My queen is rebelling!

Chapter 132: The Essence of Power—The Mastermind Behind Ivan!

After five days and nights of repairs and renovations, the entire governing building has been completely renewed.

Cohen led the "Endless Blade" adventure group to officially move in and announced the takeover of the core power of the entire "Tiller City-State."

It also heralded the official end of the Petrov family's brutal and inhumane rule in the city-state for more than a hundred years.

The news quickly spread throughout the city and also spread to the "Lost Land."

It is believed that soon, the entire "Lost Land" and even some forces in the human continent that are concerned about the "Lost Land" will learn of this news.

The change of ownership of the main grain supply area of the "Lost Land" will have a huge impact and waves, which will be a matter for later.

At least for now, Cohen can comfortably pick the fruits of victory.

Divide the tempting cake of power among the participants of this revolution.

In the Council Hall of the Governing Building, except for Grace, whose identity was more sensitive and did not show up, everyone else from "Endless Blade" was seated in the hall.

Sitting next to them were Saffron and Oliver, who had defected, and the two were whispering to Cohen about taking over the five major agricultural research bases and those tillers and farmers.

Sitting opposite were Thomas Wade, "Vegetable Farmer," and several core figures from the "Farmers Association."

Also attending the meeting were several representatives recommended from the vast number of farmers and [Tillers] in the past few days, as well as representatives from various classes, groups, and forces within the city-state.

The hall was crowded with about a hundred people, almost filling the spacious Council Hall.

Looking at the people below the stage, who were talking to each other and had different expressions, Cohen was very sure that there must be spies from all sides of the "Lost Land" among them, and maybe the witch might also secretly place people in it.

In the entire Governing Hall, various classes and groups with different demands gathered together, and under the suppression of Windsor Deller's golden-tier transcendent aura, they appeared orderly and there was no trouble.

Even Thomas Wade looked very solemn and seriously looked at Cohen who had just taken his seat.

Cohen glanced slightly in the Council Hall and announced the start of the meeting.

Cohen simply said a few opening remarks and handed over the right to speak to Windsor Deller.

She represented herself in announcing the theme of this meeting, and at the same time announced to outsiders that Windsor Deller Windrunner, the golden-tier Winged Elf, would be the official representative and spokesperson of the "Endless Blade" adventure group from now on.

The speech in Windsor Deller's hand had been drafted by him before, and she could just read it directly:

"… Article 1: Suppress the remnants of the 'Cultivation Society' and take over all assets and land under the name of the 'Cultivation Society' in the name of 'Endless Blade.'

For members who are willing to withdraw from the society and repent, they can be given lenient treatment, but they need to do three years of compulsory labor and pay a fine. The amount of the fine depends on the member's transcendent level and status in the society.

Article 2: Dissolve the 'Farmers Association' and establish a parliament…"

The elf's voice is praised as "the throat kissed by the goddess."

As the Winged Elf Princess, Windsor Deller's voice is also gentle and moving.

The melodious voice echoed in the Council Hall, but the people present were not in the mood to appreciate this rare celestial sound. They were all shocked by the content of Windsor Deller's words.

The first article stipulates that all assets of the Cultivation Society belong to the "Endless Blade." Many people who do not know the inside story do not know what the "Endless Blade" is.

What is even more deadly is the second article: Dissolve the "Farmers Association"?

This is unacceptable to many representatives of tillers and farmers.

In the eyes of many people, Cohen and the others were invited by the "Farmers Association" for assistance. How could it come to the point of dissolving the "Farmers Association"?

Regarding the sudden uproar in the hall, Cohen coughed lightly.

Thomas Wade immediately understood and stayed his gaze on a few of the most noisy people for a moment, and soon the hall returned to silence.

Windsor Deller's voice continued:

"…Establish a City Lord's Mansion and a Parliament. The City Lord's Mansion will have one chief and two deputy city lords. The Parliament will select ten representatives for each level according to ordinary people, Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4, and up to Tier 6 as parliamentarians to form the Parliament.

The major and minor affairs of the city-state are decided by the Parliament…"

After hearing this, the crowd's resistance decreased a lot.

The new term "parliamentarian" attracted everyone's attention.

Judging from the announced content, the power of this parliamentarian is still quite large. At least, people from all levels have channels to express their demands and opinions.

However, after hearing that the City Lord has the right to veto all resolutions of the Parliament, there was a slight dissatisfaction.

Obviously, they are worried about the emergence of a second "Ivan Petrov"-style dictator in the city-state.

Therefore, the candidates for the City Lord and the election methods for the two Deputy City Lords immediately became the focus of everyone's attention.

