the thick stack of investiture documents beside him and grinned: "Hehe, Speaker Witt invited me, I just came to join in the fun. Such a scene is quite rare."

The scene... Bai Yue looked around the hall and found that apart from the two people she had brought and the two people in front of her, there was no one else.

He asked, somewhat puzzled, "Are we the only ones here?"

Wei Yanwu took a puff of his pipe, blew a smoke ring to a secluded spot, and said meaningfully, "It's good that there are fewer people. Look how quiet it is here. If you were to go through the proper channels for the title you want, it would take at least a few months."

Hehe, if that's the case, then the news will spread far and wide, and that would be quite a spectacle.

Imagine how many people would covet a Duke of Ursus who possesses wealth and a title but lacks corresponding armed forces?