Chapter 219: Rice Must Be Eaten Bite by Bite |
The post-rain sunlight was not scorching. Romulus sat on a bench, carefully explaining the details of governance to Silin and Raphael.
As the star's sunlight once again projected onto the surface of Astorgius, some faces had completely disappeared. Believers arrived at the chapels, kneeling beneath the eaves, feeling a slight warmth beneath them and the searing heat of the railings before them.
After a night of bloody battles, the Cardinal World had come back to life. The first to attempt fleeing were the external aristocrats from other star sectors. The rumors of the upper echelons being purged could not be suppressed—after all, the people were genuinely gone, and their crimes had been proven.
After all, Romulus dared to execute even a Cardinal. Who knew if the man would develop a taste for it?
In truth, they were overthinking it. Romulus was not some murderous tyrant; compared to a pure idealist, he possessed far more rationality.
Therefore, until the backgrounds of these aristocrats were thoroughly investigated, not a single one of them could even think of escaping.
Rice must be eaten bite by bite, and people must be executed one by one.
Romulus narrowed his eyes as he looked over the reports from various Planets. Some things had to be taken to their absolute conclusion. Reform was not a dinner party; endless compromises equated to no reform at all.
"My Lord, we will take our leave now."
"Go on."
Silin accepted the order and departed alongside Raphael.
Even if it was just a single city, she was determined to govern it well.
First, she had to handle the tasks right in front of her.
If nothing unexpected happened, this Planet would become the capital of the Dawnbreak Sector in the future.
"They have grown up."
Watching the youths' retreating backs, Romulus could not help but sigh softly.
After more than ten years, these children were the true strength supporting this reform. Romulus was incredibly thankful for the Educational Reform he had initiated early in his transmigration. It allowed him to be much more at ease when selecting the sector's high-ranking officials today, sparing him from having to dig through filth to find gold.
Half a year of his Official Tour had dealt with external threats while simultaneously distributing these talented individuals outward.
They inherited Romulus's ideals, adapting to local conditions as they inspected Planets, formulated plans, and constructed administrative frameworks.
They were just waiting for an opportunity.
The moment the Primarch gave the order, they would directly purge the entire upper class and take over planetary governance.
Then, he asked casually,
"How are the preparations progressing across the various Planets?"
News on paper always suffered from a delay. Right now, he only saw that Seele, who was in charge of Planet Bavaria, was giving speeches. She was voicing the stance of the Wings of Dawn, hoping to win over the commoners on the planet's surface into a neutral faction.
Conflict was inevitable. Even the Dawnbreak Fleet did not want to be forced to shoot at incited commoners while facing a rebel army of Nobles.
Romulus recalled her for a moment. Seele was a graduate from the second batch after the launch of Dawnbreak Education. She possessed strong organizational skills, but her reformist ideas were quite radical.
"Massive revisions to the laws governing humanity." She supported this viewpoint far more fervently than most.
But this might also be her flaw; she was entirely too passionate.
After all, given how rotten the Imperium had become, Romulus still believed that Seele's proposals required numerous adjustments. They were too extreme. Currently, the sector's primary demand for humanity was sheer survival.
Necessary changes had to be made just to ensure that survival.
"Perhaps you should personally meet with the representatives."
Arthur rested one hand on the railing, gazing out over the entire city.
"Three days ago, multiple Resistance Organizations led by the Bavaria Conscription World began openly defying their Planetary Government. One of their faction leaders set out months ago and entered the port two hours ago."
"Alive?"
"Yes."
Arthur nodded.
"They wish to merge with the resistance organizations dispatched by the Dawnbreak Fleet. I cannot make the final decision on this matter."
Karna and Romulus practically had peaches and plums filling the world—their students were everywhere. One had single-handedly established the Dawnbreak Fleet's foundational education system, while the other frequently taught classes, ensuring their presence was thoroughly felt.
The grassroots civil servants of the Wings of Dawn all recognized those two.
And until one reached a certain level of status, very few people knew Arthur or Rameses.
"So, are they considered progressive?"
Since they had entered the port alive, it at least proved they were human.
"You are demanding far too much from this universe."
Arthur could not help but shake his head.
"They are simply dissatisfied with the status quo, and the arrival of a Primarch happens to align with their interests. Just like any rebellion, they need to hoist a highly respected figure as their banner."
As a Primarch verified by multiple factions within the Imperium, while drawing the hatred of the conservatives, he would also attract many forces that were typically dissatisfied with the current state of affairs.
"Then let us go meet them."
"I will go arrange a conference room immediately."
Dracus stood up at once.
"There is no need. Here is fine,"
Romulus replied.
"I am not an emperor, and they are not my courtiers. For the purpose of serving humanity, this place is adequate."
"Understood."
Dracus did not argue. Arthur took a few steps before being called to a halt.
"Wait, Master Arthur, teach me."
"."
Arthur turned around, slightly confused. Then, noticing Romulus's expression—which clearly screamed, 'I am definitely going to act cool this time'—he could not help but chuckle.
"Alright, I will teach you."
Only in moments like these could they vaguely recapture traces of their past.
It was not long before the rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor. A group of Generals, led by a General of the Votson Planetary Defense Force, arrived at the office.
They were few in number but highly disciplined, with formidable physiques. Judging solely by their aura, they were all veterans who had survived countless battles.
It was not just their individual caliber; these representatives more or less controlled Planetary Defense Force units on various Planets. Following the arrival of the Wings of Dawn, the gradually rising resistance forces across the Planets had also triggered drastic shifts within the defense forces.
If one were to say that most Imperial commoners simply wanted to live a good life, and enlisted mostly just to scrounge up enough food and clothing—with very few genuinely fighting for the Emperor.
Then these warlords, composed primarily of Nobles, were entirely different.
They genuinely wanted to wage war rather than waste their time on tedious aristocratic etiquette or political bickering. Their aspirations largely centered around establishing glorious merits.
As the men stepped onto the stairs, the General's footsteps paused. He saw a majestic and imposing giant looking down at him.
No, the giant was not looking at him.
Those crimson eyes held a profound, far-reaching gaze. They were not focused on any individual person, but rather on the distant future.
'Truly extraordinary.'
Accustomed to the nobles back home, the General had to admit that a Primarch was far beyond compare to ordinary men. But it made sense—who else but a Primarch could possess such a bearing?
Just as he was lost in thought, Romulus's gaze focused, landing squarely on the General.
The representatives hastily performed the Aquila Salute. They opened their mouths for a long moment, yet faced with that profound gaze, they found themselves utterly unable to speak. Even the lengthy speeches they had prepared in their minds well in advance were completely forgotten.