Chapter 92: What is the most important? (2/2)

Still, it seemed that him throwing his lot with the prince was truly the best way.

If he did so, the prince would have two of the four Duke on his side.

Arachne's opinion on the matter was obscure, but he was sure that with her obsession with Mars she would at worst choose to be neutral.

Meaning that the last one would be Loki Gorfard.

'Ohohoh~! The situation is truly interesting.”

If at first, he had only accepted to join the prince because of his <<Gambler instinct>> and the matriarch, now, he was willing to give his all.

Still, he decided to ask,

”Your highness, what do you think is the most important for a kingdom? Money? Power? Wisdom? Loyal subjects?”

Back then when he asked this question to the previous King, Mars, he had answered that the most important were loyal subjects. He really wondered what answers the prince would give.

Sol, who was previously relaxed, sighed a little. It seemed that no matter where he went, people were always testing him.

Still, he wasn't angry. At the end of the day, he was just a young boy with no credentials to his name.

Wining in the colosseum was enough to not be disrespected or underestimated, but it wasn't enough to instill trust and confidence in people without showing more.

'What is the most important for a kingdom?'

This was a question worth pondering over. After all, sooner or later he would become a king.

”My answer may be still a little immature, but I believe that wisdom and loyalty, while important, aren't the most necessary. The most necessary are money and power.”

”Oh~? Please could you elaborate your highness?”

”Loyalty is without a doubt very important at a personal level. Having few and truly loyal people surrounding you is a true blessing. But, it's impossible to expect an entire kingdom to swear eternal loyalty to one king. Not even the goddesses can do so.”

This was something very important to understand. For example, even though Milia swore loyalty to him, it didn't mean that all the crown's shadow was truly loyal. The same went for Duke Tyr and his ducal house.

”A necessary amount of wisdom is without a doubt important. But at the end of the day, one or few people can't direct everything in the affairs of a kingdom.”

The Lustburg kingdom was the size of the Canada. How could one or few persons deal alone with all the affairs of the kingdom? As such only a certain amount of wisdom was necessary.

”That's why I believe that Power and Money are the most important. The two together.”

Money was something a kingdom couldn't do without. You needed money to live.

At the same time, being too rich and not having the means to protect your resources was a sure way to be robbed or annexed by a more powerful kingdom.

”Loyalty may be important. But filling one own stomach is more so. Rather than believing in feelings, believing in common interests is better.”

Many people could betray their faith, but few could betray their own interests. This was the sad truth of the world.

”Enough power can stop any thoughts of rebellion from arising.”

”The carrot and the stick.”

”Indeed. A kingdom needs enough carrots to instill and enough sticks to truly function. Once those two conditions are reached, loyal subjects full of wisdom would without a doubt gather around you.”

Why would people be loyal to you if you didn't have something special? Why would smart people surround you if they didn't believe they could obtain something from you?

”Of course, I believe that focusing on all aspects would be the most ideal. Having loyal subjects willing to lay down your life for you is without a doubt the greatest dream for any ruler. But reality isn't so sweet. Soldiers need money to take care of their loved ones. Otherwise, why would they sacrifice themselves.”

Hermes could feel his heartbeat strongly in his chest, this was it. This was the answer he wanted to hear.

”So do you idealistic people are stupid?”

”Are they stupid? I do not think so. I truly find them beautiful and admirable. People willing to lay down their lives not for some interest but for their own beliefs of justice are people worthy of respect. I would never look down on them.”

Sol didn't believe that he was particularly cold or calculative. Even though he wasn't willing to die for some ideal, he was willing to discard his pride and his life if it meant protecting his loved one.

But that was just him. This wasn't enough to make a kingdom function.

”Beautiful. Very beautiful. Your highness, your answer truly moved me. I also believe that mutual interest is the way to go rather than simple blind loyalty. Then your highness, since the two of us believe in mutual interest. Pray tell me, what can you give me to make me swear allegiance to you?”