Chapter 37: The Attack

Eden stopped in his tracks, looking at the spirited young men and women in front of him, nodding in satisfaction.

Bayev had indeed done an excellent job, selecting the right talents based on Eden's criteria: young, loyal, and not too intimidating in appearance.

There were many such young people in the royal district.

After observing and experiencing the workings of the district these past days, Eden felt somewhat fortunate.

Bayev's earlier purge of the royal district had swept away all opposition, including remnants of the Empire's loyalists.

This had given Eden the freedom to execute his plans without getting bogged down in endless political scheming with opposition factions and noble families.

To be honest, the royal district now had too many loyal personnel, and it was nearly impossible to find anyone rebellious.

It was as if he could do anything he wanted!

Because of this, he dared to carry out such sweeping reforms and bold strategies to gather the power of hope.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Eden smiled warmly at the group before him:

"From now on, you will be members of the new department. The work ahead will be critical and will require your absolute effort and obedience. Do you understand?"

"Yes!"

Their voices were loud and resolute!

"Good," Eden responded, clearly pleased with their attitude.

"Today, wrap up your current tasks, go home early, and get some rest. Tomorrow morning, gather here, and I will assign your new duties."

Looking at the young recruits in front of him, he added with approval, "You have been carefully chosen for your talents. You are all impressive, and the royal district will be with you..."

"For the Governor!"

Deville, overwhelmed with emotion, couldn't help but respond, his voice slightly trembling as he acknowledged the Governor's praise.

Seeing this, Eden casually patted Deville on the shoulder as a gesture of encouragement:

"Don't be too nervous. We'll have many opportunities to work together in the future..."

"Y-yes, sir!" Deville was so shaken with excitement that he could hardly stand.

Eden checked his pocket watch and gave a slight nod to the group before turning to leave under the escort of Carter and his guards.

Bayev then took charge, immediately summoning senior officials from the Logistics Department to handle the transfer of duties for the new recruits.

From this moment on, the new department members would no longer be responsible for any of the current tasks in the Logistics Department. Instead, they would directly receive orders from the Governor.

In essence, their status within the department had now risen to the top tier.

They would answer only to the Governor, no longer subject to the commands of other senior officers.

Since this was a direct order from the Governor, the Logistics Department's handling of the matter was impressively swift.

In just one morning, the administrative paperwork for the new members was completed, and others were assigned to take over their previous duties.

By the afternoon, everything was sorted out, and the new department members were released early to enjoy a rare half-day off.

As Deville walked home, he felt as if he were floating on air.

He was still basking in the excitement.

By the Emperor, he thought, the great Governor himself had patted him on the shoulder!

What an honor!

"Deville, sir!"

He heard a voice calling out to him. From the sound of it, it was the coward, Popov.

Deville stopped, turning around with a cold expression: "What is it?"

Popov jogged over, his belly bouncing slightly, making him look rather comical:

"I was so envious of you just now, getting to interact with the Governor so closely!"

"Mm..."

Deville felt a bit proud but didn't show it.

"By the Emperor, I'm sure the Governor will remember you..."

Once Popov started talking, he just couldn't stop.

But Deville sighed inwardly.

If only the Governor had asked for his name.

Then he could have proudly announced it and recounted the history and achievements of the Rapp family.

In time, the Governor would have known how loyal he and his family truly were!

But it didn't matter; there would be other opportunities.

As long as he performed well in the new department, completing the Governor's tasks and demonstrating his excellence,

The Governor would surely remember him—Deville, the outstanding scion of the Rapp family!

"Deville—"

Popov interrupted Deville's thoughts:

"What do you think the Governor is planning? He's moved so many resources from the Logistics Department, but we barely have enough to last through next month.

And he's secretly repairing the statue of the Emperor…"

"Shut up!"

Deville snapped, his voice tense.

"Didn't the overseer already issue a gag order on that? If you let that slip and anyone outside the royal district finds out, you'll be finished!"

Popov clamped his hand over his mouth, his eyes darting nervously around. After seeing no one nearby, he let out a sigh of relief.

"I was just curious…

Anyway, let's talk about something else. How do you think the Governor plans to solve the food problem?

With the royal district cut off from the lower hives and the outside world, I just can't figure out how he'll find new sources of food..."

"Are you doubting the Governor?"

"No, I'm just asking!"

Popov waved his hands frantically, his face turning red with panic:

"I would never doubt the Governor..."

"Hmph, your big mouth will get you killed one day!"

Deville's expression softened slightly: "Luckily, you're only saying this in front of me. If the disciplinary officers overheard you, you'd be in serious trouble!"

"I only talk like this to you; I keep my mouth shut around everyone else!"

Popov mimicked zipping his lips. "We're practically blood brothers!"

"We're not that close..."

Deville gave him a sidelong glance: "I haven't even thought about the issues you've raised. I'm just a small player. There's so much I don't know, and I'm in no position to question the Governor, who stands at the pinnacle of Urth."

He paused and recited a line from the Emperor's Book of Wisdom:

"Ignorance is a virtue!

As executors of his will, all we need to do is follow the Governor's lead!"

Popov lowered his head: "You're right..."

With that, Deville stopped paying much attention to Popov, and soon, the two parted ways.

When Deville returned home, his mother Marti informed him that, thanks to the Governor's efforts, their food rations had been restored to normal levels.

This was an unexpected joy.

It meant their family could now survive on wood-chip bread and wouldn't have to rely so much on corpse starch!

Deville also shared the day's events with his mother and sister, telling them that he had gained the Governor's favor and would soon take on new responsibilities.

"You are the pride of the Rapp family!"

Marti was filled with pride for her son, and Lilith was just as thrilled.

The Rapp family embraced tightly, crying together, feeling as though the hard times were finally coming to an end.

...

Afternoon.

In the office atop the spire, Eden looked at a report in his hands, feeling a growing sense of unease.

According to the report, several residential areas around the Holy Square had been attacked to varying degrees!

(End of Chapter)