The stars, but they become the gray wind

"You are correct. The technology and engineering capabilities of our 'partner' surpass those of the Kingdom and the Republic, or even any other country in the world. The military power they have demonstrated alone can easily defeat the entire air fleet of the Kingdom and the Republic."

"It's no exaggeration to say that if they wanted to, they could turn the entire Albion, including the Kingdom and the Republic, into a sea of ​​fire within a week."

"Therefore, this partner has also made some demands on us. To put it bluntly, it can be said that we cannot disobey the orders." When he said this, the Duke of Normandy's face turned very bad.

"After careful consideration, we accepted the proposal of our partner, with whom we suppressed the military coup."

"We will formally enter into negotiations with the Republic regarding the peaceful unification of all of Albion. The royal family will relinquish its power to rule the country and consider directly integrating the kingdom into the Republic, allowing Albion to once again become a unified nation."

After the Duke of Normandy said this, the nobles and ministers present were once again in an uproar.

"Your Excellency the Duke, are you kidding me? You're talking about giving up the kingdom's sovereignty!"

"And asking the royal family to give up their rule over the country? Duke! This is simply ridiculous!!"

"How can a kingdom exist without a royal family? Duke! What is going on?"

"Quiet!" The white-haired queen slammed the table, temporarily shutting up the noisy nobles.

"I believe everyone is well aware of the various ills accumulating within the Kingdom. The Kingdom's ability to control its colonies around the world has become increasingly weak. Indigenous peoples in various colonies have been engaged in armed uprisings and rebellions over the past decade."

"It's not just these overseas colonies; conflicts within the kingdom itself are also growing. The public's dissent and opposition to the existing system has become so strong that it can no longer be ignored. Coupled with the Republic's instigation, a revolution even larger than the one from ten years ago could erupt within the kingdom at any moment."

"Coupled with the recent arms race with the Republic, the Kingdom's financial situation is not optimistic. Under these circumstances, we have no choice but to increase taxes on the people, which has led to further public resentment towards the Kingdom's current system."

"And everyone present here, I believe that many of you have made a fortune from the increase in orders and bidding for military-industrial enterprises caused by the arms race with the Republic in recent years, as well as the policies of increasing taxes on the people several times?" Having said this, the queen glanced at several noble dukes present who seemed a little guilty.

"Although I'm old, my eyes are still bright. Will and I are very clear about what you do in private."

"Now that the kingdom is plagued by corrupt officials, and with the Republic and other European powers eyeing us covetously, our only and best option to ensure the survival of the kingdom and the royal family is to negotiate a peaceful reunification with the Republic and integrate into it."

"If the kingdom continues in its current state, it won't be long before the long-accumulated ills within the kingdom trigger a revolution far larger than the one ten years ago. The entire royal family and all the nobles will be guillotined by the angry masses, just like Louis XVI, the monarch a century ago!"

"I believe you all don't want to be sent to the guillotine with your family, right?"

"If you want the royal family and your lives and personal safety to survive, then the only choice is to voluntarily hand over the power in your hands."

"But... Your Majesty, forgive me for being so disrespectful, but if you completely give up your power, aren't you worried that the Republic will liquidate the entire royal family in the future?" A duke raised his hand and asked.

Just as the queen was about to answer, a two-dimensional portal with green lines suddenly appeared behind her, and an "angel" with light wings and a halo on its head slowly walked out of it.

"That's not what you need to worry about, is it, Duke Carter? Is that your name?"

"This...what is this?" Seeing the incomprehensible phenomenon in front of them, including Duke Carter who asked the question and everyone present were stunned with shock.

"Oh...oh...angel?!!" A minister stuttered as he looked at Aze who had wings of light and a halo on his head.

"There's no need to be so surprised. I am the Queen's partner, or more accurately, one of them. The aircraft in the sky belongs to us."

"I'm telling you the truth. According to our calculations, if the kingdom and the royal family don't voluntarily surrender their power, then the probability of a large-scale revolution breaking out within ten years and sending you to the guillotine will be over 91.4%."

