William remained silent for a few moments after giving his final instructions.
Anasthasia looked at him with a serious expression before finally speaking.
"William, I feel that they are behind this."
Her voice carried certainty rather than doubt. William slowly nodded.
"I know."
He leaned back against the bed and released a quiet breath.
"But having suspicions and having justification are two completely different things. If we break their wings now without proof, the fire that follows may end up burning our own hands."
Anasthasia stared at him for a moment before quietly nodding.
She understood what he meant.
Power alone was never enough to rule. There had to be a reason that others could accept. Otherwise, even righteous actions could be painted as tyranny.
William suddenly voiced it in the empty air.
"How is the imperial treasury?"
Before Anasthasia could even answer, Samantha let out a small sigh and shook her head. "It is grim."
Her expression immediately darkened.
"The treasury itself is running thin; the reserves are far lower than they should be. Most of the wealth is still being recovered from the houses of corrupt officials who were eliminated during the conflict."
She folded her arms as she continued.
"We are also collecting large amounts of wealth from the churches that were dismantled, but that wealth is spread across many regions and provinces. It will take time before everything is recovered and reorganized properly."
"I believe it will take at least a month before the coffers begin to recover."
William listened quietly.
Then Samantha spoke again, her expression becoming even more troubled.
"There is another problem as well."
"The church controlled a large portion of public life. Many ordinary citizens depended upon church-related occupations and services for their livelihood."
Her eyes lowered slightly.
"Now that the churches are gone, many people have suddenly lost their work."
William frowned.
"Can’t we recruit them into public departments or administrative positions?"
Samantha shook her head immediately.
"Most of them simply don’t possess the education required."
She sighed.
"Many claim to understand mathematics or language, but after proper evaluation, most of them are simply overestimating themselves."
Her words were direct.
"They are unemployable for bureaucratic positions."
William rubbed his forehead, and a tired sigh escaped from his mouth.
"I think I have a solution."
He leaned back lazily.
"Let’s discuss it tomorrow."
Anne and Samantha looked at each other before nodding. Eventually, both women stood up and began leaving the room.
Tamasya also turned around to leave with them. However, just as she was about to take another step, her body suddenly stopped.
Her eyes widened slightly. William had caught her hand. Before she could react, he gently pulled her backward.
A small gasp escaped her lips. Her body lightly pressed against his chest as she felt his warmth behind her.
Instantly, her body stiffened. William leaned closer.
Two of his fingers slowly traced the smooth skin around her slim waist before lightly moving across her hand.
Tamasya’s breathing became uneven. A faint shiver traveled through her body. Then she felt something warm touch the side of her neck.
William’s lips pressed against her cold skin, and a soft breath escaped her mouth before she could suppress it.
His lips slowly moved along her neck toward the nape while his fingers brushed against her skin with teasing slowness.
Tamasya felt her thoughts becoming increasingly chaotic. Then suddenly she felt a light pressure near her ear.
William gently bit its edge, making her body tremble.
The strange tingling sensation spread throughout her entire body, causing her mind to grow increasingly hazy.
Before she could recover herself, William suddenly disappeared from behind.
Click. The door was open.
Tamasya blinked several times in confusion.
Only then did she realize that she was standing outside William’s room and the door had already closed behind her before she could even turn around.
Her face slowly turned red. Her hand unconsciously reached toward her neck and rubbed it slightly.
Only now did she fully understand what had happened.
Embarrassment immediately flooded her expression.
She lowered her head and quietly walked toward her own room.
Even after several minutes had passed, she still felt somewhat dazed.
She did not even realize when she had become so lost.
It felt as if William had somehow cast a spell on her.
The moment his lips had touched her neck, her thoughts had melted away like wax under a flame. She finally understood that he was simply getting back at her for the last time.
The next morning arrived.
Unlike usual, William had woken up early.
Morning light entered through the windows and illuminated the room while a quiet atmosphere surrounded him.
William sat beside a table with a quill in his hand. The sound of the feather pen scratching against parchment continuously echoed through the room.
His hand moved rapidly as words appeared one after another.
He was creating a proposal. A complete proposal for establishing an education department in the Eternal Sun Empire.
Its purpose was simple: to train individuals who would one day serve the empire with their skills and abilities.
William carefully organized every section.
