Directing on the Ark, Success is Not Being Banned

Although such an ending... can't exactly be called a cliffhanger, Humphrey, with his personality that doesn't make minor mistakes, shouldn't have left any evidence. Using that as a reason for his dismissal feels a bit forced.

Just as the audience was thinking this, the drama's Director of Military Intelligence seemed to sense their thoughts and immediately made a U-turn, deeming the possibility of Humphrey being a spy to be extremely slim.

"But I have no doubt about his loyalty. It's more likely that he was simply..."

"—Grossly negligent." Theresis also smiled. With just a few words, Humphrey's crisis seemed to be resolved, and the atmosphere immediately eased.

Afterward, the Director of Military Intelligence suggested that Theresis could give the Bloodborne Archon a "gardening leave" for now, avoiding an overt investigation to prevent the media from catching wind of it.

Moreover, Theresis couldn't ignore this matter. If the Bloodborne Archon truly turned out to be a spy in the future, Theresis, as Prime Minister, could even be suspected of "harboring" them. Such an incident would undoubtedly cause immense upheaval in Victoria's civil service system.

"But I truly can't believe one of our people is one of theirs," the Director of Military Intelligence said, still somewhat incredulous about the current situation.

"But if two of our people are both theirs..."

"Then all of us might become..."

"—All of them." Theresis nodded with lingering fear, looking quite shaken. Accompanied by canned laughter, he completely dispelled the somewhat tense atmosphere.

"...One Director of Military Intelligence, one Cabinet Secretary. If both heads are Ursus spies, then Victoria's civil service system would truly be riddled with suspected spies from top to bottom."

On the Landship, Vina watched this scene unfold. Feeling the surprised and suspicious gazes of her Rhodes Island and Lungmen companions around her, her face flushed. She felt incredibly embarrassed.

As the Crown Prince, Vina couldn't bear the thought that her country's embarrassing affairs were not only being broadcast across Victoria but also in front of these comrades she was fighting alongside. Facing Victoria, once ruled by her own ancestors, and seeing it expose its most shameful side, Vina felt she had nowhere to hide.

"That Chen Qi... how does he know so many secrets?! I must ask him clearly later!"

It wasn't to reprimand him. After all, Vina had no authority to question a Yan national on why he was exposing Victoria's scandals. But as a Victorian and a Crown Prince, Vina felt obligated to ask clearly how Chen Qi knew so many secrets.

If he wasn't a once-in-a-millennium political genius, then a senior civil servant in Victoria's system must have leaked so much information to him. She was determined to find out!

It wouldn't matter if it was leaked internally among Victorians, but if so many secrets were leaked to a foreigner, that would be treason!

And all of this wasn't over yet. If Chen Qi were present, he would surely comfort Vina—the more embarrassing parts were yet to come, this was nothing.

As expected, the scene shifted, and the trio reappeared in the office. Theresis said with evident displeasure:

"I can't believe it, our approval rating has dropped another three points."

"It's not the government's, but your personal approval rating," the Bloodborne Archon said earnestly, standing before Theresis. He analyzed and then comforted Theresis, who was confused about what he had done wrong to cause the drop: "Low approval ratings usually mean you're doing the right thing."

Another line worthy of deep thought. Ablana of Deep Pool immediately jotted it down. Even though she didn't understand its meaning, she felt that once she found Chen Qi, he would definitely explain the reason behind it.

However, the powerful figures and high-ranking officials from various countries who were following "Yes, Prime Minister" could understand the meaning of these words.

Doing practical work would inevitably infringe upon some people's interests. Even if it was for the good of the nation, the implementation of policies could cause dissatisfaction among a portion of the populace, leading to a drop in approval ratings.

On the other hand, low public approval ratings, for civil servants, indirectly proved that the Prime Minister had chosen the nation over the "people," thus making the public's dissatisfaction and the resulting drop in approval ratings understandable.

