Esstrey, along with many other officials had all been called to the keep to discuss a crisis, the price of bread was skyrocketing, and the death of trade saw a once stable and prosperous economy ground to a halt. Mass-migration from farms compounded the various problems, as the farmers seek refuge from roaming beasts. Desertion rate among the now unpaid troops was... low. Apparently, deserting isn''t very enticing when you have both nowhere to desert to, and the threats your people face is quite monstrous. There have been some deserters that made it to Malencia from surrounding vassals of the kingdom, who were surprised at the low casualty rates of the duchy. Apparently, when you don''t really lose a lot of troops to monstrous attacks because the enemy backlines are consistently purged by demons people don''t desert that much. Not that anyone but the inner circles of the duchy knows or needs to know that.


    The head-honcho''s of the paranormal division weren''t invited, most likely on probation after their antics in the capital. Esstrey wasn''t held under suspicion for any of those actions, because Cathy is a little better at covering tracks than whatever the other''s can cook up. It also helped that Esstrey was capable of social navigation, especially around snobs that believe they are the greatest. Said snobs were currently sputtering their inane idea''s to save a city under siege, not quite understanding that it will be their heads mounted on spikes if the situation continues. Apparently the Faerune Kingdom hasn''t come under threat in so long that it''s vassals have forgotten how to deal with the problems now that shit has hit the fan. Esstrey isn''t heartlessly watching it all happen, of course, she caused this.


    "I believe this situation will blow over with a show of force from the military, our troops haven''t been having much trouble keeping the enemies at bay." As much as Esstrey really wants to help, words like that are spouted from what appears to be one of the highest-ranking officers in Malencia. Perhaps she overestimated the military here after meeting Crendell and Rowan. One of the highest-ranking officers saying he can fix a hunger strike with military force has to be one of the stupidest things Esstrey has ever heard.


    "We should divert troops to guard the caravans instead, and restart trade! There is no way this city will last without fresh imports, I heard a caravan came in from the west a couple of days ago if I am not mistaken." A slightly more educated take from a merchant, but the woman in question doesn''t realize that that specific package came with liters of stamina potions for outrunning everything out there, and that''s not even mentioning all the other problems.


    "Nay, that is not sustainable, we should focus our efforts on constructing growable areas within the walls, this place is the only safe place from what''s out there! Perhaps even a larger walled area, using refugees as fuel for the construction, my people would be willing to labor for this." Esstrey pauses for a bit at that, not actually a terrible idea coming from one of the vassals of Eliana that had fled from a farmer village that provided food. With such a policy Malencia could potentially hold out until the Kingdom as a whole arrives to relieve this siege with some luck, but luck isn''t in the cards for this world, and the man''s standing with the others clearly isn''t great as he receives scathing looks from his city-born counterparts. This method would see Malencia stagnate as its aim becomes survival, and is also a direct threat to both the army and the economy as both would be stretched and focused on maintaining its own life. Perhaps a more radical option with clearer benefits is required to sway these hotheads?This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "The paranormal division can offer two safe trading partners, and four additional sources for troops to defend Malencia with. As for a solution for food, well... the entire forest outside Malencia was effectively turned into meat. Just because the berry bush has no more berries, doesn''t remove the fact that it''s edible. Not to worry, as long as you don''t eat it raw you should be fine, I checked." Esstrey receives various stares of intense disgust as she makes her presence quite known. The officer especially as he heard how she had ordered one of the human-mutants to be delivered to her personally, and the troops were already making wild bets what the monstrous woman from the paranormal division was cooking.


    "Doctor, do you believe these trading partners would be safe?" Eliana looks at the mermaid suspiciously, but so far recognizes that Esstrey offers the only good option. The old duke of Malencia had drilled a lot of old teachings about rulership to Eliana, starving people rebelling was one of those. Apparently those specific teachings were inspired by the first Rilan revolution, which ultimately failed to do anything but bring about the end of the Rilan Empire, which was so strong it was actually poised to strike at Faerune.


    "I have faith that the paranormal division can keep their end of the bargain, I am merely concerned with the response to our trading partners. We will not be able to hide their existence from the weak-minded populace." Military officials present are suspicious to the mermaid doctor''s intentions, but the religious individuals simply believe she speaks of some historical enemy of Malencia. They aren''t completely wrong either, there are very few nations who haven''t been wronged by demons, eldritch entities, or the undead at some point. Esstrey herself couldn''t give two flying shits about some ''disaster'' or ''massacre'' from centuries ago, humans do that all the time.


    "Fine then, I will inform some loyal men to aid you, you will be granted a blank check with my seal on it. I''m certain it doesn''t need to be said, but do not disappoint me doctor, Malencia has enough issues, and the reliability of our most flexible force cannot be brought in that set of issues." As much as it sounds like a threat to the entire room, it isn''t a threat to either Eliana or Esstrey. The duchess can simply only hope that the assets unique to Malencia are what will pull it through, while Esstrey knows enough about courts to know that the duchess is her only ally in this room. A blank check with the duchess''s seal on it... such favor is already drawing the ire of envious eyes.


    "My thanks duchess, I will order my retinue to act immediately then, ta-ta!" A small cheeky wave is added at the end by Esstrey, openly daring said envy to act. They would probably tell the duchess how a mere doctor can''t be trusted once she leaves, and how she would use the blank check for her personal gains.


    Well, not that that isn''t her plan, she is certainly going to abuse the power she was just handed on a silver platter, and to think all that was needed was a populace headed for starvation.