Rita felt numb.
Literally, both her body and mind were numbed, leaving her incapable of thinking beyond mechanically carrying out tasks.
This stemmed from two factors: firstly, the precisely timed chain missions relentlessly consumed almost all her free time; secondly, the Central System effectively trampled upon everything she had learned throughout her life.
To this day, Rita couldn't comprehend the underlying principles behind it. She only knew that the Central System could be installed in the imperial palace and various government offices, creating lifelike false dolls nearly indistinguishable from real people. These dolls would receive diverse administrative matters and swiftly provide solutions within the blink of an eye. After verification by the officials overseeing each office, implementation would immediately commence.
The majority of governance decisions made by the Central System were perfect, with very few exceptions. When issues arose, they were promptly rectified after being rejected by officials, ensuring similar errors never recurred once approved. On extremely rare occasions, cases where right or wrong was ambiguous would reach Rita for her final decision, or further escalated to Zeke if necessary.
The Central System's efficiency and capabilities soared to unimaginable heights, enabling real-time information sharing across vast distances. With no corruption (in harmony), negligence, or partisan conflicts, it became the epitome of perfect governance tools.
Initially, Rita could set up more than ten Central System terminals each day, later increasing to over a hundred. Within half a month, the Central System spanned across most of the Huang Kingdom before its pace slowed down. This deceleration wasn't due to any issues with the Central System itself, but rather the limitations of primitive transportation methods and the scarcity of high-quality bureaucrats capable of reviewing its decisions.
Rita couldn't comprehend the origins or intentions of Zeke and Senti. Perhaps, as Senti suggested during their first encounter, they were indeed immortals from ethereal legends?
What Rita did know was the overwhelming sense of suffocation she felt merely being near the Central System, indicating an insurmountable power.
After implementing the Central System, a large number of public officials were dismissed. Initially, Rita anticipated chaos, but instead, those removed were swiftly dealt with: executions for some, imprisonment for others, and reassignments for many. Without any direct forceful intervention, the transition occurred smoothly, preventing any unrest.
The Central System had replaced the bureaucratic system that had been entrenched for millennia. Rita anticipated civil unrest, but the new administration swiftly gained public approval with its unparalleled problem-solving capabilities and unprecedented commitment to serving the people. Nowadays, nearly everyone preferred seeking solutions from the Central System. Agricultural technologies and systems were revolutionized across regions; infrastructure projects flourished, education expanded, and transformative changes occurred daily.
As for the most formidable resistance from nobles, wealthy merchants, and landlords, General Durandal's forces dealt with them decisively.
Rumors spoke of this innovative army, trained with novel educational doctrines, techniques, and comprehensive promotion mechanisms. It even boasted the extraordinary Hall of Heroes, granting soldiers miraculous powers of rebirth after death... However, Rita didn't have much insight into these specifics. She simply lacked the time to focus on such matters; her only knowledge was that the main military force was currently engaged nationwide in suppressing banditry.
"Prime Minister, here is your workload for today, including twenty-three tasks assigned by His Majesty and thirteen documents submitted by the Central Administration requiring review. Please complete all tasks before sunset."
"Put them on my desk... Wait, this says Lady Fu Hua has gone to apprehend the eldest imperial prince?"
Rita's expression, initially indifferent, darkened abruptly upon reading the document.
The long-haired official in a qipao dress, who had emerged from the Central System, nodded gently and responded with deference, "Yes, it is by His Majesty Zeke's decree. Furthermore, he is no longer considered the eldest imperial prince but merely an extraordinary commoner, as per rumors."
"...I request an audience with His Majesty."
"His Majesty has decreed that until sunset, he will grant you an audience, provided you complete your work for today."
"So, after finishing my tasks, any time remaining until sunset is when I can meet with him?"
Smiling, the official nodded, her elegant and refined demeanor putting Rita at ease.
"Bam!"
"Hiss—"
Rita slammed her hand on the table forcefully before taking a deep breath.
Immediately, she spread out the documents and began rapidly scanning through them.
What else could she do? As a frail woman whose best efforts might barely make her a match against ten thousand enemies, obedience was her only option.
Driven by her concern for her dear friend, Rita miraculously reinvigorated her weary mind to operate at full speed. Just before sunset, she managed to secure approximately an hour of audience time.
As she ventured deep into the imperial palace, her once meticulously styled hair had become disheveled, and her official robes—designed to accentuate her graceful figure without compromising dignity—were now visibly untidy. Her pale complexion and faint dark circles under her eyes evoked feelings of sympathy.
Rita pushed open the palace doors, her gaze unfocused, immediately noticing a series of screens floating throughout the air. Upon her arrival, these intricate projections vanished instantly.
Initially prepared with much to say, upon reaching this place, the accumulated exhaustion and unease from countless days surfaced all at once.
The scene in the hall began to blur as Rita's legs buckled. Struggling, she leaned heavily against the door, drenched in sweat, her breaths labored yet delicate.
Zeke emerged from the center of the palace. As Rita stood disoriented and weak, he lifted her by the collar, carrying her to a chair inside where he gently set her down. Then, he handed her a cup containing an unidentified glowing red liquid.
"Drink it," Zeke said mildly as he took a seat across from Rita.
Without weighing pros and cons or considering potential effects, Rita obediently drained the cup. After all, there was nothing she could do to stop Zeke if he truly desired something.
"Hm? It's sweet."
Rita set down the glass, gently pressing her fingers against her lips as the refreshing sweetness lingered on her tongue. Strangely, both her weary body and mind suddenly felt a wave of comfort and lightness.
"Is this...medicine?"
"Sort of—a nutritional supplement to help regulate your body."
"This... Thank you for Your Majesty's kindness."
"It's nothing. You've reached your limit; without some rest and recovery, you won't be able to continue working."
Zeke's blunt words made Rita's face twitch slightly, a thousand emotions boiling down to one thought—What a jerk!
She slumped back in her chair with a long sigh.
Setting aside Zeke's methods, at least Rita had transitioned from reluctantly participating to genuinely believing in their work.
Once the Central System was fully implemented, she couldn't even begin to imagine the future of this nation. But the changes so far already felt like a dream come true. Imagine a country governed by a flawless administrative system—how powerful it would become, how content its people would be. Just contemplating this vision, Rita deemed it worth abandoning everything she'd learned and strived for in her earlier life.
However, today's focus lay elsewhere. After a brief moment of silence, Rita mustered her courage and asked:
"I heard that Your Majesty ordered Lady Fu Hua to apprehend Zhuge Kongming. May I inquire about your intentions?"