However, what made them find it even more amusing was that Theresis believed the drop in approval was due to the public's dissatisfaction with his shelving of military spending cuts. But the Bloodborne Archon chuckled:

"Honestly, Prime Minister, I don't think military spending is the hot topic across the nation today."

"According to the popular media, it's probably the Perro that got lost on the artillery range."

"???" XN

For a moment, the Bloodborne Archon's words left almost everyone, except for the common viewers and seasoned politicians, including Amiya, the Imperial Guard, and Ablana, in a state of prolonged confusion.

...Could it be that, in the public's eyes, the military spending issue was less important than a dog?

Chapter 60: Bloodborne Archon: We can't investigate everything, can we? What if we find something?

Clearly, the matter of a lost Perro being more noteworthy than the nation's military spending was utterly incomprehensible to those who were not commoners, nor seasoned politicians or civil servants who had managed the country for years.

For a time, whether it was Amiya and the other Rhodes Island leaders, or Ablana of Deep Pool, any cadre who hadn't dealt with similar situations found this phenomenon utterly baffling.

At one point, the thought "Are the citizens of Victoria all idiots?" even crossed their minds.

"I think it's quite normal," however, Vina, who had spent years mingling in slums and gangs, understood why this phenomenon occurred this time. She said calmly: "Most national affairs have nothing to do with ordinary people, unless they directly relate to the citizens' interests, like tax reduction policies. Otherwise, most Victorian citizens are indifferent to national policies."

"Everyone just wants to live their own lives. Things that don't significantly impact their lives don't attract as much attention as more engaging news... This is the only insight I've gained from living in the slums for so many years."

Years of slum life had made Vina deeply realize that, apart from policies that benefited the people, other matters were meaningless to the citizens.

The best way to gain public support was to directly and tangibly impact and change their current lives. Most people just lived day by day, and having an extra piece of bread or a cup of beer on their dinner table the next day was more valuable to them than anything else.

Just like what was being broadcast in "Yes, Prime Minister" now, most citizens had no concept of the impact of cutting military spending. However, the handling of a lost Perro could allow the public to more directly feel the government's attitude towards them.

It's just... the government is unlikely to intervene in such matters because the returns are too small and the costs would be too high. Even Hach, who valued approval ratings and votes immensely, didn't choose to use saving a Perro to boost his approval rating, which speaks volumes.

However, while Vina could grasp the logic, Ablana of Deep Pool had a completely different realization.

"Count Warwick once said... the masses are ignorant. To lead them, you need to do things that make them happy. They don't understand true importance; small favors are what they seek."

"Is Chen Qi also conveying this message? Are the citizens of Victoria in 'Yes, Prime Minister'... the same as what the Count taught me?"

However, Ablana increasingly felt that many messages Chen Qi was conveying from "Yes, Prime Minister" resonated with her own thoughts, and she was overjoyed.

She felt that the vision of inviting Chen Qi to Deep Pool and having him use his propaganda methods to lead the Deep Pool forces forward was becoming clearer and clearer.

Returning to the plot, Theresis, playing the Prime Minister, sent Manfred away, wanting to speak with the Bloodborne Archon alone about his suspected espionage.

"Humphrey, there's something I need to discuss with you privately, a... highly classified matter."

However, Theresis seemed unsure how to begin, appearing hesitant. Seeing the Prime Minister's difficulty in speaking, the Bloodborne Archon spoke up, "Would it be easier if I left too?"

Clearly, the Bloodborne Archon had no idea what they were about to face. This interruption from the Bloodborne Archon gave Theresis the perfect opening, and he immediately said, "A few years ago, there was a security investigation. Do you remember the former Director of Military Intelligence, Sir John?"

"—Of course I remember. To tell you the truth, I personally oversaw that investigation." When it came to matters of his work, the Bloodborne Archon was clearly full of confidence. Being listed as a suspect for espionage, the Bloodborne Archon was naturally unaware that the former Director of Military Intelligence was a spy and immediately admitted some information:

"First, Sir John is one of us. He's been an old friend of mine for years. Second, the whole thing was just media hype."

