The doctor suffers from amnesia, but not complete amnesia.

for--

She looked blankly across from him, where her old friend was looking at her with a wry smile.

Madame Sicily suddenly understood.

All of Qiao Yelan's words after arriving here were meant to provoke him, gradually pushing his own bottom line. His purpose was not to test or suppress him, but to make him get used to breaking his own bottom line!

Just now, she could no longer suppress her anger. Faced with Agniel, who refused to draw his guard gun, and with her habitual thinking after her bottom line had been broken time and time again, she no longer cared about breaking one more bottom line and wanted to fight him with weapons.

If she were to actually attack Agnir, it would mean she would revert to being a wolf—

A beast no different from the alpha wolves of the other twelve families.

Chapter 158 The Uses of the Sarkaz

When Madame de Sicily was young, it was the head of the Sicilian family who, against all odds, sent her to Lateran.

She spent her entire youth there and eventually enrolled at the Lateran Papal University before returning to Syracuse to begin her journey to becoming a Sicilian.

This raises an interesting question: why did the alpha members of Syracuse's family really believe that Laterano was backing her after Madame Sicily returned from her studies in Laterano, allowing her to continue using that reputation to this day?

Just because she is one of the outstanding graduates of Lateran Papal University?

Lateran and Syracuse are not far apart, and there is naturally communication between the two sides. Therefore, the most basic information exchange is certainly possible. However, even under such circumstances, the patriarchs of the Syracuse families still believe that this young man may be backed by Lateran—which is quite intriguing.

If these guys were so easily intimidated by some vague and unfounded thing, Syracuse would have been unified a hundred years ago.

The reason they "believed" that there was a powerful external force behind Madame Sicily was because of the Sákota who returned with her.

Agniel's identity and status were the foundation upon which Madame Sicily stood in Syracuse.

You could even say that Agnier was Mrs. Sicily's angel investor.

Perhaps now, the name is more prestigious in Syracuse than it was in Lateran—but decades ago, when Madame Sicily had just returned to Syracuse, the situation was quite the opposite.

Agniel was a Sakota genius who rivaled Evangelista XI, the contemporary Pope of Lateran, and they were even strong contenders for the papacy.

Given Laterano's political transparency and Sakorta's ability to understand conspiracies, there is virtually no such thing as political infighting within the country.

In other words, even if Agniel fails to win the papacy, his talent will inevitably lead to him being highly valued by the new pope. Cardinals in the Papal Court are just the beginning for him, and he may even become one of the most important people in the Lateran political landscape in the future.

This was the kind of person who gave up everything in his homeland and chose to follow Madame Sicily from Lateran to Syracuse, serving her faithfully.

From the bloody battles with real swords and spears to the development and planning within the faction, everything was inseparable from Agniel's extraordinary talent.

This is precisely why everyone must start to think – what is Agniel's identity and what is his purpose in doing this for Madame Sicily?

True friendship? Forbidden love?

These reasons are, in the eyes of these profit-driven wolves, childish and laughable guesses.

Just like the possibility of "comrades sharing the same ideals," these are reasons why they cannot be "approved"—because people will only believe the "truth" they themselves have deduced.

Therefore, the most reasonable, convincing, and universally accepted explanation is—

Agniel was a man sent by Lateran to both help Madame Sicily and keep an eye on her.

Agniel's previous identity is the best explanation for his actions.

Therefore, Madame Sicily was able to use Lateran to intimidate others for decades, and the alpha wolves of the family tolerated her audacity—Agnil was even more indulgent, never publicly admitting or denying any related speculations or doubts.

This is the biggest, and only, difference between Madame Sicily and other families—her inseparable Monsieur Agnier.

Today, if she were to confront Agniel with weapons—

Then tomorrow, she will be slaughtered out of Syracuse by the combined forces of the twelve families!

Because everyone would believe that Madame Sicily had been abandoned by Lateran, and Lateran, dissatisfied with her, sent a new envoy to replace the new agent.

She will die, her power will be destroyed—and Qiao Yelan will become a guest of honor in every family as the new [Agniel].

They would fawn and flatter, just to get Qiao Yelan to help them become the only family in Syracuse.

The woman's body was trembling.

Including her hand holding the knife.

Why is this happening?

Why did things come to this?

Why did this man, after saying only a few words, find himself already standing on the edge of an abyss?

