After the declaration, something had shifted within me—not suddenly, not dramatically, but enough to be noticeable. It wasn't about the title anymore. Being called king didn't feel like an achievement; it felt like a responsibility that had finally settled in properly. If I was going to stand in this position, then I couldn't just react to situations anymore. I had to understand the system I was now a part of.
That was the reason I asked Rowan to arrange a council meeting. I wanted to meet the people who were actually running the kingdom's core functions—the ones responsible for keeping everything together when things weren't as simple as winning a battle.
Rowan handled it immediately. By the next day, the council was assembled.
But when I entered the room, what I saw… wasn't what I expected.
I paused for a second, looking around, making sure I wasn't missing something. Then I turned to Rowan and asked the most obvious question that came to mind, "That's it? Only three people?"
Rowan didn't seem surprised by my reaction. If anything, he had expected it. "Yes, Your Majesty," he replied calmly. "Valenford operates with three primary governing offices that oversee the kingdom's major functions. Allow me to introduce them."
He gestured toward the first man. "This is Lord Kelvin Hormet, Minister of Finance." Then toward the second, a more rigid and composed figure. "Lord Mathew Waren, Minister of Defence, overseeing the Valenford Defence Forces." Finally, he indicated the third. "And Lord Carl Easter, Minister of Trade."
I looked at all three of them, then back at Rowan. Honestly, I had expected something more… layered. More complex. "I always thought a kingdom would have far more departments managing things," I said, half thinking out loud. "But if this is how Valenford runs, then fine—we work with what we have." I shifted my focus forward. "Lord Kelvin, let's start with you. I want to understand the current financial situation of the kingdom."
Kelvin stood up immediately, composed but respectful. "Your Majesty, it is an honor," he began, then moved directly to the matter at hand. "At present, Valenford's financial reserves are critically low. The recent war with Velkyria has accelerated the depletion, but it is not the root cause. Based on our current trajectory, we have reserves sufficient for approximately one month."
For a moment, I thought I had misheard him. "One month?" I repeated, my tone sharpening. "A single war cannot drain an entire treasury. I want the full explanation."
Kelvin gave a slight nod, as if expecting that reaction. "You are correct, Your Majesty. The issue lies deeper—in our economic structure. Valenford's revenue depends primarily on taxation and trade. Around sixty-two percent of our income comes from taxation, while thirty-two percent is derived from maritime trade. And remaining from other sources. However, due to our geography, we are entirely dependent on sea routes for both exports and imports."
He paused briefly, allowing the context to settle. "Our exports are led by military equipment—arms and armor produced in Valenford are considered among the finest across Terra Chronica, and our allied nations rely heavily on them. Agriculture remains secondary; we produce surplus grain, but it contributes less to overall revenue compared to military exports."
That part aligned with what I had expected.
"The problem," Kelvin continued, "is that while we continue to send goods at full capacity, only a fraction of them reach their destinations. Our effective trade return has dropped to nearly thirty percent."
Before he could elaborate further, Carl stepped forward, taking over naturally where the explanation demanded it. "Your Majesty, this is due to active disruption," he said. "Both Velkyria and Dravenmark have been targeting our trade routes. Specifically, ships carrying the Valenford flag. Our commercial vessels are either intercepted or destroyed before reaching allied ports."
Kelvin nodded in agreement. "As a result, while gold continues to leave the kingdom at full capacity—to pay for imports—only a small portion returns. This creates a consistent outflow of wealth without sufficient recovery."
Carl continued, now building the full picture. "Our navy attempts to escort commercial ships, but our capacity is limited. We cannot protect every vessel. Unescorted ships are easy targets, and the enemy knows this. Their strategy is not random—it is systematic. They are not just attacking ships… they are attacking our economy."
I exhaled slowly.
So this wasn't inefficiency.
It was pressure.
Kelvin resumed, smoothly connecting the external problem to the internal situation. "This imbalance has begun affecting our internal markets. While we continue to produce large quantities of grain, we cannot export it effectively. This has led to a domestic surplus, driving prices down. Farmers have produce… but no gold."
I leaned forward slightly. "And military production?"
"Still active," Kelvin replied. "Our forges continue producing high-quality weapons and armor. However, much of this output is either stockpiled or lost during naval interceptions. It does not circulate within the economy."
