Chapter 904: Meeting

The next day.

Lei En arrived at the Consul Hall on time in the morning, waited briefly, and entered the office room.

It is a projection room, specifically for Consuls to attend the Supreme Council; Consuls are appointed by the Supreme Council to govern the Empire and usually have observer rights at meetings. However, Lei En attends as a Holy Soul Wizard, whose authority far exceeds that of a Consul.

Heiskto stood outside the projection room while a legendary Wizard activated a rune array.

Lei En stood in the center.

After a surge of intense magical fluctuation, the scene before Lei En warped, transporting him into a magnificent palace floating in endless void, where a bronze long table stood in the hall and at the far end a hundred‑meter statue of the God of Magic gazed down on the meeting below.

Supreme Palace!

Lei En had just joined the Supreme Council and had never truly been to the Supreme Palace.

According to the teacher, Holy Soul Wizards rarely go to the Supreme Palace; in over a thousand years they have only visited three times, each at a different location. The teacher speculates that the Supreme Palace is likely close to the goddess's divine realm, perhaps even within it.

Aside from Lei En, no one else was in the Supreme Palace.

Normally only the three great heads of the Empire can summon Holy Soul Wizards; this meeting was commissioned by Lei En himself to the teacher and had been arranged days earlier.

Soon, figures appeared on both sides of the bronze long table.

The head seat at one end of the table was empty.

It had been Augulevi Master's seat, but since Augulevi Master disappeared, the chair representing the Empire's highest authority has not taken a new occupant.

The Twelve Holy Soul Wizards were seated on both sides.

To the left of the head seat, the first was Anxiwodasi, followed by Ouroin Master, Prophet Medif, Storm Queen, Silver Star Duke, and Sabbath Dean.

On the right, the six were GreyEagle Duke Tim*Kenan, KangJieladeGreatSage, Howai Master, PurpleFlameDuke Magna, Black Robe Duke Tuzlei, and Hong Shi Duke Kerlstone.

Each side had six Holy Soul Wizards, matching the current composition of the Supreme Council.

All on the left were members of the Mo Du faction; the right comprised the Naiser faction and the Balance faction, whose alliance could exactly counterbalance the Mo Du faction, making them evenly matched.

However, there was a thirteenth Holy Soul Wizard in the Supreme Palace.

Lei En had not yet taken a seat, standing at the far end of the table, instantly drawing the attention of the Holy Soul Wizards, who all turned to look.

"Truth Endures!"

He recited a maxim of the goddess, bowed slightly in salute, and with a calm, relaxed greeting said, "Lei En has seen all of you Holy Souls."

The six Mo Du Holy Soul Wizards all nodded in welcome.

The other six, except for the GrandSage and Howai Master, wore expressionless faces.

"Truth Endures!"

Anxiwodasi stood, raised his voice, and said, "Lei En, welcome to the Supreme Council; sit down quickly." As his words rang out, the goddess's statue trembled slightly, a silver ray shot from its eyes onto the bronze table, engraving a name: Ryan Augustus!

Having a name in the Supreme Palace also signifies having a seat.

Lei En's seat was on the Mo Du side, next to Sabbath Dean; he walked over and sat in the high‑backed chair, where Sabbath Dean gave him a gentle smile and said softly, "Congratulations, Lei En; I knew this seat was yours eventually, just didn't expect it so soon."

"Thank you, Dean," Lei En replied simply.

The seat opposite his was empty, but a slight turn of his head faced Kerlstone, whose projected visage showed no emotion; noticing Lei En's gaze, he met eyes briefly then looked away.

In fact, the six Holy Soul Wizards opposite were all in low spirits.

If the Supreme Council didn't stipulate that missing three meetings without cause automatically disqualifies one, several of them would simply not want to attend.

Sure enough, Anxiwodasi immediately said, "Lei En, state your business."

"Very well."

Lei En tapped the table lightly; a document appeared on each Holy Soul Wizard's desk, prepared by Chief of Staff Frank and projected via holography.

He spoke calmly, "Colleagues, I mentioned in yesterday's inauguration speech that over the next ten years my focus will be industry and education; therefore I formally propose to the Supreme Council the establishment of an Industry Department and an Education Department."

"And appoint an Industry Minister and an Education Minister to join my cabinet."

"Here are the organizational structures, duties, my understanding of industry and education, and the benefits to the Empire once the departments are formed, among other things."

"Please review, then raise your hands to vote."

The Holy Soul Wizards' expressions varied.

