Chapter 658 - Internal Cut 3 (1/2)

Chapter 658: Internal Cut 3

For the next 3 months, Luke had to deal with the documents that had piled up for a while and wanted to proceed to the Holy Empire.

However, the situation around him didn’t seem that simple.

First, there was a sign that the battle between the Volga Republic and the Baroque Empire would go on for an all-out-war.

The Baroque Empire, which seemed to breathe for a while because of the Libiya’s retreat, was moving.

However, due to the unexpected betrayal of Viscount Rajat, many more northern estates were taken away.

As a response, Emperor Rudolf, who was angry, cleared up the civil war to some extent, and he then went out to stop the Republican army on his own.

If the Volga Republic were allowed to run wild, it seemed that the entire northern part of the Baroque would be taken away.

‘The problem was that this can’t be simply regarded as a crippled man’s work.’

Part of the peasant rebels requested shelter in the Symphonia Kingdom as the emperor turned his sword to the entirety of the north.

It wouldn’t have been a huge problem, but the problem was that a bunch of imperial nobles, who were involved with the rebels or harsh taxing nobles, were also crossing the border.

The Baroque guards, who were on the border with the Symphonia Kingdom, were all turning into virtual bystanders.

It was because they knew that the emperor wouldn’t bring his troops and check the border during the current times.

The most flustering thing for Symphonia was the number of migrants coming over, the number was so huge that they couldn’t be handled.

Food and clothes were something they tried to manage.

However, it wasn’t so easy to provide shelter or jobs for them.

Moreover, as some migrants committed crimes such as thefts and assaults, the public sentiment in the region was deteriorating.

“Even the parliament, the royalists, and the nobles are arguing loudly over the issue of refugee assistance…”

It was an annoying problem, and the rebels that entered Symphonia were some military, insisting on marching to the North.

To attack Emperor Rudolf while he was in the midst of a battle with the Volga Republic.

In a way, it didn’t seem like a good opportunity.

But currently, Luke’s enemy wasn’t Emperor Rudolf.

It was Arsene, who was growing up in the Libiya Kingdom.

‘The more delayed it gets dealing with him, the more damage will the nation have to face.’

Second, there had been changes in internal affairs over the past three months.

Before the Southern expedition, after the dark magic related bill had been passed by the parliament, the Black Tower was built in the capital of Brandon, and wandering warlocks and Dark Moon were gathered.

They all told about the information they held regarding dark magic and actively participated in the production of Gigants.

As a result, the production, efficiency, and quality had improved.

Until then, the wizards of Katarina Magic Tower had been the center of the Gigant production such as Stiletto, Gaius, and Orion, and the Symphonia’s magical engineering skills had increased by a lot.

However, its production capacity was lacking compared to the top 10 magic towers.

Dark Moon had great knowledge of technology and the making of Gigants. They were good enough to supply flagship Gigants to the Volga Republic for a long time.

Thanks to the exchange of information and cooperation, the shortcomings in the Gigant were covered.

However, with every good thing came bad things.

“Is a manufactured stone unfavorable compared to a man-made stone? On top of that, there is a conflict between the white and dark wizards…”

There was no way there wouldn’t have been any differences when the wizards of entirely different properties made to work together.

The white wizards would look closely at the skills of the dark wizards. The warlocks were ready to face some discrimination, in the beginning. However, as it got worse, the emotions of warlocks worsened.

There was a need to arrange new rules to some extent. However, no one seemed to have an opinion on it.

If any noble decided to take a side, they would end up getting caught in the Magic World.

“In the end, I have to go and organize it.”

It was annoying, but as king, it was his job.

And the third and last thing, the dynamics of the Grenada Kingdom had changed.

The conflict between the two nations ended when the Symphonia Kingdom was founded during Luke’s crowning.

Recently, however, they demanded Hyredin or Auster to be returned, and the invasion of the territorial waters by the Grenada navy had increased.

