EPISODE 127: IMPERIUS GRAND SUMMIT 2
— Edryan Queendom, Year 7291. Season: Color Fading.
“Ar-hem… HELLO,” Carine said. It was a bit awkward as he hadn’t expected his voice to project that loud. He’d spoken louder than normal and now, Carine adjusted himself before speaking again in his normal tone. “I am Carine Holmes, and today I present to you… The Future… ”
Fortunately, a small crowd was already gathered—part of them were speakers waiting for their turn, and part of them were those looking for other business opportunities. Carine’s throat cleared and he continued. His voice was deep, and his hands gestured to help emphasize his points.
“We are on the cusp of a new era. A new age… a Golden Age, guided by our Holy Prince to heights we can only dream of—to heights where the world will tremble at the might of the magi! And, through this knowledge, I ask… who will shape that future? Who will rule that future and ensure once the armies of Edryan swallow new territories and expand our borders, the magi will stay on top?”
Carine’s voice, amplified by his height and the magic on the platform, traveled into the crowd and beyond. Those who were once passing by halted, curious by the words of the young man standing on the platform. Carine saw this and his confidence grew.
“I envision a mixed society of magi, humans, elves, orcs, and all the other races of our great continent, YET, I also envision the disdain and distrust of those very races. It is well known that those outside of our great country do not hold magi in the greatest of light. Is it jealousy of our natural gift to cast magic—we are beloved by it naturally, and we can wield the Greater Six. Is it distrust from the stature of our Goddess’s domains and Her might? Who knows, but most of you are merchants, traders, and more—and, if you’ve ever attempted dealings with those outside of Great Edryan, then it is understood how unfavorable our position in trade and negotiations is.”
More and more people began to gather in Carine’s direction and as he spoke, his eyes spotted a woman dressed in black. She was a dark-skinned woman with droopy eyes and bangs that hung low. She wore a Victorian dress that lacked color of any kind, making her stand out quite unlike those around her. Yet, there was one hint of color on her, a single red lily with tiny tendrils and long thin pedals that made it appear like a spider was planted in her hair. She was the most beautiful thing Carine had ever seen. She was the woman who informed him of the different faces on the pillars of Lougan Hall.
“Once again, my name is Carine Holmes, named after the great Princess Carina, who provided the opportunity for my family to rise through the Commoner Empowerment Act.”
At the mention of the once-beloved princess and the Commoner Empowerment Act, nods, claps, and shouts of appreciation sounded from members of the crowd. This allowed Carine to know that there were other families who, like his, chose to delve into the business of merchants with the help of the CEA. Although they were a minority, more of these families being present showed that some of them managed to survive the test of time and the fall of their greatest supporter.
“Thus, my idea and the law I created as my thesis when graduating [Law School], the Magi Empowerment Act was born. There are three main functions of this law that help empower magi. The first is the Delta Clause, which primarily takes from the CEA. As the CEA once did, it will offer class advancement knowledge, skill crystals and usage, financial support, and business incubation. It is a baseline that should be standard—allowing the most ordinary of magi-humans to rise a tier, and the most exceptional, like my great-grandfather, to achieve a rare class.”
Many nodded along, those familiar with the CEA filled those who lacked the general knowledge in hushed whispers. Although Carine didn’t attract the attention of the entire hall, he held the attention of a few hundred people. It didn’t matter that their status wasn’t at the highest level in the country. What mattered was their numbers and the voice they could hold together.
Thousands were in Lougan Hall and thousands more were entering every dozen minutes or so. The hall was massive, easily able to support a small stadium of people. The Lougan Hall wasn’t the only one of its type, as hundreds of noblemen, businessmen, and all people of importance poured their way into the capital. The atmosphere was jubilant as deals were being struck, partnerships forged, and new ideas exchanged. Change was already occurring in multiple parts of the Edryan Queendom and her people, the regular [Commoners], were none the wiser.
Carine’s eyes continued to trail to the oddly dressed woman. It was the same one who informed him of the different faces carved into the grand pillars of Lougan Hall. She met his gaze the next time it traveled in her direction, and smiled.
His confidence grew.
“Before I delve deeper into the Magi Empowerment Act, tell me, what do you believe a magi’s greatest strength is? Is it the bloodline held by most of us—[Magic’s Embrace], is it the blessing of our Goddess when we war outside Edryan lands? Perhaps you may believe it to be the high number of mages and other magical classes we hold. Well, you are mistaken. ”
The crowd shifted, murmuring at Carine’s words. However, he could see the interest in many eyes and the attraction of his words drew in more people.
