In the far east of the Old Continent, bordering the "World Wall" and guarding the route between the western countries and the Peacock Islands, lay the Desert Kingdom Heimar.

The Royal Capital—Ancient Medina, Sand Dune Palace.

Within the vast palace complex, huge white circular domes, pointed arch doors and windows, and exquisite decorations with intricate patterns gave this cluster of palaces a solemn yet varied style, powerful without losing elegance.

Compared with the architectural arts of the western countries, it was full of exotic flavor.

The current King, Malvan II, wearing a Golden Crown, was sitting high upon a throne that, though luxurious, looked somewhat timeworn, holding a jar of black liquid and examining it with full concentration.

The earnest look on his face made it seem as though he meant to stare some hidden secret out of this dark, foul-smelling stuff.

Even the fact that the Prime Minister was standing before the throne, bent at the waist to deliver his report, did not make him lift his eyelids:

"Your Majesty, although the domestic situation is still relatively stable, many of the co‑religionist nations within the Supreme 'Brilliant Starry Night' diocese around us have remained in turmoil.

And after winter set in, those bewitched commoners not only failed to calm down, but have been making an ever bigger fuss. You see..."

At this point, a troubled look appeared on the Prime Minister's face.

Two hundred years ago.

Back then, Heimar Kingdom was without question at the peak of its history and was also the number one power on the Source Continent.

Because it controlled the only land trade route to the Eastern Peacock Islands, for tea, spices, porcelain, and all kinds of daily necessities, many countries further west on the continent had to bow to its whims.

Whether in territorial expanse or in cultural influence, it was far stronger than it is today.

But by now, that once vast territory had already split into twenty‑two relatively independent countries and regions.

Only under the influence of the faith of the "Starry Night Order" did they still share a unified language, unified culture and customs, and also maintain close political, economic, cultural, and religious ties.

In this current "democratic tide," this region, which had received quite a bit of aid from the Lowlands, had become a worst‑hit area, and the Royal Families of quite a few states had sent letters of appeal for help to the center of the "Brilliant Starry Night" diocese—Heimar Kingdom.

After listening to the Prime Minister's report, the old King grunted an acknowledgment, then turned his gaze to a young man standing behind the Prime Minister.

The handsome youth, almost feminine in appearance, had long golden hair and a pair of crystal spectacles on his nose. Diamond earrings, a glittering lip ring, gemstone armlets, and golden anklets were all in place, and every one of his ten fingers was adorned with rings.

Despite such a distinctively flamboyant style of ornamentation, he was in fact the Peak Official Wizard currently in charge of international liaison, and also Prince Aliyi.

"Your Majesty, through the previously signed 'Gold Pound Binding Agreement,' the batch of [High-Pressure Steam Guns] that His Majesty Galliot traded to us earlier is enough for the 'Camelback Knights' guarding the Royal Capital to fully refit.

At least when it comes to maintaining stability within the Kingdom, there will be no problem.

It's just that the follow‑up package of agreements, which they say can cure the problem at its root, still requires your signature. If necessary, His Majesty Galliot is even willing to come in person to negotiate with you."

Malvan II did not answer him directly, but first swept a glance at the beautiful dancing girls in charge of his attire by his side.

Each of them had a lovely face and a graceful figure, dressed in cool and sexy outfits.

A short red top formed from linked patches, and below the waist a red dance skirt of light, transparent gauze. The slits in the gauze skirt ran so high that the waistband rested below the navel and above the hips, just enough to reveal a supple, slender waist.

Of course.

Although the dancers' attire was beautiful, it was itself a traditional desert style and not something that would make anyone particularly gawk.

It was just that on the long, straight legs of every dancer there was a layer of glittering woven fabric, covering tiny imperfections and at the same time setting off the perfect curves of their legs.

At such a delightful sight, even the old King, no more than an Official Knight in strength and already very advanced in years from long "toil," could not help but feel a heat stirring in his chest.

He slowly raised the jar of viscous black liquid in his hand.

"This really is a miraculous technology that can turn stone into gold.

