Knight Lords: Infinite Simulation and the Path of Light

Chapter 21 A Useful Person (Please continue reading)
"These wimps! Termites!"

They argued for two hours in the study, but could not reach a consensus.

Finally, Earl Morley told everyone to rest first and discuss the matter again in the council chamber the next day.

As the nobles from various territories departed, Count Mori, who had been holding back for half a day, finally could no longer contain his anger.

He slammed the wine glass heavily onto the table, and the silver glass dented completely.

"Did the cold winds of the North take away their fighting spirit? Damn it."

Especially those two, I seriously doubt if they're even old Tucker and old Janil Khan's biological children. Could they be his mother's bastards?!

Count Hylan, sitting on the other side, remained unusually calm, merely smiling helplessly even as his old friend cursed Helidarens and the lord of Bancaza.

"Haddaway, people change. You always say that nothing is static."

Upon hearing Earl Hyland's words, Earl Morley gave a heavy snort, leaned back in his chair, and remained silent.

"Actually, old buddy, you knew it would turn out this way, but you just didn't want to admit it, with the passing of our old comrades."

The North is no longer the North it once was.

No one likes the sandstorms here, and no one doesn't yearn for the prosperity of the capital, especially since the new generation of nobles have all studied there.

Sigh~~~~~~

Count Morrie sighed heavily, grabbed the wine jug beside him, and gulped down the wine.

"What do we do now, Hardaway? Drinking won't solve anything."

Count Morrie held the wine jug in silence for a moment.

"We need a large army, we need a lot of funding..."

At this point, the two exchanged a glance, and with Haven looking puzzled, Earl Maurice slowly began to speak.

"And a large-scale war."

"Well, although I don't want to interrupt your conversation, it seems you two have something important to discuss. Perhaps I should leave now, as staying up late can affect the development of teenagers."

Count Morrie reached out and tossed him a bottle of potion.

"I'm very sorry, little Winter, you can't go to sleep yet. What's coming next also concerns you."

Looking at the psychiatric medication in his hand, Haven was speechless and wanted to call the police.

"I...I don't think I'm that useful."

"Hehehehe~ Drink if you're sleepy. Since you're part of the Northern Territory Lords, there are some things you have to do whether you like it or not."

Seeing that his old man remained silent, Haven had no choice but to accept his fate.

"Then tell me. I can't do anything too difficult. I'm just a little magician, not a turtle in a wishing well."

Dark clouds drifted by, obscuring most of the bright moon. The guards standing outside the gate felt the chill in the air and wrapped their clothes tighter around themselves.

"Is it really just going to the capital to study? Then you don't need to keep me here specifically. You could have just told me at any time."

Haven looked at the bald old man with suspicion. After spending some time with him, Haven had already labeled Earl Morrie as cunning.

Hehehehe~
You're not getting any younger. As the heir to a territory, there are still many things you don't understand. The Royal Academy in the capital is an excellent place. Inside...

"Why don't you just say it directly? I'm getting a little flustered by your veiled approach."

“Alright, then I’ll get straight to the point, child.” Seeing Haventy nod, Earl Morley also dropped his previous scoundrel-like demeanor.

"We briefly discussed our situation in the North and the Church before the banquet; I don't need to repeat it again, do I?"

"No need~ We're in the royalist camp~"

Hahaha, it seems you were paying attention in class.

However, seeing that Havent didn't laugh, Earl Morley shrugged and continued...
“We mentioned before that the church is developing very well in the south, which is because the church and local lords have become a cooperative and symbiotic relationship.”

Church warriors would even join the armies of local lords, and some smaller lords would only retain their personal guards and a small number of troops, leaving the security and education within their territories to the local churches established by the church.

In return, or rather in exchange, the lord would receive military support, a share of military expenses, and even a large sum of redemption funds.

"This? Hmm? Huh?"

Do those southern lords still have autonomy?

"Autonomy? Hmph~ that's quite a nice adjective."

Earl Morrie sneered, his expression filled with disdain.

"Perhaps! The empire is too big, and our northern and southern borders are too far apart. We can only get bits and pieces from the reports."

However, in terms of results, there are basically none.

Over the years, His Majesty has issued some decrees, but they have been poorly implemented, including economic aid to the northern border.

Normally, the lords of the central region would bear 30% of the military expenses, while the eastern region, facing the sea, would have to withstand the attack pressure from the Naga and other sea creatures and would not provide support.

To the west, they face attacks from the Grey Dwarves, the Kagra, and the Shaman tribes; to the southwest, they must contend with the Lizardmen who might suddenly emerge from the Black Swamp. They can barely manage to be self-sufficient.

Only in the south are there no powerful enemies. Although it is adjacent to the Evernight Forest, the elves living deep in the forest are not very willing to deal with humans.

This uniquely favorable environment has led to the exceptional economic development of the southern provinces.

They were originally supposed to cover 50% of military spending, but that percentage has been decreasing year by year, and now it's less than 30%.
The reason for this situation is that a large number of southern lords refused to hand over military expenses, instead demanding that the church's troops be stationed along the Arma frontier.

At this point, Count Morrie spat out a mouthful of saliva.

“Those guys without balls, how can they say such things? A bunch of fat pigs raised by the church.”

It's estimated that if the Pope waved his hand, a large number of nobles would line up to lick the ass of His Majesty Saint Caria, who had just finished defecating.

Listening to gossip about history, second only to catching a mistress, Haven, who was yawning constantly, became sleepy and his eyes stopped getting dry.

"Then what does this have to do with me going to study in the capital?"

Count Morrie took a sip of mead and continued...
"As you just heard, when we were your age, all the nobles of the Northern Territory went to the capital to study. Of course, ostensibly to study, we were actually kept there as hostages. This is a rule that has existed since the founding of the empire."

"What? I've become collateral?"

Upon hearing that he was to be taken hostage, Haven jumped to his feet.

"Calm down, calm down. I, your father, and even your grandfather have all been through the necessary procedures. Especially when it comes to important matters, His Majesty will feel at ease with you in the capital."

Haven looked at the two suspiciously. This plot, this purpose, this identity... wow!!!
"You're not planning a rebellion, are you?"

Pfft~~~~cough cough cough
Count Morley spat out the wine he had just drunk.

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(End of this chapter)