Dragon Monarch System Chapter 977:- Division

[The Radiant Empire has officially confessed to its severe mistakes, and following extended and intense discussions, the two Emperors have arrived at a definitive pact. Under the order of His Majesty, it is now proclaimed that 50% of the Radiant Empire’s lands shall merge into the Istarin Empire, taking effect right away.]

[Such a choice brings irreversible outcomes. Starting from now, those territories will cease to fall under the Radiant Empire’s control. Their flags will come down, their leadership will break apart, and the Istarin Empire’s governance will step in. Our Empire’s frontiers will stretch further, bringing along greater duties and might.]

[In addition, His Majesty has proclaimed that the leftover fifty percent of the Radiant Empire shall receive direct safeguarding from the Istarin Empire. This implies the Radiant Empire can no longer function as a completely sovereign entity on its own. Its defense, order, and prospects will henceforth lie beneath the guard and supervision of our Empire.]

As the proclamation echoed through the city square, the crowd first froze in disbelief, then surged with thrill.

In moments, cheers and claps erupted for the Emperor from the gathered masses.

Certain folks among the throng soon grasped that solely the Dragon Emperor possessed the power to force an ancient power to own up to its errors and yield such lavish reparations. After all, tales of the four thousand seven hundred and one spies nabbed across the Empire in just one night, dispatched by the Radiant Empire, had spread far and wide.

"Why would the King surrender 50% of its territory to us?" wondered a commoner amid the assembly.

"Which would you pick: battling a disaster that wipes out all, slaying you and your dear ones, or carving a way where, rather than forfeiting everything including your existence, you merely part with 50% of your holdings?"

The Dragon Monarch stood as an unavoidable catastrophe.

Let alone the complete might of the Istarin Empire’s forces.

"I get it now!"

Aditya had deliberately spread word of seizing four thousand seven hundred and one spies from the Radiant Empire overnight, ensuring all comprehended his reasons for targeting the Radiant Empire. He aimed to prevent any notion that the Istarin Empire acted without cause, greedily claiming lands from any realm it fancied. Once more, he intended this event to act as a stark warning and teaching for the rest, proving that challenging the Dragon Monarch always invites repercussions.

At that time, Aditya, along with Watson, Spencer, and Alfred, found themselves in the heart of the Radiant Empire’s capital. They faced a man who gripped his chest in profound agony, kneeling before them.

Trailing him stood a youth, the Crown Prince, accompanied by the Prime Minister. Yet Aditya ignored their presence entirely.

"I’ve shattered your cultivation. Yet, despite the ruin of your cultivation base, your physique remains far superior to that of a typical mortal. Thus, you ought to endure for no less than a century." Rowan lifted his gaze toward Aditya.

He couldn’t fathom the Emperor’s intent.

To him, even a decade of life would suffice. It would grant him ample opportunity to impart all vital knowledge to his heir while fostering a setup that allowed his son to safeguard the Empire.

"I stated I would demolish your cultivation. However, I also possess the ability to mend it. You won’t regain your peak power right away, but gradually, recovery will come." At these words, Rowan’s frame shook.

"Your Majesty, do you mean...?" He hesitated to trust it fully. False optimism terrified him. Though he realized his cultivation might heal, this served as his penalty. He harbored no desire to restore it. He had embraced his fate.

"Indeed! For fifty years, you’ll exist as a mortal. When that period concludes, journey to the Istarin Empire. I shall provide a pill enabling you to resume cultivation. This marks your penance, Rowan."

"Yes, I accept!" Rowan bowed his head low. No trace of reluctance crossed his features. Unlike the prior day, he now appeared serene and at ease. It seemed as though a weight had lifted from his shoulders.

"Now, fetch me a map of the Radiant Empire." At this command, Rowan, his heir, and the Prime Minister tensed up. The manner in which Aditya sketched the boundaries could reshape countless aspects.

From the sidelines, Alfred observed Aditya’s actions closely.

’Your Majesty, His Highness has grown into an exceptional ruler. His public demeanor echoes yours so vividly.’

The Radiant Empire’s map split neatly into two primary sections—the Northern and the Southern.

Housing 4.8 million souls, the Empire drew the bulk of its income from mining operations and fishing industries. Though compact in scale, it enjoyed plentiful rains, rendering the soil ideal for diverse farming pursuits. Moreover, bountiful deposits of silver and gold enriched the earth, with several mines still yielding after half a century.

The Empire had engineered what they boasted as artificial lakes. Unlike natural bodies of water shaped by the elements, these stood as meticulously built wonders, crafted at the Emperor’s explicit directive. Scattered throughout the realm numbered close to 4,000 such lakes, each owned outright by the sovereign. No aristocrat, landowner, or bureaucrat claimed rights over them. Consequently, the riches they yielded poured directly into the royal coffers, reputedly accounting for almost half the Empire’s overall earnings.

