Can't I develop my own character?

Even without counting those she secretly raised, once the Empire and the Western Territory went to war, it would not be a problem for the nobles supporting Maganna to gather tens of thousands of people, not to mention that the Imperial Army would be hindered at every turn. Even if the war could be won, it would take several months to finish.

But how could he have the energy to deal with Maganna now?

He just wanted Maganna to stay in the West, not having enough to eat but not starving to death. However, he didn't expect the latter to give him such a big wave and mobilized the power of the Dark Hand.

"Ryan, I order you to put the southern border in order immediately! And then wait for my instructions. Since Maganna is seeking death, don't blame me!" The old emperor said coldly.

"Your will!" Ryan shouted, "But Your Majesty, I don't have the ability to expand now!"

The old emperor snorted coldly, "How can you be incompetent? Don't you have a very capable viscount under your command? With her strength, she only needs to lead tens of thousands of troops. Which noble would dare to stop her? As for how to do it specifically, that's your business. Don't forget our contract. Your mission is to coordinate the Western Territory. I promise you glory. If you can't do it, I don't mind replacing you with someone who can!"

After leaving behind a few words, the old emperor's shadow disappeared in front of Ryan.

"Fuck, you bastard, you're turning against me now, huh?"

Ryan cursed inwardly.

Fortunately, it was an equal contract. The worst case scenario is that we would openly fall out and I would refuse to serve you!

You old thing, your legs are almost stretched straight. Calling you "Your Majesty" is a respect. If I call you "old immortal" out of respect, you still have to respond. At most, you can turn around and hug the Grand Duke tightly. What's there to be afraid of?

"This old dog seems to be really anxious. Really, is the power of the Blood God so easy to obtain?"

If you are not God's chosen one and want to take things from God, the price you pay will definitely be heavy.

Only endless wars can please the Blood God, that is to say, as long as the old emperor lives, Augustus's war cannot stop.

As a result, the old emperor had just lit a fire, but it was completely extinguished by Maganna. He had reason to be angry. After all, even as an emperor, he could not do it openly, but Maganna could sabotage it openly.

Ryan touched his chin. If the old man was anxious, then his good days would come.

With the emperor's tacit approval, it was natural for him to expand his territory. Even if trouble broke out, the old emperor would back him up.

But what should the princess say? Should we send the princess back to Baron immediately?

Anyway, Ryan wants the identity of a princess. In the name of the princess, everything he does now is justified. As for where the princess is, it doesn't matter.

...

the next day.

Casradi summoned Ryan.

Then a big gift package hit Ryan on the head, leaving him speechless with emotion.

"This is my teacher, Dean Hainuo."

In the elegantly decorated tea room, Hainuo was sitting at the tea table drinking tea. When Ryan saw her for the first time, the memory of his death suddenly came to his mind.

Hainuo, female, age unknown, seventh-rank Holy Word Mage, vice-president of St. Marian College, measurements 92, 63, 91, teacher of Casladi, and the most popular character in the St. Marian plot line.

She is capable, beautiful, and her professionalism is a plus. As soon as this older sister role appears, I don't know how many old perverts will join the camp of the pervert.

but.

Ryan remembered that Heino appeared in the later part of August's plot. The protagonists encountered obstacles and Casradi suggested going back to the academy to find her teacher, which led to the subsequent plot of pulling Heino into the basement for development.

...Oh yes, Your Highness the Princess is in a difficult situation now. If she doesn't make an effort, she will have to sit at the baby table.

"Greetings, Dean Hainuo." Ryan bowed slightly.

"Lian, I was listening to Casradi talking about you all day yesterday." Hainuo put down his teacup and said with a smile: "She is in such a situation. It is rare to have a loyal minister like you."

"No, I am just a commoner. I am grateful to be valued by Your Highness."

"Lian, you don't have to be so reserved." Casradi chuckled, "The teacher is very kind, just relax."

Relax, it's normal to feel pain, right? ... Ryan thought to himself, of course your teacher is nice to you, but he's not my teacher. I haven't even done a dive in the game.

"Your Highness, is there something you want to talk to me about?" Ryan asked.

Casradi took out a big gift bag.

Tell Ryan about the puppet.

"One thousand?" Ryan glared. "The lowest is level three?"

"Don't get excited yet, just listen to me."

Casradi told Ryan everything from the puppet's combat capabilities to the difficulty and cost of repairs. After listening, Ryan's originally excited heart gradually calmed down.

