Chapter 533: The End of the Protean Family Incident
After much inner struggle and careful consideration, Clan leader Erwin Change finally made a decision. He clearly understood that if the Protean Workshop family confronted the Administration head-on, it would ultimately lead to unforeseen disaster.
Old Erwin took a deep breath, then expressed his agreement to Turs Corbett, promising to cooperate with the Administration.
"I am willing to submit to the will of His Excellency Abraham and sign a covenant of friendship with the Administration."
This indicated his agreement to select a new leader who would serve the family's interests and be recognized by the Administration. As Clan leader, he was willing to step back.
"Excellent! The Administration needs friends like the Protean Workshop."
Satisfied with his Clan leader's response, Turs waved his hand gently, and the countless mirrored [Väinämöinen] slowly dissipated, as if it had never appeared.
This gesture not only served as a response to the clan leader's decision, but also symbolized a temporary tacit understanding between the two parties.
After the two key figures reached an agreement, they walked side by side back to the conference room.
********
Inside the conference room.
When Turs Corbett and clan leader Erwin Change appeared simultaneously in the hall, the eyes of all clan members present were fixed on them.
The already tense and uneasy atmosphere in the conference room grew even more intense at this moment.
Everyone silently speculated whether this sudden crisis had found a way out, and how the outcome of the negotiations between the clan leader and the young Authority representative would affect everyone's future.
The clan leader's expression was a mixture of seriousness and determination, while Turs maintained his usual composure and composure.
At that moment, without further ado, their presence sent a clear signal—the Ever-Changing Workshop family, under the leadership of the patriarch, would embark on a new chapter. Although the future was fraught with uncertainty, at least for now, they had found a way to avoid direct conflict.
Entering the conference room, the old patriarch sensed a shift in the atmosphere, and his gaze slowly swept across the room.
Erwin's gaze fell on the faces of each family member, each one filled with complex emotions and profound meaning.
He first noticed the family advisor's expression, which was unconcealedly grimacing and lost.
Then, his gaze shifted to the family members standing beside the advisor. They gritted their teeth, their eyes gleaming with anger and resentment, staring intently at the other group of family members standing next to the Administration team.
Those family members standing on the Administration's side, their eyes filled with unease, shame, distress, and evasiveness, barely daring to meet each other's gazes.
The patriarch's gaze finally settled on Turs Corbett, his eyes filled with profound meaning.
At this moment, Erwin Change seemed to see through all the disputes and contradictions. He sighed deeply and said to the fox-eared youth beside him:
"That lord is truly resourceful."
After hearing the old patriarch's words, Turs gave him a noncommittal look.
"You still don't know him well enough."
As Turs spoke, his expression was so devoid of emotion that Erwin couldn't discern any useful information from it.
"You have ten minutes. Remember, seven o'clock. The newly chosen speaker must be here by seven o'clock. We will give them a gift—a phone number with direct access to the Secretary-General of the Administration."
With Turs's urgent reminder, the patriarch knew he had to make a quick decision.
Time was running out. He not only had to choose a new leader who could represent the family and achieve harmonious coexistence with the Administration, but he also had to ensure it was completed before seven o'clock.
The "gift" the fox-eared boy mentioned compelled him to take it seriously.
A direct line to the Administration's Secretary-General was undoubtedly a significant symbol, signifying that the new leader would have the right and responsibility to speak directly with the Administration.
"I'll make my choice within ten minutes."
The old patriarch sighed inwardly. He knew that no matter what the outcome today, the Thousand Changes Workshop family would usher in a new chapter.
Faced with Turs's request, he didn't have much choice.
In the next ten minutes, he had to make a decision that would both meet the Administration's requirements and protect the family's interests to the greatest extent possible.
Erwin Change took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping across every family member in the conference room, searching for the right candidate.
This was a crucial decision concerning the family's future; he must be cautious and decisive.
He had already begun planning how to find the new leader who best represented the Thousand Changes Workshop family within the limited timeframe.
