A mage's journey begins with a battle mage.

Chapter 552 The New Order

The usually tranquil palace is now bustling with activity.

"Hurry, hurry, speed up the cleaning, don't delay that person's business!"

Urged on by the overseer, hundreds of servants knelt down, rags in hand, to wash the blood off the ground.

All the valuable items had already been taken away by Jiang Shuzhou; all that was left were these useless bloodstains.

The sources of these bloodstains were varied. Some were former imperial guards who were eliminated by Jiang Shuzhou's army for refusing to obey orders, while others were loyal ministers who chose to commit suicide when the country was destroyed and their families perished.

But no matter where they came from, everything they left behind after they died became something that needed to be cleared away—blood, and everything else.

Soon, with the efforts of the attendants, the blood was cleaned up. At the same time, according to Jiang Shuzhou's preferences, a special fragrance was lit throughout the palace.

It smelled like a blend of ink and woody scents, and it was very pleasant.

"The emperor's throne rotates, and this year it's my turn."

Jiang Shuzhou sat on the spacious throne and sighed.

"Then Master, shouldn't you find an empress?"

Grace was implying something.

"You're right, I'll go pick one out, find one who's smart, beautiful, and powerful."

Jiang Shuzhou nodded, and then said.

Then, ignoring Grace's suggestive look, he continued speaking to himself.

"I have two candidates here. What do you think, Grace?"

"One is the goddess of wealth, Wojnarowski. This woman has money, men, and is quite beautiful. I plan to raid her divine kingdom and capture her to be my wife."

"The other one is Gaia, the Earth Mother Goddess. This woman is honest and kind, an old farmer, fertile and capable of raising children. She seems nice."

After he finished speaking, Grace's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

"It seems I'm unworthy, Master. I'll go and capture them for you right now! As for whether they live or die, that's none of your concern!"

After saying that, Grace took out her staff, actually intending to go and fight Vol'jin and Gaia.

"Cough cough cough, just kidding. How could those two old women, whose ages are unknown, compare to you?"

Jiang Shuzhou reached out and pulled Grace back.

"I knew it, Master loves me the most."

Grace was quite easy to coax; a single sentence was enough to win her over, and she immediately sat in Jiang Shuzhou's lap.

Faced with the outrageous behavior of these two, the kneeling ministers below were sweating profusely and wished they could gouge out their own ears.

How could they possibly listen to jokes about two powerful gods?

Jiang Shuzhou was naturally not afraid. To him, the so-called powerful divine force was nothing more than an opponent on the chessboard.

The floating city may not be able to penetrate the opponent's shell now, but no matter what, killing a god outside the divine realm is not a problem.

Therefore, Jiang Shuzhou himself had no sense of awe towards these gods.

But for them, if the followers of these two men found out about this...

The followers of the Goddess of Wealth might not say anything, since they are only concerned with making money, but the followers of Gaia, the Earth Mother Goddess, are a different story.

If people find out about this, they can eat some spices first, so that when they're burned later, they'll still be fragrant and soft, at least their death won't have been in vain.

"Why are you all silent, my esteemed subjects? What, do you have a problem with me?"

In an instant, the ministers below broke out in a cold sweat and began to tremble.

They had witnessed Jiang Shuzhou's methods firsthand; those who explicitly opposed him vanished without a trace before the sun even rose the next day.

Now, everyone feels immense pressure in the face of this seemingly casual yet deadly question.

"Your Majesty, you are wise and powerful, exceptionally talented and learned. We are of shallow knowledge and naturally dare not speak presumptuously. Moreover, as the ruler of the country, you possess boundless majesty. How could we, your subjects, dare to speak without your permission?"

Looking at the minister who was trembling with fear but spoke with reason and evidence, Jiang Shuzhou nodded, indicating that he had passed this test.

"Recently, some people feel that you have too much power and wealth and have asked me to deal with you. What do you think?"

Jiang Shuzhou looked at these people with a half-smile. His meaning was clear: if he handed over some of his power and wealth, Jiang Shuzhou would stop bothering them.

Not handing over? Then you haven't killed enough. You should let these people die.

Those who understand the times are wise. Since Jiang Shuzhou has already done this and given them a way out, what else can they do?

Naturally, the only option is to relinquish power and wealth.

"Your Majesty is right. I am old and it is time for me to rest."

"It was said by an old minister."

Jiang Shuzhou smiled and naturally agreed.

"Take a good rest. Once you've rested enough, go take the civil service selection exam. If you pass, I'll personally arrange a job for you."

Jiang Shuzhou waved his hand, signaling to the soldiers on both sides that this person could leave.

"Your Majesty, I also..."

With a leader in charge, the others understood that if they tried to hold onto their power any longer, they were doomed.

If that's the case, then there's only one answer: run away.

Soon, everyone relinquished all power, choosing a relatively dignified exit.

Jiang Shuzhou nodded, quite satisfied.

Immediately afterwards, he announced it to everyone through the management system.

"The Empire is completely destroyed. Now, the Soth Academy will take over everything. Do not harbor any illusions or attempt to resist. As long as you submit, a good life is just around the corner. Remember, Big Brother will not mistreat anyone."

This is a statement, and also a warning. Jiang Shuzhou can sense that there are some people who refuse to accept the management system. They say they like freedom, but what they actually want to do is still uncertain.

As an enlightened person, Jiang Shuzhou has always adhered to the theory of social contract. The Soth Society offers high welfare benefits and fairness, so he hopes that everyone can unite and accept management, which is the contract.

As for those who disobey management?

Hopefully they won't regret it.

"Master, don't you plan to build an empire?"

Grace asked.

"Of course not. I'll just have some fun when I'm bored. The imperial system is too outdated. The Soth Society is far more advanced and has a much stronger ability to govern."

Jiang Shuzhou waved his hand. He had no intention of establishing a new empire, so this ancient system should end here.

The old order will die, and a new order will rise.

But now, the real important thing is to reap the real rewards of victory.

After dealing with these matters, Jiang Shuzhou took out a dagger. The dagger was entirely black and looked inconspicuous. It was placed in the emperor's bedroom and had no law fluctuations or magical light whatsoever.

At first glance, it appears to be just an ordinary dagger.

But the people in the Senate didn't say that.