In the Name of Empress-Chapter 432 - 302: Awakened Memories of the Dead

"Hi, my friend, do you recognize these characters?"

Roland held up the paper with Sylph’s full name written on it and loudly asked the crowd.

His actions were swift, most did not see clearly, and those who did mostly couldn’t read, leaving the onlookers bewildered, shaking their heads.

"This sentence is ’I am with you’, with the autograph below from Her Majesty the Empress. If you cannot read, even if the Empress blesses you, you won’t understand."

Roland began to address the real issue, giving everyone a reason to participate in compulsory education.

Long-standing concepts are hard to change.

For thousands of years, the governance strategies of human rulers have remained largely unchanged.

Keep the populace ignorant.

As long as the people are sufficiently ignorant, mass awakening is impossible, and control becomes deeply entrenched.

Even if certain nations experience turbulence at certain times and old lords are overthrown by the people, it cannot change the social structure.

The dragon slayer sneered as he lifted the crown atop the Evil Dragon, becoming an even more vicious dragon.

Just as peasant revolts can never overthrow the landlord class and only make themselves the new landlords, uprisings without a foundation of mass enlightenment are merely a new dragon replacing the old.

As a member of the Evil Dragons, Roland should desperately protect the dragon’s interests.

But he didn’t want to do that.

It’s not that he betrayed his class; he just didn’t want to swim naked against the current.

Steam roared, gears turned, and magic thundered.

The wheels of the era will never care how much a mantis wants to stop them.

Instead of swimming naked against the current, it’s better to go with the flow.

Since the new era will arrive sooner or later, it’s better to give it a push.

Roland remembered the bearded man he once met at the Imperial Library when he was looking for loopholes in the law, and the corners of his lips slightly curled up.

The bearded man was not Carl, but the famous practitioner of the utopian ideal, Thomas.

As long as productivity continues to progress, the day will come when utopia becomes a reality.

As an Iron Imperialist Faction member, Roland didn’t care if the burning flames of the future would destroy the foundations of the old world.

He just wanted to win.

He wanted to take the train out instead of the elegant but slow carriage.

He couldn’t do it, but he could give a slight push from behind the wheel of history.

Of course, Roland did not sacrifice himself with the noble sentiment of perfecting the world; his efforts to help were still for himself.

The duel of two old-era monarchs pushed the flames of the new era to burn.

The truth of history is always so humorous.

Roland found it interesting, even somewhat amusing.

Some onlookers showed dismay at his mockery, but others couldn’t help but shout.

"Lord Governor, it’s easy for you to say, but the fact is we can’t read!"

"Well said! Then go learn!"

Roland stated firmly, "Her Majesty the Empress has already issued a new education law, granting all citizens of the Empire the right to compulsory education. You can inquire about the specific implementation details at the city hall."

"Huh?!"

The crowd was somewhat dumbfounded.

We were just joking; are you serious?

The crowd looked at each other, afraid to respond, while some were tempted but too timid to reply.

What a joke, education is a luxury in this era. Those who can read and write are either wealthy, noble, or become dedicated members of religious organizations.

The threshold for ordinary people to read and write is too high.

Seeing that no one dared to express themselves, Roland gave Sif a glance, signaling her to come forward.

The protagonist of this parade was Sif.

Among the crowded square, how many came to see him?

If not for the Empress’s presence, having five hundred spectators for his speech would be a miracle; even then, more than half would be shills.

Sif gave Roland a "leave it to me" look, calmly stepped onto the platform, and raised the Golden Staff in her hand.

The entire place fell into silence.

"Citizens of the Empire, in the name of the White Rose, I grant you the right to education, a sacred and inviolable right, and anyone who obstructs it is my enemy."

The entire place was silent, except for the sound of nervous breathing.

"Long live Her Majesty the Empress!"

...

Cheers erupted one after another.

Some were moved to tears, holding their faces, unable to speak.

They were not thrilled for their opportunity to attend school, as their age made education trivial, but they had children.

They didn’t want their children to engage in arduous physical labor like they did.

Their offspring must study, at least recognize the Empress’s decree.

The cheers almost shook the square to its foundations.

