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Chapter 209 Empire

Castle of the Holy Horse, the highest council chamber of Ursus, the Imperial Parliament.

The young emperor calmly watched the two dukes arguing over the division of territorial interests. The so-called "highest" actually means changing the identity of the beneficiary of the interests to the "highest" of the country - is that right?

A small number of participants in this meeting were passing documents around to each other, but the Duke, who was paying attention to the debate, didn't care about this. This was an unwritten convention, and two meetings were going on at the same table at the same time.

When the impetuous dukes had argued for a result, they turned their attention to the master of this country. The latter naturally had a blank expression on his face. He only said lightly, "That's it, it makes sense, do it," and then signaled them to leave.

Three of the people at the table have left.

Not all the Grand Dukes attended this meeting, as it is generally difficult to get together for many reasons. And those who attended were not necessarily the Grand Duke himself, but his representatives. Of course, if it was a representative, then this person must have a strong say.

Not only the Grand Duke was present. In the lower seats, representatives of parliamentarians and nobles such as Islam Witte accounted for a smaller proportion. When the three new Grand Dukes at the outermost edge of the power hierarchy left, this meeting would eventually move on to the most important core issue of the purpose of this meeting.

"Your Majesty, yesterday's express report said that the unrest on the northern border has finally subsided, and the soldiers have held their positions, but... they suffered heavy losses. Two cannon positions have fallen, and the cordon has advanced two hundred meters into the hinterland. According to reports from Xiugurus and other soldiers, the potential for invasion has been eliminated. This battle was named the Taros Annihilation War. According to casualties statistics, four inner guards were killed, and ten Wendigos were injured ranging from serious to minor injuries. The total casualties of border soldiers exceeded 7,000, and four fortifications including the cannon positions were destroyed..." Witt tried to remain calm as he finished reading the battle report. He understood what the numbers represented.

"Three minutes of silence." The emperor said softly, stood up and took off his sword.

Everyone followed suit, and there was only silence.

After the moment of silence, the post-war arrangements also needed to be implemented by those in power. The current emperor of Ursus, Fyodor Vladimirovich, sighed. His country and his ancestors gave him an innate pride, but at this moment, his expression was also complicated: "At least the No. 2 defense line was defended... Pensions must be implemented. The sacrificed soldiers will receive pensions to their families at the first level standard. The injured with serious disabilities will be reduced by half a level, and the rest will be reduced by one level."

"The reconstruction of important positions must also be expedited. I hope Your Majesty will allocate additional financial funds to prevent the monsters from counterattacking and to ensure that the soldiers' sacrifices do not become meaningless." A Grand Duke proposed solemnly.

The emperor nodded: "Approved. Speaker Witte will handle it."

Witte hesitated for a moment and replied, "Your Majesty, due to the previous series of turmoil and two consecutive years of disaster, the national treasury is tight and the economy is still recovering. At this time, the expenditure exceeds the original budget..."

"Then deduct it from my usual activities. If it's not enough, then temporarily increase taxes. Give a reasonable announcement. If it's still not enough... You should all understand the importance of the matter and set an example."

Having said this, he looked at the grand dukes opposite him, and the meaning in his eyes was self-evident.

"Your Majesty, we should follow your example." The grand dukes naturally agreed readily and seemed extremely loyal.

However, some of the Grand Dukes were somewhat indignant: "Your Majesty, Grand Duke Baikal and his men don't need to show some performance? They have reached out to the Empire many times, not to mention that they also--"

Suddenly realizing that he had lost his voice, the Archduke who had spoken apologized immediately and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead imperceptibly as he sat down.

"This is also another important topic for the next part... It is also related to the failed integration movement that was recently suppressed. According to relevant intelligence, they are showing signs of moving southward." Witt glanced at the emperor, who nodded and signaled him to continue. "And the south is Chernobyl, which is within the sphere of influence of Grand Duke Baikal."

"Reintegration Movement? Just a bunch of bugs relying on guerrillas. The leader, Vaifan, what's her name, Tallulah? She can even do such a vicious thing as patricide. What kind of good future can she have?" The spokesperson for an Archduke couldn't help but sneer.

"Yes, Grand Duke Koschei was really blind and adopted a poisonous snake."

Fyodor watched the grand dukes talking and wondering, how many of them were really stupid?

What he heard was not the sound of words, but the sound of these people in power chewing on the huge profits generated by Kosice's death. How many of them had close ties with the three archdukes who had just left and seemed to have no interest in these core issues?

He thought about it and felt sick, but he raised his head and smiled heartily: "Yes, I am indeed overthinking. What kind of waves can a bunch of rabble make? However, in order to suppress the Reunion Movement, you still need to pay more attention in your respective territories, so as to get rid of the pests of the Empire as soon as possible."

He deliberately bit the words "Imperial Pest" and then stood up: "So, my dear ministers, are there any issues that need to be reconsidered?"

