As the protests gained momentum, the demonstrators became increasingly brazen.
They not only dared to attack factories and shops, openly robbing under the guise of marches, but also dared to attack Pale Church in various places, and even destroy Vampire sites.
Perhaps there are genuine protesters among them, and perhaps some intelligent people have already begun to withdraw, but this world is not lacking in hot-blooded fools, nor is it lacking in behind-the-scenes manipulators.
Driven by certain individuals, this momentum has grown increasingly powerful, and the demands have begun to subtly change.
Their initial appeal and slogan was 'Change the current class system and give people more upward mobility!', but now it has changed to ' The Southern Continent should be independent and autonomous, and the Queen is the sole ruler of the empire!'
The true purpose behind this gradual change of slogans is quite blatant.
Those in the Southern Continent who hadn't participated in the demonstrations were filled with fear and unease. The brutal methods used by the supposedly Pale God to address the toilet problem were still vivid in their minds. What kind of punishment should these people receive now?
I'm afraid even the heavens would be pierced by this Pale God!
The Pale Holy See, inside a small monastery.
Abraham, who had already returned by train from the Southern Continent border, stood respectfully behind Norton, faithfully reporting to Norton on the current investigation into the demonstrations.
Although the Southern Continent has developed trains, it's still too early. Currently, there's only one railway line, a two-way track running from north to south across the Southern Continent, designed to facilitate the transportation of certain supplies. This is why he was able to travel by train to meet Duoxia.
"Your Majesty, the mastermind behind the protesters has been identified. It was Queen Maria who, under the guidance of the nobles of the old era in the Southern Continent, spearheaded this event and provided the manpower and resources behind the scenes."
Such behavior is utterly ungrateful!
"Your Majesty, should this old servant wipe them out in one fell swoop, so that you may punish them?" Abraham bowed his head respectfully, showing no trace of the man who betrayed Norton a month ago.
A thousand years have passed, Abraham's acting skills are even better than those of the best actors. It's a pity that the film industry hasn't developed yet, otherwise he could really star in a movie for Norton.
Norton, his pale, slender figure draped only in a pure white cloak, his long white hair trailing on the ground, stood on the edge of the parapet, gazing at the brightly lit Holy Empire Palace in the distance.
A few drops of moonlight fell on Norton, making his already elegant and noble figure appear even more refined and aloof.
Abraham's words did not move Norton in the slightest. He had witnessed Queen Maria's conspiracy with other nobles of the old era from beginning to end, and he knew exactly what everyone was thinking.
If he is truly angry about this matter or wants to obstruct it, then before the demonstrations even begin, he will send out his extraordinary forces to slaughter them, or he will use the current Mass to cause most of the people in the Southern Continent to mutate and crush more than 50% of them with his overwhelming Pressure.
The so-called will of the people and the general trend of the world may pose the most serious threat to an emperor, but to his baseless Pale God, they are nothing.
What he cares about most is still the possibility of advancing to the next level.
In the past, his desire for control over the Southern Continent was primarily driven by a desire to replace the name of God and to perform Mass in order to achieve a pseudo-advancement; he had no other needs.
Now, eight years later, his name, Norton the Pale God, has spread throughout the Southern Continent. More than half of the people in the Southern Continent have been transformed into semi-mature or fully mature dependents by him, involving a population of more than one billion. But to this day, he has not felt any sense of advancement.
It is clear that his methods of replacing God's name and his attempts to advance by stealing the power of creation were futile.
Power is a means for ordinary people to maintain their status, and it is the ultimate temptation that countless people are willing to risk their lives for. But for the 'god' who can wipe out the Southern Continent with a single thought, power is just a toy that he can manipulate at will with a casual word.
To Norton now, these so-called marches and demonstrations, along with the various power struggles that ensued, seemed as insignificant and laughable as ants fighting over food.
Perfect opportunity! Let's use this chance to provoke Abraham.
"No need!"
Norton slightly raised his hand in a gesture of restraint, but his tall, slender body remained still as he gazed elegantly at the distant palace.
Those who betray me will be rewarded handsomely!
Maria knew how to manipulate public opinion and unite with powerful figures, making her a qualified queen. Although her thinking was still rudimentary and her methods still immature, her ability to be ruthless already qualified her as a true emperor.
Since she so desires this power, then let this so-called power be my reward.
Abraham issued a decree that, from this day forward, all power shall be transferred to the Holy Empire's imperial family, and the Pale Church shall retain only religious authority and no longer participate in administration.
Let the Southern Continent develop on its own, and see how much hope it has.
Norton's indifferent voice rang out, and his aloof figure and casual words sent a shiver down Abraham's spine.
He wasn't shaken by Norton's so-called reward for betraying him, but rather by the fact that Norton's casual remark could influence the power dynamics of the entire Southern Continent.
He knew better than anyone that the so-called administration of the Holy Empire was just a joke His Majesty made when he was bored. It was this terrifying power that could manipulate power and life at will that was what truly captivated him.
"I shall take his place!"
Abraham hardened his heart, and his eyes turned red.
Never before had the idea of elevating his Existence Level driven him so mad; the power to decide everything with a single word was what Abraham truly desired!
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Abraham nodded emphatically, then quickly left the palace to carry out His Majesty's orders.
Only Norton's perfect and slender figure remained on the high platform, standing under the moonlight, feeling the silence of the night and the cold moonlight.
"We're almost in the modern era... Witnessing the immortality of a changing age is truly a lonely thing..."