When the plot-skips players into the game world

Isabel looked at Aiwass with confusion. Aiwass offered a smile and explained, "It's because Star Antimony is currently caught in a fierce internal strife. If Avalon were to encounter problems at this moment, for them to wage war against Avalon and win would be a very good way to alleviate their domestic conflicts."

"Why?"

Isabel pressed for an answer, "Generally speaking, isn't it impossible to wage war during internal strife? Why can't we simply announce that Meg has reverted to her youth to prevent them from starting a war?"

If it had been before, she would have known the outcome and not dared to ask any further.

But now she was beginning to try to explore the underlying principles—not relying on explanations from "teachers" or "staff officers," but attempting her own reasoning.

And Queen Sofia also looked over with interest. Ligeia casually moved to sit on the queen's lap, boldly wrapping her right arm around the queen's shoulder and looking back. Her tail thumped rhythmically, smacking the legs of the stool.

They were clearly also curious about the answer Aiwass would give. But compared to Isabel's questioning, it was closer to an assessment and a test.

Aiwass perceived their intentions, sat upright, and seriously answered, "The core issue for Star Antimony actually lies in their having expanded too quickly.

"The Kingdom of Star Antimony, the Iris Kingdom, the Narcissus Duchy, and the Black Hawk Duchy all emerged from the division of the Heracel Empire. Even the Knights of Avalon, who established their own country, were once people of the Heracel Empire... which is why their languages are similar.

"But the division of the empire, after all, happened hundreds of years ago. If they divided at that time, it indicates that they had irreconcilable conflicts. And without resolving these conflicts, any attempt to reunite them would lead to unstable rule.

"This is especially true for the Mage nation of the Narcissus Duchy... they were just annexed less than thirty years ago, not even a single generation has passed. Already being the power most likely to threaten Star Antimony, having been coerced by the former Black Hawk Duchy to suffer defeat by ambush and occupation, they are definitely not resigned to it."

Even during the late stages of Avalon's war of annihilation, the Narcissus Duchy never dispatched troops.

Those colossi and gargoyles were the creations of the Star Antimony people, and those elite soldiers came from Black Hawk—while the Daffodil Territory was already in a state of partial rebellion.

On one hand, it was because the governor overseeing the Narcissus Duchy in this generation was an ambitious person with outstanding military and political talent, supported by the mages; on the other hand, those mages naturally abhorred war.

"And Star Antimony is too remote from Narcissus; the entire Black Hawk lies between them, making it difficult to reach and govern. Moreover, recently, the Irisflower People have been supporting several rebel forces seeking to restore their country in Black Hawk... With continuous rebellions occurring in both Narcissus and Black Hawk, a substantial expenditure is needed to suppress the insurgents and pacify the people. The benefits of expansion have been depleted, and now they are actually losing money.

"In addition, within Star Antimony itself, as the Necromancers gradually withdraw from the power center, sending large numbers to the Black Hawk Duchy and the Narcissus Duchy... the factional competition between the Alchemists and the Demon Scholars has lost its buffer and become increasingly intense, gradually losing balance. No matter which side the royal family takes, it will cause discontent on the other side.

"And economic pressure would lead to a reduction in military expenses. Star Antimony chose to pass on this expenditure to the Black Hawk Duchy to appease both the Alchemists and the Demon Scholars—where the career soldiers, being the most affected by the reduction, come from."

Aiwass explained earnestly.

This was also the reason why Star Antimony chose to push through with high-end forces in a single sweep during the war of Avalon's annihilation, rather than relying on repeated combat with elite troops like they normally did.

"In such a situation, they urgently need a new war—a resounding victory, to ease the domestic strife."

"...But according to what you've said," Isabel appeared puzzled, "isn't their problem that they've taken too much territory? Why would they still want to continue waging wars then?"

"Of course, they know that, which is why there have been decades of peace. That's why Avalon and the Iris Kingdom have been able to survive... but now they can't stop."

Aiwass shook his head, simply answering, "If the Narcissus Duchy were willing to submit, with the help of those clever mages, they might have a chance to recover... but the Narcissus Duchy alone was not subdued by them."

Because they also couldn't subdue them. If it really came to a drawn-out battle, they might not be able to defeat the Narcissus Duchy.

"...So, you're saying that even though Star Antimony looks mighty and seemingly invincible, it's actually quite fragile?"

Isabel had an epiphany, "So Miss Ligeia wants the enemy to attack and fail, thus their internal rebellion will grow stronger? By then, they won't have the capacity to focus on us?"

"Hmm... something like that."

Aiwass smiled helplessly, "If we don't show weakness to the enemy, I fear they will continue to test our limits. And such probing in itself could harm us... It's better to let them attack, and then surprise them.

"After all, if they're coming here, they have to cross the ocean. That is a natural defense."

Without the treacherous Minister of Commerce, it's quite difficult for the people of Star Antimony to smuggle an army across. And in terms of naval strength alone, Avalon is undoubtedly far superior to Star Antimony.

——After all, having several Gryphons on a ship is pretty much the equivalent of an aircraft carrier. And at sea, the threat of storm-based abilities is greater than on land.

The Dragon Blood Edict is practically invincible in purging extraneous elements... as long as the energy level is overwhelming, exemptions are basically impossible.

And Meg, who had been terribly afraid of the Path of Dusk's Aging Curse, now lacked even this vulnerability.

It could be said that Miss Ligeia alone now has the power to protect a nation. As long as she demonstrates her strength, Avalon is essentially safe... at least it will earn the respect of Star Antimony and the Iris Kingdom.