"Third, the purpose of an internal security investigation is precisely to find no evidence."

"Government security investigations are just for quelling media rumors. They allow the Prime Minister to announce in the House of Commons, 'After a thorough investigation, these accusations are without proof.'"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

The sudden turn of events caused Vina, the Crown Prince, to choke. The conversation had been a serious discussion about Humphrey's suspected espionage, but it suddenly took a dark turn, targeting Victoria. Vina, unprepared, coughed.

"If there's an opportunity... internal security investigations will also need to be reformed."

Vina was now practically treating "Yes, Prime Minister" as a "demon-revealing mirror" for Victoria's civil service system. Everything Chen Qi satirized within the show was something Vina felt she would have to personally change and rectify if she ever had the chance to return to the throne.

"What if doubts were actually found?" Theresis continued to press. The Bloodborne Archon, however, sensed no danger and continued to jest, "Prime Minister, in fact, everything in the government is suspicious—the fact that you sent Bernard away and are talking to me privately is itself suspicious."

"But in any case, that matter was pure nonsense, a typical case of Victorian press fanning the flames."

"So Sir John couldn't have passed intelligence to Ursus?" Theresis understood the Bloodborne Archon's implication. Looking at the self-assured Bloodborne Archon, he had to admit that the latter genuinely didn't seem like a spy.

But this was a perfect opportunity to tease him—at this moment, both the character Theresis was playing and Theresis himself were eager to seize this chance for a little revenge.

"Do you dare to guarantee it with your reputation?"

"Without a doubt!"

"I see..." Theresis's face finally showed a triumphant smile. Looking at the Bloodborne Archon, who had fallen right into his trap, he finally revealed the truth:

"Alright, I regret to inform you that for most of his tenure—he was an Ursus spy."

As soon as Theresis finished speaking, the Bloodborne Archon's previously confident expression turned rigid. After a fleeting moment of panic, he quickly reacted and asked, "—I don't believe it. Who said so?"

"He himself. He left all the documents for the government, including a detailed confession. Military Intelligence has verified it, and it's been cross-checked from beginning to end."

"But... heavens, he, I mean, he was..."

However, Theresis's words cut off the Bloodborne Archon's last avenue of escape. Now knowing this was undoubtedly the truth, the Bloodborne Archon slowly began to grasp the seriousness of the situation... and its implications for himself.

As expected, Theresis immediately questioned the Bloodborne Archon about why he had so quickly cleared the former Director of Military Intelligence's name, listing numerous suspicious points.

"He once stayed in Kazimierz for an unusually long time. Not long after, several Military Intelligence agents were arrested."

"He was also always hanging out with a Kazimierz translator..."

"That translator was an Ursus spy! Yes, we know!" The Bloodborne Archon, desperate to clear his own name, tried his best to salvage the situation, saying, "Most Kazimierz translators are Ursus spies—if not Gaul spies."

"Hahahaha!"

The Bloodborne Archon's remark immediately caused bursts of laughter in the Londinium region. In Kazimierz, meanwhile, the high-ranking officials of the "Supervision Committee," who were also watching "Yes, Prime Minister" through special channels, all turned grim, their smiles vanishing.

What did this have to do with them?! Yet, any senior member of the Supervision Committee knew exactly what this implied. Kazimierz survived between Ursus and Victoria not only through its formidable military strength but also through its use of spies.

However, surviving between two great powers required strong resolve from the Supervision Committee, but their spies might not have had the same. Therefore, many of Kazimierz's spies were indeed double-dipping, acting as triple agents for Kazimierz, Ursus, and Victoria...

But how did he know about this dark history? For a moment, the Supervision Committee felt as if there was a traitor within their ranks. Was this kind of intelligence supposed to be public?

