Many nobles looked pale, yet dared not speak in opposition, only sitting stiffly with dodging eyes.
Louis understood, and smiled lightly: "I understand your concerns. But think carefully, in the current situation, who can still survive with just a few hundred knights?"
He raised his hand and pointed to the winter snow outside the window.
"The civil unrest in the Empire means skyrocketing grain prices. Armor, warhorses, feed, weapons... each item is ridiculously expensive. And adding your knight orders, if facing a structured legion alone, they will be crushed like Ackman."
This remark hit the deepest pain point in the hearts of the nobles.
Louis continued: "But if the knights are handed over to the Joint Defense Regiment, their salaries, equipment, and grain consumption... will all be borne by Red Tide Territory."
The nobles' faces began to change, and they whispered among themselves.
