Hearing Ethan say those words made Florensia and Nick visibly surprised. They exchanged brief glances, clearly not expecting such a direct proposal.

What Ethan had just suggested was straightforward and carried heavy implications.

He was offering his help to White Coat, not merely in strengthening their position, but in outright taking control of the city from Glorious Sword.

That possibility had always existed in theory. In recent weeks, it had even begun to look more realistic.

Many of Arkban's residents had grown disappointed, even angry, at the decisions made by Glorious Sword.

Policies that favored certain groups, unclear leadership, and a lack of firm direction had eroded public trust.

As a result, the probability of a successful takeover had increased significantly. Even so, Florensia had never seriously considered planning such a move.

For her, the idea had always remained distant, something dangerous to think about, let alone act on.

"It has never crossed our minds," Florensia replied, her voice slightly stiff. The hesitation in her words reflected her genuine surprise.

Ethan did not respond immediately. He fell silent, as if giving her answer a moment to settle in the air.

Then he rose from his seat and began to walk away, his steps measured and calm. He changed direction and moved closer to where Florensia and Nick were sitting.

The sound of his shoes against the floor echoed faintly in the spacious room.

"I already know your guild's identity and how you operate," Ethan said evenly.

"Not only White Coat, but Sacred Bonds as well."

Florensia straightened her posture, her attention sharpening. Nick also became more alert, his gaze fixed on Ethan.

"Arkban City should not be controlled by an indecisive guild like Glorious Sword," Ethan continued.

"And it certainly should not fall under the leadership of an extremist guild like Sacred Bonds."

His tone was calm, but the words themselves carried weight.

"I worry about that city the same way I worry about every other city," Ethan said.

"Arkban is part of the eastern plains, and its location is strategic. It stands at the gateway between two important regions."

He paused briefly, then added, "I do not want to let Arkban fall into the hands of guilds from the central plains. That would be dangerous for the Eastern Alliance."

Florensia narrowed her eyes as she listened carefully. She did not interrupt him. She allowed his explanation to continue, analyzing every word.

When she pieced it all together, the conclusion became clear. Ethan was not acting purely out of concern for the people of Arkban. His priority was the alliance.

The city was a key piece on the board.

"So in the end," Florensia said slowly, "you indirectly want to control Arkban City as an important part of the Eastern Alliance. You do not truly care about the citizens who live there."

Nick remained silent. He did not step in to soften her words.

Ethan turned his head slightly and smiled faintly. He then walked back toward his chair but did not sit down. Instead, he stopped near it, standing with his back to them.

His eyes shifted toward the back garden of the headquarters, visible through the large glass wall. The greenery outside looked calm, a sharp contrast to the political tension inside the room.

"The citizens are just as important as the alliance," Ethan replied.

"I can reopen trade routes to Arkban if you choose to join the Eastern Alliance."

He continued, "With new trade flowing in, the economy can be controlled. Stability within the city can be maintained."

"You speak as if you know Arkban very well," Nick said cautiously.

"I do not," Ethan answered without hesitation.

"But I do know how to maintain a city's stability properly."

Florensia fell silent once more. Nick also looked momentarily stunned. Neither of them could deny the truth in Ethan's words.

Mavelard's rise as the largest and most prosperous city in the Eastern Plains was proof of his capability. That growth was not something that could be denied or ignored.

They both remembered the condition of Mavelard under Miss Ashley's management. It had already been stable, but after Ethan came into power, the changes became even more apparent.

Trade increased, security improved, and public confidence rose. The difference before and after his leadership was undeniable, and more importantly, it was positive.

Nick understood his own position clearly. As Florensia's aide, he had no authority to make decisions of this scale.

His role was to advise, not to choose. The final decision rested entirely with Florensia. Whether White Coat would accept Ethan's plan or reject it was up to her alone.

Ethan turned back around and faced them. His gaze settled on Florensia, who was clearly struggling with conflicting thoughts.

He was confident that an internal battle was taking place within her. Despite that, Ethan believed firmly that Arkban needed a ruling guild like White Coat, one that could provide balance rather than chaos.

Florensia remained silent for a long time. Her thoughts raced as she weighed the advantages and risks of Ethan's proposal.