Then, Aiwass wouldn't be tied down here. He would be able to adventure elsewhere and acquire equipment without worrying about coming back to find his home gone.

If they didn't showcase their power, both the Iris Kingdom and Star Antimony would always remain skeptical—is Ligeia really as strong as Meg? Or is she just a figurehead?

A solid punch will make them behave.

From this perspective...

When Aiwass helped Meg transform into "Ligeia," history had already shifted dramatically.

"You haven't actually told us everything, right?"

Ligeia said with a sly grin, her face twisted with mischief, "Why not spill it all?

"There is another reason... you want to kill those dishonest folks, don't you?"

...You actually figured that out?

Aiwass looked at Ligeia somewhat surprised, neither confirming nor denying.

And Isabel was startled, "Ah? Aiwass wants to kill who?"

"Those rotten Knights."

Aiwass said earnestly, "War is a good excuse... To send those Knights who have never experienced war to the battlefield, expose their weakness and cowardice, let the veterans share their experiences with the young; it's also an ordeal that allows immature youngsters to gain courage, to forge steel in the flames and to remove rust, and they will become our new pillars. Only then can a decayed Avalon like dry rot be renewed through blood and fire."

"...Oh!"

Isabel's eyes gleamed.

"To put it simply," Miss Ligeia translated with a smile, "find an excuse to send those disobedient old men and the useless ones to the battlefield to be killed; distribute some military merits to the reliable and redeemable young people and promote them. By doing so, violently shuffle the current Round Table Hall and replace it with people who are willing to follow your commands."

"...It sounds like the same thing, but this one seems rather wicked."

Isabel murmured.

Her Majesty the Queen couldn't be more amused.

She clapped her hands repeatedly, her face adorned with a rare smile.

"You have to be a bit wicked, Little Isabel. You're still green… You should learn more from Aiwass. See how he does it."

Miss Ligeia nestled in the queen's embrace, giggling: "Anyway, I have time now… I'll take the time to teach you how to be wicked."

"...Wouldn't it be fine if just Aiwass does it?"

Isabel glanced at Aiwass, her reluctance somewhat evident: "All I need to do is to genuinely be good to them."

"That's not to say it's impossible."

Aiwass crossed his arms and nodded in agreement.

It was nothing more than playing the good cop. He was quite skilled at that.

It's simply the difference between being fired from a company and being expelled from a biosphere...

Miss Ligeia smacked her lips.

She could see that Isabel was worried that by becoming wicked and becoming more cunning, her relationship with her friends—perhaps specifically Aiwass—would deteriorate.

It's not entirely impossible. Today's Sofia is completely different from the vibrant young girl he first met. Their friendship has lasted until now because both sides have made continuous compromises.

"If that's the case, Aiwass,"

Queen Sofia invited him, "Would you like to try joining the Round Table Hall as a start?"

"...As a Knight?"

Aiwass asked back.

The implication was whether he must inherit the Moriarty Family.

The Moriarty Family is very peculiar, having no side branches. If he were to inherit the Moriarty Family, it would mean that Edward and Yulia would be stripped from the family and lose their surname.

Although he didn't know the attitudes of Yulia and Edward, Aiwass was still reluctant to do such a thing.

"If you're not willing, you could also join as a minister,"

Sofia suggested, almost teasingly, with a light chuckle: "How about the Minister of the Department of Care of Magical Creatures?"

Aiwass drew in a sharp breath.

Isabel's eyes immediately widened.

Even Miss Ligeia's mischievous smile froze on her face.

The "Minister of the Department of Care of Magical Creatures" might sound rather humorous, but though it says "care of," it actually means "care of everything." They simply don't specialize in managing any particular area but can intervene in any department's affairs when necessary, according to the decision of the queen or the resolution of the Round Table Hall.

What's most important is that their status is equivalent to that of the other ministers. In other words, other ministers cannot govern or command him.

This is undoubtedly the position of a "senior minister of the country."

It could even be said he would be the queen's confidant, the highest-level envoy of the royal family.

Because there isn't actually a real "Department of Care of Magical Creatures," it's a position that can remain vacant. Since Queen Sofia's ascension, even her Crown Prince has never held this position.

"...I haven't even graduated yet, Your Majesty?"

Even Aiwass hesitated somewhat.

It wasn't that he was overwhelmed by the favor or thought he was incapable. He had no doubt he could do better than the majority of Avalon's ministers.

He was just wondering—if he really took up this position, would traveling become inconvenient?

The procedures for a minister to leave Glass Island would certainly differ from those of an ordinary person. Not to mention traveling abroad... that would basically be on the scale of an "envoy."

And Queen Sofia easily pierced through Aiwass's thoughts.

She reassured him, "Don't worry, it won't delay you... because you are the Minister of the Department of Care of Magical Creatures. You can claim to be on a special mission from me in whatever you do, including hiding your identity. And you won't have work on a regular basis... Hmm, I can transfer 'Miss Aleister' under your command.

"As for the Noble Red, I've decided to send troops for extermination. In a moment, I'll have George return to the military, and from then on, the regular army will take care of this matter, so you don't need to worry about safety—Miss Ligeia can protect your personal safety, too.

"You just concentrate on studying this week, getting ready for the advancement ceremony with Isabel. There won't be any more accidents; I will help you complete the other procedures... by the time school starts next term, you should be a minister."

The old queen said, winking playfully at Aiwass: "How about that, going to school bearing the identity of a minister—wouldn't that please you?" Stay tuned with empire

"Indeed."

Aiwass nodded honestly.

He had to admit, it was quite thrilling.