Go among the people and let them guide you / The reversal in "Darkest Hour": the power of the people's united hearts!

"Even the three Siracusa families are arguing endlessly, let alone with Victoria..."

For a moment, silence fell over Siracusa. Ennya ignored their discussion and focused her attention on the movie.

Internal conflicts persisted, while external pressures intensified. Bolívar and Rim Billiton were on the verge of falling, and the Leithania army was utterly unable to resist the Gaul Praetorian Guard, on the verge of surrendering.

Victoria's army was also in retreat, but the Gaul guards pursued relentlessly, giving Victoria's army no chance to retreat, and had even surrounded them.

In the film Frederick III, played by Silver Ash, proposes using their prized Steam Knight to support the army and help them retreat. However, Victoria's generals believe this is futile, as countless Steam Knights will be destroyed by the combined forces, including the Gaul guards, during the breakout.

By then, Victoria will face enormous losses. The Steam Knight are their last line of defense. If even the Steam Knight are severely damaged, they will be greatly weakened even if they win.

In the film, King Victoria III employed various methods, including consulting with the Leithania ambassador to discuss future strategies, concealing the fact that the Leithania army was incapable of further fighting, and encouraging the Victoria populace...

But all of this seemed to be in vain. In the end, not only the Conservative Party, but even the opposition began to think he was crazy, and even his friends no longer supported his ideas.

But worse news was yet to come. Just a few days after becoming the new emperor, his family was already struggling to pay their bills and was on the verge of bankruptcy.

The series of bad news made the atmosphere in the film even more oppressive. At this moment, everyone watching "Darkest Hour," including Victoria, Siracusa, and Kazimierz, felt that pressure and gloom hanging over them.

The people and dukes of Victoria, in particular, felt a deep sense of frustration, as if they had a fire burning inside them that they could not vent.

Clearly, they all knew that Frederick III's choice was correct; history had proven his wisdom and prowess, demonstrating that he could defeat Gaul.

However, the oppressive atmosphere and difficulties depicted in the film were beyond their imagination... That short line in the history book contained so many hardships and mysteries.

At this moment, everyone watching "Darkest Hour" fell silent due to the oppressive atmosphere. The members of Siracusa held their breath, seemingly pondering whether Siracusa could also unite in such a crisis.

Despite watching such a depressing film, the Grand Knight Commander of Kazimierz felt no relief. She increasingly felt that the current oppression was setting the stage for an explosion to come.

The people of Victoria felt a deep sense of gloom, but within that gloom, anger seemed to be brewing.

"All the repression is for the final explosion; that's the tone of this film, and I've seen through it all."

Meanwhile, Chen Qi and his group were already on their way back to Rhodes Island by land-based ship—after all, they couldn't wait for Kazimierz to react before leaving, so after handing over the videotape of "Darkest Hour," they left first.

Now, Chen Qi and Nian are both in the midst of Xi's painting, forcibly dragging the uninterested Xi to watch the result of their long-term efforts, "Darkest Hour".

As for why they were watching it inside the painting... because everyone on the land and the ship was watching it too, but Xi wasn't used to crowded places, so she stayed inside the painting. Nian didn't care about his younger sister's opinion at all and dragged her to force Xi, who was watching "Yes, Prime Minister" for the Nth time, to watch the new movie.

"This kind of tactic is so boring; it's obvious from the start."

However, although Xi said that, Nian and Chen Qi exchanged glances. They both noticed that Xi, who had originally looked unwilling, was no longer resistant, even though she was still being stubborn. Instead, she was staring intently at the movie.

Now, the oppressive atmosphere of "Darkest Hour" has clearly affected Xi as well. The slightly swaying dragon tail behind Xi shows her impatience—she can't wait to see the final emotional outburst!

The feeling of suffocation and repression emanating from this had completely affected Xi's emotions. For the first time in her life, Xi experienced a feeling called "suppressed humiliation."

