Chapter 295: Time Has Pa.s.sed (1)
[The history of the Holy Empire completely ended in the year 1093 of the imperial calendar.]
[It was the will of the people who could not stand the evil done by the imperial family and some n.o.bles, and it was the will of the G.o.ddess Benigore, who tried to punish heretics, apostates, and rebels. On November 9th, when the revolution was completed, the rebels’ trials proceeded for exactly one week. On the 23rd, an inst.i.tution called the New People’s a.s.sembly was created by the Civil Revolutionary Group.]
[The New People’s a.s.sembly is an inst.i.tution whose significance is that 200 members selected as representatives of the imperialists re-establish the const.i.tution and human law or discuss the state’s general administration. It consisted of 42 aristocrats, 60 foreigners, and 98 members of the common public who made up the civil revolution, which was the great first step of the newly launched New Sacred Democracy.]
[The first agenda for them was the treatment of the apostates, but the Holy See transferred their trial to the people in honor of the will of the Civil Revolution. In the New People’s a.s.sembly, the first historic vote was held, and the rebels’ execution was decided with 299 affirmations and one abstention. At the end of the 29th, all the royal families were executed except for the Second Princess, Charlotte, the last blood of the imperial family. The execution was very humane because of the request of the former Second Princess.]
[After that, the provisional government was established immediately, and a general election was held under the auspices of the New People’s a.s.sembly. It was the first Sacred Democracy’s proud…]
“It was the Sacred Democracy’s proud first general election.”
“…”
“It was still less than a year ago, but it’s something you must know if you live in our Sacred Democracy. It goes without saying that it was a victory that had been won because of many people’s sacrifices. What you have learned today is highly likely to appear in future exams, so be sure to know. Now, here is the question. We learned it yesterday. Who are the people who have the right to vote in our democratic country?”
“Me, me! Me! Me! Me!”
“Yes, student Luria. Shall we answer?”
“All the country’s people and foreigners who believe in G.o.ddess Benigore!”
“That’s the right answer. Well done. We’ll give you a compliment card, so be sure to pick it up after cla.s.s. As Luria answered, the first thing Oscar, who is the leader of the Civil Revolutionary Corps and now the leader of our Sacred Democratic State, did after establishing the Provisional Government was to give the imperial people the right to vote.”
“Yes!”
I could see Dialuria, looking triumphantly behind her after shouting the correct answer.
She wore a hat on her head as she continued smiling.
Max, the museum manager, who raised his hand but couldn’t make himself heard, looked disappointed.
‘So cute.’
She seemed to be in quite a good mood, showing how active she was.
This was a cla.s.s I visited to keep my promise with Dialugia, but looking at that happy face, I started to think that it was a good thing that I came.
‘I have to see if her education is going well, too…’
It was natural to wonder how Dialuria and Max were doing, and how they were living. I couldn’t act as a father every day, but I wanted to see how they’ve grown all the same.
In fact, to be more honest, I had my own personal reasons.
What I was more curious about was the current curriculum itself.
Publication of state-auth.o.r.ed textbooks and appropriate education were as important as outside work.
This division was not launched to work for only a few years.
Citizens’ education was a necessity, not an option, as it had to last for at least a few decades, or even a few hundred years more.
I had once told Max and Dialuria that history education was not important, but this did not extend to other children next to them. History was evaluated as more important than swordsmanship or magic, which were commonly considered as important.
Today’s young prospects become my faithful voters a few years later, and their children also become valuable guests who would willingly exercise a vote for us.
With the G.o.ddess’ mirror completely under control, I didn’t have to do this, but the more insurance, the better.
‘I can’t get off guard.’
It was why educational inst.i.tutions were installed throughout the Empire, even if it was considered a little too much.
When I glanced over, I saw Dialugia looking at Dialuria whilst smiling widely.
The situation was the same for other parents. Of course, they had also been eyeing me.
Although it was a private school where the sons of former n.o.bles, famous adventurers, or the children of well-known wealthy families gathered, I was the Honorary Cardinal of the Sacred Democratic State and the Vice Guild Master from the most popular guild in the Free City of Lindel, no, in the country.
It was not unusual for them to focus on me.
‘It’s funny.’
To put it plainly, humans with higher authority than me in the Empire could be counted within ten fingers.
If I were to think of even my unofficial position, they could be counted within at least three fingers.
Despite the great revolution of the people, there was still an irreversible gap in status. A lot of things had changed, but the point was, it felt like nothing had changed. This was exactly what I had told Charlotte.
“Isn’t our Dialuria really smart?”
“Look, who did she get that from? Naturally, she is smart.”
“Yes. She definitely got that from me.”
Dialuria was likely smart because she resembled me. I could be sure of it.
“Now, soon, the history cla.s.s will be over. Next is swordsmanship practice. After that, there is also magic practice. Let’s move, quickly. Oh, and Dialuria is also learning alchemy through her after-school activities, so please keep an eye on that.”
“I’ll go. You don’t have to whine about it. But Dialugia, this… does she really need to learn this? Actually, I don’t think Tol To-ri needs it…”
“Aren’t you the one who told her to go to school in the first place?”
“I meant to learn social life… not this.”
