Yes, Madam Prime Minister

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Ronan picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and put it down. He immediately started to criticize her, saying, "Sigh, I know my daughter acted recklessly, but His Majesty might think that you tricked the princess into gambling and then initiate an investigation."

Can casinos withstand investigation? If they are, that's when they'll be shut down.

Chapter 544 Lying through your teeth, you draw a pie in the sky and I'll draw one too, a look of utter defeat on your face.

I had long heard that the Vice-King, Ronan, the Marquis of Rhine, possessed exceptional observational skills and a superb speaking ability, and now that I see it, it is indeed true.

Without exceptional observation skills and persuasive communication, how could one blatantly lie like this?

They even lured a princess into the casino to gamble; why don't you just accuse them of rebellion?

Christopher blew on the white hair on his forehead, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and inhaled most of the cigarette in one go, leaving only a burning ash. Then he exhaled smoke through his nose and mouth, and in an instant, the smoke burst out like a smoke bomb.

This action demonstrates that although he is eighty years old, his physique is still exceptionally strong.

At that moment, the person who had just come to report disappeared in a flash.

"Since the Marquis of Rhine thinks so highly of an old man like me, I will certainly help him out. However, I'm afraid I can't persuade so many people on my own."

Old Chris said.

If Ronan has already put it this way and he still doesn't agree, then he's going against the country.

However, persuading those fourth-order fourth-level beings is indeed difficult.

Fourth-tier mages either hold a bunch of positions and do nothing but earn high salaries, or they own their own businesses.

How can the country send such people to the battlefield to risk their lives without offering them sufficient benefits?

“Just tell me what you want,” Ronan said directly.

Old Chris stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. "I heard that His Majesty the Emperor recently promised some people that he would severely punish some lords who harmed their people and disrespected the Father, and let truly good people spread the gospel of God."

Emperor Antoine did indeed say this, and his words must be translated.

What constitutes severe punishment? Physical destruction, of course.

What does it mean to harm one's subjects and disrespect one's Heavenly Father? It means, of course, the imperial princes who do not obey the orders of His Majesty the Emperor.

So, what constitutes a good person? Well, that would be a magician, especially one who's on the emperor's side.

In summary, the emperor planned to eliminate the Protestant lords of the empire and then appoint magicians as their rulers.

The emperor was essentially making empty promises to a group of fourth-tier mages, but it must be admitted that the promises looked very appealing.

Who wouldn't want to be a lord?

If things go well, wouldn't the emperor worry that these magicians who replace the original lords will ignore him just like the original lords did?

The answer is no, because these magicians are different from those lords. Those lords have been rooted in the land for hundreds of years, so they can control everything in the area. Newcomers don't have that kind of control. After settling everything, they can deal with it slowly. Even if they can't deal with it, it's still better than the fact that he is called emperor but is actually just a Grand Duke of Austeria.

It was precisely because Ronan knew this that he decided to mobilize the fourth-tier mages in the country.

In a sense, this is an arms race.

"A country cannot go back to the old ways."

Ronan responded in this way.

The meaning is simple: he cannot promise to grant fiefdoms.

“Lord Rhine, actually, colonies are also acceptable,” old Chris said.

“No need to talk about that.” Ronan waved his hand and said, “If our strategy succeeds, there will be a lot of room for investment. I can promise to give them priority access, and we can even get interest-free loans from the government.”

Ronan's words sound nice, but in reality, it means: I won't give him a penny or any power.

"You risk your life on the battlefield in exchange for the right to invest?" Old Chris retorted.

“Then, let’s add another condition: give our son a magical talent, how about that?” Ronan said with a smile.

Old Chris was so shocked that he couldn't speak. His bright eyes suddenly froze, staring ahead, gradually losing focus. A hand with rough skin, bulging veins, and resembling an old tree root was about to reach for another cigarette, but it stopped in mid-air, motionless.

After a long while, old Chris finally smiled with relief, "I never thought that rumor would actually be true."

Rumor has it that Ronan obtained a research document, combined with Ursel's years of research experience, and with the assistance of "Suturing Master" Noah, he developed a method that could enhance people's magical talents and even directly transplant them.

Ronan knew what old Chris meant: "Not quite real, but not fake either."

“I have a five-year-old son, I’ll try it on him,” old Chris said.

“Success is not guaranteed, and failure could have some negative consequences,” Ronan said, pointing to his head. “It could affect his intelligence.”

"Just one son, and an illegitimate one at that," old Chris said nonchalantly.