"You didn't investigate at all." In the play, Theresis accused the Bloodborne Archon of severe dereliction of duty. Facing the Bloodborne Archon's excuses, he continued, "Three months later, she moved to Victoria and settled in the Royal Guard Academy, 130 meters from Sir John's house. They were neighbors for eleven years after that."

"Oh dear..."

This piece of evidence, however, left the Bloodborne Archon without any more excuses. He had repeatedly emphasized how busy he was and how he didn't have time, but this eleven-year detail had completely escaped him.

But the Bloodborne Archon absolutely could not admit to his negligence. In his desperation, he uttered a classic line, comparable to another "intangible cultural heritage," that was something like "Why would I have to reveal the drum and get wrongly accused?"

"We can't investigate everything, can we? What if we actually found something!"

The Bloodborne Archon was clearly starting to ramble, desperately trying to distance himself from the situation, but his attempts only made things worse as he said, "John gave me his word, a gentleman's word!"

"Whatever, Humphrey, I have a new question." Theresis didn't want to listen to the Bloodborne Archon's excuses anymore, knowing that the latter was most likely not a spy. Exerting all his effort to tease the Bloodborne Archon and anticipating his reaction, he said, "And that is you."

"Me? You mean... you couldn't possibly think..."

However, as soon as Theresis said this, the Bloodborne Archon, after a brief pause, immediately understood Theresis's implication. Knowing that everything that had happened before was related to him and that he couldn't clear his name, the Bloodborne Archon looked conflicted and, after a long moment, finally managed to say, "—I don't even speak a word of Ursus!"

"Hahahaha!"

The Bloodborne Archon's half-hearted excuse sent the entire audience into a fit of laughter. This time, even Vina, Chen Huijie, and the others inside the Landship couldn't stop laughing.

Even Logos, a rare male Banshee, showed a rare hint of a smile. Watching the Bloodborne Archon on TV, looking flustered and unable to come up with a proper excuse, he murmured to himself:

"Bloodborne, I never thought I'd see you so panicked... You're supposed to be a master of performance."

"Could it be that this scene is making you genuinely feel like a traitor?"

Logos thought to himself. It wasn't just him; many Sarkaz who knew the actor was the Bloodborne Archon were surprised to see him so cornered. Seeing the Bloodborne Archon looking like he had grievances he couldn't express, they wanted to laugh but dared not, fearing they'd be dragged off to have their blood drained by the Bloodborne Archon the next day.

Theresis, in the play, naturally didn't let the Bloodborne Archon off the hook. Ignoring how hard the other Sarkaz were trying to stifle their laughter, he pressed him aggressively:

"It's clear that you either neglected your duty or were in collusion."

"Collusion?! I assure you, Prime Minister, there was absolutely no collusion!" The Bloodborne Archon knew that compared to dereliction of duty, the charge of treason would definitely be his undoing, so he immediately refuted this point.

"A gentleman's guarantee?"

"Of course!" The Bloodborne Archon added, feigning composure, "A gentleman from the Royal Private University!"

The Bloodborne Archon immediately distanced himself from the Royal Guard Academy. After all, the academy was not only connected to the former head of military intelligence, but more importantly, the academy had been criticized from the start—the proportion of foreigners among its students was indeed a bit too high, and it was statistically found that at least fifty percent of its graduates did not choose to become Guard operatives.

Therefore, there had always been rumors that the Royal Guard Academy was "training enemies for Victoria." With the Bloodborne Archon's performance now, it was foreseeable that the academy's enrollment rate in the future would likely be affected...

Meanwhile, on television, Theresis and the Bloodborne Archon were oblivious to this, unaware of the significant impact their actions would have on the academy. Theresis then turned to ask:

"How is the garden at home?"

"Ah, that—" Before the Bloodborne Archon could speak, his expression suddenly changed. He quickly realized something and cast a horrified glance at Theresis, speaking for the first time in a pleading tone:

"Prime Minister, I beg you, please don't give me gardening leave..."

"Why?"

"I have to maintain my reputation!"

"You just vouched for the former head of military intelligence's innocence with your reputation."