Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Richard Mayerhaus had never been a handsome man. Compared to the eloquent, charismatic Lionel, the Secretary of State, who exuded leadership, Richard possessed a face more suited to working in the shadows.

His twenty years of success in civil service attested to this. Richard Mayerhaus worked diligently, faithfully, and efficiently, completing every task assigned to him. From the lowest rank of a third-class clerk, he climbed his way up to Assistant to the Secretary of State—effectively the Secretary of State's deputy, a position second only to one person in The Federated Provinces, yet above millions.

However, even as Richard Mayerhaus reached the pinnacle of the bureaucracy, no one ever imagined he would someday step into the spotlight.

He was considered loyal, dependable, but nothing more than a tool meant to serve.

But today, this unremarkable, grim-looking, and unlikable man was about to ascend the podium and deliver a public address to three hundred representatives from the Various Republics and twice as many foreign envoys attending as observers.

Richard Mayerhaus stared into the reflection of himself in the mirror. He was certain his shoulders and fingers were trembling uncontrollably.

Suddenly, the candle was extinguished, and the dressing room plunged into absolute darkness.

"Smack!"

A stinging slap landed on Richard Mayerhaus's face, snapping him out of his dazed self-doubt.

"Smack!"

Before Mayerhaus could react, another slap landed on his other cheek.

The force of the blows was carefully measured—enough to cause him pain but not leave visible swelling.

Mayerhaus knew exactly who had struck him because there was no third person in the room, only Mr. Richard Mayerhaus and Mrs. Claire Mayerhaus.

"What are you doing?" Mrs. Mayerhaus's tone brimmed with repressed anger.

"Nothing."

Richard Mayerhaus, who nominally already held the reins of power in The Federated Provinces, neither erupted in fury at the slaps nor betrayed any irritation toward his wife. He merely rasped in response, "Nothing."

"Do you know why I snuffed out the candle?"

"Why?"

Known for her beauty and grace in Guidao City's social circles, Mrs. Mayerhaus replied icily, "Because I don't want to see your face."

Richard Mayerhaus narrowed his eyes but said nothing.

Mrs. Mayerhaus continued speaking as if to herself:

"In the mirror, I didn't see my husband, because my husband isn't a self-pitying, self-loathing failure! My husband is a beast, filled with ambition, hunger for power, and the determination to become great. In the mirror, I didn't see that man. I saw a coward, a lowly servant! No! I will never accept that!"

Richard Mayerhaus stood silently in the darkness, devoid of any sound.

But Mrs. Mayerhaus's interrogation wasn't over yet: "Have you started regretting it?"

"No, I haven't." Richard Mayerhaus broke his silence. "I have never regretted it for even a moment."

"Then are you guilty? Afraid? Is your chest filled with remorse? Or has uncertainty and fear of the future blocked your path forward?"

Richard Mayerhaus fell into silence.

"Have you forgotten our poison oath?!" Claire Mayerhaus's voice suddenly sharpened, and the intense emotion distorted her delicate features:

"To never let hypocritical morality bind us!"

"If schemes are needed, then use manipulation and deceit."

"If ruthless measures are required, then take them decisively."

"We will never let hypocritical morality restrain us. If achieving our goals demands 'evil,' then we choose evil! We will fill ourselves with the cruelest evil thoughts, never letting remorse touch our hearts, nor compassion soften our ruthless resolve."

"If necessary, then even acts as heinous as a mother killing her child or a son murdering his mother—these too will be carried out without hesitation."

"We will never deceive ourselves, never create false justifications to absolve our actions, or cloak our goals with noble pretense. We set our aim long ago: we want power, more power—first The Federated Provinces, then Vineta, and finally the entire Senas Alliance! We will hold dominion over this land and be remembered and revered by generations to come! Have you forgotten all of this?"

Richard Mayerhaus listened silently. After a deep inhale and exhale, his tone became commanding and steady: "Of course, I haven't forgotten."

Claire Mayerhaus heard the shift in her husband's tone, took a long breath in and out, and her demeanor changed dramatically. Her voice softened, becoming gentle and poised.

She extended her hand, lightly brushing her husband's temple, her head leaning against his chest: "Then hurry and put on your finest purple robe. Don your most earnest smile. A devious heart must be masked by a false smile. Do not forget to first pacify those officers outside—they're still useful to us. And more amusingly, they think of us as puppets and fools. Good."

"It's a pity you're not a man." Richard Mayerhaus pronounced as if passing judgment. "Otherwise, you would achieve far greater things than I ever could."

"It's a pity I'm not a man." Claire Mayerhaus lifted her head, took a few steps back, and relit the candle. Smoothing out her husband's wrinkled collar, she smiled faintly, "But it's fortunate that I have you."