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"The lack of hope in Kazdel is both its weakness and its strength, and this strength will buy us a few precious moments of respite."

Seeing the man's ambiguous smile, Theresa closed her eyes; she knew he was telling the truth.

The reason Kazdel wasn't partitioned like Gaul was largely because the land of Kazdel offered no hope.

Resources are scarce here, the land is barren, and Originium crystals are everywhere. Plague and death are ever-present.

These shortcomings are what prevented Kazdel from developing, and also what allowed the Sarkaz to survive to this day.

“Our transformation is happening quietly. Kazdel is about to undergo a major change, and nobody will be paying attention to what’s going to happen here.”

"Emperor Henry Alistair of the Victorians is embroiled in a struggle that is nearing its end, and the dukes are too busy plotting how to divide the spoils of the country to concern themselves with us."

"But the only one to be careful of is... Elector Franz Frederick, who resides in the territory of Vaser in Letania."

"He was a lord who did whatever he pleased."

“Whether we take action against those Leitanians or not, he will not let it go.”

"Moreover, they will most likely bring along the Lateran and Syracuse people, so we need to prepare for battle in advance."

"But what's interesting is that the Witch King of Letania is also entering his twilight years, and there are now undercurrents of intrigue among the various Electors of Letania."

"A chaotic era is about to begin, Theresa. This is a once-in-a-century opportunity, and it will be our chance."

"Therefore, as long as we stop the Elector's attack, Kazdel will once again gain time for rapid development."

"..."

Theresa stared at the man who was talking so eloquently, her eyes filled with a blank expression, and for a moment she felt her hands and feet turn cold.

She unconsciously swallowed a mouthful of saliva, only then realizing that her throat was already dry.

"So... Shen Lin, you planned everything all along, starting from that protest?"

Shen Lin smiled slightly upon hearing this and remained silent.

Her lips trembled slightly, and her face, which was usually as gentle and warm as the spring sun, was now covered with a layer of frost, losing all color and appearing pale and fragile.

At that moment, she knew everyone was wrong.

The man before them was absolutely capable of bringing a massive storm to Kazdel... or even the entire Terra.

Kazdel's fate has veered off course, and Theresa can no longer see whether this chariot, once again carrying hope, leads to rebirth or death.

Like a thunderbolt flashing through her mind, Theresa now only cared about one thing, which was more important than any other issue.

"Who exactly are you..."

The man didn't answer her question; instead, he walked to the window and pulled back the curtains.

The sunlight, like nimble golden threads, streamed effortlessly through the clear, clean window, filling the air with a warm glow.

"The Sarkaz people's lost millennium will require much more blood and sweat to catch up with."

"We were once defeated by arrogance, but we will not repeat the same mistake."

“With your approach, Theresa, perhaps the Sarkaz will have a chance to turn the tables after kneeling for hundreds of years.”

"But hundreds of years is too long, and the Sarkaz should never have to suffer like this."

"Theresia, this time, I'll seize every minute."

P.S.: Wow!! Looking at the number of comments today, I'm amazed at how enthusiastic everyone is!! I'm truly flattered, hehe~

Seeing so many discussions among experts about the author's work, whether positive or negative, makes the author very happy, because these experts are genuinely reading the author's books carefully!

(oωo) The author has received many suggestions, and I can really feel the high expectations the experts have for me! This expectation is the driving force for the author to keep going!

And also!! A huge!! Thank you so much for all the votes and donations, everyone!! This is truly the first time I've ever felt so happy to have so much support from you all, hehehe~

Currently typing away~

Chapter Twenty-Six: Standing Shoulder to Shoulder with Heroes

In just nine months, from the moment the Sarkaz Democratic Union was founded, the ancient and weathered land of Kazdel was swept up in a surging wave of change.

Its rapid and profound transformation shocked all the Sarkaz people.

When Shen Lin won the support of most Sarkaz people with his courage and profound sense of mission for the future of Sarkaz, he demonstrated his value in the united front in Kazdel.

Thus, after declaring his pro-war stance, he gained the support of most of the royal court, and the Sarkaz Democratic Union firmly established its voice in Kazdel.

Today is also the day he will be released from prison, and at the same time, the letter he sent to the Cyclops' royal court has received a reply.

Shen Lin received goodwill from the Cyclops clan; it was a map of Kazdel, with a huge piece of land marked out on it.

