Miss Wang Weina, even your cousin won't do!

The man couldn't help but gulp down several more mouthfuls of mineral water, which drew the attention of his colleague who was driving. The colleague reached out and patted the man's back, worried that he might choke.

The man had escorted many prisoners throughout his life, but few he could truly connect with. After learning their fate, most prisoners would become hysterical, while a small number would despair and withdraw into themselves. He had never seen anyone like Loken Williams, who quietly gazed at the earth and stars outside the prison window, neither manic nor melancholic, as if the small prison van were no different from the spacious floor-to-ceiling windows of Loken's water tank laboratory office.

He had assumed that Loken Williams was the kind of legendary, most distinctive, badly charismatic criminal.

But what was unexpected, yet reasonable, was that he wasn't the kind of villain who only appeared in movies; he was simply a scoundrel who honestly recognized his own nature and went hand in hand with his desires.

"This is so boring."

"What?" my colleague asked.

“It’s nothing,” the man waved his hand. “After this job, I’m never doing this again. I keep running into these crazy people; sooner or later I’ll be driven crazy too.”

"Haha, I'll be responsible for getting you thrown in jail then," my colleague joked with a laugh.

Suddenly, the carriage seemed to have run over something, and it shook violently.

The jolting was so severe that even Loken Williams, sitting in the carriage, was thrown to the ground several times. He had to lean against the wall to keep his balance while asking the two people in the driver's seat:

"What happened? Were you attacked?"

"An attack? Hahaha, how could that be? Who could find a prisoner transport vehicle equipped with the most advanced stealth technology in the Columbia Frontier at midnight? A ghost?"

The driver replied:

"It's just a minor bump. We're passing through the [waste zone], which is full of relics left by pioneers, all sorts of strange and unusual things: wrenches, shovels, soil surveyors, and locator beacons. With so much stuff left here, if it weren't so far from the city and the road wasn't so difficult, this would be a scavenger's paradise. It'll probably take about ten minutes to get through here, so just bear with it."

There was no attack.

For some reason, Loken Williams suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.

Based on his understanding of men, the cost of letting himself live was definitely greater than the cost of killing him. They had already taken all the experimental data and samples from the Loken Water Tank Laboratory, and could easily find another "Loken Williams" to work for them; he was likely to be silenced.

But they didn't make a move?

Have they not yet reached the ambush area, or have they actually shown some kindness?

Loken Williams didn't understand. He leaned against the wall, sat down again, and closed his eyes.

Who would want to die if they could live?

However, less than five seconds after he uttered that exclamation, Fiona opened her eyes from behind a pile of slag in the [Waste Zone].

Countless steel structures that contributed greatly to the development and expansion of Colombia, now abandoned and forgotten in this wilderness, serve as a stark reminder of its past.

—Her enemy has arrived.

Fiona stood up, raised her hand, and Originium Arts began to surge across the land. Summoned steel rushed towards Fiona, piling up and fusing before her. Finally, a colossal "steel behemoth" appeared on the wasteland of the [Scrap Zone].

That's the invincible Sebatoragon!

Chapter 73 Victoria Cabinet Meeting

Victoria, Londinium, Iron Palace, evening.

An emergency meeting is being held in the Iron Palace, and the participants are all very important figures.

Not only did Vina herself attend, but Theresa also served as an advisor and listened in. City Official Arthur and a number of ministerial-level officials from various government departments were also present. Furthermore, the meeting specifically summoned Keynes, the director of the [Londinium Core City] Financial Exchange and currently the president of the Londinium Entrepreneurs Association.

You asked why Ernest and Winster, the two poles of the Big Three, were not present.

It's very simple. Since today's events have nothing to do with military affairs, secret intelligence, or evil spirits, these two people naturally have no reason to appear in this setting.

This was a meeting limited to the "economic and political" level.

Vina was the nominal chairperson of the meeting, but in reality, the process was driven by Mayor Arthur, who had been authorized by Vina. Vina generally did not speak, but only expressed her opinions and questions at the end of the discussion.

Arthur stood up, bowed to Vina, and then gestured for everyone to be quiet. Although, in reality, no one spoke.

He coughed lightly and began to speak:

"Now, let's begin the consultation meeting on the New Wales County Development Plan and the Victorian Immigration Act. Please note that this is the final meeting. The conclusions reached here will be implemented nationwide as legislation in a week. Please be mindful of your manners and words, and do not behave inappropriately before the Emperor."

After scanning the room and confirming that everyone nodded, Arthur officially announced:

"Now, let's begin the meeting with a speech from Minister for Mobile City Works, Leibise. Let him give you an overview of the development in New Wales."

