"Don't jump to conclusions." Ray knew what they were thinking and pointed it out.
"There are more advantages than disadvantages."
First: Legal and international protection.
Previously, if a border duchy was attacked by a neighboring kingdom, the duke had to negotiate alone or fight alone, as long as the matter did not affect the Empire's interests.
But from now on, any attack on the borders of the duchies is an attack on the "Seventh Pillar." That means the Empire, with all its diplomatic and military weight, will move against the aggressor. No duke will have to face foreigners alone anymore.
Opening global markets (great profit).
The dukes possess resources (minerals, agriculture), but their ability to export was limited by their personal connections. The "Seventh Pillar" unifies the Empire's negotiating power.
"You may have been selling part of your harvest to a neighboring kingdom at a cheap price because you had no alternative. Now, the Seventh Pillar will open the markets it negotiates with to you. Their role is to make buyers pay twice the price under the protection of imperial treaties." And none of those present were foolish enough to fail to understand the meaning and benefits of this point.
Resolving internal disputes (internal security).
The dukes and nobles often fought among themselves over trade routes or shared borders. The Seventh Pillar acts as an "international arbiter" within the Empire. It will prevent disputes between duchies and ensure the smooth flow of trade, reducing caravan protection costs and increasing profits for everyone.
"You may lose a little, but you will gain more. I hope for your support."
The nobles who owned large territories looked at the documents and then at Ray; the losses seemed smaller than the benefits, especially for a collapsing Empire, but could this brilliant idea truly be implemented in such detail?
The Duke of the South spoke up with a question: "Your Majesty, if you would allow me to ask, who will be responsible for managing this Pillar?"
"For now, no one. But later, Rei will manage this Pillar until suitable people are promoted from the bottom of the hierarchy to the top. Whoever deserves a position will obtain it naturally. We want talent, not a rare bloodline." Ray's eyes narrowed as he subtly signaled to the duke that he would not be the right person for this part.
Rei continued after Ray signaled for him to speak:
[I will continue explaining the levels of authority within this Pillar's hierarchy. After the Pillar Commander comes the second level: Consuls and Senior Overseers, or Regional Supervisors.]
[They head major regional offices and are divided according to jurisdiction: Kingdom Consul, responsible for relations with neighboring kingdoms.]
[Sea Consulate: responsible for relations with islands and maritime nations.]
[Free Lands Consulate: responsible for dealing with mercenaries and entities not affiliated with any state.] Rei added: [The details are included in the documents. If you believe yourself suitable to become part of this Pillar, you may nominate yourself and I will review it. We will now move directly to the third level of the hierarchy.]
Third Level: Ambassadors and Envoys (Messengers).
These are the faces that represent the "Emperor" in the courts of other kingdoms. Their mission: deliver the Emperor's messages, attend international ceremonies, and gather political information regarding the stability of neighboring nations.
Fourth Level: Technical Attachés (Experts).
They are divided into three departments within the Seventh Pillar:
Commercial Attaché: responsible for exports, imports, and customs agreements.
Magical Attaché: an expert in "long-distance magical communication" to ensure that the Emperor's messages arrive immediately and in encrypted form.
Military Attaché (Liaison): the link between the Seventh Pillar and the Second Pillar, coordinating military movements along the borders.
[Finally, at the base of the hierarchy: translators and administrative staff, responsible for translating ancient languages, drafting official documents, and preserving the archives of international treaties.]
Once this Pillar is established, I can free myself from the nuisance of details and establish prestige for this Empire abroad... but this is only the beginning.
More importantly than all of that, I need rest. I'm tired. Even Subaru's aunt after the transfer was better than me at this level. This throne is harsh, and the pressure from the nobles in front of me is no joke. I would lose consciousness if I relaxed even a little.
"Your Majesty, if you would allow me, is it truly safe to choose an unknown person to establish this Pillar that carries the future of the Empire's foreign affairs?" What is this person saying now?