**********
Among the Thousand Changes Workshop family, Mira Change's heartbeat was like a drum.
As the clan leader, Erwin Change, approached with steady steps, his heartbeat intensified.
He had exchanged glances with the elder from the Administration Bureau in the dimly lit room before; those calm, penetrating golden eyes seemed to have long since penetrated Mira's desires and ambitions.
Now, as the clan leader announced to everyone that he would be selecting a new leader for the family, Mira's premonition grew stronger. He was almost certain that he would be the new leader of the Thousand Changes Workshop family.
At this critical moment, Mira's heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Mira's gaze swept over the surrounding clan members, and he saw confusion, fear, and even hostility in their eyes.
He began to review everything that had happened today. In this battle of strategies and psychology between the Administration and the Thousand Changes Workshop family, that master had essentially grasped the lifeblood of the entire family.
Through in-depth reconnaissance and information gathering on the Thousand Changes Workshop family, the Administration not only accurately identified the conflicts and rifts within the family but also meticulously devised a series of operations to undermine the family's unity from within and transform them into "allies" of the Administration.
Psychological warfare and the tactics of division and disintegration were particularly crucial.
By spreading rumors and promises, the Administration successfully swayed the faith of some family members, particularly those dissatisfied with the current leadership.
This approach not only reduced the potential for direct conflict but also effectively exploited internal family conflicts, making those members inclined to cooperate even more inclined to align themselves with the Administration. Those family members now siding with the Administration were undoubtedly completely tied to the Administration's chariot, unable to disengage.
At the same time, the Administration adopted more direct measures against the core members who remained steadfast in their resistance. Through precise strikes and threats, they undermined the family's defense mechanisms, forcing them to confront reality and recognize the futility and danger of resistance, thereby gradually weakening the family's internal will to resist.
Finally, the final display of force increased the psychological pressure on the Thousand Changes Workshop family, deeply realizing the futility of resisting the Administration and thus pushing the family towards cooperation.
Mira Change stood at the edge of the family meeting, his mind swirling with thoughts.
He finally understood why his name was missing from the Moon Rabbit's list. It was simply because he had become a key pawn in the Director's eyes, the designated new leader of the family.
The Director's strategy was clear and precise: through internal division, potential threats would be weakened one by one. Members labeled "traitors" naturally could not assume leadership roles within the family.
At this moment, a realization dawned on him: he realized that the final choice for clan leader would inevitably fall on those members not marked by the Administration and who possessed sufficient qualifications and capabilities. In this internal struggle, those who could compete with him had either been directly eliminated, were on the fringes of the family, or had been labeled a "traitor."
Among the remaining unmarked family members, the only one who possessed sufficient competitiveness, besides himself, was Serena, the family advisor.
However, an advisor's role was ultimately merely auxiliary, not the core of the family.
Mira was convinced that the Administration must have conveyed its recommendations to the clan leader regarding the selection of a leader, and that this recommendation favored a candidate who was both suitable and capable of stabilizing the family.
Given this backdrop, the clan leader, faced with the choice between meritorious service and direct lineage, would likely favor himself, bearing the surname "Change." After all, he was both a member of the family's bloodline and possessed the potential to cooperate with the Administration.
Following all this logical deduction, Mira's heart was filled with mixed emotions.
For no apparent reason, he felt an unnatural chill, as if enveloped by a cold air. A primal fear began to rise from deep within him.
This experience went beyond ordinary fear; it was rooted deep within his soul, a terrifying premonition of absolute control and the loss of his own will.
From now on, he would be fixed on an invisible stage, an invisible hand forcing him to act according to a pre-set script.
Just like now.
Patriarch Erwin Change stood in the center of the meeting hall of the Ever-Changing Workshop Family. Before him gathered core members of the family and those newly "screened" by the Administration.
The air was thick with tension and anticipation, everyone's eyes fixed on him, awaiting his final decision.
