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

Mudrock looked at Wayne, his expression somewhat complicated.

This can't be paid off just by paying it off once or twice without charge, this...

What should we do?

Wayne didn't notice Mudrock's subtle movements, and besides, Mudrock's jewel-like red eyes were hidden by a thick black mask, making it difficult for him to notice them either.

As for the money spent today?

Actually, it didn't cost much at all.

Those two weapon shops, located in the best positions at the entrance to Weapon Street, sold the first batch of weapons and equipment retired from the Victorian army. Behind them stood the Norfolk family, who controlled the steam-powered armor; in other words, the family business of Marshal Ernest, Wayne's staunch ally. With a simple request, Ernest could easily have supplied Wayne with the army's latest and greatest weapons, but Mudrock was to be given to Vina. To avoid suspicion, Wayne specifically chose to purchase next-generation weapons and equipment instead.

In this situation, would you need to pay yourself just by informing Ernest?

That's naturally unnecessary.

As for the car, it does cost money, but Wayne's predecessor was a playboy who had nothing but money. How could he lack money to buy a car?

As for whether giving the car to Niyan for free was a loss?

Wayne didn't think so.

The car isn't just for Mudrock; Wayne can ride in it too. What does it matter if the car belongs to Mudrock? It's his own, isn't that enough?

I, Wayne, never suffer a loss!

Chapter Nine Vina: Smash the walls if you see them!

Victoria, 8 a.m.

With great difficulty, Vina struggled to break free from the comfortable libori velvet bed. As soon as she sat up, the maidservant beside her quickly stepped forward and respectfully stood in front of her, carrying the blue and white suit that Wayne had carefully selected.

Good morning, Your Highness.

The soft greeting, delivered with impeccable manners, revealed the rich upbringing of the Aslan royal family. The maidservant bowed her head slightly, waiting for Vina to lift the mosquito netting that had been hung around the five-meter-long bed only in summer.

Servants without permission are not worthy to see the true face of the noble Lion King. Even a personal maid, a position of such sensitivity, must bow her head slightly and maintain respect when meeting the royal family of Aslan until the royal family allows her to raise her head.

Vina frowned slightly. Five years ago, she left the palace and spent several years struggling in the commoners' district. She had long understood that even if Aslan's face was seen, he wouldn't lose a piece of flesh, nor would he lose his dignity. But her understanding was still her understanding. At this moment, she was not yet an empress, but just a down-on-her-luck princess who had just been dug out from the "vulgar" commoners in the mouths of the nobles. Not to mention the powerful maternal uncles who held power in the court and the country, even the royal party was dissatisfied with some of her behavior these days.

Even though she felt that drinking water during etiquette class and liking to tease the lions that roamed freely in the backyard were normal things, in the eyes of some people, this was deviant behavior, even though no one had ever expressed dissatisfaction with her for it when she was a child.

But this also made her realize that she was no longer the carefree princess under her father's protection. She was now the hope for Victoria's future, the Queen Victoria who carried the dream of her long-suffering cousin and was determined to rebuild Victoria's glory!

If she doesn't work hard and persevere, then her cousin's hatred for killing his father and her own hatred for usurping the country will both vanish under Lateran's control.

Vina lifted the gauze curtain, looked at the maid Felin who was bowing her head, paused slightly, then reached out, took the clothes from her hand, and draped them over herself with a flourish.

Yes, she does bear a heavy burden, but that doesn't mean Vina has to become a monarch like many other Victorian kings. From the day she stepped into HD, she has been struggling with this terrifying atmosphere, because she knows...

—Her current identity is merely that of a lowly, unfavored Victorian princess. If she cannot withstand the onslaught from the court officials, the palace, and this enemy called "tradition," then when Wayne gives the order, and her grand scheme of deception succeeds, and she is officially crowned Empress, she will be completely reduced to a slave to the nobility and tradition under the immense pressure of welcoming this "Victoria of the slums." At that time, she will have failed Wayne's expectations and broken their agreement.

The only thing Vina didn't want to see was disappointing Wayne, who was willing to risk his life to help her rise to power!

why?