[I apologize, Duke Melyn, but before you know the capabilities that the Emperor himself has acknowledged, I ask that you refrain from doubting them.]
Oh, Rei is harsh. It seems I don't need to intervene. He's being rude to someone of a duke's rank. They'll either think he's a fool or someone with powerful backing.
"I do not doubt your abilities. I doubt your background."
[Then you doubt the Emperor's judgment in choosing people.]
"This..." The Duke of the West stopped and frowned at Rei's manipulation of words.
[ in the world of politics, a "background" is merely a story we tell children to make them feel safe. But in this hall, the only truth that matters is that the Empire stood on the edge of the abyss under the management of your well-known and prestigious "backgrounds."]
Rei sighed and continued calmly: [I am not here to present my family tree. I came to present the "Seven Pillars System" devised by His Majesty the Emperor; the only structure capable of preventing all of your downfall. My background is unknown because I watched failure from the shadows, and now I have stepped forward to become the tool that executes this reform. If you have a technical objection to the core of the system, I am all ears. But if your search for a "background" is merely a waste of His Majesty's time, then it is an implicit admission that you do not possess a single argument capable of challenging this logic.]
Duke Melyn's expression stiffened, and he felt a sting to his pride under the gazes of the nobles, which had begun to shift from doubting Rei to watching the duke's "defeat" in this small debate. He suppressed his anger behind a mask of artificial dignity and realized that continuing down this path would make him appear as someone obstructing the Emperor's reforms without any technical justification.
He let out a quiet breath, adjusted his posture, and said in a dry tone that he tried to make sound interested: "Very well... if His Majesty sees you as the appropriate 'tool,' and if it is a badge of honor upon your chest that you understand the complexities of this system... then let us set formalities aside for now. Show us how this 'logic' will endure the complexities of international reality, especially since you described the Seventh Pillar as the 'Tongue'... and a tongue without a strong background can easily be cut off abroad."
[It seems you have forgotten that I am merely a temporary supervisor of this Pillar... take care of your health, Duke.]
"You..."
"That is enough..." Ray stopped the argument before it could head in a bad direction. "As I said, Rei is only a temporary administrator. You may take his position from him immediately if you are capable of doing so. This is a position governed by competence, not bloodline. Please remember that."
"Half a month from now, the Pillars Examination will be held, and all administrative personnel will be recycled through it, except for those whom I personally appoint. If you consider yourself suitable, or if there is someone you consider suitable—even your servant—let them take the examination as well."
This had been detailed in the documents. The "Pillars Examination" would literally be conducted across the Empire and would last for one full week in order to reassign and filter all administrative personnel.
Thanks to Ray's calm tone, everyone's attention returned to the important matter. The Pillars Examination was set aside, and Rei moved directly to the Sixth Pillar, the Pillar of the Soul.
[Since I have explained the authority hierarchy of the Seventh Pillar, we will now move to the Sixth Pillar. Please pay close attention, as it is of great importance.]
[The Sixth Pillar is the Pillar of Identity (the Soul). This Pillar is the Empire's "soft power," responsible for the people's loyalty and for controlling the flow of information.]
[Its primary mission: control of "public consciousness." Instead of forcing people to obey through the sword, this Pillar makes them obey through love, pride, and conviction.]
In short, whoever controls the story controls the people. Many individuals in the hall thought exactly that and realized the sensitivity of this Pillar. Its sensitivity reached a level that silenced even breathing itself.
The Duke of the North narrowed his eyes and paid close attention to Rei's words as well. It was better to see the cards the Emperor was trying to obtain before he began his plan. If he intended to surrender after being exposed, he would never have started all of this... even at the cost of his own life, he was determined to accomplish it.
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-End of Chapter-
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[Hint: After the Empire lost half of its territory over the past decades, the Northern Duchy has become one of its largest remaining territories. This region is ruled by the 'Duke of the North,' who possesses near-complete authority over his lands and over the nobles subordinate to the Northern Duchy.]