[At this time in the Grand Knight Territory, although Chairman Czarny of the Commercial Federation has been arrested, his remnant forces remain active throughout Kazimierz. They attempt to obstruct the new government's reforms through bribery, incitement, and sabotage.]
[You order Gertrude's Intelligence Department to assist Maenner in a thorough purge, ensuring the stability of the new government and the smooth implementation of Leithanien's reforms.]
[Upon taking office, Maenner Templight immediately issues orders to freeze assets related to the Commercial Federation, investigate corrupt officials, and implement land reforms, distributing some land to impoverished farmers, thereby winning preliminary support from the populace.]
[The traditional knight class of Kazimierz is dissatisfied with Leithanien's intervention. They believe Maenner has betrayed the spirit of chivalry and view his new regime with deep suspicion.]
[The Ursus Empire, through trade channels and intelligence operatives, secretly infiltrates South Kazimierz, attempting to prop up pro-Ursus factions to create chaos and weaken Leithanien's influence.]
[Leithanien provides South Kazimierz with massive reconstruction funds and technical aid to help restore production and build infrastructure, showcasing Leithanien's goodwill as the suzerain state.]
[Supported by Leithanien, Maenner Templight must simultaneously liquidate old powers, appease traditional knights, and remain vigilant against Ursus infiltration; his path of governance is filled with challenges.]
...
For the vast majority of commoners, the announcement of the establishment of the South Kazimierz Provisional Autonomous Government—with its tongue-twisting name and the question of who the new Chief Administrator might be—was far less tangible than a bowl of hot soup from the relief stations set up by the Leithanien army.
But for some, this announcement was no less than an earthquake.
On the outskirts of the Grand Knight Territory, in a secluded manor, a dozen surviving old knights gathered together.
Most had been wounded in previous battles; bandages wrapped their bodies, and their faces were etched with grief, indignation, and confusion.
"Maenner Templight! That coward! That traitor!" A one-armed old knight smashed his wine glass onto the floor, sending shards flying.
"He is a Templight!!"
"He actually accepted the Leithanians' appointment! He is smearing the name of the Templight family! He is shaming every knight in Kazimierz!"
"He has defiled the glory of the knights!" another echoed.
"We are still bleeding, yet he can't wait to become the running dog of the invaders!"
"Did you only just realize? Hasn't that Maenner forgotten the glory of the knights long ago? Have you forgotten how he's been a dog for capital all this time?"
"We should organize and assassinate him! Let everyone see the end that awaits a traitor!"
The crowd was incensed.
However, when the discussion turned to specific actions, everyone fell silent.
They had lost their armies, lost their weapons, lost the support of the people. Even this manor was only available to them thanks to the charity of a merchant who sympathized with them.
They were left with nothing but empty slogans named "Glory."
...
Meanwhile, in the dark corners of the city, the remnants of the Commercial Federation were also secretly conspiring.
Unlike the knights, their heads were not filled with glory; they were far more concerned with their vaults.
Maenner's first order upon taking office was to freeze the assets of all personnel related to the Commercial Federation and establish a Liquidation Committee.
This was tantamount to demanding their lives.
"Maenner is insane; he wants to wipe us out completely!" A former banker lowered his voice, his tone dripping with venom.
"We can't just sit and wait for death! He has the Leithanians backing him, but we have our ways too!"
"There are still our people in the city. Foremen in the factories, supervisors at the docks... as long as we promise heavy profits, there will always be someone willing to cause some trouble for us," another merchant said sinisterly.
"Machines breaking down, cargo going missing, or even... fires."
"The new government wants to rebuild? Hmph, I'd like to see what he can build!"
"And then there's the north," the banker added.
"The Ursus people don't want to see Leithanien swallow South Kazimierz so comfortably."
"We can send people to contact them. As long as it causes trouble for Maenner, any amount of money is worth it."
Conspiracies bred quietly in every corner of the city, waiting for the right moment to spread.
And at the center of it all, Chief Administrator Maenner Templight sat in his office, which could be described as destitute.
This place used to be the luxurious suite of a Commercial Federation executive. Now, all the expensive decorations had been cleared away, leaving only the most basic tables and chairs.
