While busy directing his servants to pack his luggage, Huggins noticed the king staring silently at the garden for a long time. After thinking for a moment, he asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, you are only going to the north to handle some business. Is it necessary to bring so much stuff?"

Todd smiled and said to him, "The barbarian camps in the north, serving as the strategic rear of Twilight City, are still under development, and their infrastructure and resources are relatively underdeveloped..."

Hearing this, Huggins, who only half understood, nodded and continued with his work.

A palace guard knocked on the door: "Your Majesty, Lord Emerson has arrived."

Todd straightened his collar and said, "Have him wait for me in the audience room."

Ten minutes later, Emerson, sitting on the sofa in the audience room, frowned involuntarily as he looked at the room's furnishings.

The glass case that was usually used to display the king's scepter and ribbons has disappeared; the pure gold city model made by the craftsmen when the city of Twilight was built has also vanished; even Todd's favorite knight's sword on the wall has only a mark left.

Has a thief been here?

Emerson scratched his head as he made this conjecture, but the voice behind him interrupted his thoughts.

Have you reviewed the proposal regarding cabinet reform?

Emerson quickly stood up from the sofa, watched Todd sit down opposite him, then pulled out a thick stack of papers from his pocket and said, "Your Majesty, I have read your proposal. Do you mean to establish a 'Knights' Council' outside the Cabinet?"

"That's right, I've written down the specific plan on paper. What do you think?"

"What is the main purpose of establishing such a 'Knight Council'?"

Perhaps sensing that his question might be ambiguous, Emerson quickly added, "After all, the kingdom previously appointed five hundred knights, but these people come from all walks of life. What do they mainly discuss when they gather together?"

Todd replied, "The Knights Council has two main tasks: to vote on the public budget and laws of the Kingdom of Muxi. The public budget here refers to the proportion and timeline of government expenditures within the kingdom, while the laws include all basic laws except for the King's decree."

Emerson nodded and said, "If these tasks are handed over to Parliament, then the Cabinet should focus on personnel, internal affairs, foreign affairs, and military matters."

“That’s right. Of course, the Knights Council is only responsible for deliberating on matters; the groundwork is handled by the government departments.”

“I understand that.” Emerson recalled something: “But public budgets and laws involve many professional fields. If we let unprofessional people vote on them, will it affect the rationality and fairness of the matter?”

"I've also thought about this. In addition to the five hundred knights already appointed, I plan to gradually expand the council of knights. For example, the kingdom could elect knights in stages..."

Emerson interrupted Todd: "Your Majesty, this is what I don't understand. How can the title of knight be decided by an election?"

Todd laughed: "Just as you said, a knight is ultimately nothing more than a title."

“This is different!” Emerson shook his head vigorously in excitement: “Knights have always been loyal to the king. If knights are elected, then where does their loyalty come from?”

Todd thought for a moment and then put it another way: "How about we call the elected knights 'honorary knights'? That way, they will be different from the knights I appoint."

Emerson frowned, hesitated for a moment, and finally reluctantly agreed to the king's opinion.

Todd continued, "In that case, the Knights Council will consist of two groups: one group consists of five hundred knights personally appointed by me, who will have lifetime seats in the council; the other group consists of 'honor knights' elected by the citizens of Muxi, whose status is only valid during their term of office."

Emerson sighed, "As Your Majesty would."

Todd patted the documents on the table, breathed a sigh of relief, and continued, "By the way, I have two more questions to ask."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"Both of these matters are related to alien species. First, how is the popularization of superpowers progressing?"

"The first batch of superpowers selected for vaccination are regeneration, X-ray vision, eagle eye, focused light, speed, and steel skin. Each person can only be vaccinated with one superpower, and the strength of the superpower is controlled between level zero and level one. The first batch of vaccinated people will be temporarily set within the eleventh district of the north of the city."

"When does it begin?"

"We are currently screening the first batch of volunteers early next month."

Todd nodded in satisfaction: "Very good. The second thing, how's the construction of the alien warships progressing?"

"The warship is currently having its hull built with a keel. The basic ship design is complete. The next step will be to connect the pilots to the ship's nervous system."

"Alien warships are an important military weapon of the Muxi Kingdom and should be a key focus of research and development."

“I understand that, Your Majesty need not worry.”

Todd sighed and glanced at the sky outside the window: "It's about time, I should get going."

Emerson looked at the empty room and asked curiously, "Your Majesty, may I ask where you are going?"

“The North.” Todd stood up from his chair, looked at the ‘Umbrella’ hanging on the wall, and said softly, “There are some things that have to be done.”

Turning around and seeing Emerson's worried expression, Todd smiled and shook his head: "I will regularly contact officials at all levels in Twilight City through the Soul Space, and remember what I have instructed you to do."

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