Chapter 57: Acceptance
'Could the gods have established some kind of convention behind the scenes?'
'For instance, the Eternal Blazing Sun, who holds the Authority of "Covenant," or other deities, might have used hidden means like influencing the collective subconscious at the beginning of this Bronze Age—where the extraordinary is not apparent—to draw an invisible boundary, allowing people of the two worlds to coexist in peace?'
He began to speculate about the scene at that time—
"Eternal Blazing Sun" wields "Covenant," "Lord of Storms" determines "Rules," "God of Knowledge and Wisdom" partitions "Cognition," "Evernight Goddess" defines "Concealment"... They drew an invisible red line for this world.
From then on, the extraordinary belonged to mystery, and the mundane belonged to order.
Without applying this "reasonable patch," Nairn felt that things just wouldn't make sense.
This conjecture seemed to explain many issues.
These upper-class individuals in high positions were the "shepherds" tacitly approved by the gods, the leaders who stabilized social order.
Under the suppression of universal rules, occasionally some "fish that escaped the net" would appear; the Church would manage them, yet also not manage them—
That is, they would step in to handle it, but as long as things didn't get too out of hand, they would sometimes turn a blind eye.
After all, systemic risks were inevitable.
And he himself, Nairn, was a complete "system loophole."
The protection of the Sefirah [Chaos Theater] allowed him to be almost entirely unconstrained by the existing rules of this world.
Coupled with the [Lie] ability of Sequence 6 [Magician], he could easily manipulate people's hearts and weave the most realistic deceptions.
Even with such a multi-layered, step-by-step "setup."
Nairn hadn't expected that it would only take him a single day from stepping onto Backlund's soil to paying a visit.
In this, Sir Derville's letter of recommendation played a significant role—
He was the kind of absolute top-tier socialite who could become the Mayor of Tingen City if he wanted and could donate 300,000 pounds in one go.
Of course, now there might be another title—
Member of the House of Lords of the Loen Kingdom.
Using the [Anti-Fraud Mutual Aid Fund], a brand-new organizational form where "everyone benefits," as his "achievement."
A brand-new organizational form that could garner immense prestige, solve practical problems for the Kingdom, and allow all participants to have a share of the pie.
For someone like him, who longed to go further in politics and even coveted a seat in the House of Lords, this was simply a perfect political achievement falling from the sky.
To rise step by step with such tangible "achievements"—could there be anything more wonderful?
And as the mastermind behind it all, Nairn's name naturally entered the vision of that small group of people at the very top of the Kingdom, thanks to Sir Derville's introduction.
Naturally, with such an endorsement, the design, connection, guidance, and layout all fell into place.
'Speaking of which, I'm already being quite restrained by not directly starting a cult and becoming its leader, right?'
Nairn thought to himself with quite a bit of self-satisfaction.
Soon, the butler came out in person to greet him and led him into the drawing room.
Count Hall, Audrey's father, a powerful figure with significant influence in the Loen Kingdom's political arena, was sitting in the main seat, sizing him up with a scrutinizing gaze.
It was a scrutinizing look characteristic of those who had long held high positions, carrying a sense of pressure.
Unfortunately, in front of Nairn, this sense of pressure was like a breeze blowing over a mountain ridge.
Audrey sat beside her father, her eyes carrying a trace of imperceptible nervousness and anticipation.
"Mr. Nai Ya, please have a seat." Count Hall's voice was deep and powerful. "I heard that you are a very farsighted young man and have earned Sir Derville's appreciation."
"Sir Derville spoke very highly of you in his letter, calling you a 'visionary of the era' and saying you would pioneer a brand-new model of charity."
"You flatter me." Nairn nodded slightly, a perfectly measured humble smile on his face. "I merely proposed some immature ideas. It is my honor to have earned the Sir's recognition."
The next half hour turned into a "sermon" completely dominated by Nairn.
He didn't use any abilities to bewitch people's hearts; he merely employed a hint of the essence of the [Lie] Authority.
The core of [Lie] is not to fabricate falsehoods, but to construct a "reality" that the other party firmly believes in.
