Gelten Territory was naturally among the first to implement "surnames for commoners." The day after the Northwest Republic announced this policy, Gelten Territory announced the same one. However, its approach differed slightly from that of the Northwest Republic—only subjects who had settled here for more than one generation could enjoy this benefit. Even settled adventurers did not qualify.
This was because Gelten Territory had no need for more talent. The territory was currently stable and peaceful, with neither plans to further expand production nor ambitions of outward conquest. Its body of officials, centered around the Church of the God of Knowledge, was already more than sufficient to govern the region—and govern it well.
The members of the Church of the God of Knowledge had a high literacy rate. There was no need to mention the clergy; even the more core believers were all literate. More than that, they regarded teaching and educating others as the finest way to express devotion to their god. Anyone with money and spare time was keen to volunteer as a teacher. Thus, in terms of literacy among its subjects, Gelten Territory ranked highest across the entire primary plane, even surpassing Void City.
According to statistics from previous years, Gelten Territory had more or less completely eradicated illiteracy. Even farmers working in the fields could recognize around a hundred words, understand simple notices, and write their own names.
That level already surpassed quite a few developing countries on Earth. With such deep foundations, what did a little government administration amount to?
The residents of Gelten Territory were also proud of their education level. Walking through the streets, one could often see people taking out books to read whenever they had a little spare time. Though what they read was either travel journals written by retired adventurers