Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 234: The Limitations of the Esperanza and McLaine Domains

"In truth, your Majesty, it's impractical to increase our troops any further in the Esperanza territory," a voice hesitantly spoke.

"The same goes for the McLaine territory, Logan," echoed another, equally solemn.

The Sword Sage's brows furrowed slightly upon hearing Patrick's tone. Yet, he refrained from meddling any further. The pressing issue at hand was indeed the mentioned limitations on troop augmentation.

Even without their local militias, the McLaine territory boasted a regular army of 25,000, while Esperanza, without its militias, commanded a force of 15,000. Even excluding specialized units like mages or knights, these figures already represented an excessively large army relative to the population and thus sustainability of the lands.

Dwayne, who had been listening to the exchange between the Sword Sage and Patrick, added his own concerns.

"If we were to increase the troops of these two territorys any further, the financial burden would grow exponentially. Should we exceed a certain limit, the territorys will inevitably..."

"Go bankrupt?"

someone interjected.

"Yes."

"But don't we have 'that' in our possession, even in our territory?"

a voice said, cautious not to catch the Sword Sage's ire, though he remained unbothered.

"Regardless, it would be an inefficient waste. Even that has its limits."

"Should we then build up the military might of other territorys?"

was the tentative suggestion.

"That could give too much power to the nobles," it was countered.

"Exactly. That's the dilemma."

Sighing at Knight Commander Digrom's words, Logan interjected: "Then perhaps we should start a territory war to absorb the surrounding lands... I apologize."

Henderson, who bravely put forth the proposal, quickly bowed his head amid the scowling looks of the others. A heavy silence fell over the council hall, until Eileen's voice flowed through.

"What about the royal direct territorys?"

"Hmm?"

"The troops that existed at the time of the previous king's death were essentially divided among the factions of the first and second princes. What remains in the palace now is just a fraction of the royal guard that was captured in the last conflict. It seems to me like there's room to grow the forces in the direct territorys."

Logan's eyes sparkled at the idea.

"That might be feasible if Esperanza and McLaine already account for a third of the kingdom's strength. But if we're to actualize the vision I have in mind, we would need to raise an army in the direct territorys that accounts for at least another two-tenths, and in a short time frame at that."

The mention of this lofty goal widened the eyes of all his aides.

"You're really considering that?"

"Our influence is already overwhelming as it is!"

"It's not just about overwhelming influence. We need a force so formidable that no other noble would dare challenge us. We must be unassailable."

A chilling atmosphere momentarily swept the room as Logan decreed with certainty.

"If our power alone exceeds half of the kingdom's entire military force, everything will move according to my will."

Despite their worried look, Logan reiterated, determined to derive the utmost efficiency from his position since he chose to be king. Aware of his own limitations in developing revolutionary policies to enrich the kingdom, Logan was fortunate to have an existing blueprint—the Empire as his guide.

"With another two-tenths of military power in my grasp, it will definitely be possible."

He was not one to retreat.

"Ideally within a year."

The groans that erupted at the mention of this timeframe were enough to indicate the overwhelming nature of Logan's demand.

The window he was working with, under the assumption that war could break out at any time, was scarcely over three years. There was no room for a slow approach.

As Logan scanned the room with a stern expression, heinckel cautiously stepped forward.

"It all comes down to funds. Salaries, equipment, training grounds, quarters—there needs to be enough money for everything. Raising two-tenths of the kingdom's entire military means roughly 40,000-50,000 elite soldiers, and to achieve that in a year implies mass recruitment and immediate training. Can the royal finances handle that?"

Dwayne shook his head grimly in agreement with Heinckel's concerns. However, some were in favor of Logan's ambitious plans.

"What if we contribute from McLaine, and Esperanza also helps with the funds?"

suggested the Sword Sage.

Despite his suggestion, Dwayne's expression remained grave.

"That would deal a serious blow to the operations of both Esperanza and McLaine. We cannot weaken our current forces just to create new soldiers.”

A painful silence ensued until Logan mentioned the most straightforward approach.

"Then we have no choice but to squeeze the nobles harder."

"What?"

came the shocked reply.

"We will double the taxes paid to the royal household. Harvest season is upon us anyway."

The atmosphere froze over at his declaration. Then came the outpour.

"There will be a strong backlash, your Majesty!"

"Even those who supported us will turn away..."

"It's a gambit too far!"

"Even if we represent a third of the kingdom's strength, the remaining two-thirds will oppose us."

"A rebellion could break out!"

Loud protests erupted across the council hall. Although to be expected, Logan responded not with anger, but with a smile.

"We just need to attach conditions. We have to resolve the matter quickly after all."

