Miss Miriam elegantly declined the reward she deserved, deciding to take Murphy’s advice and use the present as coteral to go all-in for her future.
However, the redhead deeply knew that a bright future still required her to work hard now. As Murphy’s top “reserve politician,” she was indeed busy with official duties. After finishing her conversation with Murphy and eating a casual breakfast, she brought along a few carefully selected assistants and returned to the survivors’ camp.
A major construction effort was underway here.
Murphy had just rescued over 1,800 people from the Blood Vulture Halls, doubling the number of mouths to feed, which was an unsettling signal. Fortunately, the camp had previously established an effective, albeit crude and simple order, allowing Miriam to still basically maintain stability for now.
ording to her schedule, this morning she needed to meet with the leaders of the survivors from the corridor regarding allocating manpower to clear and initially rebuild the ruins in the outer city district.
From a manager’s perspective, Miriam’s current situation could be summarized as follows:
The good news was that the other party was cooperating with the camp’s work and even proactively integrating their 1,800 survivors into the existing management system based on bor points” and munal meals.”
The bad news was that a few people in the other party’s leadership were somewhat unruly, showing signs of wanting to seize power.
This information was privately told to Miriam by Lady Adele, Murphy’s blood descendant and maid, who felt obliged to inform the current administrator of certain noteworthy phenomena in the territory.Previously, Miriam had not paid much attention to this, thinking she would just finish the tasks quickly and leave.
But now, Miriam found herself like an eager “battle hen,” raring to face challenges from her peers.
It seemed many had noticed the “treasure” represented by the survivors’ camp, and as the person currently closest to monopolizing that treasure, the clever and formidable redhead clearly did not intend to relinquish it easily.
This shift in attitude brought her more subjective proactiveness, just as someone who has found a goal and someone drifting aimlessly are in two different life states.
“Bang”
The small “meeting room” door was pushed open, which was actually just a house in the outer city ruins that had been burned but was still barely usable.
The middle-aged man dressed like a schr who was sitting inside looked up.
He should be the representative sent by the other party.
Wearing broken sses held together with glue and cloth strips, his graying hair made him look haggard, with a worried brow. Although dressed inly, he was very well-groomed and clean. His legs seemed inconvenient, with a wooden staff by his side.
In front of him were some papers filled with writing, clearly prepared for a war of words with Miriam to secure more benefits for the “faction” he represented.
This scene gave the redhead a strong sense of déjà vu.
It was as if she was ying the role of a faction leader, about to engage in a game called “politics” with the other party’s diplomat to fight for her interests. Something that once seemed so distant to her had now be the reality she had to face.
“Hello, I’m Miriam, the supervisor of the survivors’ camp.”
She proactively said to the middle-aged schr with a calm expression:
“I don’t want to hide my intention, but the survivors’ camp has reached its limit by epting so many people. Our two sides must cooperate to quickly open up a new living area in the old city district. Otherwise, this ce will soon experience some chaos that no one wants to see.”
“I understand your meaning, Miss Miriam,” the middle-aged schr smiled and said humbly, “In the past two days since leaving the halls, mypanions and I have reached a consensus. We have no intention of challenging your position in the survivors’ camp, and we are willing to assist you in managing the relocation of survivors.
At the very least, I personally do not want to see everyone face unnecessary turmoil after struggling to survive. Therefore, I propose…”
Miriam listened carefully to the other party’s description.
From the other party’s seemingly submissive but actually prepared stance of presenting aplete proposal, she knew her current opponent would not be easy to deal with.
But just as the middle-aged schr was about to reveal the specific proposal, the “meeting room” door was suddenly pushed open again. Lieutenant Frayzer from the Goldflower Kingdom, wearing a military uniform, walked in with a bent back and said to Miriam in an unsatisfied tone:
“I must enter the ruins of the Blood Vulture Halls to assess the situation and confirm that Salrokdar has truly been… huh? Professor Winston Malcolm? What are you doing here?”
This “enemy” lieutenant initially paid no attention to the other person in the room, but when he turned and saw the middle-aged schr conversing with Miriam, he was stunned. His military instincts made him straighten his body and give a standard bow to the equally surprised middle-aged schr, loudly saying:
“Greetings to you, mentor! I am Frayzer Robert Carpe, ss president of History Department ss 7 of the 1100th batch at the Shaldor Engineering Academy.
I once audited your seven public lectures on the evolution of noble titles in the Sn Kingdom. I must say, those lectures left asting impression on me and allowed me to learn about certain interesting anecdotes about my family’s history that were not recorded in our family tree.”
