The Challenge

King Edward remained standing by the tall windows overlooking the capital.

From this height, Helmarte appeared endless.

Government ministries lined the avenues leading away from the palace. Smoke rose lazily from factory chimneys in the industrial quarter, church spires pierced the skyline, and countless rooftops stretched toward the distant river. As evening slowly approached, servants and lamplighters had already begun preparing the city's oil lamps.

Within another hour, thousands of flames would illuminate the capital.

Thousands of candles.

Thousands of oil lamps.

Thousands of men whose entire profession existed simply to keep those lights burning.

The king watched them quietly.

Seven hundred million riels.

The number echoed in his thoughts.

It was not impossible.

The royal treasury possessed enormous reserves, and the kingdom's tax revenues continued to grow each year thanks to expanding commerce and industry.