Just a few days ago, he was one of the most evil people in her mind, someone who would have the highest negative favorability in a visual novel. But now, just seeing him makes her feel at ease, just thinking that they are both moving towards the same goal makes her happy, and just having him by her side, even in these unfamiliar high walls and in this suffocating atmosphere, makes her heart beat strongly.

Vina thought that perhaps this was related to the phrase Wayne always said.

"She's my brother."

Even if it's a watch.

"Blood is thicker than water!"

Vina cherishes this unexpected and hard-won family bond!

As the maidservant fastened the last button of her suit jacket amidst her surprised and helpless gaze, Vina stood up and personally pushed open the elegant mahogany door of her bedchamber. She was going to see the friendship she cherished just as much.

........

The reception hall in front of the Iron King's Palace.

Using gold, a favorite color of royalty, as the main color, the palace was specially designed and decorated by top Colombian designers. The walls are covered with precious oil paintings symbolizing the glorious eras of Victoria. A miniature version of Big Ben is placed at the entrance, which chimes at 6:00 a.m., noon, 6:00 p.m., and midnight, complementing the real Big Ben outside the palace.

This magnificent palace was generally reserved for Victoria's guests. Diplomatic ambassadors and leaders from across Terra had all faced Queen Victoria on those seemingly unadorned sea monster leather sofas, leaving behind their own legends. As the nation with the second-longest history in Terra after Laterano and Kazdel, although Victoria was currently in a period of chaos with a vacant throne, no one would underestimate this nation or its people.

Sitting on a sofa made from the skin of an unknown giant beast from the ocean, Indra felt somewhat nervous and regretful.

I should have known better than to listen to Gawain and come here to find Boss Vina!

But that guy actually said something like, "Of course she knows Vina won't see her, she's just asking me to test the waters, and then she, Vina's right-hand woman, will personally handle it!"

What a joke! She's just a little smarter than me. If we had a fair and just competition, it's hard to say who would win or lose. How dare Gao Wen call herself Vina's right-hand woman?

In his excitement, Indra didn't think much and boldly knocked on the gates of the Iron Palace in Londinium.

When Indra first learned that Vina was actually willing to see her, she was incredibly excited. Although she hadn't received much formal education, Vina had told them some stories before, such as "If I become rich and powerful, I will not forget my friends."

Now that Vina has become successful—no, Vina was already successful to begin with, she's made a comeback—and is now a princess, shouldn't I be able to get some kind of title, like a lord or knight?

With such a beautiful dream in mind, Indra became more and more hesitant as he walked towards the palace.

All around him were elegantly dressed and well-spoken nobles, and the maids leading the way were also exceptionally beautiful and gentle. He, on the other hand, was still wearing a spiked vest and a white shirt that looked like they had been picked up from a garbage dump. The camouflage paint on his face, which he had thought made him look incredibly handsome, was completely out of place with the environment.

Although those who passed by only cast a glance before hurrying away, Indra still felt a pang of inferiority. This was an overwhelming pressure exerted on her by her environment.

Only when she finally sat down in the outer hall's reception room did she breathe a sigh of relief, suddenly realizing that the seemingly otherworldly journey she had just traversed was actually just an insignificant entrance path to the Iron Palace complex.

"Maybe we should leave. I've heard that noble lords have bad tempers. If Vina's family finds out she secretly met with me, it might cause her trouble?"

Indra thought with some difficulty that the aloofness of the nobility was an ironclad rule engraved in the hearts of every Terran. Although Vina was willing to see him, if her family found out, it might cause Vina, who had just returned home, unnecessary trouble.

She had already silently regarded Vina's meeting with her as a clandestine act.

But on a deeper level, there was another worry in her heart—what if Vina didn't want to see her? What if Vina only wanted to greet her this time, give her some gold coins, and tell her never to come looking for her again?

She was, after all, a noblewoman, while Indra was, after all, a commoner.

Even if their relationship was very good in the past, a sad and thick barrier has now separated them.

Indra thought dejectedly, wanting to call the maid who had been leading the way to take her out of the palace. The next moment, before she could speak, Vina had already pushed open the door to the reception room.

"Indra, it's been a long time! Welcome to my home!"

Upon seeing her close friend whom she hadn't seen for several days, Vina smiled slightly, stepped forward, and took her hand.

Indra was slightly taken aback, his face filled with emotion and excitement.

