CHAPTER 446: CHAPTER 291: REWARDING VIRTUE, PUNISHING EVIL, AND THE ABDICATION TURMOIL_2

If an ordinary person were present, they might only see her as a living person with dignified temperament and peculiar clothing, unable to perceive the essence of her soul.

Anna seemed somewhat unaccustomed to her own transformation. She instinctively looked down at the brush and booklet in her hands and then immediately raised her head, her clear eyes instantly locking onto Lu Yan, standing quietly not far away.

After a brief moment of disorientation, a pure and genuinely joyful smile blossomed on her face, as bright as a child’s.

"Your Grace!" she called out crisply, her voice filled with joy and admiration.

Anna’s clear call was like a stone tossed into a still lake, bringing Lu Yan back from his thoughts.

He turned his gaze, falling on the newly appointed Sin Judgment Clerk before him. The girl’s Soul Body emitted an unprecedented solidity and luster, and the black official uniform added a touch of solemnity to her, though the joy and admiration in her eyes remained as pure as a child’s.

Lu Yan’s lips curved slightly as he reached out a broad palm to gently place it on top of Anna’s head, soothing and encouraging, ruffling her hair, which still seemed to have a slightly ethereal texture.

"Well done." His voice was gentle, carrying a comforting strength.

The sudden gesture left Anna slightly stunned, and a faint blush rose on her face. Although she was a Soul Body, the shyness felt remarkably real.

She lowered her head slightly, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s hum, with a touch of embarrassment: "This was also thanks to Brother Sain and Sister Elizabeth’s help."

Her fingers unconsciously twisted the corner of her uniform, habitually attributing Lu Yan’s praise to others.

Lu Yan couldn’t help but smile knowingly at her demeanor, then asked in a relaxed tone: "During my retreat, was there any significant event outside that deserves attention?"

Upon hearing His Grace’s inquiry, Anna immediately became serious, as if she had received an important task.

She extended her slender and fair fingers, counting one by one, her small eyebrows slightly frowning, as if striving to recall and organize.

"The expansion of the Union is progressing smoothly!" Her voice carried a hint of excitement, "Lucen City, the second-largest city in the Victoria Kingdom, has successfully established a complete union system. The workers there finally have support and protection.

I also, following Your Grace’s instructions, arranged for many drifting souls to go to Lucen City to quietly spread the idea of the union and guide their thoughts."

She glanced at Lu Yan secretly while speaking and continued when she saw his expression remain calm: "Also, it’s quite strange, but the Steam Sect seems to have lost interest in worker issues recently.

A few days ago, some workers secretly set up a small chapel of ours. They were discovered and reported to the Steam Sect.

But instead of sending someone to deal with it, the Steam Sect captured the informant and sent him to the police station."

Anna continued to count her fingers, muttering softly, reporting the information she had observed one by one.

In her pure eyes, the vigorous development of the Union and the abnormal behavior of the Steam Sect seemed like interesting and novel story segments.

However, Lu Yan just listened silently with a smile, his deep gaze unwavering.

He was naturally aware that behind these seemingly novel events were many factors involved, which were the inevitable results of progressing situations.

Suddenly, as if Anna remembered something crucial, her counting fingers stopped. She quickly raised her head, her clear eyes eagerly looking at Lu Yan, with a hint of urgency in her tone: "Oh right, Your Grace! There’s also something very important!"

"What is it?" Lu Yan’s voice remained steady, his gaze falling on her slightly anxious face.

"It’s about Sister Elizabeth!" Anna hurried to say, "She hasn’t gone to work at the Union for three days.

Recently, she seemed to be looking for you, but you were in retreat then.

I heard some rumors from outside that His Majesty the King is said to be muddleheaded and incompetent, and it seems there are discussions within the royal family about selecting a new king to ascend the throne."

Upon hearing this, a subtle and nearly imperceptible wave passed through Lu Yan’s previously calm eyes.

His long eyebrows slightly arched up, not surprised by this outcome.

