The Governor Has Not Abandoned Us!

Devere retrieved the notice from the door, returned to the dining table, and opened it to read.

Bzzzt—

The light above the dining table flickered a few times before going out completely, plunging the entire room into darkness.

Lilith complained,

"Another power outage. They've been happening more and more often lately."

The frequent blackouts had seriously affected her studies.

Marty took out a candle and lit it, its bright flame illuminating their faces.

"Brother, our food rations keep getting smaller. What's happening outside?"

Lilith seemed troubled. She stared at Devere, wanting an answer.

For safety reasons, Devere had strictly forbidden Lilith from leaving the residential area for administrative personnel, much less going beyond the Palatine District.

The other families in the residential area did the same, keeping their children from coming into contact with the cruel and dangerous world outside.

Everyone tacitly chose to keep it secret and not let the children know what was happening outside.

They feared the hopeless truth and the future would crush them.

Devere rubbed Lilith's hair, his manner gentle.

"What could be happening outside? It's the same as before. The reduced food rations are only temporary. The problem will be resolved soon..."

Even he felt somewhat guilty saying those words.

"The Governor will find a way to solve the problem!"

He added that, his tone becoming firm.

"You're lying!"

Lilith became agitated, nearly crying.

Such matters were always difficult to keep secret. Children would pick up bits of information, and they might even sneak out to verify it for themselves.

Then become afraid.

"Jenny and I sneaked out to look. Things outside are terrible. People are dying everywhere...

Those people dressed in black like you shot a lot of workers dead and dragged away all the bodies!"

"What? Didn't I tell you that you weren't allowed to go out?"

Devere could not help raising his voice. "It's too dangerous outside. What if something happened to you?"

"I heard the workers say that the Palatine District has run out of food, that the Governor will stop food rations, and everyone will starve to death!"

There was fear in Lilith's eyes. "Is that really true?"

"That's a rumor. The Governor will not abandon us!"

"I don't believe it. He hasn't done anything. It's all a lie!"

"Lilith!" Devere was truly angry this time. He would not allow anyone to slander the Governor.

Marty also looked at Lilith sternly. "Have you forgotten the rules of Lapp House?"

Lilith shrank back, her voice weakening.

"I remember. The descendants of Lapp House must unconditionally remain loyal to and follow the great Governor."

Marty nodded in satisfaction and explained patiently,

"Our ancestor was once a slave in the Black Mine. It was the ancestor of the current Governor who freed us.

He gave us a safe home in the Upper Hive of Hive City, along with an enviable hereditary position passed down through the generations.

It could be said that everything we have was bestowed upon us by the current Governor and his family.

Without him, we would be nothing.

If the Governor were ever completely defeated,

we would lose everything as well.

Those people beyond the Palatine District, those Lower Hive rabble,

would drag us from our homes and hang us alive, then inherit our wealth and status!"

Lilith sighed. "I understand. Remaining loyal to the Governor and defending his rule means helping ourselves!"

"It's good that you understand!"

Devere's tone was stern. "You are absolutely forbidden from sneaking out again. I don't want to see your body in a corpse transport truck...

Understand?"

Holding back her tears, Lilith nodded. "Brother, I won't go out again..."

"Eat."

Devere placed the remaining small half-piece of Sawdust Bread onto his sister's porcelain plate. "Eat more, so you'll have the brains to study."

When he lowered his head, he noticed another small piece of Sawdust Bread on his own porcelain plate.

He looked at Marty beside him and wanted to push the Sawdust Bread back. "Mother, I'm not hungry..."

But Marty stopped him, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"You've gotten thinner. Eat your fill!

You have to go out and work. You must maintain Lapp House's dignity. Don't let people think Lapp House can't even afford food!"

"I will never disgrace Lapp House!"

Devere lowered his head, tears in his eyes as he stuffed the Sawdust Bread into his mouth, chewing desperately before washing it down with water.

After that small incident, the family returned to calm.

They focused on dealing with the Corpse Starch on their porcelain plates. Swallowing it was no easy task.

As Devere struggled to swallow the Corpse Starch in his mouth, he opened the important notice from the Palatine District.

He carefully read the words by candlelight.

It was an order issued by the Palatine District. All Logistics Department personnel were to gather at headquarters tomorrow to receive new assignments.

When he read the latter half, he could not help becoming excited. "God-Emperor above, I told you the Governor would not abandon us.

He's found a way to resolve the food crisis!"

"What?"

Marty and Lilith were both somewhat shocked.

Devere excitedly handed the notice to them.

"Look, these are the Governor's words.

He said he had preliminarily found a way to solve the food problem and now needed the active cooperation of every unit in the Palatine District.

Think as one, work as one!

He also said everyone had worked hard during this time, and material and food rations would return to normal.

Only when everyone had full stomachs would they have the strength to work!

Everyone's contribution would be remembered. May the Palatine District be with you!"

Devere's voice trembled as he read the Governor's final words, deeply moved.

The Governor's speech this time was somewhat different from before, but it was strangely easy to understand and carried a trace of warmth.

Marty praised him.

"The Governor truly has a solution. As expected of an heir from Grant House, a line that has endured for thousands of years!"

Lilith was also delighted. "Does that mean we won't have to eat Sawdust Bread and Black Sludge anymore?"

Devere and Marty had not told her that the "Black Sludge" everyone ate was Corpse Starch.

They certainly would not reveal the specific ingredients of Corpse Starch.

She only knew that it tasted awful.

Devere looked at Lilith, his tone resolute.

"Yes. As long as we properly complete the plan assigned by the Governor and help the Palatine District overcome this crisis, we'll never have to eat this disgusting stuff again!"

"Yay, that's great!"

"Brother, you have to work hard. The future of the Palatine District depends on you!"

"Of course. For the Governor, for the Palatine District, and for all of you, I won't slack off for even a moment!"

Devere excitedly discussed matters with his mother and sister for a while before going to bed early.

He needed to preserve his energy and carry out the work the Governor was about to assign in his finest condition!

"Beep beep beep, for the Governor!"

The electronic voice of the alarm-clock robot sounded from the bedside, and Devere jolted awake.