Daxis, Viscount's Palace.

All seemed peaceful this morning—Madame whispered something to the head maid in the room. The silver-haired girl is still sleeping soundly on the soft bed; The servants and guards got up early and dutifully did their jobs.

Because of the Viscount's compromise, the economic pressure and blows from the aristocratic faction did not come in the end. The town, which has gradually recovered, is beginning to feel like it was when it was prosperous.

The only difference is that next to the viscount's study, under the fragrance of black tea, the father and son fell into an eerie silence.

The servants said that it was very strange - when their young master came back last time, he still looked very kind to the master and his wife, and it was said that he also brought a girl back - but this time the feeling was obviously different.

But even so, the servants did not care too much - and to be honest, they had already heard about it by working in the Viscount's Mansion all year round, and they already knew the reason for such an atmosphere.

“…… What books did you give away? After a long time, Heliga asked softly. My father had a few white strands in his hair, and he looked much older, but of course he was not young at his age. He knew that his father must have given a lot in a place that his irresponsible successor could not see—and because of this, Heliga, who had never asked these questions before, was finally determined to ask this question.

His father promised him that he would take care of everything in the house, so that Heliga could roam freely outside with peace of mind. In fact, he did this in the past few years - because at that time, Hailiga was still a confused teenager, he didn't know the meaning of life, and he didn't have a clear goal, and going out was both an opportunity and a challenge. As a parent, even if you are reluctant, you can't restrain your child's desire to fly freely.

Fortunately, Heliga did not, as some people do, leave the shelter of their home harbor and be tainted by evil and darkness and embark on a path of no return. He returned, as a victor, as a more mature person, as a person who could take responsibility – returned.

He used to be a seedling that thrived under the wings of his parents. Parents have created a good environment for themselves by blocking all responsibilities and criticisms—and now, they are finally showing their tiredness and old age. But he is no longer the traveling teenager who has nothing to do with the circle of the imperial aristocracy. He is now a key participant in the Prince's Project for the Prince of Olibat, and is also a person who has experienced the changes related to the "Floating City". More importantly, he had completely overcome the cowardice in himself, and he was not afraid of the power itself and was ready to realize it accordingly - which is why he considered himself qualified to participate in the discussion of these things.

Now Heliga is strong enough—strong enough to protect those he cherishes from threats and abuses. Even if not everything in this world can be solved by force—he thinks so.

And Wernas, no doubt felt this consciousness and will in his son's eyes and tone. The smile on the corner of his mouth after taking a sip of tea was both relieved and sighing. But in any case, the gaze that used to look at children is now almost completely eliminated.

"Some collections of paintings and calligraphy from the East...... Although it is also a cherished thing, it is still not as precious as those papers made by everyone. Werner said lightly, but Helliga could see that he was still quite distressed.

"That's an antique, too...... Probably no one in our family understands these arts, but my father would give it as a gift to a friend who knows the goods, right? Heiliga scoffed, "In the hands of that kind of person, I feel that these paintings and calligraphy are even more pitiful." ”

"yes...... Count Goti and they ...... Not a lover of art. They collect art for others to see, to show off the fact that they are rich......" There was some regret in Werners's voice, "but you understand it now, right?" In a sense, this is also a "price...... In their eyes, I was nothing more than an unsociable frontier nobleman who could not withstand their pressure and had to fall to their side—how could they treat me equally if they were dismissive even to the members of the nobility who did not have enough power within the Gongdu? I had expected this kind of thing for a long time. ”

"Even so...... You're still very reluctant. Heiliga whispered.

"yes...... But I judge that this choice is necessary. "As a nobleman, the most important thing is your own duty...... Protect the people of the territory. If I don't agree to their terms, the economic sanctions of Gongdu will come down...... You know how hard life can get for people here. It doesn't matter if I lose some face, the important thing is that everyone lives well. ”

I understand all these truths...... They all understand. Somehow, Heliga, who had accepted this fact, suddenly felt a strong antipathy in his heart at this moment, "If it had happened to someone else, I might have brushed it off with this kind of rhetoric - but this happened to you...... It's also about me - I don't want to accept that fact like that. ”

"......" Wernerston paused, did not speak, but looked at his son with complicated eyes.

"How about you leave this matter to me?" Haley forced his voice to calm down, "Although there is no guarantee that you will get back those few treasures of yours. ”

“…… What do you want? Werner asked, curious.

"Kill him...... It's actually pretty easy to do, you know? Heliga said half-jokingly, half-earnestly.

“…… I know you're joking, even though you have the ability now, if you really want to do this, I'm afraid no one in the entire empire will be able to stop you......" Zhizi Mo Ruofu, this kind of extremely dangerous-sounding speech, it only took a second for Wernas to react, "but take a step back - you should also know the cost of doing this." ”

"yes...... I understand. Count Gotti is one of the leaders of the Empire's financial industry, and his presence is conducive to the economic stability of the Empire - if he is killed, then the Empire's economy is bound to be greatly shaken. When the time comes, internal social problems such as financial market disruption and massive unemployment will not be discussed...... At the very least, the enemy in the East, who is poised to attack, may take the opportunity to attack the Empire—you guess want to say so. ”

"yes...... You get the idea. Werner nodded, "The angry words are also said...... I'd like to hear what you really think. ”

"Hey, that's a father." Heiliga smiled evilly, "I can't do anything with him, but what about his personal property...... The consortium and power that belongs to him are indeed very large, and they cannot be brought down in a moment and a half - but his personal assets may not be safe and sound. ”

“…… This choice is dangerous enough. Werner was noncommittal.

