After the memorial services for the dead were over, we secluded ourselves in Camelot and began with administrative affairs.
The most important obstacle to tackle was providing food for the 30,000 citizens on the brink of starvation.
I decided to send each tribe about half a years' worth of rye, which would reach each village within a few days.
Still, they were about to starve. I planned to have them recuperate their strength over the next couple of months, but......
"Huh? What did you just say?"
I couldn't believe my ears.
"I said 3,500 people," Lucia replied.
"And they all want jobs?"
"Yep!" she nodded with a big grin.
"Why? How did it end up like this after that speech?"
It wasn't even a speech, I just pointed out their pressing issues---it was never supposed to be motivational. No matter how I dressed my words, the truth didn't change. I was just trying to make them understand that they'd have to address these issues when the time came and was prepared for a lot of backlash.
"I think they were irritated, of course," Lucia commented. "But aren't they happy that they're being treated like a country?"
"That's just a figure of speech. They're still a part of the empire."
After Zem's death, I resolved myself to resolve a certain problem that plagued the empire and doing such required the effort of the empire's citizens themselves. I would only be lending a hand---I needed to make that clear. I mean, would I be any different than that repulsive, purple-suited man if I forcefully altered their history? Even I wouldn't want to be like him.
In any case, that's why I gave them firearms. I strayed off a bit from my initial plans, but I would use the Radols to change the empire from within.
"Even still, they're very thankful for you, Grey-dono, and---"
Stop it. Don't say any more.
"So? Can you continue with your report?" I asked, forcefully changing the subject.
"S-sure. As per your instructions, I've announced that we will begin legislative operations starting from April next year."
First, I created three new organizations, an administration of justice, a government, and a congress.
I'd have to teach them how an administration of justice worked, and congress's operations were like playing house at first. Still, there was merit in trying. As the months passed by, they would slowly get more and more efficient, like body blows in boxing.
For now, I split up the government, and giving Radols government authority was my current priority.
"What about educational institutions and the army?" I asked.
"As per your instructions, everyone below eighteen is obligated to receive schooling irrespective of their age. Conscription in the army is completely voluntary and it currently consists of 1,200 members."
I'd have these 1,200 receive training in firearms, artillery, and magic, also, I'd have them train every day.
"Got it, then follow the instructions listed on these and split them up based on aptitude."
I'd hear their occupational aspirations out as best as possible, but this was an emergency. Until things started to smooth out, we'd be determining basic assignments.
"Alright, first we'll proceed with the construction in Camelot and Arkroy."
"Please do."
"If you would, factoring in the deceased would increase this number four or five-fold, which certainly isn't a small number."
"That's true."
He had a point, people weren't animals. Even if they couldn't control themselves, it's not like they lost all reasoning. In fact, it was much more normal for them to keep their reasoning. I guess 56 is a lot after all.
"Just, the stories of Senior Officer Riemann Chardonnay and other soldiers are a bit complicated and don't quite serve as proof," explained Tosh as he grimaced.
It was probably a difficult decision. I could think of a few things---
"Tell me the details."
"Of course. There are several eyewitness accounts of Senior Officer Riemann assaulting and wounding Radols, but also those who say he isn't the type of person to do that......"
"What's the chance they're covering for him?"
"It's possible, but I don't think they arranged to do so beforehand."
It'd be hard to come to a decision if the evaluations surrounding him were split.
Dozens of people were short from the Radols we had placed under our safeguard from Fort Arkroy. That perverted bastard, Blue-Beard, probably used them in his experiments so we don't have any who are injured.
"If we don't have enough suspicion, then at worst we'll have no choice but to release him back to the kingdom."
Even if we would be releasing a guilty Senior Officer. He wasn't your average soldier. Simply releasing him because we didn't have enough suspicion could be opening a new can of worms, but punishing an innocent was out of the question. I wanted a solid foundation, and that warranted delicate responses.
"I understand, I'll try checking him out myself," I said. "I'll head to Silke after lunch, so bring him there. This concludes our meeting. Dismissed."
I heaved a deep sigh and started parsing through the files atop the table.
◇◆◇◆◇◆
After the end of the meeting, I was munching on a sandwich when Aquido called out, "Sorry for the wait, Grey."
"Ah, I had to look through some files so it wasn't a problem."
"You're still not back to normal?"
"Looks like it."
Over a week had passed since I gained the title, "Human Realm", but I still suffered from its aftereffects.
I couldn't use any of my gifts, my control over magic power got remarkably more difficult, and forcefully using it could cause it to go out of control. The only saving grace was the fact that my physical stats hadn't decreased as well.
"Are you alright? Maybe you should rest inside Sagami Co. like Satella said."
"I know. Once I finish this up, I'll take a break," I assured him.
Satella's been in a really bad mood recently. Ever since I brought up Blue Beard's existence during Fort Arkroy's meeting, she never strayed far from my side. Today, I ordered her to babysit Shiina and Drahachi along with Aria as a break. She was very reluctant, of course, but I managed to persuade her.
"Please do, Satella's one thing, but Carla hasn't been in top shape either."
"Ah, I'll have them take a long break. Alright, bring me to Silke now."
"Sure!"
He nodded with satisfaction and teleported me over.