Dawn and Darkness (9)

Father Pick led a large number of worshippers into the Royal Palace of the Corland Kingdom.

At the same time that same day, the King and nobles were once again fiercely debating the future of the Corland Kingdom.

"We need to learn from the Empire and concentrate our armies and resources at the important border fortresses to prevent enemy attacks!"

This was the King's demand. At its core, it was a demand for centralization, because every matter in this process would have to be decided by the King.

"An extraordinary army is the foundation of our survival. If we cannot become strong enough to contend with the Florian Empire's Extraordinary Legion, then even the army of a single Imperial count could wipe out the Corland Kingdom."

This was Grand Duke Gailan's belief. He strongly demanded that the kingdom's nobles join the ranks of reform.

In some ways, the King and the Grand Duke were alike, but their interests differed. Both wanted to become the leader of this reform.

"The Corland Kingdom will not fear anyone's invasion. We will remain unharmed."

This was the thinking of the last group—or rather, most of the nobles, who ruled their territories through habit and had become nobles through hereditary power. They feared unknown change.

And the benefits would not go to most nobles.

"We have no other choice."

"The wealth of the Corland Kingdom is all in the hands of those church priests. What else can we do?"

"If the kingdom wants reform, we have no money."

Perhaps deliberately, perhaps not, but ever since they had pointed their spears at The Church last time, everyone now tacitly threw every problem at the Church of Dawn.

Because only then could they stir something up—and only then could they muddle through.

Those who wanted reform used