Old Chris lit another cigarette, this time taking only a small puff. "If it works out, then they should be able to admit they owe me a favor."

Of course, the Western Continent also values ​​human relationships.

But the premise is that the other person can acknowledge that what they owe you is a favor, and nothing else.

"Then I'll wait for your good news," Ronan said with a smile.

After he finished speaking, within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the gatekeeper returned and reported something.

Ina failed.

The Giant Demon Slayer Pinball Machine has five levels. When a pinball reaches the fourth level, it is collected and then returned to the player, meaning there is no loss. Pinballs that are eaten in the first three levels are considered lost to the casino. If a pinball passes the fifth level and enters the only grand prize area, then the player will take away all the pinballs accumulated previously.

Confident Ina lost all the beads she had exchanged in the first three rounds.

Ina got up and left her seat in front of the pinball machine.

At this moment, the gamblers watching from outside the fence couldn't help but look disappointed and let out a series of regretful sounds, as if they themselves had lost money.

They don't play this themselves, but watching others play it is much more exciting than betting at the roulette wheel and watching the ball roll around in the roulette.

Every move of the silver beads tore at the hearts of these gamblers.

Ina walked out of the passage and came over, intending to borrow money from Astrid to exchange for some more beads and then play another round.

Instead of lending money, Astrid questioned, "You look like a loser, like a gambling addict. Do you think you only made a small mistake, and that if you had just operated it better and fired more beads at once, there wouldn't have been a problem?"

Ina instinctively wanted to ask, "How did you know I thought that way?" But then she realized that she herself was being too arrogant.

Even if she doesn't make a mistake and uses more beads at once, it still won't work. There's a special mechanism in this machine that she doesn't know about or have never discovered.

"Let's observe it a little longer. This thing has successfully piqued my interest." Astrid smiled, a smile she usually showed when fighting with her own mother.

Just then, Charlotte, one of the three female students, went to exchange for a box of silver beads, took it and entered the passage, ready to play a round.

Instantly, the gamblers who were initially considering leaving started yelling again.

Another beautiful little girl is about to challenge the "King of Gold Swallowing" in this area. How can anyone not be excited?

As Charlotte took her seat, the gamblers began shouting encouragement for her.

Chapter 545 Who is this? The way he spends money, the number one among the younger generation.

However, a minute later, Charlotte hadn't even gotten a single item to the third level.

All the silver beads were swallowed up and transformed into part of the enormous pool.

Outside the fence, the gamblers watching couldn't help but feel disappointed, muttering that it was a pity.

Among the gamblers, several magicians who had played this game felt a mixture of regret and relief. They felt regret because they had lost a lot of money on this machine, and part of the pool of shimmering silver beads around it was their contribution. They hoped someone would avenge them.

They breathed a sigh of relief because they wanted someone to succeed, but they also didn't want it to happen, since they had lost and didn't want others to win, especially not so much money.

Of course they didn't know, which is actually quite normal.

Who is Ina? She is a princess of the kingdom, with the best educational resources, and possesses first-rate talent. Moreover, she knows how to bypass this machine and use magic to guide the silver bead's path.

Aside from the initial launch, the pinball machine cannot be controlled in any way afterward.

The entire structure is encased in a metal shell and transparent glass, which function like a magical defensive armor. Small amounts of magic cannot pass through normally, while large amounts will damage the shell.

Damaging the casing is cheating, isn't it? Casinos don't allow cheating.

Casting spells won't work either; if you do, you'll immediately call the police.

Therefore, there is only one way to guide the silver bead's path with magic: first, concentrate the materialized magic in your hand, then disperse the materialized magic like liquid, letting it slip into the gaps. The magic that slips in gathers again like a tough thread, which then adheres to the silver bead, and finally, it can be manipulated.

The whole process must be both fast and steady. Fast, because if it is slow, the silver bead may have already been swallowed. Steady, because if it is not steady, the mechanisms will still force the silver bead into the swallowing opening.

Charlotte understood how Ina channeled the magic into the silver bead and then guided it.

Unfortunately, her skill level was not as good as Ina's, so she didn't even make it to the third level.

Ina glanced at Charlotte, who had failed, then at Velma and Erica, and finally at Astrid. "Who are these three? They're quite skilled."

Although Charlotte didn't even make it to the third level, Ina still thought her basic skills were impressive.

“I don’t know, they’re not from those schools in the capital,” Astrid said. She was very familiar with the young elites from various schools in the capital, and she knew every single one of them, regardless of gender, since she had fought them all.

