Chapter 111: Listening to the King’s Bragging

“Times are changing, yet our kingdom is still far from standing at the forefront of the age. This military exercise has revealed several things. The disparity between the red and blue air forces reflects, to a certain extent, the disparity between our aerial forces and those of the Ryan Empire. Dragon Eagle Knights can barely resist Pegasus Knights, and Pegasus Knights would probably find themselves in the same predicament against the Ryan Empire’s Dragon Knights.” The king spoke at length.

“When the red forces were suppressed in the air, everyone could see how difficult their operations became. I believe both sides have drawn their own conclusions. The red forces’ defeat was entirely expected, and I will not blame them for it. What I hope for instead is that both sides can learn something from this exercise, reflect on our strategies and tactics of the past, and discover new directions for development.”

“The world is advancing faster and faster. In the past, it was hardly easy to summon all of you generals for a meeting. Each of you guarded the frontiers, and the roads were so long that it took ten days or half a month just to get here. Now that teleportation arrays have become widespread, everyone can arrive within a single day. Who could have imagined such convenience in the past? Every trade and profession has begun developing on a large scale because of teleportation arrays. Our transportation fees are so cheap that the arrays lose money year after year, but so what?” The king smiled.

“We have fallen behind, and we must strive to catch up. The next era will be the era of information and networking. We must stand at the forefront of the age. Only by thinking far ahead can we truly guide the kingdom forward steadily. Speaking of information, we cannot avoid mentioning parrots.”

“As for the retirement of parrots, after numerous discussions, the Council has reached a consensus. The relevant laws have already been drafted. When our veteran soldiers retire next year, some parrots will be permitted to retire as well. After retirement, parrots will have the same status as ordinary subjects of our kingdom. Those who have made exceptional contributions may be ennobled according to our laws. Ordinary parrots should also be given employment, and the most suitable work for them is undoubtedly the transmission of information.”

“Many wise men have suggested establishing a parrot network. I think it is an excellent idea, and we should put it into practice. We do not possess the wealth of the Ryan Empire. They can directly use miniature teleportation arrays to create a network, whereas our kingdom is poor. For now, we shall use parrots as a substitute and proceed step by step. There will inevitably be many difficulties during implementation, and the laws will inevitably contain loopholes. We can amend them as needed.”

“The most difficult issue is that all parrots have been granted intelligence by the Kingdom of Lobel, so technically their nationality should belong to the Kingdom of Lobel as well. Yet as citizens, they could leave the country far too easily, making them difficult to manage. There are other problems too, but parrots are generally rather simple-minded and should remain within our ability to control. Granting intelligence to animals is not an unprecedented experiment on this continent, but other nations have only attempted it in isolated cases. We are the first to attempt it on such a large scale.”

“We have no experience to draw upon. We are pioneers. We are bound to do foolish things, but that does not matter—we must continue. One thing is certain: our nobles will have far fewer opportunities to commit wrongdoing. There may be parrots watching from every rooftop, and ordinary citizens monitoring and reporting them. I believe that is a good thing. People will naturally feel uncomfortable at first, and the process may take a long time—perhaps several years, perhaps several decades—but I have confidence.” The king spoke with absolute assurance. “Once we succeed, not only will the speed of information exchange within our kingdom increase tremendously, we may even be able to export the system. We could train parrots for other small nations in exchange for strategic supplies or strategic allies.”

“Of course, all that belongs to the future. Our current strength is still insufficient. That is a fact. Everyone can sense the gap in strength from this exercise. And this involved only our land and air forces; our navy is even weaker. Under these circumstances, what are we to do?” The king spread his hands. “We can only conceal our strength and bide our time.”

The king studied the expressions of the assembled generals and smiled.

“All of you are highly capable, and naturally you wish to distinguish yourselves through great deeds. Last year, the Kingdom of Laboze attacked the vice president of our Royal Academy. Fortunately, no serious harm was done. Several generals asked me for permission to retaliate, claiming that a thousand men would be enough to capture their capital. Later, some men from the Kingdom of Smida were caught by us, and more generals came to request a campaign. I refused them all.”

