Lord Shadow



He sighed the moment he thinks about Katarina

Alexei understood the complexity of dealing with the Ice Queen Katarina. 

He knew that attempting to curry favor with her would be a delicate and risky endeavour. 

Katarina is not the type of person to appreciate flattery or insincerity. 

Her honesty, transparency, and righteousness made her ill-suited for the world of politics, a realm known for its deceit and murky dealings.

In the eyes of Katarina, someone who tried to gain her support through false pretences would be seen as two-faced and untrustworthy. 

Alexei knew that she valued integrity and authenticity, and any attempt to manipulate her would likely backfire. 

Instead of earning respect and support, he could end up losing her trust and respect.

And he was never that close with Katarina. This is another similarity that Katarina have with Death Monarch

They protect their own people. If you look at it positively, they protect the people that are loyal to them

Look at it in another way, it is nepotism. 

"Katarina was never suitable to become a political figure. She is too honest, too transparent and too righteous" he muttered as he walks along the cobbled pathways

But politics has never been a place where righteous people could thrive. It is a place for pigs and it is a pig pens filled with mud. 

However, Katarina is the High Chancellor.

Katarina's position as the High Chancellor is not one that could be easily challenged. 

Her identity as the Ice Queen, her formidable power, and her distant connection with Death Monarch all contributed to her unwavering stability in the position. 

She had earned the respect and admiration of many for her strong sense of justice and her commitment to the well-being of the people.

Of course, this is among the common people. When she drenched the alley of Europe with the blood of criminals, the entire Senate shakes with fear

And the world powers all over the world condemned this. But those that fears are the people high on top. Because which one of them is not a criminal?

But for the common people who were victimized and oppressed by these criminals, the blood that drenched the alleys of Europe is a mark and just like Death Monarch, she became an avenger of justice. 

Moreover, her connection to Death Monarch, as distant as it may be, served to deter any potential challengers. 

The alliance between Death Monarch and Katarina was well-known, and it was clear that any direct opposition to her would also invite the wrath of the Death Monarch himself.

In the political arena, Katarina's honesty and transparency became her greatest assets. 

While other politicians schemed and plotted, she stood firm in her principles and championed the cause of justice and fairness. Her actions and decisions were guided by a strong moral compass, making her a beloved leader among the common people.

In other words, while she has no allies in the Senate Hall, her strongest reliance is the people. 

Of course, to Alexei the power of the people is just that. If you think it is strong, then it is. If you think it is not strong, then it is not strong.

Look at Pandemonium. The voice of the people , whether it is loud or small, it did not matter. Death Monarch…if you look at him…do you see him as a ruler that listens to the voice of his people?

It is simply because he had decency that people think that he listens to the word of the people and rules benevolently. In truth Death Monarch rules rarely and he rarely cares that much and only interfere in the big things. 

But if things deviates from his own interest and his own desires, the voice of the people no matter how loud, could always be blocked with one roar of his mouth.

Alexei sighed

"I just wanted to live. Is it so hard?" he mutters to himself.

"Right now, the safest position is the neutral ones. If I side with the Senators, there is a chance that I would stand out later. Boris would surely be brought out from his prison. When that item comes, if he takes back the power he had, then those Senators that imprison him might not have a good ending"

He thought for a second before he is reminded of another possibility, a life line for those who had betrayed Boris 

"Unless Jean stands up for them, they would die. And they would die terribly. "Yes, there is another variable in the Republic and that is Jean.

The Time Master's focus was likely elsewhere, and he might not be readily available to help those in need.

He sighed again as he looks at that ice Palace in the distance. 

"But, if I sided with the Ice Queen, then my colleague would think of me as a turncoat. And there are still some people who knew what happened that day" he sighed.

He averts his gaze from the Ice palace and decided to let things fall where it should. 

Right now, all he has to do is wait. 

Sooner or later, the winner and loser of this confrontation would be revealed. 

There is no need for him to be impatient. And there is no need for him to stand out

Just wait. And be patient. 

