Goldstown was a small town across the Gold River, sitting beside the mountains filled with precious minerals, just at the border of the Riveria Kingdom. The place held a lot of history as it once housed the Pope when he was a young student at school. Bloodling in the nearby goldmine was also partially defeated by the young bard.
It was a story that every man, woman, and child in town knew, ensuring that any traveler passing through would also hear of it. After all, the living proof was there; the town's chief, Marigold Roger, was still alive. His granddaughter had also grown into a fine woman who was once saved by the young bard.
The town had been blessed with gold for some time, but more blessings arrived in the form of books detailing how to read, write, and elementary studies. The town boasted a staggering one hundred percent literacy rate—meaning everyone could read and write. That boon only helped them as they became better traders and business owners and overall made them more civilized.
Woosh!
It was just another day when a strange bird appeared in the sky once again and dropped the papers. It was a magical mystery and the talk of the town, as the images and words on the papers always seemed too finely detailed.
Yet, as if it was some ritual, the people of Goldstown gathered to pick up the papers and read them. Usually, they contained the latest announcements or words of advice from the Pope. However, that day, they failed to realize how earth-shattering the latest development was.
"Elves knelt! Pope Sylvester Maximilian agreed to cure the elven plague!" Shouted Chief Marigold Roger. "This artwork—this is beautiful, as if it came straight from the Holy Court."
"It 'is' from the Holy Court." Said Felicia, the granddaughter of the man. "Look at this second paper. It talks about the new inventions by the Holy Land that allow one to capture still images of real life. Grandpa, that's not art—that's the real scene from the Holy Court—it's called a Photograph; the announcement said so."
"Photograph?" Chief Marigold looked at the paper again. His hands instantly started to tremble. "This is real?"
Thud!
He urgently fell to his knees and kowtowed to the paper, "We're in the presence of His Holiness' blessing… Quick, kneel down, Felicia!"
"Brother! Did you see?!" Just then, Marigold's brother, Leeland, arrived. "Why are you kneeling?"
"Oh, Holy Bard… Forgive the minds of these morons…" Marigold prayed toward the sky. "They are fools who see not your glory. Blind to sense the meanings behind your stories."
"..."
Certainly, there was no doubt that Marigold Rogers was a staunch supporter and believer of Sylvester. He may have only met the Holy Bard once, but the impression was so profound that he still remembered every minute detail.
"Brother, get up! A delegation from the Holy Land had arrived. They came with a lot of equipment—They said they wanted to industrialize our gold extraction and processing with machines built by His Holiness," Leeland Roger explained in a hurry. "Come quick!"
"The Bard's inventions?" Marigold was immediately sold. The man was ready to give anything to His Holiness if asked for, even his soul.
However, this scene wasn't limited to Goldstown alone. Similarly, Pitfall Town, Falshoot Village, Dying City, Wailing City, and many more places that had witnessed Sylvester's presence in the past rejoiced.
The massive achievement of their Pope, bringing the elves to their knees, was a source of boasting and pride. But the fact that the Pope was willing to graciously heal another plague for the elves provided a sense of humility.
Interspecies slavery had been abolished for a while, but the lingering stain in people's minds had remained the same. Even more so, as the greatest symbol of slavery, the Tower of Godless was still standing.
However, everyone knew that it was a matter of time before even that unholy presence would be swept away by the radiance of the new Pope.
It was a new dawn in Sol, one filled with hope.
…
Pope's Palace,
Bam!
Sylvester slammed his forehead on the table before him, "This job is boring… I spoiled myself too much with constant battles and schemes. I need to manage this paperwork better… Chonky, what do y—"
"Mewmewmew…"
"Already snoring…" Sylvester groaned and wearily forced himself to work. Reading papers, signing some, rejecting a few, or burning others. "I can't possibly do this for centuries."
Knock! Knock!
Right then, a knock came, and finally, Sylvester found himself getting excited for something new. "You may enter."
There, Sylvester saw Cardinal Maxim entering, the young man without magical talent but a mind so great that he was the head of the weapons manufacturing division. One of his biggest supporters in the Holy Land, who remained loyal even during the onslaught from the false Pope.
"May the Holy Light enlighten us," Cardinal Maxim entered. "I received word that you requested my presence, Your Holiness."
"Indeed, I did. I need the most innovative minds to achieve what I have envisioned. Something that will revolutionize the world in the coming decades, change the way we live as we know it." Sylvester proudly welcomed him and got to work, "I want you to build the prototypes of a few things and make an estimate of how much it'd cost to make it with a production line."
"Anything you wish for will be done, Your Holiness. What needs to be made?" Cardinal Maxim asked, always stoic about everything, even when his heart was excited.