"…The City Lord will be Ms. Asuna Iliat, the [Administrative Officer] of 'Endless Blade.' The two Deputy City Lords will be elected by a vote of all the representatives attending this meeting…"

Hearing the candidates for the City Lord, everyone couldn't help but fall into confusion and exchanged inquiring glances with each other.

Asuna Iliat, this name is too unfamiliar. She is neither from the "Farmers Association" nor from the "Cultivation Society," and even within the "Tiller City-State," no similar name has ever been heard.

The crowd was in an uproar again.

Looking at the young and beautiful woman who stood up, they only felt a huge sense of unreality impacting their minds.

Is this girl even twenty years old?

A twenty-year-old City Lord?

This is not a human kingdom on the continent, where young nobles can rely on hereditary to become lords and city lords of a large territory.

This is the "Lost Land!"

It is an "Order City-State!"

It is the precious "Order Solid Soil!"

Usually, even an "Order Floating Island" has to go through countless forces fighting to determine the final winner.

But now, such a huge "Order City-State" is to be completely handed over to a delicate girl to manage.

Many people under the stage began to sit still.

The most intense opposition came from the wealthy businessmen, nobles, high-level transcendents, and representatives of some larger forces in the "Lost Land" supported in the "Tiller City-State" who did not participate in the war five days ago and attended the meeting as representatives of various classes in the city-state.

These people do not have much sense of belonging to the "Tiller City-State" itself.

They only care about things that involve their own real interests.

Now that they suddenly have to change to a young and unfamiliar City Lord, they simply cannot accept it.

Because essentially, Ivan Petrov, including the Petrov family behind him, can control the "Tiller City-State" for generations because these people compromised and competed behind the scenes.

These people have a more appropriate title—"Investors."

They don't care too much about changing the city lord and what to invest in.

Anyway, Ivan was also supported by them, and recently he has become a little disobedient and has his own little thoughts, colluding with the forces of the "Chaotic Demon Continent," so change him.

Therefore, for the coup a few days ago, these "investors" took it for granted as onlookers and chose to stand by.

But they must have a say in who is changed and who is in power. To put it more bluntly, this new City Lord must be elected by them and serve their interests.

They may not appear on the list of official institutions in the city-state, may not hold any position in any government department, and may even respectfully bow to the rulers of the city-state.

They rarely appear in public and are always accustomed to manipulating everything behind the scenes.

But they must share the largest piece of the power cake.

Because these "investors" are the true owners of power in the "Tiller City-State."

The essence of power is to control people.

Ivan, including the rulers of the Petrov family in the past, can only control the ordinary people living in the city-state and some helpless transcendents.

And these "investors" can control more people and resources. It is impossible for a city-state to develop with only the resource of food.

Daily necessities, weapons, foreign trade, labor resources, infrastructure, including the magic potions that sequence users value most, these various industries and departments are all controlled by large and small "investors."

Their offices are filled with various confidential documents and account books related to the "Tiller City-State," and behind every number hides huge political transactions and networks of relationships.

They may not be able to manage the city-state well, but it is definitely easy to destroy the "Tiller City-State."

In the eyes of these "investors," they have already shown goodwill to Cohen's side by not interfering in the coup.

If he is sensible, Cohen should take the initiative to come to ask for advice, and the two sides should jointly negotiate and elect a nominal City Lord, with this City Lord as the common interest group of both parties.

But after a few days, Cohen had no intention of coming to ask for advice, and even came up with a City Lord's Mansion and a Parliament, as if he was going to divide up the power of the city-state in front of them.

How could these "investors" endure this?

Finally, someone couldn't help but stand up and speak.

The person who stood up was of medium height, and his slightly bulging belly was cleverly concealed by a finely tailored high-end suit.

This suit seemed to have been born from the hands of the top tailors in the Western Region Empire. The dark gray fabric faintly revealed a low-key luxury under the lights of the Council Hall, and every stitch seemed to tell of an expensive price.

Seeing this person, Cohen's eyes moved slightly. Someone finally couldn't help but jump out.

Cohen had also heard about these "investors."

To be precise, the reason why he chose to hold a parliamentary meeting five days later was to carefully prepare for these "investors!"

He didn't spend these five days flirting with his adventure group. These "investors" are hidden tumors in the city-state. If he wants to develop the "Tiller City-State," including the oasis in the future, into his own independent kingdom.

He must first eradicate this group of "investors" hidden in the dark. Today's meeting is the bait to lure these "investors" out!

Sure enough, a fish has already taken the bait!

Saffron, who was not far away, obviously knew this person and whispered to Cohen:

"This is the largest supplier of magic potion ingredients in the city-state. Even the higher-ups in the Society have to come to him to purchase the magic potions needed for cultivation.

