Drafting and reviewing the decree would take time," Eva said. "I'll give you half a month. Half a month from now, I want to see a complete draft."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the officials present answered in unison.
Half a month later, the decree encouraging childbirth, abolishing slavery, and prohibiting human trafficking was officially issued.
The decree contained six specific provisions:
First, families within the Fairytale Empire who had children would receive annual childcare subsidies based on the number of children, until each child reached the age of twelve.
Second, slavery was abolished. No individual or force was permitted to own, buy, sell, or transfer any person with slave status in any form.
Third, human trafficking was prohibited. Violators would be severely punished under imperial law.
Fourth, all existing slaves would immediately regain their freedom from the day the decree took effect. Their former owners were not permitted to restrict their personal freedom in any way.
Fifth, local governments were required to complete the registration, verification, and identity conversion of local slaves within three months of the decree's issuance.
The very day the news spread, the streets and alleys of Bright Moon City erupted.
"Human trafficking has been banned? Does that mean those mine owners and estate owners can't buy people to work for them anymore?"
"And slavery's been abolished too! No household can keep slaves anymore!"
"With this decree out, those nobles still holding huge numbers of slaves are probably going to explode..."
Everywhere in Bright Moon City—taverns, tea stalls, street corners, and alleyways—people repeatedly discussed the decree's specific provisions and their possible effects.
Some applauded, believing it was something that should have been done long ago. Others looked worried, fearing the decree would trigger a chain reaction and throw industries dependent on slave labor into chaos.
Within those noble