Chapter 62: Ice-Drinking Manor and Foreword
(Upon the suggestion of interlinked posts, Magic Fertilizer has been changed to Magic Core)
Outside the Hall of Governance.
As time trickled by, Anjelina grew increasingly anxious.
In her eyes, the hall was like a monstrous beast ready to devour its prey; after her brother entered, all communication ceased.
Apart from the initial sound of the Empress of Eternal Night slamming her desk, she could hear nothing more.
Especially after what happened last night, facing the unknown and frightening oneself could be the most terrifying thing.
Anjelina’s mind conjured visions of her best friend chopping her brother into bits, then attempting to reassemble him, with arms and legs in the wrong places…
Anjelina saw the doors of the Hall of Governance open, and the extraordinarily handsome youth emerged.
Huh, Your Majesty pieced him back together quite completely.
Roger, with his black hair and black eyes, wore a sharp, deep blue formal suit. His hair was meticulously styled, giving him an appearance of always being intelligent.
A lazy smile played on his lips, and his gait was quite arrogant, showing no respect or sense of discretion within the Imperial Palace.
Never mind, her troublesome brother was beyond saving. As long as he could still breathe, that was good enough.
Seeing him emerge intact, Anjelina breathed a sigh of relief and lost the will to chide him for his lack of aristocratic etiquette.
Moreover, judging by his appearance, he had successfully obtained the official position he desired from the Empress…
Finally, I’ve raised my brother. He won’t starve without me!
Roger saw Anjelina waiting outside the hall, and was slightly surprised.
His heart warmed.
The feeling of being cared for and remembered was quite pleasant.
At least in this other World, he was not alone.
However, knowing Saint An’s tendency to fuss, Roger did not want her to create a “reunion after escaping death” atmosphere.
It was too clingy, too awkward.
When this woman got sentimental, she could turn the most trivial matters into a lengthy tale about your childhood.
Therefore, Roger strode up to Anjelina, feigning a boastful demeanor, and spoke first:
“Sister, yee, I got it! Our family won’t be short of money from now on!”
With that one sentence, all of Anjelina’s sentimentality vanished into thin air.
Her beautiful eyes widened, and she lightly kicked his shin: “Our family was never short of money, was it? And have I ever wronged you?”
She didn’t put any real force into it, but Roger still played along, baring his teeth in feigned pain.
Anjelina sighed and shook her head.
Girls always needed emotional outlets, but unfortunately, this thoughtless brat didn’t give her the chance.
Alas, if only he were a sister!
She could only ask: “Lord Roger, can you tell me what position you’ve been appointed to now?”
Roger’s expression shifted. He placed one hand on his hip and raised a dark metal token, which seemed to hold the light of countless stars.
He proudly declared:
“I am an Inspector of the Eight Prefectures, holding the Eternal Night Token, overseeing the entire nation. I can execute the wise ruler and the virtuous official!”
“???”
Anjelina’s eyelids twitched.
Good heavens, executing both the wise ruler and the virtuous official? Are you afraid the Azurevine Empire isn’t chaotic enough?
The powerful eunuch during the Veronica Dynasty who called himself ninety-thousand years old didn’t stir up trouble like you!
However, Roger’s words were unreliable, but the Eternal Night Token in his hand was genuine.
This filled Anjelina with confusion:
Did Her Majesty truly give this brat such an important position that she even bestowed the Eternal Night Token for him to misuse?
The Eternal Night Token was a special token issued by the Empress of Eternal Night after her ascension to ensure that the governors and generals stationed abroad could smoothly command their proud warriors and local nobles.
It was said to be equivalent to “seeing Me,” similar to an ancient Eastern Imperial Sword.
The holder theoretically had the right to execute first and report later, relying on the supreme authority of the Empress of Eternal Night to achieve hierarchical oversight and facilitate wartime mobilization.
The Eternal Night Tokens were always tied to a mission. As enemy threats diminished, the number of Eternal Night Tokens still in circulation abroad was no more than five.
How could her troublesome brother possess an Eternal Night Token?
What the heck, even I haven’t received one!
“There’s no such position as Inspector of the Eight Prefectures in the Empire. Tell me honestly, how did you fool Her Majesty?”
But a sister is still a sister. Seeing her brother babble nonsense, she directly grabbed his ear for “interrogation.”
Roger had no intention of hiding it from her. With “New Arcana” set to be published throughout the Empire, it was impossible to conceal.
He explained to Anjelina in detail that he would be the president of the magazine.
Of course, he omitted the part about using a “reverse psychology” tactic and building a persona to fool the Empress of Eternal Night.
Disrespecting the Empress of Eternal Night would surely lead to him being lectured by his overly loyal sister.
“Magic Core? That’s a good idea. If it can truly feed the people of the Empire, it would be a great thing. But if you try to reform magic like this, you’ll be cursed by the mages…”
Anjelina fell into thought as she listened to Roger’s ideas, her beautiful brows furrowed.
She didn’t understand magic, but she understood mages.
