Time marched on.
In the blink of an eye, it was July of Kaiyuan Year Ten.
Two and a half years of feverish development had surged like a spring tide, rolled like great waves, and swept across every inch of the Empire's territory.
The government ran like precision gears, each interlocking with the next, without delay or obstruction.
The combat formations of every military department had expanded to full strength, their armor a forest, their banners blotting out the sun.
The economy's pulse beat strong. The treasury was full, trade flowed ceaselessly, and the teleportation arrays linking the nine stars had never been busier.
Everything was rising. Everything was growing. Across this sea of stars, the Empire raced toward its planned blueprint, a flourishing realm where countless contenders surged ahead.
Dragon Star, the capital of the Magic Province.
Magic Grand Square.
An enormous screen stood in the center of the square, projecting a figure in a British-style suit into every upturned pair of eyes.
Demiurge stood behind the lectern, his black hair combed meticulously back, his eyes narrowed to slits behind round glasses.
His voice echoed over the square through an amplification spell, clear and compelling, like a capable businessman presenting an annual plan to shareholders, or a seasoned lawyer delivering his closing argument in court.
The scene was also being broadcast far and wide by Dragon Star's Magic Province television station.
"Over these past years, the Empire's development has surged relentlessly forward."
The elegantly suited demon lifted his chin. Behind him, his tail, sheathed in silver metal plates, swayed gently. Pale black flames flickered around the six spikes at its tip, casting shifting shadows beneath the lights.
"Humans, orcs, demons, dragons, and even the undead have all been swept into this tide of development, witnessing our great Empire transform