Chapter Eighty-Two: Pramanix and Cliffheart: Why Is Our Brother Playing a Grizzled Old Man?

"Whether His Majesty Frederick II was capable of being an emperor in peacetime aside, in this moment of crisis, he has already proven his incompetence as a leader!"

"Therefore, in the interests of the nation, we in the opposition are willing to join the ruling Conservative Party in forming a grand coalition government!"

"But we cannot continue accepting Frederick II's leadership! He has deeply disappointed the House of Commons and the people!"

"Everything is for the good of the nation! Prime Minister, nobles, please tell him! Abdicate! We need a new leader!"

The moment the opposition leader finished speaking, the entire parliament erupted into chaos once again. If there had truly been a Victoria civil servant here, they would definitely have sighed in recognition.

The House of Lords was like a botanical garden, while the House of Commons was like a zoo. That universally acknowledged fact was indeed entirely accurate.

"They're arguing so fiercely. We only had them memorize their lines beforehand and vent them in parliament. I didn't expect them to be so dedicated."

Elsewhere, Talulah and Chen Qi watched the scene through the camera. Seeing the opposition and Conservative factions arguing heatedly during filming, Talulah could not help but remark on it.

However, Chen Qi knew very well why it had turned out this way. Smiling, he explained:

"They both brought some personal feelings into it... For the opposition, I specifically recruited the Knight Commanders from Kazimierz's Supervision Committee. As for the Conservatives, I recruited people from the Commercial Federation and the National Assembly."

"The Commercial Federation and the National Assembly have always been colluding with each other, while both have constantly clashed with the Supervision Committee. This is just a chance for them to vent at each other a little more."

"Still, this scene was indeed acted well. We can take it. Hopefully, the rest of the filming goes smoothly too."

Chen Qi approved the shot, but his voice over the loudspeaker apparently was not louder than the two sides' arguing... Clearly, the situation within parliament was spiraling out of control, heading toward a genuine fight.

"Mr. Patriot! It's time for your entrance! Hurry and have the Shield Guards separate them!"

Chen Qi had a headache. The conflicts on Kazimierz's side seemed sharper than he had imagined. Even regarding the troop deployment that Kazimierz's upper ranks had been concealing, as far as Chen Qi knew, the Commercial Federation and the Supervision Committee were not of one mind.

The Supervision Committee wanted to expand their gains and cripple Victoria in one stroke. It would be best if Victoria were left in this half-dead state.

The Commercial Federation, however, said that would be detrimental to expanding their Victoria market. They did not want a ruined Victoria that needed rebuilding; they wanted Victoria's prosperous market. To that end, they only needed to beat Victoria into ceding territory and paying reparations, seize a mobile city as a trading port, and gradually devour Victoria's market.

But whatever Kazimierz's upper ranks thought was none of Chen Qi's business. Right now, he was only worried about filming.

"Next time, I absolutely won't use them. I'd rather have Xi paint a group of people than use actors from organizations that start fighting every time they gather. They act well, but the aftermath is even more troublesome!"

"—Were you talking about me?"

Just as Chen Qi was complaining to Talulah, Xi's voice suddenly came from beside him. She had silently approached Chen Qi and spoke calmly:

"Some of the sets you asked me to paint, for that film called 'Braveheart,' right? I've finished them now."

"The countryside, the battlefield, the trenches, and so on... they're all in this painting. When it is time for you to film, just enter the painting and shoot there. It will save you some time."

"You've helped us a great deal, Xi." Chen Qi immediately accepted the scroll from Xi's hand. He unfolded it and examined it solemnly. The painting Xi had created brought everything together with ingenious technique. Whether it was a golden wheat field, a hellish battlefield of trenches, or even soldiers from Gaul, Leithania, and Victoria, all were rendered vividly.

"With this, scouting locations for Braveheart will be much easier."

Talulah nodded beside him. Like Chen Qi, she did not know much about art appreciation, but she could still see that this painting would be enormously helpful to their production.

However, Talulah still asked Xi with some confusion:

"But... Miss Xi, why were you willing to paint for Braveheart, yet unwilling to paint battlefield scenes for Darkest Hour?"

"It's nothing. I'm simply not interested." Xi answered Talulah's question blandly.

"Strictly speaking, if Braveheart were not something you insisted I help with, I would not be interested in it either... I have never liked films without much depth, where the ending is obvious at a glance."

