After the hall had been cleared of the ministers, the meeting resumed with only the Pillars present. Ray raised his eyes and chose Alexander as the first to receive his instructions.
"I want you to begin reorganizing the military ranks immediately. There is no time to wait for the ministers. Start with the core and the surrounding areas, and leave the outskirts for later. The primary task is to modernize the five fortresses protecting the capital and send the remaining knights to the Commander of the Throne Knights."
"Understood, but what about the nobles' reaction? How should I deal with it?"
Ray interlocked his fingers on the table and gestured calmly. "It's fine. End any military affiliation with the nobles. Anyone who refuses to comply is to be removed immediately. Don't think too much about their interests. Focus only on what is in your hands."
Ray leaned back in his chair and continued, "I want the first organizational report within seven days. It doesn't matter if it's incomplete. What matters is that it begins. Therefore, I am granting you the authority to bypass any administrative or financial obstacle temporarily. In short, move as though war is certain, not merely possible."
"Understood."
Ray did not dwell on Alexander any longer. His role was clear, and execution would reveal the rest. But from Ray's point of view, the problem was Sislin.
"Alfred, do you know what you need to do?" Ray gestured toward him without using any titles.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I plan to first establish a Royal Academy and reactivate the Imperial Magic Tower so that it resumes operation, then cooperate and coordinate between them to complete the system."
"That's a nice solution. It won't work, but it's a nice solution. Reverse your idea. We don't have time." Ray pointed at a golden file and continued firmly, "The first thing you need to work on is a Patent Department. Then cooperate with the Pillar of Spirit to maximize that department, and try to bring the talents that emerge because of it into the Pillar of Science."
Without waiting for Sislin's reply, Ray instructed him to open the file and pointed out several important matters he needed to pay attention to, especially the sensitive points that could potentially turn against them. For a moment, the meeting seemed to revolve around only Ray and Sislin.
"Do you understand now?"
Sislin nodded and asked, "But since there is a great need for coordination between the Pillar of Science and the Pillar of Spirit, is there a coordinating body between the Pillars?"
As far as he knew, such a body did not exist. Ray indicated that he would work on it. "For now, focus on your internal affairs."
Ray remained silent for a moment, contemplating Sislin's question, before shifting his gaze to Morgana and continuing directly with his instructions.
"Morgana, you know what you need to do, but you must first begin by contacting the Representative of the Commoners and the official newspapers and officially placing them under the administration of the Pillar of Spirit. This must come before everything else because it is the foundation upon which we will build."
"Understood."
"Good. The first meeting ends here, but I will remain in direct contact with all of you for emergencies and other matters. I have one instruction: think before you act. The consequences of your ideas can be dealt with, but don't waste time on trivial things."
"Understood."
"The meeting is adjourned."
There was no further explanation; the meeting had merely been the starting point. Everyone left the hall, leaving Ray alone, sitting quietly, resting against his interlocked fingers, staring into the empty space before him, as though time itself had stopped for a moment between what had to be done and what was yet to come.
Behind the doors, Morgana stopped and looked back before tugging on Rei's clothes and pointing toward Ray.
[It's alright. He's just thinking.]
"But he doesn't look alright."
[Hmm.] Rei looked at Ray through the crack in the door and smiled. [I think he's alright. At least for now.]
"That isn't reassuring."
Morgana sighed. While Ray remained lost in thought, the world seemed to begin moving again after a long silence. Two days after the Imperial meeting, the capital began to regain its rhythm. The castle, which had been crowded, was becoming nearly empty.
The nobles were preparing to leave, and some had already departed. The guards were still checking the lists of those departing while carriages lined up before the palace's main gate. The servants also carefully arranged the luggage. Every movement was measured, every servant knew their role, and every noble bid farewell to the others before returning to their own land.
In the streets, the city guards were also prepared after the streets had been cleared. Franco and Mark, who had been busy with a cleaning mission, noticed this change.