“Ah, Mr. Frayzer, I remember you!”
The middle-aged schr removed his broken sses, rubbed his forehead, and indeed found some remaining memories. He said:
“You even specially invited me to the most luxurious cafe in Shaldor Port after ss to consult me about some rather professional questions regarding the Carpe family history. I had asked you then, but you denied it.
It seems you are indeed a descendant of one of the oldest noble families in Sn?”
“That was my father’s request. He said if I hoped to prove my abilities, then at the very least during my studies, I could not receive too much interference and help from my family bloodline.”
Lieutenant Frayzer was also surprised and delighted to see his former professor. He simply pulled up a chair and sat beside this Professor Malcolm, saying with regret:
“To be honest, I greatly admired your talents back then and wanted to invite you to be the Carpe family’s historical advisor. But due to the sudden outbreak of the Ten-Year War, I was unable toplete my studies and returned to the country prematurely as a soldier.
It’s quiteforting to see a familiar face in this strangend, Professor. But if I’m not mistaken, didn’t the History Department issue a recall order in the first year of the Ten-Year War?
I heard the Shaldor University administration even sent personnel to protect the faculty’s safety. Why did you end up in Transia? And why did you let yourself be so haggard?”
“s.”
Upon hearing this question, even the well-cultivated middle-aged schr’s face showed an expression he could not contain. While caressing his knee, he exined in a tone of “the past is not worth recounting”:
“Because when the war broke out, I had epted an invitation from the Explorers’ Association to investigate some historical ruins of the Western Barbarians in the Ice Bay region. Somehow I ended up getting dragged into the Old Church’s rebellion against the Goldflower Kingdom and nearly became a prisoner of those enraged mountain people in the Saxony region.
It was a life-and-death experience.
Afterwards, during my wanderings, I also witnessed the Goldflower Kingdom’s massacre of the mountain people and saw the scenes of scorched earth left in the wake of the armed Blood Servants.
That is the true face of history on every page.”
Professor Malcolm did not seem very elderly, but the ravages of the war years had grayed his hair. He had previously been unwilling to share his experiences with others, but upon meeting his former student, he spoke freely.
After all, one needs an outlet after being tense for too long.
A mature man cannot burden his family with too much pressure, so venting to someone close is normal.
Patting his knee, he sighed:
“If it was just me, it would be fine. But the problem was that my wife and children had joined me on that excursion as a leisure trip. To protect my family, I had no choice but to join the Portia Federation military as a logistics officer before eventually settling in Kadman City.
But at least after nearly a decade of hardship, I preserved my family’s safety and even had a healthy baby daughter, perhaps fate’s blessing. I no longer desire anything more.”
“What a twist of fate. An outstanding schr like you should not have been dragged into this damn war.”
Lieutenant Frayzer offered constion before turning back sternly to the oddly-behaving Miriam:
“Miss Miriam! You’ve heard Winston Malcolm’s true identity. He is a rare gem in the field of human history. Therefore, in my capacity as a lieutenant of the Goldflower Kingdom Pioneer Army and heir of the Carpe family, I make this solemn demand of you!
You cannot continue detaining Professor Malcolm under those vampires’ authority! Hmm? What’s this?”
His righteous words were cut short as he saw Miriam, with an indescribably bizarre expression, cover her eyes and take out her “student ID” from her spirit bag.
She nced at Lieutenant Frayzer and said softly:
“I’m a student of the 1109th Administration batch at Shaldor Engineering Academy. Well, I didn’t expect you to be my alumni, you annoying guy. Also, hello Teacher! You should have revealed your identity sooner so we didn’t have to go through that awkward conversation earlier.
In front of a schr like you, I’m sure you saw through my background long ago. Please excuse my conduct earlier.”
Miriam stood up, straightened her clothes, and respectfully greeted the twice-silenced and stunned Professor Malcolm seated before her.
This multiyered revtion of identities left even the well-traveled Professor Malcolm and the enemy lieutenant Frayzer at a loss for words.
The atmosphere in the small meeting room between the three became rather subtle for a moment.
But since all three had rified their identities and this rtionship existed, their previous minor conflicts could be temporarily set aside.
Miriam inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
She dropped her previously icy demeanor and said to Professor Malcolm politely and sincerely:
“Professor, I promise that after all this is over, I will find a way to send you and your family back to Shaldor Port. But for now, I really need your professional expertise to help me manage this ever-growing camp.
In the presence of an elder, I need not hide anything!
