Capítulo 821: Chapter 1: A Phone Call

“Whoosh whoosh~”

The cold wind from the distant Northern Realm finally reached the coastal city of Saint Nali within a week after the New Year. This human city, steeped in an industrial atmosphere, finally saw its first snow of the winter. However, compared to the Northern Realm, the snow here felt like a mere taste, as the snowflakes scattered from the branches and disappeared, occasionally accumulating winter’s colors on some street corners and lawns.

At this moment, Elizabeth inside the Golden Palace was somewhat uneasy.

In the ordinary dining room of the Golden Palace, where Elizabeth usually dined, there was an exceptionally long table. Elizabeth, dressed in white casual wear, sat at the head, with ministers of differing expressions seated on both sides below her. Unlike the fireplaces used by the common folk, the preferred choice for heating here was magic. With the blessing of magic, the temperature here was still warm enough.

“Your Majesty, the market rules established by Griff Hughes were set during the pioneer period, and they have played a crucial role in stimulating Nali’s economic vitality over the past hundred years. We only need to maintain a small portion of the infrastructure, and the market will adjust itself… For so many years, the effects of Griff’s principles have been good, making changes now might be inappropriate, don’t you think?”

The ministers in front of a sumptuous lunch, with exquisite steak, olives, and black truffles, paired with red wine produced from the Black Mamba Palace favored by the Nali people, looked appetizing no matter how you looked at it. Yet not one of them moved their knives and forks, all wore serious and cautious expressions, watching the Empress at the end of the table cutting her meat.

It was Rebak, Elizabeth’s appointed Finance Minister, and a well-known member of the New Party who had spoken. After Griff’s economic liberalism emerged from classical liberalism, he began to discuss the application of Griff’s theories in practice, guiding Nali’s economic society for the past decades.

Elizabeth didn’t even glance at him; she calmly cut the steak on her plate piece by piece, saying,

“I’m not trying to undermine Griff’s emphasis on the market, but increasing some intervention and regulation is necessary… Also, Rebak, I’m not negotiating with you; I’m conveying an order. Though you did it unintentionally, by adhering to non-intervention principles in the past, you have allowed too much avoidable suffering to occur. You attributed it all to the natural operation of market mechanisms… The ‘clean energy’ outside Nali, addictive drugs imported from the South Continent, low wages and filthy living conditions among the lower class, don’t tell me you’re unaware of all these.”

Unlike other ministers who kept their eyes on their noses and their noses on their hearts, Rebak, though a graduate of the Royal College, was always a dedicated official. He would not easily give up the ideals he had adhered to all his life, even when pressured by the decisive Empress.

Upon hearing Elizabeth’s words, he actually snorted, put down his knife and fork, closed his eyes, and said,

“If Your Majesty insists on this, then I’m afraid I cannot comply. If you need, I will submit my resignation upon returning home today.”

Unlike other members of the New Party, Rebak was capable and honest, which was why Elizabeth, despite knowing they were not on the same page, still employed him. However, open defiance of her was intolerable for Elizabeth…

Upon hearing his words, her action of cutting the beef paused slightly. Then, she gently put down her knife and fork, lifting her hollow golden eyes to scan the ministers around her. They all lowered their heads, except for Rebak, who still straightened his chest and looked at the beef in front of him. He showed no intention of enjoying the food, merely turning his head to Elizabeth and saying,

“Your Majesty, if there is nothing else, may I take my leave? I have other matters to attend to…”

Elizabeth didn’t respond, seemingly pondering his words, but only one or two silent ministers lowered their heads over their plates. Behind them, a number of Golden Armored Knights quietly emerged from nowhere, clutching their swords at their waists, waiting for the Empress’s orders, frightening them into lowering their heads even further.

Just then, a hurried set of footsteps sounded from outside the room, and the next moment, the doors burst open, revealing a maid outside with an anxious expression.

“Your Majesty, there’s… ah!”

Before she could finish her words, the two knights waiting in the room had already drawn their giant swords and placed them against her neck, stopping her in her tracks with the edge’s sharp glint. Terrified, she slumped to the ground, wetting her clothes beneath the maid’s outfit.

“Those who trespass, die.”

The tall knights had everyone present scared out of their wits, even Rebak, who was about to leave, trembled and sat back down.

“Your Majesty… it’s not… there was a call… the Chief Maid said you must be notified…”

Listening to the maid nearly on the verge of tears, Elizabeth took a bite of beef with her fork and said,

“A call?”

“Yes… it’s from the Northern Realm… they said… they said Fisher Benavides is calling…”

Elizabeth’s pupils slightly contracted, and the fork in her hand suddenly fell to the table, smashing the exquisite plate with the steak on it. The clear sound of clashing tableware did not dispel her shock. She suddenly stood up, her voice slightly trembling,