Chapter 362

At eight p. m., Olivia announced at the Stilan Palace that Finance Minister William Glad would temporarily serve as Acting Prime Minister.

After confirming the Acting Prime Minister, Olivia and Glad exchanged a glance; following a brief inaugural speech, Glad made his first decision as Acting Prime Minister.

That decision was to establish, amid Stilan's current chaos, a new department within the Cabinet called the Royal Secret Intelligence and National Security Department, abbreviated as the Anquan Force.

The minister of the Anquan Force would hold Cabinet rank and be accountable to both the Cabinet and the Queen.

As for the director and deputy director of the Anquan Force, they were naturally Wu Chang and Reventon.

Wu Chang and Reventon, dressed in formal attire, slowly approached Olivia; after a day of intensive training, both relied on their transcendent control over their bodies to flawlessly execute the entire ceremonial protocol.

Under the gaze of all, the secret knighting ceremony once held beneath St. George's Church was reenacted in a more formal manner.

One of Stilan Empire's symbols—the Lake Light Sacred Sword, representing nobility and honor—was publicly handed to Wu Chang.

Holding the Lake Light Sacred Sword, Wu Chang smiled confidently at the cameras, declaring he would become the Queen's Sword, defending Stilan's safety and peace.

As magnesium powder exploded in a flash, Wu Chang's image was frozen, set to appear on the front page of tomorrow's Hills Report.

All present had been informed in advance of Wu Chang's existence; many well-connected nobles even understood that this newly formed Anquan Force was, in fact, the former Secret Magic Knights Order.

A transcendent knightly order that, during the era of the King's rule, wielded near-limitless power and military might.

Wu Chang's presence even stole the spotlight from Acting Prime Minister Glad, becoming the center of attention in the hall.

Aside from the two principals, Wu Chang and Reventon, everyone present was pondering: what message was the Queen sending by rebuilding the Secret Magic Knights Order at such a sensitive time?

After the inauguration ceremony, all present, still in formal attire, moved to Wester Square outside the Stilan Palace.

The main event of the evening was the banquet following the inauguration.

A few years ago, hosting a banquet at the Stilan Palace would have been the highest standard, but now it was different.

Amid a tremendous roar, a colossal object descended from the sky and landed on the square.

It was a massive airship, named the Queen Olivia, over three hundred and fifty meters in length, with a three-tiered passenger cabin hanging beneath its enormous gas chamber, capable of accommodating over two hundred passengers.

This airship was the pinnacle of Stilan's industry and a miracle of global engineering, hailed as an aerial fortress, its birth celebrated as humanity's conquest of the skies.

Hosting a banquet aboard the Queen Olivia was the highest-standard banquet in Stilan—and indeed the entire world.

Not even the appointment of a formal Prime Minister would have warranted Olivia deploying this aerial fortress.

Clearly, to stand by her Knights Order commander, Olivia had pulled out all the stops for Wu Chang's inauguration.

Before the inauguration, Zhu Li had told Wu Chang she had a surprise for him; Wu Chang had prepared himself.

But the moment he saw the Queen Olivia, he was profoundly stunned.

Bigger is better, better is bigger—the oppressive presence of a steam airship far surpassed that of any modern airliner.

To have this thing brought out for him, he couldn't help but think in his heart: Olivia truly understands people, what a good monarch.

As they entered the cabin, Zhu Li introduced Wu Chang and Reventon to the Queen Olivia.

The reason this enormous airship could sustain so many people aloft, beyond its massive gas chamber, was the transcendent steam engine mounted atop it—the Sky Heart.

Correspondingly, the flagship of Stilan's navy, which made it a maritime hegemon, carried the same-series Ocean Heart.

After hearing this, Wu Chang asked casually: "Is there a Land Heart?"

Zhu Li glanced around, then whispered:

"There was one originally, but the Land Heart's development was scheduled far later; after the transcendent steam engine technology leaked, Fran manufactured the Land Heart first."

"The Transcendent Steam Research Institute at Grimlan University couldn't accept being second, so they repurposed the Land Heart originally intended for the army into railway construction, since Stilan's railway industry is world-class."