"And if you make the wisest decision, voluntarily give up the power in your hands and peacefully integrate with the Republic, then the chances of you avoiding being sent to the guillotine and keeping your life and property will be infinitely close to 100%." ​​Aze didn't care about the people in the meeting room who were whispering, "This... Miss, is she really the angel in mythology and legend?" He walked to the water dispenser by the wall and poured himself a cup of steaming tea.

"So what will you choose? To protect yourself or to seek death?" Aze looked at the nobles and ministers in the conference room while holding a steaming paper cup.

Chapter 90: Declaration of Dissolution of the Kingdom of Albion and Reinforcements (5000 words)

"We give you a chance to choose." Aze opened his arms to everyone in the conference room.

"There's no doubt that the kingdom's current system is no longer sufficient to satisfy the interests of the majority. Should we cling to our rights and interests, or should we give them up and protect ourselves?"

"I hope you can make a wise choice, otherwise..." Aze made his right hand into a knife shape, raised it to his neck and made a gesture of wiping his neck as a small warning to the nobles and ministers present.

Facing this angel-looking guy whose identity was unknown, several ministers and nobles present who seemed a little guilty also swallowed nervously.

"So... what are your choices?" Aze, with a smile on his face, snapped his fingers, and eight white spherical drones instantly lifted their stealth and appeared in the conference room. Each drone had four plasma cannons, a total of 32 cannons. They made charging sounds and entered the standby state.

Some of the timid nobles and ministers present were frightened by the drone that suddenly appeared behind them. Even those ministers and nobles who were still pretending to be calm couldn't help but tremble. Looking at the plasma cannon aimed at their heads and making charging sounds, the ministers in the conference room felt a drop of cold sweat running down their foreheads.

The Queen and the Duke of Normandy, who were sitting in the chair of the conference table, also showed surprised expressions. The Queen did not expect that this seemingly gentle angel lady would do this.

"I believe that you are all smart enough to make the most rational choice, right?" Aze clapped his hands lightly and said happily.

"I hope you won't give me the chance to make your choice.")

"By the way, that white thing behind you is always with you."

.........

An hour later, in the kitchen of the Hundred-Armed Giant above the palace, Aze was preparing milk tea for Mary, Charlotte and others, and chatting with Carissa and Yuuki.

"So, you ended up using the muzzle of the gun against his head to make him come to his senses?"

"Well... although this method seems quite overbearing, I have to admit that sometimes it is indeed very effective. At least those nobles were 'willingly' giving up their interests and privileges."

"Haha... If they're not willing, they'll be reduced to ashes in the next second. Besides, this is a good thing for them. Instead of being sent to the guillotine by angry people during the revolution, at least these guys have saved their lives and can enjoy their old age, right?"

"From this perspective, we've actually done something that's a win-win for both the common people of the kingdom and these nobles, right?"

"The common people of the kingdom no longer faced the oppression of the privileged aristocracy, and could pursue a better material life and a more relaxed environment for thought and speech. Meanwhile, the aristocracy avoided being sent to the guillotine and gallows by the people, gaining a way out and preserving their lives and property."

"As long as these nobles haven't done anything too harmful to the world, they will most likely not be liquidated after losing their privileges."

"That's true, but how did you tell the Duke of Normandy and Queen Albion about Mary and Charlotte?" asked Yuki, who was stirring the drink in his cup with a spoon out of boredom.

"Mary and the others... I just told the Queen and the Duke of Normandy that Mary and Charlotte are ours from now on."

"And then?" Yuki asked.

"Then? There's nothing else?" Aze answered honestly.

"She didn't react at all? After all, she's the granddaughter of Queen Albion, right? She didn't react at all?"

"Is that what you're asking? The Queen of Albia did say something."

"She said: Since it no longer matters who will be the heir to the throne, if Mary and Charlotte don't like the burden of being the heir to the throne, then their wish to move abroad is reasonable. She just hopes that I can take care of them."

"So... so... do they also acknowledge that Charlotte and Mary are now ours?"

"Even if they don't admit it, there's nothing we can do. We have absolute military advantage anyway. Whatever we say goes, right?" Carlisle poured herself a glass of orange juice and commented after taking a sip.