Cyclops are a race that can foresee the future, but happiness has nothing to do with their ability; all they can glimpse is a terrible future.

The areas marked in red have been given specific meanings. One red area is an absolute no-go zone, where a terrifying natural disaster is likely to occur in the near future.

The yellow areas indicate that there will be no major natural disasters within the next 30 years, but some minor disasters may occur, and countermeasures should be taken.

The map also had a playful note below it: this was not the allegory they had glimpsed.

Upon seeing this message, Shen Lin's lips curled up slightly. He could sense the friendliness that the Cyclops Royal Court was showing him between the lines.

Now that he has the Cyclops's help, Shen Lin can start planning his route once he returns to the Sarkaz Democratic Union.

Manris, who had always helped him, was happy about Shen Lin's impending departure, but at the same time felt a sense of reluctance.

He witnessed firsthand the transformation of Kazdel, the birth of a leader who had attained enlightenment in the Dragon Realm—a memory he would never forget.

When Shen Lin expressed his gratitude to him again, he felt as if he had received an unparalleled honor. He stammered, as if he had been injected with adrenaline, that he would continue to serve Kazdel in the future.

Shen Lin smiled and offered him positive encouragement.

In any case, having spirits is always a good thing.

When Shen Lin was leaving the place where he had stayed for nine months, before he could even express any feelings, he saw a figure standing there for him in the distance.

Before Shen Lin could say anything, the figure had already thrown herself into his arms.

The familiar scent instantly enveloped him; it was the unique aroma of Ersula, faint and delicate, like the first flower blooming in spring, gently stirring his heartstrings.

He instinctively opened his arms and caught the person in his arms steadily. The moment his hands touched her, he felt her slightly trembling body, which conveyed an irrepressible excitement and thrill.

"Ersula, I'm so glad you're the first person I see when I get out of prison."

"Um!!"

"I don't know if it's just my imagination, but do you seem to have gained weight?"

"Um?!"

"Hahaha—let's go back."

"Um!!!"

……

When Shen Lin was released from prison and arrived at the Sarkaz Democratic Union with Ersula's help, Ersula was very happy the whole way, and she talked to Shen Lin about the development of the Sarkaz Democratic Union.

She even shared in great detail what she did each day and what surprises she received.

Over the course of these past few months, Ersula gradually overturned Shen Lin's previous impression of her.

In Shen Lin's memory, Ersula always carried an innate sharpness and aloofness, and her every move exuded an aura that commanded respect, as if she were surrounded by an invisible layer of frost that kept people at a distance.

Like a rose blooming in a thicket of thorns, beautiful yet untouchable.

At this moment, however, she is like a rose in full bloom, quietly removing the sharp thorns, leaving only her rich fragrance and soft tenderness.

When they arrived at the Sarkaz Democratic Workers' Union, the thriving development before them moved Shen Lin deeply.

The Sarkaz Democratic Union has now completely replaced some of the main functions of Babel and become the main official institution of Kazdel.

On that once somewhat barren land, rows of neat and sturdy houses now stand, their brand-new bricks gleaming with hope under the sunlight.

The streets are lined with shops selling all kinds of goods, and the shouts of vendors rise and fall, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

Sarkaz people constantly moved among them, their faces beaming with satisfaction and confidence, their conversations filled with anticipation and hope for the future.

Hearing is believing, but seeing is believing. No matter how rapid the development Ersula mentioned was, nothing felt more real to him than what he saw now.

After Ersula's explanation, Shen Lin gained a general understanding of the Sarkaz union's work over the past few months.

Although the fire did have a significant impact on Kazdel, when the inner turmoil subsided and everything settled down...

The Sarkaz were surprised to find that the trauma left by the disaster, nourished by both resilience and hope, was not as severe and profound as they had imagined.

Although most of the factory's equipment was damaged in the fire, it was gradually restored to operation from the ruins thanks to the skills and experience of the repair craftsmen brought by the Empire.

When Ersula tallied up the profits generated by these factories, she was utterly astonished. She stared blankly at the statistics in her hand.

If the Imperials had followed their old distribution system, the factory's net profit margin after operation would have reached a terrifying 80%.

Aside from the 10% tax that was initially levied on Babel, it meant that the Imperials only took 10% of the profits to maintain the factory's operation and cover the workers' wages. This completely revolutionized Ersula's concept of management.