"If I'm not mistaken, Darkest Hour will end with the new emperor stirring everyone's fighting spirit and persevering in the struggle. And Braveheart will end with someone dying on the battlefield, followed by a funeral after everyone has a good cry, won't it?"

Xi had not read the scripts for either film. Subjects that did not interest her had never caught her eye. In fact, if Nian had not forced her to watch certain movies, she could not even be bothered to pay attention.

...All right, Yes, Prime Minister really had been an unexpectedly interesting television series. Xi had to admit that the phrase "political satire" had made her prejudge it somewhat.

But Xi had little interest in the two films Chen Qi was currently shooting. Films whose endings could be guessed at a glance, without twists or surprises, could never interest her.

"What are you talking about? You haven't even watched them. How can you casually judge Chen Qi's movies?" Xi's lofty attitude made Talulah, who was defending Chen Qi, a little displeased. But before Talulah could flare up, Chen Qi stopped her and took the initiative to say to Xi:

"—If that is the case, then Miss Xi, please come watch the premieres when the time comes. I have great confidence in both films. Perhaps they can change your mind."

"Whatever." Xi remained uninterested. After closing her eyes slightly, she said:

"I am tired. I'm returning to my painting to rest. Do not disturb me unless necessary."

As she spoke, Xi casually waved her hand and shot into the scroll in Chen Qi's hand like a blue-green meteor. The paintings Xi created were all interconnected, so entering one was equivalent to entering the worlds within all of her paintings.

"Haha, my little sister isn't easy to get along with, right?"

At that moment, Nian, wearing sunglasses and holding a script, walked over to Chen Qi with a smile. Nian was currently "learning" in Chen Qi's crew, but Chen Qi had not given her any particularly important work. Most of the time, she merely wandered around the set, watching the shots and filming.

Simply put, she was freeloading off the crew. Yet Nian had stubbornly maintained that outfit, claiming it was standard equipment for a "director."

"Trust me, my little sister definitely didn't go back into the painting because she was tired. She went back to watch Yes, Prime Minister."

"Hm? After all this time, Xi still hasn't finished it?" Chen Qi was somewhat surprised, but Nian shook her head, exposing the truth beneath her sister's cold exterior.

"How could that be? She's watched it several times already. I don't even know which rewatch this is."

"You know the type, right? The kind who usually looks down on everything, but when she finally finds a good show, she keeps rewatching it until she gets sick of it. My little sister has very high standards. If she dislikes something at first glance, it is hard to change her mind later—because she has no interest in understanding it at all!"

"So, Director Chen Qi, I have high hopes for you this time too. The two films we're making must make my little sister see you in a new light!"

Nian casually slung an arm around Chen Qi's shoulders, shamelessly preparing to add her own name to the credits of two films she had not helped make at all.

What Nian did not say was that her high hopes for Chen Qi were not merely because she wanted her little sister to have a few more films or television series to rewatch... She also hoped Chen Qi's works could help her gloomy little sister, who buried everything in her heart, vent some of her emotions.

They had not seen each other in many years. Her little sister's "emotional barriers" had become far too thick. Nian was worried... If this continued, her little sister's years of "self-cultivation" would truly turn her into someone without sorrow or joy.

And that was precisely the state Xi had always pursued... Only then would she not be consumed by fear—the fear of losing herself at any moment...

So, Director Chen Qi, please... do not let me down.

First Snow, Cliffheart: Why Is My Brother Playing a Cranky Old Man?

As for the filming of Braveheart, Chen Qi had originally planned to have Patriot play the lead role of "Emil." After all, Patriot fit the role well: aged, a veteran, steady, and responsible.

However, at Margaret's suggestion, Chen Qi ultimately decided to have the voluntarily participating Młynar portray Emil, the old soldier.

After reconsidering it, Chen Qi felt that casting Patriot in the role had indeed been somewhat inappropriate from the start. First of all, he had specially localized Braveheart. Like Darkest Hour, it was set against the Four Emperors' War. Given Emil's identity in Gaul, Patriot was clearly unsuitable.

After all... even as a Sarkaz, Patriot's physique was simply too imposing. Whether because of his Sarkaz identity or his build, he was not suitable for portraying an old soldier from Gaul like Emil.

Młynar, on the other hand, was a perfect fit. First of all, he was a ranger himself. His travels had given him the weathered air of an old soldier, as well as numbness and disgust toward war. The makeup would not be difficult either; they only needed to conceal his ears and make him look a little older.

