Yet actively supporting emerging powers and then having a foolish conflict between the new and old powers would be unwise. Making such a statement would be nothing short of declaring a new war between the existing and emerging powers. Therefore, Ines chose this method.

“To properly settle the bureaucratic system, we need many talented individuals.”

Looking into the distant future.

People might laugh when they hear that she wants to establish a school. They might say she’s putting her foot on a shaky rock where nothing is visible.

However, Ines decided to do that. Someone who has lost everything knows well from where and what went wrong.

As stubborn as it might seem like clinging to lingering regrets, as frustrating as it might appear to take a long detour.

If someone pushes her down into the abyss again, Ines decided to walk slowly to be able to step on that ground and rise again.

“It seems you want to cultivate specialized administrative personnel.”
“Yes, the reason why administrative tasks are handled by new officials is quite simple.”

“…….”

“It’s because they can read and write.”

Noah felt as if he had been hit on the head for a moment.

Basic administration was handled by the new officials. It was considered natural from the time he was born. He hadn’t even thought about why it became so.

As an intelligent person, he realized that this matter wasn’t so straightforward.

The reason the character system was difficult to read and write was to firmly establish the privileged class. Noah felt as if he had come face to face with a natural proposition he had only encountered in print.

“Excellent… idea. Not that I’m in a position to judge.”

“Let me say it again. I don’t intend to completely collapse the noble order.”

Perhaps Noah’s complexion was completely different from the first time. Ines kindly added an explanation.

“As the number of jurisdictions managed by the imperial family increases, it’s natural for new positions to emerge.”

As Ines said, in the newly organized imperial land, bureaucrats directly appointed and sent down by the palace were overseeing the overall administrative work.

However, everything had to start from scratch, and there was always a shortage of manpower. The dissatisfaction of the people in the troubled territories was growing.

Although appropriate measures were being taken according to the times, it wasn’t a fundamental solution. Moreover, over half of the nobles were skeptical of the palace’s actions. It was needless to say that nobles who had lost their land were uncooperative.

“What the results of your current remarks will be is not easily predictable. You should be aware of that.”

“Of course. That’s why I want to start from the very beginning.”

“If you could explain it in an easy-to-understand manner, I would appreciate it.”

“I’m planning to start with basic elementary education for common children. I won’t start on a very large scale from the beginning. Everyone should share the burden on behalf of the country.”

Noah raised his dry hand and brushed both sides of his lips.

Certainly, compared to cultivating academically trained bureaucrats, the opposition from nobles would be less. Surprisingly, nobles didn’t look into the distant future. They were engrossed in the immediate benefits they could gain.

‘A formal school for common children.’

It was an idealistic idea, much like the Imperial Museum established by Carson. It was so attractive that it was as dangerous as the idea itself.

However, a school is not a museum. Facing a more complex problem than he thought, Noah glanced at the Emperor.

Carson’s face showed no particular expression. He grasped the situation quickly and decisively but maintained a cautious attitude.

“I’m not trying to fully integrate them into the noble world and shake that world.”

Feeling that Carson’s silence was a denial, Ines added another remark.
“I just want to give them a bit more opportunity. Then, they can live well too. They can nurture their dreams, and among those children, there will undoubtedly be talented ones beyond our imagination.”

Carson bit his lower lip. Noah, who saw him, shook his head slightly. The Emperor’s sparkling eyebrows were not a common sight. However, Noah was very familiar with such scenes.

“But the nobles won’t think that way. They will make a fuss as if their positions will disappear in an instant.”

At the Emperor’s words, a shadow fell on the face of the prospective Empress.

“Is that so?”

Noah knew that Carson would soon burst into laughter. However, the Empress in front of him seemed unaware of this fact. The expression the Emperor was making was exclusively for her.

Noah casually brushed his knee and stood up.

“I’ll go now. I don’t know what documents you need, but I’ll go get them….”

“Go.”

“Yes.”

Noah glanced at the two men and women who were indulging in affectionate actions, changing only the name of the office, and then stood up.

There were always so many things to do. Tick, he was about to straighten his clothes and turn the doorknob when he heard the future Empress’s voice.

“Noah Kyeong.”

Although it was a distance of not even ten steps, the voice echoed as if coming from a distant place. Noah shook his head to shake off the strange sensation and turned to face Ines.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t call me that just yet.”

But with no specific title to call her, Ines hesitated for a moment, and her words continued.

“Did I say that?”