So even our strongest export had become unstable.
"And imports?" I asked.
Kelvin's expression tightened slightly. "That is our most critical weakness. Valenford depends heavily on external sources for textiles and essential tools. These goods cannot be produced domestically at scale. Due to disrupted trade routes, their supply has decreased significantly, causing prices to rise."
Carl added quietly, "Basic goods are becoming scarce, Your Majesty. What was once ordinary is now difficult to obtain."
That completed the picture.
I leaned back, organizing it in my head. "So internally, we have surplus goods that hold no value… and essential goods that are becoming increasingly expensive."
"Yes," Kelvin confirmed. "And as a result, currency circulation has begun to slow. In some regions, barter systems are emerging. Without liquid currency, tax collection becomes difficult."
Which meant—
"No taxes, no army," I said.
Kelvin gave a slight nod. "Precisely, Your Majesty."
Mathew finally stepped in, his voice firm but measured. "And that is why the current defence allocation remains necessary. Reducing military strength under these conditions would only expose us further. Our enemies are not weakening—we cannot afford to."
He wasn't wrong.
But neither was Kelvin.
This wasn't just a financial issue—it was structural. The kingdom wasn't lacking resources. It was failing to convert those resources into usable power. Military strength, agricultural surplus, industrial capability… all present. But without secure trade routes, none of it could sustain the system.
Which meant the problem wasn't production.
It was movement.
And more specifically—
Control over the sea.
I was still processing that when a knock interrupted the room. I glanced at Rowan. "Check it."
He stepped out without question. A few moments later, he returned, a letter already opened in his hand. His expression had changed—not alarmed, but more focused.
"What is it?" I asked.
"It's from Commander Lopel, stationed at Farham," Rowan replied. "Velkyria has proposed an armistice. Commander Lopel has provisionally accepted, and formal signing is scheduled in two days at the city of Farham."
That matched what Rowan had predicted earlier.
But now, with everything I had just heard… something clicked.
I leaned forward slightly. "Rowan, send a message to Commander Lopel."
Rowan's attention sharpened immediately. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Tell him this," I continued, keeping my thoughts clear and structured. "During the armistice negotiations, when the matter of returning Wester is raised, he is to set a condition. Wester will only be returned if Velkyria agrees to cease all attacks on Valenford's commercial ships."
The room went quiet.
I didn't stop.
"And make it clear—this is not a temporary clause. If they agree and still violate it afterward, the consequences will not be diplomatic."
Rowan remained silent for a brief moment, but his mind had already moved ahead of the room. If Velkyria accepted, then their attacks on Valenford's trade routes would cease, allowing commercial movement to stabilize and revenue to recover. If they refused, then Wester would remain under Valenford's control, maintaining leverage over one of Velkyria's most critical trade hubs. Either outcome tilted the situation in Valenford's favor. A clean condition—difficult to reject, and dangerous to accept without commitment.
"I understand, Your Majesty," Rowan said finally. "I will have the message sent immediately."
Kelvin and Carl exchanged a brief glance before Kelvin spoke, unable to hold back his reaction. "Your Majesty… this is a highly effective condition. It addresses both our financial and trade instability."
Carl nodded in agreement. "Yes, Your Majesty. If implemented successfully, this could significantly strengthen our trade position. This is… a very well-calculated move."
I remained silent for a moment after the discussion settled. Even if Velkyria accepted the condition, there was no guarantee of immediate stability. They could agree today and still attempt indirect interference later. And even if attacks stopped completely, trade would not recover overnight.
Increasing exports alone wouldn't be enough.
The problem was deeper.
We needed to expand exports, yes—but at the same time, reduce our dependency on imports. Domestic production had to improve. If Valenford continued relying on allied nations for essential goods, then any future disruption would bring us back to the same position.
And more importantly… sea trade could not remain our only option.
If everything depended on the sea, then every enemy with a navy would always hold leverage over us. That wasn't stability—that was vulnerability.
We needed alternatives.
Ground routes. Internal production. A system that could sustain itself even under pressure.
I shifted my attention toward Carl. "Lord Carl, I need clarity on one point. What exactly are we importing at present?"