"The Victoria Royal Family has finally resolved to replace that King?"

...

In the depths of Oranck, within the Royal Palace.

This place was once the nominal heart of the Victoria Kingdom, a symbol of power.

But most effective decrees come from the Government Building and the noble council, while the Royal Palace often only carries the weight of history and ceremonial significance.

Yet, three days ago, news shattered the quiet of the Royal Palace.

The announcement of the old king’s impending abdication spread beyond the palace walls like a boulder dropped into a tranquil lake, sending ripples far and wide.

In Oranck, the air suddenly grew tense, with the carriages of various nobles arriving at the Royal Palace in quick succession. The palace, once merely symbolic, had once again become the eye of the storm.

Old King Charlie was by no means mediocre. He continued the previous king’s push for the industrial revolution, driving societal changes into the industrial era, suppressing the Church’s power. His capabilities rank highly among Victoria’s past kings.

Yet, limited by his lack of Transcendent talent, Old King Charlie could not glimpse the path to Sequence Four. Even so, the long life of a Transcendent enabled him to remain vigorous past a century, far from his decline.

At this juncture, choosing to abdicate carries deep implications, inviting speculation.

Especially when linking it to Lu Yan’s recent appearance in Oranck, where he swiftly executed Prince Rein. Various speculations and doubts now subtly stir among the powers that be.

However, the royal family currently cannot afford to heed external turmoil. The issue of abdication itself has ignited fierce internal conflict.

The first is the current King Charlie’s struggle against those pushing for abdication. Since Lu Yan announced the king’s abdication, King Charlie has attempted to maintain his power.

But the loss of the Scepter of Royal Authority is too significant; despite his outstanding achievements, the foundation of the royal family and the great nobles remains in the King’s Path.

The mere loss of the Scepter of Royal Authority is enough to crush everything he built.

In the internal power struggle, he ultimately conceded defeat, making abdication an irreversible outcome.

Then, competition over the succession of the throne quickly intensified.

Prince Charles, a leading force in the abdication upheaval, along with Prince Forde, secretly supported by the old king, and Princess Diana, pushed to the fore by several royal powers, are all parties in a fierce contest.

The turmoil’s influence swiftly spread, nearly sweeping through Oranck’s noble circles, even forcing several overseas colonial governors to declare their stance in this reshuffling of power.

Within the Royal Hall, the atmosphere was dignified and oppressive.

Numerous splendidly dressed nobles and royal kin gathered in one place, yet their gaze rarely drifted to King Charlie, high on the throne.

This king, who should be in his prime, has in just a few months encountered an aggressive threat, the loss of the scepter, and was forced to abdicate. Now, he shows a fatigue and senility unbecoming of his age, as if even the throne can no longer support his hunched body.

Within the grand hall, nearly every gaze intentionally or unintentionally converged on the three potential successors: Prince Charles, Prince Forde, and Princess Diana.

After three days of relentless negotiation and power compromise, a power structure concerning the kingdom’s future was taking shape.

Though Prince Charles showed vigor in advancing the abdication, he angered some of the old guard loyal to the old king and ultimately failed to ascend the throne. The other two contenders lacked similar foundations and hadn’t reached Sequence Four, unable to suppress other heirs.

The preliminary agreement reached was for Prince Forde to inherit the throne, while Princess Diana would command the increasingly important noble council.

As per ancient noble demands, Prince Charles was expelled from the power center to oversee the vast overseas colonies.

A new political structure seems poised to form, with the king’s power dispersed among princes and princesses, raising the status of the noble council and creating a separate system for overseas colonies.

This scenario is one many great nobles are pleased to see, signaling further weakening of royal authority and expanding noble influence.

Within the hall, many faces displayed a tacit satisfaction, the previously tense atmosphere appearing to relax somewhat.

Almost everyone was satisfied with this outcome, except for two people.

One was the gaunt old figure of the king on the throne, and the other was Princess Elizabeth.