"That's true. Anyway, as long as we want, the official recognition of the Kingdom's relocation of Princesses Mary and Charlotte is actually irrelevant."

"But now that this problem has been solved, shouldn't we consider something else?" Yuki said.

"Others? What do you mean?" Aze and Carlisle asked in confusion.

"Of course we are considering bringing Charlotte and the others back to Taylor Island. Considering the upcoming negotiations between the Kingdom and the Republic, the Hundred-Handed Giant Fleet will stay here for a while, but it will eventually have to return to its home island of Taylor."

"However, as for the military deterrence here, we may have to trouble Renlong, who is still on the island. We need to inform him as soon as possible to produce a second batch of air forces to take over our military deterrence across Europe."

"That makes sense, but now is not the time to consider such things. Let's first inform Charlotte and the others that they are now free and are no longer royal heirs bound by various rules." Carlisle shook the glass in her hand and said.

"Wait a moment, let me prepare these cups of milk tea, but there's something else I want to tell them as well?"

"what's up?"

"Is it about Charlotte and Ange swapping identities? Don't tell me you forgot their identities were swapped ten years ago."

"Well... I think we should hold off for now. After all, they themselves don't want outsiders to know about this secret between them as lovers, so let's respect their choice."

"Okay then...but I always feel a little uncomfortable if I don't say this."

"Since they don't want to, don't point it out. Wait until they've lived with us for a while and are willing to talk about it. Why are you in such a hurry?"

"How should I put it? I'm just a little anxious looking at the progress of these two people."

"Progress?" Carlisle put down the glass of orange juice in her hand and asked Aze with a puzzled look.

"It's... the progress in that aspect... you know." Aze pointed to an organ on his body and hinted to Yuuki and Carlisle.

"This matter... shouldn't be rushed, right?"

"After all, we have to consider that it's a mutual agreement and we need to spend a long time together. Besides, why are you worried about this?"

"Just seeing that these two people's progress in that area is as slow as a turtle, I feel a little uncomfortable." Aze said with a pout.

"The person involved isn't in a hurry. Things like this need to be handled slowly. If the emperor isn't in a hurry, why should you, a eunuch, be in a hurry?"

"But I just want to see some girls being naughty and having sex!!" Aze, revealing his true thoughts, raised his hands above his head and shouted without any shame.

Looking at Aze who seemed to have entered a crazy state, Yuuki and Carisi looked at each other silently in silence.

20 minutes later, in the restaurant of the Hundred-Armed Giant, several people sitting around the table drank the milk tea prepared by Aze and understood the current situation.

"So... Sister Charlotte and I are... free from now on?"

Mary said with a tone of disbelief.

"Actually, to be more precise, it should be considered that you moved to the territory we actually control, and the kingdom recognized the fact that you voluntarily gave up your status as heir to the throne and moved abroad."

Aze explained to Charlotte and Mary while sipping his milk tea.

"But...what will happen to the kingdom in the future?" Charlotte asked doubtfully.

"Of course, we will peacefully integrate into the Republic's system as part of Albion."

"Under the threat of our absolute military force, all the nobles of the Kingdom have agreed to return their power and the vast majority of their interests. The Royal Family has also agreed to give up its rule over the country and peacefully transfer all military forces, government agencies, and so on to the Republic. Peaceful unification negotiations with the Republic will likely begin soon."

"So... the Republic won without a fight?" Dorothy asked, sipping her milk tea that was obviously filled with a lot of sugar.

"We can't say we won without a fight. After all, even if there is a peaceful reunification, the long-standing problems and messes of the kingdom will still need to be dealt with by the Republic, which will take over. From then on, it will depend on the Republic's grassroots governance capabilities. But that is none of our business. After all, Albion is now on the verge of a peaceful reunification process. If the Republic, as a democratically elected government, fails to do a good job in the follow-up work, then the entire people will have to bear the consequences."

"However, considering that the kingdom is about to enter a state of existence in name only, your mission as spies should be considered over, right?"

"In that case, why don't you come live with Charlotte and Mary?"

