Chapter 110

As expected!

After hearing Leon’s words, the old man slightly furrowed his eyebrows and then asked in pursuit:

“Why did you kill him?”

“Because it was necessary for work.”

Since Leon wasn’t quite sure how much the old man knew about the “world beneath,” he didn’t immediately blurt out the lie he had prepared but instead countered with a question:

“How much do you know about the Clearing Bureau?”

“I’ve learned a bit.”

Having thoroughly investigated Leon’s file, naturally, he wouldn’t neglect understanding his job. After a brief silence, the old man waved off two officers and then lowered his voice, saying:

“The royal family has a manual; once a name is written in it, the person can remain ‘silent’ in the soul even while aware of anomalies, avoiding attacks from abnormalities. My name is on it too.

Also, since you mentioned the Clearing Bureau, does that mean this incident wasn’t actually an internal conflict within the Lane family but rather related to your bureau’s ‘work content’?”

A manual that keeps the soul ‘silent’? It seems not all ‘ordinary people’ are unaware of anomalies; there just aren’t many of them.

Keeping this information in mind, Leon finally nodded and said:

“Yes, Bobby Lane merged with an anomalous item. Not only did he try to seize the anomalous item I was guarding, but he also used the lives of ordinary people as threats to force me to reveal the Clearing Bureau’s secrets.

Although the Clearing Bureau has a rule against harming ordinary people unless absolutely necessary, the situation was urgent at the time, and he could no longer be considered human. So, I had no choice but to kill him.”

…

I see…

Upon learning the “truth” of the Lane Blood Night from Leon and comparing it with other known situations, the old man’s tightly furrowed brows couldn’t help but ease slightly.

If Leon had directly revealed the answer at the start of their conversation, the old man might have seized on a few points to continue questioning him.

But Leon first “stumped” him with two questions, confirming his level of understanding about the Clearing Bureau, before reluctantly divulging the “truth” of the Lane Blood Night.

As they say, a wife isn’t as good as a concubine, a concubine isn’t as good as a secret affair, and a secret affair isn’t as good as one that can’t be attained. The current situation is somewhat similar.

Compared to easily obtained answers, intelligence that’s hard-won naturally carries more credibility. At least the Minister of Defense, who only has a basic understanding of the Clearing Bureau, already largely believed Leon’s words. However…

“If possible, I hope you could change the wording.”

With a look of surprise from Leon, the old man seriously said:

“You can still explain things truthfully to your Clearing Bureau, but when others outside the Clearing Bureau ask, I hope you’ll cooperate with us and categorize the Lane family incident as an internal conflict.”

Us?

Even though Leon, as an “ordinary person,” isn’t very familiar with the kingdom’s political situation, he has heard some rumors about who stands behind the Minister of Defense.

“Is the princess planning to use this opportunity to move against the old nobility?”

“Yes.”

Frankly acknowledging Leon’s judgment, the gray-haired old man said:

“If you prefer, feel free to put it more bluntly… It’s a frame-up!”

In the end, apart from Lane Arms Company becoming Marsani Arms Company, those in the Road Administration Department, Ministry of Finance, Agricultural Department, and others with the surname Lane will all change to York or some other surname, but everything else will continue as usual. This country won’t change at all.”

After briefly explaining the potential scenarios, looking at the attentive Leon, the old man’s tone rose slightly, speaking solemnly: “But now it’s different. If you’re willing to cooperate and confirm that the Lane family incident was an internal conflict, it would create a perfect opportunity for the princess to take a big step toward improving the country!”

“I don’t understand.”

At this point, Leon frowned, asking somewhat perplexedly:

“Whether it’s an internal conflict or a rebel attack, aren’t the dead all from the Lane family? Why would it give the princess such a good chance?”

“Because the kingdom needs stability. No department should experience large-scale vacancies all at once.”

Seeing that Leon clearly doesn’t understand political maneuvering—perhaps even less than his own daughter—the old man thought for a moment and explained as simply as possible:

“Among the over 200 casualties in the Lane family this time, more than 100 were mid-level officials in various departments of the kingdom, especially in the Road Administration Department and the Military Department. These two alone lost nearly eighty personnel.

Of the forty-seven subordinate departments in the Military Department, a quarter began to backlog work documents. Two smaller divisions even temporarily shut down due to losing their supervisors.

Even if the old nobility quickly sends replacements, it will take at least a month or two for new officials to take over and get familiar with their duties. Fully clearing the backlog may take over three months, and for the next six months, relevant departments may operate inefficiently due to unfamiliarity.”

After briefly describing the direct impact of the Lane Blood Night, the old man continued earnestly:

“But an internal conflict within just one noble family could cause such severe consequences. What if two, three, or even more noble families encounter issues within half a year? That would be the best excuse to act!”

If this incident can be categorized as an internal conflict, the princess can use ensuring the normal operation of the kingdom as a reason to request reducing the number of old nobles in each department during parliamentary sessions, balancing their overly powerful influence.

Even if it fails, she can demand that the old nobility cede power, ensuring that no single noble family dominates any particular department excessively, preventing complete shutdowns when similar problems arise.

And when these noble families cannot dominate certain departments, those inclined toward the princess will have room to maneuver, attempting to collaborate with others to balance power, or even reclaim control of key affairs within that department!”

By this point, envisioning the beautiful future where the princess successfully reforms and clears up years of accumulated problems in the kingdom, the old man couldn’t help but flush slightly, his eyes full of excitement:

“Take the Lane family as an example. Imagine if the number of Lane family officials in the Road Administration Department were reduced to half or even a third of its original size. Would they still be able to control the construction of the Old District like before? If the number of Lane family members involved in military procurement were halved, would Lane Arms Company still consume so much of the Military Department’s budget every year? If… Is something wrong?”

“Someone from the princess arrived…”

One of the young officers walked into the ward with an order, looking somewhat strange and said: “The person sent by the princess says…the old Duke Lane is failing, requiring the top five heirs to rush over as soon as possible…”

The Lionheart Duke is failing? Hearing the young officer’s words, the old man’s expression brightened slightly, and he immediately stood up from the bedside, briskly saying:

“In short, consider my words. An opportunity like the Lane Blood Night won’t come again. Your choice might become… What’s wrong again?”

“That…”

Looking at the bandaged Leon lying in bed, the young officer helplessly said:

“This person here is the fifth heir to the Lane family…”

“…”

Ah?!?!?!

(End of Chapter)