CHAPTER 466: WHERE’S REGENT

Considering the ongoing war, Amalia’s coronation ceremony wasn’t carried out as grandly as previous emperors’, with celebrations lasting one or two weeks, or even half a month. On the second day after the parade ended, the golden-haired little girl sat down at her desk to begin handling the accumulated state affairs from yesterday.

The Imperial City was located in the western-central part of the empire, about twenty days’ journey from the frontline. Even from the southernmost territory governed by Duke Charles, it will take over a week by carriage to reach the empire’s heartland.

This vast spatial distance meant Emperor Valeria’s actual control over the frontier was far weaker than the dukes stationed there. However, to ensure the empire’s overall operations run smoothly, the supreme ruler couldn’t conveniently leave the capital.

Most of the time, they had to remain within the imperial palace, coordinating logistics and determining overall strategy, while delegating more detailed wartime planning to the military merit nobles near the frontlines.

Of course, past emperors understood this approach carried certain risks, so they specifically enacted laws to impose checks and balances in other areas, including but not limited to controlling grain distribution, adjusting corresponding taxes, and placing imperial family guards. They aim to deeply bind this military force with the royal family.

Even the Velmont family’s delivery of goods into Duke Charles’ territory required quarterly lists to be personally reviewed by royal family members, ensuring the overall material levels remain within royal control.

Back to the topic, Amalia sat calmly, her fingers resting on the slightly yellowed letter paper, golden hair cascading down, and two milk-white, delicate legs elegantly crossed beneath the desk as she looked at the latest battle report delivered.

Due to the lag in frontier information, the intelligence she saw now was only from half a month ago. To make reasonable strategic arrangements based on these reports, she needed a far more long-term vision than the present situation.

[The "lure the enemy deep" operation plan succeeded greatly. Over sixty percent of the Holy Church Knight Corps’ main force was melted by the magical mega-cannon set up within Liya Tower Fortress. The remaining Holy Light Knights, having lost their formation defenses, were surrounded and annihilated by the fortress defenders. Without protective light arrays and clear command, they could only flee in panic toward Duke Grant’s temporary encampment in the northwest.]

[According to existing intelligence, there are four branches of the Holy Church Knight Corps stationed within the Kingdom of Velys. The defeated branch was led by Knight Captain Kales Gaskett from the Northern Region, who is currently trying to regroup the remnants. The next offensive plan remains unclear.]

[Logistics-wise, the grain and forage within Liya Fortress and its two secondary strongholds can sustain all soldiers for half a year. The border defense line hasn’t been breached, the supply line remains intact, and weapons and food are being transported in an orderly manner. As long as the capital continues its material distribution, there won’t be a food shortage in the short term.]

[The only shortages are various attribute magic crystals, which serve as power sources for multiple magical weapons, and artisans knowledgeable in magic circles carving. The broken wall magic circles need large-scale repairs during this period. The workload is enormous. We humbly request the Emperor to dispatch more personnel.]

[Below is a list of various supplies, along with a summary of the current surviving personnel and wounded for each frontline unit as of today.]

Amalia took a sip of steaming milk tea, her azure eyes scanning the various data on the list, silently comparing it to half a month prior, gaining a rough sense of the situation.

The Kingdom of Velys’s war potential was indeed not to be underestimated. This was only a quarter of their knight corps’ main force, yet it had forced multiple points along the empire’s defense line into crisis, with the empire barely turning the tide thanks to the magical mega-cannon.

Furthermore, according to Professor Charlotte, after one use, this mega-cannon required more than half a month to reorganize, and the number of magic crystals consumed was unimaginable. Once the Kingdom of Velys figured out the situation and found countermeasures, the cannon’s effectiveness might not be as good as this time.

"I’ve reviewed all the specific battle results and material consumption. My current opinion aligns with Duke Charles’s. This mega-cannon is better suited as a deterrent, preventing the Kingdom of Velys from concentrating their forces at a single point on the defense line for a targeted breakthrough."

Writing her judgment on the parchment, Amalia lightly tapped her fingers on the desk, completely unaware that this subconscious physical gesture, born from serious thought, was exactly the same as her deceased father’s.

