Chapter 1794 - 160: Enemy of the World (Part 3)

He glanced at Valentina and saw that she was also scrutinizing Fischer’s expression.

Feeling Valentina’s gaze, Fischer calmly looked at her. In his eyes, Valentina saw determination, which made her breathe a slight sigh of relief, yet made her feel something was amiss.

Especially when she saw the expression of the blonde woman behind Fischer, which was completely unruffled, even conveying a sense of regret...

She didn’t know how to describe this feeling, nor could she utter a "no". After hesitating for a moment, her eyes could only hold firm determination.

"Alright, let me inform the clan leaders of the current situation first, as for the time to execute the plan..."

"It should be the day after Master Tao awakens, it must be done swiftly, and everything must be ready before then."

"Alright, Fischer." Valentina nodded, took a deep breath, and prepared to turn and leave. After walking several steps, she retraced her path to draw back Alagina, who was about to walk towards Fischer. "This meeting is important, the subsequent operations might also need Miss Alagina’s guidance, come, we shall go together."

"?"

Alagina blinked cutely, silently watching Fischer as she followed Valentina a considerable distance away.

Though somewhat frustrated, before leaving, Fischer mouthed something to her that warmed her inside and made her stop resisting.

Hmm, judging from mouth movements, it seemed Fischer said,

"You too have it."

...

...

Earlier that evening, at Saint Nali, in the square before the Golden Palace, many citizens noticed the strange phenomenon surrounding the sky above Nali, and anyone with keen eyes could see that the frequent military dispatches into Saint Nali hinted at something amiss.

This situation caused a lot of panic among the citizens, with rumors spreading through streets and alleys that the circle of scarlet phantom mist surrounding Saint Nali portended ominous events.

And today at dusk, Queen Elizabeth stood atop the palace walls of the Golden Palace and held a press conference—or rather, it wasn’t merely a press conference.

The entire conference was broadcast across the Nali National, and the enthusiasm of Saint Nali’s citizens resulted in the square before the Golden Palace being tightly packed.

Queen Elizabeth stood on the palace wall, gazing at the scene in the sky, slowly extending her hand as if to grip the setting sun poised over the sea.

"The Empress!"

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

Below, the shouts of the citizens were deafening, the personal worship the Nali people had for Elizabeth being almost to the extreme.

Indeed, it was not hard to imagine. In just five years, Nali had progressed from a state where the Golden Palace remained detached and the exploration company dominated the Council, to a stage where new systems operated ceaselessly, making everyone wealthy. It was as though all Nali people who were farmers with hoes in the Middle Ages had overnight become the sophisticated middle class enjoying modern coffee machines.

Amid the rapidly expanding societal wealth, all issues seemed nonexistent, thus bringing about extreme adoration for the Empress.

Elizabeth stood at the city gate tower, the phantasmal scarlet in the sky bringing her consciousness under the sublime vision of an imminent new world order, while the shouts of the masses pulled her wandering soul back, making her look at the crowd before her.

Decked in splendid attire, she stepped out of the dais where she had ascended five years prior. With her appearance, the originally clamorous shouts below surged like a tsunami, almost shattering one’s eardrums.

Standing at the prepared microphone by Heidlin, Elizabeth offered a helpless smile, waited several seconds, then extended her hand as though lowering the volume button, and the noise below began to noticeably diminish.

Once everything was in place, Elizabeth solemnly spoke,

"The phenomenon in the sky above has recently attracted widespread attention in Nali’s society. I’ve heard some say it’s an ominous sign brought about by warfare in the world, proof of misfortune, a scene of decline...

"Yes, everyone, we must admit, the world today is facing rivalry and challenges. South Continent’s North and South Dragon Court are in strife, the Western Continent comrades have endured faith wars for millennia, the Wutong Tree dispute in the Northern Realm... All conflicts, all battles seem to have angered the Mother Goddess in the sky, prompting punishment for us, her merciless children... I understand no mercy, we understand no mercy..."

Elizabeth let go of the microphone before her, her hollow golden eyes lowered,

"However, to call this an ominous sign isn’t quite accurate, because the sky over Nali remains clear, our hearts still uplifted, filled with vigorous fighting spirit. Our civilization remains a beacon, illuminating today’s dark era. Everyone, this is not impending chaos, but auspicious. Proof of the Nali people’s prosperity and diligent struggle, the blessing of our cultural and ideological value...

"Over the past five years, I have diligently performed my duties, daring not to neglect even for a moment, lest my subjects and the nation barely emerged from darkness again fall into the mire, again tarnish the name of Gedelin meant to protect and guide all. On the day of my ascension, I swore I would be responsible for my country and my subjects, for this, I would spare no cost.

"I will enrich the people, even if it causes brutal bloodshed; I will bring joy to the people, even if it leads to enmity; I will grant freedom, even if countless fetters bind me..."

Elizabeth’s expression turned stern, yet as she looked down upon the dense crowd below, it revealed a motherly kindness akin to a goddess.

Like a celestial statue, she cast golden eyes to inspire all;

"I shall forge a new world order, even if it means opposing everything of the old world."

"My goals are pure, tell me, my people, can you quietly trust me at this moment, entrust your fate to me?"

For a moment, silence reigned below.