In a world where civilization is rudimentary, what is the most vital necessity for survival? Naturally, it is food. Even under modern technology, some impoverished nations struggle with hunger, although developed countries have mostly solved the problem of food and warmth.
In a world akin to the medieval era, where agriculture and pastoralism depend heavily on the whims of nature, the greatest challenge for common folk is sustenance. Starvation precludes any other concern. Wars, both minor skirmishes and major racial conflicts, never cease, making mere survival a herculean task. Most lower-class citizens wear tattered clothes and subsist on dark bread; having white bread is a sign of a comfortable life.
From Nimue's words, Drake understood that even elves suffered similarly. Humans relied on agriculture to support their vast population. Orcs, with their lesser agricultural skills, supplemented farming with hunting and herding. Elves, however, were a different story. Living in and cherishing the forests, they would never entertain the thought of clearing trees for farmland.
Fortunately, elves sustained themselves mainly on fruits, thanks to their unique physiology. However, different as they might be, they still required some meat and grains. Though the elven kingdom was relatively isolated, it engaged in trade with humans and orcs for essential goods. Winter was harsh for all races; the lowest social strata endured the direst conditions, lacking food and warmth.
Drake speculated that this was why the elven population had difficulty flourishing. How could they sustain large numbers with such a lifestyle? It's no wonder they couldn't compete with humans in terms of growth.
Despite the existence of magic in this world, mages represented only a tiny fraction of the populace, and their valuable magic was rarely devoted to the public good. Why should they care for the plight of the commoners, when mages themselves led lives of luxury? Magic could replicate many effects of modern technology, but only mages and nobles enjoyed the convenience it provided, due to its resource-intensive nature. For the common folk, such luxury was beyond imagination.
While technology is a collective evolution, magic is an individual's evolution. For an average person, a world with technology is preferable. However, for the truly gifted, a magical world offers greater opportunities for power and transcendence.
"Nimue…" Drake pondered for a while before speaking up.
"Speak, your grace, Galakrond," Nimue responded, maintaining her humility with a voice as melodious as a nightingale.
"Fetch some soldiers from your elven kind to help me maintain order in the city. If there is any unrest, kill them. As for the food problem… I'll think of something," Drake said, closing his eyes.
Nimue's heart skipped a beat, and she hesitated slightly before replying, "I will need to consult with the Queen about borrowing soldiers. I can't decide on my own."
Tense, she hoped her words wouldn't offend Drake.
"You may go," Drake responded, surprisingly amiable.
Nimue was taken aback, having not expected the dragon to be so agreeable. She mulled over the fact that the younger the dragon, the more irritable and unreasonable it tended to be, whereas the older ones were more temperate, rarely showing anger as long as their boundaries were respected.
"I shall take my leave, your majesty… I will return to the Silver Moon Kingdom immediately to discuss with the Queen," Nimue said, bowing and retreating.
As for Drake's vague solution to the food crisis, she didn't press further. She suspected it might just be a brush-off, and that in the end, Drake might resolve the issue by simply reducing the number of mouths to feed. Elves found the slaughter of prisoners distasteful, but as a ranger general, Nimue was not overly merciful. Should the great dragon issue such an order, she would have no choice but to obey.
Meanwhile, Drake considered returning to Earth to find a solution. A city of two hundred thousand might be a significant size here, sustaining it a challenge, but on modern Earth, such a population was insignificant.
Moreover, the likelihood of Dragon City still having that many inhabitants was slim after his devastating magic. Worries about the survivors harboring resentment towards him as their lord were of no concern to Drake. They were captives; if they defied him, they could be disposed of.
Adopting some of the dragon's mentality, Drake found himself indifferent to human life and death.
Once Nimue was gone, the Magus cautiously observed the dragon, now with eyes closed atop the mountain of gold, hesitation written on his face.
"Speak your mind, Magus…" the dragon suddenly commanded, startling the mage who quickly blurted out, "The elves intended to take over the city effortlessly after you had conquered it, my great master."
"You mean to say the elves intended to use me?"
"No, no, not at all, my wise lord. How could that foolish race dare manipulate someone of your wisdom?" Magus replied, his flattery laid on thick.
Drake scoffed, "If I were that Queen, I would make the same choice. To capture a strategic location without expending any military effort is a profitable deal… But now, it's different. Dragon City is mine, and the elves are at my mercy. My existence shields them from the prying eyes of other powers. If the Queen is indeed smart, she won't refuse my demands, and might even offer more."
Drake's eyes snapped open, fixing the mage with a cold, merciless glare. Feeling an icy dread rising within, Magus bowed even lower, his heart pounding with terror.
By the gods of magic, dragons were now engaging in political machinations and cunning ploys, just like the sly human politicians, Drake realized. He had learned to leverage the situation, pressuring the elves to provide troops and support for his rule over the city.
And the elves couldn't refuse, for who knew if the dragon, in his cunning, might ally with humans or orcs instead, turning against the elves? Plus, as Drake had said, his occupation of a key pass made him the gateway to the elven territory. As long as the elven Queen wasn't foolish, she would need to fully support him as the rightful ruler of the city.