"Uh, then... Mr. Kamen Rider?" Brad seriously recalled, it seemed like that was how he introduced himself at the time.

"nmdwsm." The young man's expression was very subtle, how should I put it, although being recognized as the Card Master to come and fight was not bad, he always felt not very happy.

"Sorry sorry," Brad stood up, intending to express his gratitude properly, "I really owe you that day... um, may I ask how to address you exactly?"

After being rescued from Xingjian’s hands last time, he didn’t stay long and secretly sent someone to settle the owed meal money as he had said.

"No need for thanks, after all, you also helped pay for the meal." Yuan shrugged.

A meal could exchange for a chance to escape a disaster from someone at the level of Xingjian, can you offer me more of these great deals? Brad was amazed, do supernaturally powerful individuals have a slightly different way of thinking than ordinary people? Suddenly he understood why his sister was so strong.

"Well, I wonder why Mr. Yuan is here now..."

Brad was someone who could quickly shift his thoughts from one matter to another and focus on the latter as much as the former when its importance was not less significant. What Brad mainly worried about now was internal and external challenges in the city and the lack of resistance in case his sister decided to follow Xingjian's example.

Although the probability of the second happening had greatly diminished with two Holy Rank members appearing in the front battlefield of the Masten-Glerius Union Army, you couldn't exclude the possibility of his father prioritizing "secure domestic tranquility before seeking external expansion."

The best way to prevent such a situation was, of course, to gain the protection of a Holy Rank.

"I say, Prince, your eyes seem to be looking at a popular item on sale at a supermarket... 눈_눈," Yuan sighed, crossing his arms.

"Is it that obvious?" Brad was surprised and instinctively slapped his cheek to check his facial expression management.

"Not really, it's just a guess."

"...Mr. Yuan, please don’t make such jokes."

"But you still admitted it, didn't you?" Yuan chuckled, closed one eye, and arrogantly put his hands on his waist.

"Well," Brad didn't bother to hide it anymore, opened his hands with a polite smile, "I do have hopes of getting your help. Of course, it's not without a price. If you can help, I will do my best. I believe Mr. Yuan is not here for no reason, right?"

"Just bored and wandering around."

"... (≖_≖)" Brad didn't know how to continue and suddenly had the feeling he was talking to his sister — why did he have to be so unpredictable, can't we have a pleasant conversation?!

"Don't make that expression," Yuan chuckled, "Okay okay, let's say out of curiosity. I really like to play and see all kinds of new things... like what you're doing."

"What I'm doing?"

Brad paused, "Could it be because of that, that you came earlier..."

"Sort of," Yuan tilted his head.

This was not exactly a lie, after all, Yuan had never seen someone like Brad, but why would a member of a royal family have such fantastic ideas in his mind?

"Do you also agree with my ideas?"

Brad looked surprised, to be honest, despite having many followers, there were not many who truly understood and agreed with his ideas. A Holy Rank powerhouse who could understand his thoughts would bring more self-affirmation than a thousand ordinary followers.

"Agree... more or less?" Yuan stroked his chin, well, he mostly wanted to see the excitement.

Hmm, the desire for societal progress is a law of human social development. Even if he did not agree, it would still happen. However, this kind of thing could not be accomplished by just one or two people.

"Although I feel like it's not very useful, but I've also studied modern history...”

(Edited here)

"How about I give you a suggestion?"

Yuan suddenly took two serious steps forward, putting his hand on Brad's shoulder, his face full of "seriousness."

"Yes!"

Intimidated by Yuan's Holy Rank strength and the sudden increase in aura, Brad instinctively stood up straight.

"Listen to me, don't aim too high, try cooperating with the Glerius Federation or Magitech City first, see if you can develop a magic engine or a steam engine. Without productivity, how can you talk about societal progress? I know you distributed the wealth from the rich before, but even their accumulated wealth is not enough for your system of distribution to work on a national scale."

"Huh, huh?"