“Destroying a small kingdom is not difficult, but what follows would be extremely troublesome. The Church of Light would denounce us, which would also influence the priests within our own kingdom and, through them, the judgment of the common people. What would the other great powers think of our actions? Would merchants be willing to do business amid the flames of war, aside from those who sell weapons? And what could a small kingdom possibly possess that would be worth plundering? How much profit could a war truly bring?”

“For you, victory in a battle will naturally earn you honors and merit. For the kingdom, however, it may be a loss. Taking the overall situation into account, we should primarily resolve problems through negotiation. We are not beastfolk, who spend all day fighting with nothing but muscles in their heads.”

“Under the current balance of power on the continent, a truly large-scale war cannot break out. That is something for which we should be grateful. Every great power possesses forbidden spells, and the peace among the great powers that has lasted for more than four hundred years depends precisely on that. This mutual threat of forbidden magic has created a forced balance. Until someone discovers an ultimate spell capable of resisting forbidden magic, the continental order will be extremely difficult to overturn.” The king paused. “So what should we do for now? Develop! Develop with all our might!”

“This balanced peace is an opportunity for everyone, but especially for us. As long as we avoid internal conflict and waste no strength fighting among ourselves, our kingdom—with its large population of industrious and intelligent people—will surely prosper if we unite as one. In terms of development, there is no reason we should lose to any other nation.”

“Once our kingdom becomes powerful enough, once our economy is prosperous enough, our buildings magnificent enough, and our people wealthy enough, then if anyone is going to discover an ultimate spell—or a method of resisting forbidden magic—it is highly likely to be someone in our kingdom.” The king answered his own question. “Why? Because we have money, a pleasant environment, good food, fine clothing, and comfortable homes. Naturally, we will be better able to attract powerful mages to conduct research here. So when the next breakthrough arrives, the greatest possibility is clearly that it will come from us.”

“This is an age of development,” the king concluded. “Do not lose your tempers over minor matters. There is no need. Some small nations are shortsighted and launch major wars over trivial friction. In my eyes, that is laughable. But I will not enlighten them, because the time is not yet right.”

“As for how we are to develop, first we must conceal our strength, quietly grow rich, raise the kingdom through magic, mislead our enemies strategically, and at the same time seek out and consolidate our alliances. Then, when one day we finally become so powerful that the world can no longer ignore us, and the empires try to turn their attention toward us, they will be helpless. If they fight, it will be forbidden spells hurled against forbidden spells. If they do not fight, then I will continue to develop—and they will simply have to watch me do so.”

Kevin listened to what followed with immense benefit. As an ordinary citizen, he felt almost enlightened merely by hearing the king speak. Looking at a problem from a different angle and from a different level naturally led to entirely different conclusions.

The king then went into detail about various strategies for quietly amassing wealth. He had even planned to build teleportation stations for several allied nations in a few years. Teleportation stations were an extremely sensitive matter. If something went wrong, enemy troops might emerge directly from one. Entrusting foreign mages with their construction required an extraordinary degree of trust. If the plan succeeded, it would become a major strategic victory for the Kingdom of Lobel.

Although the plan was still only an idea, the king was full of confidence. He had even given the strategy a name: One Dig, One Pit.

As for what mages could do during the kingdom’s development, earth mages were essential for constructing buildings, while wind and water mages possessed cutting abilities, and fire mages could smelt and weld. There was infrastructure construction, research into magical arrays, studies of spatial technology, and much more. Warriors, by contrast, could do comparatively little. This was determined by the nature of battle aura and magic, which was why the kingdom would first pursue development through magic rather than through battle aura.

Yet whether mages or warriors, once they began working, their efficiency was many times greater than that of ordinary laborers. As a result, the lowest-grade beastfolk slaves no longer had much use. Since they were no longer particularly useful, they could be released. This would accord with some of the Church of Light’s values concerning equality, and it would also serve as a gesture of goodwill toward the beastfolk—something that would greatly assist the One Dig, One Pit strategy in the future.

