Chapter 186: Kexian's Abdication

Chapter 186: Kexian's Abdication

Kexian looked up at his sister in a daze. "If the Internet God cannot tolerate even a minor monarch like me, one day he won’t tolerate you either!"

As his words fell, Clairement’s pupils contracted slightly, and her gaze toward her brother suddenly brightened.

She was astonished by his insight.

"Now, you finally show a hint of a monarch’s bearing!" Clairement praised, stepping closer and lowering her voice. "Brother, don’t you understand? This is about balance. For my sake, the Keville royal family must become history!"

Kexian’s eyes widened abruptly, his entire body trembling.

A profound sense of powerlessness gnawed at his heart.

……

……

"I always thought it was too cruel of you to make her the messenger. I never imagined there was such deeper meaning behind it!"

Aphnora, dressed in a white polka-dot dress, leaned half against the desk, her bright eyes shifting from the Virtual Screen before her to Yu Sheng’an.

When she arrived, Yu Sheng’an had been observing the siblings, and she had joined him.

Little did she expect to witness what would become a historic moment for the Keville Empire!

Yu Sheng’an: "..."

Balance, my ass! I hold the Contract Godhood. Every one of them is bound by contract—what the hell do I need to balance?

Betray me, and even if you don’t die, I’ll turn you into an idiot!

I just plain dislike feudal systems, that’s all!

Before, when fighting against the Five Great Righteous Gods, I had no choice but to unite all possible allies.

Now that I have the freedom, I’ll naturally shape my core domain according to my vision.

Sure, I could’ve slowly pushed for a constitutional monarchy, but that’s still a capitalist system—detrimental to the fundamental interests of the masses, the very foundation of divine power.

To me, nobles and commoners alike are all my flock.

Would I harm the herd for the sake of a few fatter sheep?

Obviously not.

In that case, better to cut the knot with a swift stroke.

Still, Clairement’s reaction finally made him understand how the inscrutability of those in power comes about—subordinates are just too good at reading between the lines.

"I can see you hold Clairement in high regard. Aren’t you afraid she’ll resent you for this?"

Aphnora deliberately brought up Clairement with feigned nonchalance, though her eyes remained fixed on Yu Sheng’an’s expression.

"Resentment? I didn’t kill her kin, and I’ve granted her divine status. If she still resents me, then she’s not worth keeping alive. I’m sure many would gladly replace her."

Yu Sheng’an sneered.

Affection can be invested in, and loyalty can be bought.

But absolute loyalty isn’t earned through endless indulgence.

History shows what happens to those "generous" rulers who "reward virtue as if it were never enough and conceal faults as if afraid they’d be known."

Their subordinates deceive and manipulate until they become the last of their doomed dynasty.

"By the way, did you need something?" Yu Sheng’an changed the subject.

"The beastmen of the Dofi domain—when do you plan to launch the final assault?"

"Soon. Once Kexian steps down, we’ll use the beastmen to redirect internal tensions."

……

……

On May 4, 1080 of the Keville calendar, Kexian, the eleventh monarch of the Keville Empire, delivered a nationwide live-streamed address via the Internet, proclaiming his abdication and declaring the end of the imperial system without appointing a successor.

Thus, the Keville Empire, founded by Keville the Great and lasting for one thousand and eighty years, came to an end.

The Keville Empire was renamed the Keville Divine Kingdom, marking the beginning of the Interconnected Era Year 1.

On this day, countless citizens of the Keville Empire witnessed this historic live broadcast.

Interestingly, this broadcast also happened to be the first-ever live stream on the Internet, its significance profound enough to be recorded in the annals of the Interconnected Era.

……

At the Felix Magic Academy, in every lecture hall.

Due to the academy’s expanded enrollment, once-sparse classrooms had long since become crowded.

Yet, the crowding did not mean chaos.

In fact, the lecture halls were eerily quiet.

The day before, the academy had suddenly issued a notice: all students were to gather in their classrooms by nine o’clock the next morning without exception. Any tardiness or absence would result in immediate expulsion.

The moment this notice was announced, it stunned countless magic apprentices.

The severity of the demand was jaw-dropping—unprecedented, in fact.

Through the Internet, they learned that not just Felix, but every magic academy in the Keville Empire—and even a few Battle Aura academies—had issued the same directive.

Now, all the magic apprentices finally understood why.

The moment Kexian concluded his abdication speech, the entire lecture hall erupted.

“My gods! What just happened?”

“Who’s the next heir?”

“Didn’t you hear? No successor—the imperial rule is over.”

“The Keville royal family actually abdicated? This is… this is… doesn’t this mean the Keville Empire is finished?”

But it wasn’t just the magic academy that was in an uproar.

Factories, taverns, inns, streets—every corner of the Keville Empire was struck with disbelief.