Yet the lakes’ real might stemmed from the runes etched profoundly into their bases. Time-honored rune arrays ceaselessly cleansed the waters, reclaiming refuse and purging toxins before contamination spread. Zero resources went unused. Fish waste itself transformed into vital nutrients, bolstering the aquatic realm. This forged an idyllic haven where only the sturdiest, most robust fish thrived.

Additional runes regulated the warmth, air circulation, and vital forces in the depths. Thanks to these, fish developed at accelerated rates, attained superior vigor, and achieved unmatched excellence. Their flesh proved denser, forms bulkier, and longevity rates soared beyond conventional rearing. Tasks that dragged on for years shortened dramatically.

The impacts proved monumental. These lakes formed the core of the Empire’s fiscal might. Cities thrived upon them. Legions drew funding from their bounty. Commerce pathways flourished in their shadow. The Emperor’s sway intensified, for mastery over these lakes meant command of prosperity and harmony realm-wide.

Furthermore, the Royal Palace served as a haven for Rogue Cultivators, as the Empire permitted its Runemasters and Alchemists to trade and fulfill bespoke requests from rogue cultivators. The Empire claimed half of each deal’s proceeds.

Initially, this enterprise started modestly. Yet over time, increasing numbers of rogue cultivators flocked to the Radiant Empire, drawn by its welcoming stance toward their kind to reside and thrive.

In merely a handful of years, this system added up to roughly 11.5% of the Empire’s full fiscal intake.

Thus, splitting the Empire into equal halves went far beyond mere arbitrary lines on parchment.

The Northern region earned renown as the Empire’s most vibrant and prosperous zone. Trade boomed there, merchants converged in droves, and the flux of humanity and wares pulsed endlessly. Nine cities stood as the realm’s densest and most pivotal hubs, each anchoring its local domain in governance, commerce, and oversight.

Among these nine grand metropolises, six nestled in the North. This bestowed upon the North vast superiority in populace, sway, and state affairs. The Empire’s elite nobles, functionaries, and affluent traders called it home, with key rulings often forged in those urban cores. Hence, the North wielded immense influence over the Empire’s course and destiny.

Conversely, the South boasted just three of the nine key cities. Still, it compensated for fewer hubs with its wealth of innate and man-made assets. The bulk of the revenue-generating artificial lakes dotted the South. Alongside them, most mines clustered there too. These quarries furnished crucial ores and stones vital for armaments, building, and exchange.

Such a setup bred a perilous disparity across the Empire. The North commanded the populace, authority, and rule, whereas the South clutched the lifelines of sustenance. The North leaned on the South for riches, sustenance, and supplies, just as the South relied on the North for guidance and defense. Severing or impairing one would unleash dire fallout.

Lacking the North, the Empire would forfeit its core bureaucracy and prime population bases, sparking chaos and turmoil. Yet absent the South, fiscal bedrock would crumble. The irreplaceable lakes and mines vanishing would gut vast swaths of income and output.

Aditya refused to seize solely the wealthiest grounds or the most crowded areas. That path invited upheaval, defiance, and enduring woes. Balance defined his vision. A sharp, deliberate split. He sought to halve the Radiant Empire’s prowess evenly.

This demanded carving up not just soil, but revenue streams and dwellers alike.

Claiming only the South would net the lion’s share of lakes and mines, locking in tremendous fiscal dominance. However, most inhabitants and governing centers would stay beyond reach, permitting the Radiant Empire gradual resurgence.

Opting solely for the North would secure the prime cities and demographic strongholds, yet forfeit key economic pillars that fueled them.

Neither extreme suited Aditya’s aims. He desired both remnants rendered incapable of solo endurance.

His objective shone plain. Lakes would split. Mines would divide. Major cities would part. Populace would cleave.

Upon finishing this partition, the Radiant Empire could no longer self-support fully, forced to depend on him. Meanwhile, his acquired domains would stand firm and potent, swiftly bolstering the Istarin Empire.

The repercussions of this verdict loomed fearsome.

Beyond half its domain, the Radiant Empire would forfeit half its fiscal arteries and half its citizens. Earnings would plummet sharply. Sway would diminish. Prospects for remaking armies and reclaiming past glory would face harsh curbs.

Simultaneously, the Istarin Empire would surge ahead on all fronts. Its numbers would swell. Resource command would broaden. Fiscal base would solidify further.

That said, Aditya ensured he left sufficient assets for the Empire to maintain its halved lands and some 2.8 million residents.

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