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

If this method of warfare is widely implemented, it will undoubtedly greatly improve the organization and reinforcement capabilities of Victoria's army on Terra, where population is the most valuable resource, thereby increasing its combat effectiveness exponentially!

Ernest couldn't help but take it seriously. This wasn't surprising, really. The three-thirds system originated from the experience of British General Sir Hamilton based on the history of military organization. Naturally, it was more easily accepted by Victoria, whose system was very similar to Great Britain. And through Wayne's clever integration of the three-thirds system (political aspect) and the three-thirds system (strategic aspect), which had been improved and developed in China in his previous life but were actually not the same thing, into this paper, it was naturally easier to accept and attract attention.

In general, we all stand on the shoulders of giants!

But Ernest was unaware of these secrets known only to Wayne. He suppressed his impulse and turned his attention to more crucial matters.

Where did this report come from?

Ernest asked with interest, only to see the adjutant glance down at a stack of Royal Guard academy papers on the table, then look somewhat astonished.

"Written by a student from the Imperial Guard Academy?"

"Yes, a student named Bruce."

Bruce.....

Ernest inexplicably felt he had forgotten something, but the name Bruce was just as ubiquitous in Victoria as names like Zhang San, Li Si, and XX Jiahao were in Yan Country. Ernest pondered for a moment, but couldn't recall anyone with the name Bruce, so he put his doubts aside and waved his hand:

“I need to see all the information about this student within three days. I’ll ask the Dean of the Royal Guard Academy for it, and I’ll do everything I can to transfer him to the Military Academy. Victoria can’t afford to miss out on a talent like this, who can write such a thesis.”

He paused, thought for a few seconds, and added:

"By the way, transfer his assessment to the Military Academy and let him participate in the Northern Wilderness extermination operation with the students of the Military Academy. On the one hand, this can put this set of tactics into practice, improve and optimize it, and then try to promote it in the army. On the other hand, it can train this promising young commander and let him accumulate some combat experience in advance."

Adjutant Anhalt straightened his back, understanding the importance Ernest placed on Bruce, and solemnly saluted, saying loudly, "Yes, Marshal!"

P.S.: I read the comments and everyone's saying I didn't offer enough bounties, so it wasn't very meaningful. I figured promising to pay it back within a week was much more convincing than those people who open unlimited bounties, clearly just trying to make a quick buck and run, right? Not only did I not get the treasure chest, but I also got yelled at. I've deleted the bounties; I currently owe four chapters, and I'll pay them back within seven days. I'm never opening bounties again, sob sob.

Chapter Ten [Goodnight]: "Like" refers to @[Bruce]

Meanwhile, at Victoria, Iron Palace, 11:00 pm.

The meal didn't go as smoothly as Wayne had imagined. Because of Theresa's sudden, seemingly blunt approach, Wayne and Theresa spent a long time arguing and eating in silence. Meanwhile, Miss Vina, who tried to mediate, did a lot of talking, but it was clear that although Wayne and Theresa sincerely looked at Vina with gratitude, neither of them took her praise to heart.

As darkness fell, it was already 11 p.m.

Theresa quickly washed up and lay down on the unfamiliar bed in Victoria for the first time. She closed her eyes, trying to fall asleep, but couldn't. Frustrated, she took her phone from her handbag hanging on the clothes rack, opened the messaging app "LINE," and tapped on that familiar profile picture.

[Goodnight]: "Is Mr. Bruce there?"

Surprisingly, there was little hesitation or shyness. The internet is such a useful barrier sometimes, like stones passed between people in ancient times or letters exchanged between different places in modern times. The subtle sense of distance and relaxation allows people to easily say many things online that they would never say in real life.

Although she confidently stated last night that "due to her real-life reasons, this account may no longer be used!", Theresa showed no hesitation in sending the message.

Because the culprit who forced her to abandon the account is none other than Mr. Bruce, who is probably hiding behind the screen with a wicked grin right now!

That person is so wicked!

