For three whole days, in the three days after Livord's burial, Nero locked herself in her room.
No matter who came, she didn't respond, not even Hathaway. If they hadn't seen Nero walk into the room with their own eyes, everyone would have suspected there was no one inside.
Three days later, amidst everyone's complex emotions of anticipation and worry, Nero pushed open the bedroom door.
"Hmm, Hathaway, prepare enough delicious food for me, I'm hungry." Her voice was a little hoarse, but Nero's demeanor seemed as usual.
"…Ah!" Hathaway looked like she wanted to say something but didn't. In the end, she merely bowed.
"Hmm, you all have been working hard lately. Stay and dine with me," Nero said, looking at the others.
"And I have something to say about the future. We can be casual at the dinner table."
Everyone exchanged glances. Nero's words were light, but everyone could sense a storm brewing.
They quickly lowered their heads and affirmed, then the group followed Nero in a grand procession towards the dining room.
The dishes were quickly brought to the table. During the days Nero had locked herself in her room, the kitchen chefs had been on standby.
Soups and meats simmered slowly were ready to be served at any time. Considering the taste, these foods had to be remade periodically, and those that exceeded the time limit were generally consumed by the servants.
Nero ate the tender, stewed meat heartily, with no intention of attending to others. Her fatigue over the past few days was real.
Without Nero's command, the others did not eat. It wasn't about memory, but everyone was worried about Nero's condition.
A continuous stream of food was brought out, and Nero accepted it all. After eating the Devil Fruit, her appetite had also increased significantly.
It was about an hour later that Nero finally stopped eating, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied burp.
After the maids had removed all the empty plates from the table, Nero looked at the others.
"Hmm, so let's talk about the problems, shall we? It seems Nicuss has undergone quite a few changes in the past two years."
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy. No one spoke. There had been many problems and changes in the past two years, but they weren't sure if it was appropriate for Nero to hear about them at this moment.
Seeing everyone's expressions, Nero roughly guessed their thoughts. Without forcing them to speak, Nero turned to Hathaway.
"Hmm, Hathaway, you have been by Lord Livord's side for the past year. Tell me everything, every single change!"
Hathaway had the same concerns, but upon hearing Nero's question, her body moved faster than her mind. Without thinking, she bowed and affirmed.
Once she realized, she could only helplessly relax and recount everything she had seen and heard to Nero.
From the nation's merchants to the Revolutionary Army, Samgo Kukurov was highlighted. The public's discontent and the outside world's attitude towards Nicuss.
"Hmm, quite a lot has happened indeed!" Nero pondered, tapping her fingers on the table rhythmically.
"How interesting! When I was a Princess, I was expected to be a wise ruler. But after just one trip outside, I've become an unforgivable tyrant."
Nero let out a light, seemingly exasperated chuckle, finding the current situation truly comical.
"Your Majesty! The common people cannot directly face your holy might and are inevitably exploited by villains."
"Since Your Majesty has returned, you only need to make a few appearances, and everyone will understand Your Majesty's greatness. All conspiracies and villains will naturally collapse."
"The main problem is still that rebel, Samgo. As long as he is killed, everything else is insignificant."
The nobles spoke one after another, their words mostly pointing to the rebel Samgo Kukurov, who called himself the Revolutionary Army.
"It sounds like this Samgo is quite capable. Hmm, Hathaway, elaborate."
Nero seemed to be intrigued, lifting her chin slightly, signaling Hathaway to continue.
"Ah! Your Majesty, regarding this Samgo Kukurov, there are suspicions of external forces involved. This man is merely a pawn pushed into the open."
Hathaway remembered the relevant information about him and couldn't help but frown slightly.
"As is well known, the Nicuss Empire, besides its capital, consists of 17 other islands. And the Revolutionary Army… pardon me, the Resistance Army's activities are mostly in the poorer districts with worse public safety."
"A considerable portion of the people there are idle and unwilling to go to sea, surviving only on state welfare. Under Samgo's incitement, they easily joined the Resistance Army, and even ordinary people who didn't join still have a good impression of Samgo."
"Hmm, wait! Are you saying I'm still giving welfare to these people? And these people still favor Samgo? Did this person give them more wealth?"
Nero interrupted Hathaway, a bit confused. She had heard some things before. Weren't those Resistance Army members said to be dirt poor in every conceivable way?
"Ah…" Speaking of this, Hathaway was also full of indignation: "Your Majesty's welfare is the Resistance Army's main source of supplies."
"Hmm, are you saying I'm still the one paying that group of Resistance Army members?" Nero was truly speechless now.
What kind of outrageous operation is this? Paying salary to hit the boss? Do I look like a fool of an Emperor?
"Hmm, then why are the common people siding with that fellow?"
"It seems Samgo plans to have the three western islands secede from Nicuss's rule and has promised them they will become new nobles."
"Clap! Clap clap!"
Nero couldn't help but clap her hands. Good! This 'empty-handed white wolf' trick has been mastered by him.
Using her own money to fight herself, using her own territory to draw a big picture for others. So he really just uses his mouth, huh?
Does he really think he's a Celestial Dragon? Treating me as the Marine?
Nero didn't even have time to get angry; she was genuinely amused by this series of actions.
"Hmm, is my gallows too small? Or are their necks too strong? To play like this? Are you all too merciful?"
"Ah!" Hathaway's voice lowered: "Grand Duke Livord hoped to build a good reputation for you among the common people, so in recent years, policies for commoners have been very lenient…"
"Hmph—" Nero's gaze swept over everyone. Those she looked at also lowered their heads, not daring to meet her eyes.
"Hmm, never mind. The next time these people show their heads, I will deal with them personally. You just need to keep track of their news."
Nero, stroking her forehead, looked at her ministers. These people cared too much about their own reputations, even she herself didn't care that much.
Position dictates perspective. As an Emperor, having grown up as a Princess in the capital of Nicuss, Nero's care for commoners largely came from Livord's teachings.
In fact, she herself didn't have many specific thoughts about those beneficial policies; she just did them easily without much effort.
Nicuss, a nation founded on martial might, was not built by a group of people together, but by one person standing up, and a group of people sheltering under protection.
Even if it's a bit remote, this is the New World! The most chaotic region of the sea.
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