Favourably

Kelvhan heard only rumours and hearsay about the royal palace of Oxmaw, of how it was an absolute travesty of architecture and decoration that simply shouldn't exist; built by the predecessor of the Two Fool Princes's father, as Princes Mardon and Malon Menon were called, King Volton expressed wishes to demolish and rebuilt the Royal Palace into a proper display of strength and power and a functioning heart of bureaucracy for the Kingdom. The Hundred Years War, however, smashed those dreams to pieces as he was **** to divert most of his funds to war.

Only now was it being demolished and remodeled with the help of magic and modern construction techniques, and as a result, the actual bureaucratic heart of the Kingdom of Efros was shifted to a landed mansion within the city limits - far more tasteful and practical.

"To think His Majesty himself would come to greet me... I must admit I'm speechless," Said Kelvhan.

"I know, right?" Said Iozunk smilingly as he sipped his ale, "Wasn't born and raised noblity, and I'm more a wildling than a civilised son, so there. Now, mind telling me exactly what are you? I've seen many warriors and I've never seen anyone talk about consolidating conquest."

"...It's complicated," Kelvhan evaded, "It's a private matter."

"Practically four-fifths of government are private matters," Iozunk pointed out.

Kelvhan sighed heavily, then answered, "I was **** to resign due to a scandal. Kept quiet, but they accused me of slandering the King and lusting after the Queen."

"And I'm guessing it's from those jealous of you?" Asked Iozunk.

"The Kingdom of Torfun has always disliked Elves in general, no thanks to the nearby Elven City-State of Inkalmair always reneging on its deals and agreements," Said Kelvhan, "My mother and father left that place, but it's not as if it was all sunshine and rainbows."

"Elves being Elves," Iozunk nodded.

"But what can I say? I'm the best of the best. You want a grandiose yet defensible capital? Give me five years and I'll give you one! You want roads that never spoil? Lend me your magi and let the master do his work, and they won't suffer dent by cannonballs!" Kelvhan declared, "Those mediocre bastards want me gone? Sure, I'll go. You won't be able to do something as great as I have, you know."

...He is certainly different, but still arrogant, Iozunk thought, Although, I can't seem to place it... I have a feeling he's got the skill to back up his words.

"Nevertheless, I was starved of political connections despite my talents, and my rivals used that to their advantage," Kelvhan shrugged, "So here I am, homeless and jobless with only my personal belongings."

Iozunk smiled at this, "And you've come here of all places. Either you're stupidly brave or bravely stupid."

"I'd like to think of myself as a 'calculated gambler', Your Majesty," Said Kelvhan, "Nevertheless, I can see that you're in need of talented people to shore up your nation. Not to mean any offense, but your kind don't look like the type to really maintain your conquests."

"...Much as I hate to admit it, we've never had the same 'civilised tendencies' as other developed races do," Iozunk grumbled, "We don't have skilled blacksmiths, stonemasons or intellectuals in general, and we certainly aren't great farmers."

"Hence why we must start here and now, Your Majesty," Said Kelvhan, "You can start by employing me, a talented outcast, the unfortunate victim of a scandal by imbecilic nobles. Once you do that, word will spread and talented individuals will start flocking to your banner."

Iozunk then poured Kelvhan a tankard of ale, passing it to him which he gratefully took.

"So tell me, O Great Sage, what would be your strategy for building up our Empire?" Asked Iozunk.

Kelvhan held up three fingers.

"You should focus on five policies," He said, "Nurture the people, cultivate the wastelands, upgrade your holdings, solidify the government, and end the fighting."

"What do you mean by that, Kelvhan?" Asked Iozunk.

"The people of Efros are poverty-stricken, having been **** to endure battle after battle with the recent civil war," Kelvhan explained, "Much of the infrastructure is failing, the people are lethargic, and still doubtful of your rule. Furthermore, other neighbouring countries will not ignore the presence of a monster nation on their doorstep. Before you can think of further wars and conquests, you first have to build a solid foundation."

"...Go on," Iozunk beckoned.

"May I ask how much tax revenue you have, and how much food stockpiles?" Asked Kelvhan.

"I'm not great with numbers, but Ferdinand did say that all the gold the Two Fool Princes hoarded away, along with the private fortunes of nobles, is enough to last us roughly five years," Iozunk answered, "As for food stockpiles, our Elven territories can supply just enough to feed all of us."

Kelvhan nodded smilingly at this, "Then we have at least some leeway."

"That we do," Iozunk agreed, "So please explain these five policies you've suggested, Kelvhan."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Said Kelvhan, "For the poverty-stricken Efros, you should impose a five-year tax-free grace period for the people, exempt them from any tributary obligation and order the troops to take not a single leaf, grain or coin. Anyone who doesn't obey shall be punished severely."

"Well, for thieves, we simply execute them or chop off one hand," Iozunk added.

"Then do just that. And open up the granaries and distribute them to the hungry and needy. Hence, 'nurture the people," Said Kelvhan, "For the second policy, take all your old and weak soldiers and send them to cultivate the farmland. Those who volunteer should receive an award of money, grain and cattle."

"Sorry to interrupt, but we do have a large number of Elven slaves," Iozunk interjected, "Should I add them as a reward to them?"

"...If it motivates them more," Kelvhan reluctantly mouthed, pursing his lips.

Iozunk said nothing about Kelvhan's hesitance, who quickly recovered and continued his explanation.

"Those farmers should be allowed to keep all the food they harvest for three years. After that, they should share their harvest with the army at a ratio of 7:3. Hence, 'cultivate the wastelands'."

"Excellent!" Iozunk praised, "And the third one?"

"As you know, much of the infrastructure is failing, due to the princes and the nobles pocketing their money and spending it on lavish estates," Said Kelvhan, "Demolish what you don't need, and focus on rebuilding the walls, forts, roads and other critical infrastructure, and renovate existing infrastructure to be better and stronger than before. Furthermore, you need to begin increasing the amount of amenities available to the people, be it fresh water, consumable goods and especially branches of adventuring guilds. Along the borders to the north and east, you have feuding Kingdoms ready to pounce, so new fortresses and watchtowers must be erected there. Hence, 'upgrading your holdings'."

"Mm. The fourth?"

"To be frank, you've only just declared the foundation of an Empire, and an empire is an organization; it needs a bureaucracy to sustain and pilot it forward," Said Kelvhan, "You need educated people to take up positions regarding tax collection, military organization, law enforcement, diplomacy and economy, and so on. Use my reputation, and issue a call for talented people, no matter their origin or history. Hence, 'solidify the government'."

"Something I've planned since the beginning, but yeah," Iozunk nodded, "The last one?"

"Your Majesty, might I be frank?" Asked Kelvhan.

"You've already been frank with me since the start," Iozunk stated.

"Alright then," Said Kelvhan, "Your troops are equally lethargic; now that they've had their fill of war and booty, they'll be looking to rest and settle down, and the country itself needs time to build up its strength. Therefore, you need to demobilize a large part of your army to cut down upkeep costs, and spend the next ten years accumulating food stockpiles, weaponry and steeds."

"Hence, 'end the fighting," Iozunk finished.

"Indeed, and you need to do these things to turn Aclia into a powerful country," Kelvhan added.

Iozunk laughed heartily, and said, "Why not discuss things with me with my court? I'm sure Ferdinand and Kassandra will appreciate a kindred soul."

"If you'll have me," Kelvhan said smilingly.