Chapter Seventy-Eight: Dusk: Do Me a Favor and Make a Few Sarcastic Remarks About Yan Next Time / Chapter Seventy-Nine: Theresa's Hopes for Chen Qi, the One Who Will Stir the Land

Promoting cooperation with other powers? Publicizing Siracusa? Those points did draw some reaction from Silver Ash.

Aside from self-sufficiency, Siracusa's greatest source of development was tourism. However, Siracusa was so isolated that most people had never even heard of the country. Its tourism industry did exist, but its visitors mostly came from only a few nearby nations.

Still, tourism had indeed allowed Siracusa's clans and the elders of Manjuin to see some profits. If they could seize this opportunity, and a director that capable could indirectly promote Siracusa's tourism industry... then some of Silver Ash's future plans would become much easier.

Moreover, with more people coming in, there would be no shortage of business opportunities and chances to cooperate with other powers—especially since Silver Ash had heard that this director called Chen Qi would even help him find business partners, so long as he played a role.

"Are you going? Then I'll go too."

Oracle noticed Silver Ash's reaction and smiled faintly. "I also want to see what kind of person this director is, the one rumored to have made a show that split Victoria apart."

"You're right. He is worth meeting." Silver Ash smiled slightly, but did not agree immediately. Instead, he asked Jian on the other end of the phone, "What role does Director Chen Qi want me to play?"

"The ruler of a nation, apparently." Jian answered her president calmly. "Though he says you'll have to play an old man, so you'll basically be unrecognizable. Still, they need someone with the right temperament for the part."

"Very safe. And that position really does suit you." Oracle teased from the side. After thinking for a moment, Silver Ash gave his answer.

"Tell Director Chen Qi that I'll head to Kazimierz as soon as possible. After I've watched his television dramas and films, I'll give him my final answer."

And so, their call ended. Jian silently set Chen Qi's phone aside. She was in no hurry to put on makeup, since her role only required her to appear at the very end of the film. Chen Qi had requested several people of different races for the final conversation on the bus in Victoria.

Naturally, the Blood Knight received the same treatment as Jian. But both of them knew that acting was merely incidental. Their real purpose was to pass information to the Kazimierz authorities, ensuring that nothing unfavorable to Kazimierz appeared in Chen Qi's film.

However... the Supervision Committee still had not told them anything specific. After all, neither Jian nor the Blood Knight knew what exactly counted as "content unfavorable to Kazimierz."

"Sounds like it's a film about Victoria, so there shouldn't be anything we need to worry about. Does this mean the two of us are getting something for nothing? We just have to guard the place for a while, and then none of Kazimierz's factions can blame us anymore?"

"...The Supervision Committee even promised me that they would improve the living conditions of the infected." The Blood Knight, who had answered the summons, nodded as well. He could not help marveling at how generous the Kazimierz authorities had been this time.

"It feels like a dream... Though the two of us have both earned honor and status in Kazimierz, I have to say that Kazimierz is not such a generous country."

"No matter what, we just need to do our jobs. Once this 'protection' assignment is over, the two of us can finally leave in peace, without having to fear pursuit or anything else."

Though Jian said that, she still vaguely felt that something was wrong... The Silvermane Knights within the city and the Kazimierz authorities' various concealments all seemed to hint that some plan was brewing.

No one knew. Or rather, aside from a few high-ranking officials in nations now eyeing Victoria like prey, no one knew that all of their actions revolved around the coming war.

It was not just Kazimierz and Ursus. Even Leithania was mobilizing troops. Victoria's earthshaking split had made every nation still capable of launching a war want to tear a huge chunk of meat from the weakened Victoria.

The four nations that had once divided Gaul now had three of their number joining forces again, carving up another country's land and resources.

Meanwhile, while Chen Qi was still troubled over casting for Darkest Hour, the two people he had been waiting for had already returned to the crew while they were still setting up the scene.

"Director Chen Qi! I brought Xi with me!"

Sure enough, Nian had brought Xi to the crew. Using certain special Yan methods, they had traveled all the way from Huiji Mountain in Yan to the Grand Knight's Dominion of Kazimierz within a few days. Chen Qi even saw several people dressed in black leave almost immediately after delivering the two women.

