One of the duties the candidates had been focusing on aside from learning the strict imperial palace rules was maintaining the food storage in each small town within the empire. It was up to the candidates how they would put the division on the food, their deal with the people for harvest, and how they would take care of it and its people.
At first, everyone handled food storage for small districts, so even if the candidates failed, the chief supply (the empire) could support its people to prevent a shortage of food. The first phase immediately eliminated the candidates in half, sending the ladies back to their homes.
As the competition continued, the number of candidates gradually decreased. Some forfeited their participation to support another candidate, and the empire had allowed it. While others deliberately surrendered because they couldn't handle Sunny's mischief.