He forced her to make such a difficult decision to say goodbye last night, and then he immediately reappeared in front of her today, face to face, no less. The more Theresa thought about it, the angrier she became. Yet, aside from giving her a medal symbolizing their secret, Wayne said nothing, leaving Theresa unable to vent her anger on him!

It wouldn't be right for Theresa to run up to Wayne and say, "Mr. Bruce, I was very sad when I said goodbye to you last night, but I'm so glad to see you again in this way today! So please stop teasing me."

Impossible. Theresa could never say something like that in real life, it's practically a confession. The subtle hints she gave this afternoon were already the limit. Anything further...

It might be possible online, but you definitely couldn't say it in real life... right?

Reaching out to touch the medal that still retained a trace of warmth from her body, which lay beside her pillow, Theresa asked herself a question.

Wayne was already in bed, ready to sleep. A lot had happened today, and he hadn't quite processed it all yet.

However, one thing is certain: Theresa is absolutely amazing!

And for some reason, perhaps because of the medal he gave her? Princess Theresa's favorability towards him was unexpectedly high. Could it be that his reputation wasn't actually as bad as it seemed?

Well, he's probably overthinking it. Judging from the rumors circulating in Lentinium, his reputation isn't exactly great.

So could it really be because of that medal? Is Theresa so fond of that little trinket?

Before he could figure it out, his phone on the bedside table suddenly lit up.

Special attention to [Goodnight]: Mr. Bruce, are you there?

uh-huh?

Looking at the message on his phone screen, Wayne raised an eyebrow and replied:

[Bruce]: I thought Miss [Goodnight] wouldn't be online. I was thinking of saying this yesterday, and although it might be a bit presumptuous, I'm still curious to know if Miss [Goodnight] is having any trouble in real life? Maybe I can help!

Having changed into a cream-colored nightgown, and curled up on the unfamiliar bed, Theresa looked at the information before her, feeling a mix of shame and indignation.

Can you help?

Keep pretending! We've already given you a medal, what are you still pretending for?

It's something that's already been tacitly agreed upon, yet she had to say it out loud. There's a reason why Prince Bruce has such a terrible reputation.

He needs correction! He needs someone to help him with long-term personality correction!

As Terra's only psychologist with the ability to read minds, Theresa has no choice but to take on the responsibility!

After stammering for a while, mentally cursing Prince Bruce, who was known for his pranks, from his bristling fur to his puffed-up tail, Theresa finally muttered to herself:

“You’re no trouble at all, Your Highness Bruce.”

I said it, but unfortunately you can't hear me. A blush crept onto Theresa's fair cheeks as she typed:

【Goodnight】: "Hmph, I didn't encounter any trouble, but I mainly thought I was going to meet a really scary person today."

Wayne paused, taken aback. He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that Miss "Goodnight" sounded much more casual, even a little like she was pleading for comfort.

[Bruce]: "Oh? So how do you feel about him? What kind of person is he?"

[Goodnight]: "Who would ask such a question?"

Who would ask such a question? Even online, directly asking your marriage partner for their opinion of you is just too...

That... doesn't seem to make any mistakes. It seems that as long as Wayne isn't embarrassed, it's Theresa who's embarrassed?

But why should he care so much about what I think of him?

Theresa felt a warmth in her heart and typed:

[Goodnight]: "He's surprisingly a very nice person, and I like him a lot. Are you satisfied with what I've said?"

Wayne stared at the few lines of text on the screen, blinked, and for some reason, felt a sharp pain in his stomach. With a hint of unease, he typed:

[Bruce]: "Like, what do you mean?"

【Good night】:"???"

Three question marks in a row—Miss "Goodnight" seemed to be expressing her strong dissatisfaction with his own persistent questioning. Wayne scratched his head and took a deep breath.

[Bruce]: "It's nothing. It seems you really don't need my help. I'm sorry to bother you so late. Goodbye."

【Good night】:"?"

Theresa frowned slightly, feeling a hint of dissatisfaction at the words on the screen that seemed to explicitly say, "I'm tired, I'm sad, I'm not contacting you anymore." She wished she could immediately run to Wayne's dorm room, crack open his forehead, and use Originium Arts to see what kind of mischievous thing was inside, always trying to play tricks on her.