Nairn didn't talk about ethereal morality and charity; he spoke of interests, of classes, of the King's ambitions, and of the anxieties and opportunities of the aristocracy under the wave of industrialization.
He depicted the model of the "Tingen Citizen Mutual Aid Foundation" not as a local charitable initiative, but as a "pilot" for a nationwide, top-down financial and political reform.
He "forged" the "fact" of the King's dissatisfaction with the current fiscal system, hinted at the military's "discontent" and "concerns" regarding "auditing," and sketched a "blueprint" for the old aristocracy to counter the impact of the new nobility by mastering "standard-setting power" and "government credibility."
Every word precisely struck the softest and most longing parts of Count Hall's heart.
He led Count Hall to draw the conclusion "himself"—
This young man before him was no philanthropist at all; he was a strategist from a higher level, an executor of some secret plan of the Royal Family!
"Your Excellency, do you not see the tides of the era? Factory chimneys are being built higher and higher, steam trains traverse the north and south, and new classes are rising. His Majesty and the conservatives want to maintain the status quo, but the pressure for change will only grow. The voice of the people will sooner or later become a force capable of shaking everything."
"You mean... riots?" Count Hall's expression darkened.
"No, votes." Nairn shook his head. "When enough people possess property and knowledge, they will demand political rights matching their status. Rather than waiting for them to fight for it with violence, why don't we take the initiative to guide them and incorporate the social elite into the existing system while everything is still controllable?"
He looked at Count Hall and threw out the final bait:
"I believe the present is an excellent time for reform."
"You, House Hall, will become the guides of this tide. What you will reap is not just prestige, but the hearts of an entire generation for decades to come. Isn't this wealth more precious than any amount of money?"
When Nairn finished his "speech," Count Hall had already stood up from his seat, his face showing a mix of excitement and awe.
"Mr. Nai Ya... no, I should call you Your Excellency." He personally poured a cup of black tea for Nairn. "House Hall is willing to contribute all its strength to this great cause."
Beside him, Audrey was even more dumbfounded by what she heard.
Her father, that always dignified, wise, and all-controlling Count Hall, at this moment in front of Mr. Lover, actually seemed like a student listening attentively.
She had thought that after promoting to "Spectator," she would already be able to guide her father's emotions and push for some minor changes.
But now she realized that her tiny bit of guidance was as insignificant as a trivial spray of water before the tide of the era raised by Mr. Lover.
He hadn't even deliberately tried to "persuade"; he simply described a future—a future that no one could refuse.
He had completely solved a difficult problem that even Audrey, the "Spectator" and his own daughter, had not yet managed to guide, perfectly closing the most critical link of the entire plan.
Is this... Mr. Lover's way of doing things?
Nairn solved the "minor problem," politely declined Count Hall's invitation to lunch, and instead walked to the courtyard.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, sprinkling onto the young girl's golden long hair.
Seeing Nairn approach, Audrey's cheeks instantly flushed a layer of crimson, and her emerald eyes sparkled with starlight.
"Mr. Lover..." She lifted her skirt and performed a standard lady's curtsy, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible joy.
"Miss Justice, good day." Nairn's smile was warm and sincere. "It seems you are ready."
Under Audrey's guidance, Nairn walked toward the depths of the back garden.
On the corridor leading to the depths of the back garden, Audrey walked beside Nairn, her mood feeling as if she were stepping on clouds.
Everything that had just happened in the drawing room had been too much of a shock to her.
Since childhood, she had lived under the powerful aura of her father, Count Hall.
That Lord Count was not only her father but also the helmsman of House Hall, a significant figure in high society.
His majesty, Audrey knew it better than anyone.
Yet such a father, in front of Mr. Nai Ya, seemed to be guided step by step, ultimately accepting the other's proposal completely.
Mr. Nai Ya hadn't even used any aggressive words; he simply stated things calmly and guided gently, allowing her father to see a brand-new, tempting future.
That kind of composure, having everything under control, made Audrey's heart yearn.