From the castle, the carriages began to spread out, and the scene expanded. Every gate had a specific role. Some carriages headed east, some west, and some toward the long-distance Transport Gates. Every carriage carried a portion of authority and influence.
Even the commoners stopped, caught their breath, and exchanged whispers about the names of the nobles and their lands. Carriages crossed paths, crowded together, and created brief moments of tension, but they ended quickly because every driver knew the assigned route and gate.
The entire scene was like a grand dance, organized and scattered at the same time.
Three hours later, silence returned to the castle and the streets. The castle's silence was broken when Lily opened the office that had been assigned to her, her objective already clear after leaving the palace.
She boarded the carriage and gave the order, "Head to the Transport Gate."
"Wait."
Lily stopped the driver, looked at the maid who was seeing her off, and calmly ordered, "If His Majesty asks about me, tell him I've returned to my land for a while."
"Understood."
After receiving the order, the carriage departed toward the Transport Gate.
Inside the office, Ray sat looking at Rei, who was still explaining his plan and the need for the Shadows' assistance.
"I understand what you're trying to suggest, but no."
[I don't understand. Why don't you want to merge the Shadows with Intelligence?]
Rei looked at Ray, not as an interrogation or an objection, but because he wanted to understand what made Ray insist on keeping them separate. Ray sighed before answering, "I've explained that to you before."
[Thank you for the explanation. Shall I repeat what you said?]
"Anyway... Intelligence and Security must work for the state, while the Shadows will focus on monitoring the Pillars of the state and protecting the throne... for now."
[That's what I don't understand.] Rei frowned and placed a golden file on the desk, pointing to the third section. [Then what's the purpose of this section in this system?]
"Double protection."
[Why don't you just merge them?]
"No," Ray refused immediately. "I don't intend to stop at merely reforming the Empire. I'm thinking beyond that."
[You're gambling here.]
"I consider myself an optimist." Ray smiled and gestured with his hand. "Anyway, when are you going to get to work?"
[How do you expect me to start from nothing?]
"Don't you have my blessings? Go on, split."
Rei took a deep breath and looked at the hanging chandelier before giving up on arguing. [Fine. The day will come when you regret this decision. Do you know what I'll do that day?]
"Dance?"
[If you weren't half an Emperor, I would've finished what I was about to say.]
"Threatening the Emperor is a crime."
[I wonder who's sending me into a den of criminals now.]
"You're right. I wonder who."
[At the very least, I demand an unlimited budget.]
"Yes, the weather is nice today."
[Leonardo, you know how difficult the task you've assigned me is.]
"Mmm... no, I don't. If you need money, learn how to beg. The treasury won't last more than six months during the implementation of the system, and that's only if no variables appear."
[That's why I'm telling you. If you merged the Shadows with the Observation Department, then...]
"I have a plan... Just carry out what's in the golden file."
[I can no longer tell whether you're confident or arrogant, or perhaps a controlling leader, or simply a narcissist.]
"They're all bad traits. I'm not telling you to do what I want. I'm telling you to bring me evidence that contradicts what I'm saying."
[What's the difference? In the end, I still have to do what you say.]
"Then you understand. Get moving."
Rei sighed, cut off one of his fingers, and threw it beside him. It transformed into a cube floating above the ground before turning into another copy of him.
[Just so you know, if your idea fails, it'll help me reach Level 2.]
"Don't worry. I'll help you even if it succeeds. Just hurry and build this Pillar," Ray replied as he tapped on the desk.
One of the Shadows appeared, kneeling quietly, paying no attention to the fact that there were now two Reis.
"Assign a small squad to Rei."
[My name isn't Rei.]
"Understood."
"Go on. Catch up with your friend." Ray gestured toward the Rei who had left the office without another word. Ray let out a relieved sigh before the copy spoke.
[You know I can still communicate with you even if my other half leaves.]
"Just my luck."
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End of Chapter
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