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The rest of the people nodded at this. If the citizens were harmed then the situation will be troublesome and war will be nothing more than a lost cause.

Valerian cast a glance around the room and said, “From what I know, the next harvesting festival is still a month away, if we send the military to war, will the store of grains be able to keep up? While fighting, bodies need more energy and energy comes from grain.”

The minister responsible for this said, “Your Highness, the grains in the stores can keep the army fed for the next three months, and if they go to war then one and half a month.”

Valerian shook his head and said, “We need to make sure that the grains are enough to feed the civilians as well in case of any natural disaster. We cannot overlook this and the duration of keeping the army fed is also too tight. The margin of error is too big.

The enemy will not allow us to do as we wish, if they attack our grain stores and crop fields, we will be done for.”

The ministers and the officials nodded, after all, the first step to choke the enemy from receiving strength was to choke their food supply. Valerian said, “We need to procure more grain, at least the amount that can sustain our citizens and army for three months without any problem.”

The statement caused a wave of murmurs in the courtroom, this amount of grain was not small, for any nation. Once a grain was harvested, it would start rotting, no matter what method was used, the contact with air and the slightest of moisture was enough to fasten the degradation.

The officials were talking when the resource minister asked, “Your Highness, even if we manage to procure such a big amount of grains, how will we preserve it from nature?”

.....

Valerian sighed and said, “Have you all grown too used to the idea that magic is just a tool for war and glory?”

The people were surprised, only Fragrantia and Azula had slight smiles on their faces. Libra asked, “What do you mean, fourth prince?”

Valerian cast him a gaze and then stole a glance at Fragrantia with a doubtful look. As if asking, how did you end up loving him? How did he manage to stay on the throne for so long?

The Empress glared at him and Valerian said, “Someone, come here.”

A maid from outside the courtroom rushed in upon being called. Valerian said, “Get me a trolley of buns, and make sure that every office can have one.”

The maid was confused but nodded and left the place in a hurry. The courtroom was silent when Valerian said, “Let us move on, what other issues do we have to take note of.”

Alm and the ministers began to come up with topics and everything was discussed, from medical aid methods to the resources in the armory and also army deployment.

Shortly, the maid returned with a trolley of glistening buns. Valerian stood up from his chair and the courtroom fell silent, this guy did not say a word and let the elders discuss things among themselves while observing everything.

Valerian picked up a bun in his hand and walked up to Alm, he asked the prime minister, “Sir Alms, what do you think of this bun?”

Alm was surprised by the question and subconsciously extended his hand to take the bun, to his surprise the bun was cold and heavy. The prime minister asked, “Why is it so heavy? It feels no different from a brick.”

The maid was surprised and immediately knelt on the floor in her defense and said, “Sire, all the buns are freshly baked. Please forgive me.”

She was afraid that the Prince and the prime minister would punish her for presenting a poorly baked bun. The officials were about to lash out when Valerian said, “It is not your fault but my mana that made this bun similar to a brick.”

The people were surprised and Valerian took back the bun from the prime minister after a few moments, he gave it back to him and asked the same question.

The prime minister was surprised, he did not know what to say. He asked, “Your Highness, how is this possible? Why does this bun feel soft and fluffy now?”

Valerian smiled and said, “When you channel your mana through objects, it changes their properties. For Example, if I channel wood mana through this bun, then all those who consume it will feel energized.

While Light attributes can heal and purify, the wood mana can provide vitality to things. So...”

Holding the bun he walked over to Fragrantia, who understood his intent and channeled her mana through the bun with a light touch of her finger. Valerian looked around and found an official with dark bags under his eyes.

He walks over and passes the bun to this man as he says, “Eat it.”

The official did not doubt the prince and bit the bun, and after a few moments, he finished eating the bun. While everyone was consumed, the pale complexion of the man gradually improved in front of their eyes, his dark circles vanished and his face became blush and radiant.

Valerian said, “Another thing that mana allows is preservation. The wood attribute is the only attribute that can sustain itself once cast into a spell. What we need is to get the wood attribute mages to channel their mana through the grain. This will increase the life of the grains and add extra energy to it as well.”

The court was shocked, they never thought that mana could be used in this manner. This solved the problem of keeping the grain alive, Valerian said, “Another thing that can be done to prevent the grain from rotting is keeping it cold and dry. We can place the grain inside small wooden barrels and heat them up slightly to let out all the moisture inside them. Like roasting it a little, and then turning the grain into flour and sealing it in barrels before transporting it to the borders.”

Alm nodded and said, “Another crucial thing that needs to be done is to distribute the grain all over the country and keep the location safe so that the enemy does not find out anything.”

Valerian nodded and turned to face Azula, “Your Highness, did you locate the spies from Jamal Centurion?”

Azula smiled and said, “Can I hide anything from you?”

Valerian smirked and Azula said, “Jamal Centurion’s entire spy network is revealed due to his rumor conspiracy. Anytime they can be disposed of.”

The prince nodded and said, “Since they are so loyal to Jamal, then have them feed that old man the news, Lumen is suffering from grain shortage. Minister Tanner, I will have to trouble you to report about a few granaries catching fire to the public. Of course, you know how to do it, right?”

The minister was surprised and then smiled, “I will see to it right after the council meeting, your highness.”

Valerian nodded and said, “The key to winning a war is information. When the information you have is wrong, you are bound to make mistakes. Also, please see to it that the civilians do not panic after the news. Issue gag orders on your officials. Princess Azula will share the information on the spies with you all.

First, Identify and divert them from reality. Make sure that the actions are coordinated or you might stumble upon them.

Secondly, appoint these spies inside your offices at a higher position where you can observe them. Keep friends close, enemies, closer.

The empire needs your loyalty now, if you still think about your personal gain then forget about living well after screwing us up for power. The enemy will not like a person who betrayed his previous Emperor for a new one.

The people could all understand the meaning of this sentence, it was a warning as well as advice. If they were to betray the throne, they would suffer a fate they did not wish for.

The court was adjourned and Libra finally said, “Alm, deploy the secret forces to watch all of them. Also, activate your people in Stella and Centaur Empire. Enough of this humble facade. I wish to barge in and take their heads off.”

Valerian shook his head and said, “Calm down, Your Excellency. An emperor does not need to act over such a skirmish, use your officials well. Tomorrow, we will have the Generals summoned, they must report to the court within two days, and then the endgame will commence.”

Libra nodded and said, “I really did not have to say much today, you handled it very well.”

Valerian chuckled and said, “This is the job of a minister, you over-praise me.”

...

After the court was adjourned Valerian brought Fortuna to the garden and the two sat down in the pavilion while gazing at the scenery. Fortuna said, “You sure you do not want the throne?”

Valerian shook his head and said, “The wise always rule whether they sit on the throne or not.”