The desk was piled high with documents, ranging from repair plans for the city's sewage system to the settlement of unemployed workers, and emergency statistics on grain reserves in various regions. Each file represented a problem that needed immediate solving.
He had been working continuously for thirty-six hours, sustained only by black coffee and a few pieces of dry bread.
Even his face, which rarely showed emotion, revealed a trace of exhaustion.
The office door was knocked.
"Come in."
His secretary, a young man left over from the former Adeptus Sprawiedliwi, pushed the door open, looking somewhat nervous.
"Sir, the Governor sent by Leithanien... has arrived."
Maenner put down the document in his hand and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
What was bound to come had finally arrived.
He knew very well that as the Chief Administrator, he was merely a marionette on the stage. The person pulling the strings had only just arrived.
"Please show her in."
A few minutes later, the office door was pushed open again.
Maenner looked up and saw the person walking in.
It was a woman in a pure white dress, her long silver-white hair flowing like moonlight.
She was one of the former Twin Empresses of Leithanien, known as the "Eternal Grace"—Lizelotte Iwegnade.
"Mr. Maenner," Lizelotte began with a smile, her voice as melodious as an aria.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am the Governor of Leithanien stationed in South Kazimierz, Lizelotte Iwegnade. I hope I haven't disturbed your work."
"Governor," Maenner stood up and nodded slightly, neither overly humble nor lacking in manners. "Welcome to the Grand Knight Territory."
Lizelotte gracefully sat in the chair opposite him, her gaze sweeping around the simple office.
"It seems Mr. Maenner is a pragmatic man. That is good," she said with a smile.
"His Majesty sent me here to assist you in restoring order and prosperity to South Kazimierz as quickly as possible."
"I thank His Majesty the Emperor for his generosity," Maenner replied expressionlessly.
"Assistance, naturally, also includes clearing some... obstacles." Lizelotte's smile remained unchanged, but her words caused the temperature in the room to drop abruptly.
"I hear that the remnants of the Commercial Federation, as well as some knights wallowing in past glories, do not seem to welcome the arrival of the new order."
Maenner remained silent.
"His Majesty believes that mercy should be reserved for the people who support us, while enemies require the most thorough cleaning."
Lizelotte took a list from her attendant and placed it gently on the table, sliding it in front of Maenner.
"This is a list compiled overnight by Minister Gertrude's Intelligence Department. The people on it are suspected of inciting rebellion, destroying public property, and colluding with the Ursus Empire."
Maenner's eyes swept over the list, his pupils contracting slightly.
The names on the list covered almost all the knights still operating in the shadows and the high-level executives of the Commercial Federation.
Leithanien's intelligence capabilities were even more terrifying than he had imagined.
"His Majesty's wish is for you to deal with these troubles as soon as possible," Lizelotte said lightly. "Of course, if you feel you are short-handed, I have brought some people who are very good at this sort of thing."
As soon as her voice fell, a commotion came from outside the office.
A lavishly dressed, pot-bellied merchant was dragged in by two agents wearing Leithanien military uniforms.
The merchant was indeed a banker on the list, and he was screaming frantically.
"You can't arrest me! I am a legitimate businessman! Maenner! Maenner Templight! You traitor! You will die a horrible death!"
One of the agents seemed to find him too noisy and unceremoniously smashed the butt of his gun against the back of the man's head.
The merchant grunted and fainted.
"Apologies, Your Excellency."
The agent saluted Maenner, a look of mockery on his face. "My men are new to the Grand Knight Territory and aren't familiar with the roads. We intended to go next door to grab another one, but we walked into the wrong room."
"But fortunately, this gentleman happens to be on our list as well."
Maenner watched this scene, his eyes devoid of ripples.
He knew this was a show of force from Lizelotte, a demonstration of Leithanien's power.
"I understand." Maenner withdrew his gaze and looked at Lizelotte.
"Thank you for the assistance provided by the Governor. I will issue the arrest warrants immediately."
"A wise decision." Lizelotte nodded with satisfaction.