He established different subdivisions and created a detailed five-step plan regarding how the system would function. The first stage involved creating an interim training institution.
Its purpose would be to prepare the first generation of bureaucratic officers and government officials. It would immediately fill existing vacancies while simultaneously creating employment opportunities.
The second stage involved creating another temporary institution specifically designed for younger individuals who had not yet come of age.
Rather than allowing future generations to remain unprepared, the empire would begin training them early and gradually cultivate better skills and discipline.
The third stage was the most important.
It involved establishing a unified educational system across the entire empire. William believed that a proper foundation would ensure a constant future generation of skilled individuals. He also introduced the concepts of primary and secondary education and the concept of schools.
Meanwhile, the fourth and fifth stages focused on legal systems and regulations around the education landscape of the empire.
The clauses ensured measures against corruption, treason, abuse of authority, and social exploitation.
William included provisions to reduce such problems before they could spread.
After finishing everything, William looked over the proposal. He felt that it was enough.
Systems evolved.
As long as the vision remained intact, the structure itself would continue improving, and he was certain his mother possessed that vision.
After making a few final adjustments, he stood up. Today would be a busy one.
After changing clothes himself without accepting help from the maids his mother had assigned, William left his room. The first thing he did was hand the proposal directly to Anne.
Immediately afterward, he summoned Rah and departed toward a destination of his own.
Meanwhile, inside the imperial palace, Anne and Samantha carefully reviewed William’s proposal. Anasthasia looked impressed.
"Although the initial cost of training and free education will be enormous, the future returns would greatly outweigh those expenses."
Samantha nodded.
"Yes."
Her eyes slowly moved over the parchment.
"Even though some of these conditions appear strict and cruel, they would become an incredible driving force for the empire."
Both women had noticed two particular clauses.
The first involved student classifications.
Individuals would have two choices to choose from.
Either to opt for exclusive scholarship students or to become non-exclusive students.
Exclusive scholarship students would be limited in numbers and receive lifelong education and specialized training entirely free of cost. The empire itself would bear all expenses.
Non-exclusive students would pay annual fees. Their fundamental education would remain identical. However, specialized training and advanced programs would remain unavailable to them.
But the true difference lay elsewhere.
Exclusive students would swear an oath before the heavens, promising lifelong loyalty to the empire. If they wished to work elsewhere, they would require imperial permission.
They would never participate in activities that harmed or undermined the empire’s growth. Additionally, when government jobs and promotions were concerned, elite individuals would receive priority.
Meanwhile, non-exclusive students would remain unrestricted but would never possess access to advanced expertise.
The second clause was equally impactful. The empire would only recognize its own educational certification for government positions.
Over time, the limit of exclusive seats would be increased as the education system flourished and evolved.
Other independent certifications would be considered invalid.
Only a select number of external institutions, such as the World Academy and a few established institutions from Riverdale, would receive recognition.
Anne slowly lowered the parchment. Both she and Samantha immediately understood the implications. Most commoners would undoubtedly choose exclusive registration.
Meanwhile, nobles and influential families would prefer the non-exclusive path.
This single decision would gradually destroy the old system where noble families monopolized ministries and bureaucratic positions for their own interests.
A heavenly oath would bind loyalty from the beginning. Corruption would be cut down at its roots. By providing exclusive students with higher positions, the core strength and sanctity of the institutions will remain strong.
Samantha looked toward Anne.
"If the bureaucracy itself remains clean, then even noble families will eventually be forced to obey the empire’s laws."
Anne nodded. "Although I expect many protests."
Samasnthsa smiled and nodded as she understood what that meant.
Suddenly, she remembered something. "Wasn’t it announced that every faction in the empire must pay you a visit and acknowledge your rule?"
Anne suddenly laughed.
"The tribes of Veridian Province and the barbarians beyond Sunspire did not respond."
Her smile widened. "The barbarians even captured our messenger."
Samantha’s expression became serious. "What are you planning to do?"
Anne simply smiled calmly.
"Why should I worry?"
Her eyes curved with amusement. "The declaration was made by my little supreme commander."
She leaned back comfortably.
"He gave the entire empire one week."
Anne’s smile widened even more.
"William has assured me that once the period of one week ends, he will gift me some new footstools."
Samantha blinked in confusion. "..?"
Anne just chuckled and did not reply.