The echo of the oath of loyalty had barely faded when Ray stood to outline the foundations of the new "Aster." He did not intend to seize lands; he intended to seize "administrative chaos."
"The land will remain under your families' names, but its administration, from this day forward, is a matter of sovereignty."
Ray explained the philosophy of the "Pillar System," which shocked those present with its uniqueness. From now on, the Ministry of Finance would be responsible for tax collection and oversight, dividing revenues into three channels that admitted no argument from the Crown: a portion for the prosperity of the Empire, a portion reinvested into developing the land itself, and whatever remained would be pure profit for the noble.
The nobles understood the game. Ray had relieved them of the burden of administration and logistical problems, and tempted them with the growth of their territories. In return, however, he made the Crown the sole accountant and overseer of their treasuries.
He had transformed them from "absolute rulers" into "partners in success," whose profits would rise whenever the gears of the Empire turned more quickly.
"Your efficiency in developing your lands will determine the size of your wealth, and the Crown will take care of the rest."
Ray followed those words with the announcement of the Seven Pillars Examination, to be held in half a month, stressing the necessity of recruiting talent from every possible place.
Finally came the new authority of the nobles, intended to compensate for the loss of their administrative power.
"It consists of three divisions."
"First: the authority of oversight and supervision. As the 'Supreme Inspector' of your territory, if any ministry falls short or any official engages in misconduct, you have the right to submit a direct 'Sovereign Report' to me and hold the minister personally accountable."
Ray paused to ensure he had their attention, then continued.
"Second: regional representation. You are the official spokesman of your territory within the 'Council of Pillars.' Any imperial project carried out on your soil must pass through your office for honorary approval."
"And third: the authority of merit and promotion. You are the first step and the only gateway through which talent from your territory reaches the Crown. Do not underestimate this authority. You are the ones who pump blood into the veins of this system."
With these three strikes, Ray ensured that ambitious young people would seek the favor of nobles to obtain recommendations, preserving the nobles' social prestige while stripping them of administrative and financial authority.
And the benefits did not end there.
Instead, he allowed Rei to present additional advantages offered by the system, while also acknowledging a few minor drawbacks so that it would not appear unrealistic, and to conceal, as much as possible, the loopholes that currently existed.
As mentioned before, the system was not perfect, especially since it was being built rapidly upon the ruins of the old system across a vast empire collapsing under its own weight.
Yet it seemed to be working.
Not with everyone, but many nobles appeared proud of their decision to remain rather than follow the duke who had refused to relinquish the chain granted to him by the law that had now been abolished.
Now, the role of every noble was to contribute to building one part of this system within their own territory before it would be connected to the Empire.
But beyond all that, there was one thing everyone wanted to know.
Who would lead these ministries?
And because the ministries were closer to their interests, they commanded more attention than the Pillars. That did not mean anyone underestimated the Pillars. Figures such as the Dukes of the East and South were interested in those positions as well.
The problem was that Ray had informed no one.
Rei spoke and announced that ten ministries of critical importance would be appointed for now in order to build the system.
But this did not mean there would only ever be ten ministries.
It simply meant that neither Ray nor the Empire currently possessed the capacity to manage more than ten.
Everyone understood the situation.
No one cared.
Ever since the Duke's departure, everyone had been searching for the names of those who had been notified of their appointments.
Yet something unexpected emerged.
Ray had informed absolutely no one.
"Just for clarification, one hundred names have been selected, and we only need ten of them. If a person accepts, they will be appointed, with the possibility of replacement later should they fail to demonstrate the required competence. If they refuse, another person will be selected from the list."
That only reinforced the assumption that the Emperor had informed no one beforehand.
Then what was the purpose of the ten boxes the servants had brought earlier?
Well, it did not matter.
Everyone would find out soon enough.
Then the first name was announced.
[Ministry of Defense: Responsible for constructing barracks, manufacturing weapons, and providing logistical preparation for the army. The "Weapon Maker" who builds fortresses and forges armor.]
Absolute silence fell.
Breaths were held.
Who would possess the key to military power in the new Aster?
The Duke of the East?
The Duke of the South?
[Marcus Phoenix... step forward, if you believe yourself worthy of this position!]
The name struck like lightning.
A name that had not echoed through palace halls since the fall of the old system.
Everyone began searching for him among the rows. Some did not even know who he was.
But Marcus was not a mere official.
