Elashia, wearing a somewhat strange smile, stood up, took a few steps, and slowly sat down on the steps in front of the throne.
"Many loyal ministers of the empire support Me, which pleases Me greatly."
Elashia looked around the great hall, then continued:
"However... I must respect everyone's wishes. This throne is extremely precious—how could I sit on it if you all don't allow it?"
The pink-haired girl revealed a pure smile.
"Let's do this: everyone will vote by raising their hands. If even one minister objects to Me succeeding as emperor, then I shall not take the position."
The vast hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. All the ministers knelt on the ground, many already sweating profusely.
"There's no need to be afraid. Those with objections need only raise their hands."
Elashia was already rejoicing inwardly.
Her high school teacher had used this exact method to control them, and now she was applying it effectively.
"No one? This is your only chance."
You've already referred to yourself as "Me" (imperial I), so why are you still doing this?
The ministers who weren't controlled below were sweating profusely, not daring to speak.
"Very well, since none of my ministers object, I shall reluctantly accept this position as emperor."
[Mission Completed]
[Mission Reward: System formally fully activated]
Elashia was extremely curious about the fully activated system, but she knew now was not the time to examine it.
Elashia looked around at the ministers and said:
"Although a major change has occurred, the country still needs to function."
Elashia looked toward the ministers in the front row.
"Aren't you supposed to go supervise tax collection in various regions tomorrow?"
"Yes! Your Majesty!"
The voices of several tax ministers carried traces of fear.
"Good, I now announce..."
The ministers raised their heads, and Elashia could clearly see the fear and curiosity in their eyes.
"The Agricultural Tax Department's work will stop tomorrow, and will be abolished indefinitely in the future!"
Huh?
The Elasia Empire was an agricultural country, and agricultural tax was the main source of revenue, accounting for 90% of national expenditure—truly the pillar of the country. How could it just be eliminated?
Elashia, who had spent over a thousand hours in "Immortal King—The Fall of Elasia," knew all too well how important agricultural tax was to the Elasia Empire's finances. Nevertheless, she still decided to completely cut the agricultural tax, not even just reduce it.
This was the path discovered by the genuinely well-intentioned "Elashia" from her previous life after countless failures in "Immortal King—The Fall of Elasia"—the route where Elasia temporarily doesn't fall.
If taxes weren't completely exempted after the coup, even reduced tax orders would still transform into excessive taxation at lower levels, still cause local uprisings, still greatly weaken the Elasia Empire's strength, and still lead to the empire's destruction before the Undead Lord awakened.
Only by completely exempting agricultural tax could internal turmoil before the Undead Calamity be avoided, giving Elasia a chance to survive the monster waves triggered by the Undead Calamity.
There was no choice.
A young official spoke up.
"But... but Your Majesty... our country..."
"Do you want to meet the old emperor?"
This blatant threat immediately frightened the young official's face white.
"No, no, no! I dare not object!"
"That's right, just follow My orders!"
The ministers controlled by Elashia shouted in unison: "We obey the imperial decree!"
Then the great hall fell silent again.
Elashia smiled; this was even easier than she had expected.
"That's all I have to announce. If there's nothing else, you may withdraw!"
The ministers below immediately felt as if pardoned, retreating from the hall like the tide.
"Wait! Minister Candice, please stay!!"
To restart the country, this woman's help was absolutely essential.
The woman wearing robes paused, turned her head, and said in a cold, seemingly emotionless voice: "How may I serve you, Your Majesty?"
How impressive, Elashia marveled inwardly.
As expected of the [Human Hero] with the highest intelligence in the game—even with the overwhelming pressure of the coup just now, her behavior showed no abnormality whatsoever.
"Please wait a moment."
Seeing that everyone had retreated from the great hall like the tide, Elashia used mind control to order the other nine battalion commanders to return their troops to their original positions before addressing Candice: "You're a spy sent by the Iron Empire, aren't you?"