"This upset the army deeply, so never mention the Land Heart in front of them—they'll react violently."

Wu Chang nodded silently; as expected, these three unique transcendent steam engines were also jewels atop the industrial crown.

Yet two were held by the military, one perpetually flying overhead—acquiring any of them would be difficult.

And if the attempt wasn't clean, and discovered, he'd likely face a full army's pursuit.

During the banquet, Wu Chang, the mysterious commander of the Secret Magic Knights Order, was unquestionably the center of attention; nearly every guest approached him to speak, and he received no fewer than dozens of invitations.

Only at the banquet's end did he finally break free from the crowd and steal a moment to eat a few bites of dinner in a corner.

"How does it feel to be the center of the banquet?" Reventon approached Wu Chang with a glass of wine; the two clinked glasses lightly.

Wu Chang shrugged. "Just remembering their names has given me a headache."

He scanned the surroundings and whispered: "I seem to be too popular, while Acting Prime Minister Glad is far too ignored."

Reventon shrugged.

"You're right—it's exactly like that. The reason is simple: Finance Minister Glad, now Acting Prime Minister Glad, faces just as many troubles as former Prime Minister Ron did."

Wu Chang paused mid-bite, his eyes widening in surprise—another expert?

As the banquet neared its end, Reventon shared intelligence on Glad with Wu Chang.

By Stilan's tradition, after Prime Minister Ron's death, power would pass directly to the Cabinet, and the ruling party merely needed to elect a new party leader during the transition.

But Stilan had not followed this practice—because of Glad.

Glad had originally been the second-in-command of the Conservative Party, universally recognized as Ron's successor, but after becoming Finance Minister, he became even more radical than Ron: he fully supported free trade, severed ties with the Conservatives, and switched allegiance to the Liberal Party.

As a result, after Ron's death, the Liberal Party subtly surpassed the Conservatives, making the Prime Minister's position uncertain—no one could say for sure who would win.

Reventon lowered his voice further:

"In hindsight, if anyone benefited from Ron's death, Glad ranks among the top two—possibly even number one."

"So many suspect Glad grew impatient and hired someone to eliminate Ron."

Wu Chang raised an eyebrow. "What do you think of that theory?"

Reventon said: "I don't know Glad well enough to judge, but one point is worth noting."

"Glad is a major shareholder in Pine Tree Mine, second only to Baron Philip; the Queen's suppression of the Pine Tree Mine affair was largely due to Glad."

Wu Chang turned his gaze toward Glad in the distance, his eyes sharp with scrutiny.

As Finance Minister, was Glad merely a shield dragged into this, or had he also been in contact with the Steam Council?

Perhaps Wu Chang's gaze was too piercing—Glad sensed it, turned his head through the crowd, and met Wu Chang's eyes across the entire banquet hall.

Wu Chang smiled, raising his cup to Glad, who returned the gesture before continuing to speak with those around him from the Liberal Party.

He's highly perceptive; barring accidents, he's likely a formidable Transcendent.

Wu Chang was about to say more to Revinton when he felt the ground tremble slightly, looked up, and saw a massive figure approaching him.

The man was Randy Anderson, former director of the Moonlight Sanatorium, now Minister of Internal Affairs of Stilan.

My physique is a giant among Grimlan's people, but without the Sea Giant form, I look like a child beside Randy's towering frame.

Wu Chang tilted his head up to greet Randy, who stood over two and a half meters tall, like a standing lion.

"Director Randy, long time no see. You look in good health."

Compared to his time at the Moonlight Sanatorium, Randy's mastery of the Occult has normalized his physique considerably.

Back then, he stood over three meters tall, his arms thicker than an adult man's waist; as Minister of Internal Affairs, no one could appear approachable seeing him—anyone who didn't tremble at the sight of his legs had iron will.

"Xiao En, long time no see. Back then, thanks to you, I barely escaped the evil god's grasp. No one is more suited to lead the Mystic Knight Order than you to thwart the evil god's schemes."

"I owe you a debt. If you ever face trouble in Grimlan, come to me anytime."

Seeing Randy so courteous, Wu Chang immediately wanted to grab him and point at Glad, saying, "He can be replaced."

