"At first glance, the three factions appear to have a relatively stable structure, but in reality, there are significant problems."

“These two cups below appear to be the same size and evenly matched…” Emerson gently lifted one of the cups below, and the entire “品” structure immediately crumbled: “…As long as one faction grows stronger, it can break the current balance of power in Holy Guard City and overthrow the ‘King’s Faction’ above.”

After listening to these analyses, Todd took a deep breath, leaned back in his seat, and asked Cumberland and Emerson, "So, in your opinion, should we agree to or refuse Holy Guard City's request for food?"

Emerson and Cumberland exchanged a glance, both of them looking troubled.

Emerson began, “From a diplomatic and strategic perspective, we should provide food aid to Holy City. This would help to divide the Church's influence and strengthen relations with neighboring countries, but…”

Cumberland stroked his beard and continued the conversation: "But winter is almost here. Even if Saint Guard City plants successfully next spring, the harvest won't be until next autumn. So this kind of protracted aid is not worthwhile. Moreover, the population of Twilight City is constantly increasing, and the agricultural development plan has only just begun. We don't even have enough to eat ourselves. If we want to provide food to Saint Guard City, we can only buy it from the south at high prices."

Recalling the abundant waterways and rich resources within the territory of Holy Guard City, Todd asked, "Does Holy Guard City not have any wealth or resources to exchange for food?"

Cumberland shrugged. "I asked Gordon about this too. He said the Holy Guard City's treasury is completely empty; the most valuable things in it are the rats that are constantly burrowing. Last week, when the royal family celebrated their birthdays and wanted to hold a meager feast, they had to borrow money from wealthy nobles. Even for this mission to the Kingdom of Muxi, the entire delegation only managed to scrape together twenty silver months."

Todd nodded. He believed Cumberland's words, and the scene at the dinner party was the most convincing evidence.

“We’re out of money. The only things left in Holy Guard City that can be used for exchange are a bunch of war remnants.” Cumberland counted them off on his fingers: “Stored arsenals, abandoned armor, broken bows and crossbows, crippled warhorses…”

Upon hearing that these were almost entirely junk and waste materials, Todd couldn't hide the disappointment on his face and pressed Cumberland for an answer: "Is this all there is left?"

Cumberland spread his hands and nodded: "These are all the things they have left to exchange. Gordon can have as much of these things as he wants, as long as Twilight City is willing to provide food aid, and Holy Guard City can take care of all the transportation of supplies without accepting a single copper coin."

Upon hearing this, Emerson scoffed, "Even if these things were free, I wouldn't want them even if they paid me."

Seeing Todd silent and lost in thought, Emerson asked curiously, "Your Majesty, you..."

Rising from his throne, Todd suddenly said to Cumberland, "Tell the Holy Guard City delegation that, to the best of its ability, Twilight City will provide Holy Guard City with a certain amount of food aid. In addition, Twilight City will accept all the discarded war materials and pay a reasonable sum in addition to the food aid."