As for Patriot, Chen Qi naturally arranged a role that suited him better: the only Black character in Braveheart, "Freddy."

For localization purposes, Chen Qi changed that character into the only Sarkaz in the film. A Sarkaz mercenary whose hard-won happiness had been ruthlessly taken from him, driving him to resolutely pursue the culprit and throw himself into war.

This also explained, in another way, why Freddy had always been so formidable in Braveheart. He took on the most dangerous work, yet escaped death time and time again.

Of course, Chen Qi still needed to do some makeup work for Patriot and find a way to reduce Patriot's apparent size slightly. A character built like a small mountain would be too conspicuous. They were not making an individual heroism film, so Patriot could be stronger than the others, but not so strong that he could influence the course of the battle.

For the role of "Carl," the Leithanian son-in-law, Margaret, the Shining Knight, also volunteered, saying she was qualified for the role.

Of course, more than that, the Shining Knight wanted to contribute to this anti-war film out of her own sense of justice and responsibility.

"A knight should fight to protect civilians, not to coerce civilians into war."

"As a knight of House Nearl, I have the responsibility and duty to step forward and do something against the wars in this world—even if it is not on the battlefield, I should still fulfill a knight's justice and duty!"

"Therefore, I will not let Uncle Młynar appear in this film destined for greatness alone. Please let everyone in the Nearl family contribute to this anti-war film!"

Margaret had spoken righteously to Chen Qi at the time, and her words immediately inspired her younger sister Maria, who clamored to join the filming of Braveheart as well. Młynar was so furious that he nearly drew his sword to duel his foolish niece, and with full strength at that.

Others might not know, but Młynar knew very well! Kazimierz was currently joining forces with Ursus and Leithania in an unjust war. As someone constantly monitored by the Supervision Committee, appearing in an anti-war film at such a time carried great risk!

Młynar could also sense that Kazimierz, now once again mired in war, was no longer a suitable place for the Nearl family to remain. But for the Nearl family as a whole to leave Kazimierz was even less realistic; that would be outright treason, and the honor the Nearl family had painstakingly built over so many years would vanish completely.

Młynar had yet to find the parents of his two nieces—his older brother and sister-in-law... He could not make the decision for the Nearl family to leave Kazimierz, nor did he have the right to make it.

His decision to appear in Braveheart was merely an escape route he had chosen for himself after weighing the pros and cons. That way, he would be participating in the film only in his own capacity, and the responsibility would fall on him alone, without implicating anyone else.

And in the future... regardless of how this war ended, his assistance this time could at least serve as a favor, allowing Chen Qi—a man protected by both "heaven" and "hell"—to help his family escape danger at a critical moment.

It was also time for him to find an excuse to be reasonably "exiled" from Kazimierz, setting out on the journey he had never quite resolved to take in search of his older brother and sister-in-law.

And... before he left, to do one last thing within his power.

Młynar was not optimistic that Braveheart could stop this unjust war. But what he valued was that Chen Qi possessed the talent to stir this land, yet had chosen to use it this time against war. Looking at Chen Qi like this, Młynar felt as though he saw his own naive former self.

So he wanted to help however he could, before there came a time when he could no longer do so.

But that was one matter, and he could not let Margaret and the others become implicated. Because of this, Młynar and his two nieces argued endlessly.

"Please give me some time, Director Chen Qi. I remember you said that time passes more slowly inside the paintings than outside them."

"I need to have a heart-to-heart talk with my two nieces, so we will not disturb you for now."

With that, Młynar brought his two nieces, Margaret and Maria, into the world within Xi's painting. Chen Qi could guess what Młynar intended by taking his nieces into the painted world... but as for who would persuade whom, Chen Qi did not know.

Chen Qi could afford to wait. Their main focus was still Darkest Hour, and filming was proceeding fairly smoothly. They were slowly shaping the atmosphere of a wartime Victoria beset by troubles both within and without.

However, while the crew was filming Darkest Hour in Kazimierz, they received several "uninvited guests."

"Wow! So this is a big city in Kazimierz?! It really is huge!"

"And this time, I never expected even you could leave Siracusa, Sister! Won't the elders of Manjuin say anything?"

In Kazimierz's Grand Knight's Dominion, two girls sharing very similar racial traits with Silver Ash walked through the streets. One was lively and adorable, while the other was quiet and elegant. The more tranquil, long-haired Feline girl, who seemed more like the elder sister, answered:

"It's fine. Ya'er spoke to me beforehand. The council of elders has been rather idle lately, so their supervision of me is not as strict. Besides, I came out this time for the legitimate reason of 'spreading the faith.'"

