Afterward, he returned to his own troops. The two forces marched along the main road, one behind the other, forming a stark contrast.
"My lord, I feel like our soldiers are that nobleman's auxiliaries. We can't even keep our marching column in order." Ailand watched the elite soldiers ahead, feeling somewhat discouraged.
Just then, someone beside him suddenly remarked, "Are the nobles really that powerful?"
He turned to look and found it was Rivis. He wondered whether the contrast had been so obvious that it had prompted this thought.
"The nobles are indeed powerful. There's no question about that, or they couldn't exist as the ruling class. But we need to think about why they're so powerful. What do you think, Rivis?"
Rivis did not answer immediately, instead lowering his head in careful thought. After a while, he replied, "Teacher, the nobles possess more wealth, strength, and influence than we do."
"A good understanding. Well said. But do you know why they can possess these things?" he asked again.
"I know, my lord. It's the king. The king granted them rights and duties, but they're only happy to enjoy their rights while neglecting their duties," Ailand answered first. Clearly, he had probably thought about this question before.
"A good insight, Ailand. But that still isn't the root cause. No one wants to share their power with others, not even a great king. Yet a force has always compelled kings to compromise with these nobles, and that is politics.
"The true source of this politics is actually the system. This system has always maintained everything in the human world, including people's ethics and morals, their worldviews and values, and human order.
"You all know that the great Thoradin united all humanity several thousand years ago, don't you? But why did it