Chapter 90: Go among the masses and let them guide you

Whether it's Victoria, Kazimierz, or Siracusa, regardless of their status, everyone watching "Darkest Hour" at this moment was surprised by the film's overall somber tone.

The film depicts a world where history is clearly unfolding, yet the oppressive atmosphere creates a sense of impending defeat... No one knows how to regroup. So, how could the emperor in the film possibly regain support?

However, the plot became increasingly oppressive afterward. While the first half of the film included some lighter scenes to lighten the mood, the latter part was almost an overwhelming pressure.

"We repeatedly appeased and made concessions to that Gaul emperor and those dictators! We even granted them supreme privileges!"

When will you ever learn your lesson?!

"Trying to reason with a wild beast?! You think you can get away with that?!"

Faced with such pressure, the character played by Silver Ash chose to explode for the first time. His words seemed to be about Gaul, but they also seemed to be more than just about Victoria's concessions to Gaul.

Especially... given Victoria's current situation, his words were like needles, piercing the hearts of every Victoria.

For a moment, even the dukes fell silent. Although they were fighting their own battles, their attitudes toward the three kingdoms' offensive were indeed different. Among them were those who, like the conservatives in the drama, were passive and wanted to negotiate.

Among them is Duke of Wellington, who is currently living with the people of [Deep Pool] in the Little Hill County region. Their opponents are the most ruthless Ursus Empire army. Not long ago, it was he and Ablana, the leader of [Deep Pool], who led the people of [Deep Pool] in a rebellion against the Ursus Army Group... and lost a Mobile City.

They had to retreat to Little Hill County again. The [Deep Pool] forces suffered heavy losses, especially the officers. It can be said that, apart from Mandragora, "Harmonie," and her own sister, who were promoted by Ablana, almost the entire force died under the fierce attack of Ursus.

And now, they were watching "Darkest Hour" together. Facing Silver Ash's furious roar, Duke of Wellington, after a moment of silence, spoke calmly:

"... Some time ago, the Ursus Empire sent an envoy to negotiate with us, saying that if we were willing to switch sides, the Ursus Empire would share Victoria with us."

"Ablana, I must be honest, I hesitated at the time."

"--Even if you are the [Iron Duke] of Victoria, the death knell of the empire?"

Now, having experienced the baptism of war, Ablana was clearly no longer the imposing figure she had been at the beginning. Having just escaped death a few days ago, she now looked somewhat dejected, completely lacking the confidence she had when she first met Chen Qi.

The Ursus Army Group's fierce attack showed everyone in [Deep Pool] what real war is like. Compared to that kind of war, Ablana's Originium Arts, no matter how powerful, could only do so much on her own.

She could control the dead, which dealt a huge blow to the morale of the Ursus Army Group a few days ago. However, the Ursus Army Group adjusted its strategy in time, and faced with the ridiculously large drones in the sky and the Ursus Army Group's round after round of artillery bombardment, she realized that her proud Originium Arts were actually so powerless.

If, in the end, without the support of some Victoria military forces, they might all have died in that Mobile City.

"I had considered it before, but now... I think what the movie said is right."

The Duke of Wellington nodded in response to Ablana's question, saying:

"We can't reason with wild beasts... they'll just tear us to shreds, especially since we all know the beast we're facing... is starving."

"--Perhaps this is the warning that Director Chen Qi is giving us?" Ablana also showed a smile after a long time. In such a critical moment, Ablana had not smiled for a long time due to the heavy pressure, but now she still showed a smile.

"What an unpredictable man... He criticized Victoria mercilessly, even accelerating the division, yet now he's encouraging us to fight to the end."

"It's like he's trying to prove that his abilities can sway the transformation of this land... What an arrogant fellow."

As Ablana murmured to herself, her younger sister, Lavshini, saw her sister's mood improve and smiled... She suddenly felt that her sister, whom she had always worried about, seemed to be changing after the baptism of this war?

But she didn't know exactly where... but what Lavshini did know was that every emotional fluctuation her sister experienced seemed to be related to Director Chen Qi's work.

