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

Victoria, Royal Guard College, early morning.

As soon as Chen entered the classroom, he was blocked in his seat by the excited Professor Felin.

"Chen, there might be a chance for what you asked me last time."

Chen was stunned for a moment, then a light flashed in his eyes, and he asked with delight:

Is there really a way to rescue a nobleman who is under house arrest?

Professor Felin, who was tall and slender, nodded happily, took out a letter from his pocket bearing the wax seal of the Royal Military Academy and the Victoria General Staff, and handed it to Chen.

"This is the result of your own hard work. Be happy, Chen. The Royal Military Academy has always had an unwritten rule that it will specially recruit those with outstanding academic performance or special talents from among the various academies. You have gained their recognition!"

Holding the letter and Chen's hand together to her heart, Professor Felin offered her heartfelt congratulations. She had witnessed Chen's efforts firsthand during these days, and after that one night, she seemed to have found an even more urgent goal, striving for excellence in everything she did, with a clear purpose in everything she did. Her efforts had earned her this invitation.

"The Royal Military Academy is home to the elite of the Victorian Empire, offering the best education, the best equipment, the best learning environment, and also the best connections and career paths. As long as you pass their tests and become a member, you will surely become a high-ranking figure in the Victorian military or even a nobleman. At that time, rescuing that nobleman you mentioned who is under house arrest will be a piece of cake."

Chen Xiao's mouth opened slightly, somewhat shocked and surprised, but after a long while, she firmly shook her head and asked:

"What if I don't want to stay in Victoria? I want to go back to my hometown after graduation. Is there a faster way?"

Chen vividly remembers Wayne's state at the time; she will never forget the scene where Wayne was forced to leave with that blonde girl.

She couldn't wait any longer; she wanted to rescue Bruce immediately!

Professor Felin's expression froze for a moment, a hint of resentment rising within her, seemingly regretting Chen's decision. But faced with Chen's resolute gaze, after a moment's hesitation, she reluctantly nodded.

"It's alright. Even so, you should participate in this assessment even more. Every time the Royal Military Academy conducts an assessment, high-ranking military officials are present, and those who perform exceptionally well may even gain the appreciation of Marshal Ernest. Chen, do you understand? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Marshal Ernest!

Chen opened his mouth in surprise for the third time today.

She couldn't help but look at the seat directly in front of her, a seat that had been empty since the start of the semester.

If it were someone like Marshal Ernest, he would surely be able to rescue Bruce, right?

Chen closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"I understand! I will go!"

I will go, defeat those prodigies, and gain the Marshal's approval! Then I will formally ask him to rescue you, Bruce!

Wait for me!

I will become your hero!

Chapter Twenty-Two: Heidi Thomson

Victoria, in the North, County Toronto.

Calling it the northern border isn't entirely accurate. Strictly speaking, mobile cities don't have defined "boundaries." So, the so-called borders usually refer to the sphere of influence of a mobile city. However, influenced by factors such as resource availability, political needs, and local customs, a mobile city generally doesn't stray too far from its regular operating trajectory unless there are special circumstances. This indirectly creates "borders" across a barren land by connecting the operating trajectories of several mobile cities.

Dorron County is a small, unremarkable mobile city on the border. Its lord, Earl Vincent, is nearly fifty years old. While he hasn't achieved any particularly outstanding political accomplishments during his tenure, he has managed to govern the entire Dorron County quite well. However, the recent appearance of rampaging infected creatures around the mobile city has suddenly transformed this small town, which might never even catch the eye of a high-ranking figure in Londinium, into a highly sought-after prize by the Imperial General Staff. The reason is simple...

—The Royal Military Academy of Victoria selected this place as the examination venue for its graduation assessment!

Count Vincent instructed the servants in the Count's mansion to speed up the cleaning of the unused guest rooms, replacing them with newly purchased velvet mattresses and bright wall lamps, transforming the rooms of the Count's mansion into guest rooms that looked exactly like those in a high-class hotel. Soon, the students of the Royal Military Academy who arrived here would stay here.

