The Low-Key Life of a Necromancer

The lord took the initiative to burn down the granary, what else was there to do?

Food is an important guarantee for people to survive the cold winter. At present, food is not abundant in various parts of the human kingdom, and places like Windmill River Bay bear the food share of the surrounding areas.

If there is not enough food stored, the only consequence will be the death of a large number of people.

This winter is not going to be easy.

“Why are they doing this? Is it just to drive away the refugees?”

The only thing Jack could think of was that burning the granary would drive out the excess local population.

After all, that’s how Theresa and other refugee groups came to the Gravel Hills.

"Dad, I don't think this matter is that simple."

Li may not quite understand how the top dignitaries in this world think, but he has the memory of Earth.

The power changes of various dynasties on the earth, the checks and balances between theocracy and royal power, the relationship between regions and the central government, individuals and collectives, capital, etc., have long been played out in a variety of ways.

"Dad, which group do you think will be most affected when there is not enough food?"

Since we can't figure out the purpose of the local lord's strange behavior, let's work our way back from the results.

After receiving the reminder from his son, Jack immediately realized the crux of the problem.

"The nobles will definitely not be affected by food. They all have their own granaries and will definitely not starve to death due to lack of food."

After Jack finished speaking, the vampire aunt also joined the discussion.

"Serfs are the private property of the nobles. Everything they have belongs to the nobles, and their food is naturally provided by the nobles. Only the free people will suffer the heaviest blow when there is a shortage of food!"

Li then interjected.

"The nobles would sell the grain and seize the property of the free people. The free people would have only two choices: become serfs or become refugees."

Lilith watched other people's discussion quietly the whole time, trying to act like the calm and composed aristocratic girl.

Uncle Jack, Mom, and Cousin Li seemed to be discussing something very important.

Lilith just wanted another bowl of goat milk soup, which was sweet and smooth, just to her liking.

"The conclusion is obvious. The burning of the grain in Windmill Bay was a purposeful action."

The conclusion was reached, but Jack couldn't accept it.

Although Jack was not a traditional noble, he was once the best adventurer.

You have to know that during the years when he was adventuring, every time he arrived at a town, he was welcomed by the locals, and the lord would also entertain him seriously. He met his wife Vizor Rose at an adventurer's cocktail party.

"Dad, what we saw was that those people burned their food stores, and a large number of free people were about to lose their freedom. However, when those nobles formulated policies, they might have only had a simple and upright idea, such as collecting more taxes from the people, strengthening the power of the human kingdom, or even forming an army to counterattack the southern continent."

Jack, who was originally still struggling, could no longer control his suppressed emotions after hearing his son's explanation.

"Son, you are right. The kingdom will not betray its people. What is happening now is definitely the personal behavior of some villains. We must remind the Noble Council and the royal family that the policies they have formulated have been distorted by the people below!"

Jack was so excited that he actually shouted such words. Li just felt embarrassed that his father was so easily excited.

"Dad, calm down first. The lord burned the food himself. This must be more than just a personal act. Maybe the whole kingdom has tacitly approved of this extreme method of controlling the situation."

"How is this possible? As long as the nobles and the royal family are not hopelessly stupid, they should know that this method of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs is not advisable. How could they support such a practice?"

Jack still didn't believe that the Kingdom would use such cruel means to control the people.

However, Li felt that the development of the aristocracy into its current state was a historical necessity.

"Dad, if you were an upper noble in the kingdom, and now the taxes paid by various places are much higher than usual, the kingdom's business activities are also booming, and the local nobles' control over various regions is unprecedentedly strengthened, and all the disobedient free people are driven to remote areas, would you feel happy?"

"…Son, you are distorting the facts. What you are talking about is just false prosperity. The wealth brought by sacrificing a large population will soon drag the kingdom into the abyss!"

Li spread his hands towards his father. He really wanted to say that even if those vested interests saw the consequences of doing so, they would not stop their ongoing shameless behavior.

But when the words came to his lips, Li changed his way of saying it. He was so afraid that his angry father Bang Bang would punch him twice.

"Dad, let me ask you, what are the abilities of the current kings and nobles?"

Before Jack could even open his mouth, Lilyhem answered first.

"I have had the honor of attending court banquets and meeting King Henry before he ascended the throne. At that time, he was still a prince. He showed extraordinary intelligence and excellent knowledge. He is a recognized excellent monarch. I don't believe that he would support the nobles in committing a crime like burning grain."

Lilyholm and Jack were consistent in their attitudes toward the kingdom and the king.

Both of them had worked hard for the stability of the kingdom, and they had also witnessed many people giving their lives for the kingdom.

They couldn't believe that a kingdom that was protected by so many knowledgeable people would slide into such an obvious abyss of self-destruction.

"It seems that you all think that what is happening now bypasses the ruler, but I think that King Henry must know what is happening in the kingdom."

“Why do you say that!”

"If I were a strong monarch, I would have the confidence to control the situation in the kingdom, to exert my power when I could gain benefits, and to put the brakes on in time when the kingdom was about to slide into the abyss."

Li's confidence broke his father and aunt's lucky mentality, and now they believed what Li said.

"If it were King Henry, he would indeed make the most of this opportunity..."

"But what if we fail to seize the opportunity? The kingdom has already fled from the southern continent to the northern continent. If there is another nationwide chaos, the kingdom will surely fall apart!"

"I now understand why the capital wants to expel vampires. This is the same tactic as burning food!"

Jack and Lilyholm talked to each other, explaining the current situation clearly.

However, the two anxious people could not find a suitable solution.

"We must find a way to report the true situation, and bad policies must be stopped in time!"

"Come on, the capital is in chaos right now. If you dare to show up, you might be accused of some unknown crime."

"I haven't done anything to harm the kingdom, what crime can you accuse me of?"

"Hmm~ harboring vampires or something~"

The troubled Jack started quarreling with the anxious Lilyhem. Seeing that the quarrel was getting more and more intense, Lilith, who was watching the show, looked at Li for help.

Li coughed lightly, interrupting the chaos.

"Ahem~ No matter what those people above think, our top priority now is to plan the town well. Dad, the damage caused by the kobolds has not been completely repaired yet, and there may be a large number of refugees heading north again. I don't have time for you to communicate with the bigwigs."

"...Li, why do I see you look quite happy?"

"Aunt, you are right. For the free people affected, the changes in the kingdom are a disaster, but for us, this may be an opportunity~"

"Chance?"

"Yes, a good opportunity to grow and develop~"