The Lich of Glory Knight Spirit: Moving towards Krimasha!
Chapter 154 - 35: Return (2) (Second Update)

Chapter 154: Chapter 35: Return (2) (Second Update)

"The food supplies will cover three days, and everyone can get a three-day free supply. After three days, only those with jobs that can support themselves will continue to receive food."

"What if someone doesn’t have a job?"

"If you don’t have a job, then register. I will repurchase all idle land and hand it over to the unemployed for farming. Remember, it is rented to you, and you need to pay rent. Although it’s not much, it must be paid. Furthermore, the ownership of the land does not belong to you and cannot be used for transactions. Even for those who have jobs, the food distribution will stop once the next harvest comes. You must support yourselves."

"What about the previous new policy? I mean, the one where money was given out."

"It’s gone."

"No, I don’t agree, why do this, that was our money! And your food isn’t even distributed constantly!"

"If you choose the original new policy, then I will take away all the food. In other words, the new food distribution policy will no longer exist. You choose. Only those who work hard will have a good life. The lazy should go hungry."

Suddenly, everyone fell silent.

"Alright, I think food distribution is still better," the hungry civilians mumbled.

No one opposed anymore because Gray held the food in his hands. It wasn’t just a little food, but an abundant supply, an endless stream of food. And they, the civilians on the brink of starvation, urgently needed food to save their lives.

Gray’s plan to cancel the "new policy" finally went unimpeded.

"We can implement this way forever." Benedict II spread his hands and said, "Rent the land to the farmers at low rents, and after they’ve saved enough money, sell the land to them at market price. We use the money from selling land to repurchase idle land, settle more civilians, and hire them to develop new land, thus creating a continuous cycle."

"It sounds good," Gray asked softly, "Why didn’t you do this before?"

"Because I hardly had the chance to implement it."

Everyone in the room silently looked at Benedict II, and the Queen also watched him.

With a helpless sigh, he had to change his words, "Alright, actually, I was unwilling to implement it. Such a policy benefits the common people but is terrible for the nobility and even worse for the king. If the royal family provides land at low rents, no one will hire themselves out to help the nobility develop land anymore. Every benefit given to the common people is taken from the nobles. The enthusiasm of the common people for work will increase, food production will rise, and more people can be fed. But the nobles will only have tax income left and will not receive even a penny of rent. Or rather, they will not be willing to receive such a meager rent. Of course, the population will grow, and the country will become prosperous. People will live better lives."

"Then let’s do it this way."

"Alright." After thinking for a moment, Benedict II added, "I need your help, or the opposition from the nobility will crush me; they are no easier to serve than the mob."

Gray answered seriously, "As long as you want to make this country better, the Holy Knights will be your strong support."

"Well, I know what to do now." Benedict II nodded.

Bob looked at his brother with a wide grin of relief.

Benedict II reached out and ruffled his hair.

Thus, Gray, the entire Silver Moon Knight Order, and the two royal brothers began to get busy, figuring out ways to restore the war-torn country to its former glory. Of course, their goal was to make it better than before.

The author of "Lich Knight" and his companions also got their bread as they wished, squatting by the roadside and gnawing on it.

"He came just in time, although he was at least half to blame for this mess; we’re lucky he still remembers us. Oh, by the way, what’s your name?"

"I don’t have a name," the child mumbled while gnawing on the bread.

"How can someone not have a name?"

"But I really don’t; they all call me Pao Pao. I don’t have any other name."

"Pao Pao? Well, that counts as a name. I am called Turtle, that’s my pen name."

"What’s your real name?"

"Real name? No one has called me by my real name for a long time."

"Can’t I know it?"

"Of course, it’s no secret. My real name is Morca." After thinking for a bit, Morca added, "Now that we have food, you don’t have a place to stay. How about staying at my place? After all, I live alone, and there’s enough space."

"Really?"

"Of course. You’re my benefactor who taught me a way to get rich."

"Thank you!" Pao Pao cheered and hugged Morca.

Hmm, the author of "Lich Knight" appeared with his real name, Morca, for the first time in another story. Readers of that story still thought he was just a side character. Although he looked very much like one.

...

