806 A well Oiled Machine
Following the triumphant conclusion of their first official war against interstellar civilizations, the imperial government declared a one-week holiday across the empire to mark the historic victory. To further enhance the celebratory atmosphere, the imperial family announced a fifty-percent discount on selected essential products, with the family personally covering the remainder of the cost to ensure accessibility for all citizens.
Additionally, the government made all subsidized utilities—electricity, water, and gas—entirely free for an entire month, offering tangible benefits to every household and amplifying the sense of collective celebration.
In a gesture of goodwill, individuals serving minor prison sentences for petty crimes, deemed to have genuinely repented, were pardoned. Similarly, fines for minor offenses were forgiven, encouraging as many citizens as possible to join the festivities without lingering burdens.
The celebratory spirit quickly spread throughout the empire, uniting its people in shared joy. Proxima Centauri, where citizens had anxiously watched the battle unfold, recorded a one-hundred-percent participation rate in the celebrations. Meanwhile, Earth also saw widespread festivities, with celebration rates ranging from the high nineties to the low eighties, reflecting the profound impact of the empire's monumental achievement.
At least when only civilians were considered, the celebrations were in full swing. However, the situation was starkly different for imperial government employees and military personnel. Staff from the Ministry of the Exterior, Ministry of the Interior, and Ministry of War remained fully engaged, ensuring the stability and security of the empire. For the military, there was no time to join in the revelry. The order to maintain the highest state of readiness was still in effect, and every active-duty soldier was occupied with monitoring movements from the opposing side, ensuring strict adherence to the terms of the recent agreement.
The agency’s responsibilities were extensive, encompassing everything from setting prices and determining purchase limits for each civilization to implementing sanctions and ensuring their enforcement. To maintain impartiality and efficiency, the IMA would bypass standard ministry reporting hierarchies and report directly to the emperor himself.
True to the empire’s reputation for maximizing efficiency and innovation, all operations were conducted within the universal simulation. This allowed officials to utilize time acceleration, operating at the highest rates tolerable by even the weakest government personnel. This ensured that tasks were executed thoroughly, with ample time for analysis and refinement, minimizing errors caused by rushed decision-making.
Aron observed the intricate operations of the empire through Nova’s advanced visualization system, which rendered the workings of the imperial government as though it were a single, seamless machine. Every cog, from the newly formed Imperial Mana Agency to the coordinated efforts of the various ministries, moved with precision.
But the moment of satisfaction was fleeting. Aron quickly shifted his focus back to his packed schedule, more demanding than that of any other imperial official. Despite having just emerged from consecutive life-and-death battles, with only a brief respite to recover, he refused to allow himself the luxury of rest. His responsibilities weighed heavily, and the chaotic aftermath of war required his direct involvement to untangle and solidify the empire's gains.
"I’ll rest later," he thought to himself. For now, every moment counted, and postponing rest was a small sacrifice to ensure the empire’s stability and continued growth amidst the unfolding complexities.
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