After stating his request, the general braced both hands on the desk and silently looked at Gavin, waiting for his answer.
As for Gavin.
He rubbed his brow thoughtfully, remaining silent as he considered it for a while.
Neither of them spoke, letting the silence linger for quite some time.
About a minute passed before Gavin finally lowered his right hand and spoke to the general with a troubled expression.
"So, Elijah, are you telling me you're hoping for reform, or do you need me to bring the Alliance's field forces in to participate in and guide a thorough reform of Home?"
After saying that, Gavin could not help rubbing his forehead again.
General, oh, general, reform means overturning the foundations of everyone with vested interests. That would earn the hatred of the entire interest group, and might even cause considerable rioting and deaths.
You don't think you can bear those consequences yourself, so the Alliance and I can?
Besides, even if I fulfill your request perfectly, what I get won't be an intact Home anymore, but one that's lost at least a sizable portion of its population!
That meant helping the general implement his reform plan offered Gavin practically no benefits.
It would not even be as good as Gavin simply acquiring Home outright!
If he annexed Home directly, there would still be some risks and trouble, but with a direct annexation, Gavin would not need any reform
at all. He would only need to turn the defeated Home into part of the Alliance in every respect.
So reform simply was not worth the cost!
With that thought, Gavin lightly rubbed the fingers of his right hand together, then quietly said to the general.
"Forget it. Let's put your request aside for now. That's too far off for us.