Above The Sky
Chapter 499 - 499 468 Plains Town 23

499: Chapter 468: Plains Town (2/3) 499: Chapter 468: Plains Town (2/3) The mayor’s family was small; his spouse had passed away in previous years, and his two sons and daughter all worked in the Imperial Capital, seldom returning to the town.

The old man, preoccupied with the entire small town, also had no time to head into the city for family gatherings.

In the two-story mansion, there lived only the mayor, Aunt Julia the cook, Uncle Coachman with his gardener son and his family—in total, merely four individuals.

However, though few in number, the spacious house was kept remarkably neat.

It is said that the industrious cook from the northwest was also responsible for cleaning, maintaining the grand residence spotless and inviting.

“Dear little knight, what would you like to eat?

Strawberry pie, or apple pie?”

Once he removed his helmet, Ian, with his youthful and naive appearance, successfully alleviated most of the potential hostility from the town’s mayor named Yemor, who invited Ian for a meal at his home, and naturally, Ian accepted.

Meanwhile, the plump aunt, carrying a jar of jam, zipped through the dining room into the kitchen like a gust of wind, leaving behind an affectionately inquisitive remark, “Or do you prefer meat?

Knights, young or old, all seem to enjoy their meat…”

“Julia, be polite, he’s not some relative from your countryside!”

The elderly mayor slapped the table, scolding ‘sternly,’ but Ian could tell the reprimand came from fear that he might take offense, so the youth smiled and shook his head, saying, “No need.” Then he raised his voice, “Aunt Julia, I would like the apple pie!”

He personally preferred strawberry pie, but Frost Butterfly and Hua’an both voted for apple pie, so apple it was.

He liked them both, anyway.

After receiving an affirmative “Alrighty!” in response, Ian then exchanged glances with Mayor Yemor, whose face still bore a look of worry, “I truly come from the countryside, I haven’t lied to you about that.

Who rides a horse to the Imperial Capital, anyway?”

“And why are you so afraid of me?”

“Well, knight, sir…”

The mayor touched the armrest of his chair, seemingly wanting to say something but finding it difficult to start, looking at Ian’s countenance, “If it were normal times, it would be fine, everyone would love to host a guest like yourself…

but with the New Year approaching and the half-yearly inspection about to begin…”

Sighing, the mayor then laid it all out, “Alright, based on your appearance, even if you’re from the countryside, you are a bona fide prodigy, the focus of everyone’s attention, and probably not connected to the inspection team.”

“It’s all caused by the temporary residence permit—You are probably aware, securing a Permanent Residence Certificate around the Imperial Capital is incredibly difficult, and even temporary permits are tricky.

Many in this town haven’t had the time to fuss around with that…

Everyone’s waiting for the news to hide, and with your arrival, and the advanced notice individual not appearing, we thought it was a surprise attack, of course, we were scared.”

“I see.”

Ian nodded slightly, understanding that the mayor was speaking the truth…

The man did not have the nerve to lie to him.

But what exactly was a temporary residence permit?

Ian’s status as a knight shielded him from many troubles; for him, challenges that ordinary folk faced were often a matter of simply showing proof for smooth resolution.

In reality, to be at the First Energy Level meant a near-class transcendence compared to the ordinary person.

As long as one didn’t aspire to grow stronger and was content being a high-level employee, they could live a comfortable, happy, and even somewhat luxurious life.

Even though Ian was unclear about the exact nature of the Imperial Capital’s temporary residence permit, the name itself gave enough implication to grasp its significance.

“I remember…”

Having sipped some tea, Ian spoke slowly, “A temporary residence permit shouldn’t be hard to obtain, should it?

The town doesn’t seem poor, and while there are quite a number of people, it seems everyone should be able to get one…”

He didn’t know the requirements for the permit but used such comments to lead the conversation.

The mayor lifted his head, giving Ian a complex look.

But, noticing Ian’s young age, he shook his head with a hint of helplessness, “Knight…

you…

ah, you’re oversimplifying it…”

“It’s indeed not hard to get the permit if you have stable housing and a job, then you just apply.

The problem is, getting into the Imperial Capital is just too hard.”

The old man took a sip from his teacup too, turned his head towards the window, where the towering light pillar of the Imperial Capital was faintly visible in the sky, and muttered to himself, “I had a few ambitious children, and only thus obtained the Permanent Residence Certificate…

But for most, entering the Imperial Capital involves layers of greasing palms, and it’s not a small sum of money…

Going through the process occasionally for a major inspection is one thing, but they want it every half a year…”

“It’s said that during the Era of the Black King…

everyone could freely enter and exit the Imperial Capital, but after the Dark Moon disturbance, it seems the higher-ups are worried about another unknown force attacking, so policies were tightened quite a bit, making the process for obtaining permits much more difficult…”

Mayor Yemor rambled on, while Ian occasionally responded with agreement.

Gradually, he began to understand what the temporary residence permit was all about.

After the Dark Moon turmoil, during the time Guardian Axel took charge in the Imperial Capital, because over half of the capital was damaged and the defense circle was not fully reconstructed, a large number of people from nearby provinces and cities were housed around the Imperial Capital.