"Anyway, the upcoming peace talks and handover of power are the job of the Republic Government and the Kingdom Government. It has nothing to do with you guys anymore. So why don't you just resign from the Republic and retire and come to us?" As he said this, Aze extended a hand of friendship to the people sitting opposite him.

"Hmm...please allow me to think about it." Anjie, who had been silent all this time, suddenly answered in a low voice to the angel lady sitting opposite her.

"Ms. Angel, I can probably guess what you are thinking about. It's that white house by the sea, right?" Carlisle saw the reason for Charlotte's hesitation.

"You're reluctant to part with the white house that (V) Yiwu bought for you and Charlotte to enjoy your future retirement life?"

"Don't worry! We have a way to do this. Isn't it just moving? It's just a house. It's very simple." Carlisle said confidently, patting her chest.

.........

That evening, all radios in the kingdom began to broadcast the same message: the queen, who was said to have been bedridden, decided to make a national speech and announcement.

Many officials from the royal government departments waited in front of the radio on time, ready to listen to the Queen's speech.

When the clock struck six, the Queen's voice rang out over the radio on time.

Dear Citizens of the Kingdom of Albion:

In light of the kingdom's current situation, I will cease all activities as ruler of the Kingdom of Albion. I make this decision based on principle.

I firmly advocate for Albion's independence as a nation and the Kingdom's sovereignty, but at the same time I advocate for the integrity of Albion as a whole.

Things have taken a different path. The line that advocates the permanent separation of Albion as two nations has prevailed, and this is something I cannot agree with.

Even after the resolution adopted as a result of the negotiations with the Republican side after the revolution ten years ago, my position on this issue has remained unchanged.

Furthermore, I am convinced that a decision of this magnitude should have been made on the basis of the expressed will of the people of Albion at large.

Nevertheless, I will do my utmost to ensure that the agreements signed lead to real social harmony and ease the difficulties of the process of emerging from the crisis and reform.

This is my last speech before you as the ruler of the kingdom, and I feel it is necessary to express my assessment of the path we have taken since the revolution that brought the Republic to power ten years ago. Furthermore, there are many inconsistencies, superficialities, and biases in this regard.

Fate had arranged that, upon my becoming ruler of the kingdom, it was already clear that the nation was in a bad state. We had abundant land, minerals, forests, and other natural resources; we also had considerable wisdom and talent. Yet, the standard of living of the vast majority of our people was far worse than that of the Republic, and we were falling further and further behind them.

The reason was clear: society was suffocating under the constraints of the old aristocratic system. It was destined to serve the kingdom's ideology and bear the burden of the arms race, and it was exhausted.

All partial reformism has failed. The country as a whole has no future. We can no longer live like this. We must fundamentally change everything...

…………

Listening to the speech on the radio, the expressions of many officials from the kingdom's government agencies who were guarding the radio gradually became more and more ugly. They had realized that the queen's speech actually announced the end of the kingdom as a political entity, and there was no doubt that this represented the actual demise of the country.

The vast majority of grassroots civilians who lived in poverty and lacked basic education were also confused when they heard the information on the radio. In their view, what the queen expressed in the broadcast was essentially equivalent to declaring the demise of the kingdom and completely surrendering to the Republic.

.........

On the other side, in the meeting room of the Republic Intelligence Organization's control room within the Kingdom, senior executives of the Ziming Intelligence Organization were also listening to the Queen's speech on the radio.

"This...we just do this..." The colonel, grabbing his hair and looking at a loss as to how to describe the situation, thought for a long time before finally finding a suitable word.

"So... we just... won?"

"It seems... yes." Dollyshop, who usually seemed optimistic, now had a puzzled expression on his face. He and other colleagues in the control room had racked their brains to find ways to steal intelligence from within the kingdom and wanted to defeat the kingdom in various ways. However, now they won inexplicably. Both Dollyshop and the colonel seemed a little overwhelmed by the sudden victory.

L, who was also listening to the radio, remained silent. He just lit a cigar and smoked it slowly.

At this time, on Taylor Island, listening to the announcement on the radio that sounded like Gorbachev's declaration of dissolution, Renlong was communicating with Yuki on the other side of the earth in the thought network.