Chapter 498

Chapter 498: The Rising Sun

Morning, Red Jujube Palace.

Lolan Hill sat at her dressing table as two maids combed her hair and helped her dress for the event. Today was an extremely formal occasion, so she had to pay attention to her attire.

Although Lolan Hill did not care much about such formalities, given her current influence and status, she could not afford to be careless.

The dress she wore today was delivered early in the morning by Palinsa. It was specially tailored some time ago, made by a royal tailor from the West Wind Kingdom. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and this dress was specifically designed for Lolan Hill to wear during important national events.

The main color of the dress was white, with golden leaves adorning the neckline, curving gracefully from the center to the sides.

The cuffs also featured folded-back blue flower leaves, elegant and simple.

A light blue ribbon cinched her waist, highlighting the young lady’s graceful figure.

Two gold threads ran down from her waist to the hem of the skirt, adorned with various-sized golden stars that swayed gently as she moved.

At the bottom of the skirt was a ring of blue floral patterns, making the overall look of the dress layered, elegant, and light.

Instead of wearing her usual butterfly hair clip, she took out an ice cup flower from a ring and pinned it in her hair.

After getting dressed, Lolan Hill examined herself in the mirror, then stood up, allowing the two maids behind her to check her appearance before feeling relieved.

Nowadays, things were different. She had to face the entire nation. Given her position, she had to always be mindful of her image. Any embarrassment would reflect not just on her but also on the nation.

After the inspection, the young lady let out a small sigh of relief, feeling a bit more relaxed.

Today, she was going to meet many leaders of the nation. These people were all influential figures, and she wasn’t sure if she could persuade them to immediately implement the five-year plan.

Despite being revered as a sage, she lacked experience in giving orders. Recently, she had only participated in discussions, and whether her suggestions were adopted or not didn’t matter much.

But this time, she couldn’t be so casual or yield easily. If she didn’t promote good systems and models during the founding of the nation, it would be difficult to change them later, and she would miss valuable opportunities.

As Lolan Hill was getting ready, Palinsa stood beside her, observing the silver-haired young lady closely.

If this was their first meeting, Palinsa would surely think that Lolan Hill was a princess from a fairy tale, innocent and pure, untainted by the world.

But reflecting on recent experiences, she couldn’t overlook the advanced knowledge the young lady possessed in various fields.

And with foresight, she was even more sagacious than those in the Sage Guild.

It was truly wonderful, as if there were people born with such qualities, who knew more and thought further than others, making people trust and follow them without realizing it.

After Lolan Hill had prepared herself, Palinsa also spoke up, “The meeting will begin at nine o’clock today. There’s still a little time left, you can sit for a while.”

“Understood.” The young lady nodded.

However, she did not stay seated but instead walked out of the room, passing through the flagstone path within the Red Mulberry Palace.

Her light, soft shoes stepped gently on the blades of grass, slowly coming to a tree beside a hillside.

Looking down the slope, one could see endless rows of burnt brick tiles. Soland’s houses extended far away in regular lines. A few wisps of smoke rose from chimneys, bringing a hint of the烟火of human life.

On the streets, people dressed in various colors walked, stepping on the morning sun to start their day. Carriages and horses bustled about, elderly, children, strong men, and women came and went.

For ordinary people, this might have been an ordinary morning; they did their usual tasks, neither surprised nor disappointed. Only the plain truth of the moment passed, like unremarkable sand in the river.

Perhaps many years later, when people recalled, they would realize that this day seemed to stand at the crossroads of a city, where the nation began turning towards a completely different direction, onto a new road.

—

The domed ceiling of the议事hall was high and spacious, supported by several huge stone columns carved with intricate patterns. The marble floor, polished smooth over years of use, gleamed underfoot.

Nearly a hundred Cataclysm Knights stood motionless around the hall, clad in armor and capes, like statues.

As the appointed hour approached, officials began entering the hall. Most were around 30-40 years old, much like the young nation itself.

Once everyone was present, a host stepped forward and announced the start of the meeting.

Everyone rose, placing hands on their shoulders, and swore in unison.

“The will of Clancia.”

Afterward, they sat down, turning their gazes to the empty high platform in the center.

Not long after, a silver-haired girl in an elegant dress ascended the platform from the side, her skirt swaying and stars twinkling.

She looked about 16-17 years old, distinctly and strangely different from the many mature individuals in the hall.

—

Looking at the focused eyes below, Lolan Hill pressed her fingers slightly on her skirt to steady herself before speaking.

“Today, I have something important to announce, which concerns the future development plan of Clancia.”

“This time, it differs greatly from previous plans. This time, we will reform numerous systems and models across the nation over five years, comprehensively revolutionizing major industries, even…

Prior to the establishment, unprecedented institutions were created.

“There is no doubt that this is a massive challenge; we will face numerous difficulties that our predecessors never encountered. Many times, we can only feel our way across the river by feeling the stones.”

“Then let me first introduce to everyone the cause we will strive for, as well as our vision for the future.”

Lolan Hill’s clear voice echoed through the venue via alchemical speakers, and then a series of images composed of magic appeared on the enormous stone wall behind her.

Although she was initially somewhat nervous, when it came to introducing the plans, it seemed like entering a familiar domain, and the young lady’s heart gradually calmed down.

But this was just the beginning. After the introduction, she would need to answer questions from the many people present and persuade them, so they would sincerely move in this direction.

“And above all, these are the first three five-year plans. Upon their completion, Clancia will transform into an industrialized nation, and society as a whole will enter a brand new era. We will also advance towards the stars and the seas.”

Finally, she finished speaking. This must be the question time now. The young lady lowered her arms, turned around, and stood quietly, giving everyone time to think.

Below, there was a moment of silence, as if one could hear a needle drop in the vast assembly hall.

After waiting for a long time, seeing that no one was moving, Lolan Hill’s heart began to waver. Could it be that they thought my ideas were too fanciful and hard to refute?

Just as she hesitated whether to repeat what she said, sporadic applause broke out below, quickly spreading and boiling like a flame.

“Forward to the stars and the seas!”

“Long live Clancia!”

The venue was like a tidal wave, with people immersed in the grand vision, as if they were re-cognizing the world anew.

So, it could be like this. It was as if a completely new world was unfolding before them.

What the young lady overlooked was that things she considered ordinary, such as steel industry, lathes, railways, trains, chemical fertilizers, national systems, etc., were extraordinary and magical to the current world, causing a huge impact on personal worldviews. Only then did everyone slowly come back to their senses.

Listening to the applause, Lolan Hill stood at the podium, anxiously waiting. When would the questioning begin? She needed to answer the questions before she could leave the stage.

Unfortunately, today she was destined to be disappointed. Not a single person in the audience questioned or asked anything. Perhaps there were small doubts, but in their eyes, these minor issues were easy to overcome. Asking questions to this wise person would be insulting.

If they couldn’t accomplish even these small tasks, how could they reach that beautiful utopia? The establishment of Clancia was not smooth sailing, and many problems would arise in the future, but they were not afraid. A spirit of openness and confidence spread throughout the nation.

Like a newborn sun.

(The chapter ends.)