073. The Invincible Law III Has Fallen Again.
Frost-Plated's political system grants the president immense powers over the military, appointments, executive decisions, and the issuance of laws. The authority they can wield is vast.
However, to prevent the president's power from becoming too overwhelming—the Twin Queens established a "Presidential Accountability System" at the founding of the nation.
With unlimited power comes unlimited responsibility. Once a Frost-Plated president leaves office, the parliament and the republic's courts immediately begin investigating the president's tenure. Any mistakes or wrongdoings during that period are subject to scrutiny and prosecution.
While this sounds fair, it leads to another problem: many officials, knowing the president's actions are reckless, choose to turn a blind eye, letting her do as she pleases, since it's ultimately her responsibility.
To avoid such scrutiny, most presidents simply prefer to die in office. During their terms, they continuously consolidate their power, all while distracting citizens with empty promises to keep re-electing them.
But this time, Mai Dewei has gone too far.
She ordered Law IV, an enforcement agency, to both fight in the war and investigate the air force—what does that even mean?
Law I is already the president's personal guard, but now she wants to turn Law IV into her female military squad?
Such anti-intellectual, anti-scientific rhetoric left officials dumbfounded and deeply shocked.
Although history has seen plenty of heads of state issue absurd decrees, hearing it firsthand made the officials realize that reality is far more extreme than any novel or film ever depicted.
Keep in mind, the air force had already suffered tremendous losses in this war. Some squadrons had been disbanded entirely. This was precisely when they needed the most support for recruitment and recovery. Instead of providing funding and aid, Mai Dewei sent in a group of thugs—agents who usually harassed civilians—to investigate the loyalty of the military?
Never mind the fact that sending in such a gang would likely breed corruption—the officials were just amazed that the air force hadn't already bombed the Twin Palaces in retaliation. They must have incredible patience.
Yet, Mai Dewei sneered:
"I knew it! You people have all betrayed the faith of the Twin Queens. Frost-Plated is a nation for women. We don't need sympathy from male officials. It's their honor to serve us."
To Mai Dewei, this was all nonsense.
All she knew was that if she couldn't stabilize the situation and continued to disappoint voters—on top of the economic fallout—her presidency was in jeopardy.
The military? The military also needed to understand who truly ran Frost-Plated.
"Now, inform Governor Lariel to initiate 'Blizzard Protocol.' If the air force shows any signs of betrayal, let them experience what it's like to face someone like Li Aozi again!"
Mai Dewei might be deranged, but she was cunning. As long as she remained president, no one could touch her.
The support of women was the cornerstone of her presidency. Even if all the men died, it didn't matter—she could always recruit from the outer lands and colonies, hand out green cards, and there would be plenty of people eager to come.
Don't doubt it—many people would love to get into Frost-Plated but have no way in.
Seeing Mai Dewei's resolve, the officials at the Twin Palaces exchanged glances and didn't challenge the president's orders.
But one female official, enraged, ripped off her hat and slammed it on the table. Pointing at Mai Dewei, she cursed:
"Madam President! You're a pig! Even if you dress yourself up, you're still a pig. Our country will be ruined in your hands, just watch!"
"Minister Rosata, calm down," others quickly tried to soothe her. "The president has her reasons…"
Mai Dewei glared at Rosata, her eyes as cold as daggers.
"Mai Dewei, if you want to wreck the country, that's on you. I won't march alongside a traitor to the nation."
Minister Rosata ripped off her epaulettes and name badge, slapping them down on the table before lifting her chin high and declaring:
"I'm done with this!"
With that, she stormed out.
"Minister Rosata! Minister Rosata—"
"Let her go," Mai Dewei said, grinning with a thoughtful glint in her eyes. "Loyalty that isn't absolute is absolute disloyalty. We've simply uncovered another potential traitor."
She turned her gaze to Frost, the Warden of Elf Island, known as "Zero Hour":
"What's the situation with David Lin?"
"He spends his days reading the newspapers, studying books, and focusing on your writings," Frost, with her icy white hair and neutral features, responded coolly. "He's doing well—no self-harm, no depression, just continually studying your ideology."
"A man who knows his place." Mai Dewei nodded slightly. "But it's a shame. I don't need people like that—leave him where he is. His daughter is already under our control at Law IV, and she's been sent to the front lines. There's nothing to worry about."
"His weakness isn't his children," Frost pointed out. "Madam President, I believe Li Aozi is the bigger issue."
"You're right, but Li Aozi is beyond containment. He's already killed two Gamma-tier combatants, and I can't afford to lose any more."
Mai Dewei crossed her legs in dissatisfaction, pondering for a moment before speaking:
"David Lin is a patriot; we can use him. But Li Aozi? He must die, no matter what. However, we lack the power to kill him. Even Remnant Industries has expressed interest in him—and we must be wary of them. The 'Pioneer' is not one to be trifled with. She's neutral and never gets involved in our wars."
How to eliminate Li Aozi?
This was a serious problem.
If you look at all the recent negative headlines involving Frost-Plated and consolidate them—everything points to one source.
"Li Aozi… could you be a divine executioner sent to punish Frost-Plated?"
Mai Dewei, upon reaching this conclusion, was no longer consumed by rage. Instead, she was filled with dread and fear of Li Aozi.
He had come within a few hundred meters of the Twin Palaces but had deliberately held back.
What did that indicate?
It indicated that Li Aozi knew that even if he killed her, the war in Granat wouldn't stop, nor would the discrimination against men. In fact, her death would only incite nationwide panic and fury—if the president wasn't safe, then foreign investors would lose confidence and flee Frost-Plated in droves.
He could kill her but chose not to, instead taunting her right at her doorstep.
What a devastating blow—not just to kill, but to ruin her legacy. Li Aozi wasn't after her life; he wanted to use her death to destroy Frost-Plated itself!
Mai Dewei, realizing this, felt her anger dissipate, only to be replaced by deeper terror.
This man wasn't just physically strong—his intellect and scope were formidable.
If this continued, she wouldn't just die—she would be remembered in history as an evil tyrant.
"Perhaps…"
Frost offered a suggestion:
"Li Aozi has recently been in close contact with the Tianhuan people, and they have three very active Gamma-tiers."
"Using a borrowed blade?"
"Exactly, Madam President."
Frost elaborated:
"The Tianhuan people have little regard for us. And since Li Aozi is originally from Frost-Plated, no one would find it suspicious if he were killed by them. With the upcoming annual banquet, the Kowloon Gathering, it's the perfect opportunity to frame him... The Tianhuan people, at every level, are extreme nationalists. If Li Aozi were framed as a thief trying to steal artifacts from the Kowloon Gathering, you can imagine the consequences."
"I'll have my 'invincible' Law III come up with a pretext to frame Li Aozi," Mai Dewei sneered. "We'll make Li Aozi the most hated man in Tianhuan."
Frost remained silent.
She wanted to remind the president that the supposedly invincible Law III Agency hadn't successfully completed a single mission since Li Aozi's rise to power.
It was like trying to stop a crumbling wall from collapsing.
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