Indeed, a thousand puppets sounds scary, but their combat effectiveness is reduced, which is not so bad. The key is that it is troublesome to maintain them.

Repairing the body is difficult, and it is not something that can be done by just patching it up. Alchemists who can do this kind of delicate work are hard to find in the southern border, and Hainuo cannot always follow him. In other words, these are consumables, and one less will be used.

Moreover, the body is made of gold, so it would be equally troublesome to recycle it if it turned into scrap metal.

but...

who cares.

Even if it is a consumable, it can be used as a powerful trump card when pulled out to fight at a critical moment.

Don't want it for nothing.

"Lian, the Southern Territory depends on you from now on," Casradi said solemnly. "When I return to Barron, you will be fully responsible for everything here."

With Hainuo's support, Kasradi's weight became heavier.

Even if the old emperor doesn't want to, he sometimes has to consider Hainuo's face. If he promotes Ryan at that time, it won't be so difficult.

Speaking of this, Ryan wanted to curse the old emperor again. He had promised the title before, but he still hasn't given it to him.

"Your Highness, are you planning to go to Barron now?"

"Not really. I'm just wondering whether I should go to Saint Grove City before returning. Didn't Miss Lin Qi invite us before?"

"I suggest you go there," Hainuo said. "The Janus Gate has a great influence on the continent. If a saint supports you, your situation will be much better than it is now."

"But, teacher, if you openly support me, will my father be wary if I go to Janus Gate again?"

"It's better to be fearful than to ignore."

"Yes, Your Highness, we still have to go." Ryan interrupted the two of them. "Judging from the current situation in the empire, the Second Prince is in decline, and the Fourth Prince is in a precarious situation. This is your best opportunity to fight back. If you can get Miss Lin Qi's support, I'm sure more people on the empire side will join you."

"This..." Casradi pondered for a moment, "Okay, then Ryan, you come with me in a few days."

The old emperor has changed, and Casradi is actually a little worried. It seems that the old emperor will beat anyone who shows up now, and the pressure is still very great.

But to seize the throne, he must face his old father directly.

Kasradi has prepared Frostmourne, and if there is a chance, she will not hesitate to stab her old father.

...

After talking with Kasradi, Ryan contacted Maganna again.

The old emperor was getting anxious, and the princess had also stood up, so they should add fuel to the fire and make the old emperor even more anxious.

Maganna has been reorganizing her troops these past two days, preparing to attack the Talma front and drive the Western Barbarians who have occupied the territory out of the Western border.

Once the problem in the western border is solved, we can move south and proceed slowly.

Going north is not an option. There is no oil or water in the north, it is just a desert. Beyond that is the old emperor's territory, and the east is guarded by the Red Tiger Guards. This is a hard bone to chew, and it will break your teeth if you try.

However, Ryan suggested secretly dealing with the old emperor and telling the second prince about Alvin's incident. The old emperor was using a borrowed knife to kill someone and kept his own son in the dark.

Since his father didn't plan to pass on the throne, the Second Prince would definitely be upset, and so would the Fourth Prince. Even if the two princes couldn't cause much damage to the old emperor, it was still okay to disgust him.

In addition, Ryan plans to launch another wave of public opinion war, starting with the old emperor's life span. This old man has persisted until now, and he might be involved in some kind of cult, right?

After all, the old emperor had been in poor health before, and he is still the same now. He has not died yet and is still quite energetic. Do you think there is any problem?

The effect is definitely small, but it is infuriating. It is enough to drive the old emperor crazy, and maybe he will explode himself at that time.

"Going south...it's a bit troublesome. I don't have enough troops." Maganna crossed her arms and thought, "The Iron Blood Army is too weak to fight, and we have to defend the Western Barbarians too. There's not much we can do."

"I do have a candidate to recommend to you. She has long admired the Grand Duke. If you can get her help, I believe the journey south will go smoothly."

"Oh? Who? I wouldn't trust anyone else except you."

"Viscount Venetian." Ryan said, "She helped me resist the attack of the Cainte army before. Casradi asked me to win her over, but I want her to work for the Grand Duke."

"Vine...Oh, I know her. The Lord of Kells."

Recently, 'Weinei' has been gaining momentum on the border. Taking advantage of this wave of demon army causing trouble, he has subdued many nobles in the surrounding area.

I have to say that the soul singer's ability is extremely useful, especially when dealing with ordinary people. He would say, "Are you loyal or not? If you are not, I will steal your title."

