Endless Silver Machine

Today's imperial capital is shrouded in a hazy curtain of rain. It is the rainy season in late spring that paints the sky with gray colors.

The rain in late spring is so heavy that it’s hard to even notice when it falls.

The number of pedestrians on the street did not decrease because of the rain, and umbrellas of various colors were in full bloom.

There were also children running through the rain without umbrellas, and adults who looked like their parents were chasing them behind them with umbrellas.

Augustus, located in the center of the imperial capital, is like a reverse world outside.

There was a black car driving west along the road in Augustene in the rain.

The second prince of the Bisi Empire, Philip Iela, sat in the back seat, crossing his hands and looking at the passing scenery outside the car window.

It's just that apart from the occasional raindrops sliding behind the car window, the only thing left is the hazy color of the colorful plants.

Thinking of the person he was going to see next, he frowned irritably.

Fortunately, the journey was so long and there was still enough time for him to think quietly.

…………

The castle of Zi Ming Yiela, the fourth princess of the Bisi Empire, is located on the western outskirts of August.

From here, it takes about twenty minutes to drive to the imperial city in the center of Augustus.

This elegant retro-style castle was newly built after the relocation, just to allow the frail and sick Princess Ziming Yiela to rest in peace and rest.

Although the western part of Augustus is a suburban area, the landscape here is more exquisite than any scenic spot in the imperial capital. Everything here exists for the royal family.

But in the eyes of Her Royal Highness the Fourth Princess, this is just a birdcage covered with flowers and vines.

The girl in a wheelchair has been staying on the balcony of her dormitory for more than half an hour.

At this time, she was closing her eyes slightly, maybe taking a nap, maybe listening to the sound of rain.

The wheelchair is a product of magical machinery and can be freely controlled to move, so there is no need for someone to always be by your side.

Her long hair, as smooth as brocade, draped naturally over her shoulders, like violets blooming in the spring rain.

Because a little maid helped take care of it, it was kept to this length.

The little maid responsible for taking care of her daily life is now sitting in the bedroom.

This was Zi Ming's request. She wanted to be alone for a while.

When the time was almost up, the girl wearing a white apron on a cyan dress stood up from the chair, and Black Yao's short shoulder-length hair danced gently with her movements.

She gently pushed open the glass door of the balcony, and her boots made a crisp sound on the ground.

Although the voice was very low, Zi Ming still noticed it, and she opened her lightly closed eyes.

The left eye is dazzling gold, and the right eye is deep cyan blue. Zi Ming has heterochromatic pupils that are opposite to Lan Ming.

"Anjie."

"yes."

An Jie stood two steps away when Zi Ming called her name.

"Is it already time?"

"Yes. His Royal Highness Prince Philip Iela will be arriving soon."

Anjie replied in a humble voice.

Zi Ming has a meeting with Philip Yiela today. This is a unilateral request made by the other party. Zi Ming has no reason to refuse.

She knew very well in her heart that whether or not there was a reason was not something she could decide freely. Philip Yiela did not need to ask for her consent when he came here.

"Anjie, let's go down."

Since there is no reason, Zi Ming, who is here, can only follow the established procedures to complete the process.

Even if it is a meeting, there is no state matter that requires one's participation in the ruling.

Today's meeting must have been extremely boring, and it was just a consolation shown by the radical faction of the Senate for their own sake.

"yes."

In this castle, there are many spies who monitor them under the pretext of protection, so they have to do what they want to see.

But Zi Ming also has something he can decide on his own, which is to only allow his little maid An Jie to get close to him.

There are not many stairs in this castle, but elevators are prepared for Zi Ming who has limited mobility.

Anjie pushed Zi Ming's wheelchair into the elevator closest to her dormitory, and then pressed the button to the first floor.

The door closed automatically, the indicator on the elevator decreased from "four" to "one", and stopped steadily with a "ding".

Among the Purple Rose Knights who were already waiting on one side, a man dressed slightly differently from the other knights came towards Zi Ming.

"Ryan, there is no need to alert the Knights..."

"Two royal families are meeting in this castle. It is necessary for us, the Knights of the Purple Rose, to ensure the safety of the castle."

Olvega Lane, the leader of the Knights of the Purple Rose, spoke “justly” against her will.

The Purple Rose Knights directly belong to Ziming Yiela, and the only person who needs protection is Her Royal Highness the Fourth Princess.

Olvega Lane cleverly found an excuse for the actions of the Order of the Purple Rose.

The radical faction of the Senate once prepared to transfer some knights of the Imperial Knights to Zi Ming's side under the pretext of strengthening the security, but Olvega Lane bluntly rejected it by borrowing the influence of the family.

With the strength of the Purple Rose Knights, it is enough to protect Her Royal Highness Princess Ziming Yiela, and the practice of sending additional knights beyond the direct knight order seems excessive in the eyes of other nobles.

Even so, most of the civil servants in the castle were informants to the radical faction of the Senate.

