"Ha ha, sending the Third Main Force to occupy the planet? And even helping to capture the Entropist? Putting aside whether that useless bunch from the Imperial Army can even handle a single Reverse Entropy Bearer, what comes next is far too obvious, isn’t it? A massive invasion of mech legions, the Nomeka family wiped out overnight, and the planet Nomeka silently becoming territory of the Empire… Her Majesty the Queen’s idea is truly ‘brilliant’!"

  Luxurious light spread throughout the vast hall, and the quiet atmosphere echoed under the mantle of night.

  Calmly closing the elegant handheld computer, Duke Klein, with a steady tone but slightly tired expression, made it clear that he completely disagreed with the Astralis court’s proposal.

  Even though everyone knew how alarming it was to have a "Entropist" roaming around their territory, thirsting for revenge, none of the Grand Dukes would ever consider asking the Empire for “help” because of it.

  As the saying goes: “Let the devil in, and you’ll never get him out.”

  No one here was a naive child. The tactic of “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” was far too transparent, and everyone understood the enormous risks of “using one thief to catch another.”

  Moreover, if this clash between thieves escalated, the battlefield would be their very own homeland.

  Despite his youth, Klein had clearly not become the head of the Nomeka family just for being the eldest legitimate son; even if he lacked experience, his political mind was sharply honed.

  So, after setting down the computer, Klein narrowed his eyes and spoke seriously to his secretary:

  “Nya, just report this directly to Her Majesty the Queen: remind her that as long as the Council of Nobles exists, she must strictly follow the principles of the Hereditary Succession Decree. And under that decree, not a single soldier of the Imperial Army may step into the traditional territories of the Grand Ducal families without permission! Violating that ancient agreement is an affront to our ancestors and an insult to the Council of Nobles. The Vermont family’s rebellion is proof of the crown’s mistakes! As a young monarch newly enthroned, she must learn from history! As for the Entropist... the Nomeka family will deal with it on our own. We don’t need any outside help!”

  “…”

  “Isn’t that... a bit too direct? And, with all due respect, do you truly intend to face a Reverse Entropy Bearer with only your own resources?”

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  The secretary, Nya, calmly recorded all the Duke’s orders, her usual neutral expression unchanged, showing no surprise.

  Still, out of caution, she felt it her duty to ask once more, loyally.

  But Klein, crossing his legs, clearly had no intention of changing his mind.

  “Too direct? No, no, I’m already being very polite to this little queen who barely ascended the throne two years ago. Times have changed. The power of the Grand Dukes grows every day. This is the era of the Council of Nobles, not the imperial monarchy. And as a member of the Council’s ‘inner circle,’ I even have the authority to impeach her directly! So what? I’m just playing the role of an ‘elder’ trying to ‘educate’ her a little. As for the Entropist...”

  “Please. I have no plans to actually fight a ‘calamity’ like that. We just need to pretend we’re doing something, send out a few patrols, that’s it. As long as I can justify it to the Council of Nobles, everything will be fine for everyone.”

  “Your decisions are always wise, Mr. Klein. I’ll follow your orders and pass everything along. But… what if that girl causes trouble? According to the reports, she recently lost her family and witnessed firsthand the power of the ‘idealistic beings of Reverse Entropy’ fighting against the imperial army…”

  “And what of it? Suppress it, of course. Just like we do when some noble’s spoiled child stirs up trouble. The important thing is to give the Astralis kingdom no excuse to send troops to Nomeka! And I doubt that girl can cause any real harm. She’s not some maniac assassin fugitive from Laplace. At worst, she’ll eat without paying and kill a few petty thugs.”

  Rising from the luxurious chair, Duke Klein, yawning repeatedly, seemed to have said everything he wanted to say.

  Who knows how many tasks this powerful “great noble” had to handle daily, administrative matters during the day, social events at night, and still being woken in the middle of the night for emergency decisions… Fun? Klein could barely remember the last time he played that addictive “tower defense game.”

  Perhaps a week ago? Or was it a month?

  “…”

  “Then I will deliver your orders as instructed.”

  After a respectful bow, Nya no longer questioned the duke. From a secretary’s perspective, her two previous questions had already been rather bold. After all, on planet Nomeka, the Duke, the head of the family, always had the final say.

  Still, to Duke Klein, Nya, though officially just his secretary, held a special place as his childhood friend. That’s why he didn’t mind her “overstepping” comments.

  In fact, at the end of the conversation, Klein even gave her one final instruction in a casual tone as Nya prepared to leave the hall:

  “Ah, and remember those security folks? Tell them to act more carefully. Just put on a show, don’t push the Reverse Entropy Bearer too hard. I don’t want this modern city, built over generations by my family, to end up like planet Laplace, with explosions and attacks every day."

  “And also... arrange, under your name, a new discreet and secure residence for me. If the old men of the Council come asking, say I’m sick and handling affairs via encrypted network. I think, for now, I’d better relocate. Who knows what kind of madness a girl consumed by hatred might come up with. I need to lie low for a while.”