He was the descendant of a wealthy family whose influence and connections had paved the way for him.
Yet effort and money alone would never have made him one of the former Twenty-One Ministers.
Marcus had been a talented "climber."
He knew how to read the balance of power within a collapsing empire and secure a seat among the great figures.
Though he had later been forced to bow before the dominance of the former Prime Minister simply to survive.
And now, while eyes searched for him in astonishment, Marcus stepped forward with composed strides, hiding behind his calm expression a shock he had never expected.
He had believed his time had vanished together with the ashes of the old system.
Yet Rei's call was a declaration that he still had a chance here.
The moment he reached the aisle, he bowed before the throne, and Sislin stepped forward to retrieve one of the boxes.
"Marcus Phoenix."
Morgana spoke while standing calmly.
Ray had left the task of engraving honor upon the ceremony to her.
True, there were no festivities and no grand celebration.
Yet at this moment there was no greater honor than being among those laying the foundations of the new Empire.
And what lay inside that box was merely a symbol of that honor.
Morgana stepped forward while Sislin carried the box behind her and spoke first.
"Marcus Phoenix... tell me, what was it like climbing from the bottom of the administration in an Empire collapsing beneath everyone's feet? How did you secure a seat among the great while others fell like autumn leaves?"
A heavy silence filled the hall.
She tilted her head slightly and continued.
"What were those nights like when you studied the balance of power and calculated every step, knowing that a single mistake during the former Prime Minister's era would mean your disappearance forever? How did you keep your intelligence sharp while influence and favoritism were the only recognized currency?"
She did not wait for an answer.
The questions themselves were praise.
Then she placed her hand on the box and spoke in a tone that left everyone unable to comprehend the situation.
"To be forced to live by rules you did not create... to sacrifice every old wall around yourself in order to find a place in a new world."
"That is why you are not a political choice here."
"You are the answer to all of those questions."
She opened the box.
Instead of giving him an order, she said,
"Show us whether this phoenix can be reborn from these ashes."
Inside the box carried by Sislin were three specially prepared items:
A new ministerial seal.
A ceremonial key engraved with the title "Weapon Maker."
And a pen bearing the title "Falcon," engraved with imagery suggesting sharpness, piercing vision, and military strength.
Morgana took the pen from the box.
The pen upon which the title "Falcon" had been masterfully engraved.
She handed it to Marcus.
The moment was solemn.
She was not handing him a writing instrument.
She was handing him the authority to sign upon the future of the Empire's security.
Marcus accepted it with profound gratitude.
He felt both the weight of responsibility and the spark of hope that had returned to illuminate his path.
A calm, confident smile appeared upon his face.
Then he stepped back, bowed deeply—clearly directing the gesture toward both Morgana and Ray—and spoke in a steady voice that echoed throughout the hall.
"Your Majesty... Your Highness... I offer my gratitude with the edge of a sword and the sincerity of my words to the Sun and Moon of the Empire, and I hope to prove worthy of your expectations."
Ray smiled when Marcus included Morgana in his expression of respect.
It seemed her words had affected him.
And that carried great importance, because through her actions she had publicly declared her separation from the Duke's authority.
She was no longer merely the Emperor's wife.
If she failed to establish her own position, the nobles would ignore her in the future, and her standing would never rise beyond that of an ordinary Empress.
Yet it seemed she had used the opportunity well.
Still, this was only the beginning.
Even so, Ray sighed in relief and looked toward Marcus.
"Marcus Phoenix."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I would rather not hear wishes."
Marcus paused.
He looked at the pen and understood Ray's meaning.
"My apologies. It seems I expressed myself poorly."
"I will be worthy of Your Majesty's expectations."
"Try again."
Ray smiled and gave the order in a tone that praised rather than humiliated him.
Marcus understood.
The nobles understood as well.
Ray's question was not intended to embarrass him.
While some smiled in understanding, others had yet to grasp his meaning.
Marcus, however, understood.
"I promise you; I will not be satisfied with merely reaching the limits of your expectations."
"That is better. I look forward to it."
Ray nodded and gestured for him to take the box.
Marcus offered his thanks before stepping back.
------------------------------
End of Chapter
--------------------------------
[Side Information: Marcus of House Phoenix — The Burdened Heir]
[Marcus's life was not the life of a pampered noble. It was a race against time and oblivion. While his father struggled against psychological and physical collapse, Marcus was forced to carry the legacy of three generations of "suppressed anger."]