Carl responded without hesitation. "Your Majesty, our primary imports include textiles—clothing—along with medicinal herbs and crafted goods such as tools, wearable items, and ornaments. These are not produced within Valenford at sufficient scale, which is why we rely on external trade."
I gave a small nod. That confirmed it.
Our weakness wasn't just trade—it was dependency.
Before moving forward, I needed one last piece of clarity.
I turned to Kelvin. "At present, are all officials and soldiers receiving their full salaries?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Kelvin replied. "All officials and soldiers are being paid in full. That is precisely why our reserves are depleting at the current rate. With existing expenditure, we cannot sustain beyond one month."
That aligned with everything we had discussed.
"Then tell me this," I continued, "if Velkyria accepts our condition in two days, how long would it realistically take for financial flow to stabilize—not completely, but enough to sustain operations?"
Kelvin paused briefly, calculating rather than guessing. "If events proceed as expected, Your Majesty, then approximately six to eight months. A significant portion of our commercial fleet has been destroyed. Rebuilding ships, restoring trade routes, and regaining merchant confidence will take time. However, within that period, we should begin to see meaningful recovery."
Six to eight months.
That wasn't unexpected—but it made one thing clear.
We couldn't afford to wait passively.
I leaned forward slightly. "Then we bridge that gap ourselves."
The room grew attentive.
"For the next six months," I continued, more deliberate now, "I would like to propose a controlled reduction in expenditure across the kingdom. Not broadly—but strategically."
I allowed a brief pause before expanding.
"The Royal Household should take the lead in this. Court expenses, ceremonies, and non-essential luxuries can be reduced significantly for this period. If restraint is required, it should begin at the top."
My gaze shifted across the council.
"In a balanced manner, similar adjustments could be considered for administrative stipends and noble expenditures—nothing excessive, but enough to ease financial pressure."
I paused briefly before addressing the more sensitive matter.
"As for the army… I do not believe weakening it is an option. However, a limited reduction in salaries can be considered—provided it is balanced through structured provisions, supply-based compensation, and optimized allocation, so that overall strength and morale remain unaffected."
Now I looked directly at Kelvin.
"Lord Kelvin, I would like you to assess this approach. Based on our current financial condition, what level of reduction would be sustainable over the next six months without destabilizing the system?"
Kelvin did not answer immediately. He considered the structure of the proposal carefully before responding. "This would be feasible, Your Majesty. If implemented with precision, it can reduce immediate financial strain and extend our operational window. I will need to review the accounts in detail, but the direction is sound."
Mathew followed, his tone steady and practical. "As long as the army's operational strength is maintained, I have no objection. If adjustments are made without compromising readiness, then this approach is acceptable."
Carl gave a slight nod. "From a trade perspective, this gives us the time we need. If recovery progresses within the expected window, then this approach will help stabilize both supply and demand."
Only Rowan remained silent for a moment.
"Your Majesty," he said after a brief pause, "the proposal is well-structured. But I would like to understand one thing. Why include the Royal Household in these reductions?"
The question was direct—but not opposing.
My answer came just as simply.
"Because the kingdom does not exist separately from its ruler," I said. "If the people are under strain, then the Crown should not remain untouched by it. At the very least… it should share part of that burden."
There was no emphasis in my tone. No attempt to turn it into something more than it was.
Just a conclusion.
Rowan observed me for a moment, then inclined his head slightly. "Understood, Your Majesty."
I turned back to Kelvin. "Prepare a detailed financial report. I want a clear plan for the next six months—what can be reduced, what must remain untouched, and what risks we need to account for."
"It will be done, Your Majesty."
"Lord Carl," I continued, "I need a complete trade report—from the past year to the present. Routes, losses, partner states—everything."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Lord Mathew, I would like a full breakdown of defence expenditure and current resource allocation."
"You will have it."
Finally, I looked at Rowan.
"Form a small survey team. Send them across Valenford. I want information—regional strengths, production capabilities, available resources. If we intend to reduce dependency, we need to understand what we can produce within our own borders."
Rowan nodded without hesitation. "As you command, Your Majesty."
That was enough for now.
"We will meet again after the armistice is signed," I said, my tone steady. "By then, I expect clarity—not just on our situation, but on the direction we take moving forward."
All of them responded together.
"Yes, Your Majesty."