“ A magi-human's greatest strength is nothing apart from the magic our Goddess has blessed us with. Simply having access to magic is a thing every magi-human takes for granted, not deliberately, but out of a simple understanding of the wider world. For outside our lands, encountering those who can use magic is far rarer, as it takes exceptional talent and effort for them to achieve what we have as a natural addition to our greatness. My second clause is named Magi-tech Advancement—its purpose is exactly that—to advance magi-tech within the country and in the general population so that all devices eventually use magic in some format. To create a reliance on magic… is to create a reliance on MAGI! ”
Carine could see those within the crowd mulling over his words. He’d only given them a small taste of the Magi-tech Advancement Clause of his proposed law. However, it wasn’t critical to get the full idea out there, what was important to Carine was getting people to think in his direction. That, and spreading his name as the creator of the proposed law.
“Many of you are perhaps confused and do not understand exactly what I am saying. Allow me to elaborate—nearly ten years ago, our Great Prince outlawed slavery within the country, and since then, he has accelerated magi-tech by introducing the Imperius Golem Batteries. I ask you, when a territory is conquered, what do you believe will happen to her people? Will they just vanish into the air? Or perhaps they will attempt to leave and look for peace elsewhere? And those who stay, what of them? They will not become slaves or servants of some type, as that is prohibited. Instead, I believe our leaders shall slowly integrate them into Edryan society—it is a noble thing to do yes, but what of the magi when hundreds, thousands, perhaps millions become incorporated into our society? From a majority… we become a minority! The Magi-tech Advancement Clause is ingrained into the Magi Empowerment Act to ensure a reliance on magical means of technology and thus… a reliance on magi.”
Carine’s eyes flickered to the darkly dressed woman once again, her eyes sparkled with interest that Carine wasn’t certain whether it was directed at him or the prospects of his words.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“This Clause will grant funds and opportunities for businesses, researchers, and more to help further their research into fundamentally altering our society and creating a reliance on magi magic. I see the greatness of our [Chosen’s] vision, and it is up to us, the citizens of Great Edryan, to ensure we do our part in progressing that vision. His Highness has introduced a new form of mana usage through the batteries, he has introduced a new form of living as he reshapes the districts of Edrya. There is public transportation, and we cannot forget the Rail system or our [Citizen’s Mark]. Do you not see it? The greatness that His Highness is ushering forth? It is up to us to ensure that greatness is everlasting. It is up to His citizens to solidify his achievements and help in whatever manner we can.”
Carine knew he held interested parties from the shift in atmosphere that came with the announcement of his latest words. Hushed whispers were taking place, and nods of agreement came with his words.
Princess Carina granted the Holmes family the opportunity to rise and become more than what they once were. To escape the bonds of the [Commoner] class and create generational wealth. His great-grandfather took a gamble when the Commoner Empowerment Act was announced, and that gamble was well paid off. He vowed that he and his descendants would forever be grateful to the Princess and do whatever it took to ensure Her legacy lasted. His descendants took that vow very seriously. Most of their families held some variation of the Princess’s name as not only a reminder but a part of that vow, that promise.
What Carine intended to do was keep that vow whole. After the death of Princess Carina, it wasn’t long until the CEA was discontinued. The reformations the country had undergone were shortly destroyed as the magi-humans lashed out at… everything. Her killer was punished, and so were his people as they lost the protection of their sole deity. Their [Chosen] held a divine mission from their Goddess announced on His birthday and Carine knew then that he had to help—to do his part in ensuring the magi-humans prospered.
If he could keep their people wealthy and prosperous as Edryan expanded, then the vow his family held to Princess Carina would be fulfilled. Although it wouldn’t be her exact legacy, the Magi Empowerment Act would ensure all of Edryan and her magi-humans prospered.
Carine moved on to the third and final clause. “The final clause is the Luminous Clause. It holds a single purpose. To shed light on the cultural beliefs and practices of the magi throughout any lands that come under our governance. I propose the same public education system be spread to those territories and ensure that our culture and way of life are spread. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is my vision of our future and hopes to secure not just our rights but those of our children, their children, and so on. I am Carine Holmes and that is the Magi Empowerment Act.”
Carine’s eyes glowed with the passion he felt. Before his words could finish, the darkly dressed woman was already approaching the platform as the surrounding crowd clapped. Carine was partly surprised, he hadn’t expected her to be the one to approach and challenge his words. At least, he’d received a lot of positive feedback once he shared his idea with those outside of his family and school. It’d been well received in the aforementioned, although his professor had a lot to say about certain aspects. Hopefully, his challenger wasn’t as well learned in the art of law.
