Three days later…

In front of the Grand Library of Raya Lucaria...

Marika stood in front of the door waiting for the owner of the library. Bedivere was waiting at the side of the magic lifting platform. Guards had been sent in to notify Lenara. Here, she awaits to see if her conversation with Renalla three days ago was of use or not.

Today is the day of the morning audience that is held every three days, and Marika came with a tentative attitude to see if Renalla could get over her grief and stand on the stage to help Caria return to its former prosperity.

Although Marika still felt uneasy, her expression remained calm. No matter how she thinks about it, Renalla cannot be a woman without ambition and intelligence if she could lead the Glintstone sorcerers, a group of magic-obsessed scholars, to form a prospering nation. Marika believed that Renalla's willpower as the legendary "Queen of the Full Moon" could overcome the sadness and despair that pains her now. Even if Renalla couldn't do it, Marika was willing to ensure that she is well taken care of for the rest of her days, to repay her debt to her.

However, as the door of the library opened and a tall and slender figure walked out, Marika's worries were dispelled.

"Marika..."

"Renalla..."

At this time, although Renalla's face looked a little haggard, it could be seen from her eyes that she had regained her composure.

"Are you...doing well? Have you eaten properly?"

Marika asked with as much concern and caution as possible.

"Well... I ate a little. I... feel... I don't know..."

Although Renalla's face was pale, judging from her expression capable of expressing some awkwardness, it seemed that she was recovering well.

"That's good... uh... today is the day for the morning audience. I want to ask you, do you want to come and participate?"

"Morning audience? Me?"

Renalla was a little surprised that Marika would invite her. Putting aside the emotional entanglement between them, the two could at least be considered political enemies. The Golden Order and the Order of the Star and Moon were likely the furthest thing from 'friends'.

"Of course, if you feel you are not ready, I will not force you to participate. I know this... uh... is too much to ask of you. So, it doesn't matter how much time you need, I am willing to wait until you're ready."

When Marika mentioned this, Renalla became silent.

"You are willing to wait for any amount of time? …You really are his other half… Spoken just like him…"

Renalla said softly, a hint of sadness from past memories appearing on her face.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. If there is a morning audience... I will participate. I have been hiding for too long, I'd rather come out before I become bones and dust."

Renalla said with a forced smile on her face.

"Well...it'll be good if you can cheer up. Then let's discuss how to introduce you to everyone."

"Introduce?"

"That's right. I haven't announced your arrival to my ministers yet. And you also know that this is not the Land Between, there are bound to be many people who have not heard of your name."

"That is understandable, then what are you planning to do?"

Renalla crossed her arms and asked, her interest peaked.

"What else can I do but tell the truth? But before I do that, I thought it would be better to ask for your opinion. So... Do you think this is appropriate?"

Marika replied with a shrug.

'She asked for my opinion? Does she...really care so much… I really don't understand her..."

Renalla thought with some stirring emotion.

"Hmm... Aren't you worried about the reaction of your ministers? There is no room for two dragons in one mountain, and there is no room for two kings in one country. You should know the consequences of this, right?"

Renalla asked with a suspicious look on her face, could Marika really be so clueless as a king?

"I know...but I don't want to deny your achievements. If I force you to surrender to me now, wouldn't my previous promise be false? A king's words are worth a fortune, and I will not go back on such an important matter."

Marika said with a serious face. If Caria, whose glory was no lesser than the Erdtree, ended so unceremoniously, she would not forgive herself.

"Haha... When you put the matter like that, I really don't know what to say..."

Renalla smiled bitterly, she could tell that Marika was completely serious just now. She wasn't sure this changed Marika was stupid or just values their alliance that much.

After lowering her head and thinking for a while, Renalla said:

"Then...if I voluntarily give up my throne, the problem will be solved, right?"

"What?! Do you hear yourself Renalla?"

Now it was Marika's turn to be surprised.

"Why not? I have no ministers nor my children with me, nothing except this city. I am alone. Even if I call this city a nation, it will merely be a joke to all."

