Chapter 231: Voice Island (2)

Moving South of Annihilation.

The Empire recovered from the harsh wounds the brutal winter had scratched as Emperor Sophien turned the historical disaster into an opportunity.

She distinguished between the dead and the living. The dead were old, and the living were young. The old died because they were weak, but the youth lived because they too were weak. The old chose their death, and the youth gained life through that sacrifice.

Emperor Sophien deliberately persuaded them to die. The elderly who were seriously injured or unable to move were left without treatment. Instead, she saved those who were still young and healthy. The elders gladly accepted. In any case, their death was beneficial to the Empire, both in the short and long term. There were fewer mouths to feed, so she acted on reason, not emotion. At least Sophien thought so.

That was the start.

Restoration of the people’s livelihood that the migration had destroyed began. The villages and slums naturally collapsed, so they were all incorporated into Imperial land. The Emperor pursued thorough and planned development referencing the efficient city model of the Principality of Yuren. Unlike other high-minded servants, she didn’t despise it, saying it belonged only to the Principality, but openly accepted it.

As a result, Sophien corrected the confusion in just three months. At the same time, she cracked down on the Empire’s internal politics, strengthening Imperial power and reforming social structures.

“…All thanks to Your Majesty’s grace. The media is also praising Your Majesty, saying that you are a saint.”

At the Imperial Lake, Ahan delivered the press’s words with a smile to Sophien, fishing with a pipe hanging out of her mouth.

“The empire now only has to grow stronger…”

“…”

Sophien looked over the calm lake. It was peaceful. However, when she stared intently like this, she suddenly felt that something was out of place and grew dizzy.

─In this lake.

She heard something from someone.

“…Your Majesty?”

“Give me the newspaper.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Sophien took the newspaper instead of thinking about it further. Media freedom was a social value she was trying to promote these days. She, of course, had the purpose of keeping her servants in check. She hoped that these new eyes and ears would shed light on any corruption…

“…What the hell is this?”

Sophien grimaced. She pointed to the huge headline at the top.

[3333Deculein, who strongly insisted on the annihilation of the Demon Blood, was interrupted by the mercy of Her Majesty Emperor Sophien.]

Sophien scanned the article underneath.

─…Professor Deculein seems to have advocated for more than a simple suppression of the Demon Blood, opting for annihilating the entire race. Still, he was met with generous opposition from Her Majesty Sophien. No matter how sinful the clan, since extinction is irreversible…