Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 203 Medal Ceremony

Chapter 203 Medal Ceremony
This was the first time Li Wei had met the Empress of the Empire—Victoria II.

She was tall and agile, and instead of wearing a magnificent royal robe, she was dressed in military attire with a red cloak, looking as imposing as a warrior on the battlefield.

Li Wei had also read some records about the Queen, and she was indeed remarkable. She went to the battlefield at the age of sixteen to fight against foreign enemies. She repeatedly defeated enemy forces that attacked the empire. After becoming queen, she had no time to spare and carried out a series of sweeping reforms to the empire.

The most important of these was to advance the steam-powered machinery revolution and reform the empire's bureaucracy.

Before Victoria II, the empire was also on this path, but it was not easy. The conservative aristocratic forces were very powerful at the time. The empire at that time was similar to the Franciscan Kingdom. The nobles did not recognize the emerging bourgeoisie and suppressed them.

Of course, the conflict between the two sides intensified as a result, and if there had been no good solution, the empire would have collapsed just like the Franciscan Kingdom.

Her Majesty the Queen took over the empire at this turbulent time, becoming its ruler, precisely when the contradictions of reform were at their most acute.

However, the queen did not remain idle; upon taking the throne, she immediately implemented sweeping reforms.

First, the imperial army underwent a complete overhaul, phasing out outdated equipment and replacing it with the latest steam-powered mechanical weapons and armaments.

Having secured firm control of the empire's military power, Her Majesty's next step was to reform the empire's education system. She aimed to make education accessible to the majority of ordinary people. She then promoted a new generation of officials, reshaping the empire's bureaucracy.

Initially, the high nobility did not take Her Majesty's reforms seriously. The bureaucratic reforms at the time did not touch upon the nobility's own power; they were more like a supplement to it. However, in reality, the Queen used this method to gradually erode the nobility's power and ultimately gain complete control of Parliament.

With the military and civil service as her two sharp weapons, the Queen finally chose to completely break with the old aristocratic system.

Incidentally, the Church of Jesus Christ was also involved in this.

The Queen's actions not only aroused the dissatisfaction of the old nobility, but the Church of Christ also keenly perceived Her Majesty's ambition. The two sides joined forces and eventually launched a rebellion.

Regarding this rebellion, the history books Li Wei read contained two different accounts from the chroniclers.

One view is that the Queen inadvertently leaked the secrets of the reforms, forcing the old nobility to strike first and overthrow them before the Queen could fully succeed.

Another view is that the leak of secrets was intentional on the part of the Queen, designed to lure the old nobles into a desperate act. Once they couldn't resist taking action, the Queen could then wipe them out with swift and decisive action.

Well, in Li Wei's opinion, he actually leans more towards the second interpretation.

Because that's what Her Majesty the Queen did in Melicia.

By revoking the tax law, I'm gradually forcing Melisia to launch a rebellion. If you rebel, I have a reason to send troops to kill you. If you chicken out, then obediently surrender and wait for death.

Either way, you're going to die; it's just a matter of whether you want to die a glorious death or a miserable one. For the Queen, the outcome is the same.

In short, the rebellion failed as expected, and Her Majesty even personally led the Royal Guard from the palace all the way to the rebel headquarters, personally beheading the noble leaders of the rebellion.

It was after this that the Queen accepted the capitalist class into the upper echelons and granted them noble status and position, which turned the bourgeoisie, who were originally hostile to the nobles, into protecting the interests of the nobles.

After all, they're the bourgeoisie... whoever feeds them is their mother.

It was because of the Queen's decisiveness that the empire was not overthrown like the Franciscan Kingdom. To this day, she still rules this great empire.

The queen, dressed in military attire, ascended the throne but didn't look old, although Li Wei had heard she was over fifty. She appeared to be in her thirties or forties, with a rosy complexion, excellent health, and an imposing presence. Just standing there, she exuded an indescribable sense of power and authority.

Although on the surface Her Majesty the Queen may not seem so fierce, the aura she exudes clearly tells a different story.

"Everyone."

The Queen glanced around the banquet hall at the guests, smiled slightly, and the oppressive aura surrounding her vanished. Li Wei could even sense the relief of those around him; it seemed most people were quite nervous around Her Majesty the Queen.

"I think you all know very well that this has not been a peaceful year."

However, the Queen's words were not as harmonious as her expression.

"The Empire is thriving, and we are returning to our historical peak. However, not everyone is happy to see this. Our enemies lurk in the shadows, trying to destroy everything we want to protect. However, all their efforts are in vain. The Empire has stood, is standing, and will stand here forever, without exception!"

The Queen's voice wasn't loud, but everyone was on edge, listening intently to her speech.

"And all of you present here have made unparalleled contributions to protecting this country and its people. That is why I have invited you to the palace to enjoy this New Year's feast as the New Year approaches. At the same time, I also want to tell you that the Empire will not forget your contributions and sacrifices."

At this point, the Queen paused for a moment, then looked away.

"Next, I will award medals to those who have made outstanding contributions to the Empire this year."

The awarding ceremony itself was unremarkable.