Each and every one of them was a rising star in Victoria. Even if he didn't expect to satisfy them all, he at least wanted to ensure they didn't feel they hadn't been treated well. This was an opportunity for himself and for the entire territory. Vincent valued this opportunity highly!

The count glanced down at his watch, then looked up, summoned the manor's butler, and asked:

Has Mr. Thomson not arrived yet?

“No, sir,” the butler replied respectfully. “Mr. Thomson has difficulty walking, which may delay his journey, but I am confident that he will complete your mission.”

Vincent wiped the dust off his face from running around and sighed softly.

"I hope so. This is the first time in so many years that I've asked my old friend for a favor."

He trusted his old friend, or rather, he trusted all his subordinates, even though he had long known that his men, his friends, and his guests seemed to be plotting something earth-shattering behind his back, but Count Vincent never questioned it.

This is also a way of being a person and governing. Vincent was willing to be a purely foolish nobleman, protecting his people, developing his territory, and making friends with other nobles. Everything else was none of his concern. He didn't know, nor did he want to know, and would only silently protect his friends.

"Mr. Thomson is honored to have a friend like you."

The old butler bowed humbly in praise, while Vincent gave him a helpless look.

Praising someone other than the master, especially when that person might be late, is not something a butler should do.

But... never mind, it's none of my business, I'll just pretend I didn't understand anything.

Earl Vincent smiled slightly and gladly accepted the compliment:

"Thank you, sir."

Before he could finish speaking, there was a crisp knock on the door.

Earl Vincent raised an eyebrow, a hint of delight on his face. Before the butler could act, he strode quickly to the front door, grabbed the gilded doorknob, and opened it.

"Hi, Uncle Vincent, long time no see!"

The noblewoman with short, light pink hair and a cute face happily raised her hand to greet Vincent. Noticing the expression on Vincent's face, she pouted in displeasure.

Why do you look at me like that? Are you unhappy to see me like that?

"Heidi—"

Vincent said, his drawn-out tone filled with helplessness.

“I have important business with your father, Thomson. As the president of the Toronto County Literary Society, shouldn’t he do his part for our community on this important day? I think I’ve made it very clear in my letter. Please come in person.”

Heidi hesitated for a moment, then nodded, took a sealed letter coated with sealing wax from her handbag, and handed it to Vincent:

"I'm here to deliver my father's letter. He locked himself in his study for three days because of this letter."

As she spoke, she narrowed her eyes slightly and asked curiously:

"Uncle Vincent, what's written here that's so important? Is something going to happen in Toronto?"

Vincent smiled and replied happily:

"Something big is definitely going to happen soon, but the details are confidential. You'll find out when the time comes."

As she spoke, she patted the girl's head and quietly approached her, saying:

"Stay here with me for the next few days. I've already informed your father. This is your chance!"

Although he had watched Heidi grow up since he was a child and didn't have much of a real connection with her, Vincent knew that if his friend's daughter Heidi was second in looks and knowledge among the younger generation in Toronto, then no one would dare to claim to be first.

Although it cannot be said outright who the people who will be arriving soon are, as long as Heidi is present, she might be able to develop a friendship or something beyond friendship with a student from the military academy. At the very least, she would become a countess.

She wasn't just the wife of a border count in a remote region like myself; she was a countess of Londinium's rising star, a woman of exceptional talent and prestige.

Vincent had already subtly informed Heidi's father, Thomson, about this matter through a letter, intending to invite him over for a detailed discussion. However, Thomson simply dumped his daughter on him.

What an irresponsible father!

Vincent even felt that he probably loved this jewel of Toronto even more than Heidi's father did, which was why he was so considerate of her.

Seeing Heidi nod with a bewildered expression and promise to come, Vincent stepped aside to let Heidi into the mansion, and then called the butler:

"Arrange a room for our lovely little Heidi, and remember, near the core."

The heart of the mansion is Count Vincent's bedroom, which was requisitioned. During the requisition, the reconnaissance sorcerers sent by the General Staff repeatedly checked the entire room several times to ensure there were no secret passages or mechanisms before they began to arrange the furnishings. This level of attention shows just how important the person who will be staying there is.

