Volume 3: Artifacts Chapter 68 Rumors
"Prime Minister of Meteoric Star, I am here to inform you that Her Royal Highness the Queen will summon you tonight to discuss matters concerning the throne..." Agatha straightened her posture and walked out of the office. When passing by Shelley and Pisco, she said admiringly, "You fought very well in the North. Especially Shelley, it seems that you are really not suitable for the work of the Secret Service. Fortunately, the Prime Minister discovered your talent."
Shelley was more perceptive than Pisco. She stepped back, saluted, and said, "Thank you, Princess, for saving me from prison. Thank you, Governor... Thank you, Prime Minister, for trusting me and giving me the command of the Fury City Armored Assault Division."
"The Prime Minister has transferred you back from the North because he has another important task for you. Do your best... The Empire will not let down anyone who has made contributions to the Empire. You guys chat, I'm leaving..."
After Agatha left, Shelley immediately took out the documents he had carried with him and reported to Luke.
The Nutao City Armored Assault Division stationed in Songta Port played a crucial role in ending the Empire's winter offensive in a timely manner. Especially in the later stages of the offensive, the Nutao City Armored Assault Division, led by Shelley, decisively broke through inland and was truly invincible all the way. Facing the defense line set up by the Art County Alliance against Songta Port, they achieved an average of 30 kilometers a day, with the momentum to cut off the Art County Alliance's retreat in one fell swoop.
Eventually, the Art County Alliance was forced to retreat completely from the northern border of the empire, abandoning countless supplies.
All of the empire's northern territories were recovered, and Queen Christina's reputation reached a new height.
The Snow Legion is now rebuilding the border defense line, and some meritorious troops will be transferred back to Saint Len City for repairs and preparations to participate in the military parade for the coronation of the new emperor.
The Armored Assault Division of Nutao City has handed over the defense of Songta Port to the Snow Legion. One group returned to Nutao City by sea and another by land, awaiting new reorganization.
Luke looked at the war records and consumption reports submitted by Shelley, and asked questions about the war.
Shelley answered each question in detail.
The Winter War in the North perfectly demonstrated Shelley's specialization in war command. She was born for the battlefield and had a very sensitive nose for war opportunities. Once she seized the opportunity, she acted as decisively as she shot someone, and was as swift and deadly as a venomous snake.
After finishing his report, Luke said to Shelley: "After returning to the base in Fury City, the Armored Assault Division of Fury City will be reorganized into a magical fortress with automatic production and automatic replenishment capabilities, accumulating technology and strategies and tactics for future more advanced wars.
As the commander of this army, you need to strengthen your strength to cope with high-level battles."
Hearing about the war, Shelley asked excitedly: "Master Prime Minister, are we going to go to war with the Shining Gold People?"
Luke said: "As a soldier, just obey orders and don't ask questions you don't need to know. After you take a break, report to Miss Qingkong's museum. Miss Qingkong will develop a body transformation and strengthening plan .
Pisco, go find some sandpaper!"
Pisco had an instinctive fear of Sandpaper, a mechanical modification engineer. When he heard the Prime Minister asking him to find sandpaper, Pisco shuddered: "Sir, what do you want me to find sandpaper for?"
Seeing Pisco's expression, Luke couldn't help but smile and said, "The Alchemist Association of Fury City and the Magic Laboratory have jointly developed a magic-driven exoskeleton for the training of Magic Titan pilots. I asked the engineer to make a special one for you as a reward for your outstanding performance in the Northern War. The exoskeleton is at Sandpaper's place. Ask her to help you install it."
"Okay, okay!"
"There's nothing else to do. Just go out and do your thing."
"Yes, Prime Minister."
Shelley and Pisco left, and Luke plunged into the seemingly endless work.
At this time, in the manor of the Second Prince Alex, Alex was playing with the musket that had just been delivered from the Imperial Gunnery Research Institute at the shooting range.
A servant released a gray rabbit from 200 meters away, and Alex aimed the rabbit, which didn't know what was going to happen. The freed rabbit jumped two steps and was attracted by the nearby herbs, and began to eat them quickly.
