OutRanked (The Weight Of It All): A LitRPG Fantasy Adventure by J.J Thorn

Author:J.J Thorn [Thorn, J.J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-02-28T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18 – Interlude – Duty

“What good will that do if you’re sending everyone we have to the front lines?”

“You’re sending people you deem fit without considering how our industries will lose out. How our people will lose out!”

“The city is already overrun with refugees. And yet they aren’t being permitted to help because you don’t want them to get settled!”

“We’ve paid thousands to the crown for years, and somehow, our family is still being forced to join in the ranks. Do propriety and worth mean nothing to our current king?”

“We recognize your frustrations,” Howard addressed the representatives. “But we will remind you we allowed all factions to keep a reasonable 30% of their workforce. Until we understand the breadth of the enemy’s attack force, we need everyone we can. And no, we cannot make exceptions for specific families or factions. All must be held equal, or we risk riots in the streets. Our guards are already stretched, as is.”

“Thirty percent is too little!” multiple representatives yelled, causing an uproar in the chambers. The guards around the room tensed, their hands ensconced on their weapons to prepare for an attack, but many of the different leaders remained seated as they voiced their outrage.

The king's chambers were filled to the brim with men and women who all had a part to play in helping the Capital proceed daily. None were below a certain level of seniority as they voiced their frustrations at the current state of affairs. Nobles, mayors, the heads of several factions and guilds, along with merchants from across the continent, all waiting to hear what might be said. And too many, their reach extended even past that of the Capital. Everyone was anxious, eager to hear something new from the king or his advisors.

The king sat on his podium but remained silent as he allowed his two lead advisors, Francis and Howard, to lead most of the address. His face was more gaunt than usual to the more discerning eye, and his skin looked pale as many realized his Skill was already active across the Kingdom.

“With all due respect, my King, the city’s number of inhabitants continues to increase every day. Therefore, I worry that our food production will not meet the demands of both the people in the Kingdom and the army. And with the amount of food being sent to the front lines, we are already finding starved refugees between the two walls.

“With so few Dungeoneers, we also can’t expect to be bolstered by the meat or resources returned from dungeons either. We are quickly creating a situation where our inhabitants will starve well before the enemy can even get close to our gates.

“I beg you, my king, we must deal with this now.” Another representative fell to his knees, placing his forehead to the ground as he pleaded to the king.

The other representatives became quiet, waiting to see how the advisors or the king himself would react.

“We—” Francis started, but was cut off as the king’s left hand grabbed his shoulder.

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