"Ah, Shara, it's been so long."

A woman with a lollipop in her mouth greeted Shara Elkaras, who was resting with her eyes closed. Looking at the troops outside who were temporarily at a truce, she said, "The last time we met was on the battlefield with the monsters, wasn't it... Aren't you going home?"

The home this woman refers to is not the [Elkaras Mansion] which was not implicated by Ira, but a more distant place—the Elkaras Governor's Territory.

That was a place even larger than a duchy.

This is where Ira Elkaras was born... Of course, before Ira made a name for herself, this was just a baronial estate. Ira's grandfather was a baron, and her father wasn't even eligible to inherit the title.

“I went home the day the accident happened… Auntie, aren’t you the one who doesn’t go home often?”

As Shara spoke, under Hedy Lin's interested gaze, he looked at the young woman he called aunt in front of him, and then at the slightly younger woman next to her, nodding in greeting: "On the contrary, it's Second Aunt who has come back... Hello, Second Aunt, it's been a long time."

As she spoke, Shara pointed to the two women and explained to Heidi Lin, "You should know them. The sixth and seventh seats belong to my eldest and second aunts."

Upon hearing Shara's introduction, Hedyline did a quick calculation and then realized that the two people in front of her were her teacher's (Ira's) sisters. She nodded, extended her hand, and said, "I am Hedyline Miriam Worth. I have seen you on the battlefield. You are very powerful."

In response to Hedy Lin's request for a handshake, the slightly more mature woman nodded, extended her hand, shook hands with Hedy Lin, and said, "Thank you for the compliment. I am Rebella Elcaras."

They seemed very friendly...

"..."

However, Rebella's sister seemed less friendly. She scrutinized Heidilin, opened her mouth, and spoke with aggression: "Remera Elkaras... I will find a chance to kill you, Tenth Seat."

Heidi Lin, the tenth seat holder, immediately frowned at Remera's words... Even though they were governors with [seats], they weren't really [colleagues], so they didn't have much contact with each other.

At least, since she didn't have the surname Elkaras, she didn't have much interaction with the other consuls.

Therefore, Hedy Lin didn't believe she could have possibly offended Remera...

However, Shara and Rebella seemed to know something. The former sighed helplessly, while the latter immediately spoke up sharply to stop her sister: "Rebella!"

"..."

Remera remained silent, then turned her head to look at the stalemate outside. She pretended to be indifferent, but her voice carried a hint of resentment as she said, "Sister, there's the tenth seat, and the others... you're all traitors."

"..."

"..."

If Heidi still didn't understand after all this, she would be a real fool... She opened her mouth, but didn't say anything; she didn't know what to say.

However, Shara still helped her out of the predicament. Leaning against the wall, he comforted his second aunt and said, "Second aunt, as I said before, Uncle Ira's departure was not because of their betrayal... Uncle Ira just didn't want to stay in the Empire anymore."

Indeed, the resentment had been building up for a long time. What determined Ira's inevitable escape was not a single betrayal, but the pent-up frustration that had been building up for so long and could not be unleashed.

The system is what it is, and it cannot be easily changed... But without a doubt, Heidirin was indeed the most crucial catalyst in it all. While the other governors had already deliberately slowed down, she still chased after them, trying to persuade Ira to return.

She still has a terrible political sense...

The betrayal of Ira was not by any specific person, thing, or event, but by the Empire itself... Even when Uther was still alive, the outcome of the betrayal was already decided the moment he was born into the Empire.

"Sigh, she won't listen to reason, although I also have some... Anyway, we've come to hand over the reins. Your [Wings] are almost depleted, right? After the handover is complete, go back to the Imperial Capital to rest. Thank you for your hard work."

As she said this, Rebella stroked her younger sister Remera's head, then looked earnestly at Shara and Hedylin, and said, "According to the original plan, you two should pull the [Death Trigger]... The battle is currently at a stalemate, isn't it?"

"..."

Remera looked up, puzzled, at the person nodding and preparing to leave. Though still annoyed, she had to ask, "What do you mean? What did Isabella say this time? What's this 'Death Trigger'?"

This is incredibly disrespectful to Her Majesty the Queen...

Hedy Lin frowned, glancing at Shara almost imperceptibly. She realized how the handover team and its composition had been arranged... Just like her and Shara, the next group of [Seat Governors] would also have to be a similar combination.

One staunch Iraqi, one neutral... that's fine.

It seems that Princess Isabella has indeed grown after all, which is wonderful.

As Hedy Lin was thinking this, Shara kindly explained to her second aunt, who was unaware of the situation, saying, "During the handover, let those of us who are being replaced use [Death Trigger] to carry out a large-scale massacre... to advance the troops."

Upon hearing Shara's words, both Rebella and Hedylin simultaneously looked away and nodded... while Remera, however, visibly grew angry, almost roaring, "How dare she?!?"

The "she" here is undoubtedly Isabella.

"Didn't my brother tell you?! The Archon's [Death Trigger] is an absolute guarantee that the Archon will not sacrifice himself. It is a last resort for self-preservation that must never be triggered voluntarily and should never be used lightly!"

Remera said this, looking truly furious, clenching her teeth and fists tightly, "I absolutely! Absolutely! I will never obey this order!!!"

Yes, that's exactly why...

"Well, so Her Majesty the Queen said that this is not an order... If you are unwilling, you can proceed with the handover and protection as usual. There is no need to actively trigger the trigger. I estimate that many people, including you, will also be unwilling."

Hedy Lin said.

Remera: "..."

"..."

If that's the case, Remera really has nothing to say. The anger in her eyes vanished instantly, and she could only take a deep breath and complain with some resentment: "Ugh, intrigues, schemes and tricks... I really don't know who taught them that."

Hedy Lin: Isn't that your brother?

Shara: Uncle Ira must have taught him...

...

"It must be that wicked mage!"

"Remela said angrily."

——————————

Vera: Achoo!

(End of this chapter)