"But from now on, I will have chances to summon back your subordinates! Your people! As long as the system can be triggered—"

Renalla raised her hand to interrupt her.

"And exactly how long will we have to wait? I said before, one country cannot tolerate two kings. Even if you can tolerate it, can your ministers do the same?"

Speaking of this, Marika fell silent. She knew Renalla was right.

"Marika... When I founded Caria, I wanted to give the Glintstone mages a backer that could protect them, a country they could rely on. I fought the Golden Order for the same reason. But now without the Greater Will puppeting you, you no longer reject the Glintstone sorcery and the Order of the stars and the moon. With Caria being in this desolate state, it is better to have you as its new protector."

Speaking of this, Renalla showed a relieved smile. Renalla was originally just an Astrologer who wandered the ends of the earth, chasing the stars and the moon. Although fate has led her to sit on the throne, the throne and power are not her true pursuits.

"...Very well then, let's go with your plan. But since you join my court, you must at least have the position of a Grand Duke to be worthy of your status!"

"That is fine. However, don't expect me to forgive you for this."

Speaking of this, Renalla took a few steps towards the magic lifting platform leading downstairs, then turned back and said with a sly smile:

"Then it's time for us to set off for the morning court, right? Your Majesty."

"Yes, let us be on our way."

At this moment, Marika also put on a firm expression, returned to her royal temperament, and together with Renalla, once again headed to the officialdom as the king of a country!

A few minutes later, in the throne room...

The ministers gathered in the hall, which had been expanded to be more spacious in order to accommodate the increasing number of civil and military officials. Nearly a hundred officials are here, waiting for the morning audience to begin.

At this time, an attendant carrying a small copper bell noticed that a candle beside the throne was has almost burnt up, so he struck the bell with the bell stick in his hand and shouted:

"The time has come, the morning audience shall commence!"

Almost a few seconds after he finished shouting, the door to the throne room was pushed open, and the tall female monarch that the minister was familiar with walked in. But this time, besides her one-armed personal knight, there was one more person. An equally tall, no, an even taller woman. As soon as she took her position, she stood at the head of the ministers. Just standing there, she stood out like a crane in a pen of chicken. At the same time, the ministers were also amazed by her face. Her appearance is undoubtedly beautiful, but there is an opposite feeling to Marika. If Marika is the beaming and beautiful sun, then she is the gentle and cold moon. Her silky black hair is hidden under a high hat that looks like a crescent moon. Her eyes are as bright as the Milky Way in the dark night, and her cherry-red lips are a beauty full of mystery.

"Bow to her Majesty!"

At this time, the attendant holding the bell shouted.

All the courtiers put away their curiosity and bowed in unison:

"I bow to your Majesty! Long live your Majesty! Long live your Majesty!"

"My lords, please be at ease."

Marika calmly raised her hand and asked everyone to stand up. After so many months of hard practice, she now finally looked like a king in every move she made.

"Recently, I think all the ministers should know that I have built a new city in the Eastern Territory, New Raya Lucaria. Today, I bring you its new ruler."

Marika then raised her hand and pointed at Renalla and said:

"This is the Grand Duke Renalla of Caria, the ruler of the old Raya Lucaria City, and the dean of Raya Lucaria Academy. Now that the new city in the Eastern Territory has been built, I have asked her to move here from the Lands Between. This city in the Eastern Territory is modeled after the city she ruled in the past, thus she will also be entrusted with this city. Of course, this city has a very important purpose! Governing a country requires capable talents, and this Raya Lucaria is where I train our next generation! In the old city of Raya Lucaria, our nation's mages undergo education under Lady Renalla. Therefore, this new city with the same name will also inherit the role of its predecessor, and Lady Renalla will continue to serve as its dean, cultivating new Glintstone mages for the prosperity of our country."

After saying that, Marika turned quiet for a few minutes to let the news settle. The content of this news is really no less than when Marika revealed the background of the second prince and the ninth princess. Everyone was very surprised. However, after the initial surprise, everyone put on a professional smile and congratulated Renalla, no matter how they felt inside. All the ministers could see that Renalla was probably an important minister whose status was only lower than that of the king and her heirs. This could be seen just from the fact that a new city was built directly from Marika and given to her. This kind of treatment is not something any grand duke has ever received, and this alone is enough to prove her importance.

