Chapter 905: Magnus

Lei En's three companions each had a different appearance.

Industrial Minister Fas Ding is an unremarkable middle‑aged man, appearing about forty, of average height and build, yet up close one can sense his unique aura—cold, precise, and solid—evoking a machine.

Fas Ding's name is known to most of those present.

He is the vice‑president of the Mechanical Guild, his seniority second only to Bei Li Sa Liu, and his strength likewise.

It is said that Fas Ding reached the Legendary Peak many years ago as a nineteenth‑level mechanic, constantly challenging the Saint Rank, though it now appears he has not succeeded.

"I have met all of you, colleagues."

Fas Ding bows slightly in salute; his voice bears no emotional fluctuation, and though he is greeting, there is no hint of a smile, giving the first impression of someone not easy to get along with.

By contrast, Ken Feixius beside Fas Ding appears much more approachable.

"May the goddess's wisdom shine upon you and me."

Ken Feixius is an elder, his beard and hair gray‑white yet meticulously groomed, his attire impeccably proper, clearly a highly respected scholar.

His face is aged, yet his eyes are strikingly bright and clear; anyone who meets his gaze feels an inexplicable affinity, instinctively believing those eyes contain profound, astonishing wisdom, as if they can discern worldly truths, with encyclopedic knowledge, ready to answer any question satisfactorily.

In this world, knowledge is power!

Ken Feixius is evidently a powerful caster; his magical fluctuations are extremely subtle, with only a hint showing, yet unfathomably deep.

This makes the cabinet ministers' hearts race, for the feeling is too similar to that of a Holy Soul Wizard!

Yet they have never heard the name Ken Feixius before.

Lei En smiles and says, "Mr. Ken Feixius was once a wandering scholar, his footsteps spanning the human realms of the Old Continent and even other planes; he kept a low profile, disdained fame and profit, and for over a hundred years has secluded himself in a hidden place, so it's normal that few know him."

"This time I am establishing the Ministry of Education, which is crucial to the goddess's Church; Mr. Ken Feixius is a devout follower of the goddess, which is why I have invited him to serve as Education Minister."

A look of realization spreads across everyone's faces.

Lei En's words are not wholly believed by them, but they must appear to accept them; regardless of truth, they feel respect for Ken Feixius because of his formidable casting power.

"I have met Mr. Ken Feixius."

The elderly scholar offers a gentle smile to all and humbly says, "Consul, you flatter me; I will not disappoint the Consul's trust, using all my knowledge to fully carry out the Ministry of Education's duties."

Lei En nods.

Then he points to the third person, "Given the Trade Company's importance, the Sub‑Continent Governor's authority far exceeds that of other governors; he will control the entire Sub‑Continent in the future, so the Sub‑Continent Governor must join the cabinet, reflecting the Empire's regard for the Trade Company."

The cabinet ministers nod slightly, all finding it obvious.

The Consul has the authority to admit anyone to the cabinet without Supreme Council approval; the Sub‑Continent Governor's power is so great it rivals the three great seats of the cabinet, so it would be odd if he were not included.

Henceforth, every successive cabinet will include the Sub‑Continent Governor.

Before today's announcement, all factions had approached the Consul, sparing no expense to secure the Sub‑Continent Governor position, but each was rebuffed by the Consul.

Everyone in the Empire's upper echelons is inquiring, yet the Consul reveals not a hint.

Until now, the Sub‑Continent Governor has finally been decided!

But no one knows who he is.

Who is this person?

The cabinet ministers glance at each other, observing him; his first impression is towering—over two meters, perhaps two‑meter‑two—his build as solid as a wall, clad in armor that exposes his arms, his skin a faint brown‑red, leading to suspicion that he is not a pure human but likely of giant lineage.

In stark contrast to his massive frame is his cold, fierce visage, with wild, flowing red hair.

His left eye is peculiar, extremely bright, emitting a violet glimmer like a gem; his right eye is normal, yet beside the left it appears, at first glance, as if the right were blind.

The crowd senses surging spiritual energy and massive fire Element within that luminous single eye.

He is a caster!

Moreover, he practices both spiritual energy and Arcane, at least a Legendary High‑rank!

Such a giant‑like body leads almost everyone to instinctively treat him as a melee super‑human, yet he is in fact a caster. This huge contrast feels odd to those present, but they cannot ignore that his melee strength must also be tremendous.

