Chapter 250: Chapter 242 Elf Minister_1
Arlanda, whose identity had been exposed, remained under the Eternal Domain’s surveillance system and was serving her sentence through penal labor.
During this time, Arlanda was very well-behaved, even proactively completing her work. Using her knowledge and expertise, she solved several cases of external intelligence infiltration into the Eternal Domain.
The Eternal Domain lacked such specialized officials. The fact that Arlanda had managed to pose as a peasant for so long highlighted how weak the Domain’s defenses were in this regard. Granting Arlanda more responsibilities was also a reluctant move on Yan Xing’s part. For the rapidly developing Eternal Domain, having someone responsible for addressing issues was certainly better than having no one.
But who could have predicted Arlanda would be so dedicated? She had actually established a department responsible not only for managing the integration of new Domain citizens but also for vetting outsiders entering the city and overseeing counter-espionage efforts. She managed the entire department methodically, making it far more effective than the previous one, which, though enthusiastic, lacked capability. This demonstrated how effective placing a capable hero in a role matching their expertise could be.
There were definitely still spies from various factions within the Eternal Domain, but they absolutely did not dare to act brazenly. Consequently, Arlanda was chosen as a member of Lord Yan Xing’s Cabinet Ministers, serving as the Director of the Department of Immigration and Reception of Outsiders.
When Yan Xing convened a Cabinet meeting, Arlanda naturally participated. In this conference room, and indeed throughout the entire Eternal Domain, when it came to understanding the world, knowledge, seniority, and insight, Arlanda was second to none. It was precisely because she had a preconceived notion of the world that the Eternal Domain’s development had the most profound impact on her. Especially while serving her sentence after her capture, she witnessed the city’s development accelerate due to population growth.
Logically, it is very difficult for a city to advance to a higher stage once it reaches mid-development. The influx of refugees would typically dwindle, forcing the Domain to rely on its own accumulated resources for gradual development. But for the Eternal Domain, this logic seemed nonexistent. The Eternal Domain still saw one to two hundred refugees arriving daily, bolstering its population and workforce. Moreover, the Werewolves and other outsiders flocking to join also contributed to the Domain’s development.
Arlanda remembered what the Eternal Domain was like when she first arrived. Even then, the small Eternal Domain had shown incredibly strong developmental momentum. But she could never have imagined that in a matter of months, the Eternal Domain would become a city with a population of twenty thousand. And yet, this city hadn’t encountered significant problems despite its rapid growth—it was practically a miracle.
However, after joining the management, Arlanda learned a crucial truth. It wasn’t these half-baked officials maintaining the city’s stability in all its developmental aspects; rather, an invisible system operated within the Eternal Domain. The strange, glowing magical imaging device now before her was one of the tools connecting to this hidden system. The technical officer—Laura, who insisted she was a robot despite clearly being an alchemical construct—called this type of alchemical equipment a ’computer.’
Displayed on Arlanda’s computer was the operating system for her department. Through this system, she could easily complete all tasks for the Department of Immigration and Reception of Outsiders. It contained detailed information on the Domain’s registered citizens and outsiders. Arlanda and her subordinates had worked tirelessly for many days and nights to prepare this data. Once created, Arlanda found it immensely helpful for her work. It allowed a small team to complete tasks that previously required many people, and with a very low error rate. She could also use her authority to have Laura add new, practical functions to the system.
It truly is magical.
This also made Arlanda somewhat fearful.
What exactly is this thing?
"Arlanda!" Yan Xing called out loudly when he saw she had drifted off and hadn’t immediately responded to his inquiry. "This is the highest-level meeting of the Eternal Domain. Although you are serving a sentence, you are also one of my Cabinet Ministers. Pay attention. Report on your department’s situation; I have important matters to announce."
"Yes, yes..." Arlanda immediately refocused, concentrating on the meeting and her computer, and began her report to Yan Xing.
Yan Xing could directly oversee many aspects of the Department of Immigration and Reception of Outsiders. He was very satisfied with Arlanda’s work. New citizens joining the Domain were well-received, and their settlement was well-arranged. When outsiders encountered difficulties, Arlanda’s department was quick to help resolve them. As for capturing spies, that was merely icing on the cake. Arlanda’s primary role was still to welcome newcomers to the Eternal Domain and help them quickly adapt to this city, which was unlike any other place.
Finally, Arlanda said to Yan Xing, "Lord, many outsiders, including Werewolves and humans, are requesting to join the Eternal Domain and become your citizens. Since we haven’t received your approval, we haven’t accepted them. Recently, even more Werewolves and humans have made such requests. I am seeking your decision once again."
