When the last "Spiritual Overflow" in the New Continent led to a bloody storm in the Extraordinary World.

A milestone event with far-reaching impacts, like an avalanche, occurred in the mundane aspect of the Material World.

Old Continent, north, Iceland Nation Atlant Kingdom, Royal Capital "Oslo City."

Squeak——!

Escorted by the palace guards, a black convertible car with a luxurious interior and a gemstone emblem, powered by an internal combustion engine, slowly stopped at the gate of the Royal Palace's council hall.

"Your Majesty, be careful."

The accompanying attendant supported an elderly monarch wearing a gold Crown, holding a Ruby gemstone staff, as he alighted.

As it turns out, even after multiple improvements from the "Steam and Mechanism Cult," steam turbines are more suited to large mechanical uses like locomotives, ships, and Giant Divine Soldiers as an external combustion power source.

For automobiles focused on miniaturization and comfort, engineers preferred lightweight power units with higher power-to-volume and power-to-weight ratios.

Moreover, for the elite.

Extravagance and comfort were much more important than technological maturity; a steam-engine car puffing black smoke along the way couldn't meet their demands.

Additionally.

To roll out the just-starting electric cars as a mature commodity on a large scale in the market.

Whether chips, batteries, or global electrical infrastructure were major hurdles difficult to overcome shortly.

Therefore, internal combustion engine cars were gradually becoming somewhat dominant in this field.

Especially over the years, technologies like lead-acid batteries, internal combustion ignition systems, inflated rubber tires, spring suspension, etc., have been conquered by the technicians of Galliot Duchy.

The rollout of relatively mature "internal combustion cars" thus became a logical outcome.

Currently, they still primarily offer high-end personalized services, with factories capable of tailoring each vehicle differently per the buyer's request using craftsmanship and modern assembly halls.

The front part of the vehicle houses the engine, rear with deerskin seats, adorned with gold and ivory, outfitted with a clutch, gearbox, and rear-drive axle—a high-end car was thus born.

What? Costly maintenance? Parts incompatible between vehicles?

Oh well, craving this unique, noble luxury vibe is exactly the point.

If they were like everyone else, the elite would be displeased!

Moreover, the cars produced by the Duchy's "Tralok Electric Company" feature the "Gem Emblem," personally designed by the Duchess of Galliot, fashion trendsetter and Her Majesty Olivia, added much to its appeal (and its price). A great status symbol.

Just like the luxury car sold to King Haral I of Atlant Kingdom, which cost the Royal Family a whopping 300,000 gold pounds, equivalent to ten thousand Golden Lions!

Mind you, if this were years ago, when sail battleships ruled the seas, such a sum could almost purchase a Level 4 Battleship.

Ahem, it's not a big matter, not like refurbishing a pavilion for the Emperor.

Even so, there's still three cars of the same class within the Royal Palace.

Not to mention the wireless transmission equipment, radios, broadcasts, phonographs, record players, cameras, telephones... a full suite of marvelous creations, it's nothing.

No money? Just collect more taxes.

This elderly king ascended the steps with his staff, contemplating the important matter of his family's luxurious life.

'Hmm, this month we just imposed the "Scenery Tax" (residents facing the sea must pay an annual tax between 50-100 copper fuer coins).

Let me think, next month let's impose the "Beggar Tax," requiring payment of one Golden Lion's tax to have the right to beg in city streets, hahahaha...'

Haral I silently praised himself as a "genius" in taxation and then briskly entered the council hall, seating himself on his throne.

Looking at the ministers who had already arrived, he sighed once more, thinking at my age, spending half an hour working daily, I'm truly a wise ruler!

Then, the Prime Minister stepped forward with a merry expression, presenting the King with some good news to further lift his spirits:

"Your Majesty, good news indeed, under the blessing of the Goddess, geologists have discovered rich oil reserves in our colony 'Giant Horn Cape' on the New Continent.

We can use this 'black gold' to negotiate further with Tulip, at least the artillery factories' need for quality steel can be met in the near future."

Upon hearing this, Haral I nodded approvingly to him:

"Hmm, good, if we can get Galliot Duchy to set up factories here, that would be even better. The complete petroleum industry chain in the duchess's hand is a river flowing with gold indeed!"

At this point, while the King's mood was favorable, the Minister of Foreign Affairs respectfully stepped forward:

"Your Majesty, how should we respond to the communiqué from [Monarch's Shield]?

Now, more and more monarchies are joining, even the Hilus Empire under Empress Teresa's regency has set past hatreds aside and sent envoys to proactively negotiate with Tulip..."

However.

Before the King could reply, the Minister of Finance was already jumping up and shouting:

"Atlant has its own circumstances, joining Tulip's international organization, and the commoners haven't revolted successfully; we'd be politically, economically, and militarily subordinate to Tulip first.

