Upon Aditya's return from the Deep Sea Palace, a whirlwind of activities ensued. Everyone became immersed in their respective tasks, especially Aditya, whose plate was more than full. Just a week prior, he had seized control over three Western Empires and added a substantial tract of land from the Northwestern region to his domain. Claiming these new territories was not as simple as merely dispatching troops. Numerous rebel factions had arisen, their defiant cries echoing across the newly acquired lands. Silencing these revolts and reinstating peace was Aditya's foremost priority.
After an arduous struggle spanning over twenty-five days, every major and minor insurgent group was finally suppressed. With the extinguishing of the rebellion flames, the next phase of the mission was initiated: assimilating the freshly won territories into the established fabric of the Istarin Empire.
A multitude of tasks, ranging from construction of infrastructure to the establishment of administrative bodies, awaited attention. Over the course of a month, Aditya's treasury saw a hefty expenditure, with more than one billion gold coins being funneled into the development of these new lands. The investments were crucial, aimed at elevating the living standards of the citizens and setting up functional governance systems.
The formidable expanse of Aditya's empire required an equally robust military force. Recruitment drives for fresh troops commenced just a few days after the Istarin Empire declared victory in the war and claimed the new territories. The underlying aim was to assemble a formidable army, capable of defending the vast stretch of the empire from potential threats.
Once the sparks of rebellion were thoroughly doused, the territories were further divided into smaller provinces. This process was carried out meticulously, with viscount-ranked nobles being appointed to preside over each of these sections. These nobles were entrusted with the responsibility of governing their designated territories and raising their respective armies. This structure was put into place to ensure effective and efficient control over the sprawling empire.
Meanwhile, the economy of the empire underwent significant changes. The influx of new territories and their resources led to a diversification of the empire's economic activities. Agriculture, mining, and trade boomed as newly acquired fertile lands, rich mineral deposits, and bustling marketplaces were incorporated into the empire's economy. This unprecedented expansion spurred economic growth, adding to the empire's wealth and prosperity.
Aditya's reign was characterized by strategic planning and efficient execution, aiming to shape the empire into a political and economic powerhouse. The development and prosperity of his lands and people remained his primary focus, steering the Istarin Empire on the path to greatness.
Aditya held the reins for most of the colossal development schemes, those involving a hefty expenditure of over a million gold coins. It wasn't a question of trust when it came to his recently appointed nobles. Rather, it was a matter of expertise. Many of these nobles, fresh from the military ranks, were not steeped in the arts of governance. Their skills lay in strategies of war, not the nuanced navigation of large-scale developmental initiatives. Entrusting them with the mammoth task of judiciously utilizing millions on expansive projects could lead to less than optimal results.
During this period, the Istarin Empire was riding the wave of a significant economic surge. The empire's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) skyrocketed, reflecting the health of its burgeoning economy. The recent war had effectively underscored the strength and invincibility of the Istarin Empire. No rival dared to ruffle feathers or foment unrest within the empire's new territories. The intimidating might of the Istarin Empire kept potential troublemakers at bay, ensuring a climate of peace and stability.
In line with the rapid advancements, all major and minor cities within the empire were equipped with teleportation arrays. These intricate setups transformed the way people traveled, substantially reducing the time required to traverse vast distances. However, this luxury came at a significant price, rendering it unaffordable for the middle and lower classes.
Despite this, the empire's connectivity remained unparalleled. A vast network of roads laced through every nook and cranny of the empire, interconnecting villages, towns, and smaller cities with the empire's bustling metropolises. The lion's share of the one billion gold coins earmarked for development was funneled into this intricate web of communication, ensuring that no corner of the empire remained isolated.
A substantial portion of the funds was also allocated towards fortifying the empire's security. In an era of rapid expansion and transformation, maintaining the peace and safeguarding the empire's citizens was of paramount importance. An increased focus on defense and law enforcement was vital to the empire's continued growth and prosperity.
Thus, under Aditya's strategic guidance, the empire was not only expanding territorially but also flourishing economically and infrastructurally. The people's standard of living was rising, trade was thriving, and the Istarin Empire was steadily charting its course towards an era of unmatched prosperity.
State-of-the-art Solar Cannons were rolled out on an industrial scale. Each city, large or small, became the proud possessor of at least one of these formidable artillery pieces. The Solar Cannon, with its immense power capable of wounding even a 5th-order cultivator, stood as a symbol of the Empire's unwavering commitment to the defense of its people.
Not stopping there, Aditya also commissioned an upgrade of the defensive dome barriers that shielded the cities from potential onslaughts. The 3-star barriers were fortified into 4-star barriers, a massive enhancement that further strengthened the empire's defenses. This substantial upgrade was implemented across the board, in every single city of the empire. Despite the hefty expenditure of more than 100 million gold coins, the peace of mind it brought was considered well worth the investment.
A full tenth of the empire's budget, a substantial sum of 100 million gold coins, was earmarked for public welfare. A robust network of schools sprang up in every city, both big and small. Basic education for all children became compulsory, underpinning the importance the Empire placed on literacy and numeracy. Children were schooled in reading, writing, elementary mathematics, and a selection of other fundamental subjects. For those desiring to delve deeper into specialized fields, universities were established in every region, creating avenues for higher learning and specialization.
A significant slice of the budget was dedicated to social initiatives, such as orphanages. In the unforgiving world they lived in, nearly half a million children were orphaned each year. The Empire stepped in to provide a safety net for these vulnerable youngsters, establishing orphanages where they could be cared for until they reached the age of sixteen.
The Empire was also heavily invested in healthcare and housing programs, primarily targeting those at the lowest rung of society. Slums were demolished and replaced with affordable housing, uplifting living conditions for the less privileged. Healthcare facilities were upgraded and expanded, ensuring that every citizen, irrespective of their social or economic status, had access to basic medical services.
In essence, the Empire, under Aditya's wise leadership, was not only expanding its territorial expanse but was also focusing on the holistic development of its citizenry. It was a time of growth, both in terms of the Empire's physical boundaries and the quality of life of its people. An era where the Empire's prosperity was reflected not just in its economic indicators, but also in the faces of its contented citizens.
Before they knew it, two and a half months had flown by, each day filled with relentless effort and dedication to the betterment of the Istarin Empire. The year was drawing to a close, with the countdown to the New Year now measured in days. Across the vast expanse of the empire, from the northernmost corners to the southernmost tips and from the far reaches of the east to the west, a palpable sense of anticipation hung in the air.
Just a fortnight ago, Aditya, the leader of the Empire, had made a public announcement that was still ringing in the ears of his citizens. He had proclaimed the reinstatement of the 'Festival of Eternia', a celebration with roots that stretched back to the early days of the empire.
The Festival of Eternia was once a modest celebration, a small spark of joy that brightened the lives of the Istarin Empire's citizens when the empire was but a fledgling presence tucked away in a corner of the eastern region of the Dying Isle Continent. However, within the span of just one year, the empire had exploded in size, spreading its influence across the four regions of the continent, and planting its flag in every corner.
Aditya, in an effort to keep tradition alive amidst this rapid expansion, decided to rekindle the flame of the Festival of Eternia. This festival was a cherished legacy left by the founder of the Istarin Empire, a piece of the empire's history that Aditya believed should be celebrated even as they built their future. He wanted this festival to remind his citizens of their humble beginnings and to give them a moment of unity and joy in their busy lives. The announcement was met with a ripple of excitement that spread through the empire, as every citizen eagerly prepared for the grand celebration of the Festival of Eternia.
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One chapter for today. I wasn't feeling good today so I didn't had the strength to write another one.
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