Deposed Crown Prince: After three years of service on the frontier, the entire court knelt and begge

"We should seize this opportunity to completely bind him to our cause. Grant him a senior advisor position in an allied city, or some symbolic title of 'honorary councilor'—a title with more symbolic than real power!"

Give him the generous treatment of the third or even second tier of the Alliance City! This is much more secure than his precarious throne as King of Britain.

At the same time, we explicitly demanded that he and his entire family relocate to Alliance City. By treating his family as "hostages" and offering the allure of Alliance City's prosperity and security as "honey," he will only become more dependent on us.

Xiao Ce's suggestion was exactly what Nie Bing wanted to hear. Bringing a potential adversary's key figure under control and cutting off their escape route was a common tactic of the Illuminati.

Nie Bing pondered for a moment, then stopped typing: "Moving the whole family...that's a practical suggestion. But what about the British Empire after he leaves? Without a leader, it'll be more prone to chaos."

"President, this is another value of Zion Capo's existence."

Xiao Ce's tone carried a hint of cold calculation!

“Sion Capo can be sent to the British Empire to become our agent. When his core family is under our control, this agent will be more effective than any directly appointed official. At that time, there will be no other way but for him to obediently follow us and be used for the construction of the Alliance City and to fight against Xiao Ce.”

Nie Bing's eyes flashed, and a satisfied smile finally appeared on her lips: "Mr. Sean, your thinking always hits the nail on the head. This is indeed much more sophisticated than Ed White's simple 'winning him over.' It utilizes Sean's identity while completely eliminating his threat—killing two birds with one stone."

Xiao Ce bowed slightly: "You flatter me, Guild Master. I was just thinking about how to make the most of every piece to clear obstacles for the future of the Illuminati and the Alliance City."

“Very good!” Nie Bing made a decision. “We’ll do it your way. I’ll have Ed White immediately send a formal invitation to Sion Capo in the name of the Alliance City Administration, with wording that’s 'honorable' enough!”

He was also explicitly required to bring his core family members to settle there, and was promised the status of a senior advisor to the Alliance City and corresponding benefits. As for the actual administrators of Britain…”

Nie Bing pondered for a moment: "The British Empire is currently in dire straits... If he comes here, shouldn't we support him... and help him consolidate the British Empire's power...?"

After hearing Nie Bing's words, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "President, you've made a wise decision. Let's invite Sion Capo over first. Let's see his attitude, whether he's loyal to us. If he is... we can help him consolidate his power and strengthen his army... we can even use him to fight against Xiao Ce..."

After saying this, Xiao Ce paused, looking at Nie Bing, and then said, "However, Guild Master, I do think that Xiao Ce might have run away... After all, so much time has passed... and we haven't heard a single word about Xiao Ce retaliating... Do you think that Xiao Ce... might have..."

After hearing Xiao En's (Xiao Ce's) words, Nie Bing shook her head: "I don't know... I still don't want him to run away... Only when he's healed can he put up a fight with us... If he runs away... then it'll be too boring..."

What do you think?

After hearing Nie Bing's words, Sean (Xiao Ce) smiled and then said, "President, I think he should be here... but we still need to get information from Vice President Victor King to determine the specifics..."

"Theoretically speaking, I think it's unlikely that Xiao Ce would run away. After all, he went through a lot of trouble to rescue those people from Lingas City. If he were to abandon them now, wouldn't that be illogical..."

After hearing Sean's (Xiao Ce's) words, Nie Bing nodded: "Mr. Sean...you're right...In that case, I'll send someone to deliver the message right away..."

Xiao Ce nodded, then said to Nie Bing, "President, you are wise!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Nie Bing said, "Alright, with what you've said, I feel more confident... I'll make the arrangements right away..."

The Alliance City is not far from the British Empire.

Not long after, the invitation from the Alliance City, like a poisoned arrow dipped in honey, struck Zion Cabo, who was stationed in the capital of Britain, with pinpoint accuracy.

The gold-embossed parchment bears the emblem of the Alliance City Authority, with the wording exuding the utmost "glory"!

He praised His Majesty Zion Cabo for his "vision and wisdom" and "unwavering support" for the New Western Order, and formally invited him to move his entire family to the Alliance City to serve as a "senior advisor" directly under the Supreme Council of the Illuminati, enjoying the second-class core treatment in the Alliance City, and to participate in the great construction of the "heart of the Western Alliance".

However, when this beautifully worded invitation fell into Xion's hands, it felt incredibly heavy.

Every word felt like an icicle, piercing his taut nerves. The phrase "moving the whole family" in particular made his vision blur and his back instantly soaked with cold sweat.

"The whole family moved..."

Zion sat alone in the cold throne room, repeatedly pondering the meaning of the word.

Outside the window lay the bleak winter scene of the capital, a stark contrast to the bustling prosperity emanating from the Alliance City.

He gripped the letter tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. Nie Bing and Sean Aurelius!

This isn't an invitation at all; it's a blatant trap! Senior Advisor?

What a beautiful title it is, but in reality it's nothing more than a gorgeous gilded cage.

His family is the heaviest shackle around his neck, a sword hanging over his head that could fall at any moment, and the most vulnerable collateral in the depths of his soul!

Although Boudica came to see him a few days ago.

Empress Boudica's words echoed in his ears: "...Whatever the Light asks you to do, even if it's to wipe out those people, you must do it...show your loyalty!"

But the price for this "show of loyalty" was that his entire family was taken hostage!

Although he was already somewhat prepared.

Images of his wife and children being imprisoned in Alliance City, becoming pawns that Nie Bing could crush at any moment, uncontrollably surfaced in his mind.

Fear gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake. Resist?

That would be suicide. Britain is now like a leaky, dilapidated ship; the Illuminati could capsize it with the slightest push. He has no bargaining power.

He actually received a lot of information here...

This included Sean Aurelius, a young man from the Aurelius family of the Roman Empire...

"Sean Aurelius".

Sien whispered the name, that young man who was as unfathomable as a deep blue abyss beside Nie Bing.

This young man, through his own abilities, rose to a position alongside the president of the Illuminati, surpassing even the two veteran vice presidents, Ed White and Victor King.

One can imagine how cunning this person is...

This insidious scheme must have come from him! Only he could blend "favor" and "coercion" so seamlessly, making people willingly accept the trap even though they know it's a trap.

The immense pressure and fear nearly crushed him.

He slumped onto the throne, gasping for breath, cold sweat trickling down his forehead. But a moment later, a ruthless resolve replaced his fear. He couldn't collapse!

For the future envisioned by Queen Boudica, and for the possibility of the continuation of the Zion family, he had to keep acting, and act even more realistically and ruthlessly!

He forced himself to suppress his fear of his family's safety deep in his heart, as if sealing a volcano that could erupt at any moment.

What he now has to play is a "shrewd speculator" who is pragmatic, eager to have a powerful backer, and eager to get a share of the pie in the new order!

He knew very well that he actually had no choice...

He summoned his trusted aides, a smile of excitement and fervor spreading across his face: "Quick! Prepare! Notify everyone, pack your bags! Alliance City! President Nie Bing and Mr. Sean haven't forgotten us! This is a tremendous opportunity for the Sion family, and for Britain, to be reborn!"

They prepared quickly, and as for the Zion family, they had absolute trust in Zion Capo.

It was ready immediately.

The rest of their family was unaware of the intricacies involved.

In fact, the recruitment notice for Lingas City, also known as the Alliance, had already spread like wildfire, becoming known to everyone in every corner of the area...

So they didn't think much of it; they just felt it was a great opportunity!

So, they were all happily working together as instruments...

For Zion, every step on the road to the Alliance City felt like stepping on a red-hot iron.

The carriage rolled over the newly paved stone road with a dull thud, but it couldn't suppress the pounding of his heart.

The scene outside the car window confirmed the rumors: the former city of Lingas had been completely transformed. Uniformed staff hurried about, new buildings sprang up, and crowds thronged in front of the recruitment points. Amid the hustle and bustle, there was a vibrant energy that operated efficiently and almost coldly.

This "lifeline," however, seemed more like a steel behemoth awakening, and his family was being sent into its gaping maw. He gripped his cane tightly, his knuckles turning white, struggling to maintain a perfectly balanced expression of awe and anticipation.

The Illuminati Palace, the renovated Governor's Mansion, had an atmosphere as somber as polar ice.

The black and white marble floor was so shiny it reflected a person's image, making the shadows of those walking on it appear somewhat austere.

On the high platform, Nie Bing sat upright like a statue sculpted from ancient ice. His silver-gray eyes were devoid of any warmth, and his gaze pierced through space, precisely fixing on Zion Kirby and his group as they stepped into the palace, as if he wanted to dissect and examine them from their skin to their soul.

A step behind Nie Bing, Sean Aurelius, standing guard, resembled an unfathomable, dark blue current.

His expression was gentle, with even a faint, polite smile playing at the corners of his mouth, but deep within his sea-blue eyes flashed a scrutinizing gaze that Sion knew all too well, like a skilled chess player assessing a newly entered piece.

The air seemed to freeze, with only the steady yet heavy footsteps of Zion Cabo and his entourage echoing in the empty hall.

Zion Capo looked tense, while the members of the Zion family beside him appeared relaxed.

They looked around, showing great interest in everything.

Zion Capo didn't explain the pros and cons to them; he simply told them it was a fantastic opportunity.

The entire Zion family was happy to accept it.

Zion Capo knew very well that there were many things he had to bear alone...

After the group stepped forward, they all bowed and greeted Nie Bing...

Nie Bing saw the Zion Capo family and smiled.

"Your Majesty Kapo, please rise!..." Nie Bing's voice finally rang out, "You've all had a long and arduous journey..."

"Britain's burdens must be heavy. You look rather haggard..."

Upon hearing Nie Bing's words, Zion Capo's heart clenched, but his face instantly contorted with gratitude and respect.

He quickened his pace, stopped about ten feet from the platform, bowed deeply, and humbled himself: "President Nie Bing, you flatter me! Britain... is already a small boat in a storm, barely able to take care of itself, how dare I talk about 'bearing the burden'?"

"Reporting to the Guild Master, I see clearly that the future of the West, the true light of hope, lies entirely in the Alliance City! It is a great honor for me, and indeed for my entire family, to be here today! I have no other wish than to offer my meager strength, to follow the Guild Master at his feet, and to witness firsthand your grand vision of rebuilding the Western order!"

His voice carried just the right amount of excitement and humility, and every word seemed to have been carefully crafted.

At that moment, Nie Bing glanced at Xiao En (Xiao Ce) from the side.

Sean (Xiao Ce) returned Nie Bing's gaze with a broad smile.

Immediately, Sean's (Xiao Ce) gaze, like the most precise probe, silently swept over Sean's deeply bent, incredibly submissive back.

That excessive humility, within the halls of power at the heart of the Illuminati, seemed almost contrived.

"The Illuminati is greatly pleased that Your Majesty is so insightful and understanding."

Sean (Xiao Ce) spoke, his voice not loud, steady and clear, yet carrying a strange penetrating power, making the already stagnant air in the hall even heavier.

"But..." Her tone suddenly shifted, like an icicle suddenly piercing the surface of a calm lake!

"The Illuminati has always believed in the principle of 'If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them.' Your Majesty's first visit to the Alliance City is the perfect time for us to be frank with each other and build mutual trust."

Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Zion Capo's heart pounded with alarm, and the muscles in his back instantly tensed...

He had thought they would exchange a few pleasantries, but to his utter surprise, they got straight to the point!

Before Sean (Xiao Ce) could answer, his sharp eyes darted around: "The Alliance's recruitment order is now a force to be reckoned with in the West, and the momentum is there. However, the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease. I've heard that within Britain, there are still a few stubborn nobles who are out of touch with reality."