Free Web NovelChapter 375: Chapter 81: Boom
"Colvin, sit." Ulysses gestured to the other chair by the table. "You must be tired, having just returned from the Eastern Region."
"It is my duty, Director-General." Colvin sat as told, his back straight, his gaze fixed on Ulysses. "Regarding the incident in the Holy City, we have integrated the reports from our clandestine networks on the city’s outskirts. We can basically confirm that the epicenter of the explosion was near the entrance to the Sanctuary. The blast was massive. The west wing of the Cathedral of Truth and seven surrounding blocks were severely damaged, and the Church Court’s core defensive Barrier suffered a prolonged, large-scale disruption."
He paused, his voice dropping lower. "Based on the residual traces and the pattern of destruction, we can deduce this was no accident, nor the result of a direct external assault. It’s more likely... that a key internal node was precisely detonated, or a High-tier Energy system suffered a catastrophic failure. The Sanctuary, where Pope’s Throne Noe VII was present, is at the very core of that area."
The Third Prince, Charles, felt his pupils constrict as his fingertips unconsciously tightened on the armrest of his chair. "A failure? Or a *deliberate* one?"
Ulysses looked calmly at Colvin, gesturing for him to continue.
Colvin’s expression grew grave. "Considering the many signs of power struggles within the Holy City over the past decade—especially after the Holy Throne, Noe VII, entered the Sanctuary, and the College of Cardinals assumed de facto control over political affairs while openly opposing some of the Holy Throne’s policies... the possibility of a ’manufactured accident’ cannot be ruled out. Saint Cyril Cardinal and his inner circle are the primary suspects. They seem desperate to eliminate the Holy Throne, this ’variable,’ even at the cost of shaking the Holy City to its foundations."
"They’ll truly stop at nothing to clear the path." Prince Charles’s voice was cold. "So, what about the succession? If the Holy Throne has truly perished, the Church Court is bound to fall into unprecedented chaos. Can Saint Cyril single-handedly control the situation?"
Ulysses finally spoke, his voice measured. "Chaos is inevitable. But Saint Cyril’s faction has been building its power for years; its influence is deeply entrenched. For them to strike now, they must be well-prepared. They will likely install a new Pope and use the official conclusion of an ’external attack’ or ’accident’ to purge internal dissidents and redirect blame outward."
"For the Imperial court, this is both a crisis and an opportunity." A glint appeared in Prince Charles’s eyes as he looked at Ulysses. "Director-General, regarding our strategy for guiding the Equalist Sect in the Eastern Region and on the Northern Border..."
Ulysses nodded slightly, picking up the thread. "The Church Court’s authority has suffered a heavy blow. Amidst their internal power struggles, their control and moral sway over the regions will inevitably weaken. This is a perfect breeding ground for fringe ideologies to flourish. The doctrine of the Equalist Sect is, in essence, the desperate venting their rage against injustice. Through covert channels, we can disseminate more targeted objectives among them, aiming them at specific local powers. We can even provide some minor assistance to make this fire burn more ’precisely’ in designated areas."
Colvin immediately grasped the intent. "We let the flames consume the unruly old guard, but we can’t let it become a wildfire that burns down the Imperial granaries. We’ll need the most precise intelligence to draw the boundaries for the blaze, the sharpest axes to cut a firebreak when necessary, and, at the critical moment, we must emerge as the ’firefighters’ and restorers of order. That will give us the legitimacy to drive our influence even deeper into those regions."
"Exactly." Ulysses gave Colvin an approving glance. "But in practice, it will be like walking on thin ice. Maintaining the right balance is paramount. I need you to grasp that balance perfectly."
"As you command, Director-General," Colvin replied solemnly.
Prince Charles fell into thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Speaking of the north and these changing tides... Commander Colvin, what are your thoughts on our trade negotiations with the Northern Monte Territory?"
Colvin sat up straight and reported in detail, "Your Highness, the Church Court’s official ruling on the Carl Heinrich incident was that it was an accident. Lord Melfield’s son, Kaiden, is a measured and pragmatic heir, and communications with our Adela have been smooth. As for the long-term supply agreement for refined steel and certain specialty minerals, a consensus on the core terms has been reached. The details are being ironed out, and barring any setbacks, the official treaty will be signed."
"Melfield..." Prince Charles murmured the name, his tone clearly cautious. "Director-General, you and he are both Legends. You once fought side-by-side. In your opinion, can this man be trusted? What is his ultimate ambition?"
Ulysses fell silent for a moment, as if recalling the massive crater left by the spatial rift beneath Eagle’s Beak.
"Trustworthy?" He slowly shook his head. "That word may not apply to him. He is not a man who can be measured by common logic. As for his ambition... what I have seen and heard points to an ultimate pursuit of control. Not a lust for power, but absolute control over his territory, over every facet of order and every rule under his dominion. The Monte Territory is simply an extension of his will."
"So, he isn’t truly above it all. As long as his territory is involved, he can be indirectly leveraged?" Prince Charles asked, a look of realization dawning on his face.
"That is one way to look at it," Ulysses said. "And for that reason, when dealing with him, a pure exchange of interests is often more effective than complex emotions or alliances. He needs the Imperial market, certain resources, and technologies, while we need the refined steel of the Northern Lands. As long as the trade is fair, the cooperation will last."
Colvin added, "The intelligence we’ve gathered also suggests that the internal administration of the Monte Territory is highly efficient, far beyond that of a typical domain. Lord Melfield’s authority permeates the entire Monte Territory; it is nigh absolute."
Prince Charles gripped the armrest again. "Then in the continental chaos to come, will he be our friend or our foe?"
Ulysses’s voice was steady. "The currents of our time are a torrent; no one can stand on the bank forever. Sooner or later, he will be swept in. As for friend or foe... for now, our best option is to solidify our trade and deepen this connection, which is based on mutual interest. It both satisfies the Empire’s needs and preserves an option for us in the uncertain future."
"But our current priorities are, first, to closely monitor the fallout in the Holy City and assess its impact on the Continent’s religious landscape."
"Second, to cautiously proceed with our guidance strategy, making sure it remains precise and controllable."
"And third, to ensure the trade agreement with the Monte Territory is successfully concluded."
"The Imperial court must keep a steady hand on the tiller through the coming storm, and carefully judge the tides."
"We shall act on your counsel, Your Excellency," Prince Charles and Colvin replied in unison.