"As for the artisans responsible for magic circle carving, a group is already assembling in the Northern Region. They should reach the walls around the third day after this letter’s arrival, ready to repair and reshape the defensive arrays."

Magic circles carving wasn’t highly popular at Elizabeth Academy of Magic. Most noble offspring consider this knowledge, though a branch of magic, to be beneath them, as it involves daily work with wood and bricks, leaving them covered in dust. Naturally, these high-and-mighty nobles were unwilling to spend time and energy learning it.

Besides, if one truly had the leisure, why not study something more elegant and widely applicable, like potion-making? The respect a master potion-maker received was far greater than that of a hard-working artisan.

Within the empire, only a tiny fraction of nobles and wealthy merchants could access magic. Combined with this dominant mindset, the number of students willing to learn magic circle carving was extremely small. This was why Professor Elandor, the magical device instructor, originally had so much spare time that he could assist Astrid in constructing the Invincible.

The people Amalia had arranged were actually secured through negotiations with the Velmont family and cooperation with Duke Velmont, allowing their idle artisans to enter the Northern Region and assist the army in repairing the walls.

These were civilian prodigies whose families had spent heavily to send them to various magic academies for advanced studies. After realizing the overwhelming advantages of noble bloodlines in terms of innate talent and background support, they faced reality and chose to specialize in magic circle carving, hoping to use this skill to secure their future.

Coincidentally, the new driving force behind magical devices, Third Princess Astrid Calliste, had emerged. Thanks to her efforts, the nobles’ constraints on magical devices had loosened slightly, leading to the emergence of more positions requiring magic circle carving knowledge.

Sensing the business opportunity, the Velmont family aggressively recruited professional artisans skilled in magic circle carving, allowing these individuals to obtain a salary far beyond their expectations.

"There’s no need to doubt these artisans’ professionalism. The only thing to note is that they are support personnel. Under no circumstances should they be forced to work under magical bombardment unless absolutely necessary."

"With the situation growing increasingly tense, every genius possessing magical talent is precious."

The quill scratching against the paper made a soft rustling sound. Amalia looked at her written reply, her dark eyebrows slightly furrowed. Her pale, pink-tinged knees unconsciously bent, the pure white pleated skirt sliding down from the middle of her thighs.

Her two smooth, delicate white-stockinged feet rested on the flat chair seat, completely freeing her from the ground that her toes couldn’t touch even when her legs were fully extended.

The narrow-mindedness and stubbornness of the nobles once again revealed their dangers. They held knowledge capable of changing the world but placed it on a high shelf, resulting in a foreign invasion where, not only were there insufficient mid-range combat mages, but even the artisans needed to repair defensive arrays had to be squeezed out.

If not for the emergence of magical weapons, the empire’s border would likely have already been breached by those fanatics.

Placing the quill back into the ink bottle and lightly dipping it in more ink, Amalia continued writing as her thoughts became active.

After this battle ends, with extensive promotion by the Empire Weekly, the crucial role magical devices played will certainly become deeply ingrained in people’s minds. This will serve as the first step in their reform, shaking the outdated beliefs of neutral-nobles and gradually increasing their acceptance of magical devices.

If Hibbort hadn’t died, with his prestige and methods, this war might have been an excellent opportunity to force the nobles to accept that magical devices was the inevitable future trend, and that its development was firmly tied to their own interests.

As for now, she had just ascended the throne with an unstable foundation and couldn’t rush things. If she took too big a step, both domestic and foreign powder kegs might explode simultaneously, which would be disastrous.

Everything should first follow the old emperor’s system, with plans made for later.

After finishing the letter to be sent to the frontlines, Amalia picked up the stack of memorials and proposals beside her, reviewing each one and providing opinions.

Unconsciously, the sunlight outside the window grew increasingly intense. Amalia took a sip of tea and casually cast a hearing enhancement on herself. Warm wind carried people’s cheers and scattered footsteps, accurately entering the girl’s ears.

Pressing the light-element crystal on her desk, a maid in the corridor received the command and entered the room, bowing respectfully to the empire’s Empress, awaiting orders.

"What’s happening outside the palace? It’s so lively?"

Amalia turned her gaze, strands of golden hair caught the light, warm and bright like the morning sun.

