Talulah, I'm still a child.

If they follow Theresa's path, not to mention the amount of external pressure they would face, the Sarkaz, who have been raised on war and bloodshed, are inherently inclined to solve everything with violence and yearn for revenge against those who destroyed their homes. Such people are the majority.

On the other hand, Theresa and he understand each other, but they don't agree with each other's paths. If he could, he would want Theresa's dream to come true more than anyone else, because she is his sister, whom he watched grow up.

What are you thinking about?

"..."

Opening his eyes, the nine-tailed fox-eared boy was lying on the conference table, his hands crossed to support his head, his two little feet restlessly tucked together, his tail swaying from side to side, and his eyes filled with a cunning that Theresis was unfamiliar with.

Although he hadn't met Mei Xue many times, he had heard a lot about the little fox from Theresa. At least in Theresa's description, Mei Xue was a very simple child, who could be said to know nothing about the outside world. Apart from being able to understand all languages, she didn't even have basic common sense.

However, when Theresis saw those eyes, she felt as if she were seeing a cunning fox spirit. No, this little fox in front of her could indeed be considered Terra's first fox spirit.

“I know. The Grand Dukes and Earls of Victoria are approaching. There are at least 400,000 troops surrounding Londinium. They are sending their envoys to discuss how to end this war as quickly as possible and then divide the spoils.”

Ignoring Therese's something wrong with her expression, Mei Xue continued counting on her fingers as she spoke.

"Tonight they will get a result. The Iron Duke, who has two members of the Victorian royal family, has the strongest army and the highest prestige. He will become the commander-in-chief of the allied forces. After the deed is done, he will support Abrahana to sit on the throne."

"As for the rest, since the Victorians were able to send their king to the executioner's block more than 20 years ago, they naturally wouldn't mind sending another one up. So the throne is just an insignificant point in the division of interests."

"The Duke of Castle will receive a rich land and another Draco as a means to restrain the Iron Duke. Of course, this is also a choice that the Iron Duke will make. Lavshine is weaker than her sister and is powerless to resist."

"The Duke of Windermere will be publicized as the greatest contributor to the defeat of the Sarkaz, becoming the second Iron Duke and taking control of Victoria's military. His army will naturally lead the initial battle, but before that, he will definitely send some earls to probe the Sarkaz's strength..."

Mei Xue spoke clearly, word by word, even using the ancient Sarkaz language, as if afraid that Theresis wouldn't understand, or as if he had personally witnessed everything that would happen in the future.

Therese knew that Mei Xue had no reason to deceive him on this matter. He explained the Grand Dukes' plans in detail, such as the new steam knights that the Duke of Normandy would manufacture, the Duke of Godotin's secret forces, and even the exact date and time when the counts would arrive at their location.

"Of course, I know what you've prepared. Even with this city as a base, the Sarkaz can't afford a war of attrition. You're at a disadvantage in terms of manpower and supplies, so you must have a trump card. But relying on the incomplete Theresa is too naive. So when are you going to finally remove this dark cloud? It's been so inconvenient to even hang clothes out to dry lately."

It can't be hidden. In front of Mei Xue, the secret is nothing but a self-deceiving joke. You can fool yourself, but don't take it seriously.

"The Shard Tower, the airships of the Cataclysm, these technologies were originally meant to help you defend against natural disasters, um... never mind, sigh."

The little fox flicked its tail in frustration, as if it had remembered something. Much of its memory had returned. With Talulah and the Reunion Movement becoming the access points, as the mascot, it naturally had more room to maneuver. The two worlds gradually drew closer and adjusted to each other. With the past timeline in place, its memories naturally became more complete.

Because that parallel world was created by Su Xueer, not by Mei Xue after making a wish, it has a clear past. When this past overlaps with the present due to Mei Xue's "uniqueness", his memories will recover more quickly. Now the little fox already remembers how he met Isamara.

What are you trying to say?

After listening to Mei Xue say so much, Theresis didn't think that she had come to leak information to him. To be honest, the relationship between Rhodes Island and Theresis was almost irreconcilable. The fact that Mei Xue did nothing after arriving here was the most unbelievable thing.

"It's nothing, I just wanted to ask if you could move that seat a little over?"

Mei Xue pointed to the somewhat dilapidated throne behind Theresis. Although he would occasionally sit on it, he still preferred to sit at the conference table, lost in thought about various things, and even contemplating how he would die.

"You're not the kind of person who would be interested in that position."

Given Mei Xue's status, Theresis couldn't see any reason why she would be interested in the Victorian throne. This little fox and the Doctor were secretly pushing for the establishment of the Terra Union, which, in terms of their identities, was far more useful than an empty shell of a king.

Besides, if this unambitious little fox were truly interested in power, why would he need to ask Theresis for it? Bolivar, Iberia, Da Yan, and Sami would have welcomed him with open arms.

