All mbers of the Silver Brigade.
Except for Lucia, who had guessed it a long ti ago.
The others’ backs were suddenly soaked with cold sweat.
"... Just a little bit more."
Ofelia took a deep breath: "It’s okay, it’s okay..."
He was clearly the last one who was scared.
If Ingrid’s conspiracy succeeded, he would undoubtedly be the first to bear the brunt!
Not only would it disrupt the Ascension of the Sky Carriage, placing the future of this world in the hands of a person with malicious intent; it would also sever the potential future where he and the Winter Duchy allied to revive Dennisiowa; even Selicia could be in danger!
As a consumable in the ritual, it’s possible for Selicia to vanish into thin air!
"...It’s my fault."
Thus, without hesitation, Ofelia imdiately bowed and apologized to Arthur: "I’m sorry, Arthur. I was too impatient before..."
"There’s no need to apologize to ."
After the argunt ended, Arthur quickly cald down and shook his head: "I’m also at fault. No, I am more at fault. What I said earlier wasn’t an objective and rational viewpoint, but was mixed with jealousy and prejudice against you... It was who found you disagreeable from the start, that’s why I picked a quarrel with you.
"And I didn’t just want to argue with you... but it’s because your claims seed very cool and likable. So, I wanted to expose your true nature and make people dislike you..."
The "people" here clearly refers to Selicia.
Arthur doesn’t possess true "love" for Selicia.
However, he holds a possessiveness towards Selicia— and in the close relationship between Ofelia and Selicia, this desire was continuously being catalyzed.
And the usually good-tempered Ofelia, feeling the threat from Arthur, had reacted abnormally by engaging in a fierce argunt with him.
But once the impulse of emotion faded, and rationality returned...
Arthur and Ofelia quickly realized the immaturity of their behavior, starting to apologize to each other.
Different from Yufimia.
Neither of them were stubborn.
Once they realized their mistakes, and that they were being manipulated, they imdiately admitted their faults.
Indeed, there were many conflicts accumulated between them. But those were always personal grievances – their private matters. If their conflicts were exploited by soone else, then they would inevitably unite, first defeating that common enemy.
Rather than love rivals.
It’s better to say they are archneses.
Because their personalities, hobbies, pursuits, and even origins and standpoints were completely opposite. That’s why they were so incompatible. And because of this, they were able to understand each other so well.
Because the ones who understood them best, were their greatest enemies— which is each other.
As they started to honestly conduct self-analysis and self-criticism, the previously tense atmosphere imdiately eased.
"Now that you’ve decided to stop arguing... may I say a few words?"
Annan intervened from the side.
Ofelia respectfully bowed to Annan, performing a salute with the formality of the heir of Dennisiowa, to Annan, who was considerably younger than him.
And Arthur just calmly turned around, pursed his lips, crossed his arms, and nodded at Annan.
"The most fundantal contradiction between you... is indeed Selicia. But Selicia is a living person, who she loves is her business, and her will won’t change because of your duel, status, or the outco.
"Apart from Selicia, what remains is the clash of positions caused by your backgrounds.
"Ofelia, as Dennisiowa, wishes to liberate the royal power from the shackles of the Dennisiowa Privy Council, to allow the kingdom to function normally again, rather than being secretly divided up by ’advisors’ each with their own stance.
"And Arthur—fundantally, it is because of his self-confidence in his own abilities that led to his distrust of Ofelia. His words are not to suggest that those nobles must exist, nor is he discontent with returning to absolute monarchy... but rather, he thinks that Ofelia is unfit to be this person, right?"
After hearing Annan’s summary, the two of them were silent for a while, then nodded at Annan one after another, acknowledging his analysis.
"So, I have a bold proposal."
Annan slowly said, "You are aware of the special managent thod of The Holy Nation. The so-called ’Hall of Purity’... where seven Popes take turns to rule dictatorially.
"Thus, Dennisiowa could adopt a similar pattern... with the Pope of ’Yawen’ as the guardian deity, the King of Dennisiowa as the representative of royal power, and the Tower Master of the Volcano Forbidden Tower as the representative of the Transcendents’ power and diator of Transcendent conflicts, the three would jointly govern the entire United Kingdom."
In other words, to directly cancel the "Council of Advisors."
Or rather, downgrade it to a "Committee."
They can still offer suggestions and manage the nation. But they cannot touch the highest level of authority. Let the three most powerful factions, naly the royal authority, the church, and the Wizard’s Tower... jointly manage this country.
"Since the Wizard’s Tower has the most formidable military force, the military should be controlled by a party other than the Wizard’s Tower; and since the church has the highest prestige among the nobles and commoners, personnel appointnts should be controlled by a party other than the church; since the Dennisiowa royal family naturally has a strong claim over the country, they must stay away from ’legislation’.
"Coincidentally, the two of you have completely different stances, thods, and ways of thinking, and you also have very deep contradictions—thus, you don’t have to worry about colluding together and letting the country deteriorate again. The contradictions between you, instead, beco an advantage. Through this thod, all three parties can supervise each other. And because there are three persons, a majority can always be reached quickly, resulting in a unanimous opinion.
"The problems that the ’advisory etings’ have bickered over for years, also due to the complex interests of all parties involved, and that could never be resolved, can now be quickly settled. This would greatly accelerate the implentation of policies.
"—I refer to it as the ’Tri-Sage System’."
Annan slowly said: "If you can unite together, then many issues are not problems."
The two exchanged a glance, seeming to have an epiphany.
However, Arthur pondered for a while before shaking his head.
"...But I cannot beco the Tower Master."
He frankly said, "If my advancent allows that scher Ingrid to succeed, I’d rather not advance further. I’d stay at silver my whole life rather than let her have her way."
"It doesn’t need to be so troubleso."
Annan chuckled lightly, "Didn’t you say it yourself?
"Ingrid’s true identity is the Tower’s Child of this generation of the Volcano Forbidden Tower."
"You an..."
"Directly overthrow her."
Annan paused his scepter as he declared, "Since we truly can’t decrypt her ritual... then, let’s just directly eliminate the person who set up this ritual."
"—But that’s the Volcano Forbidden Tower!"
Arthur frowned deeply: "In front of the Tower Master and the wizards, forcibly killing a popular Tower’s Child... this might not reflect well on your prestige, Duke."
"What are you talking about? I’m just a passing guest, what ill intentions could I possibly have?"
Annan leaned back slightly, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but rise in pleasure: "I am here to help you deal with your issues. Naturally, this is your task to handle, just as Ofelia has also agreed to clean up the corrupt nobility... How could we outsiders, possibly take such actions?
"I’m only acting as your friend, offering so advice or suggestions, and providing you a certain degree of support and protection.
"...Isn’t that right?"
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