Great Artery Plan (Part 2)
Upon entering the main hall, a human screen composed of thirteen figures appeared in their pupils, completely obscuring their view.
Gazing at the thirteen familiar figures, the four exchanged a shocked glance. Then, they tiptoed around the screen and approached the throne. Just as they were about to pay their respects to His Majesty the Emperor, who sat enthroned on the throne, the Heavenly Kings standing beside them gestured for silence.
(PS: The following is a voice-over)
"Holy crap! What's going on here? (Zaka)"
"Brother, we came together, we know the same things. Even if you ask me, I can't answer you!" (Ralori)
"Why don't we ask the Heavenly Kings?" (Talleyrand)
"Great idea!" (Three people)
"But who should we send?" (Red)
Upon seeing the other three automatically focusing on him, the Prime Minister's eyes widened instantly.
"Hey! What's with you guys looking at me like that?"
"Prime Minister, among the four of us, you are the most familiar with the Heavenly Kings. Of course, only you are the most suitable to go on this glorious and arduous task!" (Talleyrand)
"Agreed! (Zaka, Ralori)"
"You..."
Although Red was very reluctant to carry out the mission, he had no choice but to comply after being persuaded by the three men.
Just as the Prime Minister was about to speak, some unusual sounds suddenly broke out in the silent hall.
"Hmph... Huff..."
"Snoring... snoring..."
Hearing the commotion coming from ahead, the four of them instantly understood why the main hall was so quiet and why the Heavenly Kings had stopped them from bowing earlier.
"Is His Majesty asleep? (Voiceover from the four characters)" (PS: At this point, the four characters' eyes should be wide open.)
After sharing his guess with his three companions, the four pairs of eyes that had been looking at each other all turned forward at once.
"Pop!"
As the sound of bubbles bursting came from below His Majesty the Emperor's nose, the four powerful figures instantly confirmed that their judgment was correct.
Just as the four were at a loss, a delicate pink hand suddenly appeared on His Majesty the Emperor's left cheek. The next second, the soft jade gently turned, and then a swirling wrinkle resembling a yin-yang symbol appeared on His Majesty the Emperor's cheek. (Sordil: Author, are you kidding me? My left cheek is distorted, and you're saying she was gently twisting her fingers?)
Ah~~
A piercing scream echoed through the hall, startling the birds and beasts perched on the roof. The seventeen eyewitnesses, less than three meters from the scene of the crime, stared blankly ahead, as if nothing had happened. (Eyewitnesses: Of course! If we don't play dumb now, the scene will be incredibly awkward when that person wakes up!) (PS: A true eyewitness's inner monologue: I absolutely mustn't laugh, or His Majesty the Emperor will take his anger out on me!)
The moment he opened his eyes, His Majesty the Emperor quickly swallowed the remaining cries of pain from his mouth, and then sat back down on his throne.
"That Irene is really something! A light poke would have been enough, why did she have to use so much force!"
After finishing his internal monologue, His Majesty the Emperor gave the wooden figures in front of him a warning look. Only after confirming that each of them had indeed received the message did he speak, saying, "I have summoned you all here today because there are a few things I need to tell you."
"Please give your orders, Your Majesty!" (The crowd)
After nodding to the crowd, Old Suo continued, "We have received reports from various places that transportation within the Empire is extremely inconvenient. Therefore, I have decided to build a railway network that can cover the entire Empire."
"Your Majesty is wise!" (The crowd)
After the plan was completed, the future chief engineer (the prime minister) spoke up, "Your Majesty, which chamber of commerce do you intend to entrust with the execution of this project?"
"Based on past data, there are no chambers of commerce in our country with this capability. Therefore, I have decided to entrust this project to the Heartfilia Family of the Kingdom of Fiore."
Upon hearing His Majesty the Emperor's words, those present exchanged glances, then nodded thoughtfully. (So... what do you think these wooden figures are thinking?)
"In that case, I will immediately send someone to inform the Heartfilia Family!" (Red)
"No need! I've already informed the Heartfilia Family about this!"
After Old Suo finished speaking, the Prime Minister paused for two seconds, then said, "Your Majesty is wise! Then I will go and invite the Heartfilia Family to come and discuss the specific details of the construction."
"Etc!"
"Does Your Majesty have any further instructions?"
Upon hearing the Prime Minister's words, His Majesty the Emperor cleared his throat and then recounted the conversation that had taken place at the Hartefilia Mansion.
When Old Suo finished speaking, everyone, including the Empress, was stunned.
"Holy crap! No wonder my brother awarded the project to them; it turns out they made this kind of agreement!" (Divine Constable Di monologue)
"Wow! His Majesty is really... economical!" (The Prime Minister and the three provincial governors' inner thoughts)
"That rascal is really something! He actually came up with such a brilliant way to save money on the side!" (Thoughts of the Twelve Heavenly Kings)
"Hmph! You've been flirting with women behind my back again! Just wait till I get my hands on you!" (Empress Irene's inner thoughts)
After waiting for a long time without applause or praise, Suo awkwardly withdrew his hands, opened his eyes, and concluded. "Since I will be present as the introducer on the day of the negotiations, this task can only be presided over by one of you."
Seeing that His Majesty the Emperor's gaze had fallen on him, the Prime Minister hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please entrust this matter to your humble servant!"
"In that case... thank you for your hard work, Prime Minister!"
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty!"
After the Prime Minister straightened up, Old Suo continued, "Furthermore, in order to counter the invasion of Albares, we need to build an elite navy and air force, so..."
Before His Majesty the Emperor could finish speaking, the Her Highness the Grand Princess interrupted, "Your Majesty, based on our previous interactions, the Thirteenth Heavenly King Guard and the Erus Legion are capable of defeating the army of the Albares Empire. Is it necessary for us to do so?"
Looking at the thirteen Heavenly Kings with their disdainful expressions, Sordil said, "The reason we were able to defeat them before was because they weren't ready for a full-scale war, but that doesn't mean they're incapable of fighting the Heavenly King Guard and the Erus Legion. Therefore, these preparations are necessary!"
Upon hearing His Majesty the Emperor's words, the people in the hall nodded in agreement.
After clearing up everyone's doubts, His Majesty the Emperor said, "In order to ensure that we will not be at a disadvantage in future wars, the research and development of naval and air combat vehicles must begin immediately."
"I will obey Your Majesty's command!"
After everyone stood up, Old Suo immediately began a lively discussion with them.
While His Majesty the Emperor was busy building the main artery for his empire to ensure its healthy and robust growth, the poor Her Highness the Princess, after more than a month of wandering, was finally escorted to the eighth Tower of Paradise.
Although Her Highness the Princess's life plan was slightly altered by someone's interference, the basic plot remained unchanged. Therefore, she still ended up in that same cell, meeting her destined fellow inmates... oh, sorry, I forgot about Xiao Ou again. So the correct statement should be that she met her destined fellow inmates and senior brother.
After successfully checking into the dormitory... wait, I misspoke! After confirming their cells, everyone proceeded with the first activity according to procedure—self-introductions.
"Hello everyone, my name is Woolie Buchanan!"
"I am Simon Mikaziki!"
"Milliana"
"I... I'm called Hugh!"
"Huh? No surname? (Milliana)"
"Heh! You don't have any either! (Woolie)"
"Who says I didn't! I... I just forgot!" (Milliana)
"Hmph! What difference does forgetting make? (Woolie)"
"You... Hmph! (Milliana)"
"Alright! You two stop arguing, there are still people to be introduced!" (Simon)
"My name is Rob Trumptadas, and I'm a retired mage... cough cough!"
Seeing that Rob was unwell, the children rushed over to pat his back.
"Hehe! I'm fine, everyone don't need to worry... cough cough!"
"Grandpa Rob, you're not feeling well, so you should rest more and talk less!"
Hearing the words of the Crimson girl in front of him, Rob nodded, indicating that he understood. (PS: Because someone had given instructions, as soon as Rob introduced himself, the white-haired boy sitting in the corner immediately locked onto him... as well as the Blue-haired boy beside him.)
After settling Rob in, the Blue-haired boy spoke up, "My name is Jellal Fernandez, what's yours?" (Damn it! Jellal, you scoundrel, you've hooked up with the Her Majesty the Queen again! Believe me, I'll write you out of this story in a heartbeat!)
"Erza... just Erza!"
"Huh?"
After Her Highness the Princess finished speaking, the Blue-haired boy slowly walked to her side, gently gazing at a strand of her hair for a long time. (Ahhh, I can't take it anymore! Xiao Ou, beat him up!)
Just as the guard was about to teach this frivolous scoundrel a lesson, he suddenly spoke up, "Scarlet! From now on, your name will be Erza Scarlet!" (Sordil: Damn it! You dare to change my daughter's surname? Believe me, I'll devour you in a minute!)
"Scarlet? Crimson? Hey! Isn't this a bit too... hasty? (Milliana)" (Miss, isn't your focus a little off?)
Just as the Blue-haired boy was about to explain, August, who had been reminded, intervened in time and prevented the words from being uttered.
"Everyone's name is decided by their parents. Isn't what you're doing a bit inappropriate?"
Upon hearing this, the young men and women in the prison cell all lowered their heads in dejection.
"It's okay, I've never met my parents anyway!" (Erza)
Looking at the desolation and sorrow in his junior sister's eyes, August wanted to tell her everything, but thinking of his teacher's hard work, he swallowed his words.
And so, a lively self-introduction session came to an awkward silence.