But before leaving, those Yan personnel did not even have time to catch their breath. As they withdrew, they said:

"Two fragments of 'Sui' have arrived in Kazimierz, and they even sought out that notorious Chen Qi... What exactly are they trying to do?"

"Seems like they want to make a film? Probably."

"Regardless, we must report this matter to His Majesty." One of the younger Imperial Calendar Bureau members spoke up. "Two fragments are now under the protection of Director Chen Qi, who is protected jointly by Sarkaz and Sarkaz. This is no small matter."

"Victoria's split greatly shocked His Majesty. He has instructed us to treat this director called Chen Qi with caution."

"We can only hope he keeps his mouth and hands in check and does not write anything reckless." One of the Imperial Calendar Bureau members said so as well. Yet the increasingly tense situation across all Terra had also allowed Yan's upper ranks to smell something unusual...

Terra's situation was changing, and the person prying apart that balance was actually a mere director.

If necessary, perhaps they should report it to His Majesty and have him consider pulling this director out of neutrality for good, making use of his talents in ways beneficial to Yan...

"But not yet. It is still slightly... insufficient."

Xi: Please Be More Sarcastic About Yan in the Future

"Nian, you're finally back! I've been waiting for you with desperate anticipation!"

Upon hearing that Nian had finally arrived in Kazimierz with Xi, Chen Qi rushed to welcome them almost immediately. But before he could greet the two women, Xi rushed out first.

In the next moment, Chen Qi felt Xi suddenly grab both his shoulders. Before he could react, he found himself staring directly into her crimson-red eyes.

"Where are the last four episodes?"

"Huh?"

"Where are the last four episodes of Yes, Prime Minister? Don't you have the tapes? Nian said you did!"

Xi was inexplicably emotional the instant she saw Chen Qi. However, Nian quickly pulled her embarrassing little sister away and apologized to Chen Qi with a guilty expression.

"Sorry, Director Chen Qi! To drag my foolish little sister out of that painting, I had to use some other methods!"

"I showed her the first four episodes of Yes, Prime Minister but deliberately withheld the last four, just to see whether she would like it. Who knew this girl would love it so much that she came looking for you with me without a second thought!"

"She even brought the Imperial Calendar Bureau here... Doesn't she know that our affairs cannot implicate Director Chen Qi? My foolish little sister doesn't know any better, so please don't blame her, Director Chen Qi!"

Xi immediately broke free from Nian's grasp. Regaining some of her usual composure and serenity, she carefully looked Chen Qi over before speaking as calmly as possible.

"You are Chen Qi? The director who made Yes, Prime Minister? You have not disappointed me, I suppose. I was worried that if the director who made that drama had an ordinary appearance, I would not have known what to do."

...So you were a looks-first kind of person? Oh, me too. Then there was no problem. Chen Qi could only think that Xi, having not spoken to strangers for who knew how long, simply could not find a better topic after judging his looks upon their first meeting.

Xi, completely unaware of this, continued, "Nian has already told me about what you intend to do. I am willing to help you, but I have one request."

"I can tell that you are a playwright of great ability, and you are Yanese yourself, aren't you? With your pen as your blade, within five or six years, the Yan court will surely hear of the upheaval you bring. If you enter officialdom, your future will be bright."

"And if that day comes, do not forget the support we offer you today. I hope that in the future, you can use your writing to change the circumstances of people like us... people who are not accepted, as much as possible."

Xi had thought about many things after watching Yes, Prime Minister. Though she understood Victoria's Civil Service System even less than most people on Terra, the vivid plot still made her smile.

Later, she figured out why. The foundation of Yes, Prime Minister was not that viewers needed to understand Victoria's bureaucratic system. So long as one was human and understood how people and society worked, the show was easy enough to follow.

Beyond that, Xi had thought of another possibility—if Chen Qi could express politics, something so bitter and difficult to understand, in such a witty and humorous way, then if he ever became a Yan official, might he be able to use the same method to change their circumstances?

Though the thought was somewhat childish, Xi knew the chances were slim. One careless move might even bring Chen Qi a fatal disaster...

That was why she had said "as much as possible." She did not truly expect Chen Qi to repay them in that way... but what if?

"Even if you just make a few sarcastic remarks about them, I'll count that as repaying us."

Xi's words startled both Chen Qi and Nian. Nian especially had never expected her sister to be so bold—this timid little fool was only somewhat hot-tempered toward her, but she had always been terrified of their other brothers and sisters, let alone the court.