Erwin took a deep breath, his gaze scanning every face in the seat.
His heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions—anxiety, helplessness, and even a glimmer of hope.
"Our Thousand Changes Workshop family has weathered many storms to achieve its present glory. However, the world is changing, and we must adapt to this change.
After considering all factors, I believe our family needs a new leader—one who can lead us in collaboration with the Administration while protecting our core family values."
His gaze finally fell on Mira Change. Mira's heart nearly stopped at that moment; his fate was about to take a turn.
"After careful consideration, I have decided to appoint Mira Change as the new leader of our Thousand Changes Workshop family."
Alwin's voice was firm and clear, echoing through the hall.
"Mira not only possesses the wisdom and courage of our family's bloodline, but more importantly, he possesses the ability to communicate and negotiate with the outside world. This is our family's most valuable asset at this time."
When the patriarch announced Mira Change as the new leader, the atmosphere in the conference room suddenly became audible.
Clap, clap, clap—
Turs was the first to break the silence, clapping softly, his applause echoing throughout the empty conference room.
Following him, Moon Rabbit and the other Administration staff also began to applaud, as if in tacit approval and support of the decision. The applause gradually grew, and the entire hall seemed to be filled with this sudden enthusiasm.
Elsewhere, the family members exposed as traitors breathed a sigh of relief. They secretly rejoiced, believing that Mira's ascension might offer them a glimmer of hope. Mira was known within the family as an "honest person," gentle and polite, and eager to help others.
They didn't know that Mira herself was a more hidden "traitor."
The atmosphere among the original family members was quite different.
The family advisor's expression darkened, as if expressing dissatisfaction or disappointment with the sudden decision.
The surrounding family members began to murmur, their expressions varying. Some expressed confusion, while others murmured, seemingly assessing the implications of this decision for the family's future.
Although some expressed a certain lack of acceptance, the overall atmosphere in the hall remained relatively calm, indicating that most family members tacitly approved of, or even supported, this decision.
At this moment, Mira Change stood at the center of all attention. His heart was undoubtedly filled with mixed emotions: anticipation for the future, yet anxiety about the responsibility he was about to shoulder.
Soon, the applause faded.
Turs stepped forward, his gesture capturing the attention of everyone present.
He pulled a small space capsule from his pocket. With a gentle squeeze, the capsule instantly unfolded, transforming into an antique yet exquisite rotary dial telephone.
The telephone's appearance seemed somewhat outdated, yet it exuded a unique charm.
Its body was crafted from dark wood, coated in a lustrous lacquer that reflected soft light. The rotary dial was crafted from polished brass, each numeric key engraved with intricate patterns, lending it a refined air of refinement. The receiver, likewise made of brass, and the cable were wrapped in high-quality black fabric, exuding a sense of old-fashioned elegance and prestige.
Turs placed the phone in front of Mira, his voice undeniably serious. "The number is seven sevens. Now, it's your turn to dial and express your sincerity to the Director."
His words echoed throughout the conference room, and all eyes once again focused on Mira. Mira stood there, facing this phone imbued with such symbolic significance, his fingers touching the rotary dial, a complex mix of emotions filling his heart.
Mira took a deep breath and began to dial the fateful number—seven sevens.
When the dial tone died down and the line connected, Mira Change took a deep breath and clasped his hand tightly around the receiver.
He was silent for a moment. Then, every word in his voice was imbued with a deep sense of humility and awe, as if each word trembled slightly, revealing his boundless respect and awe for the person he was about to speak to.
"Your Excellency, Saint Abraham, this is the Thousand Changes Workshop. I, Mira Change, have been carefully selected by my family and have the honor of becoming the new leader."
His tone was steady and solemn as he continued, "As our family reaches this historic turning point, I, carrying the collective will of our entire family, express our deepest respect and unwavering submission to you and the Administration."
A calm yet commanding response came from the other end of the line, a voice imbued with irresistible power and gentle tolerance.
"Mira Change, I receive your respect."
...