"The poor get poorer and the rich get richer; this is a common problem in all democratic countries. As citizens' wealth is gradually stripped away, they will have no choice but to depend on the new aristocracy to survive. As the resources available to them dwindle, they have only two choices to continue living: to rebel or to obey. If the rebellion fails, these citizens will eventually lose even their freedom; and if they choose to obey, although they retain their freedom, they will be reduced to a state similar to that of slaves."

Todd raised his objection again: "Compared to the past, the government should have an important public function, which is to regulate social wealth and reduce social conflicts. Specific means can include tools such as taxation, fiscal incentives, and national welfare. On the other hand, democratic factors in lawmaking can eliminate inequality to the greatest extent possible."

Saladin waved his hand and said, "These are all just temporary solutions. The government can't possibly keep up with the speed at which the nobles amass wealth. If we rush things, it could even trigger a rebellion in the kingdom. The power to make laws is in the hands of a few, so how can there be any fairness?"

Todd looked at Saladin and suddenly asked in a deep voice, "If in your view, the path of democratic republic is a dead end, then what about absolute monarchy? Is that a perfect path?"

Upon hearing this, Myris anxiously tugged at Todd's sleeve, signaling him to watch his words.

Saladin felt a tightness in his chest when he heard Todd's question, and his whole body slumped down. After resting for a while, he calmly said to Myris, "It's alright. Academic discussions should not be bound by red tape."

“I must admit that it is not necessarily a good thing for a vast empire to listen to only one person in everything.” Saladin propped himself up on his arm: “If the emperor is wise, it may be alright for the country; but if the emperor is foolish, the empire is like a small boat adrift at sea, vanishing in the blink of an eye.”

"Take the Ayyubid Empire for example. While I was alive, it might have been able to barely hold on, but my descendants..."

"Your Majesty the Emperor!"

Myris's shout made Saladin smile wryly.

“Myris, this is not something to be ashamed of. Everyone will die one day, and we spend our whole lives preparing for that day. To fear it and run away from it is to try to turn away from the embrace of God.”

Saladin looked out the window at the blue sky and green mountains, and said softly, "But what I can't let go of is the task God has given me, the great vision in the prophecy... If it weren't for these, I would never have touched a single blade of grass in the Abbasid Empire, and would have borne a lifetime of infamy..."

Saladin clutched his chest tightly with his right hand, a look of pain on his face, and slowly tilted his body toward the ground.

Mylis was terrified and immediately stood up, shouting, "Guards! Guards!"

The guards rushed in quickly. Seeing the emperor lying on the ground, the anxious captain of the guard drew his weapon and pointed it at Myriel and Todd, shouting, "What have you done?!"

Sweating profusely, Saladin waved his hand and said in an extremely weak voice, "It's none of their business. Let them go."

Todd walked to the door of the room and looked back at the Caliph of the Empire; Saladin, surrounded by his physician and guards, was also looking at him.

The latter trembled slightly and said a sentence.

Todd could make out the first half of the sentence as, "God gave you and me the same fate, but...", but he couldn't hear the second half at all.