"His Majesty hopes to see a stable and efficient South Kazimierz. To demonstrate Leithanien's sincerity, the first batch of reconstruction funds and technical aid will arrive within a week."
"At the same time, we will assist you in implementing land reform, distributing the land confiscated from the Commercial Federation to the farmers who truly need it."
Bread and swords.
Leithanien's philosophy of rule was simple and effective.
"I will not fail this trust," Maenner replied.
Lizelotte seemed to remember something and added, "Herlinmarte has been doing a good job in Siracusa, though she always complains about the lack of rules there."
"I hope the knights of Kazimierz will give me less cause for worry."
This seemingly casual complaint made Maenner's heart go cold.
She was reminding him of the fate of those families in Siracusa under the iron fist of the Black Empress.
Lizelotte stood up after speaking, preparing to leave.
When she reached the door, she suddenly stopped, turned back to Maenner, and said:
"By the way, Mr. Maenner."
"I heard that your nieces are the ones who embody the spirit of knighthood most within the Templight family."
"His Majesty is very interested in them and hopes to have the opportunity to invite them to Trullinczentyr as guests."
The hand in which Maenner held his fountain pen tightened instantly.
Lizelotte still wore a smile, but in Maenner's eyes, that smile was incomparably cold.
This was the true threat.
"I will... convey the message to them." Maenner squeezed the words out through clenched teeth.
Lizelotte seemed not to hear the change in his tone and turned to leave with satisfaction.
When the office door closed again, Maenner slowly leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. He felt an unprecedented exhaustion, not just physical, but spiritual. Every step of the path he had chosen was like walking on the edge of a blade.
On one side was the hatred of a fallen nation and the suspicion of his compatriots; on the other lay the unfathomable calculations and threats of the suzerain state.
He opened his eyes, picked up his pen, and signed his name on the arrest list.
...
Maenner did not go home immediately. Instead, he walked alone toward the commercial district of the Grand Knight Territory. The once-bustling streets now appeared somewhat desolate, with many shops closed.
He walked into a toy store that was still open. The owner was an elderly man who looked at him with fear in his eyes.
"Give me the latest 'Pioneer' series drone model," Maenner said softly.
He remembered that Maria had recently become obsessed with mechanical engineering.
After paying, he carried the beautifully wrapped box and walked home.
...
The Templight estate was located in the old district of the Grand Knight Territory, away from the noise of the commercial area.
The mansion had seen many years; ivy crawled up the stone walls, and the old oak tree in the courtyard was said to have taken root when the first knight of the Templight family was knighted.
This was Maenner's safe harbor, the entire meaning behind his years of endurance.
He pushed open the gate, and a familiar scent of food wafted over, dispelling some of the chill he had brought from outside.
"Uncle, you're back!"
A petite figure rushed out of the living room, throwing herself into his arms like a bird returning to its nest.
It was Maria. She was only seven years old, her bright blonde hair tied in a ponytail, and there was still a smudge of flour on her face.
"I learned how to make oatmeal cookies with Big Sister today! Although they are a little burnt, they are still delicious!" Maria looked up with her small face, speaking as if presenting a treasure.
In that instant, Maenner's heart was fiercely stung.
He forced a smile and patted her soft hair.
"Is that so? Then I must have a good taste."
He handed the drone model to Maria.
The little girl's eyes lit up immediately, and she let out a cheer of surprise. "Wow! It's the 'Pioneer' Mark III! I saw it in a magazine last time! Thank you, Uncle!"
Maria hugged the box, which was larger than her upper body, and ran happily back to the living room.
Maenner walked into the living room and saw his eldest niece, twelve-year-old Margarete Templight, walking out of the kitchen carrying a plate of slightly blackened oatmeal cookies.
She was wearing an apron, her long golden hair tied loosely behind her head. Her face did not bear the carefree smile of Maria; instead, it carried a calmness beyond her years.
"Uncle."
Margarete placed the plate on the dining table.
Her gaze swept over Maenner's slightly weary face, a flicker of worry passing through her eyes.
"Sit."
Maenner sat at the head of the table and motioned for his two nieces to sit beside him.