They could hardly fathom that the royal family, which had ruled Keville for over a millennium, would suddenly announce its abdication.

Countless minor nobles were thrown into panic.

If the Keville royal family had stepped down, would their Noble Titles still hold?

While the nobles fretted, the commoners were left utterly bewildered.

With no monarch, who would rule Keville now?

This question became the foremost concern for everyone in the Keville Empire, as countless people anxiously awaited an answer.

Following Kexian’s abdication, Dandell, the Saint Magus of the Keville Divine Kingdom, delivered a speech announcing the structural changes to the nation’s governance.

The overall framework of the Keville Divine Kingdom remained largely unchanged. The supreme authority shifted from the Keville royal family to the Internet God, with the Pillar Council serving as the highest administrative body, continuing the dual governance of the Magic Tower and the City Lord’s Mansion.

The key difference was that the boundaries of authority between the Magic Tower and the City Lord’s Mansion were now clearly defined.

One would oversee military affairs, the other civil administration—neither was permitted to interfere in the other’s domain.

In a way, the City Lord’s Mansion saw its power strengthened, as the Magic Tower could no longer dictate its operations.

The nobles retained their Titles and private assets, but all privileges and benefits tied to their Noble Titles were revoked.

With the political transition of the Keville Empire, countless commoners were gripped by fear, uncertain of what would come next.

Yet as time passed, none of the anticipated upheavals materialized.

Though the internet was ablaze with debates, in reality, life went on as usual—people ate, drank, worked in factories, and turned to the City Lord's Mansion when issues arose.

It seemed as though nothing had changed at all.

No—in fact, the crime rate plummeted in an almost eerie fashion.

But had the Keville Empire truly remained unchanged?

How could that be?

The restructuring of the Keville Empire dealt the heaviest blow to its nobility.

The hollowing of noble titles stripped the aristocracy of their privileges overnight—who could endure such a loss?

This wasn’t just a few minor houses suffering—it affected the entire Keville Empire, even encompassing the Three Great Gods of Magic!

Countless nobles stirred with discontent.

Yet, inexplicably, most of them seemed to sense something and chose to stand down. Only a handful of reckless or manipulated pawns dared to test the waters—before they could even act, they were branded with crimes and thrown into prison overnight.

The ones wielding this iron fist were none other than the great nobles, led by the Three Great Gods of Magic.

The majority of mid- and low-ranking nobles were dumbfounded.

They couldn’t understand—their core interests had been violated. Even if they couldn’t oppose the Internet God openly, couldn’t they stir trouble in secret? Like… like…

They couldn’t even think of anything.

The nobles were shocked to realize that the traditional methods of resisting rulers no longer worked.

Inciting unrest?

With the speed of information on the internet, who could manipulate public opinion? Who would even dare?

Mob riots?

The commoners had jobs, salaries, full bellies, and hope for the future—why would they be insane enough to join a riot?

Smashing factories? Going on strike?

The nobles would be the first to chop off the heads of anyone suggesting such idiocy.

Which factory in the Keville Empire didn’t belong to the nobility now?

Destroying factories or striking would only harm their own interests.

Especially with orders from the multiverse pouring in like snowflakes—the nobles would sooner roll up their sleeves and work the production lines themselves than tolerate even a minute of disruption.

Most importantly, what was the point of opposing the Internet God?

Upon reflection, there seemed to be no benefit at all.

In fact, to put it bluntly, if the Internet God left and took the Dragon Factory with him, the prosperity of the Keville Divine Kingdom would collapse in an instant.

At the end of the day, while the Internet God had deprived the nobles of some privileges, he had brought them far greater benefits.

Weighing the pros and cons, only a fool would throw away a watermelon for a sesame seed.

Not to mention, they lacked the power to seize more benefits anyway.

Yu Sheng'an, poised with metaphorical swords raised high, waited for days—yet not even the slightest disturbance emerged.

In fact, the great nobles, fearing they might provoke him, doused every spark before it could ignite, leaving Yu Sheng'an with no opportunity to act.

Left holding nothing but air, Yu Sheng'an could only sigh in admiration—development truly was the ultimate solution!

By expanding the pie, everyone could eat their fill, and most problems would resolve themselves.

As for the few remaining issues? They were the problems of a handful of individuals—just eliminate the troublemakers, and it was done.

At this moment, the commoners of the Keville Divine Kingdom are undoubtedly happy.

By a twist of historical chance, they unknowingly enjoy the blessings of ideologies and powers far beyond their time.

Meanwhile, far away in the Primary Domain of Azerai, the workers of the Empire of Infer are forced to take up arms, stake their lives, and wage a battle destined to shake the entire Primary Domain of Azerai—all for the future of themselves and generations to come!