“Since the Grand Duke of Victoria is here in the name of upholding orthodoxy, then let a suitable person take the seat.”

It's quite ironic, really. They were the ones who, back then, joined forces with the Council of Nobles to arrest the last King of Aslan, Frederick III, and executed him in the name of the people of Victoria. Now they're trying to install a new king in the name of the people of Victoria. It's ridiculous.

Since the grand dukes have come for such a reason, it would be enough for them to halt their military advance if a person of sufficient status were seated on the throne.

"...You want to support Talulah to take power?"

"Of course not. Although my sister might agree if I asked, she wouldn't like doing it."

As the leader of the Reunion Movement, even with her Drak bloodline, Talulah can still proclaim that "bloodline is not a reason to determine one's origin." She rejects the so-called monarchy more than anyone else. Of course, it's not impossible for a monarch to enable his subjects to live a prosperous life, but for the Reunion Movement, the monarchy and nobility are simply too uncomfortable.

"So who do you want to send?"

“I happen to know an Aslan who has been living abroad, and she is a good fit.”

Is it really just a coincidence? Theresis was very skeptical. Mei Xue and the Doctor's arrangements were truly watertight, with all sorts of backup plans, and they even forced the situation to develop to this point. Nevertheless, he rubbed his temples.

"If you don't make a move, what difference does it make if there's another vase in that spot?"

It wasn't that Therese didn't want to give up her position. For the Grand Dukes who had already made up their minds, even if a legitimate member of the Victorian royal family sat on the throne, as long as they didn't admit it, they had plenty of excuses. For example, they could claim that the other party was just playing a trick on the Sarkaz, or that they were being held hostage by the Sarkaz. In any case, when it comes to war, excuses are always the least important thing. Only after the war is over will people realize just how absurd these high-sounding reasons really are.

Did I ever say I would sit on the city wall with popcorn and watch a play?

Mei Xue flicked her tail, her smile exceptionally bright, but it sent a chill down Therese's spine. Even though he had experienced dozens of wars, big and small, and even faced his sister in arms, he finally realized at this moment that something was wrong.

That is because Mei Xue in front of him was too proactive, so proactive that it was unlike him. According to Theresa's memories, although they were in the Tower of Babel back then, Mei Xue did not intend to help. He only responded occasionally and gave some good luck. As for those things like "stealing the military food and supplies of Theresa's camp", he was basically tricked into doing them by Miss Doctor.

Neither Kal'tsit nor Theresa, and especially the Doctor, would ever allow Mei Xue to go to the front lines. In fact, after someone made such a request, Mei Xue was scolded by the Doctor. According to Theresa, it was the first time she had ever seen the Doctor so angry.

However, now, Mei Xue has actually offered to help, and she's even helping Theresis. This is even more unbelievable than the sun rising in the west.

"Alright, alright, well, I just don't want too many people to die. Although it doesn't seem to matter that much, it's still better not to."

As Mei Xue spoke incoherently, her delicate little feet swayed gently. If it weren't Theresis sitting in front of her but Talulah or Qin Liu, the little fox would probably be forced to change her stockings again.

"So, how do you plan to stop this war?"

"It's very simple, you'll find out in a bit."

Mei Xue twitched her fox ears and jumped off the table. She left the Great Hall with nimble and cheerful steps, humming a pleasant little tune, leaving Theresis wondering what would happen.

Then, three minutes after Mei Xue left, the absolution master who had previously stepped back hurriedly came back in.

"Your Highness, according to intelligence, the armies of the Grand Dukes, including the Iron Duke, the Duke of Caest, the Duke of Windermere, the Duke of Godottin, and the Duke of Normandy, have all left their posts and are heading to Londinium."

"...When was this news received?"

"yesterday!"

It didn't match up. Therese was momentarily stunned, because he had heard this news five days ago, and he could even guess what the Pardoner would say next.

"Under the banner of upholding orthodoxy, the Iron Duke declared his submission to a Drak named Abrahana, while the Duke of Normandy secretly manufactured dozens of steam knights..."

Before the absolution master could speak, Therese said everything the other party wanted to say, which surprised the absolution master.

"Your Highness, you already know about this news?"

“...I know, because you told me about these things five days ago.”

"But... this information is all the latest."

Raising her hand to indicate there was no need to panic, Therese was quick-witted and soon guessed that this was Mei Xue's doing.

"Is the intelligence absolutely certain?"

"Yes."

"If that's the case... then it must be that the Lord of Fate did something, he changed the past."

Now, Therese has glimpsed a fraction of Mei Xue's power. At the same time, he finally understands why Therese is so wary of Mei Xue. It's not just a difference in strength, but a deeper difference in their levels of understanding.

"Go and convene a meeting of the royal court for me."

