"Recently, there have been two matters that have left me with regret. The first matter occurred today during a meal with His Majesty the King, when I learned that his health had further deteriorated. His Majesty Gedelin, once vibrant and full of life, is now withered and weighed down by the years and the burdens of the entire country. As subjects and citizens of Nali, we should rightfully feel regret."
"Another regrettable matter... no, it is something that should make us feel ashamed, is that the Exploration Party, which held the people’s high hopes and support, neglected defense during a critical visit from Schwali to Nali. This negligence led to a life-threatening situation caused by the Witch Research Association cult for forty-two people, including Prince Luosang, Principal Ken, and Professor Fisher!"
"I would like to ask, where did Mr. Madillon of the New Party place the dignity of Nali and the safety of its people? Even such an important occasion could be infiltrated by an external cult; what about the ordinary lives in Nali? Are our Nali citizens always at risk of having their lives taken without cause?"
"Prince Dexter, I also have here the records of New Party officials, including Mr. Cloth, the New Party whip at Pink Hall, making extravagant expenditures that are simply outrageous. I earnestly request that the Royal Family take the lead in thoroughly investigating whether there is severe corruption among New Party personnel in various Nali institutions, to defend the reputation of Gedelin among the people! This is my proposal, please consider, Your Highness."
"Thoroughly investigate the New Party!"
"Thoroughly investigate the New Party!"
From the radio, members of the Griffin Party and various small opposition parties were fervently agitated. This was today’s hastily convened Council emergency meeting, focused on addressing yesterday’s sudden attack on the Schwali Delegation.
After tireless investigation and onsite examinations by the Nali police, they were finally certain that the hidden mastermind behind this attack was the Witch Research Association from Kado. The Nali Official had issued a statement, declaring the most severe crackdown in history on the Witch Research Association throughout the nation.
Professor Fisher, now in a suit, sat in his office, stroking his chin while listening to the live broadcast on the radio, his hand unknowingly writing something.
Outside his office window, a brown-haired Centaur girl leaned against the window, slightly tilting her head as she listened to the radio and asked Fisher,
"Fisher, does this mean the New Party is finished? Can I go home soon?"
Her naive words made Fisher smile. Looking towards Xiayat by the window, he shook his head and said,
"The New Party won’t fall so easily. It not only represents itself but also represents the most entrenched and powerful class in Nali. That group of people won’t let the New Party fall for their own interests, but this incident will indeed affect them..."
Xiayat nodded as if she understood, seemingly sighing in relief upon hearing that the New Party wouldn’t collapse immediately, uncertain if she was worried about being pulled into their campaigns again.
The sound of the Council gavel resounded, and Prince Dexter’s voice on the radio sounded very steady. The situation was severe, so Prince Dexter Gedelin chaired the review and discussed apologizing to the Queen of Schwali.
It had been Prince Dexter who had delegated this responsibility entirely to the New Party; now that there had been an incident, his reputation was probably unsalvageable. After listening to the speech from the leader of the Griffin Party, he fell silent for a second or two, giving no chance for the New Party to defend themselves, and then said,
"I will return and discuss this matter with His Majesty the King... but the New Party has indeed disappointed me greatly. I, in the name of Gedelin, order the New Party members to conduct a discipline self-check before the midterm elections and cease all public campaigning activities! Otherwise, I will initiate a new round of votes of no confidence against the New Party..."
"That’s all for this session!"
Hearing the prohibition of any campaigning activities by New Party personnel, Xiayat’s ears perked up, and even her face lit up with a smile, clearly delighted by the prospect of slacking off.
Fisher reached out to turn off the radio and simultaneously set down his pen.
He was writing a reply to Elizabeth, who had written him a letter last night expressing her concern after hearing about the incident.
She was currently inspecting the Royal Navy Fleet stationed at Celekang Port. She was fully in charge of the Royal military and would not be back for a few days.
Originally, the Royal military was under the direct supervision of the King, but because of King Gedelin IX’s poor health and Prince Dexter’s lack of military capability, and given the frequent friction with Schwali, the King had reluctantly appointed Elizabeth to temporarily manage military affairs.
However, the King did not allow her to handle any political affairs of Nali, clearly preparing for the eventual succession to Dexter.
Elizabeth had already learned about this incident, and her letter inquired whether Fisher had been injured, adding that she would visit him upon her return.
Fisher briefly wrote that he was fine and described the situation at that time.
Hesitating for a moment, he also wrote down his suspicions that the Witch Research Association was not the real mastermind behind the curtains, as he would begin investigating the Pink Hall after Elizabeth’s return. Elizabeth, trustworthy and with no possible connections to the Pink Hall, would be indispensable in helping him.