Chapter 883 (1/2)
Chapter 883: A New Generation of Officials
Translator: TransN Editor: TransN
“Respects to Your Majesty!”
Following the ceremonial officer Blanche Orlando’s lead, all of the officials knelt down in unison such that they formed a low human wall along both sides of the palace.
“Respects to Your Majesty!”
Next to follow were the servants and maids who took charge of the palace’s daily cleaning and routine matters. As Roland swept his eyes across the hall, he saw that everyone’s heads were lowered, and their facial expressions were filled with both respect and fear.
“Respects to Your Majesty!”
Last to follow were the soldiers of the First Army, who knelt down behind him. Their voices were the loudest of the three groups, sounding almost like an unceasing succession of tidal waves.
Roland had thought that he would be unmoved by such a scene, having observed numerous large crowds and spectacular military parades in his time. Yet, at the moment of experience, he realized that it was invariably heart-warming to be revered by so many people, no matter how many times it had happened before.
As the crowd continued to cheer loudly, Roland walked up the steps toward the core area of the old King’s City – the Holy Temple of Double Towers.
After he had sat down firmly on the throne, the officials made their way into the hall one after another and arranged themselves in three rows in front of him. Roland could not help feeling a little emotional as he observed these nearly 100 people. The City of Dawn was indeed worthy of being the Kingdom of Graycastle’s former center – it had taken only a year to recruit all of these officials, who were already equipped with literacy skills. Even more commendable was the fact that most of them were from humble backgrounds. This level of education was perhaps only rivaled by Neverwinter City.
“Your Majesty, this is your scepter.” Blanche respectfully handed him a shining gold staff. Exquisite patterns were engraved all over it, while a translucent blue sapphire was embedded on its tip. “It’s forged by a goldsmith who specializes in making these things. Every king’s scepter is furnished with its own unique features.”
Roland was normally uninterested in such meaningless symbols of power. He felt that people might get the impression that he was a young upstart if he acted overly unceremonious and rude. However, he quickly discovered that the artifact was not simply for display. After all, it was not easy to gather everyone’s attention in such a large and spacious hall.
And the scepter was the best tool for this purpose.
He raised it up high before tapping it on the floor. With that, the crowd became quiet at once.
“All of you know who I am already, so I shall skip the introduction.” Roland scanned the entire hall and spoke at a slow pace. “My goals for this expedition are simple. The first is to eliminate threats, and the second is to put things back in order. My definition of ‘threat’ isn’t confined to military opponents, but includes anyone who hinders the implementation of the new policies, whether he be a noble, merchant, freeman or a rat. These people shall be dealt with no differently from rebels.”
“To achieve the second goal, an administrative system similar to that of Neverwinter City will be put in place. By now, all of you should’ve heard that anyone who becomes a City Hall official shall receive generous rewards and benefits, while promotion won’t be based on ancestry or family background. In other words, based on ability, a commoner can rise to the ranks of a minister or even the Prime Minister!”
A flurry of whispers and murmurs arose in the crowd at once. Before this announcement, even the minor nobles, let alone the commoners, could not imagine attaining such lofty positions even in their wildest dreams. The story of Barov, who rose from being a treasurer’s apprentice to becoming a figure only second to His Majesty in power, was already well-known in these parts. Everyone’s eyes began to sear as they contemplated their chance of becoming a minister one day.