Meanwhile, on the Art Troupe's land-based boat, Vina was sitting with the group, playing a crucial role—the secretary "Layton."

Having acted in the entire film, she came to watch "Darkest Hour" to see everyone's reaction, and... as the Crown Princess, she also wanted to know that the stories of her ancestors could be known by more people.

It's safe to say that no one hoped for the success of "Darkest Hour" more than Vina, and Vina probably felt the same way about Chen Qi.

But Vina just kept watching, and she couldn't help but get lost in the film again. She felt the heartache, the helplessness and powerlessness of her ancestors...

"If it were me... could I withstand that much pressure?"

Vina herself didn't know the answer. Even though she had experienced helplessness since childhood, surviving alone, struggling to live to the next second, she wasn't sure if she could withstand the kind of pressure her ancestors faced in the movie.

What Vina didn't realize was that she had unconsciously come to believe everything that happened in the movie was real... Even though she had never seen Chen Qi review Victoria's history and materials, everything that happened in the movie felt so real to her.

Not just her, but everyone in Victoria who watched "Darkest Hour" felt the same tension, oppression, and unease as Vina... That atmosphere didn't need the film's embellishment; their current circumstances alone gave them such feelings.

But... looking at the emperor in the movie who refused to give up or surrender, it seems they still have a glimmer of hope.

In the film, Frederick III, played by Silver Ash, seems to finally break down under immense pressure. Under pressure from all sides, he has no choice but to compromise and tacitly agree to peace negotiations with Gaul.

Just when everyone was on edge, wondering how to turn the situation around, one person appeared and broke the deadlock.

Prime Minister Victoria, a man who had been obsequious, nervous, and fearful of Frederick III during his previous coronation, had previously opposed many of the III's unauthorized actions, making him appear both incompetent and powerless.

But now, he still visits late at night, wanting to hear what the Emperor he serves has to say.

Those nations that choose to fight will rise again.

"And those nations that surrendered without resistance perished."

"--The parliament is in a state of panic and panic." The Prime Minister took over the topic, turning to his sovereign, and asked:

And you, Your Majesty, how do you feel?

"... I was terrified."

At that moment, Silver Ash's outspokenness, his eyes filled with resentment and stubbornness, yet seemingly forced to kneel, gripped everyone's hearts.

That helplessness and resentment... everyone could understand his feelings at that moment. But soon, when he heard how his emperor responded, the prime minister expressed his own views for the first time in a private manner.

"I support you."

At this moment, the two most powerful representatives of Victoria stood with their backs to the darkness and their faces towards the light.

"I admit that I initially had reservations about your views. Although some people in the country still hoped that the late emperor could be restored to the throne, they were wary of the rule of an emperor like you who advocated war."

"But no one, no one now, fears more than our enemy, more than a warlike emperor."

"Anyone who can instill fear in those beasts—whoever they may be—deserves our complete trust."

Gradually, the dialogue in the film seemed to deviate from the initial portrayal of Gaul. The words "Gaul" were never mentioned again, as if telling the audience that their enemy wasn't Gaul as depicted in the film, but someone else entirely...

Many of the audience members watching Victoria's Secret were nodding involuntarily, seemingly forgetting that they were watching a movie. They appeared to be observing the conversation between Victoria's two most powerful figures as bystanders.

Unbeknownst to many, their conversation gave the people of Victoria confidence—after experiencing unease, oppression, and fear, their words finally brought a ray of light into the darkness!

However, without the support of Parliament, even the Emperor was powerless, and at this time, the Prime Minister offered His Majesty some better advice.

"Go among the people and let them guide you. They will often provide the answers subtly and implicitly."

"But remember, tell them the truth—if invasion is imminent, if our army is defeated by the Gaul Imperial Guard, they must be prepared."

After several conversations, the two most powerful figures in Victoria seemed to have reconciled. Under the dim light, they smiled at each other, seemingly bringing a glimmer of hope to everyone.

At that moment, the people of Victoria, who had been suppressing their emotions for so long, almost simultaneously burst into laughter—a smile of hope. They saw in the two who had now put aside their differences that there was hope for a reversal of fortune.

