"The challenges faced by Inbutu manifest the ongoing struggle for power. For many years, the economic backbone of Inbutu has been maritime trade. The Jondasians in the south, serving as a pivotal link between East and West, have bolstered this oceanic commerce, leading to Inbutu's prosperity. However, such economic foundations have weakened... After the emergence of new commercial nations like Sambiah and Sel, they have usurped Inbutu's maritime trading rights."
In the garden of the young ladies, Lin En and Finn conversed animatedly about Inbutu's predicaments. The other young ladies observed from a distance, refraining from intruding. Whether it be Inbutu or Santilburg, the expectation for noblewomen was to steer clear of political matters, and given the topic at hand, they were genuinely uninterested. Just moments ago, Reila had been envious of her sister, but now she and Gissasha whispered conspiratorially, occasionally stifling giggles, clearly discussing matters unrelated to Inbutu.
The only exception was Miss Vela, who listened intently to the distant dialogue, choosing not to engage in her sisters' chatter. Her focused demeanor imbued her youthful visage with an unusual seriousness.
"Vela, why do you care about this?" Reila gently nudged her sister, laced with a hint of mockery. "Surely you don't believe Lin En has anything of value to say? Your recent interest in him seems rather peculiar; are you not afraid I might tell Father?"
"Childish."
Vela shot a disapproving glance at her sister but offered no defense. Reila's flushed face failed to distract her; she remained engrossed in Lin En's words.
"Foreigners have seized control of maritime trade; Inbutu, unable to confront these external threats, has compelled the nobility to reclaim power from other sources. During the reign of King Tyne III, he opportunistically absorbed the stricken Turlandia family, seeking to restore royal fortunes—after such an act, it is no wonder Inbutu erupted into civil strife."
Lin En had long pondered the issues surrounding Inbutu. Despite the presence of many religious zealots and rival factions in Feren, it must be said that their agricultural output remained insufficient. The social dynamics of the Feren people still followed their own developmental patterns.
As neighboring nations grew strong, Inbutu found itself in peril. When a king cannot vanquish foreign foes, he is left with little choice but to diminish the power of local lords. Such mismanagement inevitably leads to internal conflict—the threads of Inbutu's civil strife are all too clear, with Duke Reani merely riding the waves of circumstance.
"Interestingly, after the upheaval, resistance to reform in Inbutu has surprisingly diminished. King Tyne IV's decision to introduce the Cult of the Weeping God can be seen as one approach. Both Sambiah and Sel are far from righteous nations; their monopolization of maritime trade significantly undermines those claiming to uphold justice. Therefore, by transforming into a bastion of righteousness, Inbutu can garner support from just nations in the East and West, establishing itself as a wedge between Sambiah and Sel—this is indeed the most effective way to enhance Inbutu's role."
Many claim that Tyne IV is a righteous king; however, in Lin En's eyes, he is a shrewd politician whose sense of justice is merely a matter of necessity.
Just nations require a foothold between Sambiah and Sel to reclaim a portion of the maritime trade benefits. Inbutu's strategic position between the two allows it to offer support, establishing a foundation for cooperation that far outweighs the king's personal sense of justice.
"Inbutu indeed provides a foothold for the nations to the west; that poses quite a dilemma." Finn, avoiding the topic of justice, continued his discourse, "So, do you believe this transformation will revitalize Inbutu?"
"Not at all—King Tyne IV has committed a grave error: as righteous forces take a stand in Inbutu to resist evil, while reclaiming maritime trade rights from external enemies, they will also engage in internal power struggles. Currently, the Cult of the Weeping God is yet to solidify its foundation, thus still possessing grounds for cooperation. But what will happen once the Cult establishes its foothold? Will they not vie for power against the monarchy?"
In the long run, King Tyne IV's reforms may only spell his own downfall. As a feudal ruler, heavily relying on religious forces to bolster his strength, he is bound to face backlash from those very forces—such is the lesson drawn from countless historical precedents.
This dilemma is not about whether religion is just; the crux of the matter lies in Inbutu's poverty. It cannot sustain both religious institutions and feudal lords simultaneously, so who will be cast aside? Naturally, it will be the feudal lords.
"Therefore, Inbutu will inevitably encounter further complications." Finn nodded in agreement with Lin En's assessment. "Compared to the divine, the king's power is negligible. In the event of a clash between the church and the crown, the populace will more often side with the faith, and the monarch can be easily overthrown—this is an inevitability. In saying this, I believe I grasp your meaning: compared to the king, the divine embodies a culture, a profound force that resonates deeply within people, rendering it more powerful than the crown."
Lin En smiled; as a cleric, Finn would naturally place greater trust in the might of the divine, and his theory was not without merit.
"So, do you intend to employ this theory to persuade Santilburg to assist your uncle in returning home?"
Uncle Robin had long sought assistance from Santilburg, yet his argument was rather simplistic and crude. He believed that the death of a king would invariably lead to civil strife, a tradition in Inbutu for many years. Thus, he bet all his chips on King Tyne IV's sudden demise, hoping to return and join the fray—while the notion held some validity, without Tyne IV's death, he would undoubtedly struggle to obtain help.
Seeking assistance is not a straightforward endeavor.
"If I were to request aid, I would choose to persuade the church. For the most suitable ideology for Inbutu is indeed that of the Dark Lord. After all, what Inbutu seeks is to reclaim a share of maritime trade from Sambiah and Sel; rather than relying on the assistance of righteous coalitions, it is far more prudent to arm oneself with the Dark Lord's doctrine and then leverage one's own power to seize authority."
Lin En's words may have sounded like flattery towards Finn, yet they reflected his genuine sentiments. After analyzing the dynamics of Feren, he truly believed that the Ban Church harbors boundless potential and the greatest prospects for growth.
As a deity of order, the church maintains a strict hierarchy, facilitating management.
As a malevolent deity, it permits the indiscriminate slaughter of heretics, significantly alleviating the psychological burdens of soldiers.
As a god of power, it endorses expansion, sanctioning plunder, and even perceives warfare as justified—thus providing a theoretical foundation for conflict.
A rigorous organization, brutal methods, and justifications for war—these elements collectively satisfy all the lords' necessities, forming the very foundation for growth and expansion.
This is not merely Lin En's speculative fancy, but rather a reality validated by historical observation. In ancient Europe, why did a once-obscure cult gain prominence? The underlying reasons are precisely as stated above.
When one can furnish rulers with a legitimate rationale for sanctioned plunder, it becomes exceedingly simple to gain their approval.