His real name is unknown; Ivan only refers to him as Manager Moro."

Manager Moro's hair was meticulously combed, with a few barely noticeable silver strands mixed in with the black, neatly swept back.

His face was round and smooth, with a slight blush on his cheeks, making him look like he was accustomed to a life of luxury.

His eyes were long and deep, his pupils amber, revealing shrewdness and calculation. His nose was straight and wide, and the corners of his mouth were always pursed into a straight line, with a barely perceptible curve, but the smile held little warmth.

After Manager Moro stood up, he gave Windsor a graceful salute, smiled, and said:

"Respected Miss Elf, I apologize for interrupting you, but I have some insignificant opinions here. I wonder if you would allow me to express them briefly?"

Manager Moro's etiquette was so thorough and appropriate that one couldn't find a single fault.

Windsor looked at Cohen, who nodded slightly.

Manager Moro's face lit up with a smile, and he also turned his gaze to Cohen. Clearly, he knew who was truly in charge here.

His tone was unhurried as he said:

"Respected Mr. 'Endless Blade' Adventurer Team Leader, I have a few good friends who have long heard of your reputation and have been wanting to meet you.

I wonder if you would do me the honor of gracing my humble abode tonight?

My friends have a very large transaction they would like to discuss with you."

Cohen's lips curled slightly into a faint smile as he said:

"I have also long admired you, sir. How about this, tonight at the Executive Government, I will host a banquet here to entertain everyone. What do you think?"

Manager Moro was very pleased with Cohen's cooperative attitude. He believed that they would present Cohen with an offer he couldn't refuse tonight.

If this young man was sensible, then there would be nothing wrong with having a young and beautiful woman as the city lord.

Provided she was obedient!

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Hearing Cohen's statement, the faces of Thomas Wade and the others sitting opposite him immediately turned ugly.

They were obviously aware of the tricks of Manager Moro and his ilk. In fact, the Petrov family was initially considered a conscientious wealthy family in 'Cultivator City-State,' but they were gradually bewitched and supported by these people, becoming the notorious 'Landlords'.

They were worried that Cohen would repeat the same mistake.

Especially the strategist of the 'Farmers' Association,' 'Vegetable Farmer'.

The 'Vegetable Farmer's' family had previously served the 'Investors,' but later, because of a mistake, the entire family was stripped of their status and position and exiled to the slums.

Therefore, 'Vegetable Farmer' was the most aware of these people's secrets and also the most resentful.

Unconsciously, a look of resentment appeared in 'Vegetable Farmer's' eyes. Wade quickly signaled the other party to suppress their emotions.

Regardless of Cohen's true thoughts, they, as Cohen's subordinates, could only choose to obey.

He now only hoped that Cohen would not be bewitched by these people. He vaguely felt that Cohen, with his status, should not be seduced and controlled by the 'Investors'.

Manager Moro's little interlude cast a small stone into the lake of each person present.

The expressions on their faces varied, some showing disdain for Cohen's apparent surrender to the pressure of the 'Investors,' some showing ignorance of all this, and some showing concern for the future path of the city-state.

Cohen coldly watched these people's expressions and signaled Windsor to continue reading:

"... Disband all armed forces within the city-state and reorganize them into a 'Guardian Corps,' under the control of Mr. Arnold Constantin, the 'Endless Blade' [Military Officer]..."

This clause also aroused a lot of discussion. All armed forces, wouldn't that also include the guards of the various families within the city-state?

Who would be responsible for the safety of the noble lords?

Would it all be this [Military Officer] Arnold?

Wouldn't that be at their mercy?

Manager Moro's eyes became much deeper, his thick eyebrows raised slightly, like two small hills, as he murmured in a low voice:

"It seems that we need to give the other party a profound blow tonight before we can talk business..."

After the meeting, Cohen deliberately walked to Manager Moro, who was preparing to leave, and said softly:

"Mr. Moro, I like making friends the most, and I also like doing business with friends the most.

I hope all your good friends can attend the banquet tonight. At that time, I will prepare a big surprise for everyone."

Manager Moro's face showed a kind smile:

"Team Leader, I assure you, they will definitely arrive on time, without exception!"

Cohen also showed a kind smile, took Windsor's hand, and said gently:

"Good, my wives and I will await everyone's arrival!"

After everyone left, Windsor withdrew her hand from Cohen's embrace, with a hint of unnaturalness on her face.

Cohen, on the other hand, looked as if nothing had happened and asked:

"How are the preparations for the banquet tonight? My goal is to catch them all in one fell swoop, so that none of them can escape!"