It could be said that Xi was one of the people most afraid of Yan, yet now she wanted to use Chen Qi's works to mock Yan and strike back at it?

Was that really something she could say?! Even their eldest brother, second brother, and third sister would not dare say such a thing!

Or had this foolish little sister opened the door to some new world after watching Yes, Prime Minister? Had she begun developing in an entirely different direction?

"You foolish little sister! What are you saying?!"

This time, Nian showed no mercy as she smacked Xi on the forehead. Xi's head buzzed from the sudden blow. Nian hurriedly supported her, a sheepish smile appearing on her face for the first time as she said to Chen Qi:

"Director Chen Qi, my sister has stayed shut in at home for too long. She does not know how to speak properly, so please do not take her words seriously!"

Nian knew those words were not only for Chen Qi, but also for any Imperial Calendar Bureau members who might still be watching from nearby—Nian and Xi had behaved themselves more in recent years, so the Bureau had relaxed its surveillance somewhat. They had retained a measure of freedom, but only on the premise that the two remained apart.

The moment two "Sui" gathered together, given the Imperial Calendar Bureau's nature, they had surely reported it to the court already. Who knew how many eyes would be watching them after that!

And now Xi had said something like that. It would practically confirm that they were planning something major! Her foolish little sister! Was she trying to get them killed?

However, faced with Nian's sheepish smile, Chen Qi slowly came back to his senses. Noticing Xi's solemn expression, he hesitated for quite a while before answering:

"So long as it does not bring a fatal disaster or implicate others... I'll do my best?"

The moment Chen Qi spoke, the entire place fell into strange silence. Only when a serene smile appeared on Xi's face did she nod and say:

"...I believe you. Though you are merely a mortal, I think you are more trustworthy than many people who wear righteousness on their faces."

Because Chen Qi had not made extravagant promises from the start. Generally, the fuller someone's promises were, the less likely they were to fulfill them in the end. Chen Qi's answer had clearly come after careful consideration.

"Then, can we start filming now?"

"Yes—but before that, give me the last four episodes of Yes, Prime Minister."

Xi had naturally not forgotten that she had yet to finish the last four episodes. Until she had watched them all, she absolutely would not want to start work.

A few days later, in Kazdel, Theresis handled state affairs as usual. At his side, Manfred handed him a stack of documents and said:

"Prime Minister, this is the report submitted by the Military Commission. We have strictly enforced the new labor laws. Since the Self-Rescue Army departed and the new labor laws were implemented, strikes and riots within Londinium have indeed decreased greatly."

"Yes. Londinium's residents remain extremely wary of us, but the riots and strikes have indeed declined." Theresis seemed to have grown accustomed to Manfred calling him "Prime Minister." It was almost like an intimate nickname among their trio.

Occasionally, Theresis still called Manfred "Bernard," addressed the Bloodborne Archon as "Humphrey," and even when they disagreed during meetings, they would sometimes blurt out terms from the show. By now, no one found it strange anymore.

The cause of their disputes... was also Theresis's recent policy: no Sarkaz could harm or kill Londinium residents without cause, and all Sarkaz had to help local Londinium residents rebuild portions of the city that had collapsed during the war.

"The Bloodborne Archon has complained more than once that he has no fresh blood to drink." Manfred reminded Theresis, "General, forgive my bluntness, but if we are to stand united against external threats, we must first stabilize our internal situation. It is not yet time to restrain the Bloodborne Archon."

"But we cannot destroy all the work we have done rebuilding Londinium for so long because of him alone."

Theresis had a different idea. He said to Manfred, "We are not merely soothing Londinium's residents now, Bernard. What I intend is to turn this mobile city of Londinium into the starting point for Kazdel's revival."

"The situation is becoming increasingly severe. Victoria has split apart, and the dukes can barely look after themselves. While we can still use Londinium to send resources to Kazdel, we must make the local residents cooperate with us as much as possible."

"Tell the Bloodborne Archon to endure a little longer. Or find some death-row prisoners, even if we have to capture them from other mobile cities."

"...General, the atmosphere lately has been very wrong. I feel that something major is about to happen." As a military commander, Manfred showed a hint of unease. This time, before Theresis could reply, a sudden sound caught both their attention.

