Sitting at the desk in the audience room, Todd flipped through the report submitted by Huggins, asking as he read, "Is that all?"

“The Dawson family is cautious, and most of them lead very regular lives, basically going back and forth to a few fixed locations every day,” Huggins said, stroking his chin. “I had the security agency divide into several teams to monitor their residences 24 hours a day. After three months, this information in the report is all we have.”

"Rutledge Dawson returned home at 6:30 p.m., had dinner with his family at 7 p.m., then went to his study to work until midnight before going to bed."

Todd looked at the report, thought about it carefully for a moment, and then asked Huggins, "Where did these records come from? Did the security agents disguise themselves as servants and sneak into their homes?"

Huggins shook his head helplessly: "The Dawson family and other merchant families have very tight security in their mansions. Our people have tried to sneak in time and time again, but they have all failed. These records were written by our surveillance personnel in the streets or buildings."

Todd placed the report on the table, frowned, and asked, "So, Rutledge's activities at night were all observed with the naked eye from a distance?"

Huggins paused for a moment, then nodded rather uneasily.

Todd observed Huggins' expression and actions, then suddenly asked, "Within the entire Muxi'an Group, has anything happened because of these merchant families?"

Huggins gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, "Just recently, after investigation, it was confirmed that seven people within the Security Bureau had been bribed by the Chamber of Commerce Alliance to perform surveillance work while selling intelligence at high prices. I have already secretly executed these people..."

“However, these seven people may not be all of them. There are likely other traitors hiding within the Security Bureau…” Todd looked at Huggins and said quietly, “The power of money is enough to make former comrades completely betray their initial beliefs…”

“Your Majesty, I have always been loyal to you! If you have any doubts about me, I can speak here…”

Todd interrupted Huggins: "Old man, I don't doubt you, I'm just worried about your decision."

Todd stood up from his chair, walked over to Huggins, and slowly said, "You are a man of deep loyalty. You can be sincere and entrust your life to those brothers who went through thick and thin with you. But the question is, when those who followed you in the past are blinded by money and power and choose to betray you, can you be ruthless and eliminate them completely?"

Huggins' face suddenly turned deathly pale.

Todd patted him on the shoulder: "There are some things you can't do well because deep down you still retain a bit of softness and hesitation. This is your weakness, but also your strength, so I don't blame you."

"But someone always has to do the thing of getting their hands dirty."

With his back to Huggins, Todd gazed out the window and said softly, "Huggins, take some time off and go on vacation with your family."

Huggins swayed precariously: "Your Majesty, is this your order?"

"No, this is my way of protecting you. Because you certainly don't want to see what's about to happen in the kingdom."

A moment of silence fell over the room.

A bitter and dejected voice rang out: "We obey His Majesty's will."

As the footsteps faded into the distance, Todra rang the bell on the table and said to the guard who appeared at the door, "Have Miss Rachel from the Alien Association come to me."

Half an hour later, Rachel pushed open the door to the audience room and saw Todd lying silently in a chair with his eyes closed.

Rachel walked behind Todd, placed her hands on his forehead, and gently rubbed them while whispering, "You look tired."

"If possible, I would give all my wealth for those days on the ship."

Todd closed his eyes, a faint smile unconsciously appearing on his face, as if the sound of ocean waves and sailors' laughter echoed in his ears.

"Endless responsibilities, the future of the kingdom, the expectations of the people... Only when you truly face these things can you realize how precious a peaceful and leisurely life is."

“From the first day I sat on the throne, I lived in anxiety and doubt. The first thing I did every morning was worry about whether the kingdom was safe and whether the people were secure. Countless nights, I was awakened by the horns of war and the cries of the dead. Looking at myself in the mirror, I would ask myself again and again, what have I done wrong? Have I failed the people’s expectations…”

Rachel leaned down and gently kissed Todd's forehead: "If I were to advise you to let go now, would you agree?"

Todd opened his eyes, looked at Rachel and smiled wryly, "If I persuaded you to abandon the alien race and fly away with me, would you agree?"

Rachel smiled and gently pinched Todd's nose. "Yes, you and I are really similar in some ways. We both have unfinished business... So, tell me, why did you call me here?"

"Let's talk about the beacon tower first. How's the translation of the notes brought out by the elders coming along?"

"I found two elderly people who are fluent in Old Thai, and they are currently working on the translation. If all goes well, we should be able to get the first draft in about two weeks."

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