I savored the scenery a little longer as the sun rose. Eventually, I returned to the house where my wife was already awake; it seemed Anna had informed her of my time with Eli. We conversed, though she didn't mention our unexpected guest from last night. After bathing, we enjoyed breakfast as a family. The messenger had already informed us of the arrival of nobles and feudal lords at the palace, but we decided to delay our departure.
Finally, we set off together with her sister and parents for the palace. Upon arrival, they proceeded to the throne hall while we made our way to Leona's office. Eli gracefully assisted Leona in placing her tiara atop her head. I retrieved the golden sword presented to me during the coronation from my storage bag. Hand in hand, we exited the room.
Approaching the towering double doors of the throne hall stirred memories of our coronation. Inside, a lively hum of voices echoed; it was clear they were in high spirits. After a brief moment, the doors swung open dramatically. A herald began to sing our praises and formally announced our arrival. Everyone in the hall knelt and bowed their heads in respect as we made our way forward.
Walking regally towards our thrones, Leona raised her hand. The announcer commanded the assembly to rise, and we took our seats amidst the solemnity and grandeur of the occasion. He acknowledged major families, lesser nobles, and feudal lords before discussing the traditions and history of the country. Finally, it was time for the new laws to be announced. Since they were already standing, we also stood, and the announcer shouted the new laws in a loud voice. Some were dissatisfied, as evident on their faces, but this was not a place where complaints could be freely voiced. In this land, dissent could lead to accusations of treason, and not only would the individual be executed, but their family as well. Thus, even if dissatisfied, they had to accept the changes. Others were happy. He announced new ministers and their duties, and the formation of the Blazers Project, though the Green Blazers were already recruiting. The Council of Elders was transformed into a Supreme Court to judge cases, with the queen only involved in serious cases such as treason. The meeting was long but successful. Immediately after, messengers were sent across the country to announce the new laws, ensuring everyone knew them, even if some feudal lords were dissatisfied and might resist implementing them.
---
One month later, Anna hurried me along, "Your Majesty, hurry up, we are already late!"
"Yes, I know."
We rushed out of the palace and entered the carriage. Leona and Eli were already inside. Once inside, the carriage started moving. We left the royal palace, and in the distance, we saw a large crowd waiting. Today was the opening day of the new sewage system, and many people had come to see it. This world lacked entertainment, but I couldn't blame them; it was the first time they were seeing wetlands used for sewage treatment. The carriage stopped, and we got off. Everyone wanted to kneel, but Leona stopped them. We went to the front, and everyone fell silent.
She started to explain the role of the wetlands to the people and announced the opening of public toilets, with signboards already placed around the city in strategic locations. People would also start teaching about the importance of the environment and hygiene. The crowd was impressed, clapping their hands and praising the messenger of the goddess.
After the big meeting with the nobles a month ago, the new capital was called ElFAN, named after the queen's first and only husband. Circle City was a story of the past, and leftover funds from building houses and inns in the south were invested in education. School fees for the Royal Academy would be 5 gold coins and 3 gold coins for the Knight Academy, reduced from 40 and 30 gold coins, respectively. The queen had cleverly balanced the loss from decreasing the Adams family's tax by increasing the academy taxes. Tomorrow, schools would open around the country, and Lilith reported many children enrolling. Another update was that Elowen's artisan skill was a blessing; she could now create intricate items that needed nimble hands and experienced woodcrafters. I gave her an exam to create a bicycle, and she had a month to complete it.
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After opening the wetland system, we returned to the palace, where I met Ademina. I asked her to recommend someone to run businesses in the south, specifying that it must not be a high or forest elf to promote equality. She had someone in mind, and I would meet her when I traveled south in a few days with the Green and White Blazers. Oh, did I forget to mention? We have 10,000 Green Blazers soldiers and 8,000 White Blazers.
---
Today is the day of our departure.
"Honey, please return quickly. If you don't, then I will come to you."
"You don't have to worry. We will arrive there in three weeks, so I will be back by the beginning of next month."
"That's way too long."
"We will talk every day with the communication device, though."
"Don't disappear for more than 30 years again."
"It's not like I am going there to clear a dungeon again or anything."
"Clear dungeon?"
I kissed my wife and entered the carriage, where Anna and Ademina were waiting. Leona would continue with the recruitment of Blue Blazers and Brown Blazers. As we left the capital, the people cheered as if it were a parade. Three weeks later, we arrived in the south without any delays; no bandit would be foolish enough to rob such a large army. The soldiers went to their houses while others went to the inn. I went to the inn with Anna, while Ademina left to discuss the person she had mentioned. Since becoming king, I still wore casual clothes and avoided gold accessories or expensive clothes. I was never a fashion person, even back on Earth. Anna always annoyed me about looking the part, saying I should look like a king, not a commoner. I guess I am still a commoner at heart.
We slept in the inn, and the next day, the mine was unsealed, and the soldiers entered. I was satisfied and returned to the inn, waiting for the report. We recruited so many soldiers in a short amount of time by promising to pay them upfront, which we did before coming here. Ademina returned with the person she recommended, a familiar face. Wait a minute, I had seen this woman somewhere before. They both entered the inn's dining area, and I was sitting with Anna. They approached us, and I forced Anna to sit down, as I hate standing out.
"Your Majesty, this is the person I was talking about."
The woman gently bowed to Anna, "Your Majesty, my name is Liliana, and it will be a pleasure working with you."
We all fell silent, and both Ademina and I turned towards Anna.
"Why are you looking at me?"
Liliana was confused about what was happening.
"Lily, not her, the man sitting next to her," said Ademina.
"The pervert ?" Liliana answered.
Who are you calling a pervert ? Who do you think you... Oh, now I remember. This is the woman I met after coming out of the sealed mine. Damn you, fate.
"pervert ?" Anna asked, glaring at me.
"Yes, he..."
"Enough of that, Ademina. This lady is a forest elf, not a dark elf," Elfan interrupted Liliana and changed the subject.
"I am a dark elf," said Liliana.
She took out her earring, and her hair turned black and her skin darker. This woman is brave. The previous law prohibited changing appearance, and she was doing it.
"Lily, let me introduce you to Elfan Aceso, the king of Elzaran."
She became scared and tried to bow down. I stopped her since we were in public. Like I said, I hate attention and standing out. Most shops in the south were owned by the Adams family and run by Liliana. Now I see why she was breaking the law. The Adams family was hiding her. Even if she was caught, they could bribe their way out of it. We had productive discussions with Liliana, and everything would be under her and her team. Whether she still pretended to be a forest elf or not was no longer our business.
---
It's been a week since I've been here, which means a month has passed. I communicated daily with Leona and learned that the Brown Blazers were dispatched to the border, especially the one between us and the Federation. The Blue Blazers were already operating in the capital and other towns; it was just a matter of buildings, but that was not a big problem. I was glad that things were progressing nicely without me. Elowen had already completed her exam, so I told Leona to tell her to create 50 more. I stayed in the south for another half a month until things settled. I was happy with the progress and had to return to the capital since some silly girl was annoying me every day. However, I went home first. The return trip was with Anna and a few soldiers, not more than ten. Ademina returned to the capital after the deal with Liliana was made. I couldn't recognize my own home since it was now bigger. I entered with Anna, and my mother rushed and hugged her daughter-in-law.