...It was the sound of a city-defense cannon firing, but it was not Londinium's. Otherwise, it would not have been so faint.

"Have all city-defense troops return immediately! Manfred, come to the walls with me and assess the enemy!"

Theresis stood up almost instantly. The two rushed toward the city walls as fast as they could, while several Confessors followed at once to protect Theresis.

So much so that Theresia, who was watching everything and had arrived at the wall long before them, drew no one's attention despite being nothing more than a "shell."

"So it has finally happened... war."

"Director Chen Qi, must the Sarkaz borrow your strength once again?"

Theresia looked into the distance. Amidst the yellow sands and haze, she could vaguely sense the spreading flames of war... She subconsciously gripped the phone Chen Qi had given her in her pocket, falling into hesitation.

Should she really drag this innocent person into this war?

And if he truly became involved, could he, just as he had split Victoria, really stop this war once again?

Theresia's Hopes for Chen Qi, the One Who Stirred the Land

The war had already fired its first shot in Victoria, yet Chen Qi's group in Kazimierz knew nothing about it—after all, Chen Qi had no intelligence network of his own. He merely had extensive connections, and if other powers were unwilling to share intelligence with him, he would not know anything.

What was more, Kazimierz's upper ranks were now concealing all information from him, afraid that his film might influence the entire course of the war during wartime, just as it had indirectly affected Victoria's split—though Kazimierz's upper ranks also felt that was impossible.

After all, war was fundamentally different from the environment of peacetime. Turmoil in peacetime might trigger a series of reactions because of some spark, but the progress of a war could not be changed by one or two films.

Even so, Kazimierz's precautions were precautions upon precautions. They not only ensured that Chen Qi remained cut off from information about Victoria, but also planted the Black Knight and Blood Knight as two "watchers" to report the progress of Chen Qi's film at all times.

Logically, everything should have been foolproof... Meanwhile, Chen Qi's crew had begun filming Darkest Hour, and he finally met Silver Ash, who would play the protagonist.

"Then, regarding the military equipment orders you require, I can put you in touch with the right people—if you do not mind that the equipment comes from the Sarkaz."

"What generous assistance, Director Chen Qi. Should I say that it is only fitting for someone jointly protected by 'heaven' and 'hell'?"

Silver Ash had traveled by railcar along Siracusa's only railway, making his way to Kazimierz. Along the way, he and Oracle had finally understood why this most famous director in all Terra dared claim that one of his dramas had split a country apart—because he truly had that achievement.

The information they learned along the way also quietly changed Silver Ash's mentality. He had believed he would be the stronger party in this "negotiation," only to discover upon arrival that compared with this Yanese man before him, who seemed to carry no oppressive presence at all, he was the weaker party.

Now, in order to persuade him to play the lead in Darkest Hour, Chen Qi was not only willing to connect him with military equipment orders from the Sarkaz, but could even introduce Rhodes Island for business involving Oripathy suppressants.

The latter was of little use to Siracusans, since there were practically no people infected with Oripathy in Siracusa. But Silver Ash's younger sister unexpectedly needed those things... He had already been considering sending his infected sister out of Siracusa for treatment.

"You are being so generous. Is there truly nothing you need Karlan Trade to do for you?"

"Of course there is, Mr. Silver Ash." Chen Qi made his own request of the Silver Ash before him. "In the future, our crew may need filming locations with snowy mountain scenery. Though our crew can solve this problem internally... our set designer may very well stop working at any time, so if we need to scout locations in Siracusa in the future, I hope you can make things convenient for us."

"And if there are any other requests... then I ask that you bring the protagonist of Darkest Hour to life perfectly. In addition, we hope you can help us open the Siracusa market, so every household in Siracusa can watch our crew's films and television dramas."

Chen Qi naturally would not pass up any opportunity to gain more prestige points, even in Siracusa. By now, Chen Qi's fame had almost reached the upper ranks throughout Terra, with only a few fringe nations left untouched.

But Chen Qi could never have too many prestige points. If he could use this opportunity to push Siracusa into establishing local networks and widespread television access, that would be a steady source of income. And now he had a perfectly legitimate reason for it, so why not?

"Just that?"

"That's right." Chen Qi nodded, looking directly at Silver Ash's slightly incredulous expression as he smiled. "Do not think this role will be easy to handle, Mr. Silver Ash. My standards are very strict."