And when the result is out, he only needs to watch the dust settles and joins the one that is left standing. Alexei has always been good at escaping from this kind of political conflict. 

"And since Katarina held herself back, she must have been advised by Death Monarch not to spill blood. Humanity could not afford another war. Especially not a civil war in the Republic. It would weaken and create more unstable factor in Death Monarch plans" 

Alexei's astute thinking and keen understanding of geopolitical matters were indeed talents that set him apart from many others. 

His analytical mind and strategic foresight could have easily propelled him to higher positions and granted him access to the inner circle of the Republic's power structure. 

However, despite his capabilities, he deliberately chose to remain a Senator and not ascend too high in the ranks.

The reason behind his decision was rooted in caution and a desire for self-preservation. Alexei was well aware that climbing too high and gaining too much attention could expose his sensitive and compromising identity

He has a secret to hide. 

He is a mole planted by the Crime Alliance. 

And he is also the Senator of the Republic. 

With such a compromising identity, it is only natural that he did not want to stand out too much.

His delicate position demanded that he maintain a low profile, so as not to draw unwarranted scrutiny or suspicion from the Republic's elite.

While he wielded considerable influence within his own circle, he kept a discreet distance from the power makers of the Republic. 

It was a deliberate move to shield himself from the spotlight and the prying eyes of those who could potentially unveil his double life.

As he moved through the corridors of the Senate and interacted with other Senators, Alexei's diplomatic facade remained intact. 

His composed demeanour and strategic choices concealed the intricate web of secrets that he navigated every day. 

To the outside world, he was a respected Senator, but beneath that facade, he held a delicate balance between his allegiance to the Republic and the hidden machinations of the Crime Alliance.

As Alexei stood there, looking out at the snow-covered landscape and feeling the weight of his choices, a sigh escaped his lips. 

He couldn't help but smile bitterly, for he knew that, like everyone else in this world, survival was the ultimate goal.

Amidst the grand schemes and power plays, the noble ideals and hidden agendas, all that mattered in the end was survival. 

At least, it is to him

Whether one was a powerful Senator, a fearsome monarch, or a covert operative, the struggle to survive and thrive in a world brimming with challenges and uncertainties united them all.

In the pursuit of his goals, he danced on the edge of danger, juggling his allegiances, identities, and ambitions. 

He lives in a world of shadows, where truth and deceit intermingled, and the stakes is often life and death.

Alexei knew that his own survival depended on his ability to maneuvers skilfully, to balance on the delicate tightrope between loyalty to the Republic and the Crime Alliance. 

It is a precarious existence, and every move he made had to be calculated and precise.

As he gazed out at the swirling snowflakes and the icy landscape, he understood that in the grand tapestry of events, he is but a single thread. 

Yet, like all the others, he played his part, trying to find his place in a world where power, intrigue, and survival intertwined.

As Alexei strolled towards the manmade lake, he look around marvelling the picturesque scene that greeted him. 

He smiles and thought to himself that "I did not waste my energy stones hiring that landscaper" 

The lake is a marvel of artistry and design, full of grandeur and sophistication. 

Despite the falling snow, the crystal-clear waters still shimmered under the gentle rays of the sun, creating a mesmerizing dance of light and shadows. 

The surface of the water was so smooth that it mirrored the azure sky above, giving the illusion that the heavens themselves were reflected in its depths, albeit now with a sprinkling of delicate snowflakes.

Lush greenery, now adorned with a fresh coat of snow, surrounded the lake. 

Majestic trees stood tall and proud; their branches gently weighed down by the accumulating snow. 

They acted as sentinels around the water's edge, casting delicate patterns of shade upon the water, further enhancing the sense of intimacy and seclusion that this place offered.

Amidst the snowy landscape, an enchanting little island emerged from the lake, covered in a tapestry of vibrant flowers and ornamental shrubs, now dusted with a light layer of snow. 