Although the vast profits of the 'Peacock Islands' are gone for good, the 'black gold' under the ground of over half the 'Brilliant Starry Night' diocese, black as the night sky, is the Goddess's new gift—Heimar's brand‑new future!

Aliyi, my son, reply to His Majesty Galliot: I agree to the 'Monarch's Shield Plan.'"

...

In the northern New Continent, snowflakes were already drifting in the winter air, yet inside the beautiful White Swan Castle it was as warm as spring.

"Cluck‑cluck‑cluck, accept your fate!"

"You're the one who should accept your fate, take this!"

Poof! Poof! Poof!...

After soaking together in the hot spring in White Swan Castle's luxurious bathhouse, Liweina, Anita, and Olivia were wearing identical thin white nightgowns and were gleefully waging a pillow fight on the luxurious big bed in Anita's room.

As if all the surging undercurrents on the Old Continent had nothing to do with them.

Of course, it wasn't that they were carefree airheads unable to sense the looming crisis behind the ever‑spreading influence of democracy.

It was just that, like a sense of happiness, a sense of crisis also comes from comparison. A thousand earnest exhortations can't compare to letting someone personally suffer a silent loss once.

Aiven had already used this move once during the "Spirit Tide," and based on the contrast between safe zones and places ravaged by the "Spirit Tide," people's sense of belonging had greatly increased, making it much easier to attract outside populations.

So.

Although the Monarchs of several countries had been chased from the throne with their tails between their legs, this situation was not only beneficial to the "Eye of Wealth"; it was also something these Monarchs or members of Royal Families were happy to see.

The ruckus stirred up by the Lowlands only made it easier for them to dig out potential allies.

"Malvan II agreed? Not bad, not bad at all. A starved camel is still bigger than a horse; Heimar's overall strength easily puts it in the world's top six.

Once the gold pound is further pegged to their oil, we can just lie at home and watch the money roll in endlessly. Delightful! Cluck‑cluck‑cluck..."

Liweina was horsing around with Anita and Olivia while chatting with Aiven, who was still slogging away at overtime in the study, via private messages.

Earlier, in order to respond to the inevitably approaching "democratic tide,"

after discussing with the Goddess, the two of them had jointly launched the "Monarch's Shield Plan," also known as the "Monarchy Reformation Plan."

Now, faced with the increasingly intense "democratic tide" that looked ready to overturn the sky overnight, the rulers of the major feudal monarchies around the world were all on edge.

And the time was ripe to put the plan into action.

For those feudal dynasties, to redo the national top‑level design like the Tulip Countries had done was difficult, but by no means impossible.

Because, with the "Queen and Goddess of Navigation," "Royal Authority" was not the same as "Absolute Authority"—it wasn't in the past, it isn't now, and it won't be in the future.

Take the most typical example—Phaletis Kingdom.

After hundreds of years of active and passive adjustments and adaptive reforms—

The ruling class of this country has already become the Queen plus a large interest group that shares common ideals and goals with her.

It's just that the Queen holds the overwhelming majority of armed forces, personnel authority, and the power to reward and punish, serving as the de facto head of state.

Compared to the "democratic states" founded by capital holders and bankers—

The reformed "Tulip Alliance" countries are currently using a "big government, small society" model.

As the agent of[Royal Authority], the government interferes in a lot, but also shoulders far more responsibilities, especially in the realm of people's livelihood, standing in clear opposition to domestic Capital that worships money above all else.

Whereas in the states founded by capital holders, they adopt a "small government, big society" model. Government power is relatively weak, and the true masters of these countries are the big capitalists—or more accurately, the "Eye of Wealth".

The people are just leeks to be harvested again and again; if they can't create value for the capitalists, they have no reason to exist at all!

So if you want to resist absolutely self-interested[Capital]and the "democratic tide", reasoning is useless.

You talk reason to him, he plays the rascal; you play the rascal, he talks about the rule of law; you talk about the rule of law, he talks about politics...

It perfectly fits that saying: "When I'm rich, my words are golden law; when I'm poor, shut the hell up!"

Right now, in the entire Material World, there are only two sitting Monarchs who have reached Tier 4: Aiven and Liweina. Together with the backing of the[Queen and Goddess of Navigation], they are naturally the banner-bearers of[Royal Authority].