She stared blankly at Agnier, then looked past him and saw the resolute-faced guard, and Qiao Yelan, whose face was no longer visible, being protected by him.

Madame Sicily was certain that this was her first meeting with Qiao Yelan, and also her first contact with his forces.

But why does it feel like everything is already over just as everything is beginning?

If she makes a move today, regardless of whether Qiao Yelan is captured or not, she herself and her power will be completely wiped out—even if she kills Qiao Yelan, Syracuse will be buried with her and will once again be plunged into the infighting among the families.

If she doesn't intervene, Qiao Yelan can implement his plan without hindrance. Without the protection of the wolves, he can already unify the entire Syracuse—unified people kneeling before Qiao Yelan.

Therefore, her best option now is... to talk to the other party?

A profound sense of absurdity washed over Madame Sicily; she felt like a moth trapped in a spider's web, and whether she struggled or not, she was only hastening her own demise.

“Please sit down, madam. If you have calmed down, you should thank Mr. Agnier—he has once again secured the opportunity for you to continue our conversation.”

The man said calmly.

After a moment of silence, Madame Sicily put away all her hostility and sat back down in her seat.

Agnier breathed a sigh of relief and stood behind Madame Sicily once again.

Ace took the handkerchief Qiao Yelan offered, wrapped it around her still-bleeding hand, and then stood back behind Qiao Yelan.

Apart from a slight smell of blood, everything in this reception room has returned to its original state.

"Lord Qiao Yelan, your strength has reached the point where you can completely disregard all other forces in Syracuse and achieve everything you desire here—so, what is it that you have come to us for?"

Agnier spoke.

As one of Lateran's most outstanding talents, he knew very well that Madame Sicily must be in a state of utter confusion and completely at a disadvantage in front of Qiao Yelan. At this moment, she probably wouldn't be able to speak for the time being.

However, negotiations had to be restarted immediately because the supply and demand relationship between the two sides had been completely reversed—it was no longer Qiao Yelan, as an outsider, asking Madame Sicily for cooperation.

Instead, they had to ask Qiao Yelan not to use such methods against Syracuse.

An army of 15000 Sarkaz would be unbelievable to anyone else, but only when Qiao Yelan said it did they dare not disbelieve it.

Such a legion was enough to cause rivers of blood to flow in Syracuse.

Therefore, Agnier had to speak up, because at this moment, he was the most suitable person to speak.

"The unification of Syracuse is inevitable—because I need a unified Syracuse."

Qiao Yelan casually decided the fate of this country.

"And the reason I came to you is because of who will lead this unified Syracuse."

"...To you, how am I any different from those people?"

The woman asked in a hoarse voice.

"In terms of strength, no."

The man answered honestly.

"However, from the perspective of Syracuse's long-term development needs, having you as the ruler of Syracuse will bring real and tangible benefits to the people of Syracuse, and the country can get back on track with minimal cost."

Madame Sicily's gaze toward Qiao Yelan remained filled with confusion.

Didn't the other side want a puppet Syracuse? If they want a puppet Syracuse, then what he just said should be a definite negative for a puppet leader.

Why would Qiao Yelan consider such things: the benefits to the people and the development of the country?

"Are you wondering why I would be thinking about the future of Syracuse?"

The woman nodded silently.

"It's very simple to explain. I said I need a unified Syracuse—because that would be more beneficial to my plans, and the stronger Syracuse is, the better for my plans."

"Therefore, I need someone who truly cares about Syracuse, truly desires the unification of Syracuse, and puts the interests of the people above the interests of his family."

Qiao Yelan gazed at Madame Sicily.

"You...don't you want to make Syracuse your colony, or a puppet state?"

“I have never said that. Colonies or puppet states require too much of my energy and cannot unleash the potential of these countries and regions—especially in terms of human resources, where mobilization rates are always unsatisfactory.”

The man waved his hand.

"Perhaps this is hard for you to accept, but in fact, I hope that Syracuse will be unified and become stronger, and this expectation is far purer and more thorough than that of any Syracusean—even you, Madam."

Without a doubt, Madame Sicily would not believe such a thing.

"Then why did you say that you wanted the Sarkaz army to enter Syracuse?"

"That's just the necessary price to pay."

"But I don't see what this price will buy me!"

The woman's voice rose slightly.

This is a good sign, meaning that Madame Sicily is thinking with her brain rather than her emotions—thinking in the direction Qiao Yelan is going.