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

"In other words, Xiao Ce already knows that we are negotiating with the Illuminati... Given his suspicious nature, he's probably... already preparing to deal with us!"

"Xiao Ce is a man who knows how to leverage power. Given this opportunity, he won't hesitate! So, Your Majesty, we are now at our wits' end. There is only one path we can take!"

Constantine Eugene analyzed the situation with a rather unpleasant expression.

Shahar said to Konstantin Eugene, "Do you mean we should still agree to his request?"

Constantine Eugene gave an awkward smile: "Your Majesty, this is for you to consider... I was just saying, from my perspective... that agreeing to their terms now is the best option."

Shahar listened as Constantine Eugene said, "Actually, Nie Bing has already made it very clear: he just wants us to become his dogs. Do you want us to be his dogs?"

Constantine Eugene gave an awkward smile and didn't continue: "Your Majesty, this is naturally not a decision I can make... Of course, the final decision is up to you. Whatever your decision, we will always be on your side!"

After hearing Konstantin Eugene's insincere words, Shahar was somewhat skeptical, but said, "Alright, go and rest for a bit. I'll have my reasons."

Konstantin Eugene looked at Shahar and asked, "Your Majesty, what do you intend to do?"

Shahar gently rubbed his head and then said, "I need to calm down before making a decision!"

Seeing this, Constantine Eugene smiled, nodded, cupped his hands in greeting, and said he was leaving.

After watching Constantine Eugene leave, Shahar slowly said, "Ries, come out."

After Ries stepped out from the side, he glanced at Shahar and asked, "Father, what are your thoughts...?"

Shahar looked exhausted, then said to Ries, "Let's hear your thoughts first."

Rhys gave a bitter laugh: "Although I'm reluctant to admit it, and even less willing to say it... I think they're right... It's not a question of what choice we can make now, but rather, we have absolutely no choice. There's only one path before us: to cooperate with them..."

Shahar said, "Are you sure you want to be Xiao Ce's enemy? Do you think Xiao Ce can be bribed by them?"

Ries said, "We can't put all our eggs in one basket. We need to take the initiative... Besides, with the help of the Western Illuminati, we might not necessarily suffer losses in invading Xiao's territory... We also have Fusang, with whom they have a blood feud."

Shahar said to Ries, "If we listen to him and do what he says... we actually won't benefit at all. You know, given their attitude, we'll have to pay to buy all those weapons. Originally, we cooperated with them to obtain some advanced technology to help us develop..."

"If we just wield weapons now, won't we just become like the Xiao Kingdom we knew before?"

After hearing Shahar's words, Rhys was at a loss for words.

Because he didn't know what Shahar was thinking deep down, or whether he was testing him.

Therefore, he dared not express his true thoughts.

Deep down, Rhys was unwilling to be an enemy, especially after the Illuminati's stance.

Ries was even more unwilling to cooperate with them.

He not only found Nie Bing strange, but he also found his father strange.

Although Nie Bing really didn't give them any face today, and it was indeed very infuriating.

However, in his heart, his father was not the kind of person who wore his emotions on his sleeve.

Especially his loss of composure today.

"Father, you're right! Whatever choice you make, I will support you unconditionally!"

Shahar said to Ries, "Ries, you've become quite the smooth talker too? You don't even tell me the truth anymore?"

Ries smiled faintly, then said to Shahar, "Father, it's not that I'm unwilling to speak. It's just that I trust your judgment, and I believe you will make the right choice. I feel I shouldn't influence your decision!"

Shahar smiled faintly: "Alright, that's smooth talk. I'll consider it carefully..."

After Constantine Eugene left, he went to see several other oligarchs. He wanted to get their opinions.

They were surprisingly in agreement; they all expressed their support for Shahar, whatever decision he made.

They felt that helping either the Illuminati or Xiao Ce was risky.

The risk is actually 50/50.

They would be more willing to believe Shahar.

After he finished speaking, one of the oligarchs watched Constantine Eugene's departing figure.

"Eugene!"

Hearing someone call his name, Constantine Eugene, he turned his head and glanced at him.

The oligarch spoke up, saying, "I shouldn't say this, but as an old buddy or an old friend, I advise you not to get too involved in this matter, lest you get too deeply entangled."

When Constantine Eugene heard him say that, he gave an awkward smile.

"I know that! It's their decision, and there's nothing I can do to change it!"

He said this, but he felt bitter inside.

Because, while he may have said nice things, he had already gotten on Nie Bing's side.

He foolishly handed the person over to him.

He left without saying anything.

In the following days, neither Nie Bing nor Shahar were in a hurry. After locking themselves up, they did not go to see anyone.

Constantine Eugene, however, was the most anxious to speak.

Not only in Slavic countries, but the entire East Asia region, including Japan, was in a state of tranquility.

Xiao Ce and Gulimiza were enjoying themselves immensely while sightseeing.

However, all parties involved are well aware that this current peace is only temporary…

It was just the calm before the storm.

A full week later, Shahar, who had been locking himself up, finally emerged from seclusion.

It wasn't just that all the oligarchs were summoned.

They even invited Nie Bing over.

Cabinet officials were all present, and upon their arrival, it was clear that they all wore expressions of tension.

Conversely, Nie Bing became the calmest person on this side...

Before Shahar emerged, the people around him whispered among themselves, asking, "Gentlemen...gentlemen...do you have any news? What has the Tsar decided?"

"You don't know, and neither do we... This time, His Majesty the Tsar has locked himself up and hasn't seen anyone... Don't worry, we'll find out soon enough."

Just as everyone was talking amongst themselves, an official pointed at a plan: "The Tsar is here!"

Following the sound, they all saw Shahar emerge, but upon seeing him, everyone was startled.