Earl Morrin drove the fleeting absurd thought from his mind. Magic? How could that be possible?
The Church's fanatics were always frightening ordinary people with tales of evil wizards and witches. They had even established an Inquisition, and some of those fanatics would constantly put on an act with a broken stone, probing here and there and claiming it could detect traces of magic and sorcery.
Because of their influence, the public firmly believed such claims, especially the common people at the bottom of society.
However, in the eyes of the few who had received a good education, stories about wizards and witches were nothing more than fabrications the Church had invented to expand its influence.
As the times progressed, many mysterious phenomena received rational explanations. For example, the "ghost fires" in graveyards had once been blamed by the Church on evil spirits, but later, after alchemists studied them, it turned out to be nothing more than a substance called "phosphorus" spontaneously combusting.
Because their lies were exposed, the Church deeply resented scholars who dared to explore the unknown. More than a few had been persecuted after being branded as wizards.
However, this could not suppress people's curiosity. Even factions had emerged within the Church, advocating approaching and understanding the gods by exploring the unknown and studying nature. The famous "Enlightenment Society" was one such faction.
The Church would forcefully link people or things it could not explain to sorcery or demonic mischief, using people's fear to deepen their dependence on the Church. This claim had already begun circulating on a limited scale among the upper nobility, who believed that wizards and magic were merely tricks used to deceive ignorant fools.
Earl Morrin thought the same way. Most nobles, however, still held to the attitude that it was better to believe such things existed than to risk assuming they did not.
"Have Lord Merlin continue investigating this matter. But regardless of the truth, the reality of our lack of grain cannot be changed."
The King broke the silence in the study and voiced the most urgent problem at hand.
Catherine said with a deeply furrowed brow, "Father, I've already ordered grain and fodder to be gathered within the Royal Territory, but that will take quite some time."
"Even if we manage to gather some supplies, it won't be enough to support the army on a long expedition deep into the south."
Rodney XVI fell silent. After a long while, he said, "Then we can only purchase it from the lords who support the Royal Family."
"The King should be self-sufficient." This was an unwritten rule of this world.
After the ancient Bella Empire collapsed, new regimes of all sizes were established across its former territory.
The newly founded nations were frequently at war, but their monarchs did not possess territory as vast as the Bella Empire's to rule. Their wealth was insufficient to support a large Standing Army.
To meet their military needs, most countries adopted two methods to maintain their military strength.
The first was to retain only a small number of elite troops during peacetime, such as the various knightly orders, and then conscript large numbers of commoners to form an army during wartime.
The second was to adopt a feudal system. The King granted land to meritorious nobles, making them lords of that land. The great lords could then distribute land within their territories to their own vassals, who could in turn enfeoff their own vassals. This continued down through the hierarchy until it reached the knightly class.
The lords had to rely on the income from their own territories to build military forces. During wartime, they were also obligated to answer their liege's summons and provide those forces for their liege's use.
In return, the lords were not obligated to pay taxes to their liege, or paid only a token amount. The royal families of most countries relied primarily on income from their directly controlled territories to meet their expenses.
Thus, as King, Rodney XVI could summon lords from all over the country to bring their troops and Aid the King, but he had no authority to order the grain stored on their lands to be mobilized. Legally, he could force such an order through, of course, but the result would certainly be to drive even more lords over to Giles's side.
Catherine suggested, "Let the Royal Commissioners we stationed earlier communicate with the lords in their respective locations. We should try to drive the prices down a little."
The King agreed. Earl Morrin accepted the order; his intelligence network was responsible for the Royal Commissioners.
He took out a second scroll and handed it to the King and princess. He reported, "There's another important piece of intelligence. After investigating, we've confirmed that Giles does indeed have someone supporting him from behind the scenes."
The King unrolled the scroll and read the intelligence together with the princess. Catherine murmured, "No wonder. A year ago, he didn't have enough strength, yet a year later, he raised the banner of rebellion with such confidence."
The Earl looked at the princess and said, "Our analysis is that the force supporting him may be from 'over there.'" As he spoke, he gestured eastward.
The princess glared at the Earl. "Don't make wild claims without conclusive evidence!"
The Earl lowered his head and replied, "Yes, Your Highness."
The King suddenly said, "Don't say that about Lord Merlin. Relations between countries are exceedingly complex, and there are far too many cases of people putting on one face in public and another behind closed doors."
The princess wanted to say something. "But, Father..." Yet she stopped herself.
Rodney XVI looked at his eldest daughter with affection. She was the greatest pride of his life. She was young yet already so outstanding, but she still needed much more tempering in politics.
He turned to Earl Morrin and said, "All right, Lord Merlin. Go back and rest for today. You've worked hard lately."
"It is my duty, Your Majesty. I dare not call it hard work." Earl Morrin bowed, took his leave, and exited the study.
Only father and daughter remained in the study. Rodney XVI rose and slowly walked to the window.
With his back to the princess, the King said, "Catherine, there's something I need to tell you."
The princess quietly waited for her father to continue, but instead heard news that shocked her beyond measure.
"I intend to marry your younger sister to Duke Veblen."
The study instantly fell silent. The only sound was the ticking of the grandfather clock nearby. For a moment, Catherine could not say a word.
At last, she still managed to ask, "Why...?"
In truth, the princess knew her father's intention perfectly clearly. Duke Veblen was the strongest among the lords of the kingdom's eastern border. He was also the strongest among the lords who were currently watching both sides and had not declared their support for either.
The King did not answer. He knew his daughter must understand his intentions.
"Irene is only fifteen. Did she agree to this?" The princess's tone suddenly sharpened.
The King still had his back to her. He said quietly, "Fifteen isn't that young..." but did not say whether Catherine's sister had agreed.
"But Veblen is almost fifty! And he has such a terrible reputation! You actually intend to marry your own daughter to someone like that!"
The princess raised her voice, nearly shouting.
"That's enough! I've made up my mind! Leave."
The King abruptly turned around and glared at his eldest daughter as he shouted sternly. The affection in his eyes was gone, replaced by an air of utter resolve.
Catherine understood the meaning in her father's eyes. She looked at him coldly and said, "As you command, Your Majesty."
She turned and walked out. With a bang, the study door slammed shut.
Rodney XVI stood blankly before the window. After a long while, he sighed, walked to the desk, and collapsed helplessly into his chair.
This daughter of his was still far too naïve when it came to politics.