NOVEL NEXT Interlude: Ren Incantum 16
“I told Luradin about an idea I had, something we’ve yet to try, establishing a city beyond a nation's capital, specifically one on the Liafer. He thought it absurd, the monsters raging through the Liafer practically untamable, but if they could manage to cultivate the land, they’d be able to create a city more prosperous and wonderful than any other in history.
‘Think about it. You can’t find more fertile land anywhere else in the world. You’d be able to sustain a population twice the size of Verulik with a fraction of the land,’ I said, leaning against a pillar, looking out over the marvelous courtyard in the middle of his castle.
‘But how would we keep it safe? Don’t pretend you’d protect the city yourself. You’ve got better things to be doing, and so do I, for that matter. I get the benefits, but it just isn’t worth the cost,’ Luradin replied, crossing his arms and sighing.
‘I didn’t think you would be the one to question me about logistics. Remember the WL debate?’
Luradin laughed, ‘I do, and I stand by what I said. But regardless, I can’t put people in danger for an idea that’s so uncertain. If it doesn’t work out, that’d mean the lives of a million people at least. I just can’t take that kind of risk.’
‘Well, I’ve actually got another idea for you, one that might revolutionize how we structure our kingdoms all together.’
‘Oh?’
‘We’ve got the hands and generals, which works fine for home invasions, but it doesn’t support expansion. They can’t be expected to protect the entire nation if people are split across multiple cities. So how about this, appoint a duke in your place, a main guardian who protects the city. They’re kind of like you, the king, but with control only over their city, and they defer directly to you.’
‘A permanent resident?’
‘Exactly. You protect the capitol, dukes protect any other cities you build, and then the hands and generals can travel, take care of whatever needs doing around the kingdom.’
Luradin, rubbed his face, gazing out upon the beautiful courtyard, pausing to think about the proposition carefully, ‘...I’ll consider it.’”
-an excerpt from Ren Incantum