At that moment, the Dukes of Victoria almost immediately grasped the meaning behind that glimmer of hope from this fragment.

"Perhaps... this movie wasn't made by Chen Qi as a final blow to Victoria?"

"Do we really want to rekindle hope in the people of Victoria? Hope to continue the fight?"

The dukes all thought the same thing: how could someone who could hold such a position be a fool? They all saw in that moment of reversal in the movie the turning point from darkness to light!

"--Immediately take control of all the television dramas and film equipment in all our Mobile City. Yes, this movie. We need to make sure everyone sees it right now!"

"The timing of a reversal... though it seems unlikely, perhaps this film can truly bring hope to the people of Victoria!"

Several dukes gave this order in unison, realizing that the turning point for this long-suppressed film had finally begun!

Soon, with the dukes' tacit orders, all television sets and film equipment in Victoria were taken over, and "Darkest Hour" began to play on every television set that was turned on, both at the front lines and at the rear.

"Huh? Why did you change the channel?"

"What is this? A movie?"

"The front lines are still fighting, why are they forcing us to show movies at a time like this?"

For a moment, the people of Victoria were slightly taken aback by this overwhelming change, but they all realized that this level of publicity must be extremely important.

Behind them, countless civilians stopped and looked up at the content displayed on the largest screen in the square, fearing that the aftermath of the war had spread to them without their knowledge.

At the front, Victoria's troops also took a short rest, with many gathering around a small television set, relying on this last bit of spiritual comfort to survive.

The entire population of Victoria was watching "Darkest Hour." In the film, Silver Ash, playing the Third King, sat in his car, watching the passersby, his mind replaying the words the Prime Minister had spoken to him.

The next moment, the driver was distracted for a moment and found that his emperor had suddenly disappeared from the back seat, vanished into the heavy rain and among the people, and could not be found again.

Unbeknownst to anyone, Silver Ash ended up at a transportation hub, a place he had previously mentioned had gotten lost in—the place where he could most easily connect with the locals.

Once inside the bus, he noticed that everyone around him was staring at him with astonishment—staring at His Majesty the Queen of Victoria, who had appeared at the transportation station wearing a crown.

The first to break the silence was the Third Emperor himself. He borrowed a match from someone, lit his cigar, and, gazing at the restless crowd around him, gave a smile that didn't seem like that of an emperor. He jokingly said:

What are you looking at?

"Haven't we ever seen an emperor take a bus before?"

With just a simple sentence, the distance between this most powerful figure in all of Victoria and the people was shortened—and at this moment, whether or not they had seen the plot, all the Victoria who stopped to watch chuckled softly, feeling a strange warmth.

It was a thread, a thread connecting them all, making them feel safe, and binding them all together would unleash unprecedented power.

Chapter 91: The Twist of "Darkest Hour": The Power of Public Support!

"What's your name, sir?"

"Oliver Wilson, sir!" The ordinary old man answered the Emperor's question with a resounding voice, and seemingly sensing the distance between them, the Silver Ash -played Third King continued, "..."

"So what do you do, Mr. Wilson?"

"Bricklayer, sir."

"Ah~~ a bricklayer!" Upon hearing this, the Third Generation exclaimed almost exaggeratedly on the spot, patted the old man on the shoulder, and said to everyone with a proud tone:

"After the war ends, we'll need a lot of bricklayers, you'll be very busy!"

The emperor's closeness to the people had an extraordinary effect, and for a moment, the people of Victoria chuckled good-naturedly.

At this moment, it was as if this long-deceased monarch had walked through the screen and stood before them. Those who spoke to him were no longer high-ranking officials, politicians, or members of parliament, but ordinary citizens on the bus—the true "majority" of Victoria!

When it comes to the general public, everyone who hopes to be noticed will not miss the opportunity to perform and gain attention—and now, this scene in "Darkest Hour" undoubtedly hits the mark for all the people, making them stop and watch.