>>6264335>“What do you believe would make a good king?” You ask Cassius. You were genuinely interested in what the summoner, who’d lived in Morfis his entire life, would consider to be a good ruler.“A good question.” Cassius says. “I believe that the best possible king for Morfis would be one that finally opens our nation to the outside world. Our country has remained isolationist for too long. My own personal biases for Fodlan aside, our nations have much to benefit from working together. There are an abundance of resources that you possess that the desert simply does not provide. Likewise, our advances in magic are leagues above your own, and could completely change the way of life for your average civilian. We require a ruler that would ensure a fair and equitable exchange of trade, knowledge and ideas between our two lands. Not someone that seeks to bed Yulia simply to pilfer our lands for the good of themselves and their home nation.”
>“Hah! That’s about what I’d expect you’d say. I imagine you’d love it if Fodlan and Morfis opened their borders to each other.”“Within reason, of course.” Cassius smiles. “I’m enamored with Fodlan, but that does not mean I don’t love my own country as well. Both nations have their strengths and weaknesses. I believe a mutual relationship between the two, while maintaining their individual identities, would welcome a golden age for both countries. But that is simply my opinion, which you asked for. As I’ve told you before, I’d certainly welcome the chance to visit Fodlan freely, unbothered by the restrictions currently in place.”
>“What’s the general mood in Morfis towards Yulia?” You ask. Cassius had mentioned that Yulia had not appeared in the public spotlight, which you found starkly unusual for the ruler of a nation.“Truthfully? Most people hardly think of her.” Cassius shrugs. “She is revered for having the blood of Xenophanes coursing through her. And it is true that she is technically the ruler of Fodlan. But, it is widely accepted that it is the Four Royal Sages who command much of the actual authority within Morfis. They’ve done so ever since the sudden death of the previous king, Yulia’s father. It remains to be seen how the power structure in Morfis changes once Yulia weds. The people’s biggest fear is perhaps that the new King will take issue with the status quo, potentially leading to conflict with the Sages, and a possible civil war. I believe that the Sages themselves are also aware of the risks someone like that would pose, and are working tirelessly to court potential winners of the Competition early. Hence the Adjuncts you saw with Klement and Arios. And perhaps even Alvin with yourself.”
Alvin had mentioned wanting to introduce you to the Sages eventually. You wondered what those weirdos were actually like in person.