Resident registration number. The princess’s proposal was groundbreaking.

Assigning unique numbers to citizens served both as a powerful means of control and as justification for protection.

The poor were ignored because they didn’t pay taxes.

If they could be controlled, the state would try to collect taxes from them too.

To collect taxes, minimal welfare would be implemented, and the poor would receive state protection.

Additionally, though limited to the poor for now, expanding it to all citizens in the future would establish stronger central control, and tax revenue based on accurate information would increase.

The data could also be used for various policies, making it beneficial.

Naturally, it would face opposition from nobles, but Duke Seta had the ability to push it through.

Overcome with emotion, Duke Seta asked.

“Are you aiming to become emperor?”

“What? No?”

Acelia wore a dumbfounded expression. Duke Seta paid no mind and laughed heartily.

“Well done. A ruler should never reveal their true intentions to anyone. Even to those close to them.”

What misconception is this man having?

“Leave this matter to me. I’ll handle the troublemakers in the slums as well.”

“I’m counting on you.”

Acelia felt relieved. It seemed she could breathe easier now.

* * *

The imperial citizen identification number policy wasn’t implemented immediately.

Since it required significant manpower and costs, those in charge needed time to create budgets and plans.

In truth, the matter had grown larger than Acelia had anticipated.

Duke Seta had expanded the project beyond what she wanted.

True to his nickname as the “messenger of the State Council,” he crushed all opposing nobles and pushed forward aggressively.

She hadn’t known, but apparently his supporting documentation was a hand-span thick.

Acelia felt somewhat guilty for having only said one thing.

Duke Seta’s in-law Marquis Baum and, surprisingly, First Prince Ian also voted in favor of the imperial citizen identification number policy.

The opposition included Duke Wade and Second Prince Diego, but the Emperor ultimately sided with Duke Seta, allowing the bill to pass.

Acelia’s standing rose rapidly, and her fame soared to 60.

Ding!

[You’ve cast 〈Character Breakdown〉! 〈Acelia Hedwig〉’s damage level increases by 3. Current damage level: 85.]

“The damage level is lower than I expected…… Is it because I didn’t do it directly? How stingy.”

Acelia shook her legs nervously. The D-day for The Last Leaf was approaching.

[▶The Last Leaf (D-15)

— If you don’t solve the ‘Poison (!#@world O□ ■ing)’ within 15 days, you’ll contract an incurable disease and die!]

Fifteen days. Fifteen days. In fifteen days, she would contract an incurable disease and die!

“Aaaargh.”

Panicking, Acelia chewed her fingernails. Though she didn’t realize it, her eyes looked abnormal.

‘Where can I make up the 15 damage points?’

To increase it by such a large amount, she would need to peek into Acelia’s memories.

But she didn’t know the conditions, and it wasn’t something she could make happen by will.

‘How, how should I……’

She frantically paced around the room.

She was too anxious to stay still.

“Your Highness the Princess, High Priest Joachim is here to see you.”

“Tell him to leave. Tell him I’m busy today and can’t meet him.”

“He says he has questions about the slum situation.”

“……”

Sighing, Acelia brushed her hair back.

Since this matter started because of Joachim, she needed to explain it to him.

She reluctantly went to the reception room.

“Why do you look so unwell?”

“High Priest Joachim……”

Until just now, she hadn’t wanted to see anyone, but upon seeing Joachim, Acelia felt a surge of emotion.

Perhaps because they shared a secret no one else could know?

Since she hadn’t experienced headaches or coughed up blood lately, likely thanks to his bracelet infused with holy power, Acelia unconsciously revealed her feelings on her face.

Seeing her tearful expression, Joachim hesitated before quickly approaching her.

“Are you ill? Has the bracelet not been effective?”

“No. Rather…… mmph!”

Acelia’s mouth was blocked when she tried to say, ‘I only have fifteen days left to live.’

‘Damn this restriction!’

She could reveal her poisoned state but not anything related to her lifespan? What petty rules this roulette had.

“I see it’s because of the poison. Let me check your condition briefly.”

Joachim naturally took Acelia’s hand. She surrendered her hand with resignation.