Ma Ge Nusi*Hei Si Ting Si, the cabinet ministers strain to recall the name, yet find no information.

This person, like Ken Feixius, seems to have materialized from nowhere.

"I have met you all."

Ma Ge Nusi greets everyone.

His voice is deep with a hint of hoarseness, entering the ears like a slight electric shock—harmless yet imposing a strong mental suppression that unconsciously induces fear and a desire to obey.

No one among the cabinet ministers is weak; they easily resist this mental effect, yet are privately startled:

"What terrifying spiritual energy!"

In the next second, the spiritual energy ripple that filled the meeting room vanishes abruptly, as if never having existed; Ma Ge Nusi's left eye returns to normal brightness, and the oppressive feeling recedes.

He deliberately displays his strength, conveying to others that he is qualified and capable of firmly occupying the Sub‑Continent Governor's throne.

The cabinet ministers also grasp this message, shelving their doubts.

Lei En says, "Ma Ge Nusi is an Empire citizen, having lived on the Sub‑Continent for many years; he knows its situation well, possesses both power and means, and is perfectly suited to serve as Sub‑Continent Governor. You are shareholders of the Trade Company and cabinet colleagues, all will have the chance to interact with Governor Ma Ge Nusi, and will rely on his patronage for many years to come."

The Consul's words reveal great trust in Ma Ge Nusi.

The cabinet ministers silently note it.

Lei En uses his Soul Eye to observe the crowd, seeing their suspicion and doubt; a slight smile lifts his lips. After today's cabinet meeting, the names Ken Feixius and Ma Ge Nusi will quickly spread throughout the Empire's upper echelons.

All factions will surely investigate their origins in secret, yet they are destined to find no clues—a futile effort.

Because the two are both his own avatars.

Moreover, they are not ordinary Thundercast Celestial Soldier avatars, but unique ones infused with countless units of power, each reaching nineteenth level, Legendary Peak.

Ken Feixius is a pure wizard, specializing in Arcane.

Ma Ge Nusi is a battle wizard, practicing both spiritual energy and fire, merging powerful demonic souls such as Flame Giant, Spirit-absorbing Monster, Ironstorm Bear, Molten Lizard, Deer‑headed Spirit, and Four‑Armed Mad Ape. Though these demonic souls weigh less than his own body, after enhancement by Element of mobile‑power increase, Ma Ge Nusi's strength far exceeds that of peers, akin to a weakened version of himself.

Lei En's proposal submitted to the Supreme Council to establish the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Education appears to serve the Empire's grand strategy, yet there are distinctions.

Industry is truly wholly for the Empire's development, while Education harbors a more important and personal purpose.

Lei En intends to slip private interests into school curricula.

First, to publicize one's own great achievements, subtly shape the students' perception, laying a public‑opinion foundation for eventually proclaiming oneself emperor; second, to steer people's attitude toward the Supreme Council, reducing blind worship, making them question or even oppose it, and to eliminate this backward system.

Of course, this private material cannot be inserted overtly; it must be dispersed throughout the curricula of various grades, hidden behind the goddess doctrine.

A department so important and with undisclosed aims cannot have the Minister of Education handed to anyone else; only one's own double can hold the post to be completely at ease.

The Subcontinent Governor is the same.

The Empire, via a trading company, conducts economic colonization of the Subcontinent, thereby fully controlling it; the Governor is the Subcontinent's de facto ruler, wielding immense power and countless benefits, and certainly cannot entrust this position to another, it must be firmly held in one's own hands.

"Everyone, take your seats; the meeting begins," Lei En said.

Fas Ding, Ken Feixius and Magnus saluted him, then sat in the seats already prepared; Lei En also sat down and said, "The most pressing matters now are, of course, establishing two new departments and a trading company, all of which require recruiting personnel and raising large sums of capital."

He glanced at the two women on his left and right, Viola and Aixile.

"Viola, have your Interior Department assist in recruiting staff for the new departments—some drawn from other departments, the rest open to public recruitment by the Empire; produce a plan as soon as possible."

"Understood," Viola replied briskly.

"Aixile, the Finance Department should also draft a new budget plan as dedicated funding for the two departments," Lei En continued.

The female sorceress replied, "The budget plan will be on your desk within three days."

Lei En nodded in satisfaction.

"Magnus, after the meeting you must immediately proceed to Banbei City, hand over to Flaniss Floating City, take command of the Imperial army stationed on the Subcontinent, install the new king, and prepare the trading company's headquarters; Frank will send someone to assist you."