The work during this period has exhausted me mentally and physically. After all, I’m just an ungraduated student with limited abilities. Moreover, there are a few management personnel on your side… how shall I put it? I’ve received word that they are trying to disrupt the hard-earned peace we’ve obtained.
This matter has caused me great anxiety.
Stirring up trouble in a vampire’s territory is simply a death wish. Master Murphy is still unaware, but if he finds out, he absolutely will not let it go.
You should not be implicated in this.
If you are involved, please cease immediately!”
Professor Malcolm did not answer immediately, only looking Miriam up and down. After a few seconds, he smiled and said:
“To have personally established such arge-scale survivors’ camp in the midst of Kadman City’s disaster, and managed everything so orderly. Miriam, I dare say you are absolutely the most outstanding graduate of your ss!
Without a doubt.
And as a student seeking her mentor’s help in times of trouble, how can I, as an educator, turn a blind eye?
Actually, my acquaintance with those few individuals was merely a chance encounter. Although I disagree with some of their actions, I am powerless to stop them. More importantly, Miriam, this matter is a bit moreplicated than you imagine.”
The professor ced his broken sses on the table. Lowering his voice, he rubbed his brow and said seriously:
“They have received support from external forces! That is the real reason they are determined to seize your managerial authority. Someone has made them empty promises, and I’ve tried to persuade them, but they are too deeply deceived to listen.”
“Ahem”
At this point, Lieutenant Frayzer beside him coughed unnaturally and said in a low voice:
“It was me, Professor. On behalf of the Pioneer Army, I made a few trivial insinuations to those rather ambitious individuals. Don’t look at me like I’m a madman, Junior Sister Miriam. Discovering and exploiting the enemy’s internal conflicts is just a basic ability for an intelligence operative.
I had no intention of creating more chaos here, only to cause some trouble for those vampires before I leave.
But since this matter has implicated a schr I respect, I will withdraw from now on!
As for those few ambitious but ipetent fools, you can deal with them yourselves.
However, I must gain ess to the Blood Vulture Halls. The report I submit to His Majesty the King must contain sufficient truth.”
“I will bring this up to Master Murphy, but that is the vampires’ sacred ground. Whether you can enter is not up to me.”
Miriam did not give this jerk a friendly response.
Thetter also sensibly did not linger, setting a time to meet the Professorter before taking his leave on his own.
With only Miriam and her teacher remaining in the meeting room, Professor Malcolm put his sses back on. He looked out the burned house’s window, and after a few seconds of silence, he asked an important question:
“Miriam, please tell me honestly, do you truly intend to serve Murphy long-term? I mean, do you view him as your sovereign lord?”
“I…”
Miriam nced at the professor like a student being held ountable. She nervously clenched her fists but ultimately answered candidly:
“To be honest, Professor, I greatly detest vampires. Even now, I feel those so-called midnight nobles are all a bunch of vermin. However, I believe Master Murphy is different from other vampires. He once promised me that he would treat all life on thisnd equally.
I have also personally witnessed him resolutely ally with the Witch Hunters to kill his own kind in order to protect the civilians in the camp from being corrupted by crazed vampires!
Moreover, this is also an opportunity for me personally.
As you know, for someone like me without background or status, it is extremely difficult to truly create value from the knowledge I’ve learned.
I don’t want to give up!”
This answer made the middle-aged schr nod. He then asked:
“You are an Administration student, so do you know what the core of politics is?”
“Compromise?”
Miriam gave an uncertain response that could be considered a “universal answer”, but the professor shook his head. He stood up, supporting his leg injured during exile, and walked to the window to look at the scavengers toiling amid the ruins under the dawn light.
He said softly:
“It is checks and bnces!
Checks and bnces on power are the core of politics. Getting the ruler to willingly enter the cage is the art of politics, this is history’s answer.
I will stay and help you.
Not only because the kind people here took care of me during my years residing in Kadman City, but also because, in truth, I had known Lord Murphy even before this disaster struck, earlier than you did.
But like you, Miriam,
I also feel that Lord Murphy seems different from the rest.”
This professor recalled the strange yet polite and kind-hearted vampire he had seen at a street relief station some time ago. He cracked a smile and said softly:
“I have a feeling that something destined to be recorded in history is about to happen on thisnd of Transia that has suffered so much. As a historian, it is my responsibility to personally document all the changes here, and I am honored to participate in it myself.
If you do not mind me being but a feeble old cripple, then Miss Miriam, I am willing to be your second-inmand and contribute what I can to thisnd I have resided in for years.
My baby daughter was born here, and I too hope to see it thrive.”