“……There’s nothing wrong. Don’t worry too much. Your Highness the Princess was alive until I died. Even if something happens, I will definitely prevent it.”

‘Thanks for the comfort, but…… I might really die this time!’

Seeing Acelia’s expression remain dark, Joachim realized there was more to it and gripped her hand firmly.

“Please call me immediately if anything happens.”

Acelia nodded weakly and led him to his seat.

“You said you had questions.”

“Yes. I apologize for asking in this situation, but…… how did you do it?”

The imperial citizen identification number policy hadn’t been implemented yet.

So Joachim could only be asking one thing.

“You want to know how I dismantled the gang, right?”

“Yes.”

“I used my brain. Someone told me the powerful never disappear.”

Acelia, now feeling slightly better, smirked.

Joachim looked confused.

“I sowed discord.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s simple. I just made it impossible for them to maintain their group.”

Acelia leaned comfortably against the chair.

She recalled what she had asked Duke Seta to do.

— Please recruit one or two of the slum troublemakers with money to report to the guards immediately when others commit wrongdoings.

— Among the troublemakers…… you say?

— Yes. The moment they suspect an internal spy, they’ll no longer be able to maintain the group. Better if conflicts arise. Nothing would be more ridiculous than them fighting each other to self-destruction.

— Haha! You joke well, Your Highness the Princess.

— And please find the wisest person in the slums to lead others. So they can resist if another force appears. After this repeats a few times, eventually no one will be able to establish a foothold in the slums.

Joachim was amazed after hearing the details.

“……Your Highness the Princess always exceeds my expectations.”

“I often hear that I’m full of surprises.”

“The imperial citizen identification number was also surprising. There’s no historical precedent for such a thing.”

“It’s an unfamiliar concept here. I didn’t expect it to be accepted so readily. Duke Seta did a good job.”

Joachim gazed at Acelia with contemplative eyes.

The princess showed generosity by not boasting and giving credit to others.

It truly felt like she was a different person.

What she had accomplished would completely negate Joachim’s past life, but perhaps, truly……

— I hope someone worthy of your true faith appears.

He thought that perhaps it would happen as “she” had once said.

Though chosen by God, he never worshipped God and had always wandered in search of salvation.

Ripples formed in his blue eyes, calm as a lake.

Uncomfortable with Joachim’s intense gaze, Acelia cleared her throat.

“Ahem! Anyway, does that answer your question?”

“……Yes. You’ve worked hard.”

“Indeed, I have.”

Acelia smiled playfully.

Joachim couldn’t take his eyes off her sky-blue eyes that sparkled with life, saying, ‘I did this because of you.’

Before leaving, Joachim turned to Acelia and said,

“This is just my intuition, but regarding the problem you’re currently worried about.”

“Yes?”

“What about visiting Her Majesty the Empress?”

The Empress?

* * *

For a week, Acelia struggled desperately to increase her damage level.

But the roulette didn’t budge.

Occasionally, it would infuriatingly display The Last Leaf’s D-day, making her furious.

‘Should I really go see the Empress?’

She knew well that would be something ‘Acelia’ would never have done.

Even when she asked the maids, they confirmed Acelia never sought out the Empress first.

But despite warnings to live quietly, she had been involved in all sorts of incidents.

Yet the Empress’s silence until now felt ominous.

Nothing had happened when she faced the Empress before.

‘The damage level has increased, so something might be different now.’

When only three days remained until D-day, Acelia finally made her move.

She sent word of her visit to the Empress and prepared slowly.

Looking in the mirror after dressing elaborately, Acelia sighed.

She could see her physical condition worsening day by day.

Her complexion was beyond pale—it was haggard, with dark circles under her eyes, and her body was thinner than when she first transmigrated.

Without Joachim’s bracelet, she might have collapsed several times already.

She hadn’t eaten or slept well due to anxiety.

The Empress was in the tea room. The head maid of the Empress’s palace announced her visit.

“Your Majesty the Empress, Her Highness Princess Acelia has arrived.”

But Acelia’s eyes widened when she spotted someone through the glass.

‘Why is that person here?’