Puzzled by Logan's assertion, his confidants nodded in understanding upon hearing his explanation, even though their worries did not completely vanish.

* * *

In the bustling throne room, with harvest season on the horizon, the first council meeting of the new dynasty was notably more crowded than usual. Nearly every lord or their representatives had gathered, summoned by the king's personal invitation, fueling speculations about what new policies might be unveiled.

"I wonder if it will be similar to before?"

"It's bound to be different this time."

"He must have called us here for a reason."

The nobles murmured amongst themselves when the booming announcement came: "His Majesty, the King, enters!"

The grand doors swung open as Logan made his presence known. As the king, clad not in silks or ornate robes but in shining silver armor, with a sword at his side, strode in, the eyes of the nobles wavered. The only splendor he wore was a fine crimson cloak and a crown, reading more as a warrior-king fresh from battle than mere royalty –an intimidating sight for the assembly.

In their appraising gaze, Logan, with a move as straightforward as his garb suggested, launched straight into the heart of the matter without the usual platitudes.

"Thank you all for coming. I do not intend to drag this out, so we'll move directly to our most important agenda: the inaugural policy of the new dynasty."

His unexpectedly frank opening caught the nobles off guard once more.

"To stabilize our kingdom, which has suffered through successive civil strife, the royal household will increase the tax levied on the nobility from 30% to 60%!"

Silence descended upon the hall for a breathless moment, then disbelief rang out.

"This is absurd!"

"That's double the current rate!"

"No noble could accept this."

The nobility's immediate reaction was one of utter rejection. Fears typically held concerning the battle-hardened king were momentarily put aside as their united voices carried strength.

The nobles, usually too weak individually to defy, found shared courage in collective resolve.

"How dare you..."

Under his breath came the teacher's murmured discontent. Logan, as he observed the scene and heard the growing commotion, confirmed his determination.

'I need to control the kingdom to the point where such voices are insignificant.'

Only with such sway could he commence his grand strategy. Logan mentally noted the loudest protestors, with one man standing out amongst them.

"If the Crown threatens to double taxes by overruling long-standing customs and legal statutes, the kingdom will descend into chaos, not stability," argued a stern-faced brown-haired middle-aged man.

"You're correct, Count Juan."

"The kingdom will be thrown into turmoil."

"We implore you to reconsider!"

Many of the nobles rallied around him, visibly aligning themselves with his position.

'Juan... Ah, the very same Count Zach Juan.'

Logan recalled the man who had come late to pledge allegiance in the civil war but swiftly provided substantial support in troops and resources, along with rather ingratiating letters.

Yet Juan's current stance appeared inflexibly resolute compared to his flattery-filled correspondences.

'An opportunist sensitive to his own benefits...'

Nonetheless, watching the nobles gather around him, it seemed he had a certain knack for influence.

Logan observed Juan intently as he delivered his own quiet retort that would quell the uproar in the throne room.

"Just for this year. For only one year. Next year, I'll normalize the taxes and for the following three years, I'm considering reducing them to as low as 20%. How about it? In the long run, it seems like you'd not be at much of a loss."

The outrage that had simmered among the nobility began to subside upon Logan's offer.

"One year? If it's just for one year..."

"Reduced to 20% after two years?"

"That doesn't sound too bad."

The nobles weren't entirely naive, considering future tax reductions and current increases on even terms. But when a conquering king relented, it became too politically burdensome to resist overtly.

As the nobility glanced amongst themselves, contemplating the king's proposal, Count Zach Juan offered a bow and endorsement.

"Deeply resonating with Your Majesty's vision for the kingdom's stability, we will comply with this 'proposal.'"

A proposal?

"The word of the king is as precious as gold. We trust that Your Majesty will honor this promise."

With a slight curl of the lips, Logan acknowledged the situation. Given that his objective had been achieved, instigating a setback now was out of the question.

"Fine. But is it only Count Zach Juan who agrees?"

As Logan nodded, accepting the earl's agreement and also posing a question, responses erupted from the crowd.

"We shall follow Your Majesty's decree!"

"We submit to the king's wisdom!"

"We are deeply grateful."

With this outpour of acquiescence, the tax modification proposal was all but accepted, and the first council meeting of the new dynasty concluded without further incident.

* * *

As they left the council room, an aide commented, "That Zach Juan fellow, I should meet with him separately. How did he think to form a faction so soon..."

"No, let him be, teacher. It's easier to deal with them when they're all in one place."

Recalling Count Zach Juan's meticulous expression and sporting a sinister smile, Logan let no doubt linger over his intent to dominate—even as a new era began amidst complexity and calculation.