Chapter 331: Chapter 283: Who Approves, Who Objects? (4000)_3
Upon hearing Bill’s words, the others immediately perked up, exchanging glances.
"If we cooperate with the Pioneer Guiding Colonial Trading Company, it seems... quite promising."
The profits from monopolizing the east-west trade routes of Yucatan Island via the International Port were already well-known and needed no further explanation.
Trading a position one had no hope of getting for a chance to cling to powerful coattails—how could it be a loss!
Byron, who had not spoken throughout, smiled silently to himself. In such a Low Magic World where power comes from the collective, authority is sometimes top-down, but more often it is bottom-up. Even in the colonies, the highest authority does not possess absolute power. Upper-level appointments are important, but so is support. In fact, the latter can significantly influence the former. For monarchs, this situation is unbearable, but for us usurpers who hunger for power, it’s delightful. Act for the public, physically eliminate former superiors, replace officials at all levels, then gently guide public opinion, and bribe the centrists and opponents. Being both player and referee, with such an overwhelming advantage, how could one possibly lose? As for other competitors? They should just back off; my people are everywhere, inside and out. I’ve already calculated it: even if the higher-ups insist on airdropping someone from the Kingdom’s mainland, it will take at least a month. But...
Looking up at the Governor’s Seal Ring placed on the coffin, he sneered inwardly. But the question is, I can wait, but can the Kingdom wait? After all, at this time, the number one matter facing everyone in Hightins is...
Just then, the Seal Ring suddenly projected a special golden emblem by itself, representing the Colonial Affairs Department from the homeland. This was also the direct superior of the colonies.
As the emblem solidified into a human silhouette, a voice had already begun to speak:
"Jefferson, what’s going on? The Sovereign Orb detected the use of the Magna Carta’s power here last night? Never mind, that’s not important. The issue has been resolved, right? Hurry up and gather the most competent military officers in the colony and any unofficial Transcendents. Right now, we’re only looking at ability, not background. The Kingdom has prepared high-ranking positions and generous rewards, and will absolutely not be stingy with them. In this dispute over the Right to Protect, our Hightins must take the lead!"
After finishing these words, the person projecting the image realized that something was off about the atmosphere on the scene and looked at everyone in sudden bafflement, "Hm? Where is Jefferson?"
It was no wonder he hadn’t realized, even after a night had passed, that the Governor of the Colonies he communicated directly with was dead. Once someone reached the level of Sealed Nobility, the Royal Family generally no longer kept their Life Gem. This was because the item could not only determine if its owner was alive or dead but could also be used to divine locations or even cast curses. The Hightins royal authority was already weakened; they didn’t dare to offend the entire nobility over such a trivial matter.
Byron, who was responsible for keeping the Governor’s Seal Ring, also hadn’t "managed" to report back to the homeland. Instead, he was preparing to first tidy up the internal affairs of the colony, unify with various factions, and create a fait accompli before reporting upwards.
Turning his head, the visitor finally saw the memorial portraits of the Newman brothers. Yet he did not inquire further about their cause of death. Concerned only with his own arduous mission, he said with a bitter expression, "Jefferson is dead? Then what will the Kingdom do about the Right to Protect next?"
Then, he saw everyone’s gaze converge uniformly on the person standing at the forefront... Byron.
Clearly, in their minds, they already had the standard answer to the question just posed.