After the nerve-wracking scene last night, the nobility almost had a sleepless night.

The next morning, they all rushed to the banquet hall of the previous day.

However, the banquet hall was completely transformed by now. The opulent draperies were long gone.

Instead, there were orderly tables and chairs, a simple setup, and the Empire's emblem hanging high, as if the air itself was imbued with solemnity and oppression.

The banquet hall had become a true "place of deliberation."

The nobles sat down according to their seats, many still anxious, recalling the scene of Joseph being taken away last night, their cold sweat not yet dry.

And this time, Louis was not late.

He arrived before everyone else, standing in the center of the venue early on with a calm and gentle expression.

He wore a well-tailored black uniform with gold trimmings, and even had the "Shield of the North" pinned on his chest.

As he surveyed the simply decorated venue devoid of excessive ornaments, he greeted each arriving noble cordially.

"Lady Grant, the violet brooch suits you well today."

Facing this slightly round-faced, always cautious middle-aged noblewoman, Louis spoke warmly, bowing slightly.

Lady Grant was startled, seemingly flattered, quickly lowering her head to hide her flustered expression, stammering in response, "Ah... thank you, Lord Governor... I... I just..."

She had initially been anxious about Louis, the scene at yesterday's banquet almost terrifying her into a sleepless night.

Today she had planned to minimize her presence, but did not expect to be addressed first.

Yet Louis merely exchanged polite greetings before moving on to the next noble.

This allowed her to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Baron Berna, the journey must have been arduous. The snow has yet to melt, and your timely arrival is commendable."

"Viscount Welun, I heard you have already begun the spring planting? The Northern Territory needs more diligent people like you."

Every word was neither servile nor overbearing, just right.

Polite, fitting, even kind.

But the more he behaved this way, the tighter it made every noble's heart.

Because they all remembered Joseph being taken from the crowd yesterday, his fate still unknown.

Therefore, many would rather Louis maintain a lofty, cold demeanor, more like a "predictable Governor."

The warmer he was now, the more terrifying it felt.

When the last noble took their seat, the clock struck precisely on cue.

Louis turned and walked leisurely to stand at the main position.

He looked down, surveying the entire assembly.

There were no extra greetings, no preludes, only a concise and powerful opening statement:

"Ladies and gentlemen, the winter snow has just receded, the spring chill unresolved. The Northern Territory is in turmoil, and the intelligence brought by the Gale Bird warns us increasingly of a confrontation with the Snow Swearer this year.

This is not only a battlefield confrontation but also a trial for the entire Snow Peak County. If we remain disunited, bickering amongst ourselves, in the end, only the enemy will benefit.

Unity is the only premise for survival."

As his words fell, the audience was taken aback before bursting into applause.

Within the applause, no one dared to openly challenge this man, nor did anyone dare to mention the name of the one taken away.

Yet seated, each noble harbored doubts about what Louis intended to do.

Some guessed he sought to take the opportunity to weaken their power;

Others suspected he wanted to further consolidate military power, unify control over knights and armaments;

Some even speculated in whispers whether new policies, never before attempted by the Empire, might be enacted, potentially altering the traditional status of the nobility...

The more cautious ones began quietly contemplating their escape routes.

As the applause subsided, Louis got straight to the point.

"Regarding Joseph, I know many of you have been speculating." His tone was steady, his gaze sweeping across the assembly.

"This matter is indeed significant. While details cannot be made public at the moment, I can tell you that he was escorted to the Northern Governor's Mansion last night under the guard of the Duke's trusted cohort."

The hall erupted into an uproar.

Many had assumed Joseph was merely detained by Louis, perhaps there might still be room for negotiation, some even feared becoming the "next one."

But hearing the words "already sent to the Governor's Mansion" stirred a deeper shock throughout the banquet hall.

"Even the Governor's Mansion is involved?"

"What crime could have invoked such measures?"

"It's not a personal vendetta? Then it must really be...?"

Voices of discussion rose and fell, many wore complex expressions, clearly realizing this was far more serious than they had imagined.

It was now that most nobles truly understood that Louis wasn't arbitrarily arresting people but dealing with an issue so grave it couldn't be concealed.

Those who had once been close to Joseph, still writing letters for aid the night before, now felt a chill down their spine.

Silently, they could only pray not to be implicated.

Louis paid no heed to the whispered speculations and exchanged glances below.

His gaze remained calm, his voice not loud but clearly reaching every ear: "I know lately, Joseph has contacted some of you."

This statement was like a dousing of cold water over the venue.

The guilty nobles immediately straightened their backs, their expressions wary, some even instinctively gripping the armrests.

Some lowered their heads, some held their breath, while others cautiously glanced at the main position.

And yet, Louis remained composed, seemingly uninterested in a thorough investigation.

He only paused slightly, then continued, "I am not a despotic ruler."

He surveyed the assembly, steadily and assuredly stating, "On the contrary, I am willing to share some of the authority."

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