"Since you're just starting, why not go for the steam engine... I see no advanced technology system in your world. Let me sketch a steam engine diagram for you... well, although my drawing skills are not great, as long as the principle is correct, you can find some engineers or researchers in magitech to develop it. Industrial revolution will greatly increase productivity, freeing trade and industry from restrictions, and then transforming the country into a constitutional monarchy, parliament, or the like. Most countries are still feudal monarchies, mainly agricultural. By expanding, you can compete with them by selling your industrial products at competitive prices, occupying other countries' markets. If they don't allow you to sell, use modern armies to crush them..."

"Well, that's the idea. Isn't it better than starting from scratch about everything?"

After venting all the sarcasm he wanted to say, Yuan nodded satisfactorily, heaved a sigh, and when he turned back to look at Brad, the prince was already lost in contemplation.

"...You actually took it seriously."

"Huh? Yes, because I found it very insightful." Brad said somewhat shamefully, "To be honest, I was already feeling lost before, unsure of my next steps. There were a lot of inappropriate aspects in my previous plans when it came time to implement them, but lately, due to too many trivial matters, I couldn't think quietly. Thanks a lot for your guidance, it really broadened my horizons. Also, about the steam engine that you mentioned earlier..."

"The steam engine, the heart of the industrial revolution, provides powerful force without a magical source... wait a minute!"

Yuan suddenly remembered that he didn't come here to talk about the industrial revolution and the like, why did he get dragged into it as well?

"I suppose, what are you thinking about now?"

Brad was taken back to reality in a single sentence.

"Right." Brad smiled wryly, "What am I thinking? And if we really can manufacture the steam engine you mentioned, even if my father continues to rule this country, it could allow people to lead a good life."

"Well, not necessarily, in fact, if the industrial revolution really happens, the change in social systems will also be inevitable... ahem!"

Yuan suddenly realized he was steered off course again.

“Well, even though I don't like to remind you, once we're done here, it's all over. If you want to create the country you want, it might never happen—of course, not ruling out the possibility that it may happen through someone in the future."

"That being said, in the current situation... there’s nothing I can do either."

"Correct password."

"Huh?"

"Oh, never mind," Yuan cleared his throat, "I'm not here to listen to your self-pity."

"Are you planning to...?"

"Yes, planning to offer you a little help," Yuan nodded, then shook his head like an Indian, "Well, maybe not entirely that... let's say it's about nudging you towards a decision? I thought about relying on persuasive words but now, I realized that I am not suited for that, so maybe a more straightforward approach."

Before Brad could react, a faint green light reflected in his eyes.

Afternoon.

In Brad's study, Archbishop Heinrich, the Knight Commander of the Holy Knight Order, Hussein, and the Commander of the City Guard, Corinne, gathered together—a rare sight.

In the current tense situation, almost everyone had a lot on their plate, especially Corinne. Every move of the Spear of Dawn Legion outside the city would set off his nerves, and the City Guard would need to respond immediately while also dispatching personnel to maintain internal order. He had barely had a decent rest, and his weather-beaten face showed signs of fatigue.

"Your Highness."

"President Brad, are you okay? Your complexion looks a bit off. Shall I find a priest to help you relax?"

Heinrich had gotten used to Brad's new status, but Corinne, on the other hand, still couldn't shake off the habit.

"Just leave out the Holy Light, there's no need for it... I’m okay. You all have been working hard."

After coming back from outside, he had shut himself in his study without eating or drinking for a whole day, and those who knew about it were somewhat worried about the prince's condition.

Facing the current circumstances, claiming there was no significant pressure would be a lie.

"So, what is the purpose of calling us here?"

Hussein asked straight to the point.

"About that..."

Brad looked down at the map of the vicinity of the capital lying on his desk.

...

Milania Capital—over the Gusvord.

Above the clouds, a massive airship floated in the air, overlooking the land below.

In the central hall, a long-absent girl in a white nightgown lay on the sofa, idly playing with a "magic cube" Yuan had made.

"Vera, Miss."

Sitting beside her, Angelo absentmindedly flipped through a book and asked impatiently, "How long are we going to stay here?"

Since they had caused quite a scene in the Academy City and the Eastern Continent twice in a row, Angelo gradually found such things a bit interesting... in simple terms, it gave him the feeling of “Yeah?” Especially for someone with his naturally chaotic personality, it was surprisingly harmonious.

But the waiting time between these events was a bit unbearable. Just can't stay still.