Looking at Allen's smiling face, Ymira briefly slipped into her memories, then quickly caught herself.
This was no time to get distracted. Ymira gathered her thoughts and said to Allen, "The other issue is food. Our population has grown over the years, and our fields have become more productive. Both are good things, and they've greatly increased the grain we actually collect."
Ymira pressed a hand to her forehead in frustration, then looked at Allen again. "But as you know, we've never taxed our people heavily. Although we've accumulated some grain over the years, this war consumed a great deal of it. Now we're also going to reduce taxes and raise those children. I don't think our current reserves will last very long."
Having already considered this problem, Allen replied with complete confidence, "I've already thought about that. It's the second matter I planned to discuss today."
Allen turned to the dwarf Tyr. "Tyr, when can you finish the statue in the Memorial Garden?"
Tyr felt terribly awkward sitting at a human table. Even though Ymira had commissioned a wooden chair tailored to his size, he kept squirming around, adjusting his posture.
At Allen's question, Tyr immediately answered, "Lord Allen, that statue is quite simple. My companions and I can finish the rough form within five days and complete the whole thing within half a month. Of course, if you have other instructions for me, I can leave that work to my companions. They're more than capable."
"Good. In a day or two, I'll need you to accompany me to the Old Forest Road. I want to reopen it and establish an outpost between the road and the Running River. I'll need your help with that construction."
Tyr nodded and agreed without hesitation. He had heard of that road too.