"Everyone gave a good answer."
Annan praised them. He was younger and less experienced than anyone there, but no one dismissed his words.
"It seems you've discovered what makes a nation strong."
Annan first looked at the girl who had suggested a commercial street. "Stability is the foundation of everything. Humans are animals too. Only when we feel safe and warm, have enough to eat, and face no threats do we socialize, follow rules, and raise children..."
Then he looked at the young boy who had suggested a mansion fortress. "And maintaining stability requires the power to protect everyone. But be careful: keep that power firmly in your own hands, or it may turn against you."
Finally, Annan looked at Sigma.
"And if you want a Kingdom to remain stable for generations, you must rely on peace..."
At that moment, the young man who had suggested the mansion fortress raised his hand.
"What is it?"
"Wouldn't wiping out every enemy bring stability too?"
Laughter rippled through the crowd, and Annan laughed along.
"A very Empire-like idea," Annan said with a smile. "Do you think humans had this many Kingdoms several thousand years ago?"
Sigma shook his head.
"So even if we wipe out every enemy, new enemies will spring up within our own ranks like weeds."
The young man looked as though he half understood. Annan turned to a subject that interested them. "Putting aside our grievances with the Elves, they're a good example. They wield power that won't turn against them, value peace, and maintain stability. Even their isolationism has, by accident, kept their society intact."
"You will become the pillars of the Kingdom. Your King needs you to use what you've learned in Free City to govern this nation, and to understand that nothing matters more than stability."