"So spreading the faith... means buying televisions and setting up a local area network?"

The two Feline girls were Silver Ash's younger sisters, Ennya and Enshia, and like Silver Ash, they had traveled all the way from Siracusa to Kazimierz. Their purpose was obvious: to visit the set.

Naturally, Ennya herself would never put it that way. Her relationship with her brother was not that good, and she could never have left Siracusa using such an excuse. So she chose another explanation.

"Coincidentally, I heard he has recently been purchasing televisions and continuously selling them to residents within the territory, intending to make them widespread... The local area network is also being prepared and should be completed before long."

"Taking this opportunity, in Manjuin's name, we can gift some televisions to believers as rewards, in Yelagund's name. It can also be considered a blessing bestowed upon Siracusa's faithful."

"All right, all right, whatever you say, Sister!"

Enshia did not expose her sister's little thoughts. She knew that the main reason they had traveled all the way from Siracusa to Kazimierz was to see their brother.

After all, when they learned that their brother had actually traveled so far to join a film crew and play a role, both had been a little startled. Their stern brother, who seemed capable of abandoning anyone for his goals, was going to act?

How could they not go see for themselves? Driven by such curiosity, the two traveled to Kazimierz under the protection of Silver Ash's trusted subordinate, Exusiai, searching for the place where their brother was filming.

Because of this matter, Exusiai had already informed Silver Ash and Chen Qi through his own channels. Thus, they encountered no obstacles along the way, and the three soon entered the bustling film set.

"So this is a film set? It looks very busy."

"Miss, Second Miss, they appear to be filming right now. We should avoid disturbing them." Exusiai stopped the two girls from proceeding toward the shooting area. Soon, FrostNova came over to them and said:

"You three are Mr. Silver Ash's family, correct? Filming is in progress here. Please come with us to the screening room and wait."

"Ah, all right. Sorry to trouble you."

What a beautiful person. FrostNova's appearance made both Enshia and Ennya silently marvel. After following FrostNova to the screening room, they soon saw Chen Qi himself, watching the footage on a large screen with Talulah and Nian.

"This is our director, Chen Qi." FrostNova's tone carried a subtle pride as she introduced them. "The white-haired woman with dragon horns is our assistant director, Talulah. The other one is Nian, technical advisor... probably."

"The scene will begin shortly. Please do not disturb them while they work. If I remember correctly, the next scene is the one featuring your brother. If you are interested, watch it."

"Huh? The next scene is Brother's performance?"

FrostNova's words made Ennya and Enshia's eyes immediately light up. Upon hearing they could watch their brother act, regardless of their usual relationships with him, both girls quickly sat on a nearby sofa and patiently watched the footage playing on the large screen.

At that moment, the scene being shown was of Vina's character, a new private secretary named "Layton," meeting the future ruler of Victoria for the first time—the role played by Silver Ash. She arrived outside the door, listening to someone beside her give her a stream of instructions:

"If he holds out his hand and says, 'Give it here,' you have to immediately guess what he wants. A black pen, a red pen, paper, or 'da-da'—his stapler."

"He mumbles, so you can barely make out anything he says. Type fast, quickly and neatly, with double spacing."

"He absolutely hates single spacing! Absolutely hates it!"

"All right, good luck."

After giving those instructions, the men slowly left. Just from those few lines, Ennya and Enshia had already formed an image in their minds: the person this female secretary was about to meet was not someone kind.

"...What role was he playing again?" Ennya could not help turning to ask her sister beside her.

"I heard he's some kind of lord, maybe even an emperor? Anyway, he has very high status! It suits Brother perfectly!"

Enshia promptly answered her sister's question, saying excitedly, "Hehe, I can already imagine it. With Brother's handsome, domineering CEO face and an emperor's outfit, he'll definitely make a whole crowd of girls in Siracusa swoon!"

"Maybe Brother can even bring us a sister-in-law this time! What do you think, Sister?"

"...I do not particularly care." Ennya avoided the question. She had nothing she wanted to say about Silver Ash, but since she was here, she was curious about the role her brother was playing.

However, as Vina slowly pushed open the door in the film, a match flared in the pitch-black room, gradually revealing Silver Ash lying in bed.

At that instant, as the firelight and curtains opened and sunlight slowly fell upon him, Silver Ash's appearance utterly shattered both girls' fantasies.