Chapter 101: Chapter 100: Make the Northern Domain Great Again

An Undead, one from the Zog Group, was wandering through Winterfort.

This was a reference to the camera.

It was a special model manufactured by the Zog Group. Instead of a standard Undead that could only execute simple commands, it used a High-Level Undead possessing a degree of consciousness and the ability to think.

In other words, it was an autonomous camera with a built-in storage function.

It served as Zog’s mole in the Northern Domain, meant to prevent them from cheating as they completed their achievements.

After Doudou established a data transmission plane directly to the Northern Domain, a goblin Engineer was also teleported over to modify it.

The modification allowed it to transmit images in real-time, rather than storing them on its internal Magic Crystal Stone.

The modification, however, was done under the guise of routine maintenance.

The user agreement stipulated that functional upgrades could be performed during maintenance.

Those two-hundred-odd pages weren’t drafted for nothing; they had hired a small army of lawyers to write them. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

A sinister red light pulsed within the camera’s lens, just like the AI supervillains from all those sci-fi films.

The lens was aimed at Figxin and Gelda, who were in the study.

"Feifei, leave the Northern Domain," Gelda urged earnestly. "It’s not safe here right now. Twin Tower City can offer you protection."

Unlike Gelda, whose face was etched with worry, Figxin appeared completely at ease.

She was even at the mahjong table, stacking the tiles like building blocks.

"And I’d be safe in Twin Tower City?"

"The Zog Group... aren’t they our partners? They can’t possibly be just a simple merchant group. They have deep connections with Soron and Lady Furin. They can definitely protect you."

Figxin slowly stacked the mahjong tiles into a small castle.

"Yes, they aren’t simple. But on what grounds would they protect me? Because I’m a Princess, or because of the meager inheritance I have left? What they want is a stable Northern Domain."

"Then why are you in such a hurry? To say those things in public... we definitely have spies here. Now everyone thinks you want to become the Crown Prince."

"Ha! In that case, I think that camera is the spy. Look at its lens. It has such a villainous look."

"I’m not joking!" Gelda grew anxious. This was her only friend, and she sincerely wanted her to be safe, even if it meant giving up on those grander goals.

Figxin’s expression finally turned serious.

"I don’t want to be the Crown Prince. I want the monarchy to disappear completely."

Gelda was so shocked by her outrageous statement that she was speechless.

"You know, the things in that game console taught me a lot. Perhaps the most efficient way to run this country is to have an absolutely rational Monarch governing everything."

Figxin continued her explanation.

"But that’s impossible, so it’s unreasonable for absolute power to be held in the hands of a single individual."

"And there isn’t much time. My father has been bedridden for months. There’s no telling when he’ll become the late king. This is when the structure is at its most fragile. If one of my brothers succeeds the throne, making changes then will only be more difficult."

When Figxin mentioned her father, there was not a trace of respect in her tone.

Aside from their unchangeable blood ties, she wanted nothing to do with that man.

She continued, "A Sutton no longer ruled by one specific person would also be a Sutton more suitable for the Zog Group’s development."

"I could also gain their full support, instead of just being an agent in the Northern Domain, right?"

After hearing Figxin’s words, Gelda was silent for a long time. This was even more "heinous" than what she had said on the day of the execution.

Her rational mind told her that she shouldn’t support her friend in this; the most likely outcome was a brutal death.

But perhaps some things were simply more important than life itself.

She calmed herself before slowly asking.

"Even if it means risking your life?"

"Even if it means risking my life." Figxin smiled, completely at ease, her tone firm.

With one push, she toppled the castle she had built from mahjong tiles, sending them scattering across the table.

"Cheer up. Maybe it won’t be as hard as we think."

Figxin stretched and loosened up her muscles.

"Let’s go. The awards ceremony is about to start."

To celebrate the complete eradication of all major bandit gangs in the Northern Domain, a grand awards ceremony was to be held in Winter City.

It was to reward those who had made outstanding contributions during the past few months of operations and to commemorate those who had lost their lives.

And most importantly, to let everyone relax their long-strained nerves.

She, however, would likely have no chance to relax. An attack on her might never come, or it might come at any moment.

"Remember to bring the camera and get my good side," Figxin instructed. "After we released that *Shadow of Evil* footage, I got quite a few fans."

"I know, I know." Gelda was a bit envious of her friend’s nerve; even at a time like this, she was still concerned about her image.

"You have no idea how exhausting it is to reply to fan mail every day. If only becoming Crown Prince were as easy as producing a show."

The letters were one thing, but what surprised Figxin even more were the people—clearly the children of wealthy families—making special trips to the Northern Domain.

They claimed they were tourists on something called a "pilgrimage to the Holy Land."

They had all come after watching the show called *Forest Sea Snowfield*.

Once they arrived, they would venture deep into the old forests and across the icy snowfields.

There were also those who tearfully insisted on giving her money, wanting to contribute their own strength to Figxin’s cause.

It frightened Figxin so much that she repeatedly had to check if they had been bewitched by some dark magic.

Later, she discovered they were just addicted to the show.

「Winter City’s only public square.」

Nearly all the city’s residents had gathered there, along with many people from other towns in the Northern Domain.

Unlike in the past, their faces were not filled with despair and numbness, but brimming with joy.

Today, they weren’t here to listen to some Lord announce another tax hike; they were here to celebrate.

They had never had a single Lord who stood with them.

They had never even heard of such a Lord.

But now they had one: Princess Figxin. If only she could rule the entire Kingdom.

Figxin, clad in armor, walked onto the high platform.

Ever since she had decided to reform the Northern Domain, she always appeared in public wearing armor, not a formal gown.

It was both to ensure her own safety and to show her determination.

The moment she stood on the platform, a deafening roar of cheers, like a tsunami, erupted from the square.

She gestured for silence several times, but she couldn’t extinguish the crowd’s enthusiasm. They had been waiting for a Lord like her for far too long.

Finally, the restless crowd quieted down a little.

Figxin walked up to the amplification device.

Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly heard a loud CRACK.

Her battle-hardened instincts screamed danger. She dodged instinctively, only to feel a searing heat by her ear as blood trickled down her cheek.

’An enchanted firearm bullet?’

Several more gunshots followed, and the Personal Guard had already surged forward, surrounding her completely.

"Have you located the shooter?" Figxin asked urgently from within their protective circle.

’I didn’t expect the first attack to come so soon.’

"Zete Mage has found him. Another squad is in pursuit."

"Let me stand up."

"We can’t be sure if there are other shooters."

"Let me stand up! That’s an order. The more dangerous the situation, the more fearless I must appear."

Surrounded by layers of her Personal Guard, Figxin stood up. Ignoring the blood on her face, she raised her arm and shouted, "For the Northern Domain!"

She saw that the countless citizens hadn’t fled. Instead, they were forming a human wall, trying to protect their Lord.

The Undead camera stood calmly to the side, recording this historic moment.