"Yes!"

Regardless of Therese's reaction or the reactions of the Grand Dukes of Victoria, Mei Xue walked out with an apple in her mouth, and the soldiers around her seemed not to see her at all.

However, the little fox wasn't as carefree as he seemed. Part of his attention was diverted to the Sirens, observing the northern plains of Ursus through the eyes of one of the Sirens.

Just moments ago it was a blizzard, but now it was unusually quiet. Arriving at the northernmost polar region of Terra, the Sirens marveled at the beauty of the aurora above their heads, but also kept an eye on the darkness.

"This is their mother nest. No wonder they can't be killed off."

Sirens number sixteen were having a headache. For countless years, demons had been a major thorn in the side of Terra. These strange creatures, whose strength increased with the number of people who knew about them, were not allowed to be revealed because of their nature. As a result, none of the First and Second Army Groups of Ursus who came here ever returned. Every single one of those warriors died in battle, guarding that fragile defensive line.

"It's actually an infected space used as a passage... Tsk, let's just throw them away along with this mountain!"

Clenching their fists and making a crackling sound like popping beans, the Siren girls were exceptionally motivated as they stared at the countless eerie eyes in the darkness.

Chapter 113 Alluring Plum Blossoms

"It's weird..."

Standing on the deck of the high-speed warship, Abrahana frowned in confusion.

"What's wrong, Leader?"

The guard officer beside him asked, "Now that the Iron Duke has declared himself a vassal of Abrahana, his subordinates naturally follow Abrahana's lead."

Have we been here before?

A strange sense of familiarity lingered in Abrahana's heart. Looking at the ordinary wilderness before her, she felt that something was not right.

"The Gastrill passed through here four years ago."

"Really... then perhaps I remembered it wrong."

For seven years, the most elite high-speed warship in Victoria, named Gastrill, wandered aimlessly, making it difficult for the other Grand Dukes to guess the Iron Duke's thoughts.

Perhaps it was because she had seen too many such scenes over the years that she felt a sense of familiarity. Abrahana shook her head, somewhat helplessly.

Ahmoni's double agent status was no secret to her, but as a veteran who had come from the early days of Deeppool, she gave Ahmoni time to think and didn't mind forcing her to completely sever ties with the Victorian army.

However, despite all their calculations, they hadn't anticipated that Ahmoni was actually a triple agent, and that she had so openly fled from Little Hill County. Most importantly, there was also that Mei Xue, who was most likely a member of the Sarkaz. The assassination that Theresis had commissioned for Deeppool was probably just to test their strength, and it's possible that it was he who arranged for the interception of Mandra and Raphsini.

“Miscalculation… But Ahmoni alone is not enough to shake the course of the war.”

Ahmoni's betrayal was unexpected, but as Abrahana said, the intelligence she possessed could no longer affect the actions of the Deeppool and the Iron Duke's armies. The envoys of the various dukes and counts had gathered, and once the division of their respective interests was settled, only destruction awaited the Sarkaz army.

Mei Xue has been acting strangely lately. Both Talulah and Cecilia could sense it. The little fox was spacing out more often and for longer periods of time than before. It was one thing for Mei Xue to be sleepy before, but now the little fox... well, sometimes her eyes would turn into a beautiful gold, and sometimes they would have no light at all.

"Mei Xue, Mei Xue~"

Talulah waved her hand in front of Mei Xue. Talulah's voice gradually brought the little fox to his senses. He gently bit Talulah's finger, his tongue sliding across the fingertip before he withdrew it.

"What's wrong, darling?"

At this moment, Mei Xue was sitting on the bed like a duck, still wearing her old pajamas. Yes, that loose white shirt, hanging loosely and barely on Mei Xue's shoulders.

It was fine before, because Mei Xue only had three tails back then, but now the little fox has nine tails. The increase in the number of tails makes it a bit inconvenient for Mei Xue to wear clothes now. At least her shirt is easily... no, there's not much left to cover it up. So Mei Xue always has to pull down the hem of her shirt with her hands, but her smooth and tender legs can't be hidden. Talulah felt her nose getting a little itchy.

"Oh no, my sister has a nosebleed."

Embarrassingly, she couldn't resist. Although she had seen all kinds of Mei Xue, Talulah felt that her psychological defenses were as fragile as a piece of paper in front of Mei Xue. When this little fox was innocent, it made people feel an irresistible desire to defile her and a sense of guilt for her, yet she could also occasionally show a charming and alluring temperament that made people's hearts tremble, making people think that this little fox was a genuine fox spirit.

"It's nothing, I just ate something that makes me feel hot."

(Although it was plum blossom snow)

Talulah wiped the blood from her nose, then sat on the bed and hugged Mei Xue, nuzzling her gently.

"What are you thinking about? You seem distracted these past few days."