12. New Regulations

At Jola Central Square,

The midday sun beat down mercilessly on the bustling Central Square, where life moved with a sense of newfound purpose. Workers labored under the scorching heat, constructing sturdy walls to fortify their homes and cultivating farmland enriched by seabed soil. The farming experiment had proven somewhat effective, and now, hope bloomed alongside the crops. Near the coastline, teams tirelessly purified seawater, ferrying barrels back and forth. Fishermen hauled in their daily catch with the help of eager volunteers, while others tended to the children, ensuring they learned valuable skills.

In the midst of this organized chaos, the rhythmic clatter of hooves signaled the arrival of an imperial carriage. The sleek, jet-black vehicle advanced slowly, flanked by knights in gleaming armor. As it approached, a ripple of motion swept through the crowd. One by one, the people of Jola Island knelt, their expressions a mixture of gratitude and reverence. Even the Herptian priests, distinguishable by their flowing white robes, paused their efforts to care for the sick and the young, bowing deeply.

Though the influence of the Herptian clergy had waned in the eastern continent, Jola Island remained a stronghold of their faith. Here, their presence endured as a legacy of the island’s historical significance in the east.

The carriage came to a halt, and Ravenna Solarius stepped out, her commanding presence radiating like the heat of the sun. Her jet-black hair framed her face like a curtain of shadow, and her sharp, discerning gaze swept over the kneeling populace. Clad in elegant attire befitting her status, she ascended the stage at the square’s center with an air of practiced authority.

“The people of this island have remarkable manners,” she murmured, her lips curling into a faint smile as she observed the deference shown to her.

Hughes, her loyal knight captain, stepped forward, his booming voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd. “Her Highness, Ravenna Solarius, has arrived! Gather around! Her Highness has an important announcement to make!”

The message spread quickly. Those who were not already present hurried to the square, joining the gathering throng. Within minutes, the crowd swelled to several hundred, each person craning their neck to catch sight of their enigmatic ruler.

Among them was Sarah, rushing over from the distribution estate, where she had been managing records of food rations and job allocations. She had been summoned the moment Ravenna departed the castle, informed that the announcement would involve significant administrative changes.

As the crowd settled, Ravenna stood motionless, surveying her people with a piercing gaze. After fifteen minutes of patient waiting, she reached into her robes and produced a single jasmine flower inscribed with faint magical runes. Crushing it between her fingers, she placed the remnants on a slender stick, amplifying her voice with its enchantment.

“My citizens!” she began, her voice booming across the square, commanding immediate silence. “You know me as Princess Ravenna Solarius, Duchess of this land. In the past month, I have brought forth changes to this barren island—from distributing food to initiating the soil extraction project for farming. But let me tell you this: what you have seen is not the end. It is only the beginning!”

Her tone was laced with authority, firm yet strangely comforting. The people of Jola Island, accustomed to years of neglect and exploitation, found her words stirring a mix of trepidation and anticipation. Though Ravenna was known for her fiery temper and sharp tongue, her actions in the past month had proven transformative. Even her stern demeanor couldn’t overshadow the tangible improvements she had brought to their lives.

“I have held dominion over this island for a month now,” she continued, her voice resolute. “Yet, I have not changed its administrative or military policy. That will change today!”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. For many, her words reignited painful memories of the oppressive taxes imposed by the previous nobles. Those taxes had driven countless families to ruin, their debts paid in blood or imprisonment. The thought of further reforms, however well-intentioned, filled them with dread.

Sensing their unease, Ravenna raised her hand, silencing the whispers. Her expression remained calm, yet her next words struck like a hammer. “Do not misunderstand me,” she declared. “Just because I distributed free food and initiated farming projects does not mean I care for you peasants.”

The crowd stiffened as her gaze swept over them, her voice sharp as steel. “The only thing I care about,” she said, pausing for effect, “is myself.”

Her words landed heavily, and a wave of despair washed over the crowd. For a brief moment, the hope that had taken root in their hearts felt as though it might wither.

Her words struck the crowd like a hammer blow, and a wave of despair rippled through the square. The hope that had cautiously taken root in their hearts trembled under the weight of her declaration. For a moment, it seemed as though the budding faith in their new ruler might wither entirely.

But then Ravenna spoke again, her voice clear and resolute. “It means that if a reform allows the people of this island to better care for me, then it shall be done! If protecting you ensures that you live another day to serve my needs, then you shall have my protection!” Her words echoed sharply, resonating in the ears of every listener, filling their minds with confusion.

What was the princess getting at? Was she saying that as long as they were useful to her, she would safeguard them? Did she truly mean that her favor depended on their benefit to her? The crowd exchanged wary glances, the weight of her intentions unclear.

Ravenna continued without hesitation, her tone commanding. “With that in mind, I am announcing the centralization of power in Jola City!” She reached into her robes and produced an official-looking document, holding it high for all to see.

The crowd leaned forward, straining to catch a glimpse of the title. Many could read it, thanks to the Herptian religion’s emphasis on education, and their eyes widened in disbelief.

“In this system,” Ravenna declared, her voice unyielding, “every single grain of food harvested, every product crafted, and every service provided by the people of this land will belong to the Dukedom. And the Dukedom,” she added, her gaze sharp and unyielding, “is me.”

A ripple of murmurs coursed through the crowd, their voices rising in alarm and disbelief. The idea was staggering: every resource, every piece of labor, and every form of commerce would now be under her control.

Noticing the unrest, Ravenna’s eyes narrowed. Her glare cut through the noise like a blade, silencing the growing commotion. “Every citizen who works will receive a fair salary, calculated based on their skill, labor, and other evaluations specified in this document,” she announced firmly. “There will be no privately owned businesses in the city. Every shop, every trade, every store that sells goods will belong to the Dukedom. And the Dukedom,” she repeated with finality, “is me.”

The weight of her proclamation settled over the square like a thick fog. Many in the crowd struggled to process what they had just heard. For generations, some families had thrived on small trading businesses, even if those ventures had withered totally by now. Now, Ravenna was proposing to abolish private enterprise altogether, placing everything under her direct authority.

“The details of this reformed governance,” Ravenna continued, raising the document higher, “are outlined here. Copies will be distributed to every household in the coming days. Read it. Understand it. Know that this system will rebuild the island and secure its future!”

Her tone shifted then, growing sharper and more confrontational. She scanned the crowd, her sharp gaze daring anyone to challenge her. “Now, to those who might oppose me,” she said, her voice cutting through the stillness like a whip. “To those who think I don’t deserve to own everything on this island, I ask you this: Do you truly believe you can fix this land without my leadership? Do you think your petty squabbles and fragmented efforts could accomplish what I have done?”

Her voice grew louder, a challenge that hung heavily in the air. “If you dare to think otherwise, step forward now! Show yourselves, if you have the courage!”

Her final words rang out like a commandment, leaving the square in charged silence. The people exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to respond. The weight of her authority pressed down on them, daring anyone to rise against it.

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