With their long lifespans, long since transcending the mundane, they have more than enough breadth of mind and courage not to haggle over pennies of worldly wealth, and they well understand the link between redistribution of social wealth and long-term stability and peace.

They are also the undisputed leaders among the many feudal dynasties.

And those Monarchs who are living in constant dread are all their potential allies.

The "Monarch's Shield Plan" proposed by the two is not complicated, but it hits the vital point of "democracy".

By establishing the mutually beneficial "World Monarchs Joint Council"—[Monarch's Shield]—to provide protection for the many monarchical states, turning them into "stabilizing anchors" amidst the "democratic vortex".

Then, using three aspects—religion (God-given Royal Authority), economic methods (redistribution of social wealth), and power (Extraordinary)—to confront the "democratic flood" and ensure the continued rule of[Royal Authority].

Let the political culture of "revering the gods—loyal to the Monarch—order above all" remain the mainstream value of monarchical states.

At the same time—

On the economic front, let's take Heimar Kingdom as an example.

With the rise of the petroleum industry and internal combustion engines in the New Continent, the Duchy has given them massive oil orders.

By amassing large state-owned assets—big enterprises related to people's livelihood, mines, land, and so on—to generate rent-like income and sustain state expenditures.

Just like a certain industrial great power that no longer even cares about agricultural tax.

Someone is already preparing to propose that citizens not be taxed at all, even abolishing the tax authority entirely, forming a "no taxes, no representation" situation, completely shattering the so‑called basis of "democracy".

Of course, you only get returns when you pay a price; joining the Tulip‑led International Gold Pound System is only one of the entry requirements.

"Honestly, we should thank the Lowlands for their assist."

"Mm, indeed. At least Vulcan's arms are selling like hotcakes now!"

"So are the Kingdom's. Hee‑hee‑hee..."

However—

Liweina, after all, doesn't have Aiven's ability to split his attention.

While she was chatting privately with Aiven, she got distracted for just a moment and was knocked onto the bed by Anita with a goose‑feather pillow, who then took the opportunity to pull down Olivia beside her by the slender waist.

"Hahaha..."

After a round of horsing around, Olivia took the little bottle handed over by the Night Spirit Maid.

"The lotion from 'Sekhmet' is amazing for your skin. Let big sis put some on you."

In this world, it's of course still women's business that makes the most money. Various cosmetics, lotions, lipsticks... those are the most profitable segments of the biopharmaceutical companies.

Compared with that, the sales‑restricted[Active Enzyme Preparation]can't even compete.

"Hesi, let me try some too!"

"No, no..."

"I advise you to behave, don't force me to beg you!"

Liweina simply grabbed the girl's ankle in return and scratched at her soft, pale arch.

"Hahaha, I'll give, I'll give..."

Not sure what she'd just touched, Her Majesty the Queen suddenly let out a surprised yelp:

"Wow! Little Hesi, you never show off normally, but you've got quite the figure. Aiven... hee‑hee‑hee..."

"You're awful, sis, save me!"

"Hahaha, don't be scared, Hesi, I'm coming! Wow, Weina's are even more impressive!"

"Annie..."

The line hadn't been cut. Sitting alone in his study, Aiven's ears suddenly perked up.

Pa! Pa!

After a bout of swaying flowers and trembling branches, the strongest in raw force, the Adult Giant Dragon of an elder sister, suppressed them all, giving each of their butts a firm smack.

"Ohohoho..."

Then, with warm, fragrant jade in her arms left and right, she kissed one on this side and another on that side, looking utterly proud of herself and thoroughly content (mental image only).

Aiven glanced around his cold, empty study and felt a strange melancholy in his heart.

Fine, to be honest, jealousy has already twisted my features beyond recognition. The overtime dog is breaking down!

"Ahem, don't forget that tomorrow is the test day for our first‑generation radio.

The 'God of Music and Opera', newspapers, theaters... all of that will be yesterday's clouds. The new media of broadcasting and long‑distance instant communication—those fronts will all belong to Galliot in the future."