Costly and Tedious

‘Oh my goodness, did I hear that right? The Heavenly Knight Order… is coming to recruit on campus? Has the sun risen from the west?!’

“This is great, I must pass the assessment!”

“November? Doesn’t that mean we only have less than three months left? That’s too fast, noooo!”

The students erupted in cheers or wails, but it was clear that everyone was exceptionally excited.

Even Flax Mounten, who was standing nearby, looked eager to try.

‘(Even though that old geezer is about to start another war.)’

Ryan immediately thought of what he had recently noticed from daily state affairs, his expression slightly darkening.

Although eight years of war had elevated the Empire’s reputation to its peak, the continuous campaigns had made the Empire’s populace somewhat overburdened.

He actually hoped there wouldn’t be another war in the near future.

He wished to target those corrupt nobles; the land and wealth amassed by even a single corrupt count would be more profitable than any barren land acquired through fierce fighting.

Unfortunately, the old geezer was intent on achieving everlasting fame and unparalleled great deeds.

There was no need to mention the hot-blooded young people, each waiting to make meritorious achievements to spite their fathers and elders.

Moreover, many people who saw Ryan’s expression assumed he was unhappy about the Heavenly Knight Order, his “political rival,” coming, and immediately gloated.

But Ryan really wanted to say that with careful analysis, one would know that the Heavenly Knight Order hadn’t launched a large-scale northern expedition for two years.

These past few years, they had been actively preparing for war, getting ready for an unprecedented ultimate defensive battle.

Among them, perhaps, were some of the people you most admired from the Heavenly Knight Order.

Of course, regarding this, the common understanding, or rather, the inclination in the world, was to blame a certain family…

Ryan couldn’t help but turn his head to look at the silver-haired girl with blue eyes next to him, adorned with many “blue” ornaments.

Sure enough, her expression looked anything but good.

“Your Highness, what do you think of this matter?”

“No need to worry, we will definitely recruit people.”

Ryan deliberately steered the conversation elsewhere.

“It’s better to say they’re coming at just the right time.

Snatching food from the tiger’s mouth is the only way to demonstrate our ability and improve our standing.

I’ve also long wanted to experience how strict the Heavenly Knight Order is rumored to be.”

Olivia was stunned but quickly understood.

Her Third Prince probably took this move by the Heavenly Knight Order as a provocation against him.

Looking back, Ryan seemed to be quite good with his wealth, but in reality, he was harming himself by calling people over, especially during sparring sessions with the Black Dragon Knights.

Ryan deliberately made the Black Dragon Knights as powerful as the Heavenly Knight Order, and afterward, he expressed his growing hatred for the Heavenly Knight Order.

Combined with Ryan’s stance and His Majesty’s instigation… even if Ryan regarded the Heavenly Knight Order as an enemy, he treated them as competitors.

Therefore, reaching this point, it was inevitable that he would subconsciously want to compete with the Heavenly Knight Order.

Flora finally understood and adjusted her position in her heart, but her memory hadn’t been erased, so she couldn’t help but feel a little uncomfortable.

However, compared to Flora, this is not much. She quickly suppressed this emotion and clarified:

“No, Your Majesty, I want to ask if you have noticed what lies behind this matter and what your thoughts are on it…”

This time, it was Ryan who was surprised.

Yes, smart and astute as Flora is, even without intelligence on government decrees, she could guess what that old geezer was up to.

He no longer concealed it and told her what he had just been thinking.

However, he did not voice his conjectures about the Heavenly Knight Order and that person’s intentions, lest he cause Flora’s displeasure.

“His Majesty Ryan is truly a caring ruler who loves his people like his own children and possesses a benevolent heart.”

Although it sounded like a platitude, this was Flora’s heartfelt sentiment.

She had always been worried that the notorious Ryan was a cruel and brutal monarch who reveled in savagery.

Fortunately, after actual contact, she gradually came to understand Ryan’s character, which was not as tyrannical as rumored… instead, he possessed many qualities essential for a benevolent ruler.

Therefore, Flora was willing to approve His Majesty’s choice of Ryan as his successor.

However, Ryan still had many moments of impulsiveness, and Flora and His Majesty had a tacit understanding…

Recalling other rumors she had heard before, Flora couldn’t help but ask:

“Your Majesty, I heard you once suggested building a Great Wall in the north to defend against the barbarians. Is this true?”

“There was such a thing, but… that was many years ago, and at the time, there were also many details to be finalized, and many people opposed it…

Do you also think it would be a waste of resources and manpower?”

“No, Your Majesty, please persist.”

The Great Wall was not an original invention of Rowland.

During the Truk Federation period, various lords constructed sections within their own territories.

During the Fast Empire period, Fast I mobilized a large workforce to build the Great Wall in the north, causing widespread hardship and ultimately leading to its demise in the second generation.

Later generations generally believed that Fast I’s grand construction projects and brutal rule led to the empire’s downfall.

Therefore, since Emperor Tom, the Rowland Empire had abandoned the Great Wall built by the Fast Empire, allowing barbarians to raid, burn, and plunder the people in the castles.

Inside the castles, the people who were not allowed to enter were left to the barbarians’ ravages.

If a lord dared to resist, even if they died, their report to the imperial capital would be like a stone sinking into the sea… If things escalated, there would be strong condemnation.

Then, peace treaties would continue, gifts would continue to be sent, and state letters would be so subservient that they were almost flattering.

The other party came to plunder.

Of course, Flora knew very well that the Empire at that time was mainly dealing with internal and external problems, and its inaction was also a fact.

Now, the people of the Empire could hold their heads high, with all nations coming to pay tribute… relying precisely on that far-sighted and resourceful Majesty, who, despite all opposition, resolutely went north.

But even though great results were achieved, domestic opposition never ceased, and it was primarily for the purpose of hindering the emperor’s centralization of power, disregarding facts and national interests.

Take this construction. Flora had investigated and researched this critical move for future generations more than once.

In fact, people in the northern region had already spontaneously started partial construction, and concrete, feasible plans, as well as reports and measures on the economic impact, had already been compiled, awaiting support and assistance from the imperial center.

However, the Spirit-Speech clan constantly brought up the fall of the Fast Empire, proclaiming everywhere that this was a policy that wasted resources and manpower, shaking the foundation of the nation, and secretly slandered His Majesty as ambitious and uncaring of the people’s lives.

Therefore, upon hearing Ryan’s reasons for opposing the war,

Flora became somewhat worried that he might be influenced by rumors, or rigidly applying principles, going too far and thinking this matter should also be rejected.

Fortunately, Ryan was not misled by those false reports.

“Of course.”

In fact, Ryan didn’t need anyone to remind him that the two matters couldn’t be conflated.

This was mainly due to the detailed report written by “that person”; he had carefully examined it and sent people to verify it.

Not only were there no fabricated or exaggerated elements, but it was also methodical, factual, and thoroughly considered, leaving no reason to reject it.

Most importantly, regarding the issues they were most concerned about—public opinion, livelihood, economy, and management—that person had proposed very feasible solutions and countermeasures.

If it weren’t for the old geezer wanting to see which clowns would emerge, this matter would have been decided long ago…

‘Speaking of which, Flora’s way of thinking and writing style are very similar to that person’s…’