The Mechanical Era

Neon felt as if a thunderbolt struck him twice over. He started to fear where he was going with this.

'How did he know? Maybe he can see into our minds. Is that his magic?' Neon thought to himself. Everyone got on their knees instantly, begging for forgiveness as tears flowed down their eyes.

"Do not worry everyone. I will not punish you all in any way. Please stand back up." Everyone collectively sighed a deep breath of relief. Neon used his hands to wipe off his tears that fell for a bit and stood back up.

"It is not your fault for believing such. This idea is a myth that had managed to take hold not because of some conspiracy by the magical population to take over and subjugate you all, but instead a reaction by the people at the time. The ones who made those decisions lived far back during the decline of the Imperium. It was a reaction to a great event. A reaction that made the world today.

However, in their reconstructed world, they did not account for the genius of the common man and had completely abandoned them. A new idea was born. One that dictates anyone who was born with magic be superior. I do not believe in this fallacy, and therefore, will accept your apologies."

There was silence at first. Neon felt something. They all felt something in their hearts, growing, yet they cannot tell what. He cannot believe what he was hearing. Was this prince thinking highly of them?

"We are all honored by that you sire, but... why? Why does sire think of us like this?" he asked. Kant turned to Neon and made a tiny smile that was barely noticeable.

"Tell me, Mr. Furner. Do you know who the smartest man to have ever lived?" Kant asked.

"Um... unfortunately no sire. I do not know of anyone."

"Well, I will tell you the answer. He died over a thousand years ago. If he wasn't, he would die an illiterate peasant, with nobody ever knowing his name, never having the chance to be known for something. That is the ugly truth of our world. It arrogantly treats you and all commoners as if you are illiterate morons who cannot rule themselves."

"Excuse me, sire, are you saying that... some of us here, could be like... a genius? Even Me?" he asked.

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid," he said with a smile.

"In the last millennium, the common man has truly stagnated, disrespected, and left behind by the ones who cast magic. The new kings lead the people to accept, to swallow the idea that whoever is deemed to be gifted with magic is naturally stronger and superior to the rest.

While is it true that they are indeed stronger, let me ask you. Who makes the food in which they eat? Who builds the houses in which they stay? Who makes the weapons they use to help slay the beasts of hell?"

"..."

"It is the common people. You, your mothers, fathers, wives, children, friends, ancestors, and descendants. Your work in the fields, in your smithies, or where ever, YOU!..." he pointed at everyone.

"YOU all are what is keeping our knights alive and the royal family legitimate and absolute. You provide what the royal family needs to survive and to protect you from the evils beyond the city walls.

You are all equal partners in a mutually beneficial agreement, not servants, serfs, or slaves to a king claimed to naturally above the ordinary man, that in return for his protection, you give him your loyalty and your labor to keep the city and to keep civilization itself running."

He takes a deep breath.

"I have a dream. I dream of a world where anyone born into poverty has the choice and opportunity, to dig himself out of poverty, to acquire riches, fame, power, and respect among his peers.

I dream of a world where every man, woman, and child needs to not worry about food, water, or shelter in their lives.

I dream of a world where everyone, is taught to read and write, grow smarter, and wiser, and contribute to society in a meaningful way.

I dream of a world where everyone is allowed to have better medicine, not die of horrible diseases that ravage the world, and not lose a loved one because of a single cut on their finger.

I dream of a better world, a better future, for ourselves and our descendants. And all of it begins here, in this room. This is our great opportunity, to show the world that they are wrong, that ordinary people like us, the ones without magic, could create miracles, something great, something to be proud of."

Neon was flabbergasted, yet flattered by the prince. He was astonished by the prince's communication skills and the professionalism that he projected, along with everybody else. Yet, he felt honored and appreciated. Standing in front of him was a man that understood, cared, and even respected him for what he does, despite his extreme status.

"But sire, do you think we could do it?" someone asked.

"I do believe so Mr. Lernout. The strongest society is not the one with the most powerful monarchs, but the leaders who recognize and fully utilize its population's talents to the max, bring the best out of them, to make them as productive as possible.

It will be an uphill battle, but we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Now, let's get to work. Shall we?"

...

Neon arrived back home safely 3 hours before sunset. He was a bit exhausted and extremely bored, so sat down on the chair to relax. Aggie, hearing the door open, came back inside through the back door. She took off her wimple made of silk, revealing her short blonde hair.

"How was your new place of work honey?"

"It was very tiresome, to say the least. I had to move lots of heavy things around all day. Not fun, but not dangerous either. They have assigned people to a single repeatable task throughout the entire day." he takes out a pouch filled with money.

"It was worth the while though. I got my first wage. We have enough to last three whole weeks! I would have to leave again for tomorrow though."

"You don't get to have tomorrow?"

"No. But I have to do what I have to do."

"Did you get to find out what that cement was?"

"Oh yes, and what a miracle it was! It was this gray powder when you mix with sand and water, you get this mortar anyone can use to stick bricks together. Leave it for two days and boom! Locked in place!"

"So that empty-handed prince's creation is legitimate?"

"Do not disrespect sire Kant honey. He is a lot smarter than anyone had anticipated."

"Really? How would you know?"

"Sire Kant came down to teach us himself. I have to say, the gossip people spread about the man is utterly absurd! But then again, that is the consequence of what our world is." Aggie was a bit surprised at her husband's strange change in attitude towards the prince.

"Well, what was Kant like then?"

"Sire Kant, Aggie! He is a prince!" he lashed out a little.

"Alright then! What is Sire Kant like?"

"When we all first met him, we got caught off guard by his appearance. His hair and eyes they..." Neon stopped.

"They what?"

"...They creeped me out a little bit. The rumors were spot-on about that, but when it came to everything else, it was a load of utter bullshit. Sire Kant was extremely polite and very professional. He didn't treat us like we were peasants or anything, but more as partners."

"Partners?!?"

"Not that kind you heretic. I mean as more of a mutual agreement. He... is extremely intelligent. He knew we were talking behind his back as if he could read minds, but instead of punishing us, he forgave us. He explained the 'manufacturing' process to us well."

Aggie got more and more fascinated and asked him to tell him his tales. Neon told of the history lesson he received, and the great ideas that the young prince has in his mind, along with every other worker in their families.

...

The carriage finally arrived at the palace, report in hand. Kant made his way inside his room and locked the door. He slowly removed his cloak and black gloves, and neatly placed them on the table along with the report. He walked up to the mirror, took a deep breath, and broke his calm façade.

"Yes! Woo!" he said as he clenched his fist. He gave out another deep breath. Kant took out a piece of paper he had read all night and kissed it. He had managed to look competent and professional in front of many. Now, he hopes to build on that further to boost his popularity.