But realizing the setting was inappropriate, he suppressed the impulse and smiled:

"It was us fighting Lyman together back then. Without you, I couldn't have handled those monsters alone."

That was the truth—without Randy and Zhu Li, any patient from the Moonlight Sanatorium could have torn Wu Chang apart back then.

Randy stepped closer to Wu Chang and whispered:

"I've been busy handling foreign Transcendents and the serial killer roaming everywhere. I haven't had time to find you, but there's something you must watch out for."

"In recent days, signs of the Quiet Church's activity have appeared in Grimlan, coinciding closely with your return to Stilan. I fear they're planning revenge for what happened back then."

Wu Chang nodded: "I'll keep an eye out."

Indeed, entering the Steam Phantom instance, if the Quiet Church isn't involved, something feels missing.

From Randy's tone, it seems Quiet Church players have also entered the S-rank instance. I wonder if I'll meet that newly appointed Saint Son this time—hope he's well-prepared and brought two more of Lyman's eyes.

The Olivia Queen circled once over Grimlan and returned to West Square precisely at midnight.

After the banquet ended, Wu Chang planned to leave, but Revinton suddenly called him back, telling him to go to St. George Cathedral first.

In the underground chamber of St. George Cathedral—the place where he first met Olivia Queen—waited not Olivia, but twenty strangers: dressed differently, randomly aged, both male and female.

They were discussing something, but when they saw Wu Chang and Revinton appear, all twenty fell silent at once, their gazes locking onto Wu Chang's face.

Wu Chang also studied them; their only common trait was the Occult energy within them—energy identical in origin to Revinton's and his own.

Clearly, they were all descendants of the Mystic Knights.

Isolate any one of them, and though weaker than players who entered Steam Phantom, they were stronger than ordinary max-level players.

It seems that over five years, the realm's rank rising from B to A has raised the upper limit of Transcendent power within it.

Revinton asked: "These are all the personnel from around Grimlan. Some from farther away will take a few more days to arrive."

"How's it look, Leader? Satisfied?"

Wu Chang nodded in approval, drawing the Lake Light Sacred Sword from his waist—it illuminated half a meter around—and said:

"Gentlemen, welcome home."

The twenty Mystic Knight descendants shouted in unison: "We serve Lord Xiao En."

Revinton was a core figure of the new Mystic Knight Order, and due to his frequent investigations into unsolved cases, he was active throughout Stilan, making him well-liked among all the Mystic Knight descendants, familiar with each one.

Under his introduction, Wu Chang quickly gained a basic understanding of the twenty present.

Each came from a noble family; though their lineages had declined, they still received excellent education.

They were scattered across all walks of life in Stilan, using their profound knowledge and Transcendent abilities to reach the upper echelons of their fields.

Even as ordinary mortals, they were already a considerable force.

But as Transcendents, that was where their true strength lay.

From covert tracking and assassination to frontline charges, as descendants of the Mystic Knights, they handled all effortlessly.

Not only were they powerful in combat, but they inherited their ancestors' unique skills, each possessing extraordinary talents.

Many of Revinton's detective essentials were learned from them.

Thus, Wu Chang's Mystic Knight Order established its own purely native foundation.

Without exaggeration, if these twenty joined forces into a battle formation and weren't picked off individually, even a few from the Administration would be at a disadvantage facing them head-on.

But Wu Chang had no intention of having them fight players directly; natives had their own uses—direct confrontation with players would be a waste.

He assigned each of the twenty different tasks based on their strengths.

Those skilled in coordination and management, with strong noble bearing, he sent directly to the Anquan Force.

They were to identify suitable Transcendents during daily operations and tomorrow's Transcendent Council, and recruit them into the Mystic Knight Order.

Those skilled in surveillance and investigation, he deployed directly to probe the anomalies occurring in Grimlan; with Anquan Force credentials, they could access any official intelligence and command unconditional cooperation from secret police.

Their current priorities: investigate the mysterious serial killer and the Quiet Church—with safety as the top concern.

The remaining few were ones Wu Chang had specifically asked Revinton to keep back.