After the news of the extraordinary person was released, the identity of the soul singer "Weinei" became very powerful. He led six elite monsters to charge into battle alone and gained considerable fame.

She had now secured all the towns surrounding Kells, bringing her army to 8,000 men, fully armed. The next step was to capture the two major cities of Romanil and Mister, completely breaking the encirclement.

However, Maganna knew about 'Vine' mainly because she helped Casradi during the siege of Kainte, which is why she was noticed.

In Maganna's plan, if 'Vene' develops too quickly and threatens Ryan's power in the south, she will not hesitate to send the Iron Blood Heavy Cavalry to kill 'Vene' and clear the obstacles for Ryan's rise.

Ryan thought so too. Kyles was too close to the Western Border. Instead of letting the Grand Duke be afraid of 'Vene', it would be better to win him over from the beginning.

Wei Nei: Grand Duke, I am your fan, let’s rebel together!

"Are you sure she'll truly follow me?" Magna was a little worried. "I investigated that girl, and it seems she has some connection to the royal family."

As expected of the Grand Duke, the intelligence was quite complete... Ryan nodded: "Don't worry, Grand Duke, I can guarantee it!"

"Are you sure? Do you have evidence against her?"

"That's not the case, but..." Ryan lowered his voice, "Secretly, I'll tell you, she actually likes me."

"what???"

Maganna was stunned for a moment. She had thought of thousands of reasons, but this was the only one she had never thought of.

"It's true. She confessed to me last time, but because Casradi was around, I was worried that she would use our relationship to her advantage, so I kept it a secret." Ryan said seriously.

"Wait, wait." Magna raised her hand and motioned Ryan to wait, "Why would that guy like you?"

Ryan: "?"

No, Grand Duke, why are you cursing?

Ryan was dissatisfied and said, "Why can't you like me?"

"Because you're a commoner. Besides me, the Grand Duke, who doesn't look down on your status? But who among the nobles like Augustus doesn't look down on commoners?"

Ryan asked back: "Grand Duke, if you don't dislike me, then you like me?"

Magna was stunned for a moment: "Where did you come up with this conclusion?"

"So, not disliking someone doesn't necessarily mean liking them, and disliking someone doesn't mean disliking them, right? Wei Nei is special. Even though she's a noble, she doesn't dislike me and I still like her. If you don't believe me, I'll prove it to you when I get the chance."

Grand Duke Cricket is surprisingly so vigilant. Since they want to unite, Ryan doesn't mind being friendly with "Vine". As long as he can bring her on board, everyone will join forces to rebel, and the chances of winning will naturally be greater.

As for whether Maganna would have murderous intentions towards 'Vene', that is not the case. Moreover, once the southern border is completely controlled by Ryan, his power will become the third in the empire and can compete with Maganna.

"You already believe her so much, what proof do I need..." Maganna muttered, wondering why they got together without anyone noticing. Could it be that the guy thought Ryan was capable and deliberately used his beauty to seduce him?

And he is related to the royal family, maybe he is the old emperor's man!

Maganna was shocked and gave herself a thumbs up for her speculation... No, no, I have to investigate it secretly and can't let Ryan fool me.

Ryan, the aristocratic circle is too chaotic, you can't control those aristocratic girls!

"Okay, I trust her for now. I'll contact her when I have time."

Maganna left with just one word.

She had to quickly ask someone to check the ancestors of "Weinei".

"Walking so fast, really."

Ryan shook his head secretly, put the mirror away, and leaned back on the sofa to rest.

Although I didn't do anything practical the whole day, the constant running around consumed a lot of my brain energy.

At this time, 'Xia Li' and 'Ina' came back.

With the cracks in the inner world eliminated, the two's mission was also completed. 'Ina' took a tour of the inner world and successfully upgraded to the second level, which means she has a certain self-protection ability.

"You're back just in time." Ryan raised his eyelids and asked leisurely, "What do you think is the best way to quickly gather the forces in the southern border? I have guns and cannons now, and the old emperor is secretly supporting me, but if I attack them one by one, people will accuse me of rebellion."

"I need to be low-key and efficient, and I must complete this task successfully. Come on, everyone, brainstorm, pool your ideas, and share your opinions."

Ryan thinks that AI is sometimes quite smart and might be able to offer some constructive suggestions.

Of course, it doesn’t matter even if there isn’t one. He just wants to find someone to talk to.

As it turns out, there really is.