"Lord Aizo, your speech was truly moving."

"You're too kind."

"After listening to your words, my heart surged with passion; it just should be this way.

What Horn did was too excessive, placing the interests of farmers and citizens above the nobility, disrupting thousands of years of noble traditions."

"Indeed, indeed."

"Lord Aizo, you have no idea; when I was expelled from the City Hall, they not only threw mud but also dung at me. I am a gentleman, I..."

"Lord Sede, I completely understand your request." Deinosof, using the alias Aizo, subtly withdrew his hand from the former mayor of Joan of Arc Castle, "Go back and wait for the news."

"Sure, sure." Sede, wearing a simple woolen coat, nodded eagerly, "I brought you some fruit; you should eat it, it's quite sweet."

"Got it, go back and wait for the news." There was a hint of impatience in Deinosof's voice.

"Yes, yes, sorry to disturb you."

Watching the man leave, Deinosof picked up a brown-orange fruit from the table with a look of disdain yet amusement, taking a bite.

"Hiss—"

A small attendant peeked out from behind the door, "What's wrong?"

"Sour." Holding the brown-orange fruit with only a layer of peel and a small amount of flesh bitten off, Deinosof was reluctant to let go.

After all, it's a southern fruit; over in the Norn Bear Castle Territory, the largest fruit they have is berries.

Even a high-ranking courtier like Deinosof who holds a knighthood doesn't get to eat fruit a few times a year.

"If it's sour, give it to me." The young attendant said with a cheeky smile.

But Deinosof refused to hand it over.

He was already aware he needed to peel it and was now awkwardly tearing at the brown-orange fruit's skin.

Seeing Deinosof not respond, the young attendant continued with a smile, "Lord Deinosof, if our Great Monarch is really elected as the Duke of the Thousand River Valley, could you make me a knight?"

Reaching out, Deinosof pulled the small attendant in front of him, tapping his forehead, "Is your head full of water? You really think you can elect a new autocrat through election?"

"Huh? You can't?" The attendant, illuminated by the light, revealed a face of merely fourteen or fifteen years old; he was, in fact, the steward's son.

Deinosof released his grip on the boy's collar, "That Holy Grandson said plenty of absurd things, but one resonated deeply with me — what you can't gain on the battlefield, you can't hope to gain at the negotiation table.

This also works the other way around: some things can only be obtained on the battlefield, not at the negotiation table."

Deinosof didn't really think that just by their signatures, they could re-elect a new autocrat.

One simple problem, would the military agree or not.

Not to mention other places, the military is absolutely the part of the entire Thousand River Valley Holy Alliance that most worships the Holy Grandson and is most loyal.

Under the Holy Alliance system, there's considerable room for political discussion and compromise, fiscal decentralization, representing democracy.

But in terms of military affairs, it's Horn's voice only.

All senior officers, including the battle commanders and even corps commanders, are staunch loyalists.

Especially with His Highness Saint Grandson, who strictly controls the military through the tactic of military chaplains as supervisors.

So far, the Holy Alliance's army hasn't mutinied even once.

Deinosof didn't understand why the Bear Castle Territory's supervision system resulted in soldiers and officers losing battles and rebelling frequently.

Yet the Holy Alliance used the same method, not only winning battles but also avoiding mutiny.

It can only be said that the Thousand River Valley People indeed have a trace of blood slave bloodline, making them more obedient than others.

"Then since it's impossible to elect a new autocrat, why bother with this parade and petition?" The young attendant looked confused.

"Are you dumb? Little guy." Deinosof was quite close to the steward's son, "Come, let me teach you something."

Unlike Lydia Falan, in Norn, stewards can sit at the table to eat; they are professional managers.

Deinosof certainly needed to instruct the son of his steward attentively, "Is our parade and petition in order to use the petition to re-elect an autocrat?

Who do you think the petition is submitted to? Do you think Horn will depose himself?

Of course, according to the current legal transfer and inheritance sequence, based on Ginijis' prior acknowledgment and enfeoffment, it should be a Norn with the Herta Stone lineage who inherits the autocrat position.

The most likely candidate would be Count Arnold, Moliat's cousin.

First, he's not a Leia person, no grievances, and the Thousand River Valley People aren't afraid of his retaliation.

Second, he's a Norn, able to protect the Thousand River Valley from potential grudges of the Leia people.

However, the likelihood is extremely low, not even one in ten thousand, and even if it doesn't work out, it doesn't matter because that's not our goal."

Turning around, he embedded a silver dagger into the port area on the Rapids City map by his waist, and Deinosof turned sideways, "The real aim is to cause a strike and shutdown at the dock area."

This was Deinosof's consideration after weighing multiple facets, as urban control is strict, and is indeed the ironclad territory of the Holy Alliance.

As for the dock area, for the sake of economic development, it's relatively more relaxed and free, with more dark corners.

The old guild forces, earlier angered by Horn's extensive development of factories and technical transparency dependent on factories, now have their own means of agitation.

"The chaos here... You said before, would arise from military issues giving our Bear Castle Territory a chance?"

"Silly child, Rapids City is the transport hub for water and land routes in the Thousand River Valley.

If it falls into chaos, not to mention the impact on the entire Thousand River Valley's transport, just the blow to the supply line is already quite a handful for them.

If the supply line is cut off, how can they win against the Border Knight Order's siege in the north without supplies?

Without supplies facing Ginijis' fifty-thousand-strong offensive in the west, can that Saintess Jeanne win?

During this time, local nobles are frantically hoarding and jacking up prices, for what?

If grain supply can't go up, nor can iron supplies; how can the Thousand River Valley People fight without copper, lead, sword, and plate armors?"

This young attendant, though small, was quite knowledgeable, "What if the Holy Grandson brings troops back?"

"Bringing troops back? Don't forget, our Bear Castle Territory's military should be stationed at the borders at this moment." Deinosof took a sip from the ruby-gilded wine cup, "He'll definitely be held back."

As the plan has proceeded to this stage, it's already a check on the board.

The guild forces, noble forces, and old merchant forces all united for the dock area's shutdown.

If the local religious associations and the Meigedi Commerce Association can address it quickly, it can still be resolved.

However, after activities from the Leia people, locals, and Norn people during this time, the officials internally are headless and their opinions differ too.

He knew Cheka was watching him, but what of it?

Nobody possesses enough prestige and power to unite all political factions; Cheka personally intervening will surely cause even more chaos.

No matter how Horn attempts to maneuver, he can't avoid this deadlock at Rapids City.

Seeing the young attendant somewhat comprehending, Deinosof felt that his words had already touched his soul and refrained from saying more.

"But didn't Joan of Arc Castle gather some Black Snake Bay tax police and gendarmes?"

Deinosof, getting a bit riled up, "Were you even listening to me? Even Cheka can't just arrest people; how could they?"

Seemingly having thought of something, Deinosof called out to the attendant at the door.

"I'm here, Lord Deinosof."

"Did Van der Vein say anything about the whereabouts of Her Highness Moliat?"

"Her Highness Moliat is dejected and unwilling to leave the nunnery."

Deinosof laughed.

Such a good opportunity presented itself earlier, yet when the nobles invited her to emerge again, she refused. Henceforth, it would be impossible for her to come out again.

"Have we gathered enough signatures?"

The attendant, half kneeling, placing a hand on his chest, "Everything is ready."

"This matter shouldn't be delayed; I heard King Jiji has already taken Kenke Town. We should make our move. What's today's date?"

"The sixteenth."

"Then we'll set it for the eighteenth, officially launch the petition and strike!"