Chapter 2414: Area 19 on the Verge of Collapse
Just as Euphemia had personally received Bismark when he traveled to Area 11, now that Xiao Ran had arrived in the new Area 19—a newly formed district created by merging three NUMBERs—Euphemia, also a member of the Royal Family and the one holding military and political authority over Area 19, likewise received Xiao Ran, Monica, and Luciano.
The three had completely different attitudes toward Cornelia. Cornelia herself was a rather forceful person and had achieved great military accomplishments. Thus, even though Monica and Luciano were Knights of the Round, they displayed obvious respect toward Cornelia—genuine respect. They listened carefully to every word she said.
Xiao Ran, however, was entirely different from the two of them. He offered only the respect due to an equal. No matter when, he remained calm and indifferent, without the slightest hint of deference. He rarely spoke with Cornelia as well. This left some of Cornelia's diehard supporters attending the welcoming banquet dissatisfied. They believed Xiao Ran had only become a Knight of the Round through sheer dumb luck. He was also a new Knight of the Round without even the slightest achievement to his name. What right did he have to treat Euphemia with such an attitude? Even if Knights of the Round possessed rights and status comparable to those of the Royal Family, it was still unacceptable.
Cornelia, however, ignored Xiao Ran's attitude. With a proud air of if you don't want to acknowledge me, I don't want to acknowledge you either, she likewise rarely communicated with Xiao Ran. Yet Cornelia knew a few things. For instance, Xiao Ran's true "loyalty" was not to the Empire or Charles. He had only been willing to join the Empire because of Euphemia. Even his becoming a Knight