"I will attend the inaugural shareholders' meeting held in Banbei City within a month," Lei En ordered solemnly.

Magnus replied in a deep voice, "Half a month will suffice, Consul."

"Fine."

Lei En fully performed the charade with his double, then listened to the ministers' reports on his departments, discussed several matters requiring the Consul's decision, and made rulings on the spot.

The first cabinet meeting lasted a little over two hours.

"Adjourn."

Lei En stood up; the cabinet ministers rose one after another, respectfully seeing the Consul out of the meeting room.

For the next half‑month or so, the entire cabinet was busy; the Empire's power center revolved around Lei En, gradually returning to efficient operation. The frameworks of the Industry and Education Departments have been erected, initially on track, but still far from yielding results.

After arriving in Banbei City, Magnus seized command of the Imperial army and, with thunderous force, suppressed the Guptha Kingdom's rebels, installing Budiha II as the new king.

Flaniss Floating City also withdrew smoothly back to the Empire.

In just ten days, Magnus erected the trading company's new headquarters atop the ruins of Shivaji Palace, blatantly declaring the Empire's occupation of the Guptha Kingdom.

Although the headquarters was still crude, it attracted almost all of the Empire's factions; over two hundred representatives attended the first shareholders' meeting.

It was called a meeting, but in reality it was a cake‑splitting party.

Each commodity has a single shareholder, granted a sole franchise—that is, a monopoly right. Even the cheapest goods can earn astronomical profits in the Subcontinent market of over two billion people.

The shareholders' sights extend beyond the Guptha Kingdom; they press Governor Magnus to promptly select several cities on the Subcontinent to open branches of the trading company.

Magnus had already planned it without anyone prompting.

Lei En, in his capacity as Consul, also attended the shareholders' meeting, but did not stay long; that night he teleported back to Nuosiruier.

The Consul's movements are inconvenient; wherever he goes, he is surrounded by hundreds of people.

Lei En felt the shackles of power on himself.

In the deep night, Lei En woke in his bedroom at He Palace villa; he had gone to sleep alone, with no one by the bedside. He rose silently and opened a teleportation gate. The entire Fu Kong Cheng Castle was fitted with anti‑teleportation arrays, preventing the use of teleportation spells to ensure the Consul would not be ambushed by enemy casters, but they had no effect on the Key of Doors.

A figure stepped out of the teleportation gate.

His build, appearance, and attire were identical to Lei En's; the two standing face‑to‑face looked like a mirror image, with no discernible difference.

This is a deliberately created double.

The double is essentially still a Thundercast Celestial Soldier, possessing power comparable to a Legendary High‑rank, bearing a magical badge that mimics the original's aura, and with Frank's cover; ordinary people would find it hard to discern the truth.

Lei En does not intend to keep the double at He Palace permanently, only to use it temporarily when he is away.

The double said nothing and lay down on the bed.

Lei En transformed into the form of a Thundercast Celestial Soldier, entered the teleportation gate, and appeared in the teleportation chamber of Marlinge Manor; the Extreme Warrior stationed there recognized him as the original, gave a heads‑up, and told them not to disturb Viola before teleporting away again.

After two teleportations, Lei En arrived at the Jin Gang Fort base on the Sehn Plateau.

Even though it was deep night, the base remained brightly lit; many newly‑minted Extreme Warriors continued all‑night training, with constant combat and gunfire.

Lei En entered the mechanical alchemy chamber, where a dozen Thundercast Celestial Soldiers were laboriously forging weapons and gear day and night. Power armor was difficult to produce, so outfitting every Extreme Warrior was not feasible; instead, they could equip three hundred new Extreme Warriors with standard enchanted armor and Bolt Guns, and the work was nearly finished.

Bang—bang—bang…

Heavy footsteps sounded; Lei En turned and saw Captain Marius entering, nearly three meters tall in power armor, exuding a terrifying pressure.

"Sir!"

Marius half‑kneelt, saluted, removed his helmet to reveal a dignified, solemn face, and struck his chest with metal gauntlets, producing a loud bang—bang.

"Rise."

Lei En laughed and asked, "Captain Marius, you report to me so late—what brings you to the Jin Gang Fort base?"

Marius's expression was solemn as he shouted, "I intend to unify the Sehn Plateau and restore the glory of our lord Jiliman."

(End of Chapter)