Carine quickly moved to the side and allowed the woman to take center stage once she stepped onto the platform. His posture straightened and the scent of lilies invaded his nose. Up close, she was even more beautiful, with droopy eyes that gave her a sleepy look and bangs that were just shy of covering those dark, nearly black irises. She was tall, but the click of heavy boots let Carine know that her height was just slightly under his, although currently, they stood eye to eye. Carine welcomed her with a gentleman’s bow.
“ Thaaaannnk you…,” she began—her voice seemed to lack any emphasis in it. “…ahem, thank you, Carine. Your speech and idea of a law to protect and empower magi in the now and the near future is… insightful, and thought-provoking. Yet, there are a few issues I’m certain you’ve thought over but haven’t expanded upon.”
As the woman cleared her throat, her voice magically changed tones and became lighter, assertive, and full of posh. Carine’s eyes lightened, and he prepared himself to defend his law. Although the woman before him was indeed beautiful, the young man held a goal and career in mind. It would not due for him to be blinded by the beauty she possessed.
“But where are my manners? I’ve forgotten to introduce myself. My name is Rose Raam.”
Carine didn’t recognize her last name, but there were thousands of small nobles, merchants, and more in the room. She’d need to be from one of the Great Houses for Carine to recognize her easily or at least one of the larger merchant houses within the capital.
“Now, onto the subject at hand—the Magi Empowerment Act is a great vision to reinstate the law that once helped thousands of commoners rise to prominence and escape the clutches of the mundane. It was inherently a brilliant act that brought fame and love to Edryan’s first demigoddess in… centuries. May the Goddess watch over Her soul always. Yet, it must be known that originally the act was funded from Princess Carina’s very own funds and not that of our Great Edryan. I’d like to mention that the economy of Edryan saw a major boost as fresh blood was injected into it alongside coin. Now, let us return to the point—before we can get into the funding of such a law, let’s look at the clauses of it first.”
Carine swallowed, he was expecting the monetary question to emerge. From the posh, but politeness of Rose’s voice, Carine knew she was well-educated and would be able to break down some key points he purposely left vague.
“Let us begin with the Delta Clause. There is nothing wrong with it, apart from the fact it is biased and will only pertain to magi-humans. I do not know what the future will entail when it comes to magi interacting with more races under a united state, but I doubt such a thing will bring cohesion and unity within recently conquered territories. I believe in the rights of magi, but we must know our limits. Now, onto the Magi-tech Advancement Clause… this, I must say, would be brilliant. We are entering an age where we are harnessing more mana than ever before. It is the one natural resource that has never been disproven to run out. I do agree with providing funds to create a greater magical society. Yet, I believe methods that allow the tech to run on the Imperius Golem Batteries will serve us far greater than being run by magi-humans. If such tech is needed on a massive scale, it would inherently bind magi to such menial jobs. I do not believe it is Mr. Holmes’s intention to do so.”
She paused here, and Carine took this as a small opportunity to speak. “Call me Carine, Ms. Raam.”
“And you may call me Rose,” she responded, flashing a smile before she continued. “The third and final clause, named Luminous, is perhaps the least… radical of Carine’s ideas. I hold no argument against it as I believe it will do as its names suggest and provide light to those outside of Edryan on what our values and beliefs truly are. Now back to my beginning statem-“
Rose paused and blinked rapidly as several large black screens appeared in the hall.
“It seems I will not get the opportunity to further discuss the Magi Empowerment Act,” Rose Raam announced at the appearance of the black screens. She turned to Carine, this time her voice was no longer projected as the magic of the platforms halted. “It seems our host will be starting momentarily. Perhaps at a later time we could finish our discussion? Your Magi Empowerment Act is well-thought-out, but I believe you’ve excluded certain things due to the constraints we have here.”
Carine smiled, “It would be my pleasure, Rose. My family lives in the merchant district of the third wall. If it’s not too inconvenient, there is a restaurant that serves the best lamb.”
“That would be perfect.”
Around them, the thousands within Lougan Hall slowly began to quiet down. Any final deals were quickly finished in hushed whispers, and even the servants who’d constantly been running around slowly withdrew. All eyes turned to the black screens, as mages underneath silently chanted. Similar to the birth of His Highness Lawruthian, the royal family would employ mages to cast spells to transmit both vision and sound.
Just as every voice seemed to pause, a voice spoke.
“Welcome nobles, merchants, schools, and those who possess the might to be here.”