There was a gunshot, and a cloud of mud splashed up near the rabbit.
The frightened rabbit ran away and hid in a bunch of grass in a few jumps. The servant immediately ran to look for the rabbit.
Alec didn't show any emotion because of the missed shot, but carefully checked the sights of the gun.
At this time, the guard came running over and said, "Your Highness, the former Prime Minister Gabriel is here to visit, and with him are more than a dozen former officials and well-known businessmen."
Alec adjusted the sights and pulled the bolt to push a new bullet into the chamber.
The servant caught the rabbit and threw it into the open field.
The rabbit fell to the ground and ran away like a puff of gray smoke flying close to the ground.
Another gunshot was heard, and the running rabbit tumbled several times on the ground, then died with its limbs twitching.
Alex was very satisfied with his marksmanship and asked his trusted guard, "I wonder if this thing can penetrate the golden armor of the Shining Gold Man?"
The guard replied: "Firearms are still effective against unprotected lightly armored units at a distance, but they are not ideal against magic protection and heavy armor. Close combat is not as good as a sharp knife; long-range is not as good as enchanted arrows, magic projectiles and artillery.
I heard from a friend who works at a gun research institute that the Magic Laboratory in Raging Waves City is using micro-carving technology to burn magic circles inside bullets. If successful, firearms that can fire magic bullets can be given to magicians to use, which can increase the magician's combat means. "
Alec threw the musket to the guard and said with emotion: "I wonder if I can get a gun like this when I leave the empire."
The loyal guard said sadly: "Your Highness, are you really going to leave?"
Alex said angrily: "If I don't leave, I won't have a moment of peace. Those people always want to push me to the front to gain their own interests. But can the current situation of the empire be changed by my power and theirs?
If I could win, I would not come back from Crescent Oasis.
By the way, who did you say was visiting? "
The guard repeated, "It's the former Prime Minister, Lord Gabriel, as well as some former officials and well-known businessmen."
"Gabriel!" Alec became interested when he heard the name: "Even this old fox can't sit still? Since Lord Gabriel is visiting, why don't we meet him and hear what he wants to do?
Take them to the Council Chamber."
"Yes, Your Highness."
In the meeting hall, Gabriel and the people who came with him sat on the seats on both sides. The fire in the fireplace was burning brightly, dispelling the remaining chill of early spring.
The second prince, Alex, had not arrived yet. The meeting hall was in complete silence, and everyone kept looking at the former Prime Minister Gabriel who was sitting near the main seat.
Resentment and worry made the atmosphere in the meeting hall very depressing.
After a while, Alec came in with a changed set of clothes.
Gabriel led everyone to stand up and salute Alex: "His Highness Alex, good day!"
"Everyone, please take a seat! Don't be so restrained. The only thing left for me now is the title of prince."
Everyone is seated.
Gabriel said to Alec: "Your Highness, have you heard such a rumor these days? 'The great emperor of the empire, our respected Augustine the Great, died in the coup launched by Fania a year ago.'"
Alec pretended to be confused and said, "I heard this rumor a long time ago. I remember that I was still in Crescent Oasis at that time. The person who told me that my father was gone... seemed to be sent by you, sir."
"Ahem..." Alex's relentless revelation made Gabriel cough twice to cover up his embarrassment: "The people who came here today are all trustworthy, so I won't make up stories. Your Highness Alex, such rumors would have been impossible to spread in Saint Lun City before, but now even the lowest citizens are talking about it.
The spread of the rumor was clearly condoned by the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Secret Service."
Alec asked knowingly, "Lord Gabriel, what do you want to say?"
Gabriel looked at the people who came with him, and then said to Alex, “During Meteorite’s visit to Golden Valley, many rumors spread in Saint Lun City about the Queen’s bloodline and the succession to the throne.
Now someone is spreading the news of His Majesty's death...
I think that soon the treacherous ministers will support the queen to rebel and usurp the throne, and seize the throne that belongs to the Augustin family."
Alec smiled and said, "So what? Do you still think I can stop it? Look at you, you were all important officials of the empire a year ago, but now you are just like me, with your wings easily broken by the meteorite.
