Lord: Starting with Biological Modification

By early the next morning, the grand square of Minas Tirith’s city hall was already a cacophony of voices.

All registered citizens, artisans, civil officials, and soldier representatives had been summoned to the square for a meeting.

Garrison soldiers lined the square’s perimeter, but they were unarmed, giving them a relaxed and friendly appearance.

The artisans and civil officials gathered in small groups, murmuring about the noises that had come from the harbor last night.

A dozen or so Knights stood to the right of the crowd.

Confusion was written on every face. ’Why is the lord in the mood for a meeting at a time like this?’ they wondered. ’Shouldn’t he be figuring out how to drive off those salty dogs?’

In the preparation area behind the high dais, Tristan paced back and forth, clutching the reform proposal. His fingertips trembled slightly.

"Lord Velin, isn’t this too rushed?" Tristan stopped pacing and turned to Velin. "I thought we would take a more gradual approach, starting with a small-scale pilot program."

Velin adjusted his cuffs. "Time waits for no one, Tristan. We must complete this reform before the Sea Wolf returns."

"But these policies..."

"There will be resistance, there will be doubt, and even opposition," Velin cut him off. "But that is precisely why we must announce it before everyone. So that every person can hear it, and every person knows the rules."

Barrett walked over and gave Tristan a heavy clap on the shoulder.

"Don’t be nervous, kid. You’ve been preparing for this for so long. What’s there to be afraid of?"

Valerius stroked his beard, his eyes full of encouragement.

"Tristan, I’ve reviewed your proposal. It’s far stronger than the first paper I presented at the Alchemists’ Conference back in my day."

Ola, a battle-axe slung over her shoulder, let out a hearty laugh.

"I swear on my father’s battle-axe! So what if you misspeak? We’ll just do it all over again!"

Tristan took a deep breath and nodded.

The clamor from the square filtered through the tent, a tidal wave of sound from thousands of voices.

Velin walked to the edge of the tent, lifting the flap to look outside.

A sea of heads packed the square, stretching from the stone steps to the far end of the street.

"Let’s go," Velin said, turning back to the others.

The two of them walked side by side onto the high dais.

Sunlight bathed the stone dais as Velin’s black hair swayed gently in the breeze.

He stood at the front of the stage, his wine-red eyes sweeping over the dense crowd below.

The square gradually fell silent.

"My people," Velin began, his voice carrying across the entire square. "I will not lie to you. We are facing a powerful enemy."

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

"They seek to plunge us into fear with their harassment and destruction, to grind our progress to a halt." Velin’s voice rose. "But I am here to tell you: fear cannot build houses, and stagnation cannot fill your bellies!"

Some in the crowd below began to nod.

"It is precisely in moments of crisis that we must prove our strength with unprecedented resolve!" Velin clenched his fist. "We will turn this crisis into the cornerstone of our happiness! And the way to lay that stone is to completely shatter the shackles that bind every single one of you!"

His voice suddenly boomed, thundering in every person’s ears.

Velin spread his arms, as if to embrace the entire square. "I hereby announce that we will establish a brand new, fourteen-level system of merit! In this new world, your worth will not be determined by your birth, but by your ability and your contributions!"

For a moment, there was stunned silence. Then the square erupted into a deafening roar of discussion.

"Not determined by birth?"

"What does he mean? Does that mean we can...?"

"A fourteen-level system of merit? What... is that?"

Shock, doubt, confusion, disbelief... a whirlwind of emotions swept through the crowd.

A fervent light ignited in the eyes of the lowborn youths, while those accustomed to the old rules knitted their brows in concern.

But the vast majority of those present belonged to the former group.

In the wake of the initial shock, a tiny flame ignited in their hearts.

It was hope.

Velin quietly observed the crowd’s reaction from the stage. Once the clamor had subsided slightly, he turned and gestured.

"Now, my chief administrator, Tristan, will explain the rules of this new system in detail."

After speaking, Velin took a step back.

Tristan stepped forward, took a deep breath, and unrolled the parchment in his hands.

"By the will of our Lord," Tristan’s voice was an octave higher than usual, "the Grey Marsh Territory shall establish three core departments! The Development Department, responsible for construction and public welfare! The Technical Department, responsible for research, development, and production! And the Security Department, responsible for military affairs and public safety!"

He paused, looked at the restless crowd, and continued to speak.

"This fourteen-level system of merit will be the heart of it all! Whether you are an official, a soldier, or an artisan, you will be brought into this system! From the lowest rank, Level 14 Apprentice, to the highest, Level 1 Chief, your rank will be determined solely by your abilities, your contributions, and the examinations you pass!"

This statement lent concrete details to Velin’s earlier proclamation, and the discussions in the crowd became more specific and fervent.

A blacksmith shouted, "So how do we get promoted?"

"All positions, from department clerks to centurions and even workshop supervisors, will be filled through open examinations!" Tristan announced at the top of his lungs. "The first territory-wide public ranking examination will be held in three days!"

The square absolutely erupted.

"Open examinations?"

"Regardless of birth?"

"We can become officials, too?"

Voices cried out from all corners of the crowd.

Centurion Laine clenched his fists. He looked at Velin and Tristan on the high dais, then at the comrades beside him, who, like him, came from common backgrounds.

A fire burned in every one of their eyes.

An old artisan’s voice trembled as he asked, "My lord, can old-timers like us participate too?"

Tristan nodded. "Age is not a limitation. Ability is the only standard."

"Then what will the examinations cover?" a young woman asked.

"That depends on the position you apply for. Artisans will be tested on their craft, clerks on arithmetic and paperwork, and soldiers on tactics and physical fitness," Tristan replied. "The topics for all examinations will be announced in advance to give everyone time to prepare."

An even more fervent wave of discussion erupted from the crowd.

Velin stepped forward once more to set the final tone for this great change.

"This is more than just a reform; it is an opportunity. An opportunity for every capable person to showcase their talents, and for every hardworking person to be rewarded. The examinations in three days will decide the future of the Grey Marsh Territory for the next decade. I hope to see every talented individual step forward and prove their worth."

The applause was thunderous and unending.

The crowd did not disperse immediately after the meeting ended.

They gathered in small groups, passionately discussing what they had just heard. Nearly everyone was ready to rush to the city hall to register.

Velin and Tristan descended the high dais.

"How did that feel?" Velin asked.

Tristan let out a long breath. "It went more smoothly than I ever imagined. You announcing it yourself made all the difference."

"There will be voices of opposition, but not here," Velin said, watching the crowd begin to disperse. "The real challenge will be in the next three days."

Barrett walked over, a smile on his face.

"You did good up there, kid. Your voice was loud, and your points were clear."

Velin watched the receding tide of people, his mind already piecing together the next steps.

The seeds of reform had been sown. Now, it was time to see what would grow from them.

The examinations in three days would be the first test of this new system.

And the first test for all the people of the Grey Marsh Territory.