This is especially important for the ministers who defected from the Kingdom of Inrud. The Inrudian Kingdom, like the Falkeri empire, has its own aristocratic academy. In addition to cultivating noble disciples as future politicians, the role of the Noble Academy is to cultivate new mages from the many nobles in the kingdom and the empire who have some magic talents. And since Renala is the dean of the Magic Academy, she in some way to them is the dean of the Noble Academy as well. It must be known that the deans of the aristocratic academies of the Inrud Kingdom and the Falkeri Empire are all tremendously important figures. Whether their children can graduate or not depends entirely on the dean's will. Therefore, the dean of the noble academy can be said to be a big shot that all nobles will rush to fawn over.

Faced with the courtesies and flattery from the ministers, Renalla handled it calmly and naturally, which made Malika very happy that she could take care of her like a fish in water.

"Ahem, since you all have no objections to Lady Renalla's enfeoffment, then I will announce the next decision."

Marika coughed lightly to remind the ministers. When everyone heard that there was a new order, they returned to their seats one by one.

"Continuing with the topic just now, our country is now in a period of employment and needs to recruit talented people to serve the country. Therefore, I believe that the title system needs some improvement."

As soon as these words came out, the faces of many nobles began to become unnaturally stiff. Of course, this was what Marika expected.

"Of course, this is actually not a big change. The title system will still be the hereditary system as before, and your official positions will not change."

Having said this, some of the noble ministers breathed a sigh of relief.

"However, your successor needs to pass an assessment approved by the state. This is to ensure the character and ability of the successor. I think you don't want your foundation to be ruined in the hands of a prodigal, right?"

As soon as Marika changed the topic, many nobles began to show conflicted expressions. Of course they hope that their children will have outstanding talents to inherit their positions, but on the one hand, they are also worried about what will happen to their territory and property if their designated successors do not pass the test?

What they didn't know was that this was already a big concession made by Marika. The hereditary system has many shortcomings. In fact, what she hopes for is a complete imperial examination system. But she was worried that the policy would be too forward-looking for the nobles and cause dissatisfaction among them.

At this time, a middle-aged official with a long beard and sharp eyes like an eagle stepped out and said:

"Your Majesty, may I inquire respectfully, if the successor we designated fails the test, what should we do?"

"Oh? Do you have any objections to this policy?"

Marika asked with interest as she became interested in the official's question.

"If your Majesty doesn't mind, I believe that if the designated successor fails the assessment, the noble can designate his remaining heirs for assessment until one person can pass the assessment and become his successor. And if there is a slim chance , if no heir passes the examination, the official can cultivate an adopted son to succeed to the throne. What do you think of this, Your Majesty?"

"Well spoken my lord! It is a reasonable adjustment to the policy. Lady Renalla, Siduri, I leave the design of the assessment to you."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"As you command, my Goddess."

Siduri and Renalla answered one after another, then nodded and exchanged greeting looks.

Marika nodded in satisfaction after hearing what the official said. The plan proposed by this official was very much in line with her ideas and seemed to be very thoughtful. This made her have a strong interest in this person.

"That was some well thought out advice, my lord. May I have the fortune of knowing your name?"

Marika asked with a curious look. There were so many officials, so it is not strange she didn't know everyone's name.

"My name is Boris Farid. I am originally from Riley City in the Southern Territory. I am grateful to be appreciated by Her Majesty."

Boris replied calmly.

"Very good, I will remember you, Sir Farid."

'Oh? Not bad! He didn't specifically ask for rewards, and he seemed to be quite humble. Maybe he is a useful talent! '

Marika thought of Boris with satisfaction.

The ministers were all satisfied with Boris's proposal, and the court continued in the morning. Marika then ordered the redevelopment of the Eastern Territory, focusing on fishing and water trade, a decision that everyone agreed with.

