The hundreds of square ters of the bath pool only served one person, the King who lay in the pool, relaxing his nerves with the hot water.
When he was first found by the Federation people, he was actually very nervous, so frightened that he nearly wet himself.
He thought the Federation people wanted to kill him; he almost confessed that he was just an impostor. It was fortunate that the polite attitude of the Federation people prevented him from saying things he shouldn’t.
Because of this, he got the life he has now.
Unlike other royal mbers in this Royal Palace who lived in fear, thinking that it was only a matter of ti before the Federation people would rush in and kill them, just like they did with the old King!
Yes, until now, many mbers of the royal family believed it wasn’t so party or faction that killed the old King, but the Federation people.
By eliminating the old King, they achieved their ambition to control this country with a puppet. When they deem it appropriate, they would remove the remaining royal mbers, and Nagariel would truly be finished.
Everyone lived in fear; the Federation wouldn’t allow royal mbers to leave, which served as a sort of intimidation.
Only the King himself knew that there’s no need to be afraid. Even if the whole world wished for their end, the Federation would hope they continued to live well and prosper.
Otherwise, how could they prove their actions towards Nagariel weren’t for power and gain?
During these years when he replaced the Eldest Prince in studying, he didn’t just do nothing; he learned a lot of knowledge. Although he seldom interacted with others, he wasn’t without communication and wasn’t a fool.
In this cold country and cold Imperial Palace, there was no one more reliable than the Federation people.
He was thinking about the things he discussed with the Federation people—
When the ti was right, he would get out of here, retire early, and go to the Federation to enjoy his later years.
The Federation also agreed with him, giving him a new identity and a large sum of money, enough to spend extravagantly for a lifeti.
Five years at most; that was the promise given to him by the Federation people.
Thinking of this, his originally dim life beca so bright and he couldn’t help but smile.
But at this mont, chaotic footsteps disturbed him.
No one should co to see him at this ti, and the footsteps were heavy.
The maidens in the Royal Palace were not allowed to wear shoes to prevent their shoes from damaging the gemstones embedded in the floor, so those girls walked without making noise.
Those who made noise were only n, and everyone knew his little "habit"; no one would disturb him at this ti.
Startled at heart, the still pool water centered around him, causing ripples to spread outward.
He suddenly sat up and opened his eyes, but it was already too late.
A chill went from his rear to the back of his head as an invisible power brushed him, causing him to shiver.
The Eldest Prince looked at the impostor lying in the bath pool without showing any abnormal expression; his identity was not suitable to be revealed right now.
If those who supported him realized they had actually been supporting the Eldest Prince all along, their faith would collapse.
The Eldest Prince didn’t know what would happen to them in the future, but he himself would surely die, and be killed by them.
"Cooperate with us, and you’ll live,"
"Don’t cooperate, and you’ll die. Understand?"
The "loose" guards in the Royal Palace were intentionally set by the New King for the Federation people to see. With plenty of Federation people stationed outside, he wasn’t worried about anyone intruding.
He just didn’t expect that not only would soone sneak in, but also find him.
A few footsteps approached from afar, and a few people found their way here. The Eldest Prince turned to face those people, "Take him away, I’ll co out in five minutes."
This was planned; with the person kidnapped, soone had to "take responsibility."
They learned from Alia’s resistance organization’s experiences, realizing they needed to leave so evidence to show that they were behind this, so they could gain fa, receive aid, and recruit more people.
These people silently pointed guns at the King. The New King could only put on a stone-cold face, get dressed, and follow behind them.
After they left the bath pool, the Eldest Prince walked to a wall.
On the wall was a creature with the figure of a human and the head of a beast with eight hands; it was an image of a deity from the native religion, holding eight treasures in its hands. The Eldest Prince pressed down these arms in order, and the idol and the wall behind it slowly opened up a space.
The operation of this vault had a sequence; any wrong step would fail, plus the other idols in the Royal Palace could also move their arms and legs. Anyone who didn’t know the details inside wouldn’t know there was a vault under the bathroom.
Three minutes later, he erged, his pockets filled with items, including a fist-sized gemstone and a bank deposit certificate.
Early the next morning, people finally noticed sothing amiss—the King was gone!
