Besides the capital, Drakoria is left with only 3 other territories, not including the towns and small villages associated with those territories. None of these territories produce food, making for serious food scarcity in the kingdom. Traders from other kingdoms are reluctant to bring food into the territories because there's little to no money to be made.
"We know of our problems, your majesty" one of the invited court officials interrupted, her demeanor wise and composed. She has an air of grace that seemed to befit a lifetime of wisdom. Her silver hair cascaded gracefully down her shoulders, and her piercing blue eyes exuded a sense of depth and understanding.
[Name : Helene of Drakoria]
[Class : Witch]
[Nickname : Drakoria's lost demon]
[Level : 72]
[Strength : 46]
[Attack : 340]
[Defense : 30(+300)]
[Agility : 44(+70)]
[Stamina : 10(+50)]
[Skills : Astral Projection; Shadow Weaving; Illusory Arts;Enchantment Artistry;Elemental Invocation; Nature Shaping; Summoning; Soulbound Connection; Necromancy ; Grimoire mastery;Ancient Arts; Curses Mastery;]
And she's not alone. Of the 11 here the least strong is a Level 52 Alchemist. They all have so much skills but when I tried to use
"Enough with the distractions" I said to no one in particular.
Something tells me the pressure I'm feeling is intentional. That one of them, or all of them were messing with me. They are all stronger than me, and I don't know why they still allowed him to be king but they had zero respect for him, and it shows. If they wanted him dead, he will be dead.
"3 seconds" I said, voice composed and certain but I knew I was at my limits.
"...you have changed a lot since the last time we met, my young king" the eldest amongst them said, his eyes sparkle with a hint of playfulness as he tries to suppress a knowing chuckle and suddenly the pressure was gone. He is a Gandalf-like looking Level 81 mage and also the strongest of them, if I'm understanding this world correctly. He has an array of skills that hurt me anytime I took a peek.
"What do you have in mind?" he asked
I stared at him for a while then continued. "The court will be taking over the means of production and distribution to alleviate the suffering and hunger of the citizens. We buy the excesses of other kingdoms and sell at one third of the market price to the citizens of Drakoria."
I could feel their disappointment with their inaudible curses.
"...last I heard the court is without money" the old man said, his tone showing no feelings or disappointment "how long do you expect to sustain that, especially after paying off the army's debt. More loans?"
"Till the next harvest at the least" I said, then walked a very large map table in the chambers, and they followed. "Tommorow we will be off to reclaim half of the lands here" I pointed at a section of the large map. It is a map of the southern continent of which Drakoria alongside 4 other territories shared boundaries "for our agricultural purposes"
The silence that followed was palpable, as if the room itself was holding its breath. The court officials exchanged baffled looks, their expressions caught between surprise and uncertainty.
"That's the demon forest" the man said "neutral land"
"Says who?" I replied, looking him straight in the eyes. He smiled.
"...even if that could work" another added, "Farmers can't work there, too dangerous"
"Which is why we will be allocating 5000 of the kingdom's soldiers there." I said. "They protect the farmers until their work is done, after which they protect the court's products until harvest"
There was comfortable silence in the conference chambers.
"These are all well thought out plans that will surely relieve the sufferings of the citizens" the witch said, "...but at the expense of the court"
"Noble sacrifices for a brighter future" I replied, and she smiled and gave me an appreciative bow.
"We still need money for it" the alchemist interjected. "Who do we borrow from? We've exhausted a lot of options"
The alchemist is the youngest of them and who I was most comfortable with. She wore a tailored, dark green gown, practical yet elegant, which signified her role as a respected member of the court. Her attire was adorned with intricate patterns representing various, what I assumed were alchemical symbols, showcasing her passion for her work. Around her neck hung a pendant in the shape of a tiny flask, containing a mysterious liquid that seemed to shimmer with an inner light.
"We are not borrowing from anybody" I said. "Get me a group of soap makers to be employed directly under the king's court and we will make enough money for the plans and perhaps more."
She bowed.
The atmosphere generally had changed from a few minutes before which means their perceptions of me have changed too. I felt relieved.
"So who will be leading the forces to the Demon forest?" the old man asked.
I glanced around and then my eyes settled on the witch.
"I will leave that to Drakoria's lost demon"
The moment I mentioned the name the atmosphere changed. They looked at me like I knew something I shouldn't and I was so quick to move on.
"How long will it take you to subjugate from here to here?" I asked the witch, demarcating the territory.
She gave me a look as if she were trying to read me, then glanced back at the table.
"...3 days" she replied. "Two if I'm allowed to chose the troops."
"That's fine." I said. "I will be sending the farmers on the fourth day."
It takes 2 days to get to the Demon forest from Drakoria on horse back so everything should be finalized after a week and half.
"Have the willing soap makers meet me by tommorow's evening end" I said to the alchemist. "I need as much as you can gather, but they must be willing workers."
She gave a polite bow.
"That will be all for now" I told them and they bowed and left.
As the last person left and the the heavy chambers doors closed, heavy breath of relief escaped me. Nothing have changed. Just like in my previous life, I'm still scared to say the wrong thing. Still so worried that they might take offense if I breathe wrongly. That pathetic feeling of knowing one can take away your life like it's nothing without you been able to do anything. I hated that.
"Butler"
"Yes, my king"
"...how do I get stronger?"
There was silence but his expression didn't betray his thoughts.
"I could train you, my king" he said "but only as a student, not a king"
"That's fine" I replied.
He bowed, and instantly the pressure was back on, but this time it was several times heavier.
[Name :??? ]
[Class :??? ]
[Level :??? ]
[Strength :???]
[Attack :???]
[Defense :???]
[Agility :???]
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[Skills:???]