The boss hasn't forgotten her!

Even with this news, the trip wasn't in vain! Compared to knighthood or titles, friendship is far more important to a girl like Indra.

I shouldn't cause Vina any trouble.

Indra stood up, carefully examined Vina's completely transformed appearance, imprinted everything in his mind, and then said:

"Long time no see, Your Highness... Gawain sent me to check on you. I'm so glad you're alright! Have a great new life. I'll be going now!"

"What did you call me?"

Vina asked with a smile.

"Your Highness?" Indra was taken aback.

Vina sighed softly.

How could she not see Indra's thoughts? Not only could she see them, but she could also understand them. Just a few days ago, she too had been struggling to survive in this long-awaited palace, filled with the same inferiority complex.

If it weren't for Wayne's solemn entrustment and fervent hope, Vina might still be living a life of constant fear and trepidation, merely surviving rather than truly living in her father's palace.

She thanked her brother for the trust in their family, which gave her the courage to fight against the incongruous atmosphere at that moment. Now, she will also protect this hard-won friendship!

Vina took a deep breath, a resolute air emanating from the young woman's face. She placed her hand on Indra's shoulder and spoke to the astonished girl before her, a promise that also extended to herself:

"I'm your big sister! No matter where I am or what I'm doing, I'll always be your big sister."

"I know what you're thinking! You think that now that I've become a princess, there's a wall between us?"

“Now, Indra, I tell you, if there is a wall, I will smash it! If there is a barrier, I will fill it! If there is a crack, I will mend it!”

"I will become a wallbreaker!"

Chapter Ten List, Urgent

Wayne was in a good mood. The newly hired mercenaries were more capable than he had expected. Those steam-powered armor pieces, in the hands of untrained individuals, would be incredibly difficult to use, let alone operate smoothly. Even moving a few steps would be a struggle. But Mudrock, wearing the armor, not only moved with ease but could even wield the half-man-high warhammer in combat. This gave Wayne a much-needed boost when the group of assassins Ernest had sent to assist in the operation questioned Mudrock's ability to lead the operation.

It's decided, I'll pay more after it's done!

A few gold coins were nothing to Wayne, and he was amazed that such a mercenary could be bought for only a dozen gold coins. Kazdel was truly full of talented people.

That Theresa really doesn't understand people's hearts. She has so many talented people around but doesn't use them. She established the Tower of Babel to solve the survival problem of the Sarkaz, but she not only destroyed Kazdel, but also got injured in the decapitation operation. All those talented people benefited Theresa.

Deep down, Wayne definitely liked Theresa, not because the princess was beautiful, but because her ideals and actions were truly inspiring.

No one likes a hypocrite, but no one hates a saint. A hypocrite is generous with other people's money, sacrificing others for their own righteousness, and always spouting nonsense like "taking a step back will lead to a brighter future." A saint, on the other hand, sacrifices herself for others, always saying "Let me go first" when facing danger, risking her own life to secure a way out for others.

He admired Theresa, so he would try to intervene in the Kazdel civil war after Victoria's affairs were settled, to protect the princess.

But in reality, he definitely identifies more with Theresis.

Terra is a place that's better known than known, and even better known than known. At the center of the maelstrom, Wayne truly experienced the coldness and cruelty of human nature.

Her predecessor could kill her doting father for the position of a puppet; oppressed civilians could kill infected people who came to ask for food in order to avoid being harassed by the search team; the weak were determined to wield their knives against the weaker; family, friendship and love were used as bargaining chips for exchanging benefits. The world that Theresa wished for only existed in Tao Yuanming's Peach Blossom Spring in the Jin Dynasty, let alone on this land.

Therese tolled the death knell for idealists. Wayne acknowledged his goals and tactics, but he didn't necessarily agree with his actions.

But there's nothing he can change right now. Victoria's small territory is already rife with problems, so let's just mind our own business for now.

Next, I need to meet with Vina and tell her that the plan is ready.

With a casual wave of his hand, Wayne stopped the maid who was hurrying past and asked:

Do you know where Her Highness is?

However, the response he received made Wayne somewhat wary.

The maid who was stopped had a darting look in her eyes and stammered softly:

"Princess...?"

Wayne frowned and pressed on: