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

After Ed White followed Xiao Ce inside...

Xiao Ce greeted Ed White warmly, "Vice President Ed, you must have something to discuss with me at this hour..."

After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Ed White smiled and said, "Mr. Sean, since you're so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush either... Let's get straight to the point... I do have something to discuss with you..."

After hearing Ed White's words, Xiao Ce smiled and nodded without interrupting him.

Seeing this, Ed White didn't mince words and said to Sean (Xiao Ce), "Mr. Sean, I'll be frank. I heard during my visit that the Guild Master wasn't very friendly towards King Sion Capo and his group... their conversation didn't go too smoothly..."

After hearing Ed White's words, Xiao Ce revealed a meaningful smile and expression.

Although Ed White is busy with matters in Alliance City, it's clear he's not idle...

It's clear that his informant is someone close to Nie Bing, but not someone particularly close.

Looking at Sean (Xiao Ce)'s intriguing smile.

Ed White quickly explained to Sean (Xiao Ce), "Mr. Sean, please don't misunderstand... I..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Ce smiled at Ed White and said, "I didn't misunderstand, I understand... You know about the president's situation, which is beneficial for you to better serve him..."

Ed White smiled after hearing Xiao Ce's words, then said, "That's right, that's exactly it... I wonder what the guild leader thinks. Didn't we say before that we'd let Sion Capo go back and help him consolidate the British Empire's imperial power? We could let their families stay... So what now..."

Xiao Ce smiled at Ed White and then said, "That's right, that's what I said before. But, Vice President Ed, do you remember something I said to you?"

Ed White paused for a moment after hearing Xiao Ce's words, then shook his head.

Xiao Ce then said to Ed White, "That's because serving a ruler is like serving a tiger... We can't guess what these people in power are thinking... She did think that way before... but unfortunately, she changed her plans..."

Ed White listened with a bitter expression: "Mr. Sean, keeping them locked up here isn't good for us either. Even sending our own people wouldn't look good... If the kings of those alliances find out, it won't be good either, right..."

“Mr. Sean, the president seems to prefer listening to you…you see…”

After listening to Ed White's words, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Of course I know... I also know the pros and cons of this matter... But before that, I want to ask you, why do you admire Sion Capo so much? Is there some kind of relationship between you and Sion Capo? I remember that it was you who pushed for him to temporarily take over the British Empire, right?"

Ed White smiled at Xiao Ce and then said, "Mr. Sean is wise... I won't lie to you, because as the former president of the Western branch of the Illuminati, I have a very good understanding of the situations between these Western countries..."

"Do you have some kind of relationship with this Zion Capo?" Xiao Ce didn't beat around the bush and asked directly.

When Ed White heard Sean's (Xiao Ce) direct question, he didn't show much surprise on his face; instead, he seemed relieved.

He knew perfectly well that any pretense would be foolish in front of this young man, whose mind was as deep as a bottom and who enjoyed the chairman's deep trust. He suppressed his smile, his eyes becoming profound, carrying a quiet reminiscence of the past.

"Mr. Sean's eyes are like..."

Ed White's voice lowered, carrying a hint of barely perceptible emotion.

“You guessed right. My relationship with Zion Capo... is indeed something more than just casual acquaintance. This connection dates back a long time…”

He paused, as if organizing his thoughts, or perhaps confirming whether it was worth revealing this past event at this moment. Finally, meeting Sean's (Xiao Ce's) unfathomable eyes, he decided to tell him the truth.

Ed White paused for a moment and said, "About twenty-five years ago, I was just a mid-level deacon in charge of intelligence liaison in the Western branch of the Illuminati."

At that time, the British Empire was in turmoil, with an incompetent old king, internal factional infighting among nobles, and constant friction with the Gallic tribes.

At the time, Sion Cabo was not yet the patriarch of the Cabo family, but rather a capable second son who was sent by the family as a diplomatic envoy to the northern border bordering Gaul, responsible for handling thorny border disputes and tribal relations.

"On one occasion, I was ordered to go to northern Britain to secretly contact a nobleman who might turn to our Illuminati. The mission itself was not too difficult, but we encountered an unexpected incident on the way back. We were ambushed by an unidentified but extremely well-equipped armed force. Their objective was clear: to intercept and kill us, the 'messengers of the Illuminati'."

My guards suffered heavy casualties, and I, along with my last two followers, were driven into a corner and took refuge in an abandoned border post.

His tone became serious: "Just when we were out of ammunition and food and thought we were doomed, Zion Cabo appeared with his family's private army."

He happened to be inspecting border defenses in that area at the time.

He recognized me, or rather, he recognized the distinctive Illuminati mark on my body. He could have stood by and watched, or even... to avoid offending the forces behind the ambush (later identified as a hardline nobleman in Britain who was hostile to the Illuminati), he could have easily pretended not to see it.

After all, the Illuminati's influence in the West was far less than it is now, and interfering in the affairs of other nobles could easily backfire.

"But Zion Capo did not choose to protect himself."

Ed White's voice was filled with genuine respect. "He decisively ordered his guards to charge the ambushers. It was a tough battle; the enemy outnumbered us and were well-trained. In the chaos, Zion was shot with an arrow while covering my adjutant's escape to seek reinforcements, and one of his cousins ​​was killed on the spot... Ultimately, his desperate resistance held out until the nearby garrison arrived, allowing us to escape."

Ed White looked at Sean (Xiao Ce), his eyes filled with complex emotions: "Mr. Sean, do you know? Before that, I had only met Sion Capo a few times, not even a nodding acquaintance. He saved us, risking enormous political and personal danger, simply because he recognized me as a member of the Illuminati? I don't think so. Later, while he was recovering, I visited him and asked him why. He said..."

Ed White mimicked Zion Capo's tone from years ago: "'Mr. Ed, chaos and hostility solve nothing. Britain needs order, needs to coexist with powerful neighbors, not confront them. The Illuminati may represent a new order, I can't see its full picture, but it's at least more promising than this quagmire. Saving you is a benevolent investment in potential order maintainers, and also to avoid seeing the border reignite with war because of this foolish assassination.'"

Hearing this, Xiao Ce was still somewhat surprised...

Because Zion Capo's statement back then was absolutely visionary...

No wonder Nie Bing discovered it...

Xiao Ce listened from the side without interrupting!

Ed White continued, "It was those words that touched me."

"His actions were not motivated by blind loyalty or worship of the Illuminati, but by a sober assessment of order and his own national interests."

He saw that chaos would lead to destruction, and that seeking a way to coexist with powerful forces might be the only way for Britain to survive.

This clarity and pragmatism were qualities lacking in many British nobles at the time.

He paused, then continued, “Since then, we have maintained a tacit connection. He used his influence in the north to provide me with some intelligence on the movements of border tribes and hardliners at home, though not much, it was often crucial. In return, I also provided him with some conveniences and channels for handling border affairs and mediating tribal relations within the capabilities of the Illuminati. Our relationship is more like that of limited collaborators based on a shared understanding: that chaos needs to be contained and order needs to be established.”

"Later, the Brad family came to power, and then the William family rose to prominence. Zion navigated these power struggles with ease. Everyone called him a fence-sitter, but only I knew that he was fighting for the stability of the British Empire and the peace of his people..."

"Furthermore, although he wavered, after I took on increasingly higher positions within the Illuminati, he never contacted me again... I also reached an understanding not to offer him any assistance. Otherwise, the Sion family would be in a much higher position..."

After hearing Ed White's words, Xiao Ce felt that Zion Capo was still a very divided person.

However, Xiao Ce also understood that people are inherently multifaceted...

Seeing that Xiao Ce wasn't nodding, Ed White spoke up:

"Therefore, Mr. Sean, my trust in Sean Capo is not out of personal feelings, nor is it for forming cliques. I trust his almost instinctive pursuit of 'order' and his rational judgment after weighing the pros and cons."

He is an extreme realist, someone who knows how to find an anchor in the storm.

He may waver, and may sometimes appear cowardly, but he knows full well that resisting the Light is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. The only way to preserve himself, his family, and even a decent future for the British Empire is to cooperate with us and demonstrate value.

This is why, after the recruitment notice was issued, he not only did not obstruct it, but actively recommended talent, even including core members of his cabinet! He was using concrete actions, using his most valuable 'talent resources,' to show us his stance and pledge his allegiance!

“Imprisoning him in the City of the Alliance,” Ed White said earnestly, “is a waste of his greatest asset: his profound understanding and influence over the complex situation in Britain.”

Let him go back, give him the title of "Alliance City Envoy," and some controlled armed forces. Let him clear out the truly stubborn resistance forces and potential Boudica remnants for us. He will be more efficient and precise than if we directly send troops, and he will also reduce our image as "aggressors" in the eyes of the British people. He needs this "authorization" to consolidate his legitimacy at home and to suppress those nobles who are dissatisfied with him.

What we need is a stable, controllable British rear area that can provide resources and a buffer for the Alliance cities! This is a win-win situation!

After Ed White finished speaking, he stared intently at Sean (Xiao Ce), waiting for his reaction.

The study fell silent for a moment, with only the faint sounds of the Alliance City's nighttime hustle and bustle coming from outside the window.

Xiao Ce was somewhat surprised to see how eloquent Ed White was.

Seeing Ed White's expression, Xiao Ce laughed out loud: "You're so eloquent. Actually, you could have just gone with the president and said those words... You could have persuaded her that way too..."

Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Ed White quickly waved his hand and said, "Mr. Sean, she is, after all, a president, and besides, I'm not that familiar with her... Moreover, I... I'm afraid that saying too much might cause unnecessary suspicion..."

After hearing Ed White's words, Xiao Ce laughed and said, "So, you're treating me like a sucker?"

Upon hearing Sean's (Xiao Ce's) words, Ed White waved his hands repeatedly, then said, "No...no...of course not...Mr. Sean, please don't misunderstand..."

Xiao Ce smiled at Ed White and then said, "I know, I was just joking..."

He continued, "Actually, I have considered your concerns... The Chairman has also considered your concerns. And your explanation of Zion Capo's value coincides perfectly with the Chairman's final decision."

Eddard White looked up abruptly, his eyes gleaming with surprise: "You mean...?"

Sean (Xiao Ce) turned around, his smile radiating confidence that he was in control of the situation: "The President has given this matter considerable thought and has adopted my suggestion. His Majesty Sean Capo will not be imprisoned in this gilded cage."

“Then…?” Ed White asked eagerly.

"He will be officially awarded the honorary title of 'Senior Advisor of the Alliance City'..."