While repairing the city, they also replenished the population of the surrounding towns that had been depleted by the civil war.

Due to the substantial influx of people from different regions and the forced relocation of Nobles’ offspring and their vassals, the population composition of the Imperial Capital became incredibly diverse, and there were several instances of espionage and sabotage by secret agents from other nations, resulting in significant losses.

Moreover, with the almost complete eradication of the old central Noble forces led by the Black King, local Nobles from all sides began to gradually defy orders, and passive-aggressive defiance became the norm, moving increasingly towards a loss of control.

Therefore, under the command of Protector Axel, the Imperial Capital adopted two different measures for ordinary citizens and nobles.

For the ordinary citizens, there were two sets of standard identity proofs: the Permanent Residence Certificate and the Temporary Residence Certificate represent the right to live in the vicinity of the Imperial Capital and enjoy related policy benefits…

Not to mention others, at least the weather around the Imperial Capital is fine and in order, and even if there is a drought for a few days, there will be artificial rainfall to solve it.

Those who became residents of the Imperial Capital, even if only in the villages and towns nearby, didn’t have to worry about harvests and food.

For the nobles, it was the issuance of “residence permits.”

Or rather, forced relocation.

Nobles who received the residence permits could move their families and even their related entourage to the Imperial Capital or its vicinity, enjoying the privileges of the Imperial Capital and the absolute sense of ‘security’ provided.

At the same time, the related nobles must also contribute their strength as nails protecting the Imperial Capital, ready to resist the potential invading army from the Fiery Flame Land.

The Imperial Capital was located not far from the northeast of the Farflame Great Desert on a plain.

Considering the mobility of the Constructed Knights and Sublimators, it would not take long to invade the central district if they overcame the border fortresses.

Of course, the nobles could choose not to come… But there were consequences for not coming; Protector Axel took over an almost paralyzed Empire and still managed to defend the territory.

He was not any amiable and gentle man of letters.

This emperor, who once led the Eastern Frontier Iron Cavalry to confront the Azure Sky Royal Court, didn’t mind having their heads buried in the Imperial Capital.

Those who didn’t come faced certain consequences, but there were also benefits for those who did.

Currently, fifteen large satellite cities surrounding the Imperial Capital are all led by nobles who have moved to the vicinity or their descendants…

Compared to the almost imperial power they had in their local domains, they were indeed not used to having more powerful figures overseeing them.

But it’s also because they were near to the Imperial Capital that they could touch upon the true essence and center of Terra civilization.

“So it is like this…”

Ian nodded slightly, thoughtfully saying, “The latter relocation system is quite good…

New wealth and populations are gathered around the Imperial Capital to be assimilated and transformed, while local strongmen are eliminated, settling the disputes… Although it’s merely treating the symptoms and not the cause, it’s very effective.”

—Compared to an emperor like Protector Axel who harshly harvested the nobles, how could the Black King be considered a tyrant.

“The principle is just that.

It’s said that the…

Black King was planning to do the same back then.

His Majesty just modified it slightly before using it, though it’s just a rumor among the people.”

The Elder nodded, his frown not easing as he said, “I know these policies, they all have their purposes, and initially, they were surely all good, but…

the Imperial Capital has been peaceful for so long, the Temporary Residence Certificate should have been abolished long ago.”

“It’s been decades, why does it still continue…”

—Because the related vested interest groups have not been eliminated.

Ian didn’t say this out loud, he just stared at the cleanly swept wooden table in front of him.

Once a policy is proposed, there’s always a reason behind it.

The dual identity verification system of the Permanent Residence and Temporary Residence Certificates, designed to ensure the security of the Imperial Capital, can indeed prevent most external scouts and spies.

But how the executors distort, convert, or forcibly maintain a certain policy that should have been abolished long ago… That has nothing to do with the policy itself anymore and causes great disruption to people’s lives.

It’s the inhumane greed of certain interest groups.

He knew, and Ian understood.

But now…

wasn’t the time to discuss these matters.

About half an hour later, Aunt Julia happily came in holding a large plate of apple pie, with its latticed golden-colored fruit filling emitting an enticing aroma, plump and substantial in appearance.

Even the outermost part was drizzled with a semi-transparent amber-colored jam, both in color and fragrance extremely appealing.

“It looks very delicious, thank you very much!”

Ian expressed his gratitude with a smile and without being bashful, at the Mayor’s invitation, he picked up a piece of the already cut apple pie and started eating.

With a bite, Ian’s eyebrows lifted slightly, then he handed a piece to Hua’an and Frost Butterfly.

The two fae took a bite and both revealed smiles.

The pie had just the right texture, and the inside was fragrantly soft and delicious, with sweetness and the taste of fruit perfectly balanced, already enough to be called gourmet food.

It seemed Aunt Julia really had great skill as a cook!

Watching Ian eat so earnestly, even the always worried Mayor couldn’t help but show a smile, and Aunt Julia laughed heartily.

But at that moment, a somewhat frantic knocking at the door disrupted the tranquil atmosphere.