After Arthur finished speaking, he sat down. In his place, the slightly overweight woman called Leibis stood up, bowed towards Vina, and then said:

"Gentlemen, under His Highness the Prince of Wales's direction, the construction of New Wales County is modeled after Silicon Valley in Columbia. It adopts a design philosophy that prioritizes the economy, with politics as a secondary focus, while weakening the military. The traditional design of super-large city defense cannons for mobile cities has been abandoned, and in its place, more docking points and wharf facilities have been added. A large area within the city has been designated as a research and development zone, with only the core city area of ​​Fort Wales retaining heavy firepower for defense. This is to maximize the efficiency of regional development and utilization."

Leibston paused, then added:

"Of course, although it is said to be benchmarked against Silicon Valley, Victoria will only do better than Columbia. After the mobile city of New Wales is officially completed, it will become the undisputed research center of Terra. Victoria will start from this step and gradually take back the technological hegemony that has slipped from our hands!"

Leibis's tone was impassioned. He still remembered the years when he was born, when Victoria, with its steam-powered armor technology, swept across the land, forging the glory of the British Empire. But today, the steam-Originium industry that Victoria was once so proud of was ridiculed as a joke outdated. The dominance of the steam-armored knights was no longer what it used to be. The newly risen Ursus Empire, with its battle-hardened elites, war mages, drones, Wendigos, and the almost unbeatable air-ground coordination of the Shield Guards, had seized Victoria's military hegemony, and its territory had once approached that of Victoria.

What he found most unacceptable was that Colombia, which they had once looked down upon and regarded as a traitor, had actually developed step by step through technology. After mastering Terra's most advanced science and technology and seizing Victoria's technological hegemony, it was now eyeing Victoria's last economic hegemony.

If it weren't for His Highness Wayne's strategic maneuvering, using a small piece like the Loken Water Tank to overturn the entire Columbia chessboard, perhaps Victoria would truly have fallen from her pedestal.

Technological hegemony, economic hegemony, military hegemony—these all belonged to Victoria, but they slipped away from the motherland. Leibis’s determination and perseverance to reclaim them are a hundred times stronger than those of Colombia and Ursus to hold onto them!

Now is the time for them to take the first step. New Wales will be another miracle of Victoria after the city of Londinham, the city that never falls! It will also be a symbol of Victoria's return to this era!

Vina nodded, indicating her approval of Leibis's report.

The construction of New Wales is progressing well, which means that the brother's plan is proceeding in an orderly manner. Once New Wales is established, the large enterprises currently crowded in the core city of Londinham will relocate to New Wales, relieving the pressure on Londinham's urban development. At the same time, these large enterprises will also serve as pilot projects in New Wales, marking the first batch of Victorian state-owned enterprises.

Nationalized enterprises control the economic lifeline. These things were taken for granted by his brother, things that had to be done. According to him, the peaceful and distant Great Yan Empire had completed these reforms a thousand years ago, with state monopolies on salt and iron to guarantee people's livelihoods. This was the foundation of that empire's stability.

If Victoria wants to last, even if it cannot completely copy the system of the Great Yan Dynasty, it is necessary to learn from it and carry out localized optimization and reform.

“The construction work in New Wales is not yet finished. I hope you all will continue your efforts. Victoria expects everyone to do their duty.”

"Yes, Your Majesty," the crowd responded in unison.

"Now, let's move on to the second topic, which requires in-depth discussion."

Mayor Arthur paused for a moment before speaking, and then said...

"Regarding the formulation and implementation of the Victorian Immigration Act."

"To be honest, although this law was proposed by His Highness the Prince of Wales in the hope of bringing together civilians who were homeless during the Colombian civil war and cutting-edge scientific and technological talents, I have reservations about this bill."

Arthur was the first to speak up.

Vina glanced at him with some surprise. Arthur didn't dare meet Vina's gaze; he sat with his head down, remaining silent.

From his perspective, he naturally couldn't use the word "oppose," since this was a bill personally submitted by the Prince of Wales. Although it was said to be submitted to the Cabinet for discussion, Wayne's meaning was clear: he probably just wanted the Cabinet to discuss whether there were any omissions or deficiencies so he could fill them in, and definitely did not intend for the Cabinet to discuss whether to pass the bill.

But Arthur didn't approve of the bill at all.

Bringing in Colombians? Even with strict restrictions on refugees and top talent, the aim is to fill the talent gap left by the establishment of New Wales County, and incidentally weaken Colombia, causing a massive brain drain. But Arthur still finds it hard to accept.

