CHAPTER 896: CHAPTER 896: BRAGGING RIGHTS

The Empire has a lot of money, so there’s no problem giving compensation to a few people.

"You may also discuss this with experts from the Mining Department once I give the go signal," Arabella added.

The Mining Department monitors Valeria’s mines, primarily focused on mines that served as a source of income for the National Treasury.

"Ah, and the Magic Tower. Someone from the Magic Tower will also join the discussions since magic stones may also be present in the mines," Arabella added.

Alwin and Ferdinand had explained to Arabella that magic stones form exposure to a mana-rich source.

An example was Blanca and Esmeralda, whose presence caused a lot of magic stones to form around them. It was what was mined in Safiro.

Further, the Magic Tower had long been in charge of taking care of any anomalies that happened in mines.

Ferdinand explained that it was in case miners came across someone from the long-lived races who had been hibernating for a long time and had been buried beneath the earth over the years, or had intentionally gone into deep caves for sleep.

Arabella learned that it was normal behavior for the long-lived races to hibernate deep beneath the ground, since they may sleep for hundreds to thousands of years.

Thus, they usually create their own underground caves.

After all, there were long-lived races who hibernated before the Great War and still remained asleep ever since. Probably already having decided to die that way.

But mining activities could accidentally disturb them at times.

And according to Ferdinand, it had already happened several times that miners accidentally happened to someone in hibernation.

The Magic Tower always took care of such instances and hid the truth from the people.

Outside of Valeria, Ferdinand said it was the task of the Great Temple. Valeria only meddles when whatever was discovered was something the Great Temple could not handle on their own.

Arabella recalled to warn her assistants.

"In case any of the mines have some kind of anomaly, report it to me immediately and to the representative from the Magic Tower."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Norbert and Felix replied in unison.

’Maybe, I should have assigned Ronald here as well.’

With Ronald now aware of his background, he would immediately recognize if there were magic stones in the mines or if they happened to reach the den of someone slumbering from a long time ago.

However, Arabella had another task for Ronald in mind.

"As for the metallurgy, smithing, and weaponry, Oscar and Ronald, you two will work together for this," Arabella said.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Oscar and Ronald replied in unison.

Oscar was the one who suggested it, but Arabella put Ronald in this task as well since he was the future Prime Minister.

It was appropriate for Ronald to also be well-versed in military matters.

Further, giving this task to the two seems to be most appropriate since they were from the two powerhouses in the Empire.

Reginald and Maximus’ households held the most power in the military, so it was only right that Oscar and Ronald were the ones who had this task.

After all, simply the name of their households will scare people from trying to harm them or smuggling weapons for personal use or whatnot.

No one would want to cross the two most powerful houses closest to the Emperor.

"I believe you two have the right connections for this task.

You should also discuss with the concerned departments.

I will write a letter for you once the announcement about the disease is officially made."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

They had to wait for her go signal this time.

"Your Majesty, I have a question," Denzel raised his hand.

"You may speak."

"Is it also alright to inform our family about this once the official announcement is made?" Denzel inquired.

"Yes, except for anything else I tell you to keep confidential," clarified.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Denzel beamed.

The others did as well.

[Soon, we can tell our family!!]

’Haha, look at them ready to brag about it,’ Arabella internally chuckled.

Her assistants were glad to know they could inform their family about it soon, since this will be among their bragging rights.

Arabella then continued to delegate their tasks.

"As for the weaving, sewing, and other handicrafts, Nadia and Odette, you two will be in charge of this.

You will discuss this with the locals as well, both residents and merchants alike.

Note also to check if they still have a supply of raw materials."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Nadia and Odette responded.

"If you find a handicraft that can be implemented this winter, make it your priority. Especially if it’s something even mothers can earn from while tending to their family," Arabella added.

She learned this from hearing thoughts from people.

A lot of commoners wanted to be able to earn money while taking care of their children.

A lot of the mothers present in markets and shops when Arabella visited territories in Valeria had these thoughts.

They were tending to shops while their kids played around nearby, so they could earn money while likewise watching over their kids.

Thus, handicrafts that mothers could do even in winter are very much important.

Arabella had heard the low-ranking maids here in the palace think about it as well.

"Yes, Your Majesty, we will do our best to find something," Nadia and Odette replied.

Last but not the least, the lessons for the exams.

"As for the lessons for the Civil Service Exam, Egbert, you will be in charge of it. Try to find out if there are exam passers from the afflicted territories who have not been hired in any position yet. If there are, they will be among the ones we will enlist as teachers."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Egbert responded.

Egbert will be alone in this task since Arabella knew he could do it on his own, especially with his background from Vertus.

Vertus produced the most passers and officials since they already have a working system of educating their people and helping them review for the exams.

Egbert had experienced it himself and seen it managed as a son from the ducal household.

With this, all her assistants have their tasks.