These individuals had all served in Stilan's political arena, having held positions in both houses of parliament, the Conservative and Liberal Parties, and understood the traits of all factions.

He singled them out to conduct entrapment operations, coordinating with Leng Shan and Xiang Jianxing.

The Steam Council's task for Leng Shan and Xiang Jianxing was to investigate the three core figures of Ming Deng Bao, focusing on whether they had contacted Transcendents.

Wu Chang could preliminarily confirm that Connor was linked to the Transcendent miners, and possibly to the assassination of Chief Logan.

Connor could be kept; the other two could be discarded as bait.

Since the Steam Council wanted evidence of their contact with Transcendents, Wu Chang would have these selected Mystic Knight descendants impersonate various factions and actively approach the other two core figures of Ming Deng Bao.

If this revealed whether the two were compromised—or lured out the Steam Council—it would be ideal; if not, it would still give Leng Shan and Xiang Jianxing concrete data to submit their mission and infiltrate the Steam Council.

Assigning native inhabitants to tasks only natives could perform—this was their proper use.

Using the identity advantage of a plane's native inhabitants to clear instances was not something only Wu Chang knew—the Tranquil Church was equally skilled at this method.

In the eastern district of Grimland, on the southern bank of the Hills River, a large number of textile mills had gathered.

Raw cotton washing, wool degreasing, dyeing, and bleaching in textile production each required large amounts of fresh water, which led most textile mills to be built along the river to save costs.

Among workers in various factories, textile workers were absolutely one of the most exhausted types of laborers.

Although they did not perform heavy physical labor and would not encounter fatal accidents, what they had to face was work lasting fourteen to sixteen hours every day.

During work, they were not allowed the slightest distraction.

Because the textile industry was a purely human-controlled assembly line, workers had to monitor in real time and quickly handle any malfunctions that arose.

A lapse of just a few seconds could cause large amounts of yarn to be wasted, and might even trigger a chain of failures, causing one or more looms to stop due to interrupted yarn supply.

For the factory owners, this was absolutely unacceptable.

To keep workers alert at all times and prevent them from being distracted during work, anyone caught talking while working would have two hours of wages deducted.

Some especially harsh textile mills would even hire overseers to whip workers whose movements slowed or who tried to slack off.

Even so, the workers' efficiency still failed to meet the factory owners' expectations.

But in Grimland's largest textile mill, Sloan Textile Mill, this situation did not occur.

The workers wove cloth with smiles on their faces, moving at least thirty percent faster than those in other mills; not only did they work sixteen hours a day without a moment's rest, they never got distracted.

As if work made them happier than anything else.

Because they devoted themselves entirely to the work, the cloth they wove was exceptionally soft and lustrous, its quality leading the industry, and it could be sold for half again as much.

In this atmosphere, the factory owner not only increased efficiency, he could even save the cost of hiring overseers.

A man wearing a Tranquil Church robe asked the portly man beside him, who was grinning from ear to ear:

"Mr. Sloan, are you satisfied with our machines?"

Sloan said, "Praise the true god Leiman—satisfied, more than satisfied."

"These workers work as if they've gone mad with eagerness; every time I have to chase them off personally before they cry out and rest."

"My lord Ritualist, could you grant their wish and let them work a little longer?"

If Wu Chang were here, he would discover that the man in the Tranquil Church robe was the third Son-candidate he had encountered on the Silent Route—the Ritualist.

The Ritualist shook his head and said, "Mr. Sloan, profits must flow like a steady stream; the Soul Loom directly drains life force each time. Over sixteen hours, and there's a risk of sudden death."

"Too many deaths will bring the secret police, which is bad for everyone."

Sloan nodded vigorously and said, "My lord Ritualist, you're right."

The Ritualist said, "I still need to visit other factories to gather feedback, so I'll be leaving first. If any problems arise, contact me at any time."

As he left, the Ritualist gazed at the enormous loom at the center of the textile mill, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

Let these extraordinary steam engines eat a few more people; once they've eaten until everyone can't do without them, that will be the moment they devour these fellows.

He didn't even need to lift a hand, yet could easily control the entire S-rank instance—this assignment was simply credit picked up for free.

(End of chapter)