They had great difficulty even meeting the most basic survival needs of the Sarkaz. In those dark and hopeless years, the Sarkaz civilians struggled in the mire of hunger and cold.

Their simple dwellings offered little protection from the wind and rain, and their coarse food could not satisfy their rumbling stomachs. Every bleak day felt like a heavy shackle, dragging them toward an unknown abyss of darkness.

But these guys have discarded conscience and compassion like trash. They lie on the land of Kazdel, sucking the blood and sweat of the Sarkaz and making a fortune.

But the gears of fate will not be controlled by injustice forever. When the people have swallowed the bitter fruit of oppression to their limit, the spark of resistance will quietly gestate in the darkness.

At this moment, she finally understood how decisive and wise Shen Lin's decision had been, and she even felt that the Sarkaz's resistance had been too mild.

In the early days of the union, her work with the Sarkaz Democratic Union was very difficult, mostly hampered by coordination issues between departments and by low efficiency due to a lack of experience and knowledge.

This problem was significantly alleviated after the Banshee Royal Court joined. Those banshees seemed to be natural salespeople, and their speed in handling problems and tasks left Ersula speechless.

Therefore, with the coordination of all parties, the Sarkaz Democratic Union officially began operations.

After confiscating all the assets of those Imperials, the management of their factories was also completely handed over to the Sarkaz Democratic Union, which then redistributed the collective interests of the Sarkaz people.

Wang Ting was not directly involved in this matter, or rather, there was absolutely no need for him to be involved in these management tasks.

They are like Kazdel's behind-the-scenes shareholders, only investing in forces they deem promising and capable of bringing growth to themselves or Kazdel.

As to which Sarkaz leader that faction is, that is not important.

They are not worried about being replaced, because the purity of each Sarkaz's bloodline determines their upper and lower limits from birth.

After repeated consultations and decisions by the Sarkaz Democratic Union, and with the consent of the majority of workers, a draft plan for the redistribution of workers' wages was finally drawn up.

The development resulting from concentrating the entire nation's resources on a single industry is undoubtedly terrifying, especially under the influence of prevailing ideologies.

Shen Lin and Ersula followed the Sarkaz Democratic Workers' Union to the factory in the settlement. Looking up, all they could see was a bustling scene.

The crowd was bustling, and laughter and cheerful voices flowed and echoed in the air. It was the most genuine song of life and a hymn full of hope for the future.

When the flames of the factory's blast furnace reignited, the leaping flames, like dancers breaking free from their restraints, joyfully licked the furnace walls, turning everything around them a fiery red.

The workers gathered around the blast furnace, their eyes sparkling with a long-lost light. Their eyes no longer held the numbness of the past, but rather the burning passion that arose from the rekindling of the flame of hope.

"It's Chairman Shen Lin!!"

Someone shouted from the bustling crowd, and in an instant, everyone's eyes fell on Ersula and Shen Lin.

They were slightly taken aback when they saw Shen Lin, as if they were gathering the surging emotions within them.

The moment they saw the man's raised right fist, time seemed to freeze, and the whole world seemed to hold its breath for that instant.

In an instant, it was as if a taut string had snapped, and the deathly silence was instantly shattered by a surging wave of sound.

The high-pitched cheers were like a tidal wave. The sound initially seemed to be a faint tremor squeezed out from the depths of the soul, echoing in the chest, carrying a sense of disbelief and dreamlike disbelief.

But in an instant, that trembling voice was swept up by the surging tide of emotion, transforming into a deafening shout.

"For victory!!"

"For victory!!"

In that exhilarating moment, countless right fists were raised like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, and cheers rose in waves.

As if driven by an invisible force, the crowd automatically and slowly parted to both sides, making way for him with a wide and straight road.

The old distribution system turned them from humans into ghosts; now Shen Lin is simply turning them back into humans.

Shen Lin walked through the crowd without hindrance. The wind howled past, making his clothes flutter like a victory flag dancing in the wind on this land where hope was rising again.

When they returned to the Sarkaz Democratic Union, Ersula's golden eyes dimmed slightly. Meeting the man's gentle gaze, she lowered her head and murmured an apology to Shen Lin.

“I should have thought of that, Shen Lin. You are now the rightful leader of Kazdel. You should have more people protecting you when you interact with everyone.”