The death of the giant of the era, Friedrich Engels, and the revelation of his connection with Killian swept across the entire American continent and soon brought immense shock to Europe as well.
In Europe, people were far more interested in the nature of his relationship with Killian than in his death itself.
Day after day, exclusive reports poured out, and reporters even gathered outside Oxford University, where Karl Marx was based, attempting to extract information before being driven away.
Amid this frenzy, the British Parliament chose restraint, avoiding any rash actions.
"His Majesty made a major announcement in the United States. Should Parliament respond in some way?"
"…I do not think there is anything we need to do."
"If the rumors were true and His Majesty had directed Engels to spark revolution in the South, then we would need to act. But he has denied it."
"Still, I heard it is true that His Majesty played a significant role in developing communism or scientific socialism."
"That was from an academic perspective. There is nothing wrong with that."
The members of Parliament were just as confused.
They had expected Killian to mediate tensions between North and South after Engels' death, not to deal with a scandal of this magnitude.
"Prime Minister, do you know anything about this?"
"I did not know either. Even if I am close to His Majesty, I do not know everything he does."
"…What can he not do? We already knew about his scientific achievements from the fertilizer, but I never imagined his influence in ideology."
"Indeed."
Charles Wellesley had long known that Killian was close to Marx, but he had never imagined that Killian played such a central role in shaping communism.
As he processed the situation, the larger picture began to make sense.
Killian had said he never sent Engels to the South.
Strictly speaking, that might not be a lie.
But guiding Engels there would have been entirely possible.
By allowing communism to spread fear across America and Europe, and then positioning Canada as a barrier against it, who benefited the most?
Even Marx, who defeated Engels in debate, had been aligned with Killian.
The pattern was too clear.
Still, all of this ultimately benefited the British Empire, so Wellesley had no desire to challenge it.
"His Majesty said he would reveal the truth upon his return. We should focus on how to use it."
"Then could you not obtain some information in advance?"
"Yes, we need to prepare politically and diplomatically."
"I will arrange a meeting once he returns."
At their urging, Wellesley summoned Marx.
"You wish to know about your first meeting with His Majesty?"
"Would you tell me?"
"Absolutely not. His Majesty's orders come first."
"I expected as much. But this is also for your benefit. The press will not leave you alone."
Indeed, reporters were relentless.
Even Killian had not anticipated this situation.
Wellesley wanted to stabilize matters before Killian returned.
"Still, since His Majesty intends to reveal everything, I am curious. Has he ever spoken of me?"
"Yes. He said that if he were absent during a crisis, you could be treated as him."
"Then this is such a moment, is it not?"
"Only if he were not returning. But he is already on his way."
Wellesley studied Marx.
His loyalty resembled that of a devotee.
It reinforced the idea that everything, from the rise of the South to Canada's integration, had unfolded according to Killian's design.
Even regions like the Middle East, whose value seemed unclear, might hold hidden significance.
Thinking he had already understood Killian, Wellesley now realized there was still much beneath the surface.
He felt a strange excitement.
I have said this before, but I do not believe in equal retaliation.
If I receive kindness, I return it twice over.
If I am provoked, I repay it tenfold.
Even if someone has already died, if they have struck at me, I see no issue in exposing the truth.
It is not desecration.
It is self defense.
If I remained silent, I would be slandered.
If that damages someone's reputation, so be it.
If they object, they can return and refute it.
With that mindset, I returned to London and released part of my memoir, verified through Marx.
"The credibility of this memoir has been confirmed by multiple sources. While the full account will be revealed in the future, I will now disclose the sections concerning Engels to correct misunderstandings."
From my first meeting with Engels to my discussions with Marx, and their eventual split.
As I revealed everything, chaos erupted.
[Killian provided the foundation for both Engels and Marx's theories.]
[Marx confirms Killian's influence on his work.]
[Killian predicted the dangers of dictatorship decades in advance.]
[Secret documents suggest he has accurately predicted events thirty to fifty years ahead.]
The press amplified everything.
Analysis, speculation, predictions.
The story never lost momentum.
"Your Majesty, the public is in an uproar. No one even cares about Engels' death anymore."
"That was the intention."
"Even I learned new things today. Others must be even more shocked."
"And Engels' reputation has collapsed completely."
Once seen as a fallen revolutionary, he was now viewed as a stubborn ideologue who ignored the truth.
Public opinion shifted accordingly.
"By the way, how is Edward doing?"
"He is performing excellently. Though this incident has troubled him somewhat."
"Troubled?"
"He may feel he cannot match you. But he does not dwell on it. Instead, he has begun involving his siblings."
Even Adelaide was drawn in.
Killian smiled faintly.
"Good. That is my son."
"Should we make full use of this situation?"
"Of course."
His credibility had increased even further.
Those who opposed him would now be compared to Engels.
The advantage was clear.
"Oh, one more thing. Prussia has banned your memoir."
"…I see."
There was one other person affected.
Bismarck.
"I had no choice but to release the original."
Killian shrugged.
"Let them ban it. It will spread regardless."