‘It may be related to the last undead attack in the Southern Continent. They might have thought that we turned weak after it.’

According to the report from the intelligence, the Grenada military’s men were unhappy.

And in the center of everything was Count Fernando de Salizar, who had been taken as Luke’s prisoner during the last war, and released through the negotiations between the two nations.

Fernando, the son-in-law of Drake, the current King of Grenada, and the next successor of the throne, was extremely dissatisfied due to the defeat and the humiliation he suffered because of getting captured.

Fortunately, it was a simple political comment, but it would have turned into a war if taken seriously.

“Things are getting really annoying!”

Luke clicked his tongue and went out of the office.

The building of the temporary parliament in the Symphonia Kingdom, located downtown of Brendon, the capital.

Heated voices rang since morning. Maybe it was because of the debate between the members.

“Baron Jordi, if we won’t travel to the north right now, when will we move? We need to speak with His Majesty right away and attack the Baroque Empire.”

The royalist, Baron Jordi, who was sitting across Count Joon, the head of nobles, who dressed very fancily, replied, “Our Symphonia Kingdom has indeed agreed to overthrow our enemy, the Baroque Empire. But that doesn’t mean that it needs to be done right away. Now is the time to strengthen our national defense and power by stabilizing internal affairs.”

“Well, can’t you even hear the suffering and screams of the people who are suffering because of the tyranny created by Rudolf?”

“Who said that I couldn’t? However, the damage and side-effects of going into a war in our current state will not be small, and we are not in a state to go to all-out-war with the Baroque.”

The Symphonia Kingdom had made remarkable progress over the past few years.

Its territory, population, and industrial production had increased by several times compared to the Rakan estate in the past.

However, every good side had its bad side.

The war with the Milton Kingdom followed by the declaration of independence, the attack on the coastal cities by Grenada, the conquest of the Southern Baroque Empire, the raid of Arsene on the southern city, etc…

Indeed, the damages they suffered from those wars and raids were restored quickly with the help of resources of the newly expanded estates and the Holy Empire.

However, due to those wars, the mental exhaustion of the general public and the army couldn’t be ignored.

“Mental exhaustion? Is there any evidence that the people are struggling?”

Baron Jordi replied confidently to Joon’s question.

“Yes, there is. Over the past year, the offerings to the sanctuaries and El Kassel denominations have doubled. The growth of the new denominations including Arahan is also remarkable, and the construction of temples and statues has increased.”

Religion was one thing that would stand out in cases of economic recession. It was because people searched for mental stability by relying on faith.

“In addition, many people joined large and small guilds in case of disaster. ‘Insurance Guild’ is a new system that regularly collects money from guild members and provides them insurance payments if they end up becoming the victims of a disaster.”

When the insurance story came out, some of the nobles nodded their heads.

It was because it wasn’t just the common people, but even the nobles joined the insurance guilds, all in preparation for disasters or accidents.

“Even if we set it aside, the military power of our nation isn’t superior to the Baroque Empire.”

“I know that you are from the military, but aren’t you underestimating our army?”

At Count Joon’s sarcastic words, Baron Jordi answered, “I am not underestimating anything. I am simply stating the facts. Of course, I have no doubts that our kingdom will win the battle against the Imperial, but in order to win a war, we need supplies, and supplies are as important as the combat abilities of soldiers in the military.”

Soldiers had to eat to fight, and Gigants had to be regularly inspected and repaired before the battle.

The reason Baron Jordi was skeptical of the advance was because he wasn’t sure if the Symphonia Kingdom could supply necessities all throughout the war.

“The count insists on providing relief to the helpless people suffering under Rudolf’s tyranny, but our advance and the occupation wouldn’t enrich our lives right away. Also, we will run out of food for everyone.”

“That…”

“Don’t you realize how much resources we will need to feed the hungry people in Baroque? Moreover, our people will end up having to bear the burden of it!”

“So, what do you plan to do then?”