The last day of August.
A heavy rain had fallen just yesterday, bringing a touch of coolness to the sweltering summer. The rising sun was not too glaring, and the weather was clear, with not a cloud in the sky.
For the millions of residents living in Northril, there was nothing particularly special about today.
Early in the morning, people left their homes and began their day.
The streets gradually grew lively. Cars roared past, and pedestrians streamed along; children at school recited their lessons in unison after their teachers, people whispered prayers in the churches of the gods, factory machinery started up, workers on the assembly lines wore numb expressions, farmers labored at estates and fields outside the cities, and shop assistants took their posts to receive customers.
The common people noticed no sign of change.
Only those who paid closer attention to current affairs would read the newspapers and, in their spare time, mention to those around them that the Empire-wide assembly was to be held today.
The topic of the meeting was to establish an election committee and arrange the process for the next election of the governor.
The vast majority had no interest in discussing it. In their eyes, the next governor was a foregone conclusion.
No one was more suitable to become governor than Lord Rayne Augustus!
Everyone had seen the governor's achievements over the past decade. The Empire's territory had expanded, merchants in business had made fortunes, commoners' wages had risen, and even children from poor families could enter schools and have a chance to become Transcendents.
Every city had built new high-rises, communities, and docks. The streets had grown wider, more and more cars traveled along them, and living conditions had improved dramatically.
The number of Transcendents had more than doubled, and their