The radical faction of the Senate allowed Zi Ming to live in this isolated castle on the grounds that Zi Ming Yiela was "frail and sick". This kind of life was no different from house arrest.

But Ziming Yiela accepted their request, so the emperor did not ask any more questions.

"Anjie, please, Your Highness the Princess."

"I know."

Anjie always had this calm tone, without any sense of nervousness.

Because of Zi Ming's health, if the other party does not specifically request that there be no third party, she can bring her own maid.

Anjie neither knows how to use magic nor has combat experience. She just moved into this castle to take care of Zi Ming's daily life.

So it is easy to be ignored.

Philippe Iela climbed the stairs of the castle and walked into the hall on the red carpet.

"Long time no see, Zi Ming."

As soon as he saw Zi Ming, he strode towards her without concealing his joy.

"There seems to be no need for my brother and I to meet each other."

"It seems that I am too sentimental." Philip Yiela was not embarrassed by Zi Ming's cold attitude. "I am very worried about your health. Lan Ming also mentioned it many times."

Hearing the name that he had been thinking about day and night, Zi Ming finally became interested in the man in front of him who was talking in general terms.

And Philip Iela raised the corners of his mouth as if he saw a fish on the hook.

…………

Philip Yiela did not let his guards enter the interview hall, and he did not care about Anjie's presence.

Zi Ming directly questioned him.

"Have you met the imperial sister?"

"Well, just yesterday."

"How long are you going to deceive her?"

Phillip opposite him answered Zi Ming's questions without changing his expression. This was the attitude that made her most angry.

She had no way to get in touch with Lan Ming, nor could she reveal Phillip's position to her.

Philip boldly used this opportunity to keep her in the dark.

"You misunderstood. I already had a showdown with her during our meeting yesterday. I will never have the chance to meet her again in the future."

"What the radicals are doing is obviously wrong, and until now I still can't understand why you would agree with them."

Zi Ming was not aware of Phillip's position at first and always thought that he would stand with Lan Ming.

But after Lan Ming's news was blocked, Philip could still visit the castle freely, so Zi Ming became suspicious.

Under her questioning, Philip did not hide anything. Zi Ming, who knew the truth, did not shed tears like Lan Ming, but was filled with anger.

After that meeting, she became seriously ill. Phillip still comes to see her every two days, but in Zi Ming's eyes, it's all just a show.

"Now is indeed not the time to expand our territory, but 'that day' will eventually come. I just see it further than you do."

"'That day' will never exist. The cross-border war has left a psychological shadow on everyone, and repeating that kind of tragedy will only become the target of public criticism."

"Zi Ming, you are so kind. If a war starts, other countries will only protect themselves. This is the current situation on the mainland."

What Philip said was true, so Zi Ming could not refute it. She knew that it was just her ideal world.

At this time when the mainland is in desperate need of development, no race or country will be able to lend a helping hand.

"...Is your goal the Kingdom of Tebiri?"

"Humanity cannot be divided into two countries, this is their idea."

"Doesn't this represent what you think?"

"Because this kind of thing doesn't matter to me, I just need to hold my reliable thigh."

This irresponsible speech left Zi Ming speechless and made her even more contemptuous of Philip.

"For this reason, you are going to put millions of lives in the Bisi Empire and Tebiri Kingdom at risk."

"This is human beings, Zi Ming. Perhaps the carefree boudoir princess cannot understand."

Zi Ming dug his nails hard into the palm of his hand to extinguish the anger ignited by this simple provocation.

She is indeed a "purdah princess", so she cannot accept the disregard of human life for her own selfish gain.

"...Is that all you want to say?"

Zi Ming felt a little breathless, maybe he was too excited just now.

She never wanted to see Phillip's calm face again.

Philip seemed to notice Zi Ming's slightly painful expression, and he did not continue to wear down Zi Ming's patience.

"I will never get close to Lan Ming again. She is still working hard to realize her ideals. I am here this time to tell you this much."

Philip stood up from his seat.

Zi Ming's face showed a painful expression the moment he turned around, but she still held on to her weak body because she didn't want to show weakness in front of the enemy.

"By the way, there is one more thing." He suddenly stopped, but still turned his back to Zi Ming, "I think you should know very well that as long as you give up 'Zhulong Rongjin', you can do what you want to do. ."

Zi Ming did not answer her words because she found it difficult to even speak now.

My throat hurt like burning, and my mind became dizzy. Phillip didn't turn around out of respect for her, but Zi Ming wouldn't thank him.

In the shaking vision, Phillip's back disappeared behind the door of the interview hall.

In Zi Ming's hazy consciousness, Philip, who was wearing a white windbreaker and the doctor in the castle, ran into the interview hall after leaving.

Was he the one who called him? I said I wouldn’t thank you...

When the warm magic of healing magic flowed into his body, Zi Ming fell into a deep sleep.

…………