Mo Du members were surprised by Lei En's efficiency; presenting a proposal on his second day in office was no small feat and qualified as a major reform.

Tim*Kenan frowned and opened the document.

The GrandSage and Howai Master were very interested; Kerlstone remained expressionless, while the Black Robe Duke and PurpleFlameDuke stayed motionless, showing no intention to read.

The document was short but packed with information.

After a few minutes of reading, the Holy Soul Wizards did not rush to comment, each pondering silently.

From the proposal, Lei En's creation of the two departments appeared selfless.

Industry could greatly boost the Empire's national strength to new heights, and the importance of education needs no elaboration; the proposal allocates imperial funds to establish numerous schools—from primary to secondary to university—mandating every Imperial child to attend, universalizing nine‑year compulsory education, and teaching extraordinary knowledge in the first year of senior high, giving gifted students a chance to access extraordinary power and cultivating more extraordinary beings.

It is a millennial grand plan!

However, educational funding is like a bottomless pit, consuming one‑twentieth of the Empire's annual budget each year, and will only increase.

If truly effective, the Empire's returns will be enormous.

The number of extraordinary beings will increase at least tenfold, producing more Wizards, and as educational investment expands, the count of extraordinary beings will keep rising.

The proposal also mandates that every school incorporate compulsory study of the goddess's doctrine, a required course to feel the goddess's light of wisdom.

This will undoubtedly cultivate countless believers, greatly amplifying VejesCui's divine power!

The Holy Soul Wizards occasionally glanced at the statue in the palace.

No wonder…

They couldn't help but recall, no wonder the God of Magic trusts Lei En so much.

VejesCui's doctrine is very tolerant; due to certain historical reasons, a tightly organized church never formed. Though the number of believers is huge, the Supreme Council serves as the core leadership of the goddess's church, fully controlling the Empire's upper echelons, while the lower and middle tiers have a very loose church structure, almost nonexistent.

The creation of the Education Department fills this gap and perfectly aligns with the goddess's doctrine.

Indeed, the Education Department can be seen as a magical church!

Howai Master, Storm Queen and the Silver Star Duke were all thrilled in their hearts; they are the goddess's Chosen One, and will support as long as it can increase the goddess's divine power.

Other Holy Soul Wizards also tended to approve.

Preaching for the goddess is only part of the Ministry of Education's role; the benefit to the entire Empire is enormous, a hundred benefits and not a single harm.

The Ministry of Industry's role is no less than that of the Ministry of Education.

When these two departments work together, complementing each other, a few years will be enough to see results; the Holy Soul Wizards seemed to see the tide of the era, pushing the Empire to the pinnacle of a new epoch!

"Very good."

Tim*Kenan said lightly to Lei En, "Although I dislike the current situation, choosing you as Consul is correct."

KangJieladeGreatSage nodded, showing approval on his face.

Kelstone suddenly spoke, "Consul, I have a question. If, as you say, industry is so important to the Empire yet must rely on the Mechanical Guild, should we prepare defenses so that the Mechanical Guild's influence does not become too great and threaten the Supreme Council?"

Impressive!

Lei En muttered, noting that Kelstone's mind was sharp; he had already downplayed the Mechanical Guild's existence in the documents, yet Kelstone saw through it.

"What do you mean?" he asked back.

Kelstone immediately replied, "The position of Industry Minister cannot be occupied by someone from the Mechanical Guild. You must guarantee the Industry Minister's independence, considering the Empire's overall situation, not just the Mechanical Guild's interests."

"I understand." Lei En nodded.

Replacing the person is impossible; I have already negotiated with the Mechanical Guild, and that one hundred million Gold Shields have already been swallowed, never to be expelled.

Appointing cabinet ministers is the Consul's right, no Supreme Council approval needed unless a specific resolution is passed.

Then directly appoint Fasding as Industry Minister; Kelstone would have no choice, and I haven't agreed yet.

The Holy Soul Wizards discussed briefly, raised some questions, and Lei En answered each one.

Setting aside positions, this plan also received everyone's approval.

"Everyone, if there are no more questions, let's vote."

Lei En's gaze swept over the Holy Soul Wizards, and he loudly said, "First, the establishment of the Ministry of Industry; those who agree, raise your hand."

The six Holy Soul Wizards on the Mo Du side immediately raised their hands.

The six opposite also raised their hands in turn, including two Holy Soul Wizards who hadn't reviewed the proposal.

"Unanimously passed!"

Lei En continued, "Regarding the proposal to establish the Ministry of Education, those who agree, raise your hand."

Twelve hands rose, still unanimously passed.