Whatever you want to do, don't drag me into it. I know I am no match for the meteorite, and I want to live a few more years."
Gabriel said, "Your Highness, things are different now than before. Meteor is arrogant and conceited. He dared to openly oppose the Golden Man. Now the World Bank is withdrawing funds from the Empire on a large scale and leading the entire world to sanction and block the Empire. The Empire has not found a significant ally so far.
According to the latest information we have received, many big businessmen in the Innovation Society have been included in the World Bank's sanctions list. Some people's accounts have been directly frozen, and the wealth lost is simply unimaginable.
The Shining Gold People and the World Bank are simply not something the Empire can fight against. The Reform Society is already very unstable, and some officials from the Fury City system are also questioning Meteorite’s decision.”
Alec said calmly: "You came to me to ask me to oppose Meteorite?"
A big businessman stood up impatiently and said, "Your Highness, the arrogant Meteor has gone completely insane, and he is leading the empire to a path of destruction. It won't be long before the empire's economic system collapses under the blockade of the World Bank, the bankrupts will rush to the streets to rob, the army will rebel, and the empire will fall into complete chaos.
The Art County Federation is receiving full funding from the World Bank.
The victory in the North is only temporary. When the Art County Alliance invades again, we will be powerless to stop them.
Your Highness, only you can save the empire."
Alec glanced at the excited businessman and asked Gabriel, "What do you think I should do?"
Gabriel said meaningfully: "Your Highness, this may be your last chance to save the empire. As the World Bank's sanctions intensify, more and more people whose interests are seriously damaged will oppose Meteorite, including the Reform Society, the Cross Society, and the old nobles.
As long as you are willing to lead us, we can organize a large-scale rally and parade in Saint Lun City. People in the entire empire who are dissatisfied with the Meteor will come to support us, and more and people will realize that the Meteor is destroying the empire.
When the entire empire is against Meteor, he has no choice but to resign!"
Alec asked, "Will there be so many people supporting us?"
Gabriel answered with a firm answer: "Yes!"
"Why are you so sure?"
Gabriel hesitated for a moment, then said, "Your Highness, our presence here means we are ready and are just waiting for your decision!"
Alec looked at the people who came with Gabriel, and after thinking for a long time, he said: "What you told me was too sudden and too important. I can't give you an answer now.
Let me think about it and I'll give you an answer as soon as possible."
Gabriel knew that the shadow in Alex's heart was too big, and he couldn't make a decision to oppose Meteorite now.
"Okay, we will wait for your reply, Your Highness. Please don't think too long, we must first stop the Queen from usurping the throne."
"I know. You guys go back first."
Gabriel led his men away, and only Alex and his close guards were left in the huge council hall.
Seeing Alex sitting there for a long time without moving, the guard whispered: "Your Highness... I, I think... this is an opportunity."
"Yes, this is an opportunity. Gabriel and the others came to me with full confidence, they must have the support of the World Bank. If I agree to them, I will have a chance to become the emperor of the empire. But...if my father were in my situation, what would he do?"
The guard replied: "Your Highness, I dare not speculate on your majesty's far-sighted wisdom."
"Yes, my father is wiser and has a longer foresight than me." Alex said to himself, "He has long seen that Fania and I are not qualified monarchs, and facts have proved that he is very accurate in judging us. If my father were in my current situation, he would definitely do better than me, but no matter how he fights, he will never sell out the interests of the empire.
Gabriel didn't tell me that the World Bank was behind him, it must be because he promised many conditions to the Golden Man. I know these new nobles, their integrity is far inferior to those of the old nobles, as long as the benefits are enough, they can sell anything. "
The guard suddenly realized and said, "So this is why you didn't agree to their request, Your Highness. You are really smart."
Alec couldn't help but say with self-mockery: "Since those people who were attached to me left, the house has become much quieter, and I am willing to use my own brain.
Gabriel is dragging his feet. Even without me, they will still complete the task assigned to them by the World Bank. I want to see how Meteorite will respond."
"I know what to do. I will stop all future visitors for you."
"Hmm! Any news about Nightingale?"
"Yes, Miss Nightingale is now..."
