Chapter 1396 - 594: Mogiana Returns

Chapter 1396: Chapter 594: Mogiana Returns

Before the Dark Elf could turn around to leave, Mogiana’s voice came from the doorway: "Laine, busy?"

There are only three people who dare to enter Laine’s room without knocking, and one of them is Mogiana.

Today, the Lake God Witch wore a white embroidered knee-length skirt with a purple silk belt. Her cold and gorgeous face appeared at the door, revealing a slender and alluring figure. Since it was midsummer, it was rare for Mogiana not to wear long ankle-length skirts; below her knee-length skirt were beautiful legs as smooth as jade, and her pretty feet were simply adorned with high-heeled sandals with a single strap.

"Click-clack~" Mogiana’s voice came closer: "Am I disturbing you?"

"Thinking over some matters," Laine lifted his head from the files on the desk and smiled: "Nothing particularly major, welcome back, Mogiana, how did things go in Kulona?"

Seeing Laine smile at her, Mogiana’s previously furrowed brows relaxed. When privately with Laine, she always felt relaxed and joyful. The Lake God Witch only felt that the recent irritabilities troubling her had vanished; she easily pulled a chair over to sit by Laine, adjusting her skirt: "Overall, it went well. Lorne has recovered in health and resumed his regency duty. Since you didn’t pursue accountability, the northern knightly nobility breathed a sigh of relief."

"Furthermore, Richard has resigned from the position of Duke Le Anglong, succeeded by his nephew, Taobot." Mogiana continued, her golden long hair falling over her shoulder, exuding the scent of irises.

"Very good." Laine didn’t say much more; evidently, the traditional northern knightly noble houses had already conceded, and Richard passing the Duke title to Taobot rather than his grandson William showed his stance.

"Duke Theodoric of Borelion has completed his sentence, and he approached me hoping I could convey his apology." Mogiana spoke her second point: "He admits his mistake regarding Fiona and is willing to continue his detention; he pledges unconditional compliance with your reforms but hopes for assistance with his current plight in Borelion."

"Hmph, is this called unconditional?" Laine shook his head repeatedly. This old man is indeed cunning, attempting to maneuver at this critical juncture, despite once steadfastly supporting Lorne.

At this crucial time of impending succession, it seemed untimely to fuss over Theodoric. Since he was willing to comply entirely, Laine found no reason to haggle further, opting to let him remain in detention.

Taking this opportunity, Laine and Mogiana sat together, deliberating their upcoming course of action.

"As for the accusations regarding the late Duke Aldred selling military provisions to raise military funds, the Royal Court and I have received them." Mogiana paused briefly and then continued with the next topic: "But as you know, the founding twelve original Holy Grail Knight families don’t accept any accusations outside treason and heresy. Besides, Duke Aldred is already dead, and the inheriting Duke Adheid claims unawareness... Leonais is facing many challenges now; this year’s rainfall was excessive, resulting in poor crop yields, so I decided not to pursue it."

Natural calamities indeed, Laine crossed his arms, shaking his head with a bitter smile.

Historically, the late stage of governance often appeared to start with natural calamities, leading many to mistakenly believe its collapse was due to such disasters, but that’s not the case. Calamities have always been persistent, whether in the governance’s early, middle, or late stages.

What truly pushes events toward uncontrollable outcomes is the collapse of the state’s financial resilience and the weakening reactive ability of its hierarchical rule; at this point, calamity becomes the straw breaking the camel’s back.

Once struck by a calamity and unable to promptly respond and manage it, famine, plague, and unrest swiftly follow (earning Nurgle’s nod).

In contrast, as long as the regime copes effectively, calamities pose no threat.

Thus, Leonais becomes powerless against rebellious peasants, while a resourceful, wealthy, and person-rich Laine swiftly pacified Southern Leonais’ unrest within half a month.

"At least some restitution should be made!" Laine said discontentedly: "Immediately write to Duke Adheid, I don’t demand that Leonais’ nobility return all the seized grain, but at least give out a quarter to the Church, letting them distribute it to the peasants! Refusal means never receiving our support again!"

Mogiana nodded, promptly commanding the Dark Elf: "Did you hear? Hurry and take notes!"

Damn it! That woman! Acting like the mistress now, is she? Wearing a black and white maid outfit and white garter stockings, Ollica felt quite displeased. This displeasure showed on her face as she smiled and said: "Her Highness Mogiana, don’t you have your own hands? Or are you illiterate?"

This statement made Mogiana’s slender golden eyebrows raise, her green eyes staring directly at the smiling Dark Elf. Her hand gripped tightly onto the Potion Chalice, where magic power surged around her like the ocean: "Dark Elf, don’t assume that because you are Laine’s close maid, I won’t deal with you!"