A mage? A spell engineer!

Chapter 556 First Show of Fangs

Pavel Kroc began his speech again, but this time it was much worse than the exhilarating experience of drinking "horse urine" in a beer hall.

He finished his speech haltingly, thinking that the other person would understand what he was doing.

Libs scoffed, "So... you guys think the previous generation did a terrible job, and you're eager to replace them, thinking you can do it better?"

"That's not what the 'National Salvation League' meant. I'm the exception. For the other participants, as long as they waited peacefully for ten or twenty years, they could still take over."

"But my sister, if you care about what's happening in the world right now, you should know that the Empire can't wait any longer. What it needs isn't a safe, unchanging succession, but a sweeping, top-down transformation!"

"This is what our allies hope for, and what the vast majority of the imperial citizens yearn for." He should have been full of energy, but he sounded somewhat guilty as he said this.

"I don't care about current events? Major changes? The vast majority of imperial citizens?" Libs seemed to have heard something both amusing and infuriating. After chewing over the three phrases, she spat out:

"If it were really as you say, then you shouldn't have tried to snatch the title of Grand Duke from my father today."

"Let's do it big and thorough enough—turn Bohemia into a republic! Put power in the hands of all the people."

If you're willing to be a statue of a monarch, like Istani or Byrne, then I'd barely consider you a hero.

"If we could turn Bohemia, the entire empire, into something like Valois, then I'd believe your so-called alliance's empty promises!"

Pavel was completely taken aback by Libs's knowledge of these things, and even more surprised that she dared to say such a thing. He was at a loss for words, while the Allied Stormtroopers he had inspired were all watching.

"Libus, shut up!" Unexpectedly, it was the Grand Duke who panicked first. He had not reacted before because he was afraid that the rebels would get emotional and open fire. He never expected that his daughter would start shooting at Pavel.

Moreover, one demanded the Grand Duke's own life, while the other sought to completely overthrow the Kroc family. Old Kroc then surprisingly said:

"Don't listen to that girl. Pavel, you're still young, it's normal to be impulsive. Don't rush, don't rush."

"Just like you said yourself, both the Empire and Bohemia are in turmoil right now, and you're going to cause big problems if you do this."

"We can take it one step at a time. Pavel, become my son! Tomorrow—no, no, today—we'll carry out the adoption and declare you the heir to the Grand Duke of Bohemia! Stop now, gunfire is merciless; if it goes off, we're both finished."

Libs kept her eyes closed, but she really wanted to open them to see what kind of expression and posture her father would have when he begged for mercy.

Admittedly, he was her father, a fairly competent and loving father, but at the same time he was also the Grand Duke of Bomía and the head of the Croc family.

Pavel was actually somewhat persuaded. He felt that if he could inherit the duchy, he could contribute more to the alliance. No, perhaps he could realize his ambitions without even needing the alliance.

He wanted to accept the current Grand Duke's request, but he couldn't open his mouth, unsure how to respond. His mind was buzzing, as if all his bodily fluids and thoughts were swirling rapidly within it, threatening to split his head apart.

In an attempt to ease the tension, Pavel suddenly had an idea—he reached out, took out a handkerchief, and wanted to wipe away the terrible bloodstains from his sister's beautiful face.

Unfortunately, Libs seemed to be able to see his movements and resolutely turned her head to the side.

Slow, unpleasant applause filled the hall.

"Fantastic! Brilliant!"

With a playful expression, Varan approached the family, intending to intervene in the domestic affairs of the "First Bohemian Family."

He stopped, patted Pavel on the shoulder, and encouraged him as if he were talking to a subordinate: "You did a great job."

However, his interest was more focused on Libus: "And this one... I think it's Miss Libus? Your speech just now was absolutely brilliant, so please allow me to give you a round of applause."

"If you were a Byrne, with this background and knowledge, you could very well become the second female senator." For some reason, Varan couldn't help but smile as he thought of something amusing.

While Rebecca was eager to ask who the first female senator was and why Byrne allowed women to run for office, she was more concerned with her current situation: "Who are you? Why do you sound like you know me?"

Varen feigned surprise: "Oh dear, Miss Crocker, distinguished guests like you are given special attention when they enter Byrne!"

"Although we understand that you disguised yourself and made private visits in the past to avoid being disturbed, and we respected your wishes by not receiving you in public, how could we dare not protect you? If something happened on our territory, wouldn't that be a major incident?"

"And I'm specifically responsible for these annoying chores. It's exhausting, but that lord doesn't care about these little things at all, and they don't count as any achievements in his eyes."

After shaking his head with a worried expression, Varen stopped and put on a cheerful, businesslike smile: "Fortunately, the master has given me an interesting task, and your appearance and your remarks have made it even more interesting."

He clapped his hands, and all the assault troops inside the palace immediately stood at attention and loaded their guns.

Pavel was startled. When did the Allied warriors start obeying this guy's orders? Wait, were those people Allied warriors? From the beginning, this young master had never paid attention to the rank-and-file soldiers, even though he personally led the team into battle.

"Mr. Pavel, I think Miss Libs's words were very well said."

"Since a great reform is needed to save the nation and ensure its survival, why can't it be done thoroughly? Why still have a monarch of the old system?"

"The first shot of the Salvation Alliance came from Bohemia. I think it not only wants to hit people, but also to smash the old buildings. Let change begin with Mr. Pavel."

"Me, me."

"You must relinquish your position as Grand Duke and declare that from this day forward, there will be no more Grand Dukes in Bomía, and no more hereditary rule by nobles."

"You must express your aspirations and determination to the members and supporters of the alliance. Our engineers have repaired the post office's telegraph lines, and if needed, we also have spellcasters who can use the [Radio Transmission] spell."

He took out a piece of paper, just as he had handed Pavel the prepared speech: "Please make a copy by hand, as a historical record. Your name will be as great as it, and as great as the future Bohemian Free State."

"No, no!" Archduke Croc and Pavel cried out in unison.

The "National Salvation League" suffered setbacks in uprisings across the country, especially in the capital. A group of noble officers gathered in the square in front of the palace, attempting a "military remonstrance," but all they found were cannons.

Some of the young masters thought it was just a salute from the emperor to scare them before they were blasted in two by lead bullets.

Wilhelm II made no comment, simply instructing the various families to identify and collect the bodies themselves. It seems this emperor has learned his lesson; his silence instilled fear in the nobles.

Just as the Confederation movement was at its lowest point, two encouraging messages were transmitted to the world via telegram:

The first member to be organized as a state, Bohemia, joined the Salvation League;

Soon a second state-level member emerged, with Bohemia's neighbor, Byrne, joining the alliance.

(End of this chapter)