“Anything is good once you learn it. Indeed, she doesn’t need it as a dragon, but our Dialuria said she wants to learn it… this behavior itself helps brain growth. I am familiar with basic combat skills, too. Not all, but I know some of the continent’s history. Of course, I don’t know it at a professional level.”
“Ohh. You did.”
“Regardless of the reason, it definitely helps to use the brain, especially at this time. She already has more magic power than all the children her age.”
“There aren’t other dragons her age. How can we compare?”
“I know just by looking. Hihi.”
I felt like there was no fool for a daughter like Dialugia. I got all embarra.s.sed for her.
I thought she would’ve changed a bit, but now, I felt like she became one of those hyper-parenting moms.
Of course, the difference was that she was sticking to me without spreading much distance as in the past.
“Well. Then I’ll end the history cla.s.s with this. The swordsmanship practice will begin immediately, so students, prepare the weapon and parents, please, move to the training center.”
Seeing that things were going just as Dialugia said, it seemed that she really knew her schedule.
Anyway, as the teacher had said, I slowly started to move.
Of course, I didn’t forget to greet others who had come here to greet me.
“Honorary Cardinal. Hahaha. I didn’t even know that I would see you here.”
“Yes. Long time no see, Senator Chenko. Haha. What a coincidence. Isn’t this the first time since then? How… is the council nowadays?”
“It’s always good. Oscar-nim is still the same. In fact, there are many problems to solve, so it’s a bit concerning, but…”
“What, is there any problem that is too difficult to handle?”
“It’s obvious. It is the United Kingdom again.”
“Ohhh.”
“I don’t know if they’re feeling threatened after the revolution, but they’re still not favorable. Even the Republic sent us congratulatory remarks, but they have no response at all, so… it’s just frustrating. I don’t know if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working or not… It still feels unorganized inside.”
“It will be obvious. They must probably also be anxious that a revolution will erupt from within there. They must think about whether or not there will be a spark of fire in their own country. You don’t have to worry too much, Senator. Perhaps, in a little while, whatever it takes, a solution will come out.”
“Hmm. I see.”
“Yes. In fact, you can rest a.s.sured that my trip to the neutral country is also related to that matter.”
“As expected.”
“The kingdom will not be able to maintain that att.i.tude over and over again. Most of the foreigners living there are friendly to us.”
“You are referring to the G.o.ddess’ mirror.”
“Yes. Right. Like the current people, in fact, foreigners are also very familiar with the G.o.ddess’ mirror. Contrary to the kingdom’s privileged, the foreigners who are located there will surely be hoping for us to export the G.o.ddess’ mirror.”
As television suddenly appeared in this barren land where there was nothing to enjoy, it was not unreasonable for the foreigners to harbor such expectations.
Right now, even in Lindel, Celia, or Dawan, the reaction to the G.o.ddess’ mirror was explosive.
Even though it had only happened for a short period, plans such as dioramas and movies were also coming up on the surface, and the ‘Master of Battle,’ which was actually aired as a test, recorded explosive audience ratings.
The craftsmen, who had been in this area for several years, talked about the tips and know-how needed for battle and their experiences, and there was no way that the reaction would not be good.
It was no wonder that the people, who had a lot of interest in foreigners, had also begun to get addicted to this stupid box one by one.
I bet that each kingdom was struggling with the foreigners’ request to import the G.o.ddess’ mirror.
‘Culture and technology are also weapons.’
In a sense, it was more threatening than a sword or a spear.
While I was lost in my thoughts, I heard Dialugia’s voice again.
“Now is Dialuria’s turn! She’s doing it now.”
“Ohh. Yes. I’m going. Going.”
Although the swording practice had begun, my expectation had diminished for the obvious result.
Our Tol To-ri was already capable of crushing the children around her with only her basic physical ability.
As expected, she was showing swordsmanship knowledge, along with her physical abilities, to the innocents in an openly provoking manner.
‘Better than most adventurers…’
Even with the opponent who picked up the sword together, she did not finish him at once, but used it to show herself.
From anyone’s perspective, it felt like the opponent was better, but the kid couldn’t withstand the agility and strength of our Tol To-ri.
Even before finishing, she stopped the sword aimed at the opponent and showed off her next skill.
‘Her opponent is so pitiful…’
The kid, who had learned swordsmanship for a long time, was also trying not to disappoint his parents, biting his lips tightly, but no matter how hard a cat trained his claws, he couldn’t beat a tiger.
The difference in basic stats was so big that it could be considered a joke, rather than a serious demonstration.
I, who could be said to be obtuse, somehow found myself empathizing with the kid.
It was enough to be ashamed of Dialugia, who was clapping her hands next to me and smiling.
“Isn’t our Dialuria doing great? I don’t know much about swording, but even if I look at her with the other kids out there, she isn’t comparable. Considering that it hasn’t been a year since she started it properly, she’s indeed a talent from heaven.”
‘This is your daughter dragon. And that’s pushing it with force…’
“How nice for her to be considerate of the other so that they do not get hurt…”
‘It’s not a consideration. She’s toying with him…’
“I think I’m making a fool of myself.”
‘That’s right.’
I wanted to say all this, but it kept lingering in my throat.
“The winner is Dialuria.”
“Good job. My daughter! Dialuria! You’re the best! The best! Dialuria!”
Tol To-ri looked at me while taking on a victory pose. I didn’t know where she had gotten it from, but she seemed to harbor the talent of provocation.