The Empress of Eternal Night was mighty and martial. The mages of the Empire, taking her as an example, naturally pursued ultimate combat prowess.
Faster, higher, stronger.
This was the motto proposed by the legendary mage of a thousand years ago, the Light of the Olympics, Henri-Martin Didot.
It remained the creed of countless mages to this day.
Everyone meditated and cultivated to become stronger, not to become “weaker.”
Therefore, altering a magic to make it weaker was heresy, an evil path!
If Roger became the originator of such heretical thought, he would inevitably face collective resistance from the mages.
Especially since the Empire had only recently ended its state of total war, and skirmishes never ceased. Promotion through military achievements was the mainstream ideology for mages.
The core idea of “New Arcana,” however, was to shift mages from combat roles to research and development positions…
This would undoubtedly benefit the nation and its people, but Roger would likely be cursed to death by the mages, wouldn’t he?
This matter would be difficult even with the Empress of Eternal Night involved.
At that time, Roger would be labeled a sycophantic minister who corrupted the Empress, bringing disaster to the nation, and would be cursed even more severely…
Roger observed the changes on Anjelina’s face, knowing she foresaw the wave of opposition that would arise after “New Arcana” was published, and began to worry about him.
He prepared to say something to comfort his elder sister.
But then he saw her small hand press firmly on his shoulder.
“Brother, be brave and do it. I am proud of you!”
Anjelina gazed at Roger affectionately, her voice filled with the sentiment of having such a brother, what more could a sister ask for.
Roger forced an extremely awkward smile: “Sister, have you already prepared my epitaph?”
“Her Majesty has bestowed great kindness upon us. Our Charles family will be loyal to Her Majesty. I will ensure your legacy is glorious!”
“Sister, I thank you!”
Roger was speechless, unsure whether to laugh or cry.
He thought his sister would dissuade him, but instead, she urged him to press on.
If her brother is killed by heretics, that’s unacceptable!
If her brother dies serving the country, that’s acceptable!
Is this the loyalty of the ancients?
I can’t afford such affection!
However, thinking on the bright side, at least Anjelina did not oppose him doing something so ahead of its time and challenging traditional authority; instead, she offered her full support.
This was already considered a good sister.
Although her motivations were a bit strange, the outcome was the same, which was good enough…
Of course, Anjelina’s nagging and instructions were unavoidable.
“Even with the Eternal Night Token, you can’t use it recklessly. We Charles family always reason things out.”
“I know, I know.”
“No illicit gains or abuse of power, or I’ll be the first to report you!”
“I know, I know.”
“Don’t be afraid when facing difficulties, but also don’t offend all the court officials. Sometimes, you need to be tactful.”
“I know, I know.”
“Do you want me to arrange a sister-in-law for you? Then, I will dote on my little nephew…”
Roger was truly at a loss for words.
Aren’t you being a bit too pessimistic?
I have the Empress of Eternal Night behind me. Does anyone dare assassinate me?
Oh, they probably will.
Without the Nirvana Blessing, I need to form a private guard to protect my own life…
Little Joey, hurry up and report for duty. I really need your protection this time!
However, Roger still respected his sister and asked:
“Sister, is the sister-in-law you mentioned pretty?”
*Thump!*
*Owie!*
Anjelina hit him hard on the forehead with a chestnut.
It hit the exact spot the Empress of Eternal Night had struck, and it hurt terribly!
“Focus on working diligently for His Majesty, and don’t think about those absurd and vulgar things. The magazine hasn’t even been published yet, and you want to start a family?”
Anjelina felt that he was practically drooling at the thought of a “sister-in-law,” and her mood suddenly soured.
She hit him and ran, not wanting to see that troublesome brat at all!
Roger watched her retreating back, feeling wronged.
Extremely wronged.
You were the one who brought up the sister-in-law first, why are you hitting me?
You troublesome women, you’re so moody. Do you really think I won’t retaliate?
If you hit me again without reason, I will protest! o(一︿一+)o!
…
…
[Traveling Insoles: Lightweight and breathable, extremely comfortable. Instantly teleports to a marked coordinate on the current Plane after a five-second channeling (CD: 40 minutes, with independent cooldowns for left and right insoles).]
This was a magical item Roger obtained from opening ten treasure chests early this morning.
With its red appearance and familiar function, Roger felt it was just like the Boots of Travel from a certain MOBA game…
However, were the insoles the main part?
Despite the many points to mock, it was undeniable that this was a powerful alchemical item, practically equivalent to having two personal teleportation arrays with him at all times.
Rounded up, this was worth ten thousand gold coins!
And since it was a system product, there were no false advertisements. These insoles were incredibly comfortable.
They automatically adapted to all types and shapes of shoes, providing that familiar plush feel and even having an anti-gravity function.
Even heavy, hard-soled leather boots felt like top-tier running shoes, allowing the young master to walk like the wind!
This almost made one suspect that these insoles were imbued with black technology…
No, black magic!
Roger used the Traveling Insoles to return directly from the Star River Palace to the Charles Mansion.
After leaving, he didn’t have to walk far before arriving at a manor in the noble district, about one-third the size of their ducal mansion.