Sylvester took out a few diagrams from his table drawer, "You must have seen the blueprint of the tram I've constructed in Miraj City. But that's only good for short distances, such as city-wide transportation. But what about travel between cities and kingdoms? That's where these locomotives come in. I need you to build one according to these designs and, if you have any improvements in mind, expand on them. Set up a test track of fifty kilometers outside the Holy Land.
"Also, I need you to develop giant turbines that can generate electricity from river dams. Prince Jinn will join you in this venture as he's an expert. I want these two projects to take top priority, as they can be the horses that will power the world's innovations soon."
While looking at the various blueprints, Cardinal Maxim noticed a map. It had long lines stretching across Sol, piquing his curiosity. "Are these the routes the loco… locomotives will run on?"
"Trains—That's what we'll call them. They can transport not only people but also a lot of cargo. Now, imagine how easy it would be to trade and send goods from one place to another. In the future, people will be able to buy grains from Riveria and send them deep down south in the Blackhart Kingdom within a day or two.
"The new era of trade and production-based economy will start—lessening the powers of kings and queens over their kingdoms. Trade will become the true ruler," Sylvester explained in detail with much enthusiasm. He was fully aware that he wasn't an economist but a spy, but still, he understood a few things about business-based society. The easier it was to trade and reach customers, the better it was for everyone.
"I'll get to it then." Cardinal Maxim folded the papers back and placed them in his bag. "Anything else, Your Holiness?"
"No, you're free to go," Sylvester allowed him to leave as time drew near for his meeting with another man. It was time for the biggest scheme he had in mind—one that would fix an issue that no one was talking about.
Knock!
This time, before Sylvester could speak, the door swung open, and a tall man entered. With a white beard, white hair, and a big smile plastered on his face. King Highland was the same as ever, in high spirits.
"How may I be of service, Your Holiness."
Sylvester chuckled at the man's theatrics, "Take a seat, old man. We have an important topic to discuss."
"Which is?" King Highland asked with a hint of urgency. "I came as quickly as possible after I heard about the elves. But I must return. My lovely queen is pregnant."
"Again?!" Sylvester exclaimed.
King Highland's brows furrowed, "Again? I only have one son, Your Holiness. Besides, Rex needs a sibling to play with and learn responsibility. Though I wish to have a daughter I can dote on this time… Haha, I can't wait for the birth."
"..."
'He's as excited as a kid in a candy store.' Sylvester sighed internally. Understanding that for King Highland, having kids was a grand affair.
"I wanted to discuss with you the prospect of reforming the current ranking and leveling system of wizards and knights," Sylvester dropped the news.
"What's wrong with the current system?"
Sylvester pointed his finger toward himself, "I am, Your Majesty. Think about my entire life. I have always been able to punch way above my weight. At the end of my Archwizard rank, I could easily defeat the Grand Wizards up to level three. While at Grand Wizard level one, I could defeat all Grand Wizards up to the final level with ease, and even fight with Supreme Wizards. We need to recognize that each wizard can have different talents and peaks."
The old king stroked his beard in agreement, "Weren't you simply better because you're blessed?"
'I often wonder about that.' Sylvester didn't say that loud.
"Not necessarily. Felix has always been a great warrior, able to stand against stronger foes. There are enough examples to prove that the current classification doesn't work." He said and began to explain his idea as well. "I suggest a centralized ranking exam. It won't focus on solarium-based rank but rather skill-based rank. This means there will now be two types of ranks.
"One is an unverified rank, and the second will be a verified rank. If one can punch above their weight, they would receive a hidden certification. This way, we would always know who the talented ones are. Also, I will allow this test to be free in all monasteries. For higher ranks, use Grand Monasteries. For Grand Wizard ranks, send them to the Holy Land, I'll test them myself."
King Highland remained silent for a long while after Sylvester finished speaking. He visualized how the new system would work, and in the end, he could see it benefiting everyone, "It's going to cost money to set up the testing grounds."
"A cost I'm willing to pay. Additionally, I'm going to place more focus on sub-branches of magic. Thunder, ice, magma, metal, sand, wood, light, magnets, and all sorts of imaginable elements that can be harnessed. This world is huge; no need to confine it within a few categories." Sylvester concluded his pitch to the old king. "What do you think?"
"Seems sensible to me. If we can implement it well, this will certainly be a better way of ranking. The new subjects will broaden the horizon—But why ask me? You have experts here," asked King Highland.
Knock! Knock!
At that moment, a knock on the door interrupted them, and Sylvester's assistant, a Bright Mother, peeked inside. "Your Holiness, the dragonkins have arrived at the shore."
Bam!
Sylvester smacked the table and stood up, "This is why I called you here. Come, old man. I'll show you history in the making."
Thank you for reading. Gifts and GT votes are highly appreciated.