"Oh, from out of town, huh? That's interesting," Ina said, her enthusiasm for standing up for her not-so-close friend waning somewhat.

“They are girls who took the entrance exam for that girls’ school,” Zhao Yingqi said. “With their level, they should be able to pass the exam.”

Ina paused for a moment, then laughed. "Isn't that my stupid older brother's potential queen?"

At this moment, Charlotte left her seat and walked out. She was initially somewhat disappointed, even ashamed and annoyed, but to her surprise, some of the gamblers applauded her and gave her appreciative looks, which made her feel complicated. Although she often said that the people in the capital were a bunch of arrogant fools, she actually hoped to be recognized by this city. But the first time she was recognized by this city was in such a place.

I really don't know whether to be happy or depressed.

"How is it?" Erica quickly came over to ask Charlotte for details.

Erica had absolutely no interest in gambling. Although she came from a military family, her father and grandfather always hoped she would become a lady. Unfortunately, Erica only learned the superficial aspects of ladylike behavior; deep down, she was a tomboy who loved challenges.

She was able to get a recommendation to take the exam this time because her grandfather personally asked Ambrina for help.

Wilma, from the Netherlands, had no idea that Erica's family background was far more illustrious than she knew.

After William, the young cavalry captain, distinguished himself, he was noticed by a high-ranking general. This high-ranking general's former superior was the man that old Lucien had left for Ambrina. After the former superior retired, Erica's grandfather smoothly took over the faction's power.

How could Ambrina refuse a general like that asking for a spot for his granddaughter?

"...That's about it for the first two levels. Sigh, I was too arrogant. I thought she passed the first two levels easily, but I didn't expect to do this when I tried it myself," Charlotte said. "Erica, you'd better be careful."

Erica nodded, then looked at Velma, "Lend me some money."

Velma nodded, took out a small notebook, and walked towards the exchange counter, intending to exchange it for a large box of silver beads.

She wouldn't be foolish enough to say something like, "Why talk about money between friends?" That's the kind of thing a person of a higher social standing would say to someone of a lower social standing, and even then, it could still make the other person resentful, thinking, "You're just a piece of trash with a little bit of money."

The truth is, Erica is a level above her. If Erica had said something like that, it wouldn't just mean they couldn't be friends anymore, it would mean they would become enemies.

However, Velma wouldn't haggle over the amount of money with Erica; when Erica wanted to repay the money, she would just give her a roughly approximate amount.

Soon, Erica came onto the field with her marbles.

With Charlotte's experience, she got three beads to the third level, but unfortunately, she still didn't get a single bead to the fourth level.

At this time, more and more gamblers gathered around, and many people who were playing other games flocked here to watch and challenge this giant pinball machine.

This thing is just so appealing.

That's several tons of silver. If someone passes the level and wins the grand prize, it's enough to cover half a lifetime's expenses.

Back here, Erica couldn't help but complain to her two companions, "This third level is too difficult. It actually releases magic to sever the control lines. The space is too small to dodge at all. Unless someone can continuously add a lot of magic power, stabilize a bead with several lines, and reconnect the many magic lines the moment they break, it's impossible to break through the third level."

Simply put, you need a lot of mana, fast output, and extremely strong control.

Velma was in a dilemma. She felt that she had a chance of passing the first three rounds, but there was still a fourth and a fifth round, which would definitely be more difficult.

Just then, a voice came from not far away, "It's my turn."

Astrid, with her blonde hair, stepped forward, walked to the exchange counter, exchanged her money for a box of silver beads, and went up the steps to the giant pinball machine.

Soon, the gamblers outside the fence gasped in surprise.

Because Astrid managed to get all the silver beads through the first three levels, these silver beads surged into the fourth level like a flood.

The fourth level has many traps, and the entrance to the fifth level is narrow. Moreover, this entrance has an upward impact. Even if someone has a lot of beads and is lucky enough to break through the first three levels, and is also extremely lucky to break through the point before the fourth level, they will only have one or two beads left before reaching this entrance.

One or two beads would absolutely not pass.

To pass the fourth level, you have to use a lot of beads, pushing them one by one to force your way in.

Astrid succeeded; she successfully got three beads into the fifth level.

"Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!" came a series of wild shouts and cheers from the surrounding crowd, and the gamblers were completely excited.

Chapter 546 Impossible, Gambling is Losing, Time Magic

Astrid's composure remained unaffected by the shouts from her left, right, and behind her. She was a genius among geniuses, destined to leave her mark on the world. Wasn't it perfectly normal for her to accomplish such a small thing?

The fifth level is the real challenge.