Earl Vincent was not power-hungry, but that did not mean that as a nobleman he was lazy and unambitious. On the contrary, although he was middle-aged and no longer so eager for a title, he was happy to find a good future for his friends and their daughters.

While the powerful figures residing at the heart of the society were unlikely to look favorably upon a "commoner" like Heidi without a title, simply catching her eye and receiving a few words of praise would secure Heidi's future. In fact, Vincent even fantasized that the woman who had come before him was the young Queen Victoria, who had finally arrived after the throne had been vacant. Young girls' friendships were always much simpler than adults'; perhaps Heidi could become her friend?

Unfortunately, there has never been a precedent in history for the Aslan royal family to participate in such activities. The high and mighty royal family will only present an award to the outstanding individuals at the end, and this is extremely rare. Most of the time, it is just the principal or vice principal of the Royal Military Academy who makes the appearance.

Regardless, it's an opportunity, and it's worth seizing!

Vincent winked at the butler, giving him a subtle hint. After receiving a knowing smile from the old butler, Vincent finally felt relieved. He watched Heidi follow the butler up to the third floor of the mansion, while he went back to his work as a supervisor.

......

The old butler walked in front, and Heidi followed behind. As the noise behind them gradually faded away, Heidi and the old butler simultaneously stopped smiling.

“Miss Heidi, I never expected that Chairman Thomson would send you to carry out this mission.”

“I didn’t expect this either.” Heidi pursed her lips sadly, turned around, and said solemnly, “My father has passed away.”

The old butler's pupils widened suddenly, and the next second, he said in an incredulous voice:

"Who did it? With such a large intelligence network covering the entire Toronto County and even extending to several surrounding counties, who could have attacked Chairman Thomson without our knowledge?"

"Who else could it be but the Duke of Normandy?"

Heidi took a long breath and then slowly exhaled:

"The Duke of Normandy seems to have been provoked by something. Perhaps our investigation has finally touched his interests, or perhaps it's because of the major events that are about to happen in County Toronto. I can't say for sure yet. But the fact that he's in a hurry means that we're on the right track and not far from the truth."

Heidi said earnestly,

"The truth about the assassination of the King of the North!"

Chapter Twenty-Three: Please don't do this, I'm quite scared.

Victoria, Londinim, main gate of the Royal Military Academy, 6:00 am.

Bathed in the morning glow, a number of troop carriers painted in tactical camouflage were already parked in front of the majestic iron gates of the Royal Military Academy, lined up in formation. The graduating students, waiting to depart, conscientiously counted the number of people on their lists to ensure that every student participating in the graduation assessment was present.

However, Kench, the Felin sergeant in charge of checking the list, was surprised to find a name he had never seen before added at the very top of the list: Bruce.

He frowned slightly, looking at "Chen," whose name was listed at the very bottom of the list and marked with the words "Special Recruitment of the Imperial Guard Academy," and a question mark popped up on his forehead.

What's happening here?

The Royal Military Academy has a tradition of admitting special students, something he, as the class monitor, had heard about. These special students, like the one named "Chen" at the bottom of the list, often had a special identifier. This was both a reward and a pressure. Being specifically highlighted could effectively motivate regular graduates and would be valued by them and their families and businesses. However, special students also faced stronger exclusion and comparison because they were seen as outcasts.

The higher the social circle, the harder it is to integrate outsiders. This is an unchanging rule of the aristocracy. If a stranger is added to a group of familiar ordinary people, the stranger will be ostracized. How much more so in the eyes of the aristocracy, whose circles are even more closed and whose vision is even more aloof?

As the class monitor, Kench was prepared to compete with Chen, a student whom the military academy considered "exceptionally outstanding." But at this moment, a new person he had never seen before appeared on the list.

Who is he?

Kench searched his memory, confirming that he had never heard of any nobleman named "Bruce," then clutched the list tightly, walked to the front of the line with a puzzled expression, held up the list, pointed to the first name on the white paper, and said: