On the third floor of the Night-Kirin City factory, Ben Kaul told Landen about how Fanil had nearly fallen victim to Angzang Zhuoqin's scheme.
"You mean the Divine Empress?" Landen asked in surprise.
"Yes. Angzang's original target was Fanil, but after recognizing the string of oak stone beads the Divine Empress had given her, he abruptly changed targets and went looking for trouble with Albert."
"Wait, the Divine Empress gave Fanil a gemstone?" Compared to Angzang's actions, Landen found the Divine Empress far stranger. "Isn't she spoiling her a little too much?"
"It's fine. The Divine Empress gave an oak stone bead to every horse, cat, dog, and bird she adopted, so the palace attendants could easily find them if they got lost."
"Ah..." Landen did not quite know how to complain about that. "So that's all it means."
"Angzang's original plan was probably to find an excuse to take Fanil away first, then cement the charge that you were colluding with Beastmen. That would prevent you from becoming King of Gallop for the time being and leave you stuck as Duke of Night-Kirin," Ben Kaul shrugged. "But those beads around Fanil's neck signify that several Legends of the royal family have personal ties with her."
"The Finance Department couldn't pull that off, so what made him think he could?" Landen found this Legend, Angzang Zhuoqin, rather laughable. "And why is he always targeting me?"
"There are many reasons. The most important is that he believes you are obstructing the Empire's unification. In his eyes, the entire Empire should have no member states—only cities directly under the Empire's rule. Every imperial order should be carried out across its territory without the slightest discount."
"Well said. I wish him success." Landen offered no further comment. Even the godless, magicless world of