Isara, the president's office.
Odys watched carriages coming and going in the courtyard below his window. "For confiscating property and stripping people of power," he told Mandy behind him, "we need officials who have no faction to rely on."
"Find me a few people who work hard and are capable, but don't quite fit in. I'll speak with them."
He added pointedly, "Don't consider members of the Lenburg Radicals. Choose either people who came with us from Backlund or people from Krus Island."
Mandy thought it over before saying, "I have a few candidates. I'll bring them to you after a more thorough review."
Odys hummed his acknowledgment, glanced at Mandy, and asked with a smile, "What's worrying you?"
Mandy spoke frankly. "Your measures will cause tremendous upheaval in Lenburg.
"In particular, many of the factories being restructured belong to foreign businessmen. Foreign nobles and wealthy people won't be happy. They may even send people to demand compensation."
"I know." Odys smiled. "This is where our Beyonder strength pays off. As long as the Beyonder institutions remain stable, the foundations of the country will hold.
"As for foreign investment, don't worry. Like I said, we're at war. We can use a heavier hand now.
"If we miss this chance, who knows when we'll get another?"
The Loen Kingdom was at war with the Feysac Empire and the Republic of Intis. It had neither the time nor, more importantly, the resources to deal with these matters.
Even if it wanted to, it wouldn't offend Odys now. For the time being, it would pretend not to hear the merchants' demands.
Feynapotter was fighting Masin. If it tried to interfere, it would only give Odys a reason to send in troops.
In fact, Odys would welcome a delegation from Feynapotter or the Southern