Perhaps in a few decades, the North American countries could quickly unify into a vast union, and from then on, people would not have to worry about the powerful southern Mexican Empire. Even their former suzerain would be unable to stop their rise, and perhaps one day, North America might become the hope of the entire Earth, a beacon for humanity.

However, the development of reality has far exceeded people's imagination.

The City Guardian Bishop of San Francisco, Deverson Valentine, paced anxiously in the militia command center with his hands behind his back. Every fifteen minutes, he would ask the priest a question: "Has the Duke awakened yet?"

And every time, the junior priest had to answer this bearded man with trepidation: "No, sir. The Duke remains in a coma, his high fever unrelenting."

"Oh, God, what should we do."

Bishop Daveson repeatedly prayed, and he was even uninterested in looking at the war reports from the front lines, as those things were completely unimportant.

The coastline of Upper California was blocked by the Royal Navy, under 24-hour rotating escort. The southern Lower California was securely controlled by General Juan of the Mexican Empire, still safe. And tomorrow, oil and grain from Texas will arrive. This wave of demon invasion, as long as commanded properly, would pose no threat with the support of 24,000 professional soldiers and 150,000 militiamen.

But who could have known that at this critical juncture, the Duke of the entire California, the West Coast Guardian, Lord of Oregon, Baron Berkeley, and the leader of Nevada and Washington Federation—Lord Cavon Newsom—would suddenly, without any warning, lapse into a coma during lunch.

This is truly baffling because Cavon Newsom, the Duke, is not like those useless Yankees of the Thirteen States. His ancestors hailed from Normandy, conferred by the British Empire, and his grandfather participated in naval battles against Great Ming and the Japan Shogunate. His progenitor was a great ruler, who during the California Independence War personally killed an English earl, advancing all the way from Portland to Ankraqi.

With such a pedigree, the Duke, who usually hunts and practices martial arts, keeps himself in good health, so how could he suddenly fall into shock and not wake?

A country cannot go a day without a ruler. It has only been three days, and people have already started to stir. There are rumors that Baron Theodore of the coastal defense force has begun heading to San Francisco with a small contingent of elites, possibly aiming to emulate Cromwell from the previous dynasty.

As the City Guardian Bishop, Deverson had no choice but to seal off information, mobilize the militia to the palace to prevent some rogue elements from usurping the throne.

But here's the problem, if the Lord remains in a coma for a long time, the worst plan would involve the cabinet meeting to arrange a regency and crown prince. But convening a cabinet would inevitably spread news of the Duke's coma, and with demons invading, coupled with news of the ruler's accident, it would lead to instability among the populace, making things very troublesome.

It is well known that the West Coast is mostly populated by gold miners, smugglers, and less than fifty percent are British Empire immigrants with proper Union Jack flags. The daily norm includes illicit burning, looting, zero-dollar purchasing, and even aristocratic estates are subject to raiding.

Under the ruler's usual stern command, these people are still restrained, but if word truly spreads... with this mystic land, Deverson even suspects there are those among the civilians daring enough to plunder royal envoys and seize the government.

Ultimately, after careful consideration, Deverson decided to exercise his special rights as a bishop.

"Summon Leoz Dominet the Knight, lead 500 cavalry, and station in San Francisco."

Deverson took a deep breath and said helplessly:

"At present, the only one we can rely on is this young blacksmith."