The three remained silent for a long time. "Your Majesty, it seems we have no choice but to intensify our army's training," Lothar said with some concern. Given how things were developing, the kingdom's nobles clearly could not be relied upon. It would be a blessing if they simply refrained from holding them back.
Llane's expression was grim. He had never imagined that these nobles could sink so low as to use the kingdom's crisis to blackmail him. Just as the three were fretting over their predicament, a golden figure appeared in the great hall.
"High Revered One Rich!" Llane exclaimed when he recognized the figure. Much of the worry between his brows vanished at once, and he hurried to his feet to greet Rich.
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry this has put you in such a difficult position." Rich bowed slightly.
"High Revered One, since we have chosen the Holy Church, we must stand by that choice." Llane quickly reached out to help Rich straighten.
Seeing Llane's resolve, Rich felt a heartfelt sense of satisfaction. From the first moment he had met Llane, he had felt that the man before him would one day become a great king. "Your Majesty need not worry about the approaching crisis. Marshal Lothar just suggested intensifying the training of the kingdom's soldiers, and I think that is a good idea."
Rich then glanced calmly at the black hourglass before the throne. At its current rate, they had a little over a hundred days left. "While we still have some time, I can select elite Holy Light Clerics to serve as instructors in the kingdom's army. We will try to train some strong-willed cleric recruits during that time to bolster the kingdom's strength. I have also sent a request for aid to Holy Light City,