"Your Majesty, on behalf of the Grand Duke, I have a question about a detail. The Grand Duke has been brooding over this matter." A certain Grand Duke's spokesperson who had been silent suddenly spoke up. The person he represented was the descendant of the assassinated Grand Duke Vanya. The new Grand Duke was quite capable, and unlike others, he still inherited the name "Vanya". Although his power had shrunk, he still surpassed some Grand Dukes and stood at this level of power.

"explain."

"When the goblins invaded before, the empire's troops were also attacked by a powerful blood demon, and all of them died. It is estimated that he should be the initiator of the previous series of blood demon incidents. At the same time, it was also observed that he collided with an unknown energy source and finally lost his trace."

"What does Colonel Lovstein want to ask? Do you want the Empire to thoroughly investigate this matter?" The emperor went straight to the point.

"No, Your Majesty, this is a trivial matter. It's just that there is one thing that Grand Duke Vanya has always been concerned about - the sorcerer who interfered with the second sarcophagus energy research four years ago... Is he also the source of that unknown energy?"

"He caused considerable damage to the empire..."

As soon as these words came out, the Grand Duke and his agents also recalled that night, a bone-chillingly cold night when a fierce battle unfolded in Grand Duke Vanya's territory. One of the parties was the Blood Demon, whose energy fluctuations were similar to those of this incident to a certain extent, dyeing the dark sky with a layer of blood, while the other party created an icy storm overnight with an energy scale that was comparable to a level 2 natural disaster.

A mountain range was permanently changed and could no longer be recognized in its original form. The blood demon's life breath could no longer be detected until he appeared again this time. The chain reaction caused the engines of two mobile cities thousands of meters away to be damaged. The fuel consumption increased several times overnight, and a large number of facilities were frozen and destroyed.

The sorcerer had completely lost contact. He had previously sneaked into the sarcophagus research institute, but because his tracks were discovered and the blood demon appeared, he had to give up his original purpose.

When other grand dukes gradually forgot about the matter, only Grand Duke Vanya saw the possibility and has been paying attention to it until now.

"The weather monitors did not detect any significant abnormal drop in temperature." Witte answered the question for the emperor.

"Is that so? It seems that the Grand Duke is worrying too much. Your Majesty is wise, and I have no doubts about it."

With these words, the meeting ended successfully. Fedor left first, followed by Witt. The two walked one after the other for a long time until they came to a platform where there was no one else.

"Witt... In your opinion, how many resources are there that can be used?"

"Your Majesty... I will do my best." The answer was very tactful.

"Hmph... The honor of the empire is being borne by people like this? Once the financial allocations are allocated, how much can actually be invested in practical matters? How much of the example can they set?" Behind the young emperor's anger was powerlessness. He was the pinnacle of power in Ursus, but he could not control everything in Ursus.

"Then, given the current situation, Your Majesty, I'm afraid you can only make efforts with the infected... They are also a kind of force. According to the intelligence, 'They may be able to adapt to the times and shine with a brilliance that everyone will pay attention to.'"

"…What do you think, Paintbrush?"

"Hiss... huh... meet your majesty." The new generation emperor Li Blade, who had appeared on one knee, slowly stood up. "In my opinion... betting on the Reunion Movement still has unsafe risks, but it also has the potential for huge returns."

"Be more specific." Fyodor's face showed no emotion at the moment.

"In terms of the most intuitive combat power, if the Patriot returns... the regular army led by him will be able to defeat any army group, there is no doubt about it."

"Go on, this is not a situation that can be controlled by one army."

"This operation... there is another person in the Reunion Movement who can control the 'Nation'... to be more precise, he can control the evil demons... if we can understand the principle, the North will be safe."

"…Paintbrush, you should know that guesses cannot be reported with such certainty."

“…That’s the truth.”

The expression of the person in power changed, but it was still not enough.

"Hiss... The power of the infected is lurking in various parts of the empire. Although it has been completely suppressed by the empire for the time being... But when the troubled times come, their power will be revealed to everyone... They are also part of Ursus."

"Paintbrush... You are a young man. I can understand that your ideas are much more radical, but ask yourself, can they really compete with the 'Empire's Blade'?"

"...I am only expressing my opinion. To be honest...I don't know."

"Are you shaken?"

"..."

"That's enough..." Fyodor was more helpless, "What I can fight for is too little."

"Your Majesty..." Witt had been listening to the conversation quietly, and at this moment he couldn't help but feel worried.

"Witt, my most trusted minister, you have also seen how many people are doing things at the table of honor of the empire that I, the emperor, don't even know about. Ursus...can no longer indulge in the glory of the past."

"I will do my utmost for the empire." Witt took a deep breath and realized that the king in front of him was remembering his conversation with the magician again. In that unexpected meeting unknown to the world, it was he who awakened Fyodor. The two young men planted a seed for Ursus.

Although he was too young, he had a maturity that was different from that of a child. His shocking ideas opened the door to a new world for Fyodor.

I just don’t know if there will be a chance to see you again in the future.