"Your Majesty, it’s the commoners going to the streets to receive rice and barley wine. They are gathering in groups, singing praises of the new emperor’s benevolence."

In the history of the Valeria Empire, there had actually been no precedent for opening the granaries to distribute food without natural disasters or man-made calamities. Amalia did this both to demonstrate the new Empress’ magnanimity and benevolent character, and to use this method as a substitute for celebrations, allowing the common people to collectively feel this historic change.

"Is that so?" Amalia nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this, her delicate eyelashes illuminated by the warm light, appearing finer and longer than usual.

"Refill my tea, using the Regent’s tea leaves. Also, strictly follow Head Maid Elise’s instructions for the milk ratio."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After the maid left, a fluffy orange cat jumped down from between the bookshelves, flapping its white paws to Amalia’s side.

Amalia’s eyes were a bit sore after handling a batch of state affairs. Seeing the nearby Auri, she gently rubbed the back of the cat with the back of her hand and fed it two dried fruits.

When the maid returned, she saw their Empress expressionlessly petting the cat, her gaze still fixed on the unfinished state affairs before her.

After petting the cat for a while, thinking of her sister’s warm embrace, Amalia looked up at the clock and asked softly.

"Where’s the Regent?"

After breakfast, Astrid had gone to the Royal Library with Elise and hadn’t come to the study to find her since. It was almost eleven now; it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she hadn’t seen her all morning.

"Your Majesty, the Regent is currently at Elizabeth Academy of Magic, seems to be discussing important matters with Academy Head Anthony."

What exactly they were discussing, the maids and servants naturally didn’t know, nor could it be conveyed through them.

After hearing this, Amalia roughly guessed what it was about and gave a light nod, indicating she understood.

Although Hibbort was dead, the facade still needed to be maintained, such as daily greetings to the former emperor and arranging his meals, none of these could be omitted.

At the very least, outsiders needed to believe Hibbort was seriously ill but hadn’t yet passed away.

After finishing her tea and feeling the time was about right, Amalia dined alone in the dining hall. Then she heard that the Regent had other matters and would not return in the afternoon.

"..."

So busy... Sister...

Everything returned to the period before her ascension, the busiest time of her imperial examination.

According to Emperor Hibbort’s schedule, after this midday break, she was supposed to meet with court officials to discuss state affairs, which was one of the few personal times belonging to the emperor.

But thinking of the empty space beside her in bed, Amalia truly had no interest in napping. She simply didn’t allow any attendants to follow, walking alone in the imperial bedroom in her small leather shoes, looking at the various precious oil paintings left behind by Hibbort.

Perhaps the palace was quiet enough in the afternoon, or perhaps the cold wind emitted by the ice-element crystals effectively balanced the summer heat. Amalia walked slowly, rarely able to appreciate the paintings with such a peaceful heart.

To be honest, although her father promoted artistic talent, his appreciation level was still above average. Looking through the paintings one by one gave her, a landscape painter submerged in the craft for years, some feelings and insights.

Reaching the end of the corridor, Amalia saw the bright sunlight outside the window and, further away, the Royal Tailor Shop where Astrid had once taken her to design various seasonal clothing styles.

Her leisure time was less than half an hour.

Her blue eyes are slightly narrowed against the direct light. Thinking of the upcoming coming-of-age ceremony, Amalia stepped out of the palace. Her two white-stockinged calves alternated with each step, the skirt swaying, the surface of her pure white thigh-highs dazzlingly bright.

Twenty minutes later, at the Royal Tailor Shop, the new Empress’ visit caused all the staff to put down their work and focus on receiving her.

When Amalia came here before, she needed to cling to her sister’s skirt, showing the timidness and shyness of a little girl. Now, appearing as Empress, all her restraint had transformed into the sharp aura of a supreme ruler, her dazzling golden hair making it hard for people to look directly at her.

Led by a maid, she toured various outer garments and linings. Amalia touched the smooth silk fabric on the hanger, thought for a moment, and said calmly.

"In a few days, I’ll arrange for someone to deliver the required clothing styles and specific measurements to you."

"This matter must be kept strictly confidential, even from the Regent."