Spoiler
Now because of that incident and Older Sister Maid’s impassioned speech, they have picked a fight with the Central Nations and on top of that, the serfs are close to rebellion against the landowners. The people in the Southern Nations want independence. How will the royal family respond? They can free the serfs, but if they do, it would be considered an act of defiance against the Central Nations and would cause a war that they can ill afford.
Hero just can’t understand what the Central Nations and the church want anymore. Knight tells him that they want to unite the world under the banner of the Light Spirit, but in reality, they covet the world’s riches for themselves – but not just riches, they also want power, respect and knowledge. In order to keep their position, the church impoverishes everyone else. Hero just can’t see a way around this. But perhaps he has an idea……….
Merchant receives word that the Lakeside Convent has broken from the church and formed their own, calling it the “True Church of the Light Spirit” and have made it the national religion, which amuses the Merchant. He knows that it is probably Hero’s idea and considers it a brilliant move; it has thrown the Central Church into chaos. Merchant is also informed that the serfs have been freed. Merchant is also intrigued by the paper that the announcement has come on and the fact that the words seem to be stamped into it. The messenger tells him that a great many such papers are being distributed among the people. And Merchant remembers something that the Scholar once told him. Merchant makes his plans.
Unfortunately, Hero’s plan is not going well, since most peasants are illiterate. An idea is given to compose a song that will carry their message to others, but Older Sister Maid voices her reasons for it being a bad idea and comes up with a simpler song idea to attract more people to the Southern Nations. Merchant has a plan in place to make more money and perhaps ruin the Central Nations in the process. He also wants to move the Alliance HQ to the Lake Country, near the Southern Triad and the Lakeside Convent.
At Gate City, Sir Cloud Dragon complains of the lack of salt since they lost Bright Light Island and its supply. The Dragon Princess confers with the Eastern Fortress General, telling him of the Azure Demons and giving him a warning that they are the ones with the most desire to conquer the Human World. Of course, this worries the General. Meanwhile, wheat prices are rising – just as the Merchant wanted them to. His next step is to purchase the following season’s wheat from the larger landholders.
Word of this has reached the Southern Nations. The Holy Capital is slowly becoming bankrupt and the Central Nations may look to the Southern Triad for supplies. However, if that happens, their economy will also be destroyed. If they levy a heavy tax on the export of wheat and potatoes, that may save them, but it’s still a sticky situation. I really think they need the Demon Queen at this point!
The Dragon Princess meets with the Merchant to ask about a supply of salt. She tells him that salt is a very valuable commodity in the Demon Realm and I can see the sudden greed in the Merchant’s eyes. She really risked her life in coming to him too, but Merchant does see much opportunity in this meeting between them.
War has officially been declared against the Southern Nations and the church has excommunicated them as well. This is their response to the export taxes levied against them. The war will commence in ten days. This is not what Hero wanted, because he knows it isn’t what the Queen would have wanted. She would have found a different solution and avoided war. Hero asks the Winter King how long they can fight without anyone dying on either side. He says that the weather – snow – would be a major factor, so maybe four weeks. It appears that Hero may have another plan as he smiles his acceptance of the king’s word.
:silly:
