Holy Icon Restoration Plan

Inside the Governor's office at the Spire.

"Governor, these are the materials you requested."

Bayev handed Ron a statistical report listing the manpower and supplies needed to restore the Holy Icon.

He looked worried. "My lord, do we really have to restore the Holy Icon so urgently? This will put enormous pressure on the Palatine District."

Ron's tone allowed no doubt. "The Palatine District needs the God-Emperor Statue to stabilize the people's hearts. From this moment on, our top priority is restoring the Holy Icon!"

The shortage of food supplies had steadily weakened the Palatine District's control.

If this problem was not resolved, the army that maintained order would collapse, the Palatine District would fall, and he would face death as well.

Therefore, Ron needed powerful backing and a spiritual totem to support him.

He needed the people and the army to believe in him, thereby generating the Power of Hope.

Simply put, Ron wanted to sell everyone a dream—and make them believe it.

Then the God-Emperor's "miracle" was the best choice, and the only choice!

Of course, the "miracle" was fake, but the Power of Hope collected from it would be real.

Once they gathered enough Power of Hope to open a portal to the Space Hulk, the food problem would be solved at once!

Ron carefully explained the purpose of restoring the Holy Icon to Bayev.

Naturally, he only spoke of the surface-level purpose. Anything related to the Little Sun could not be revealed in the slightest.

"I understand what you mean," Bayev said, listening carefully and nodding in understanding.

In his view, although this matter would be troublesome, handling it well would still benefit the Palatine District.

With careful planning, it would not cause too much chaos.

At worst, they could suppress it when the time came. It would be a good chance to get rid of some excess population.

"The restoration of the Holy Icon is extremely important. I'll leave it to you."

Ron looked at Bayev. "Draw up a detailed plan and let me see it..."

"Governor, I will satisfy you!"

Bayev's attitude was resolute.

Since the Governor had made his decision, he, as the High Steward, had no right to question it.

He could only carry it out without hesitation!

Having accepted the order, Bayev immediately went out to make preparations.

Once the other man had left, Ron lowered his head and continued writing and sketching.

Restoring the Holy Icon and displaying the "miracle" were only the beginning. They would need a series of follow-up actions to achieve the best effect.

Before long, there was another knock on the office door.

Bayev had returned to report on his work.

He truly deserved his position as High Steward. He handled matters with exceptional competence and precision.

In only two hours, he had produced a complete plan.

According to Bayev's plan, since they were going to display a "miracle," the restoration work had to be carried out in secret to preserve its mystery.

He proposed relocating the residential district closest to Sacred Plaza, increasing patrols in the surrounding area, and forbidding any unrelated personnel from approaching.

To be safe, he also arranged a team to ensure no one leaked information.

The restoration work was scheduled to be completed on the eve of Emperor's Ascension Day, ensuring that the God-Emperor Statue would appear whole before everyone on the day itself.

There were still two weeks until the deadline.

During that period, Bayev would mobilize every available person in the Palatine District.

They would employ engineering machinery and carry out round-the-clock intensive work to ensure the restoration proceeded smoothly.

In short, everything had been arranged. Once Ron nodded, they could begin.

"I'm very satisfied with your plan, but wouldn't merely restoring it be a little too simple?"

"What do you mean, my lord?"

"If we're doing this, then do it properly. Use more precious materials. Otherwise, how will we demonstrate our Loyalty?"

Ron decided to pile all the gold, gemstones, and other treasures from the Palatine District's treasury onto the God-Emperor Statue and make it a golden icon.

The goal was sheer, soul-shaking spectacle!

Those things were not useful to him for the moment anyway.

"What a magnificent idea!"

Bayev flattered him without leaving a trace. "I will make the arrangements and have the craftsmen produce the finest design!"

The matter had more or less been settled, but Ron still felt uneasy and added a few points.

"I have two more requirements. First, provide a certain amount of compensation to those in the relocation zone. Second, use the gentlest means possible during construction and avoid casualties!"

Given Bayev's past record, it was better to remind him.

Otherwise, an engineering project might end up killing a batch of people. That would be too cruel.

To Ron, population was the most precious nourishment.

They had to be treated well to generate the Power of Hope!

"I understand." Bayev's expression became solemn as he vowed, "I will resolutely carry out your will. Everything will be as you desire!"

After making his promise, he bowed to Ron and hurried away.

Having a capable subordinate really was comfortable. There was no need to worry about anything himself.

Ron reclined against the soft back of his chair and stretched deeply.

He came up with the outlines of several more plans, then pressed the button on his desk.

Administrative staff from every department in the Palatine District entered one after another. They took the documents, refined them, and set them into motion.

This was power.

No matter how outrageous the things in Ron's mind might be, the entire Palatine District and the people of the territory would exert every effort to make them real...

Time passed, and the God-Emperor Statue restoration project had reached its halfway point.

Everything proceeded quietly. The people had noticed nothing, merely remarking that the nighttime curfew had become much stricter.

Only Ron knew that this was a massive gamble, one for which the Palatine District had paid far too much.

The restoration work went relatively smoothly, though a minor complication arose along the way.

The restoration work had been extremely smooth, except for one small snag in the middle.

According to the craftsmen's calculations, the Palatine District treasury did not have enough gold reserves to coat the entire statue, and the effect would be somewhat diminished.

How could Ron agree to that? A grand spectacle could not be built with cut corners!

With no other choice, he had to turn on his own Spire Mansion.

He ordered every piece of gold decoration in the mansion pried off, including golden furniture, dining plates, and more.

The gemstones too!

Not a single piece of gold or gemstone could remain!

Ron did not particularly like that extravagant style anyway. It was far too dazzling!

After all that effort, they finally gathered enough gold.

After special treatment, the gold would be plated onto the God-Emperor Statue on the eve of Ascension Day of the Emperor.

The gemstones would also be set into the statue at the same time.

After every bit of gold and every gemstone had been stripped away, Spire Mansion became much plainer.

It even had a faintly impoverished air.

Head Maid Linda had been unhappy these past few days, secretly wiping away tears.

She worried that something had happened to the Governor, and feared even more that she would be abandoned.

If something happened to the Governor, what would become of maids like them?

Ron noticed something was wrong with her. "What's the matter? Are you unhappy?"

The emotions Linda had held back for days burst forth. She threw herself into Ron's arms, soft and springy.

With tears streaming down her face, she trembled delicately. "Please don't send me away, all right?"

Linda had grown up in the Palatine District and received the Grant House's training.

The sole purpose of her life had been to serve Lord Ron well.

She had hardly ever been outside, but she could still vaguely sense how terrifying the world beyond was.

A few years ago, she had even heard artillery fire from outside. The house had nearly been shaken apart. It had truly frightened her to death!

Fortunately, all of that had passed.

Although many people had disappeared, she could still continue serving the Governor.

Now the Governor was even more charming, and he treated her more gently.

She could never stop herself from confiding in him, from wanting to be held tightly in his arms.

If only she could rest beside the Governor... Linda often lost herself in such fantasies.

But those fantasies were quickly shattered.

So many people came into the house, hammering and prying things apart. They took everything away, even carrying off the Governor's dining utensils.

She had loved those utensils. Every day, she carefully polished them to give the Governor the most perfect dining experience!

But now it was all gone.

Linda feared that, like those beautiful dining utensils, she too would simply leave the Governor's side...

Ron patiently listened to Linda's confession and gently stroked her back. "So that's what this is about. You've misunderstood..."

He did not tell Linda the truth. He merely comforted her.

He had ordered people to remove the gold and gemstones because he had grown tired of those decorations and wanted a different style.

"Do your work well. I won't send you away," Ron said firmly. "Never."

Linda looked up at Ron, her gaze hazy and shimmering with tears.

"Governor..."