As for the army, the king believed its first task should be to clear away the obstacles to development. The bandits scattered throughout the kingdom no longer had any reason to exist. Most of them were to be eliminated before the end of the year.

At last, the king said, “If every citizen in the kingdom donated a single copper coin to me, I would instantly become a billionaire. But as far as the kingdom was concerned, the total amount of wealth would not have changed. It would merely be speculation. Only by adding a single copper coin to the pocket of every citizen can I fulfill my duty as king.”

“What is this so-called heaven? I have always been curious. Why must one wait until after death to enter heaven? Who decided that? The Kingdom of Lobel is fully capable of turning the mortal realm into heaven!”

The king’s voice rang out with thunderous conviction.

Applause erupted like thunder. Kevin was somewhat astonished. The king’s words had already touched upon several doctrines of the Church of Light. There appeared to be several high-ranking priests present, yet they applauded just as enthusiastically, showing no sign of displeasure.

When the king finally finished speaking, he rose from his seat.

“Today’s discussion was rather informal, and I enjoyed it greatly. If information truly begins to circulate rapidly in the future, I will have to be more formal and serious. Do any of you generals have other questions?”

No one answered.

“Since there are none, let us end here for today.” The king stood and waved with a smile. “You may stay for a meal. It is my treat.”

The generals laughed and echoed their agreement. Since the king was paying, how could they possibly leave? They departed one after another and headed toward a side hall.

The dining room was naturally magnificent. A long table filled the hall, and every officer present was able to take a seat. As the man of lowest rank, Kevin naturally had the least presence and did not dare speak.

It was not only Kevin who remained silent. Even the several battalion commanders who had arrived with him were afraid to say anything. Only General Oda could exchange a few words with the others.

A short while later, the king arrived as well. Everyone rose again, and after the proper ceremonies, the king sat down to eat. He chatted only with a few veteran generals, while everyone else naturally dared not interrupt.

Kevin observed every rule of dining etiquette. He behaved with perfect propriety, ate everything on his plate, placed his knife and fork neatly together, and sat upright.

When the king noticed, he could not help laughing.

“This young man has not eaten his fill, has he? Young people have it difficult enough. Someone, bring him another bowl.”

Kevin froze for a moment, then hurriedly rose.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The king paid no further attention to the matter and continued eating and talking with the other generals. Their conversation was no longer about state affairs, but merely casual remarks about the dishes and their flavors.

Kevin sat down, and sure enough, a servant soon brought another basin of food and placed it before him.

Kevin did not dare refuse and continued eating. Fortunately, the dishes served at the royal table were naturally first-rate. He had never even seen most of them before and did not dare ask what they were, but they were surely fine food. There could be no harm in eating more.

A little later, the king finished his meal and rose to leave. Everyone stood to see him off. After the king departed, the others gradually left as well.

It was a little after three in the afternoon when Kevin finally returned to the military camp with the general. By then, Kevin possessed a watch and could keep track of the time with considerable precision. The golden pocket watch was exquisitely crafted and powered by a spring. As long as it was wound regularly, it would not stop. The gears inside such a watch required extremely delicate workmanship, and ordinary people truly could not buy one.

Back at the catapult camp, Kevin pushed open the door. Sein was not there. One corner of the table showed signs of wear, and the books on its surface had been shifted slightly. Could Sein really have been so diligent that he had gone through every book? That seemed unlikely.

Footsteps sounded outside the door. Sein entered and replied casually, “Oh, I got tired from reading, so I took a short break.”

Kevin ran his hand over the table.

“What happened here?”

“I don’t know.” Sein was clearly in a foul mood.

“Did you overturn the table?” Kevin turned and scrutinized him.

“No.” Sein’s eyes wandered, and he was obviously lacking confidence.

“Never mind. It is only a table, and it is not broken.” Kevin sat down. “Do you know what the king said today? He said he intends to improve the knowledge and intelligence of officers at the grassroots level.”

Sein said nothing.

“I told you I was going to test you, didn’t I?” Kevin smiled. “Then I am going to start writing the questions. Do you want an open-book test or a closed-book test?”

Sein remained silent.

To be continued.