"Thank you, everyone." Lei En stood and expressed gratitude to the Holy Soul Wizards.

He was actually a bit surprised; he had expected some opposition, though even opposition would be useless, as the Mo Du faction held seven votes and could pass the resolution, but a unanimous vote was better, at least maintaining the Supreme Council's unity on the surface.

The two factions led by Tim*Kenan and Kelstone would not feel suppressed by the Mo Du faction for now, easing their hostility.

This can have a numbing effect on them.

Lei En calculated that even if he wanted to overthrow the Supreme Council, he could not let the Holy Soul Wizards detect his intent now.

The next few years are a critical period; today was a good start.

Anxiwodasi stood and said, "If there is nothing else, everyone may disperse."

Lei En exited the projection, glanced at the time; the Supreme Council's efficiency was high, completing two important resolutions in just a few dozen minutes. He left the projection room and ordered, "Frank, have the cabinet ministers arrive early to the second‑floor conference room."

"Yes, sir."

A moment later.

Lei En entered the cabinet conference room, an oval large table in the center, surrounded by more than ten chairs; each chair held a minister, and behind them were two rows of seats for the ministers' secretaries.

"Consul has arrived!" the guard shouted loudly.

Everyone in the meeting room stood with hands at their sides, looking toward Lei En entering from the doorway, followed by Chief of Staff Frank and several secretaries.

Lei En walked to the head seat of the oval table, his eyes scanning the cabinet ministers standing at the table edge.

The closest person was also his most intimate, the Interior Minister Viola, seated to his left; to his right was the Finance Minister Aisheile, this female sorceress was one of the two retainers from the previous cabinet, her ability was unquestionable, loyalty also no problem.

Then Marquis Zermu Batu La, who accepted the position of Military‑Political Minister.

Interior, Finance and Military‑Political, together called the three great seats of the cabinet.

Beyond them were the Tax Minister, Noble Minister, Commerce Minister, Economic Minister and Foreign Minister.

The Noble Minister was a familiar, Viscount Stoinde Vili En, the representative of the Mo Du nobles and legislators.

The Tax Minister came from the Storm Queen's Fu Kong Cheng, named "Preston", a legendary Mid‑stage elemental master.

The Economic Minister came from the Alchemy Guild's "Kegusman" Sage, also serving as the head of the Empire Bank; he has been Economic Minister for over a hundred years, serving five Consuls.

The Foreign Minister Felion, also a familiar of Lei En, had been the security chief of Longshande for many years; this time he was sent by the Silver Star Duke to Nuosiruier, entering Lei En's cabinet. He has no diplomatic experience, but the Empire's diplomatic affairs are few and not valued; the Foreign Minister ranks last in the cabinet, whoever takes it is fine, the important thing is to reflect the Silver Star Duke's interests.

Felion had already spoken with Lei En a few days ago.

When in Longshande, Lei En was still a newly ascended transcendent, joining his own demon‑extermination squad; in just a few years, the roles reversed and now he had to look up to Lei En, which made Felion's feelings complicated, at one point he considered refusing the Duke's order.

But in the end, he could not refuse the chance to join the cabinet, and adjusted his mindset.

There were also a Justice Minister and an Agriculture Minister.

These two positions are not appointed by the Consul, but are filled by representatives from the Justice Church and the Earth Church, unchanged for many years.

The Justice Minister is "Silver Radiance Sword Saint" Xisel, one of the arbitration officials of the Justice Church.

The Agriculture Minister is "Qiao Saro", a robust old man, plain‑looking, modestly dressed, seeming like an old farmer, but no one present dared any disrespect.

Qiao Saro is the Earth Church's "Archbishop", a priest of th Level, a rare living divine emissary of the world!

These ten are the core members of Lei En's cabinet.

"Everyone, please sit."

After everyone sat, Lei En immediately said, "Before our first cabinet meeting begins, I have an announcement. the Supreme Council has passed my proposal to establish the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Education, and the ministers of these two departments will also join the cabinet."

The people in the meeting room all showed surprise; the vast majority were hearing it for the first time.

Two newly established departments?

Following the Consul's suggestion, the selections for the two ministers have been set.

At that moment, footsteps came from outside the gate; the crowd turned to look and saw three people. They stood beside Lei En, who rose and smiled, "Let me introduce you: the Minister of Industry, His Excellency Fa Si Ding; the Minister of Education, Mr. Ken Fei Xiu Si; and the Subcontinent Governor, Ma Ge Nu Si * Hei Si Ting Si."

(End of chapter)