Even if Theresa were to die, even if she jumped from the Iron Palace in Londinium, she would never say those words as Wayne wished!

[Bruce]: "Goodnight..."

[Goodnight]: "Goodnight what?!"

Theresa typed to Wayne, her face flushed with anger, and sighed helplessly.

Forget it. They're all arranged marriage partners anyway. It's better to say it now than not. Theresa isn't going to go along with Bruce's wishes and force herself to be a riddle-solving machine that's driving him crazy!

[Goodnight]: "Liking means, @[Bruce]! Do you understand? Well then, see you tomorrow, Your Highness Bruce. May you sleep peacefully tonight."

After clicking send, Theresa didn't dare to look at Wayne's reply. She hurriedly threw her phone aside, grabbed the blanket, and pulled it over her head, covering her flushed cheeks, leaving only two slightly trembling black horns sticking out.

She bet that if she used Originium Arts on herself now, she would be hospitalized tomorrow with extensive burns from the body temperature caused by the emotional feedback.

said it.

Surprisingly... I felt a sense of relief?

Wayne's dormitory.

Wayne Bruce blinked, staring at the plot twist on his phone screen that had suddenly taken a 180-degree turn, his mind blank for more than a minute.

"Like" refers to @[Bruce]

"Bruce" is me. So, Miss "Goodnight" was just saying she liked...me?

She met me today and thought I was surprisingly a nice person.

Who is she?

First, we can rule out Vina.

Who did he meet today?

Mudrock? Wayne knew her; she seemed simple-minded and straightforward, so that ruled her out. Mostima? Wayne knew her too; if it were her, he'd probably be in a time-stopping game by now, so impossible. Chen? Even less likely. Wayne knew Chen; if it were that strong woman, he'd be the one so embarrassed that he'd hastily logged off with his avatar blacked out.

Who is Miss "Goodnight"?

A figure with an unloaded texture flashed through his mind, and Wayne suddenly sat up in bed, letting out a strange, unintelligible cry.

"*An indescribable roar of a male lion*"

Chapter Eleven Mostima and the Shining

Victoria, Lentinium, May 14, sunny.

The Shining hesitated for a moment, deciding not to write down the inappropriate air quality and wind speed in the diary—even though the diary was actually a report for Theresis, the Shining at least wanted to make it look like a diary.

Today, I accompanied Princess Theresa to the Great Clock Tower in Londinium, hoping to see the legendary unicorn clan and the "Old Man of the Clock Tower." However, things didn't go as planned. Wayne Bruce simply took Princess Theresa to the top of the clock tower, where they enjoyed the beautiful blend of classical and modern Londinium before leaving, without any intention of introducing her to the "Old Man of the Clock Tower."

Mission: [Investigation of the Victorian Long-lived Guardians] Failed.

Silently erasing the columns in the notebook, Shining sighed and looked at the series of black smudges on the ink.

Those were all sections she had crossed out.

The mission "Help Princess Theresa gain favor with Wayne Bruce" has failed. Princess Theresa and Wayne Bruce have an exceptionally good relationship, so there's no need for her to help. Theresa can easily defeat Wayne on her own.

The mission "Help Princess Theresa gain the approval of the Victorian royal family" failed. Thinking of the young queen who was walking alongside Princess Theresa and kept calling her "teacher," Shining felt that Princess Theresa probably didn't need her cooperation; she could accomplish a double kill on her own.

The mission was to [help Princess Theresa confirm the succession to her heir]. This mission could be considered a failure, or rather, Princess Theresa's worries were unnecessary. The relationship between the young Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales did not break down as expected; on the contrary, their relationship seemed quite good. At least, Shining had never seen Vina with even a single guard when meeting with Wayne.

Adding to the one that had just been crossed out—the only one that had nothing to do with Princess Theresa—Shining glanced at the now completely crossed-out task list and let out a long sigh.