jesus, I was hoping for some well thought-out brilliantly hidden metaphor that would help illuminate others understanding of something. This story is just pure bull-shit like an elon musk fanboy literature night.

• The villagers don't know or can't see the smoke from the fire but must "trust the king" (not how wildfires work, you've made a boogeyman).

• No one but the kings soldiers are "solving" the problem? Bullshit, it would take the entire kingdom of support to save it.

• A few villagers will die from the fire the kingdom sets, but it's necessary for the greater good. WTF kinda dystopian bullshit is this? There's no way to inform your citizens of the impending doom?!?

• "he’d be damned if he was gonna sit on his throne and watch the fire swallow up his whole kingdom". Maybe that's the problem with your entire story. Person is ruling from the throne and not trusted or respected by his community enough to care about a problem they're being presented. The people wouldn't trust his actions because there will be no compensation or reflection for his decisions that effect their life, "well it was for the greater good, so be happy peasant".