Everything proceeded in an orderly manner this time. Gray wasn’t overly involved but instead relied heavily on the steward of Yilin—Abi Robbs, the long-serving minister of the Beisher Family.

"I definitely don’t offer any ingenuity, but I am well aware of the operation of all policies. I also know clearly what level of reform will not cause significant problems. I can keep everything well managed, cautiously. This is all I can do." This was Abi Robbs’s self-assessment.

As it turned out, reform should proceed bit by bit, carefully rather than in a sweeping manner. Even food distribution followed this principle. There were various small techniques to help ensure food reached those who needed it most.

Yilin brought all her retainers over. Although as humans, they were clearly not as swift or incorruptible as the Silver Moon Knights, they were better at handling people’s hearts and knew how to curb human greed.

In just three days, three short days, the entire Lion King City seemed to recover from turmoil, gradually moving into the reconstruction phase. Although slow, it was orderly.

"Our food won’t last long. Even with the grain from Bert Duchy and the Fides Kingdom, we can’t possibly sustain until the harvest," Yilin asked Gray, "Have you thought about what to do next?"

"Don’t worry, we don’t just have this food. We have more," Gray responded softly.

"We have more?"

"Yes. The Allen Kingdom and several other countries have agreed to lend us grain. These are the replies from their monarchs. They did not ask for any additional compensation. Of course, as a gesture of courtesy, I must think carefully about how to show our gratitude for their kindness."

Looking at the thick stack of letters, Yilin could hardly believe her eyes. The envelopes of almost all the renowned families of the southern continent were collected on these letters.

"Their emissaries are on their way," Gray added softly.

"It’s entirely understandable that they’d agree," Count Gruglu commented from the side, "If it was you, you would agree too. Imagine, an angel delivering the message to you. I almost thought I was on my way to Heaven, sent for by a divine spirit. Moreover, Gray had just won a brilliant victory on the Ailuo Peninsula. No one would oppose such a Holy Knight, especially not the Allen Kingdom."

"Yes, the King of Allen said he would deliver the grain himself. Personally," Gray said.

"Listen to that." Count Gruglu laughed, "The King of Allen is delivering grain himself. He is afraid Gray will settle old scores with him. I said it, now no one dares to mess with Gray. Wait a while, and you’ll see stranger things happen. After a while, when they need new monarchs to be crowned, they might even simultaneously request coronation from both Gray and the Pope. Requesting the Pope’s coronation is customary, but requesting Gray’s is because of the situation. It’s almost like the continent now has two Popes. No one can deny that."

As he spoke, Count Gruglu cautiously glanced at Gray.

Gray simply stood silently, making no comment.

...

After Yilin and Count Gruglu left, Gray stayed quietly in his room.

"Do you want to be the Pope?" the Black Cat asked.

Gray answered softly, "I don’t want to. I feel I am not significant, not qualified, not great enough, and lack the talent. But..."

"But what?"

"But, I am not satisfied with the current Pope. I think he is even less suited for the position than I am."

"So, do you want to overthrow him and become Pope yourself?"

*Gray remained silent, sitting quietly alone, looking out at the peaceful night outside the window.*

*The wind blew gently, stirring the curtains and flickering the flame on the candelabra on Gray’s desk.*

*After a long time, he answered softly, "I’m not sure. The Pope is an important role, carrying immense responsibility. I feel he is unfit, but I am also not ready, and I can’t think of anyone else to replace him. I fear that acting recklessly will ruin everything, like what happened with Lion King City before. Do you think I can do it?"*

*"I wasn’t sure you could before, but now I am sure you can."*

*"Why?"*

*The Black Cat answered softly, "If a person understands their flaws and knows to seek help from others, then flaws can become strengths. You can leverage the strengths of Abi Robbs just like you did with Dean. We know he is now doing well in White City; he’s not the same Dean we knew before. You can learn bit by bit, starting from the basics. Of course, I suggest you should meet with Pope Augustus III before making your final decision. He is on his way here, and you should give him a grand welcome ceremony. Just as Benedict II can be changed, maybe the Pope can change too. We shouldn’t dismiss anyone too soon."*

*"Alright, I will follow your advice," Gray nodded.*