On his way from
As the founder and current director, he had a considerable interest in the place, so he delayed his journey and turned in.
The moment he stepped through the gate, Klein saw Miss Audrey coming down from the second floor, accompanied by her personal maid, a large golden-furred dog, and several staff members.
"Good afternoon. It seems like there isn't really anything that needs to be maintained here under these circumstances." Klein walked up to her and voiced his confusion.
Audrey was holding a newspaper in her hand and looked toward Dwayne Dantès as she said:
"Several beneficiaries were injured in the air raid. I just went to visit them and arranged for their follow-up treatment."
The young noblewoman's eyes were faintly reddened, as though she had witnessed all manner of heartbreaking scenes at the hospital.
"May the Goddess protect them." Klein understood and drew a crimson moon over his chest.
He took the opportunity to voice the idea he had long prepared:
"I intend to make another donation, for the fund to purchase food, medicine, and medical equipment. In this man-made disaster, we can do more."
"That's a wonderful idea. Those who are suffering will be truly grateful to you, Mr. Dantès." Audrey also tapped clockwise four times over her chest, her eyes filled with unmistakable joy and compassion. "I'll do everything I can as well."
She didn't want to merely donate money; she wanted to organize the corresponding efforts herself.
Klein nodded and said:
"There's no need to praise me. In times like these, I'm simply doing what I should be doing."
"In addition to the monetary donation, I'll also donate food. You can discuss all of this directly with my butler,
"And what about you, Mr. Dantès?" Audrey asked, with a vague hint of a guess in her tone.
That was the most natural reaction in the current context.
"I've received a notice from the Church to help them with some matters. As for the specifics, I haven't been to Saint Samuel's Church yet, so I don't know for certain. The only thing I can confirm is that I'll have to travel about extensively recently, and won't be able to return to Meige Manor for quite some time." Klein recited the excuse he had prepared beforehand. "Miss Audrey, my time working with you at the fund has allowed me to understand your character and abilities. Your background and status have also shaped your vision and perspective. Entrusting these matters to you is the best solution I can think of."
Klein never expected his lie to fool a veteran "Spectator." The only people he needed to deceive were those around "Justice" Audrey—well, not including the dog.
"Mr. World" intends to temporarily abandon the Dwayne Dantès identity in order to hide and carry out some activities? Audrey feigned a thoughtful expression with a flash of understanding, paused for a few seconds, and said:
"Under the current circumstances, I can't refuse such a request."
Klein secretly let out a sigh of relief and immediately sent his personal valet, Enuni, upstairs to fetch paper and a fountain pen. Then, in the presence of all the staff, he personally drafted a power of attorney, signed his name, pressed his fingerprint, and affixed his seal.
Having done all of this, Klein turned his gaze to the newspaper in Audrey's hand:
"Has anything else happened? I just came back from outside the city, and all I heard was the newsboys shouting that the Kingdom has declared war on Frosac."
Audrey pressed her lips together, her expression turning slightly somber as she spoke:
"Not long after the Frosac airship fleet raided Backlund, their Suenia Sea fleet, shielded by heavy fog, attacked the Royal Navy base at Oak Island in Port Plitz and the surrounding shipyards. Fortunately, the Church of the Storm had received an advance warning and sent a telegram ahead. Port Plitz wasn't lost, but they suffered considerable damage to ships and factories. I've heard, I've heard that many people were killed or seriously injured..."
"This is war..." Klein sighed. "Could you let me see how the king declared war?"
Audrey was well aware of King George III's problematic nature and caught the hidden sarcasm in "The World's" words. Without refusing, she handed over the newspaper she was holding.
It was an issue of the *Tasoc Times*.
Klein didn't need to unfold it; the king's declaration of war was right there on the front-page headline:
"...Seven hundred and eight years ago, the Frosacs seized the island of Suenia from us.
"One year ago, they plundered half of our interests in East Bailan.
"Today, they bombed Backlund, they attacked Port Plitz. Countless Loenians have died and been injured as a result; blood has stained the earth.
"We can no longer yield. Yielding only invites one act of bullying after another from the Frosacs. If we continue to give way, we will lose all our overseas interests, vast quantities of goods will be unsellable, countless workers will be unemployed, and even more farmers will be ruined!
"..."
"All past and present events prove that justice is on our side, and we possess sufficient strength to achieve complete victory.
"People of Loen, I, your emperor, George III, hereby declare war on Frosac on behalf of both the upper and lower houses and the Kingdom government. We shall not cease our advance until they raise the white flag and surrender with their hands raised!
"Advance, reclaim the island of Suenia! Advance, capture Saint Millon!
"Victory shall be ours; the divine are with us!"
Klein scanned through it quickly, using the "Clown's" ability to control the slight twitch at the corner of his lips.
He then handed the *Tasoc Times* back to Audrey, removed his hat, and bowed.