The two young monarchs leading Tulip aren't exactly benevolent; don't you see what they truly want?"

Everyone present secretly scorned:

"I think you simply don't want to implement the 'Monarchy Reformation Plan' regarding social wealth redistribution policy? To alleviate social tension, you have to give back the gold and silver grabbed to those common citizens.

Ahem, in reality, we... are also reluctant."

So, just like usual, this topic was predictably shelved amidst the quarrels.

Clearly, the long-standing problems of Atlant are no longer the personal issues of a single ruler, but the entire ruling class, rotten from top to bottom.

What the Minister of Defense brought afterward was not entirely good news:

"Your Majesty, under the leadership of the Chief Scientist of the Engineering Institute, Lady Kathy Morale.

We now have 12 ironclad ships and an all-heavy battleship comparable to Tulip's [Armored Knight] to defend our nation.

However, our treasury currently...."

Though shortsighted and greedy, these people aren't fools; beyond maintaining the dignified lives of the nobility, they enforce standard military-first politics, plundering with force internally to sustain their way of life.

As for the 'flood of democracy'? No nation with 'Titled Knight' has been overthrown by rabble yet.

This is also the main reason they are not keen on the [Monarch's Shield], having a bit of a spectator's interest in the actions of the Hilus Empire.

Upon hearing the Minister of Defense's words, the king sitting high on the throne waved his hand dismissively; the rest was clearly not what he wanted to hear. Instead, he suddenly asked his ministers an unrelated question:

"What do you think about me proposing to Lady Morale?"

The ministers looked at the king who, although wise and mighty in his youth, now, weakened by indulgence, appeared frail and senile, looking at each other in dismay.

Though not many knew the Demon God's true identity, those who did were undoubtedly shocked by Haral I's audacity.

They couldn't tell if His Majesty intended to 'sacrifice himself to the demon' or was simply 'driven by lust'.

"Well..."

"Hmm? What's going on? Are those insolent commoners still making noise?"

Haral I suddenly turned to look outside the hall.

After a fluctuation of extraordinary power, the voices outside the palace suddenly grew louder:

"We want food, we want work!"

"Damn the window tax! Fireplace tax! Scenery tax! Fat corpse tax!"

"King, lords, church, you're all vampires!"

The enormous demonstration had lasted for more than half a month, but the bigwigs in the council chamber never addressed their demands.

This is the intrinsic failing of those in power: absolute power leads to absolute corruption, and like capitalists, they thirst for blood and meat.

"Step down! Step down! Step down!"

"The Atlant people don't need a king who only knows how to tax!"

"We want our own elected leader!"

"..."

At this moment, outside the gates of the palace, a sea of people roiled, with at least fifty to sixty thousand gathered across several nearby blocks.

Without a leader, they'd just be a disorderly mob.

But.

To achieve results before the "God of Black Wings", personally overseen by "God of Music and Opera" Tru Ningbra, eight democratic leaders, also Tier 3 [Politicians], gathered.

Together, they used the most basic ability—[Public Opinion Surge], stirring the emotions of the demonstrators, unleashing an earth-shattering frenzy!

Even in the "Spiritual Vision" observation, a faint roaring giant wolf phantom formed above the city, symbolizing the national consciousness and character of this country's people.

Disguised as a mortal, Tru Ningbra, who witnessed it all, finally felt elated.

"Hahaha, this is the power of the masses!

For justice and democracy (crossed out), for world peace and stability (crossed out), for the freedom and liberation of the Atlant people (crossed out), for your land, wealth, and capital tide, nice!

We come here.

Oh king, please return this nation to your people!"

Inside the palace, a two-meter-tall bare-chested man with blue-black hair, as sharp as needles, resembling a wolf or bear, essentially a humanoid beast, stared outside intently.

His face was stern, far from the nonchalance of the nobles.

This was the last Titled Knight of Atlant Kingdom—"Bloodthirsty Frenzy" Dominic, not a royal member, but a genius knight bound by a harsh contract with the royal family.

As a "Titled Knight" able to wield the power of "faith", he was naturally sensitive to such so-called "public opinion".

In Dominic's spiritual sense, the previously chaotic and disorganized public opinion had already been unified by an unknown force, now possessing the terrifying power to threaten a Tier 4 Transcendent.

If these people were citizens of another country, it might have been different, but they're all compatriots, the fundamental source of power for [Titled: Bloodthirsty Frenzy].

The principle "Water can carry a boat, and it can also overturn it" applies in any world.

If he were to face this turbulent public opinion now, he might directly be knocked down in rank, with the [Title] shattering!

A cold sweat gradually dripped from the temple of this "Titled Knight".

"This is bad! This is bad! This is bad!"