"The new mage in the revamped version has to go all in, you got it? Tank gear, face-to-face, throwing fireballs, basic attack slashing enemies with dual swords, that's the real way to go... What? You said I don't have the qualification to lecture you? Do you know who I am? My main character is ranked as King, got it? King! And you still dare to call me a failure in real life? Kid, believe it or not, I’ll have someone follow the cable and break you down at your place!"

  "Mr. Klein, Mr. Klein, it’s just that..."

  "Wait just a second, Nya, I’m about to shine with my skilled gameplay, this last rush is going to push the enemy base straight! With life steal and combo attacks, I’ll show these noobs what it means to be a real mage..."

  "Most Honorable Duke Nomeka! Both the priority targets you asked me to observe made significant moves. Here is the report I’ve prepared for your analysis!"

  Clack!

  A delicate hand nonchalantly removed the high-power battery from the luxury gaming equipment.

  Without power, the electronic device plunged into darkness. In an instant, the "Tank Mage" who had been wrecking everything on the screen disappeared without a trace.

  It seemed that, at least today, the "new version of mages" wouldn't have a chance to showcase their power and uniqueness.

  "............"

  "Nya... you... you’re so dull, did you know that? I was so close to getting a pentakill and becoming the god of the match. Man, I finally got some time to play a little..."

  Dropping the retro-style brown joystick, a young man dressed in a designer suit stood up from the soft couch seat, wearing an expression of pure discouragement.

  Due to the power interruption, he had lost his kill streak right at the most critical moment.

  Obviously, this young man, who had just returned from the gaming world to reality, was the current head of the Nomeka family—Klein Nomeka.

  And now... he was being rigorously educated by his personal secretary.

  "Mr. Nomeka, you yourself told me: if you ever get too addicted to games, I should forcefully turn off the device to bring you back to your senses. Well, I’ve done my duty."

  Staring intently at Klein, who was slightly taller than her, Nya maintained her usual cold and professional expression. Ignoring her boss’s frustrated look, she threw the battery in the middle of the tea table and, calmly, took out two identical tablets from her bag, saying:

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  "Here is the information about Miss Entropist. Please, review it."

  She handed over the first tablet with no expression.

  "And here are the details about the movements of the Third Army of the Astralis Court. Please take a look as well."

  She handed over the second tablet, equally impassive.

  Mission accomplished, Nya, whose skin was as white as porcelain, stood silently in the small room's quiet space, saying nothing more.

  "............"

  Having a responsible and dedicated childhood friend sometimes causes quite a headache, doesn’t it? At this moment, Klein was feeling exactly that pain as he was reprimanded by his subordinate.

  In fact, he had left the family mansion and hidden in this secret village, hoping that by claiming to be sick, he could avoid some work and finally get a little rest. But, of course, there were always too many matters on a planet that required the attention of a Grand Duke.

  Like now: the two pieces of information Nya handed him were confidential even to the Council of Elders; only the Duke of Nomeka himself had the authority to judge them. Both the "Entropist" case and the imperial army situation fell into this category.

  So, what else could he do? With no reason to scold his diligent secretary, Klein could only sigh, regretfully drop the controller, and open the first tablet.

  "So Miss Seraphiel found a 'good and just' friend? Hmm, that’s great. With someone to play with, maybe she’ll stop thinking about using violence for bloody revenge. Seeing a beautiful young woman move away from the path of mindless killing really makes me feel relieved and happy. If she wants to forget that cursed hatred and live peacefully in Flaren, even better."

  It seemed that Klein was satisfied with Alice's current state. He knew very well how troublesome an Entropist could be. The fact that she wasn’t causing chaos was already a huge relief.

  As for the three thugs who were brutally killed... something like that wasn’t even a problem.

  But, of course, the information that led Nya to this secret village wasn’t limited to just that. As soon as Klein opened the second tablet... his expression couldn’t maintain the same carefree, relaxed look it had before...

  "The Third Main Army reached the MacAlayne line? What is the Astralis court planning? Didn’t I make it clear that Nomeka does not accept foreign troops on its territory? Is our young queen completely disregarding the words of Duke Klein?"

  Reading each word seriously, it didn’t take long for a trace of surprise and concern to appear in Klein's eyes.

  The MacAlayne line was an interstellar corridor passing through three satellites, connecting the sixteen colonial planets to Astralis’s mother star. It was the only legal route connecting Nomeka to the capital. Normally, only interstellar traders used it for smuggling goods.

  But now, Nomeka's spies had detected the entire Third Army of the Astralis Court at the entrance point of the route! Who knows what they plan to do with such a blatant move? Are they just showing military power? Or are they going to take some concrete action? This was total and unacceptable disrespect!

  "Immediately inform those old geezers and tell them to prepare a joint Petition for impeachment against the Grand Chancellor of Astralis, Viktor Aelbrecht, for abuse of power and improper troop movement!"

  Making the decision firmly, Klein's heart began to race faster. He knew the Astralis court was acting out of line. In theory, the Noble Council should soon "advise" the young queen to withdraw the troops and punish the Chancellor.

  But...

  "Nya, how’s my useless brother doing lately? Is he having fun in Cydrion?"

  Klein asked suddenly, completely changing the subject. His face was now darker than still water.

  "I heard that last time, he spent a fortune at an auction to buy two beautiful slave twins. I imagine he’s short on cash now, right? Send him more funds. Observe his reaction and report everything to me in detail!"