Power, stability, responsibility, and danger all tangled together in her mind. Nick stayed quiet beside her, offering no strong push in either direction.

He knew this was not a decision he could influence openly.

"Do we have terms?" Ethan asked suddenly.

The question startled Florensia. She had been so deep in thought that she had almost forgotten Ethan was waiting for an answer.

She turned slightly and glanced at Nick. He nodded without hesitation, clearly expressing his agreement.

For White Coat, controlling Arkban City had always been a long-held ambition. It was a goal whispered among high-ranking members but rarely spoken aloud.

Now, LionArk was offering direct support to make that ambition a reality. Nick did not want to let such an opportunity slip away.

"Alright," Florensia said finally, her voice firm despite the tension in her chest.

"What do we need to do?"

Ethan smiled. He returned to his chair and sat down, as if he had already expected this answer. He then began to explain his plan in detail.

"The first step in taking control of Arkban City is not force," Ethan said.

"It is attention and support."

He explained that they needed to win over the city's residents and, if possible, smaller guilds that had not fully committed themselves to Glorious Sword or Sacred Bonds.

"LionArk will supply the city's needs through the southern gate," Ethan continued.

"The southern district is your territory, correct?"

Florensia and Nick nodded. However, they were still uncertain about the exact purpose of these supplies.

"The economic condition inside the city is unstable," Ethan said.

"You must ensure that your district remains stable. Food supplies, equipment, security, and other necessities. Pay attention to every detail."

"If that happens," Nick said thoughtfully, "people from other districts will begin migrating into ours."

"That is fine," Ethan replied immediately.

"That is good news."

"Welcome them all," Ethan said.

"Then, little by little, shape their perception and gain their support."

"Within two or three months," Ethan continued, "the people of Arkban will realize that White Coat is far better than Glorious Sword."

Florensia finally understood the true nature of Ethan's strategy. At first, she had feared that his plan would rely on military action, especially against Sacred Bonds.

Instead, he was aiming for something far more subtle and powerful.

Economic strength and public trust.

Glorious Sword had already lost both. The citizens no longer trusted them. At the same time, Sacred Bonds represented extremism and instability, something the residents feared rather than supported.

In that situation, White Coat naturally became the only acceptable alternative.

"Do you understand my plan?" Ethan asked.

Slowly, Florensia nodded. Nick followed her lead. The plan was not complicated. More importantly, it was realistic and achievable.

"That is only the initial plan," Ethan added.

"I will not reveal the next steps until I see the results of this one."

"We can stay in contact during this period. Inform me of the situation there, regularly."

Florensia nodded again. She understood her role clearly now and what was expected of her.

With the discussion concluded, Florensia and Nick stood up and excused themselves. Ethan nodded in response, clearly giving them permission to leave and begin preparations.

After they left, Sherly remained in the office. She had been tasked with recording the minutes of the meeting, but she also had her own concerns.

"Are you sure Sacred Bonds will not interfere with them?" Sherly asked.

"They will interfere," Ethan replied calmly. "Let them."

"We can use that to test White Coat," Ethan continued.

"If they can handle Sacred Bonds properly, then I have chosen the right guild for Arkban."

Sherly did not argue. She knew Ethan was right. White Coat's ability to deal with Sacred Bonds would determine whether they were truly worthy of ruling the city.

If they failed, Ethan would have no choice but to search for another candidate.

Ethan then wrote down a list of supplies and resources that White Coat might need. After finishing, he handed the document to Sherly.

"Give this to Ashley for approval," Ethan said.

"We will send everything they need after I receive confirmation of readiness from Florensia."

Sherly accepted the papers and nodded before leaving the office.

Left alone, Ethan stood in silence for a moment. He took a deep breath and rose from his chair. He walked toward the glass wall and looked out once again at the back garden of the headquarters.

He now had two pieces moving in Arkban. Sacred Bonds would play their role by creating chaos and instability.

White Coat would become the pillar of new hope, the guild Ethan had chosen to rule the city.

Glorious Sword's power would soon collapse. No guild from the eastern plains or the central plains would be able to save them.

With Arkban in my grasp, I open an important route to the central plains.

No matter the process or the outcome, Arkban City had to fall into the hands of the Eastern Alliance.

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