Simon informed Alexia about Alma’s situation and sought her opinion on Gerald’s proposed compulsory education reform.
“Does the Doctrine of the Light Church wish to take over this matter…”
Alexia pondered for a moment.
“Compared to imperial officials, the Light Church is clearly more adept at handling such affairs.”
Alexia had to admit that, when it came to reaching the grassroots, the Light Church outperformed anyone.
“Moreover, I’ve lost patience with those officials.”
Having failed to achieve her goals for a long time, Alexia had lost trust in the officials responsible and seen through their true nature.
Helplessly, she had no suitable candidate at hand to take over the task.
Thus, the matter kept being delayed, with no results to this day.
She knew well that pushing this reform would benefit the country and the people, yet she simply couldn’t resolve it completely.
Now, the opportunity had arrived.
According to the Doctrine of the Light Church and Gerald’s character, he would undoubtedly persist to the end.
She could also go with the flow and earn a good reputation for herself.
“But this matter cannot be handed over to him yet. I’ve only suppressed the empire’s voice for now; unless the remnants left by the previous king are removed, nothing can be settled.”
“Furthermore, the empire must take the lead in this matter, with the Light Church only providing support.”
Alexia knew well that this issue couldn’t be solved by simply agreeing.
Although she knew handing it to Gerald would guarantee a perfect resolution, she couldn’t do so.
The right to education had to remain firmly in her own hands.
“Go back and tell Gerald that once I’ve dealt with the affairs in the imperial capital and the time is right, I will naturally entrust this matter to him. But for now, it cannot be done.”
Though she was the empress of the empire, in reality, there were few trusted aides in the imperial capital, leaving her with very few usable people.
Most of the officials in office were elders left over from the previous king’s era, and those who were both capable and loyal had long been executed for advising the previous king.
The ones remaining were merely mediocre.
It was already difficult enough for them to complete tasks, not to mention that many troublesome elements had already been dealt with by her.
Alexia urgently needed to establish her own Administrative System.
Simon and his Blood Knights were currently the only force Alexia could mobilize.
Besides Simon, she also had Tracy and her Sixteen Legions, who had gone far to the battlefield of the United Kingdom in the east.
The imperial capital and surrounding cities remained under Alexia’s control.
Apart from that, the Northern Region and Southern Region of the empire had long since slipped from control, and were basically out of contact with the imperial capital.
The territories nominally belonging to the empire were, in reality, a complete unknown.
Alexia had considered letting Tracy resolve domestic issues first, but time was pressing.
The offensive of the United Kingdom in the Eastern Region forced her to deploy all available forces to the Eastern Front.
This move did secure her control over the eastern part of the empire.
But for her, it was far from enough.
The Western Region was barely maintained through connections with a Prince of the same bloodline as Alexia.
But this was also a huge problem, because that Prince was a Border Lord personally appointed by the previous king, and the number and quality of troops under his command even surpassed Alexia’s.
Not to mention that the empire’s Western Region was also an important Mining District.
Under such circumstances, Alexia could not risk actions that might trigger rebellion.
“Understood.”
Simon nodded in agreement, understanding Alexia’s intentions.
As they conversed, a maid entered the hall and reported loudly:
“Your Majesty, a witch has arrived outside the palace gates, calling herself the Thousand-Faced Witch. She says she has come regarding the matter of the Apocalypse Witch.”
Alexia’s brows furrowed slightly as she looked outside with a hint of disbelief, then calmly gave the order.
“Let her in.”
Simon reminded her from the side.
“Your Majesty, the visitor comes with ill intent!”
Clearly, the Witch Council knew about the Apocalypse Witch’s attack on Alexia.
Otherwise, given the nature of those witches, they would never come to the imperial capital to request an audience with Alexia without reason.
There was originally no connection between the two sides.
Currently, rumors outside only said that Alexia had been attacked in the royal city, but no one knew who the attacker was.
“So be it.”
Alexia’s lips curled into a playful smile.
“I’m curious to see what surprise they might bring me.”
Before long, a stunning woman draped in seven-colored gauze entered the hall gracefully, accompanied by a maid.
She walked to the center of the hall, stopped, and immediately announced her name.
“Thousand-Faced Witch, Rosalind.”
Alexia was a bit surprised at Rosalind’s candor.
A witch’s title was not merely a name; it also encapsulated their abilities.
Rosalind reported it outright, clearly showing respect.
“Speak plainly, witch. What is it you seek from me?”
“Your Majesty, I have no intention of causing trouble here. I only hope for your forgiveness.”
“Forgiveness?”
Alexia leaned forward, gazing at Rosalind below with interest.
As if anticipating what amusement she might bring.
“To express our apology, the Witch Council wishes to present all of the Apocalypse Witch’s possessions as compensation to Your Majesty.”
Rosalind said, taking a Seal Stone from her bosom.
She raised both hands high, presenting it before Alexia.
Alexia glanced at it briefly, but was already shocked inside.
“Within this is sealed the soul and inheritance of the Apocalypse Witch.”
“You… drew her out from Reincarnation?”
Alexia hadn’t expected the Witch Council’s methods to be even more ruthless than hers.
She merely took a life, but did not destroy the soul as well.
That left the Apocalypse Witch with the possibility of Reincarnation.
After all, once she entered Reincarnation, the Apocalypse Witch would not remember her past life, so it wouldn’t matter to Alexia.
However, the Witch Council’s actions completely cut off the Apocalypse Witch’s hope of Reincarnation.
From then on, the Apocalypse Witch would exist only as a solitary Soul, destined to fade into dust.
The Thousand-Faced Witch nodded.
“She offended Your Majesty, and thus she brought this upon herself.”
“We understand that this may still not be enough to quell Your Majesty’s anger, so we are willing to swear an oath in the name of the Origin Witch.”
“From now on, should Your Majesty require anything, the Witch Council will fulfill one task for you in accordance with the Doctrine of the Light Church, regardless of its nature.”
As soon as the Thousand-Faced Witch finished, countless chains appeared behind her, binding her tightly.
At the same time, a Key Mark appeared in Alexia’s palm.
This signified that such a Sworn Oath was real, and had already taken effect.
In the future, if Alexia wished, she could command the Witch Council to assist her once without compensation, no matter how significant the task.
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