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Chapter 596 - 596 140 Righteous Kidnapping_2

596: Chapter 140, Righteous Kidnapping_2 596: Chapter 140, Righteous Kidnapping_2 Once the Alliance takes on this burden, it must bear it to the end.

Ten million, twenty million, thirty million…

These sums are trivial, an epic-level task couldn’t be completed without an expenditure exceeding hundreds of millions of gold coins.

Even without counting other expenses, the Alpha Kingdom, Moxi Duchy, Warhammer Kingdom, and Orton Duchy have collectively spent over a hundred million since the start of the war.

Before the war, this was a number unimaginable to anyone.

Yet, with the onset of a war, it was squandered.

This amount is equivalent to every person in the aforementioned four countries contributing two gold coins to the war effort.

The actual ratio is likely higher, as large population declines have occurred due to the war.

Correspondingly, the burden per person has skyrocketed.

To raise funds, Moxi Duchy first issued war bonds, followed by Warhammer Kingdom issuing post-war reconstruction bonds, and then the Alpha Kingdom issued its own war bonds.

The only one not massively in debt, Orton Duchy, had a long-term commitment to the war and never had time to spend its military funding in a massive way.

“Count Predrag, didn’t your country just issued a round of war bonds, how come you need more money?”

Archbishop Montson asked skeptically.

At the beginning of the year, they printed more than thirty million gold coins in bonds.

Recently, another twenty million was issued.

The Alpha Kingdom has surpassed Moxi Duchy and has truly become the king of debt.

Military expenses were indeed a bottomless pit, but they could be estimated to some degree.

With such a colossal sum, it was almost impossible to spend it all at once.

“Your Grace, the Bishop, our second batch of bonds has not sold well.

Perhaps we reached the market limit or the market worries about our ability to repay, but either way people have lost interest in purchasing our war bonds.

Our current military expenses are entirely funded by the bonds issued at the start of the year, two-thirds of which have already been earmarked for spending.

The market’s concern about our repayment ability is justified.

The Orcs did not engage in a decisive battle with the Allied Forces, but sought to prolong resistance by retreating further into their territory.

If this stalemate continues indefinitely, nobody knows how long the war will last.

Everyone knows that the Alpha Kingdom has suffered heavy losses in this war, and it’s very likely that the post-war revenue will drop drastically.

If the kingdom’s debt continues to inflate indefinitely, in the end, we might not even be able to pay the interest on the debt!”

Count Predrag said without changing his expression.

He was clear-cut, the Alpha Kingdom was facing financial issues and it would be difficult to continuously guarantee logistics for the frontline armies without help from the Alliance.

After privately considering the economic consequences, everyone’s gaze towards Count Predrag was filled with sympathy.

The original idea of urging the Alpha Kingdom to increase the interest rate of the bonds was abandoned by everyone almost instantly.

Now it’s not a matter of interest, if the debt continues to accumulate, by the end they might not even be able to get their principal back.

No money simply means no money.

Compared to debtors who simply refuse to pay, dealing with those genuinely without money is infinitely more troublesome.

However, there was also a sense of relief amidst the tension.

Considering the Alpha Kingdom’s responsible attitude shown towards their debt issue, they were clearly serious about it and had no intention of letting things slide.

As long as they actively confront the issue, there’s a way to resolve it.

Especially since the Alpha Kingdom regained large chunks of lost territory, once they recover, the debt wouldn’t pose a problem anymore.

“Count Predrag, the Alpha Kingdom is the biggest beneficiary in the destruction of the Orc Empire.

For fairness, you have to compensate the Alliance.

Compared to the benefits your country could receive, all we are asking is for your country to bear the military expenditures, it’s not excessive.

Now that your country is facing financial issues, you should take active measures to solve it instead of shifting the responsibility to the Alliance!”

Archbishop Montson stated, righteous indignation in his voice.

Originally, the Clergy was worried about how to suppress the Alpha Kingdom, and now to see their arch-rival fall into the financial crisis makes them happier than offering a helping hand.

“Your Grace, we have already taken measures, the bonds have been printed, but unfortunately they are not selling.

It’s known to all that the wealth of the Clergy dwarfs that of the entire continent.

If Your Grace could represent the Clergy and purchase this batch of war bonds, we won’t bother the Alliance!”

Count Predrag responded with a candid smile.

The Clergy is famously wealthy, this much is known.

However, that applies mostly to the wealth of the past.

After several hundred years of deficit spending, their reserves have been almost depleted.

Had it not been for the conflict caused by the need for money, the Clergy wouldn’t have clashed with various governments.

Half of its current infamy stems from historical issues, and the other half from recent conflicts of interest.

Given their current income, the Clergy still holds the highest financial intake on paper.

But switching from luxury to thrift is always far more challenging than the other way round.

The high-ranking individuals of the Clergy are accustomed to their luxurious lifestyle, asking them to lower their standard of living would be considered an absolute heresy.

“Hmph!”

“This is just sophistry!

If your country raises the interest rate on the bonds…”

Archbishop Montson swallowed his words halfway.

This was a losing argument.

Any answer following their pre-established lines would be wrong.