The letter was sent, and Crystal Radiance replied soon afterward.
Paul opened the envelope in his office. Rhodesney XVIII's handwriting was clear and neat, the ink still vivid, as if he had carefully considered every word before putting it to paper.
As he read, his expression gradually darkened.
At the beginning of the letter, the king was lavish with his praise.
He praised Paul for having "foresight and concern for the kingdom's long-term security," saying that his strategic vision "far exceeded the responsibilities of an ordinary lord." He even called Paul's loyalty "deeply moving and a model for all subjects."
The words were sincere and passionate, making it seem as though Paul was not the one whose request had been rejected, but a meritorious subject who had devoted himself tirelessly to the nation's future.
But after the praise came the refusal.
Sure enough, the king's tone gradually grew solemn:
"However, I must also face reality. Aldo has only just endured Giles's rebellion in the south. The flames of war destroyed three great provinces, countless people were displaced, farmland lay barren, and livestock perished. Then the north was invaded by orcs. Border towns were looted, civilians fled, and the royal treasury was nearly depleted."
"The people of the kingdom have already suffered too much. They should not continue paying for the grand ambitions of those above them. They need to survive. They do not need more wars, even if those wars bear the banner of everlasting peace."
"What the kingdom needs most now is not to expand its territory, but to recover and rebuild. We must let the land produce grain again, restore vitality to the cities, and allow ordinary people to sleep peacefully without having to hear war drums and alarm bells."
"I cannot make them pay another price for