Whether it was because the Queen didn't care about those tedious formalities, or because there were too many people, the whole process was very simple. The person whose name was called by the Queen stepped forward and came before her. Then the Queen would tell his story and the contributions he had made to the Empire, and then bestow upon him the corresponding honors.

Those first summoned by the Queen were all ancient nobles, such as Olivia—she was not there for an award, but simply for a title transfer. The Queen praised her courage in fighting to protect the Empire in the Steel City, and also teased the young pup. Then she announced the official recognition of Olivia as the current head of the Baskerville family and the lord of the Delicat region.

Other nobles were similar; some inherited their family titles like Olivia, while others received routine personnel appointments.

Then came the actual awarding ceremony.

Levi didn't recognize most of the people, but after Her Majesty the Queen's explanation, he could understand them fairly well. It seemed that most of them were members involved in the invention and creation of steam-powered machinery. Besides them, there was the Order of Loyalty—primarily awarded to public officials who had served in a particular position their entire lives and then retired. Anne also received an award from Her Majesty the Queen, receiving a Third Class Order of the All-Knowing Eye, which seemed specifically prepared for researchers, recognizing their contributions to the development of the Empire and the exploration of knowledge. The reason Anne received this award was, naturally, because she had conducted anatomical research on the sea monster, made it into a specimen, and even published a paper on it.

At first glance, it seems rather unremarkable, but Li Wei knew that, from a cognitive perspective, Annie's paper was like a debuff to the understanding of sea monsters worldwide. From this perspective, Annie's paper had a tremendous impact.

Dr. Tester received the Order of the All-Knowing Eye, First Class, which clearly demonstrates that the crucial task of creating a firewall for the Imperial Difference Engine was indeed of paramount importance.

However, for Li Wei, it felt a bit like when he was in school, and the teacher was handing out certificates of merit in class at the end of the semester.

"XXX, come up here, here's your 'Excellent Student' certificate..."

"XXX, your outstanding class leader..."

Well, in essence, it seems there really is no difference?

"Li Wei".

Just as Li Wei was lost in thought, he heard Her Majesty the Queen call his name. He snapped out of his reverie, straightened his clothes, took off his hat, stepped out of the crowd, and approached the Queen.

The Queen was half a head shorter than Levi, but standing on the steps, she was still taller than him. Her deep blue eyes, like a dark sea, stared at him intently.

"Detective Levi, this year, you have helped the Empire on several occasions, eliminating the darkness and evil that clung to it. Those evil secrets have nowhere to hide before you, and those conspiracies that attempt to harm the Empire cannot escape your sight. It is a blessing for the people of the Empire to have someone like you protecting it."

As the Queen spoke, she stretched out her hand, and then an attendant came over and brought her a plate.

"Here, in the name of the Empress, I bestow upon you the Order of Honor and Merit, the Order of Distinguished Service, the Imperial Cross, and..."

At this point, the Queen paused, while Levi suddenly had a bad feeling…

But by then, the Queen had already spoken.

"Thistle Medal"

“……………………!”

As the Queen's voice faded, the crowd behind her erupted in noise, while Li Wei looked completely bewildered... unsure of what to say.

Because he was going to attend the awarding ceremony, Li Wei had naturally read the records about the medals. The Order of the Thistle might not sound very prestigious, but in fact it was the oldest and most noble medal in the empire. The reason was simple—the Order of the Thistle was only awarded to a maximum of twelve people, and it would not be awarded again unless the holder died.

In fact, there is currently no holder of the Order of the Thistle in the Empire!
As for why it was only given to twelve people, it's because the medal is said to have originated from King Arthur's investiture of his twelve knights.

More importantly, those who receive the Order of the Thistle will form a knightly order that will serve only the royal family! Just like Arthur's twelve knights!
Li Wei also guessed that the Queen would definitely not treat him unfairly. After all, not to mention those things that were not reported in secret, the things that were reported were enough to make him meritorious and rewarded.

But what do you mean by playing a royal flush right from the start?
Now I can't run away even if I want to?

Of course, while Levi could escape if he wanted to, the difference between an ordinary detective running away and a recipient of the Order of the Thistle running away is two different things.

After all, the recipients of the Order of the Thistle can be said to correspond to the twelve knights of King Arthur!
Speaking of which... I do seem to have a fragment of the soul of one of King Arthur's twelve knights.

Li Wei silently complained in his heart, while the Queen had already pinned the medal on Li Wei's head. Then she reached out and drew a longsword from her waist.

"Kneel on one knee, Mr. Li Wei."

"…………………"

Li Wei silently knelt on one knee, his right hand behind his back and his left hand in front of his chest.

Now he can't run away even if he wants to.

The Queen gripped the hilt of the sword, raised it, and placed it on Livy's right shoulder.

"In the name of the Holy Lord, I grant you courage."

The blade was turned and placed on the left shoulder.

"In the name of the Queen, I grant you justice."

Then, the blade returned to its original position.

"In the name of the Empire, I will protect you."

Then, the queen lowered her sword.

"Please rise, Thistle Knight Livy. I hope you will remember the Thistle Oath—never to betray it."