Once the Federation learned of it, they imdiately arranged for a thorough search inside the Royal Palace, and the results were very worrying. Within half an hour of discovering the King’s disappearance, news of his abduction spread among United Developnt Company’s senior managent.
Lynch was having breakfast when the phone rang on the landline not far from him.
"The King has been secretly kidnapped. They say they will send a videotape to the TV station by noon today. Please watch it on ti and join our phone conference at eleven. The number is..."
Lynch took out a pen and jotted down a number on a note.
After hanging up, he called Mr. Truman and shared what he knew, "So Civil Party has kidnapped the King. Is there any further news?"
Mr. Truman told the people in the office to leave and closed the door, "We’ve investigated this Civil Party. It’s said that the forr King and Queen were killed by the leaders of this party. They orchestrated the previous attack on the Royal Palace."
"When we traced it back, we found that this Civil Party is actually the forr Nagariel Youth Party."
"As for the current situation over there, I haven’t received much information either. We’ll have to wait for further updates."
After Mr. Truman finished speaking, he paused and asked, "Is there any news from United Developnt Company?"
The Nagariel United Developnt Company’s infiltration into Nagariel is more profound than that of the military and governnt; they have perated every industry and region. The company might have information that even the military does not possess.
"No, but the board will hold a phone conference at noon. I think it very likely has sothing to do with this event."
"After it ends, tell what transpires during the eting, if possible..."
Neither of them had any further insight on the matter. They exchanged the limited information they had and hung up.
At eleven o’clock, the phone conference comnced, and Lynch joined it from his study.
There was silence; everyone was waiting for updates.
Around eleven-thirty, the captors delivered the videotape to the TV station, and the phone conference broadcasted its audio every second.
According to professional descriptions, the King was in a very confined room, beaten quite severely, with two ard individuals holding guns against his head.
Following the captors’ demands, he stated their demands.
Briefly, there were two points: Firstly, supporting Nagariel’s people to stand up and resist foreign domination.
Secondly, calling on people to join the Civil Party to fight the Federation to achieve national freedom and glory.
Just as the TV station broadcasted a bit of the news, the signal got cut off.
It was at this mont that Mr. Jeruno’s voice sounded.
"I believe everyone has already learned through their channels what has happened here. Our interests are under unprecedented threat, which goes against our initial plans."
"The facts prove that there still exists a small group of opportunists in Nagariel seeking to overthrow the current ruling class and political structure. Their presence has severely hard the interests of all parties."
"Given the current situation, I think we cannot fully entrust our property security to the military; we must take responsibility ourselves."
"After all, no one is more concerned about our own wealth than we are."
At this point, a familiar voice ca through, "Get specific; what do you an?"
This was Mr. Pato’s voice, highly recognizable, his accent leaned more towards Gafura.
After all, he claid to have pure "noble blood," so speaking the common language with a Gafura accent seed quite natural.
Mr. Jeruno smiled gently, saying, "In fact, I’ve been discussing with several mbers of Parliant these days about legally protecting our overseas property safety. Coincidentally, such an incident occurred."
"I plan to push forward a bill nad ’Overseas Security Bill,’ which at its core, entails that the ard forces we establish outside Federation territory enjoy Federation military powers and duties..."
Capitalists, especially big capitalists, have never been gentle. The core of this so-called ’Overseas Security Bill’ is essentially predatory.
Lynch’s fierce developnt overseas made him a representative figure of this new generation of capitalists, though he does not see himself that way.
It is undeniable that his rise was largely due to having ard forces under his control.
Currently, the international situation is becoming treacherous, the military competition between countries has sparked so civilian ’outrage,’ which is favorable for the body politic but detrintal to capitalists investing overseas.
Lynch commands respect wherever he goes due to his manpower and weaponry.
Early and mid-generation capitalists find it unlikely to replicate Lynch’s success; Mr. Jeruno devised an approach.
If the mountain doesn’t move to one’s foot, then it’s oneself who should move to the mountain’s edge.
Once this bill passes, capitalists will be able to legally assemble an overseas military force recognized by the Federation.
Once they gain control over ard forces, the Federation’s capital force’s overseas expansion will beco even more unmanageable.
User Comments
0 comments from readers