While the Electronic Ankle Ring restrained Arlanda, it also seemed to have suppressed her hatred. Her mindset shifted, and she once again contributed to the Domain’s development like an ordinary peasant.
If I am to take revenge, I must wait for the moment I gain strength.
Arlanda told herself.The Eternal Domain was now so well-developed, and the welfare of its subjects so high, that it was very attractive to outsiders. But being outsiders, they certainly had their own distinct backgrounds. Most Werewolves were affiliated with specific clans, and humans definitely belonged to their own respective territories. If the Eternal Domain were to accept them, it could trigger many problems.
Yan Xing considered for a moment and then said to Arlanda, "Eligibility for citizenship in the Eternal Domain will eventually be opened to outsiders, but not yet, and it won’t be easy to obtain. I will develop immigration standards for outsiders and provide them to you when the time is right. However, for capable individuals, this policy can be somewhat relaxed. We don’t want too many such people. Compile a list of their names, submit their profiles, and I will review them to decide on approval."
Arlanda nodded in response. "Yes, Lord. There’s another matter... We’ve recently apprehended some individuals with unclear intentions, very likely spies from other territories. They are still imprisoned. How should we sentence them?"
Yan Xing closed his eyes to consider for a moment, then said, "Exchanging spies is a normal intelligence-gathering activity among different factions. I will undoubtedly send spies to other regions to do the same in the future. As long as they haven’t caused substantial damage to the Eternal Domain, warn them against re-entry and then release them all."
"Release them all?" Arlanda couldn’t believe Yan Xing would handle these spies so carelessly. Elsewhere, once an infiltrating spy was discovered, they were either secretly executed or tortured and flayed.
Yan Xing smiled at Arlanda and said, "My Eternal Domain and I harbor no hostility towards any person or race. Apart from some technical and military departments, my Eternal Domain has little to hide. It’s a good thing if other factions want to understand me and the Eternal Domain! As long as they don’t do anything excessive here, there’s no need to make everyone tense. Of course, we can’t let them think my Domain is a sieve they can easily pass through. We mustn’t relax our efforts in capturing spies. Detect, capture, investigate... Follow the procedure. As long as they don’t violate the Eternal Domain’s laws, a warning and expulsion will suffice. During this period, ensure they are treated well. Also, ask if they’d be willing to earn some extra money by providing us with intelligence."
After consideration, Yan Xing decided not to impose severe penalties on foreign spies. With Chui Chui’s controlled information network, all Domain Officials in the Eternal Domain were remarkably straightforward administrators. They possessed authority but not the ostentation typical of nobles elsewhere. Therefore, foreign spies’ intelligence gathering and personnel infiltration couldn’t possibly touch the Eternal Domain’s core. Domain Officials also couldn’t bypass the Domain’s data network to make deals that would jeopardize its security. Other espionage activities only gathered information of little consequence to the Domain. It wouldn’t hurt to let them know.
If the Eternal Domain were overly secretive and executed captured spies, it would only provoke unfavorable speculation from the outside world. Moreover, knowing the Eternal Domain’s lenient policy, these spies wouldn’t resort to extreme resistance when caught, thereby avoiding damage and casualties within the Domain. If everyone acknowledged this unwritten rule and cultivated a harmonious relationship, it might even be possible to recruit a group of double agents. This would significantly increase the Eternal Domain’s channels for gathering external intelligence. Treating incoming spies leniently would benefit the Eternal Domain more than harm it.
Of course, internal personnel who sold information to outsiders must be severely punished. Having received the Lord’s patronage, one must remain loyal. It’s a spy’s duty to gather intelligence in the Eternal Domain. However, if individuals within the Eternal Domain dare to collude with outsiders to sell information, that’s outright betrayal. And with the upcoming reforms in the Eternal Domain and the privatization of wealth, such greedy individuals were bound to emerge.
However, dealing with such people wasn’t Arlanda’s department’s responsibility, so Yan Xing didn’t elaborate further with her on this matter.
Arlanda still only partially understood Yan Xing’s explanation. After all, she herself was a spy for the Snow Elves and knew the fate of exposed spies. And then there’s my own case. An Elf assassin, one who intended to kill Yan Xing, not only pardoned but made a Cabinet Minister of the Eternal Domain... Arlanda truly couldn’t comprehend what kind of person this Lord Yan Xing was.
But since the Lord had given the order, all she had to do was follow it.
"Yes, Lord... I will investigate the captured spies as soon as possible and release those with minor offenses."
Yan Xing nodded, not dwelling on this minor issue. Instead, he began to discuss the Eternal Domain’s reform plans with his Cabinet Ministers.