Marika then decided to make runes the official currency. But if one wants to do business with the Erdtree Kingdom, they don't necessarily have to accept the Golden grace. Marika showed the ministers how to turn Rune into a physical form so that people who have not received Grace can use it. The materialized rune still resembled some kind of energy body, which amazed the courtiers from this world.

The topic then turned to taxes. As Marika had promised the farmers before, the tax on the people should not exceed 50%. Considering that most crops have not yet been harvested and commerce is still developing, the tax is tentatively set at 30%, and the remaining crops are allowed to be used for free trade to increase economic mobility.

Unknowingly, the time had reached the end of the morning session, and Marika also made her final decision.

"Now I will announce the final policy of the day. The Golden Order has always been the main belief in the Lands Between, so I plan to establish the Golden Order as the state religion here as well. Of course, I will allow other religions to exist, as long as they do not violate the law, I will not interfere with my people's beliefs. However, except for the Golden Order and the Glinestone mages of the Order of the stars and the moon, all other religious organization must pay regular light taxes."

Not forgetting the mission from the system, Marika intends to use this opportunity to carry out the mission of spreading her Golden Order to this new kingdom. Of course, things cannot be done once and for all, so Marika decided to follow the example of the Islamic kings and implicitly guide people to believe in the Golden Order by making religions other than the state religion pay taxes. After all, no one likes to pay an extra tax. And this is much better than the extreme attitude of the Inrud Kingdom where they persecute all non-believers.

As for Renalla's Order of the stars and moon, why are they still tax-free? Marika intended this as a little compensation from her to Renalla. And when Malika looked at Renalla's expression, Marika knew from the slightly raised corners of her mouth that she was satisfied with this decision.

But with the ministers of the Lands Between in agreement, the indigenous nobles did not agree so much.

"Your Majesty, are you sure this is the right course of action? This may cause dissatisfaction among the Church of Angels!"

A bald noble minister spoke. Following his words, many ministers from the Church of Angels protested, and for a while they actually gained some momentum.

'So you think you can start stirring up shit with me huh? Did these guys really forgot all the bastard things that dogshit Pope did? '

Marika thought disdainfully, she also expected this, but what surprised her was that Boris was not among them, which made Marika's evaluation of him rise a lot.

"Silence! How unbecoming is it to make such a ruckus in front of the throne!"

At this time, Siduri scolded with a serious face.

Since Siduri's status was basically equivalent to that of the prime minister, everyone chose to give her respect and keep quiet.

"Everyone, I know that many of you are long-term believers of the Church of Angels. And Her Majesty has made concessions for your consideration. You must know that other countries do not have such good treatment as you. Even those who are equally open to faith in the Fakeri Empire, except for their state religion, the Church of Elementals, all other religions have to pay a heavy tax of 100,000 Duris every year!"

(Duris are the main international trading currency in this world)

"But Lord High Priest, most of the people still believe in the Church of Angels. If the state religion suddenly changes -"

A minister spoke but was sharply interrupted by Siduri.

"Your Excellency Negilia, do you still need me to remind you of the crimes and slanders of your pope and Lord Judgmentor? Oh my apologies, I mean the 'former' Lord Judgmentor."

"No-no...I made a mistake. Please forgive me for my impudence."

In response to Siduri's sharp words, the aristocratic minister named Negilia chose to give in obediently. It is well known to everyone that the Pope of the Angel Church has made difficulties for the Golden Order. They have even sent an army of the Judgementor legion to attack Marika. Yet Marika still allows the legality of the Church of Angels in her country, which already reflects her magnanimity. If they push further, it will appear that they are being pushy and ungrateful. To put it seriously, this could even be considered as conspirators. The ministers of the Church of Angels did not want to join their former less open minded colleague on the stake.

For Siduri's timely rescue, Marika playfully winked at Siduri secretly to show her gratitude. Siduri responded with a gentle smile and a wink of her own.

At this point, the dissatisfaction of the indigenous ministers with the Golden Order becoming the state religion has been suppressed by Siduri's exquisite rhetoric.