CHAPTER 468: KING VALERIA

It was an undeniable fact that the Empire consisted of specialized artisans skilled in engraving magic circles on the frontlines of the war against the Kingdom of Velys. Even among conservative nobles who oppose the flourishing of magical devices, this point remained uncontestable.

"I’ve had a serious discussion with Academy Head Anthony. Currently, only Elizabeth Academy of Magic offers the subject of magical devices within the entire Empire."

Astrid gently massaged Amalia’s legs as she spoke softly.

"As for Magic circle Engraving, the foundational discipline under that branch, although it’s already offered in many magic academies, very few students enroll. The numbers are far too low to meet current manpower demands."

Magical devices subdivided into two major academic fields: Magic circle Engraving and Magical circle Theory. The former focuses on the physical construction of mana-powered devices and creating visible channels for mana transmission, while the latter specializes in the arrangement and distribution of magical circles within mana crystals, setting energy output patterns and various external effects.

If one had to draw an imperfect analogy, it would be similar to the hardware and software components within the computer systems of Astrid’s previous life. Objects engraved with magic circles formed the physical platform supporting the release of energy from crystals, while the magical circles inside the crystals served as the soul enabling those circles to achieve specific effects. The two were interdependent and mutually influential.

Yet, despite this theoretical interdependence, their real-world circumstances differ greatly. Magical circle Theory was relatively well-regarded, as it formed the basis for mages studying high-level magic. It was a mandatory subject in every magic academy’s curriculum, and many mages willingly invested time and effort into mastering it to enhance their personal abilities.

After all, aside from family background, a mage’s strength was the ultimate proof of talent and the surest path to earning respect from others.

In contrast, Magic circle Engraving, and its even more fundamental counterpart, Magical Materials Science, were clearly less glamorous. They offered limited benefit for a mage’s personal power growth and thus naturally attracted few followers.

"Boosting faculty investment and increasing the subject’s weight in scoring is relatively easy..." Amalia fluttered her eyelashes slightly, her tone thoughtful.

"Given the Empire’s current shortage of artisan, making certain reforms would be quite reasonable. We could even use moral justification to suppress dissenting voices in public opinion, reducing potential resistance."

Moreover, crucially, such actions wouldn’t provoke the overly sensitive conservative nobles, precisely in line with what Astrid meant by "boiling the frog slowly," gradually lowering their guard.

"But sister, in my opinion, the actual effectiveness of this approach is still quite limited." After a pause, Amalia continued.

Strong policy support didn’t guarantee positive outcomes. Even if Academy Head Anthony increased the weight of magical devices in Elizabeth Academy of Magic’s graduation assessments, it would only slightly alleviate the of nobody enrolling in Magic circle Engraving.

The core issue for the Valeria Empire remained its people. Generally, only nobles had access to magic education, and nobles usually refused to study circle engraving. Even if they did study it, they would only do so to pass exams. Given their status, they certainly wouldn’t be willing to engage in mechanical, monotonous work with stone and wood.

"I’ve considered your thoughts too."

Astrid nodded in agreement, her hands continuing their delicate movements. Her slender fingers rested upon the smooth surface of the pristine white stockings, like an elegant pianist playing keys.

"In theory, you’re absolutely right. This alone won’t solve the fundamental problem."

She understood Amalia’s concerns.

"But we must walk step by step. Seize this favorable opportunity to build the initial stage, only then can future performers stand under the spotlight and truly shine."

"The next step is to help Charlotte fulfill her long-standing persistence, optimizing Elizabeth Academy of Magic’s curriculum, adding foundational magic courses, providing introductory guidance for new students, and enabling more people to keep pace with aristocratic-style education."

Lyra had managed to catch up so quickly with her studies only because Astrid had intensely tutored her in magic the previous year and provided access to vast knowledge from the Royal Library. Students from ordinary families had no such privileges.

Amalia let out a soft "Hmm," already guessing the final, most troublesome, and most critical step in Astrid’s plan.

Relaxing enrollment requirements, reducing four-year tuition fees, and lowering the barrier for the public to learn magic.