A charming stone bridge, its surface also coated in snow, arched gracefully towards the island, its elegant design a testament to the architectural finesse of the residence.

The pavilion that Alexei approached stood at the edge of the lake, its design blending seamlessly with the surrounding nature, the snow-covered roof adding to its charm. 

It is an oasis of tranquillity, offering the perfect vantage point to admire the beauty of the water and the creatures that called it home.

The gentle breeze carried the soft scent of blooming flowers, though now intermingled with the crisp, refreshing scent of snow. 

The distant chirping of birds persisted even in the winter cold, adding a symphony of natural melodies to the atmosphere. 

Dragonflies and butterflies were absent, but the sight of snowflakes gently falling from the sky added its own special touch, creating a serene winter wonderland.

Near the pavilion, there is a stone container

He walk to the stone container and lifted it.

"I guess with all of this time, I should indulge in myself a bit" he mutters to himself. 

From there he lifted the lid of the stone container

As Alexei lifted the lid of the stone container, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Inside, he saw the fish food, little pellets of nourishment for the inhabitants of the manmade lake - the fish that swam gracefully beneath the surface.

He had learned this simple act of feeding fishes from one of his Japanese colleagues during an international conference. 

One of the contributions of the world powers to the world affairs is the resumption of some normal affairs of the world

Some people might think that all the seven world powers only knows how to scheme and fight each other but this is not true at all.

Yes, they do fight and they do scheme against each other. But this did not mean that they did not cooperate with each other. 

As for the Japanese man that taught him this, it was another of his colleague. 

His colleague, a man with a serene demeanour, had a beautiful pond adorned with koi fishes and an array of meticulously crafted bonsai trees.

In that moment, Alexei felt a connection to the tranquillity of that Japanese garden. 

The act of feeding the fishes became as hobby of his. 

As he scattered the fish food onto the water, he watched with fascination as the fish gathered to feast.

The fish moved in harmony, their scales shimmering in the sunlight, as if performing a mesmerizing aquatic dance. 

Sometimes, these koi fishes looks ugly to him. Sometimes, it looks beautiful to him. And sometimes, it looks like nothing to him

And for today, with all of these complicated thoughts swirling in his head, the koi looks nothing to him

Just koi fishes, rushing to eat the fish feed. And that thought brought a sense of peace to Alexei heart.

The worries and burdens that had weighed on him seemed to momentarily fade away. 

The rhythmic movements of the fish and the gentle rustling of leaves in the nearby trees created a soothing melody that enveloped him.

The world is vast and filled with uncertainty, but in this quiet moment, all that mattered was the simple act of feeding the fish. 

With a contented sigh, Alexei leaned against the railing of the pavilion, watching the fish swim gracefully in the clear waters of the manmade lake. 

For now, he could find solace in this peaceful retreat, knowing that the storms of the political world would still be there when he returned. 

"This kind of problem after all would not be settled in a day" he thought to himself.

Not only the Boris Problem need to be addressed. There is also the world power plans to create the Ten Realms and what will happen after that

And not to mention the aftermath of the battle is still reverberating, echoing all over the world and changing the composition of forces all over the world

But for this moment, he could immerse himself in the serenity of the fish and the calming rhythm of nature.

As Alexei stood by the manmade lake, gently feeding the fishes, he could feel the snowflakes delicately descending around him, creating a picturesque scene of winter beauty. 

The tranquil atmosphere was momentarily interrupted as he noticed his maid approaching, her movements silent and graceful.

With a slight nod, Alexei acknowledged the maid's presence, signalling her to come closer. 

She leaned in, whispering softly into his ear, and he furrowed his brows, absorbing the information she shared with a mixture of concern and intrigue.

The news seemed to weigh heavily on his mind, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency. 

As the maid discreetly stepped back, he took a moment to collect his thoughts.

His eyes narrowed in contemplation as he processed the implications of the information. 

Alexei sighed, a mixture of frustration and determination in his expression. 

"Let him in and bring him here" then he added "Discretely" 

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