Windsor replied:

"If that narcissistic princess is reliable, then there shouldn't be any problems.

It's just, are you sure it's really okay to do this?

Their backgrounds are not small. Don't play too much.

This is not the Human Continent. If things get out of hand, the name of the Central Empire won't work here."

Cohen made a reassuring gesture:

"Don't worry, everything is within the plan!"

...

When it was time for the banquet, Manager Moro arrived at the Executive Government with several people dressed elegantly and meticulously.

Saffron and Oliver came out to greet them. They were not unfamiliar with these people in front of them.

Moro's group consisted of six people, including big financial tycoons, merchants, religious leaders, and representatives of some veteran forces in the 'Lost Lands'.

Manager Moro exchanged friendly greetings with Saffron and Oliver.

The few people behind him were curiously looking at the already brand-new Executive Government.

One of the middle-aged men dressed as a clergyman said:

"It seems that this Team Leader is also a person of taste. I like this decoration style. It's hundreds of times better than that country bumpkin Ivan."

A fair-skinned young man behind him coughed a few times and said in a strange tone:

"I heard that he has an elf wife. The elves' aesthetic and artistic abilities are recognized as top-notch throughout the continent.

It's not surprising that he has this taste.

Speaking of which, this Team Leader is really capable. He was actually able to get an elf as a lover. Interesting..."

A faint laughter came from the crowd, and another handsome young man wearing a black leather jacket said:

"Yo yo, it seems that our little Duke Nelson is going to lose control of his little brother again.

My dear brother Danpu, that's a Gold-tier elf. Are you sure you can subdue her?"

The young man named Danpu Nelson licked his lips, his eyes glowing with greed:

"As long as they want to survive here, even a Gold-tier must obey!"

Nelson's words seemed to set the tone for the upcoming banquet, and the people who came with Manager Moro all showed expressions of deep agreement.

No matter what your status is outside, here, you must obey the rules of the 'Cultivator City-State'.

Manager Moro finished his pleasantries with Saffron, and the group followed Saffron towards the depths of the Executive Government.

Soon, they approached the inner hall, and several soldiers of the Tiger Brave Army in black armor blocked the crowd at the entrance of the inner hall.

Saffron immediately greeted them and said a few words in a low voice.

The black-armored soldier at the head shook his head and said:

"They can enter, but the people behind can't."

Saffron's expression changed slightly, and she looked at Manager Moro with a wry smile and said:

"Did the guests also bring secret guards with them?"

As soon as Saffron said this, Moro and the others were surprised, and their eyes turned to the black-armored soldiers guarding the door.

Moro sensed it, an ordinary soldier, without even a trace of extraordinary aura.

Could such a person sense that he had brought secret guards?

Even the Fourth-tier Saffron and Oliver hadn't noticed!

Moro's surface was still a kind smile, and he said with a faint smile:

"Haha, when you're out and about, you always have to bring a few close guards, it's a habit."

Saffron immediately said:

"Please rest assured, guests, the Executive Government is absolutely safe. Our lord said that this banquet is relatively private and also very important.

Some outsiders are not convenient to participate."

Speaking of this, Saffron couldn't help but smile wryly and said:

"Even I am not qualified to participate in this banquet, so I can only send you here. So I hope the guests can understand."

A look of contemplation appeared on Moro's face. He looked back at the remaining five people and exchanged a few glances with each other. Then, Moro slowly nodded and said:

"Okay, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Then the safety of the few of us will depend entirely on your Team Leader!"

Saffron breathed a sigh of relief and patted her chest to assure him:

"Please rest assured, guests, our lord will definitely defend your safety with his life!"

Moro nodded slightly and waved slightly towards the void behind him. Soon, a few black shadows were released from their hidden state and went to other places in the Executive Government under Oliver's arrangement.

The black-armored soldier also stepped aside, revealing a circular arched door.

Saffron said respectfully: "The lord and the ladies are already waiting for you inside, please!"

Moro's group of six slowly stepped through the door. No one could notice that a faint light swept across everyone's body.

As soon as they entered the hall, everyone was attracted by a nearly perfect figure not far away.

Windsor, dressed in盛装, did not use a mask to cover her face. Her silver hair was tied into a bun at the back of her head, and her beautiful face, as if kissed by a goddess, was displayed in front of everyone.

Whether it was her appearance, expression, clothing, dress, or accessories, everything was perfect and impeccable.

So much so that Moro and the others completely ignored one thing—why Windsor, who had been covering her face all along, would suddenly expose her real appearance.

If they had this awareness, perhaps they would have realized early on that today's banquet was destined to be unusual!