The preceding reforms were managed, but this was the absolute red line most nobles would never allow anyone to touch, a decision that could truly trigger internal rebellion.

"Of course, walking this path will require at least a decade, perhaps even several decades, of gradual development. How to handle the transformed social order and production relations also needs long-term planning."

"For now, these surface-level reforms are sufficient. Remember, just over a decade ago, Elizabeth Academy of Magic in the capital was the first and only institution to establish the subject of magical devices."

As the Empire’s top-ranked magic academy, Elizabeth taking the lead by increasing the assessment weight of magical devices could serve as a powerful example.

Astrid added this timely clarification before shifting away from the topic.

"Now, what lies before us are a series of technical challenges that need to be overcome in the field of magical devices."

To apply magical devices to civilian life and boost overall productivity, easier access to energy, higher output efficiency, and safer control methods were all considered, especially the first.

After discussing several topics related to magical devices, realizing she’d spent so long talking about her discussion with Academy Head Anthony, Astrid turned to ask Amalia about her afternoon parliamentary session.

"I discussed the border warfare situation with four ministers, as well as potential future shortages in troop recruitment and strategic supplies."

Feeling Astrid’s fingers rhythmically kneading her calf muscles, causing her skin to warm slightly, Amalia couldn’t help but emit a muffled moan, a soft, restrained sound as if soaked in water. The pale toes encased in reinforced sock tips gently curled and stretched, creating faint, alluring creases in the white silk.

"In summary, the difficulties I face are similar to yours, sister. At the root, it’s still the lack of manpower."

Her lustrous aquamarine eyes gazed at Astrid before her, Amalia’s cherry lips parting slightly.

"But since you’re focusing on the future of magical devices, I need to pay more attention to the present."

Research, reform, these were like newly planted saplings that required time to grow.

Now, the flames of war were already burning at their browsers. By the time reformed systems produced a single qualified craftsman for the Empire, the war between the two nations would likely already be over.

"I’ve had Edmund draft a bill to conscript soldiers across the Empire. These individuals will be assigned to various border defenses based on combat proficiency, or serve as logistical units hunting magical beasts to replenish the frontline’s crystal shortages."

"Additionally, I’ve dispatched Finance Minister Florence to negotiate with the Velmont family regarding expanded crystal mining agreements and the batch of skilled artisan previously obtained through negotiation."

"Other measures include centralized purchases of crystals from the market, consolidating scattered resources to fill certain gaps.."

"And optimization targeting strategies supply lines..."

If Astrid’s current work leans more toward shaping the Empire’s long-term future, a visionary walking ahead, then Amalia’s busy administrative duties focused squarely on the present: actively defending against the Kingdom of Velys’s invasion and constructing practical war response plans. She was undeniably a doer.

Although their current work priorities differed, strictly speaking, their goals converged from different paths, both striving for the Empire’s development. Only through the combination of a down-to-earth empress and a far-sighted regent could the Valeria Empire’s reign endure.

After listening to Amalia’s work summary, seeing the girl’s slender, delicate figure leaning against the chair, Astrid’s movements grew even gentler. One hand that had finished massaging her legs rested on Amalia’s knee, while the other gently laid atop the petite, silk-clad foot of the golden-haired girl, whose skin was as smooth and tender as butter. Her pale fingertips smoothed the slight wrinkles at the ankle of the stocking.

"No wonder you’re my most promised heir, Amalia. You’ve handled things exceptionally well."

Praised by Astrid, Amalia narrowed her eyes slightly. The white-stockinged little foot beneath Astrid’s palm gently moved, playfully nudging her sister’s wrist, giving the woman a cool, smooth tactile sensation.

"More accurately, it’s thanks to my sister bearing so much of the state affairs for me. Otherwise, I’d never manage it all alone."

Having a trusted regent assisting in governance truly made being an empress much easier.

Throughout the entire history of the Valeria Empire, only two or three emperors had been willing, or able, to allow a prince to serve as regent.

Power itself was highly corrosive; even between siblings, it can create rifts. But Amalia didn’t care. In her view, if Astrid truly craved power that much, she would gladly fulfill her sister’s desires.

