Why
"You're going to marry Shanamia? Why?"
Not long after the meeting ended, Lacus came alone to Xiao Ran's office. However, there were still quite a few people in his office—Frie personnel and Burning Legion members alike—all discussing matters related to the meeting while listening to Xiao Ran's instructions and arrangements. After entering, Lacus remained composed and smiled normally at everyone.
Yet there were quite a few foxes present. Including Xiao Ran himself, everyone knew perfectly well why Lacus had come. Only after Xiao Ran indicated that they would end things there for the day and everyone had left did Lacus sit directly across from him. Her demeanor changed completely as she looked at him seriously and asked that question.
Looking at the serious Lacus before him, Xiao Ran smiled and shook his head. Her question was far less simple than it sounded. He said softly, "For Frie."
Lacus was puzzled. "For Frie?"
"Yes, for Frie." Xiao Ran nodded, rose to his feet, and took a statistical report from his desk before placing it before Lacus. "Because I need complete control over Frie. This is both the shortcut and the necessity. Only then can it be done legitimately."
"I don't understand. Isn't your control of Frie legitimate already?" Lacus asked in confusion. "Don't you already control Frie?"
"Not quite." Xiao Ran gestured for Lacus to look at what he had taken out. "This is a public opinion survey of Frie. Excluding the Military Strength and the administrative class, only sixty percent of civilians actually support me. Even within the military, not everyone is wholeheartedly convinced. That's because, to Frie, I am ultimately an outsider. If it were only me, it wouldn't matter, but representing an entire faction makes things much more troublesome."
"Conversely, while these people may not support me