The atmosphere at dinner was somewhat oppressive.
Maria excitedly unpacked the drone, muttering the names of various parts under her breath.
But Maenner and Margarete both seemed preoccupied.
"Uncle, people outside... are saying some very ugly things."
Margarete finally couldn't help but speak. She put down her knife and fork and looked at Maenner seriously.
Maria stopped her movements, looking nervously at her uncle as well.
"They say... you are the scum of the Templight family, a traitor to Kazimierz." Margarete's voice trembled slightly, but mostly with anger.
"I don't believe it! Uncle, you must have your reasons!"
"Just like before, you were such a powerful knight, yet you went to the company to be ordered around by those merchants! You must be protecting us, right?"
Maria nodded vigorously from the side, her small face full of agreement with her sister and trust in her uncle.
"Right! Uncle is the best!"
Looking at the determined look in his two nieces' eyes, Maenner felt a stinging sensation in his nose.
How he wanted to tell them, yes, you are both right.
How he wanted to hold them in his arms and tell them not to be afraid, that Uncle would solve everything.
But he couldn't.
He picked up a burnt oatmeal cookie, slowly put it in his mouth, and chewed carefully.
The bitter taste of the char spread across the tip of his tongue, just like his mood at this moment.
"Maybe..." He swallowed the bitterness, his voice terrifyingly calm. "Maybe what others say is true?"
"Impossible!"
Margarete stood up in agitation, her chair making a harsh scraping sound against the floor.
"You are Maenner Templight! You only hid your edge for the sake of the family! How could you be a traitor!"
Maenner smiled self-deprecatingly. "Margarete, you must remember, the first thing a member of the Templight family must learn is to recognize reality."
He put down the half-eaten oatmeal cookie and wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin.
"I came back today to inform you of one thing."
His tone became serious, no longer the loving uncle, but the patriarch of the Templight family.
Margarete and Maria both felt the change and unconsciously straightened their bodies.
"I have already arranged a place for you." Maenner looked at them, speaking with undeniable authority.
"Next week, you will set off for the capital of Leithanien, Trullinczentyr, to study at the Imperial Royal Academy."
"What?!" Margarete stared with wide eyes in shock.
"Go to Leithanien? Why? I won't go!"
"Kazimierz is in this state, how can I leave!"
"I want to stay in Kazimierz! I want to become a knight like Mom and Dad and protect this country!" Her voice rose with excitement, tears welling up in her eyes.
Maria was also frightened; she tugged at the corner of her sister's clothes, sobbing quietly, "I don't want to leave Uncle... I don't want to go to a place so far away..."
"This is not a negotiation." Maenner's voice was cold and hard, leaving no room for discussion.
"As the head of the Templight family, I have a responsibility to make the best arrangements for your future."
"Trullinczentyr has the best educational resources in Terra. There, you can learn far more than you can in Kazimierz."
"I don't want to learn those things!" Margarete shouted stubbornly.
"What I want to learn is the way of the knight! A knight of the Templight family should die on the soil of Kazimierz, not live a dishonorable life in the enemy's capital!"
"Slap!"
A crisp sound echoed in the dining room.
Maenner stood up, his hand still suspended in mid-air.
A clear palm print appeared on Margarete's face.
The whole world fell silent.
Maria was so scared she stopped crying, staring blankly at the scene.
Margarete covered her face, her eyes filled with disbelief.
This was the first time her uncle had hit her.
From childhood to now, no matter what she did, her uncle had never laid a finger on her.
Maenner's hand trembled slightly.
Looking at the shattered trust and wounded expression in his niece's eyes, his heart felt like it was being cut by a knife.
"The way of the knight?" He withdrew his hand, his voice even colder than before.
"What do you know of the way of the knight?"
"A true knight must first learn obedience! If you dare to defy even the orders of your elders, what kind of knight do you claim to be!"
"Pack your things. In one week, I will personally escort you there."
He left these words behind, refusing to look at the two children again. He turned and strode up the stairs, shutting their cries and shock behind him.
Back in his room, Maenner locked the door and leaned his back against it.
Outside the door, the crying gradually ceased.
________________________________________
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