Chapter 833

Not bad, everything has gone smoothly so far.

Watching Lyon, smiling as he picked up the proposals on the solo podium and began reading them one by one, the Finance Minister couldn't help but exhale slightly, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

Even though he had just repeatedly assured Joshua not to worry, the Finance Minister clearly had far less confidence than he let on about this nobleman—famous for his reckless behavior and the most un-aristocratic conduct of all.

Only because the man was the Acting President of the Upper House and nominally the head of the old nobility, his support for passing laws that carved flesh from the old nobles was too vital—no one else could replace him—otherwise, he would never have taken this risk.

And now, though the Lionheart Duke's mood on stage was inexplicably cheerful, since he had shown willingness to cooperate, this Upper House session was already ninety-nine percent successful, with no further problems likely.

Under the Finance Minister's confident gaze of certain victory, Lyon on stage picked up the small silver hammer and tapped it twice against the golden bell, then smiled broadly and said:

"Ladies and gentlemen, according to the agenda, what we will proceed with next is the opening debate.

The primary topic of this session is a review of the Kingdom's recent reforms and an evaluation of Princess Veronika's reform measures… May I ask the assembled members: does anyone believe Princess Veronika's reforms have failed?"

"Yes!"

No sooner had Lyon finished speaking than an elderly nobleman in lavish robes in the front row leapt to his feet, eyes brimming with resentment:

"Last year I said it: Princess Veronika's reforms are absurd! The Kingdom's foundation is the nobility! Yet her regulations relentlessly suppress the nobility! Her reforms are pure nonsense!"

"Mm-hmm."

After nodding in response, Lyon pulled out a charcoal pencil and a small notebook, placed them on the solo podium, then squinted at the nameplate before the nobleman's seat.

Earl Evans… noted, noted.

After writing down the nobleman's name, Lyon scanned the hall again, smiling warmly and asking:

"Does anyone else hold a similar view?"

"I agree with Earl Evans."

A robust middle-aged nobleman, around forty, stood up, his face equally furious:

"Princess Veronika claims to support commerce and industry, yet imposes severe restrictions on us—she outright denies nobles participation in many projects and even imposes heavy taxes! This is a betrayal of the Kingdom's legal code!"

Marquis Morley… noted, noted.

"Anyone else?"

"Yes, I also think Lord Morley is right."

Another middle-aged woman rose to her feet:

"I have always deeply respected Princess Veronika, but I cannot endorse her biased actions—her measures are digging up the Kingdom's roots! If this continues, the state will cease to exist!"

"Mm-hmm, impressive spirit."

After swiftly jotting down the middle-aged woman's name, Lyon, in excellent spirits, continued smiling and asked:

"Anyone else with a similar view?"

"…"

There were plenty… but what exactly are you trying to do?

Half of the hundred-odd attending members had criticisms of the Princess's reforms, yet faced with Lyon's cheerful inquiry, no one else stood up—everyone stared at him on the main stage, bewildered and uneasy.

In a normal opening debate, after one side speaks, the presiding president should ask if any members hold opposing views and give both sides time to state their positions.

But this newly appointed Acting President was only asking those who opposed the Princess—each time someone stood, he scribbled two notes; each time another stood, he scribbled two more.

Considering he's betrothed to Princess Veronika… if this isn't a black list for later retaliation, I'll swallow this table right now!

"Only three opponents?"

After scanning the hall, Lyon nodded in satisfaction, then lifted the small silver hammer and tapped it once against the golden bell beside him, smiling as he announced:

"Since it's 165 to 3, there's no need for further debate—the opening debate is concluded. We now proceed to the proposal review phase."???

Wait… you can actually do this?!

Faced with the Acting President's operation—not merely frivolous, but outright farcical—the assembled members finally lost their composure. The first to rise against the Princess, Earl Evans, immediately slammed his fist on the table and pointed at Lyon, roaring:

"You—"

Bow to me!

Lyon, who had already pre-attached the 【Prince of the Thrush】 badge, moved his lips rapidly—before Earl Evans could fully rise, he saw Lyon's mouth shape the words, silently transmitting them.

Instantly, the elderly nobleman in lavish robes straightened his knees, his hips thrust sharply backward, eyes wide with terror, bowing deeply—ninety degrees—to Lyon.

Amid the stunned expressions of the other members, Earl Evans, as if possessed, slammed his head hard against the desk in front of him—without a sound, he fainted.

"Earl Evans has committed suicide out of shame and outrage!"

Watching the elderly earl suddenly crash his head onto the desk, Lyon on the main stage instantly looked "horrified," shouting urgently:

"Guards! Guards! Help him!

What a shame… he's an old man, yet still so quick to anger. If you can't argue, then don't argue—why take your life over it?"

…

Thanks to the Acting President's timely cry for help, the fortunate outcome was that Earl Evans had merely fainted from the impact—not seriously injured—but the blow had been severe enough to crack the solid wooden desk; to claim he was unharmed was unrealistic.

Revived by the frantic efforts of the other members, the old earl saw double, stumbled like a drunkard on butterfly steps, and despite being supported on either side by two guards, his feet kept twitching in an "S" pattern—he was clearly unfit to remain.

"Sigh… why must it come to this?"

After watching the old earl carried away, Lyon surveyed the murmuring assembly, shook his head, and lifted the hammer again to tap the small bell beside him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, though Earl Evans is no longer with us, the Upper House session must continue. Let us proceed to the next phase.

I have before me the proposals submitted in advance by each of you, and summaries of their key points lie before you on your desks. I will now read aloud the names of these proposals; you will vote to decide whether each passes.

First, the Ministry of War's proposal regarding personnel adjustments."

Here it comes!

Upon hearing Lyon's words, both the Finance Minister seated beside the main stage and Joshua on the imperial throne behind him instantly perked up.

Veronika had already arranged everything—this officer purge order would pass easily.

Once passed under Prince Joshua's "presidency," this officer purge order would mean plucking the sweetest fruit of all—Joshua's position would be utterly unshakable.