In the past, the royal family was mostly a mascot and, on rare occasions, a puppet controlled by the ruling government. The government only brought out the royals when it suited them; at all other times, the royal family had no chance to interfere in state affairs.
Moreover, both the ruling party and the cabinet always remained wary of the royal family. They offered surface respect but firmly prevented any involvement in major national matters.
However, Helena’s influence in Northern Europe is extraordinary. She enjoys an outstanding reputation across Europe and indeed the world. While giving Northern Europe a flawless international image, she has also attracted massive investment. With an empress like her lending support, the current Northern European government feels greatly relieved of pressure. Consequently, the government values her highly and is even willing to let Helena participate in state affairs to a certain degree. Her suggestions are taken seriously and adopted whenever possible, which has granted her a measure of real power.
Her proposed handling of this incident quickly gained approval from the Northern European government. The authorities fully understand the public’s hatred of extreme environmentalism and the way people have felt angry yet afraid to speak out. Now that such a perfect opportunity has arisen to strike against them, whoever seizes it will be the hero.
Of course, the one slightly unscrupulous aspect of this affair is that it inevitably drags Sweden down. Once a national-level intervention occurs, Sweden is effectively roasted over the fire. If Sweden resolves the matter properly, the public will only see it as making amends for past failures. If Sweden fails to resolve it, the blame will fall squarely and inescapably on their shoulders.
By contrast, no matter how Sweden handles the situation, Northern Europe cannot be stopped from emerging as the hero.
Accordingly, the Northern European authorities released all details of the incident to the media while simultaneously sending the materials to Sweden through diplomatic channels. They also issued a public statement to the press.
Helena herself appeared before the cameras and declared firmly, “As Empress of Northern Europe, I demand that the Northern European police severely punish these lawbreakers who have disrupted normal social order in Northern Europe without leniency. Those who have seriously violated Northern European law will be handed over to the judicial authorities for prosecution. All others will be deported immediately. At the same time, I instruct the immigration authorities to impose a ten-year entry ban on these individuals. Furthermore, I openly call here upon the Swedish government to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation into this organisation that, under the banner of environmentalism, has engaged in massive profiteering and seriously interfered with the lives of European citizens and the operations of businesses. Every single one of their dirty criminal acts must be uncovered and punished severely. I hope the Swedish government will investigate and handle this matter openly, fairly, efficiently, and swiftly, thereby removing these pests for Europe!”
After major media outlets reported Helena’s video, it instantly topped front pages across Europe and became the most viewed content on social media and video platforms throughout the continent.
No one had expected that Empress Helena, whose influence rivals that of a top celebrity, would personally step in to demand the Northern European government arrest these extreme environmentalists and even directly call on Sweden in the video to punish the organisation without mercy.
Other countries had long been tormented by this group, yet very few individuals had ever faced real arrest. Even when symbolic detentions occurred, people were released soon after a reprimand and some education; judicial proceedings were almost never pursued. Northern Europe’s action of arresting more than a hundred people at once and sending them straight through the full judicial process was unprecedented.
Helena’s tough stance itself carried impeccable moral weight.