"Mr. Nai Ya," she couldn't help but speak, her voice still carrying a slight tremor, "how did you... do that just now? My father, he isn't usually so easy to persuade."
"Because I wasn't 'persuading' him, Audrey." Nairn slowed his pace and turned his head to look at her, the sunlight through the glass windows casting mottled shadows on his face.
"Not persuading?" Audrey was somewhat puzzled.
"Yes. The word 'persuade' itself implies that both parties stand on opposing sides, with one side trying to defeat the other with words. This method is the least efficient for someone as proud and powerful as Count Hall."
Nairn explained patiently: "What I did wasn't persuasion, but'showing.' I showed him a future that held immense benefits for him and House Hall."
"I didn't ask him to give anything for my plan; instead, I told him what this plan could bring him. I made him realize on his own that cooperating with me was his best choice."
"So... you actually took advantage of Father's... ambition?" Audrey was exceptionally bright and immediately grasped the key.
"Perhaps the word 'expectation' is more appropriate."
Nairn smiled.
"Everyone has their own expectations. The King expects his royal power to be eternal, merchants expect their profits to double, and your father, he expects the glory of House Hall to continue, or even reach a higher level. I merely gave him a ladder to realize those expectations."
Audrey stopped in her tracks, staring blankly at Nairn.
These words were like opening a door to a new world for her. Those political discussions she used to hear in aristocratic salons might have been important.
But the real exchange of interests behind them was perfectly in line with Mr. Nai Ya's words.
It turned out that truly brilliant means weren't about arguing or forcing, but about making the other party willing to walk the path you laid out for them.
Is this what Mr. Lover calls an "Open Scheme"?
"I... I understand." Audrey took a deep breath, her eyes becoming brighter and more determined than ever before. "Thank you, Mr. Nai Ya, you've taught me another very important lesson."
"We are partners, aren't we?" Nairn winked at her. "Sharing knowledge is the foundation of cooperation."
Audrey's heart skipped a beat, and her cheeks couldn't help but turn red again.
The word "partner," when spoken from his mouth, always seemed to carry a different kind of magic.
The two crossed the corridor and reached the open back garden.
A large golden retriever with a graceful build and smooth golden fur was lying on the lawn, lazily basking in the Sun.
Seeing Audrey, it immediately stood up excitedly, wagging its tail and running over, affectionately rubbing its head against Audrey's calf.
"Susie!" Audrey squatted down, stroking its head lovingly.
Susie enjoyed her master's stroking, and then she lifted her head and saw Nairn standing behind Audrey.
Her movements paused for a moment, and a trace of curiosity and scrutiny flashed in those clear canine eyes.
She tilted her head, seemingly sizing up this strange man.
Nairn also squatted down, meeting Susie at eye level.
He didn't speak, just looked at her quietly.
"Mr. Nai Ya, this is Susie," Audrey introduced. "She is very well-behaved and very smart."
"I can tell."
Nairn reached out his hand; Susie hesitated for a moment, but still moved closer, sniffed his palm with her nose, and then stuck out her tongue and gave it a gentle lick.
This represented acceptance.
His gaze fell upon the large golden retriever, Susie, beside Audrey.
Susie stuck out her tongue, her tail wagging like a rattle, looking honest and harmless.
And Audrey breathed a sigh of relief, a happy smile appearing on her face.
"Alright, let's begin." Nairn stood up. "Find a quiet room where we won't be disturbed."
Audrey nodded and led Nairn and Susie to her own chemistry laboratory.
Shortly after.
Audrey took out an exquisite crystal bottle containing a silver-white potion that looked like liquid starlight.
This was the extra "Spectator" potion.
"Very good." Nairn took the crystal bottle, squatted down, and met Susie at eye level.
He could almost already see the comical scene in the near future where Miss Justice would bring her "Chief Strategist" Susie to quote classics and analyze situations.
That would be quite a lot of fun.
"Do I need to make any preparations?" Audrey asked somewhat nervously.
She had read some Beyonder notes and knew that consuming a potion was an extremely dangerous process, filled with suffering and the risk of losing control.