Ah, corrupt nobles. The most idiotic of the lot. It's a crab bucket.
They hate anyone who outperforms them, so instead of getting better, they pull their betters down so they are on top of the shortest hill instead of trying to make and climb a taller one.
This harms their nation/kingdom. Because that means these nobles who are weak are the best the kingdom has to offer, there's no one better, no one stronger, no one smarter or wiser or better equipped.
Their best is weak, because these nobles played games due to their ego. That makes them easier to conquer.