He said he had reservations, which was actually a clear statement of "I object".

There is Theresa, the lover of the Prince of Wales. She is humble and polite, and her abilities are not to be underestimated. His Highness Wayne loves her, and she loves His Highness Wayne. Her Majesty Vina did not object. It is a matter of royal family affairs, and Arthur did not dare to interfere.

The Sarkaz, a bunch of homeless wretches, managed to latch onto Prince Wayne's coattails and board Victoria's fast ship. Among them were valiant warriors like Surtr and Mudrock. Victoria reluctantly accepted these scattered individuals, which also served to demonstrate her magnanimity. In any case, since they were opposing Laterano, Victoria was happy.

But Colombians?

Those traitors and their descendants, arrogant and ignorant nouveau riche. Why would Prince Wayne take them in?

For humanitarian reasons?

Victoria has no shortage of labor or top talent. Victoria didn't do anything wrong in the Colombian affair.

His Highness Wayne simply changed his name and loudly repeated what Columbia had done in public. During this time, Victoria didn't even bother to promote or publicize it; Columbia simply collapsed on its own.

Was it the Victorian government that abandoned them? Was it His Highness Wayne? Neither. His Highness Wayne merely revealed the truth, freeing them from their fate of being deceived. It was the Colombian government that abandoned them. They were unwilling to shoulder their responsibilities, indulging in internal strife and money-grabbing all day long, ultimately leading to this end.

His Highness Wayne is a good person; the Colombian upper class is the bad guy. Instead of pointing a gun at the Colombian government, you're pointing a gun at Wayne and demanding he take over the refugee mess?

What a joke! Do you think Victoria is easy to bully?

Vina could somewhat understand Arthur's thoughts, but she didn't understand Wayne's intentions either, and could only sigh. To prevent the atmosphere in the meeting from becoming tense, she decided to temporarily suspend the discussion on this topic and wait until her brother returned.

"Regarding your question, I think I might be able to answer His Highness Bruce's thoughts. He once mentioned this to me."

Suddenly, Theresa raised her hand and spoke boldly.

All eyes immediately turned to the Sarkaz woman who appeared almost invisible.

Their eyes held surprise, confusion, bewilderment, and even anger and disbelief.

In their view, this was a momentous event; never before in Victoria's history had a Sarkaz person dared to interfere in their affairs at a Victorian cabinet meeting.

What are the Sarkaz? Wanderers, violent freaks. Although Theresa's arrival slightly changed the minds of these conservative people, prejudice is the most deeply ingrained thing, and eradicating it is far more difficult than eradicating Oripathy.

Not to mention, Theresa still seemed to want to refute Arthur's point of view.

Some people couldn't resist and wanted to stand up and make the listener in the "audience" sit down obediently.

However, Vina tapped on the table.

The room immediately fell silent again, which had been bustling with excitement.

Queen Victoria gave Queen Kazdel a slight smile.

You helped me before, now it's my turn to help you.

Speak freely, Theresa, no one will bother you unless they want to confront the imperial power!

I'm also very curious about what your brother said to you that even I, his blood sister, don't know.

Chapter Seventy-Four: Educational Hegemony

Whether considering the time they've lived together or their blood ties, Vina firmly believes that her bond with her brother is stronger than that between Theresa and her brother. What could be so unknown to her that Wayne would specifically tell Theresa?

The answer might be simple: Theresa is the only person in all of Terra who has witnessed a fragment of Wayne's memory. She is also the only one capable of witnessing Wayne's memories. The Demon Lord's Originium Arts, Wayne's approval, and their close relationship meant that only Theresa could understand and support Wayne's decisions, which seemed absurd to the people of Terra.

“I know what Mr. Arthur is worried about. The influx of a large labor force into Victoria will cause serious social problems.”

Refugees are a very, very troublesome thing, and Wayne knows this all too well. He once traveled to Paris, France, in his previous life. In Place Charles de Gaulle, he did not see the French who had swept across Europe, nor did he see the Uyghurs who had surrendered, nor did he see the German army that was holding a military parade. What did he see?

Beneath the Arc de Triomphe were numerous dilapidated tents and refugees from four war zones.

In an effort to attract labor to compensate for the stagnation caused by the low birth rate in developed countries, the Gauls did not expect that the problem would not only not be solved, but would also trigger a series of problems that should not exist in the first place.

Victoria had to take this issue seriously. Although the people of Colombia generally lacked a sense of national pride and ethnic identity, and spoke the same language as Victoria, having been considered one of the same people for over a century, Victoria still had to proceed with extreme caution in this matter.

so....