The enthusiasm of the crowd caught Roland somewhat off guard.

The words Sif just spoke were meticulously crafted by Roland, emphasizing that the right to education was granted by Sif.

Even if the old system reaches its end in the future, and people raise torches to ignite the decaying old era, they will still remember that sunny afternoon when a young and beautiful Empress granted them the right to education.

They won’t show mercy to the old era, but they will treat the descendants of the York Clan gently.

One should not allow oneself to fall into degradation when destitute, nor become heedlessly arrogant when successful.

During times of smooth sailing, don’t just think about bullying others; accumulate some blessings for future generations. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

After all, the descendants of the York Clan are his offspring.

Roland and Sif exchanged glances, simultaneously grinning.

However, an unexpected incident still occurred. Amidst the fervent atmosphere of acclaim, a discordant voice finally emerged.

After all, the Suyige Province is a newly conquered province, with an unstable populace foundation.

Especially those Oden people who haven’t left.

Expecting them to sing praises of the Empress is unrealistic.

"Honorable Her Majesty the Empress, can we also receive an education?"

A robust man, speaking in Sussex Language with an Oden accent and not very fluently, stammered as he asked.

Sif and Roland exchanged glances and walked forward.

"I mean all Empire citizens, even those who join the Empire at this moment."

She referred to subjects, not citizens.

Even ordinary people without political power are entitled to education.

The Oden race strongman could hardly believe his ears and, after repeated confirmation, knelt fiercely with his towering two-meter figure to express his gratitude.

Yet, an invisible force supported his knees.

Sif made a gesture with both hands raised, her gentle yet authoritative voice echoed across the square.

"Sussex people do not need to kneel to anyone."

Although this statement from an Emperor might seem somewhat amusing, the effect was excellent.

The expression of those timid Oden race people shifted from apprehension to ecstasy, then transformed into wild cheers.

Seeing their eyes burning with fanatical intensity, Roland had no doubt that if Sif asked them to take up arms against the enemy now, they wouldn’t hesitate.

This is the power of the Empress as a national idol.

The morale of Suyige Province is stable...

Really?

Of course not.

Discordant voices remain, and they are even sharper.

"Your Majesty, your kindness is moving, but I have no time to read or receive an education."

A voice hoarse and tinged with fatigue almost drowned in the crowd.

Sif could easily pretend she didn’t hear it, but she chose to raise the Golden Staff.

With the staff raised, the commotion ceased.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for Sif’s decree.

Sif smiled at the questioning individual in the crowd.

He stood only about one meter sixty, wearing a coarse canvas work outfit washed to a faded hue, and oversized pants hung awkwardly on slim legs.

Despite his attempts to clean his skin, heavy labor had rendered it darkly tanned and his back hunched.

A ragged vine helmet hung at his waist.

A very stereotypical coal miner’s attire.

Roland squinted slightly, his gaze complex.

He already guessed what the questioner wanted to say.

He had a perfect answer in mind, but didn’t know how to express it, as it was too ahead of its time, incompatible with this era.

"Mister, what is your occupation?"

"I, I’m a coal miner." The miner’s face turned red.

Laughter rang around, with citizens instinctively distancing themselves from him. To urban dwellers, miners and farmers shouldn’t enter the city.

They are uncouth, ignorant, with an ever-present sweat odor.

Someone shouted, "Where are the guards? How could lowly people sneak into the Empress’s parade scene?"

This loudmouth’s words represented a widespread sentiment.

Sif glanced at Roland’s profile with her peripheral vision, saw him staring at the miner, and instantly understood his inclination.

"Mister, how long do you work each day?"

"I don’t know; I only know I have to get up before dawn and won’t return until well after dark. I really want to read, but I have no time."

Sif was pondering her response when Roland already stepped forward.

"Eight hours, work eight hours each day!"

"Even if the whole world opposes, this must not change. It is the bottom line!"

Roland’s voice trembled slightly, his face slightly distorted.

He clenched his fists, as dead memories relentlessly assaulted him.

Sif unobtrusively moved beside Roland, quietly holding his trembling, icy hand, sharing her warm softness with him.

"Work eight hours a day; this is my will, and no one shall defy it."