This was a manor belonging to the Shirley family.
The main building was a four-story small building, with several other elaborately designed detached structures, maintaining the style of the first generation of the Shirley family, and in good condition.
In the exquisite small box the Empress of Eternal Night had thrown at him, apart from the Eternal Night Token, there was also the deed to this manor.
Roger naturally understood that this was the office location bestowed by the Empress for the “New Arcana” magazine.
As expected of Her Majesty, whom his sister described as “generous with rewards,” a manor worth over a million gold coins was given away so readily…
Sigh, why did he have this urge to not work hard and “be adopted” by Her Majesty?
Accompanied by the butler, Roger toured the manor.
He felt that major structural changes were unnecessary. After adding furniture and office supplies, the magazine could start operating immediately.
The butler noted down Roger’s requests one by one, then asked: “My lord, please bestow a name upon the manor.”
Roger understood this was likely a directive from the Empress.
The Shirley family was too lazy to name such a small property, but the birthplace of a magazine that would change the era deserved to be recorded.
Roger was also terrible at naming things. In the end, he decided to borrow from the wisdom of his predecessors and hesitantly said: “How about Ice-Drinking Manor?”
“I don’t understand, Your Majesty said you’ll be happy as long as you like it.”
“Then it shall be Ice-Drinking Manor!”
“Yes, I will make the necessary arrangements.”
A great reformer’s study was named the “Ice-Drinking Room.” He wrote many famous essays, and one particularly renowned piece was included in language textbooks, inspiring many.
Now that Roger was publishing “New Arcana” in the Azurevine Empire, he felt that using this name did not dishonor the predecessor.
Moreover, the phrase “drinking ice” originated from “Zhuangzi: Harmonizing in Chapter of the Worldly Life”: “Now I have received my orders in the morning and drink ice in the evening; am I internally feverish?”
The meaning was that the responsibility was too great, causing inner turmoil and anxiety, necessitating the consumption of ice to cool down.
Externally, it could also be explained that he was earnestly promoting “New Arcana” and not merely seeking an easy job to slack off…
Although this kind of reformist thinking, for a transmigrator from a greatly different World than the Eternal Night World, was truly effortless.
Simply releasing some advanced theories, progressive ideas, or opposing viewpoints would make the mages of this era argue incessantly.
From political debates to academic discussions, and even to decisive battles at the apex of arcane arts, he believed the mages of the Azurevine Empire would fall in love with his magazine, as it provided them a platform to discuss national affairs…
This was not empty talk that endangered the nation.
It was about combining theories that Roger couldn’t fully grasp with the realities of the Azurevine Empire, allowing for practical implementation.
Roger wished for the red flag to fly across the land, leading to a swift leap towards a society without divine emperors.
But that was unrealistic. As soon as such ideas appeared, even without divine intervention, the emperor would not spare him.
“You trust me so much, yet you want to revolutionize my rule?”
*Biubiubiu!*
Furthermore, the education level and ideological awareness of the people in this world were not sufficient to support a more advanced social structure.
It was like giving an endless supply of resources to Black brothers; they wouldn’t create a rich and splendid civilization, but would instead use bullets as firecrackers and slaughter each other.
One could imagine this by referencing what Black basketball stars generally do after becoming wealthy.
The magical civilization of this World was brilliant, and the nobility was elegant and intelligent, but the education level of the lower classes was even lower than that of Black brothers.
As is well known, productivity determines the relations of production.
An iron-fisted Empress coupled with centralized power was the most suitable administrative system for the Azurevine Empire at this time.
However, the Empress of Eternal Night created the unprecedentedly vast Azurevine Empire through military conquest and command abilities.
She was at most a female Genghis Khan, but she lacked the terrifying template of the First Emperor.
Her internal affairs capabilities, even with Anjelina’s assistance, were rather unsatisfactory from a Chinese perspective. She could only create external pressure to divert domestic conflicts, a rather crude method.
The Empress’s economic policy was even simpler and more brutal:
Domestic wonders causing fiscal shortages?
Attack another rich country and seize its treasury to fill the deficit!
The foundation of “New Arcana” was laid successfully, with the support of the Empress of Eternal Night, and her violent tendencies were temporarily restrained.
After the war against the Orc King’s tents concludes, there should be a period of recovery, right?
Therefore, the first phase goal of “New Arcana” did not require discussing the relations of production; it was simply to liberate productivity.
That is, how to initiate a magical industrial revolution through ideological reform.
If I don’t ignite the mages’ passion for debate right from the first issue, and attract their attention with sensational headlines, leading the fundamentalists and arcana proponents into a direct conflict, how will I gain readership?
A smile flickered across Roger’s lips.
The foreword for the inaugural issue must be full of firepower!
Although a foreword would definitely be attributed to the Empress of Eternal Night, given her temperament, she would secretly be delighted to have someone ghostwrite it, wouldn’t she?
Roger wrote the title of the foreword for “New Arcana”:
Learning Magic Cannot Save the Empire’s People!
