"To quickly reorganize these more than 1.6 million troops, we'll need at least thirty thousand qualified officers."
"That is why I called this meeting today—to secure those thirty thousand officers."
After saying this, Oleus fell silent and watched the others, waiting for their answers.
Since the Twilight of the Gods, the royal house had weakened, while the powers behind the twelve dukes had expanded rapidly.
By now, the number of provinces under royal control within Okra Kingdom had fallen from twelve at its peak to seven.
The twelve dukes, by contrast, had expanded their holdings from five provinces to nine. Their combined power had long since surpassed that of the royal house, but their internal checks and balances had given the royals room to breathe.
The treasures stored in the Treasure Vault, powerful enough to destroy everything, were another important factor.
At that thought, Oleus felt a bad premonition stir in his heart.
Surely not.
He shook his head, cast that absurd thought out of his mind, and stopped dwelling on it.
After all, the black pendant was only a deterrent, not a true strategic weapon. Surely his cousin understood that as well.
White Rose Duke Elissina raised her head and said, "If you wish to retain your present wealth and power, Okra Kingdom must remain under our control."
"If we lose Okra Kingdom, we can always leave for another kingdom. But what will become of our followers?"
"Every person seated here has something they cannot abandon."
"I will provide one-twelfth of the thirty thousand officers."
"In three days, I will send twenty-five hundred officers to the Royal Capital."
Upon hearing this, the other eleven dukes broke their silence.
As White Rose Duke Elissina had said, if they lost Okra Kingdom, their personal strength would still make them honored guests