Once, what sustained Amalia’s will to live was hatred, intense resentment toward her birth parents’ inaction. Now, it was her sister’s love, a warmth constantly surrounding her.

Gazing at Amalia, who had closed her eyes and was letting herself be petted like a little cat, Astrid keenly sensed her fatigue and spoke softly.

"Didn’t you sleep well at noon today?"

With so many matters requiring the empress’s attention in the morning and afternoon, that brief midday rest period was truly indispensable.

"I didn’t sleep." Amalia replied.

"Why not?" Astrid asked.

"..."

After a few seconds of silence, Amalia responded quietly.

"I spent a bit more time looking at paintings in the lost track of time."

The deeper reason, of course, was... My sister wasn’t there...

Knowing that saying this would make Astrid feel guilty, Amalia buried these words in her heart.

Astrid accompanies her every day for her afternoon nap. Today was just an unexpected emergency; there was no need to explain further and only increase her sister’s sense of guilt.

Although she really did want to act like an unreasonable child and just cling to her sister to sleep...

Suppressing her burning possessiveness and the despicable desire to use words to awaken her sister’s pity, Amalia once again scorned her own narrow-mindedness, even forgetting to swing the leg resting on Astrid’s knee.

"Next time, have a maid remind you. Don’t miss your nap."

With a busy afternoon schedule, not resting properly will not only make the body easily tired but also cause mental lethargy.

"Okay, I understand, sister."

The Empire’s empress, dignified and imposing before others, now replied in a soft voice, her cascade of golden hair spilling across the pure black fabric of her dress. Sunlight caressed it, making it shimmer like a brilliant galaxy across the night sky.

After finishing afternoon tea, Amalia put her little leather shoes back on, stood up, and went with Astrid to the royal dining hall for dinner. Then they paid their respects to Hibbort. After completing all these duties, Amalia returned to the Third Princess’s chambers and continued studying the Imperial Scepter in her hands.

Through the Valeria Imperial blood flowing within her body, Amalia could feel fragmented memories left behind in the scepter by her ancestors. Although initially appearing chaotic and disordered, careful analysis revealed some valuable intelligence.

In a thin morning mist, a golden-haired man wielding a longsword moved through silver-white knight formations. Wherever his blade flashed, splashes of blood scattered.

Amalia had seen this memory before, it depicts the first Valeria King, under orders from the then Lorin Emperor, exterminating rebel factions plotting rebellion.

This suppression campaign lasted over half a year. Even the Kers River within the Empire’s borders was dyed a vivid red by blood.

Continuing onward, the king received the scepter as a reward for his great achievement and was entrusted to guard the prosperous southeastern lands of the Empire. However, the rebels weren’t completely erased and remained hidden in the shadows of the Lorin Empire.

Eventually, the Lorin Empire was carved up by the rebels, the imperial family brutally slaughtered. The first king consolidated his forces, allied with four later dukes, eliminated the rebels, restored livelihoods, and gradually established his kingship.

West of the Abyssal Rift, he fought a legendary decisive battle against another powerful lord, the first king of today’s Kingdom of Velys. In the end, both sides were severely wounded. They established the tundra as a boundary, divided land and resources, and separately founded their own kingdoms, each claiming to be the legitimate successor of the Lorin Empire.

Sitting on the edge of her bed, Amalia frowned deeply, her forehead pressed against the gemstone, her two legs clad in white thigh-high stockings lightly squeezing the rigid Imperial Scepter.

Sorting through memories not her own was inherently difficult; extracting useful information was even harder.

Unconsciously biting her lower lip with small teeth, Amalia continued peering through the scepter into this memory sealed within it by the first king.

After ascending the throne in the former coastal Lorin capital of Sylinston, the first king regarded the scepter as the supreme symbol of power and declared to his people that only one bearing royal blood could control it.

These details perfectly matched the information Hibbort had told her.

Delving deeper into the memory, on the night after the coronation ceremony, within the first king’s palace, the man placed the scepter in his palm, used mental energy to draw a circle, then cut his finger and let blood drip onto the gemstone.

"Would doing this be sufficient?"

"...Lady Gemini."