"If it doesn't affect the market, it won't get in the way - it will just make him depressed for a while." I can't kill you, can't I still disgust you as you disgusted my father? "This is also the most feasible conclusion I have come to after reasoning...... Of course, if the "that" that the prime minister hinted at really happens, maybe everything will change......"

"Prime Minister?" Werner couldn't help but blurt out, "The Iron Prime Minister"? ”

"Ahh......h I haven't mentioned it to you yet. In fact...... "Heliga unreservedly told his father about Prime Minister Osborne's appearance in Liebel, his meeting with himself and Olibat, and the content of his conversation. After hearing all this, Wernas's brow furrowed.

"That's a big deal...... The meaning of the prime minister is clearly ......"

——————————————————————————-

"......" was eerily silent.

"Father...... You should understand what he's talking about. Heliga said softly, "A steam chariot or something...... This kind of action can be regarded as a provocation to the aristocratic faction. ”

“…… Be. Werners nodded, "You can think of this kind of provocation and demonstration...... The Confederates will probably carry out a new round of recruitment. I've heard that the new tank from the RF Society looks like it's coming out soon. ”

"I've heard His Royal Highness say it, it seems to be called 'No. 18'." Heliga recalls what Oliebart accidentally mentioned, "It is said that the combat performance is much better than that of traditional combat vehicles, and it is also more suitable for multi-functional combat. Of course, the price is also very expensive. ”

"That's it. Some friends have told me that the design and first builds of these vehicles have been completed, and that they are now being tested in secret places, and that they are expected to be released soon, after which they will be sold to the major mech divisions belonging to the regular army...... However, this powerful new weapon is certainly not something that only the regular army is concerned about. ”

"In terms of the financial resources and connections of the Duke's family and the other three, it is not surprising that there are channels to buy these." "But in this way, this kind of direct face-to-face arms race will inevitably provoke a new round of intensification of contradictions between the aristocracy and the reformers...... Add to that the fact that Prime Minister Osborne almost deliberately shifted the "center" outside the Empire...... According to the words of the ancients in the East, this is called "the praying mantis catches the cicada and the yellow finch is behind". ”

"Hmm. It sounds hard to accept, but it makes sense. It's ridiculous that the fools of the Duke's family still think that they have the initiative. ”

Werners, who has always followed political current affairs, is sensitive to political signals. Osborne's series of actions may seem incomprehensible, but if you can get enough information, it is easy to string them together.

The contradiction between the aristocracy and the reformers was further intensified; The "RF Society", a new military industrial enterprise with large-scale assets, will also become the focus of contention between the two factions - Prime Minister Osborne's strategic focus on the major autonomous states at this moment may be a show of weakness and compromise in the eyes of the nobles, a manifestation of the end of the crossbow, but both Heliga and Werner understand that the prime minister is pretending to be a pig and eating a tiger - I am afraid that the killing tactics against the nobles have already been prepared.

Of course, in the event of a war, a nominal ignition line and signal point are also needed. Although there is no clue to see it yet, it is all too easy to deliberately create some conflicts under the current situation when the international situation has begun a new round of turmoil.

"According to my judgment...... This point that upsets the balance is likely to come from Cross Bell. After a long period of thought, Werners said with some apprehension, "My friends at the Imperial School of Political Science often write to me that the attitude of the Imperial Government towards Crossbell is very strange now—not so much a matter of business level, but a deliberate attempt to provoke contradictions and conflicts in the Crossbell region, so as to arouse popular discontent. ”

"For example?" This caught the attention of Heliga.

"For example, there are a large number of morally corrupt parliamentarians and politicians there, but there are no sanctions – it stands to reason that if the government really wants to fight with the Republic for de facto control of Crossbell, then this cancer should be removed. Although some of these existences can be regarded as lubricants for the imperial government to manipulate the affairs of the autonomous states, I really don't see any good effect on such a huge amount of corruption. ”

"Doing so will make it easier for the Republic's forces to infiltrate Crossbell...... Indeed, there is nothing good for the empire. "People who don't have real talent are needed in the workplace, but in any case, people with a high level of business should be the protagonists of the stage, and the Imperial Government's approach today is undoubtedly putting the cart before the horse.

"But it is precisely because of the infiltration of the republican forces that the various contradictions and conflicts in this special region of Crossbell can be exacerbated, so that it is easier to create some pretexts for war against domestic hostile forces." "But to be honest, although he and his men are strong, the opponents including the Republic are not weak...... If he gets rid of it, won't Crossbell be ceded by the Empire? ”

"He knew there was such a risk, but he dared to do it anyway - all for the greater good, and that's the terrible thing about such a person." At this time, Werner had calmed down, "gambling with the autonomous prefecture, the largest tax base of the reformists, to ignite the raging fire that burns the aristocratic faction - this is the spirit of the "Iron Prime Minister". ”

“…… I kind of understand why Prince Olibat described him that way...... If you really experience it yourself, he is really scary. Heliga sighed, taking pity on Lloyd, the Crossbellians.

"He is a man who feels more ominous and dangerous than the pedantic and archaic of the aristocracy." Werners warned, "Be careful, Heliga—the greatest threat is not the disgusting aristocracy, but the behemoth that is really hiding in this country. ”