Work Prophet

Ivan was brought before the Lady, and after meeting her, he respectfully performed a bow, "Congratulations, Lady Ireya, on becoming the new master of this land."

The young girl waved her hand dismissively, "It's still early, now most of the western lands are still in the hands of those Wing Tribe people and their allies."

Ireya had just come back from outside and was about to set off on another campaign, so she quickly busied herself.

The former Imperial Minister of Intelligence said, "Those lords aren't truly willing to submit to Solomon, but if we can take Rock Snow City, everyone will know the winds have shifted, and they would much prefer to see 'one of their own' ruling this land."

The Lady glanced at him, "You seem to understand the human heart very well.

"As you know, I was the Empire's former Imperial Minister of Intelligence, and my main job was to collect and analyze all sorts of intelligence," he responded.

"Analyze intelligence?"

"Yes, I once had many spies, and they would pass hundreds of messages to me each day. I had to sift through them to pick out the information worth noting, judging their urgency," Ivan answered.

After a pause, the former Imperial Minister of Intelligence gave a bitter smile and continued, "However, I misjudged those from the Wing Tribe. I relied too much on my network of intelligence spread throughout the Empire, and there was no indication that we would face such a powerful invasion at the time.

"I shouldn't have ignored your earlier warnings. If we had been adequately prepared, Crab's Corner might not have fallen so quickly.

"Looking back now, those Wing Tribe people had crossed the seas to reach Bulati, and they were very weary by the time they flew here, which was the perfect opportunity to engage them in a decisive battle."

Ivan appeared to have been deeply troubled by this issue, and he sighed afterward, "It's a pity about Gars, he wouldn't heed my advice and insisted on remaining in Lion Heart Castle."

"But I heard that when those Wing Tribe people occupied the Royal Capital, you were the first major noble to surrender to them," the Lady said while stroking her chin.

"I thought you held a grudge against Gars. Tell me honestly, did you play a part in those Wing Tribe people taking Lion Heart Castle?"

Ivan shook his head, "If I had truly betrayed His Majesty the Emperor, with the intelligence I held, Solomon could have taken Lion Heart Castle in less than two months.

"Until the last moments before the city fell, I remained loyal to the Imperial Family. The reason I surrendered so quickly to those from the Wing Tribe was because all the intelligence indicated that the fall of the Vespasian Family was inevitable, and I did not want to die alongside them," the former Imperial Minister of Intelligence admitted candidly.

Ireya was noncommittal, "So what are your plans now? Are you prepared to betray Solomon to survive?"

"Although Solomon pardoned me and allowed me to continue serving as Imperial Minister, I know he has never really trusted me. In his eyes, I am less valuable than two minstrels," Ivan said.

"After Lannita's incident, Solomon gave me no chance to defend myself and locked me up directly. He planned to hand me over to Sibulun to vent his anger. My loyalty to him as sovereign ended long ago.

"If it weren't for the Divine Power manifesting on a Saturday, bringing down Divine Punishment, and the Wing Tribe people needing an interpreter, I would still be languishing in the dungeons of Rock Snow City," the former Imperial Minister of Intelligence said with a twist of his mouth.

"The way you put it, I can see why Solomon would be cautious about you," the Lady commented, touching her chin again.

Ivan said helplessly, "I just want to find a way to survive, and I haven't betrayed my sovereign."

"Is that so? But you've just told me the situation inside Rock Snow City," Miss Rabbit exclaimed with wide eyes, "and you even told me the easiest way to take it down."

The former chief of intelligence finally stopped beating around the bush, "Well, perhaps I should phrase it differently. Until I feel that my monarch can no longer win in the game of power, I will remain loyal to him."

"That is hardly something a noble of high morals should say."

"Today is different from the past; those nobles of high morals rarely have the opportunity to stand before you anymore," Ivan said.

"I know what you are worried about, but this is actually not a problem for you, Lady. You have Prophet Merlin and Saturday behind you, and as far as I know, you have never lost in the past, and I presume you will not in the future either. So, you don't have to worry about me betraying you."

The Lady raised an eyebrow, "I haven't even said I want you to serve me."

"Then I beseech you now to give me a chance to prove my worth," Ivan knelt on one knee.

"Duren is very capable in leading troops in combat. Although I do not know why he is still alive, with him by your side, you don't have to worry about military matters.

"Prophet Merlin is indeed full of miracles and omnipotent. In addition, you have wise strategists who always provide you with the correct advice.

"Not to mention the brave and skilled generals and warriors under your command, but you are still missing a subordinate who can gather intelligence, analyze it, and handle various interpersonal relationships—and I happen to have talent in this area.

"Especially when you are preparing to leave the western territories and embark on a more magnificent journey, facing a more complex political environment, no one knows the nobles of the Empire better than I do; I will certainly be of great use then."

"Why would I leave the western territories?" the Lady countered, "Hmm, although I promised Wild to help him retrieve the Fertile Corner, his domain is already on the edge of the western territories. It can't really be considered far away, can it?"

"Crab's Corner is also your domain," Ivan said, "It was bestowed upon you by Edward II, in the presence of many nobles."

"..."

Miss Rabbit was also silenced by the former chief of intelligence's remark. Since she accidentally acquired the Empire's largest harbor, she had never even visited the place and had barely even considered it her own territory.

Because for her and the Arias family's prestige in the Red Lion Empire, truly ruling Crab's Corner was akin to a fool's dream.

But now it was different.

If she could indeed drive the Wing Tribe from the western territories and become the new ruler of this land, it also meant she might as well have the capacity to contend for the new continent.

Although the Lady was not very interested in becoming the ruler of the new continent, the problem was that Crab's Corner was just too profitable.

Nearly half of the Empire's maritime trade took place there, and just collecting some taxes would mean she would never have to worry about money again in her life.

Just the thought of this made the young girl's heart race.

Especially as the former chief of intelligence continued to tempt her, "The Weiting family has fallen, the Drummond family has been wiped out by those Wing Tribe people, and now the new continent is without a master.

"If you can drive away the Wing Tribe people, perhaps you can gain the recognition of the nobles there and make them willingly offer Crab's Corner to you."

"It's too early to talk about this now. Let's take over Rock Snow City first," the Lady, rare as it was, maintained her rationale and curbed her excitement.