Just as Livia was still probing her father's stance, Allen, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke. His tone was resolute, carrying an undeniable firmness:
"My First Legion will fully support Livia."
A single sentence, like a thunderclap, shattered the delicate balance in the room.
Livia jerked her head up, staring at Allen in shock. She had never known who took over the First Legion after her mother's passing. But now, it finally dawned on her—Elise had mentioned it once before: her mother's direct lineage had inherited the command. That name… it was Allen.
So it was him. No wonder he had sided with her without hesitation. That meant Emma had likely arranged this after their conversation yesterday.
A surge of complex emotions welled up within her. On one hand, she found herself even more intrigued by her mother—what kind of person had she been to command such loyalty, even after death, that so many people still remembered her and were willing to help her daughter? On the other hand, she finally realized—she was not alone.
The room fell into a brief silence.
Edgar frowned slightly, his gaze darkening as his fingers slowly intertwined, as if digesting this unexpected shift in the situation. He did not immediately object but instead scrutinized Allen with deep, thoughtful eyes, clearly weighing the pros and cons.
However, his surprise was fleeting. Soon, he recovered his usual composure and authority, his voice low and steady:
"The First Legion is the city's most crucial military force. How can it allocate troops so easily?"
Allen, however, did not back down. He let out a cold chuckle, his sharp gaze locking onto Edgar's, his tone steady yet laced with implicit threat:
"The Second Legion can be mobilized—why can't the First? Besides, do you think the Second Legion would stand idly by if Livia takes the lead?"
He paused slightly, then curved his lips into a faint smile. Yet his eyes were as sharp as blades, carrying an undeniable pressure.
"If you don't believe me, I can have a talk with Eryx myself."
The moment his words fell, the air seemed to freeze for an instant.
A flicker of uncertainty flashed through Edgar's eyes. Clearly, he had caught the deeper meaning in Allen's words—this wasn't just a challenge to Eryx, but a direct pressure on himself.
But Allen wasn't finished. He continued, his tone light yet carrying an unmistakable weight that made the air grow even more suffocating:
"Besides, ever since Emma left, I've been overseeing the Seventh Legion. I'll deploy them instead."
As soon as those words landed, Livia felt the atmosphere in the room tighten further.
Edgar narrowed his eyes, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, seemingly weighing his next move in response to this sudden turn of events. Meanwhile, Livia felt a powerful surge of hope rising within her—Allen's intervention had shattered Eryx's absolute control. And now, she had a real trump card in this power struggle.
Her heart pounded violently, yet her expression remained composed. She knew she had successfully turned the tide. The momentum was in her favor now—Edgar had no reason to refuse.
Her gaze lifted slightly, observing Edgar's reaction. As expected, after a brief silence, he let out a low chuckle, a trace of complexity flashing through his eyes. Slowly, he stood up, his gaze settling deeply on Livia, as if truly assessing her for the first time.
"Daughter…" His voice carried a mix of resignation and admiration. "I underestimated you."
He had assumed Livia was merely an inexperienced pawn in this political game, that even the remnants of her mother's influence wouldn't be enough for her to stand on her own. But today, not only had she leveraged her connections masterfully, but she had also secured the support of the First Legion—and Allen had openly pledged his allegiance to her. This level of competence had far exceeded his expectations.
Edgar let out a slow sigh, the corner of his lips curling into a meaningful smile. Finally, he nodded.
"Very well. I agree. You will lead—just as you said."
Livia stood still, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the fabric of her sleeve before gradually releasing it. She fought to maintain her composure, but she could feel the tightness in her chest easing—like a great weight had finally lifted. Her fists clenched and then slowly loosened.
She had won.
She took a steady breath, her gaze sweeping over Allen. He was watching her with a slight smirk, his eyes filled with curiosity and scrutiny. Clearly, he hadn't simply declared his support on a whim—he was also assessing her abilities, trying to see how much of her mother's legacy she truly carried.
The room no longer held the tense confrontation from earlier. Edgar's eyes no longer carried mere skepticism; there was now a trace of recognition for Livia's growth. Allen remained as composed as ever, but Livia could sense a newfound interest in his gaze—perhaps, in her, he saw the shadow of her enigmatic mother.
Reining in her thoughts, Livia lifted her chin slightly, her voice unwavering and firm:
"Very well. As for the transition process, you don't need to worry—I'll discuss it with Marcellus."
Her tone left no room for doubt, as if she were declaring to everyone present: she was not merely inheriting her mother's legacy—she was fully capable of taking charge in this battle for power.
At this moment, she was no longer the Livia who needed others' protection.
She was now the leader who would take control of her own destiny.