Camelot, Lion Heart Palace.
Princess Olivia was feeling somewhat anxious at the moment.
The stunning young woman, dressed in layers of luxurious gowns and with long golden curls, quickly walked through the hall, looking around as if searching for something.
Moments later, her eyes brightened, and she lifted her skirt and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window at the side of the hall.
A handsome man wearing a monocle stood there.
He was well-dressed, with a tall and upright figure, calmly overlooking the distant harbor.
"Mr. Sigma."
Olivia paused beside him.
She seemed somewhat anxious: "Count Allen told me that Brother Ryan's knight order has already left the Royal City, even his men couldn't stop the powerful Lionheart Knights..."
The man named Sigma turned around and gazed into the princess's eyes.
"I warned you long ago, Princess Olivia."
The diplomat from the Alliance was humble in demeanor, his tone steady: "Simply imprisoning Prince Ryan is useless; you must resolve to strip him of his wings and gradually deprive him of his power."
"Moreover..." Sigma added, "Count Allen actually didn't stop the Lion Heart Knight Order; he even voluntarily provided some supplies for the knights on their journey."
Olivia was momentarily stunned, her eyes quickly turning bewildered.
"Why?" she murmured, "Count Allen clearly swore loyalty to me..."
"The nobles pledge loyalty to you because the Alliance merchants I brought gave them enough benefits."
Sigma shook his head: "They are fair-weather friends. If you continue to let the nobles act duplicitously, they will eventually side with Prince Ryan."
"What should I do then?"
At this, Olivia was somewhat conflicted.
"You have the noble bloodline of the former king flowing within you, Your Highness."
Sigma's tone conveyed a sense of determination: "Once you make a decision and formally issue orders, the Alliance will help you eliminate all obstacles."
Olivia was silent for a moment.
She bit her lip: "But doing so, many, many people will die, right..."
"Your Highness, change inevitably means sacrifice; mercy cannot resolve the current situation. You must learn to use absolute power to intimidate those who harbor ulterior motives."
Sigma patiently advised: "Only by being feared in your conduct can you rightfully assume the throne and ultimately become the empress of this land."
Olivia pondered seriously for a moment, then spoke weakly.
"Isn't there a better way, Mr. Sigma?"
The stunning young woman showed a pitiful expression: "A way to make everything better without killing anyone."
Sigma closed his eyes.
He took a deep breath, rubbing his brow hard.
"Your mercy truly inspires me with genuine respect."
In the princess's puzzled gaze, he adjusted his expression and smiled: "I will find a way for you."
"Then I'll wait a little longer."
Olivia was relieved: "I trust Brother Ryan. If he reforms himself in prison, I am willing to return the throne to him..."
"Hahahaha..."
Sigma suddenly laughed, and then forcibly stopped: "Cough, cough... I'm very sorry, I was somewhat out of line."
He adjusted his monocle, his tone steady and strong:
"Leave everything to me, Your Highness, I will not disappoint your expectations."
Upon hearing this, a deep sense of gratitude filled Olivia's eyes: "Mr. Sigma, it's so good to have you here..."
The diplomat nodded slightly, his face showing a polite smile.
The young woman looked at the mature and handsome man before her, her cheeks flushed, and left contentedly.
Sigma sighed softly.
He gazed at her light-footed figure, disappointment and disgust flashing in his eyes.
A true mess.
In fact, the Grey-clothed Secret Guard he brought could easily crush those knights, but he couldn't do that for the time being.
On one hand, the Alliance is an idealistic romantic country; without the right justification to use Secret Guards, those leftists would seize the opportunity to portray him as an aggressive war hawk invading small countries.
The sharp domestic voices are enough to leave this diplomat overwhelmed.
On the other hand, the Empire is also watching in the shadows.
Due to the fierce war on the North and South Sea, both sides are severely weakened and are currently licking their wounds, temporarily restraining the urge to act.
In such a situation, holding power can cause deterrence; rashly exposing the actions of the Secret Guards would only create opportunities for the opponent and make him passive.
Sigma's expression was somewhat gloomy.
The princess's weakness is indeed troublesome.
Still waiting for Prince to reform himself, when all her siblings have been killed by him! Has she lost her mind?!
Sigma burst a vein on his forehead and forced himself to calm down.
Since the Governor entrusted him with handling the Lion Heart Kingdom's affairs, he must do a beautiful job.
Currently, the merchants he summoned are reaping gains from the shallow-sighted Lion Heart nobles.
They exchange Alliance's discarded goods for a large amount of local silver coins, then use the coins to buy lots of mineral resources to transport back to the Alliance; Camelot's harbor operates tirelessly day and night.
The greedy and foolish nobles' warehouses are piling up more and more silver coins, not realizing that currency is losing its intrinsic value.
But that's not enough...
It's time to spread the news about those oceanographers 'missing and killed'...
Sigma's eyes glimmered.
Fortunately, he was prepared; only by using hatred can he silence those peace faction people and set his mind at ease to exert his power...
While pondering, the light around Sigma suddenly dimmed.
Sunlight began flickering intermittently in the small space, and in the instant the light went out and then relit, a figure appeared behind the man out of thin air.
The newcomer wore a grey mask with intricate engravings, dressed in a hooded, wide grey robe, with an overall aura that was dangerous and mysterious.
"Is there any result from the Blood Plague investigation?" Sigma asked without turning his head.
"I would advise against inquiring about details of the Blood Plague; it's a type of 'cognitive curse'."
A cold female voice came from behind the mask.
Sigma nodded: "How about the Empire's side? Any traces of their activities found?"
"The Lionheart Knights have been using discarded Blood Flesh Empowerment Needle from the Imperial Legion recently."
"That kind of low-quality product that tears rationality and drives people into a short-term frenzy?"
Sigma adjusted his monocle: "What about the seller?"
"Haven't found them yet."
"Then continue the investigation."
"Yes."
Sunlight flickered again, as if a faulty light bulb. Sigma turned around, and there was still nobody behind him.
Seems quite a number of people will die on this land...
Sigma smirked contemptuously.
Ha, as if he cared.
Just then, a footman hurried over, bowed to the princess's esteemed guest:
"Sir Diplomat, Princess Olivia has arranged a banquet and opera for you."
Sigma's face immediately showed a polite and appropriate smile.
"It's an honor, I will go right away."