Above The Sky
Chapter 709 - 709 1 First Visit to South Ridge The Fief is in Rebellion 5500

709: Chapter 1 First Visit to South Ridge, The Fief is in Rebellion (5500) 709: Chapter 1 First Visit to South Ridge, The Fief is in Rebellion (5500) The trade and industrial area to the north of Nauman City, known by the gentle name “Breeze Bay,” looked far worse in reality than its name suggested.

Ever since the Southern Ridge Legion built the first military factory here 150 years ago, the light breeze at Breeze Bay often carried the smell of steel being forged and the stench of molten metal.

One hundred and fifty years later, the military factory slowly transitioned into a production park for various light industrial products, supplying most of the pioneering towns and manors in South Ridge with the necessary farming tools, weapons, lanterns, and alchemy materials.

The scent of potions mingled with the metallic stench which filled the air, and the gentle breeze tried in vain to disperse them, but the relentless manufacturing of the workshops ensured a continuous supply.

Normally, no wild animals would choose to come anywhere near, but the magical land of Terra Continent displayed its wonders here—flocks of Iron Beak Seagulls seemed to relish this unnatural smell.

They cried out as they flew through the grey mists above Breeze Bay, occasionally dropping a feather or two that turned to grey as it fell.

At the harbor, an endless stream of merchant ships brought in the workshops’ necessary raw materials and carried away finished goods.

A towering grey watchtower sat atop the azure sea.

Even during the day, its summit shone with a conspicuous golden light.

The core of the thunder churned atop the tower, serving both as a beacon for passing ships and as a weapon to drive away the Magical Beasts in the vicinity.

A white-haired youth with an Iron Pattern Sword strapped to his waist walked along the seaside streets.

The brown wooden breakwater technology, originating from the Elves of Canaan Moore, indicated that the Empire’s contact with Canaan Moore had signs of alliance decades ago.

Most had thought it a mere technical exchange, little suspecting it was a prelude to the two nations forming an alliance.

He had long white hair that fell to his waist and wore an ivory-colored alchemist’s robe that seemed a tad too large.

A blue-gray band was wrapped around his forehead, and his handsome and pale face always wore a hint of a smile on his thin lips.

The slender youth’s eyes were clear, and his aqua-colored pupils surveyed the seaside streets and the densely packed merchant ships that resembled schools of fish, as if he were examining something from a superior perspective.

But this perspective wasn’t filled with arrogance or disdain; it was purely a rational scrutiny.

On October 22, the year of 773 in the Era of Tara, two weeks after leaving the Imperial Capital, Ian returned to the vicinity of Nauman City in South Ridge.

After leaving the Imperial Capital, Ian didn’t take the fastest combination of the “Alchemy Train” and the “Gryphon.” He could have been back in South Ridge in three to four days using those means of transport.

But he traveled at a not-too-fast, not-too-slow pace on his way home precisely to observe the war preparedness and the impact of Fiery Flame Land’s harassment on South Ridge.

The result was rather dire.

As Ian traveled along, the Knight Manors in the Golden Wilds and the towns and villages of the Knights’ Domain in the hilly areas looked quite desolate compared to when he had left.

Especially since the agriculture was affected, the Fall Harvest Festival that should have taken place during this period was canceled.

After all, with little grain left, there wasn’t much to celebrate.

The situation around Nauman City was comparatively better.

Apart from the reserves from previous years, Nauman, Three Rivers, and Harrison Port, three core cities of South Ridge by the sea, would not starve to death given the abundance of Terra’s coastal produce, even if relying solely on fish catches.

“This is with the benefit of my warning and advance preparations—if we hadn’t prepared ahead of time, South Ridge would most likely have fallen into famine, I reckon only the major cities could have managed to survive with the aid from the Imperial Capital.”

Ian observed the whole city as he walked down the streets.

Compared to when he left, the streets of Breeze Bay had become much quieter.

South Ridge had entered autumn.

An autumn without the joy of a plentiful harvest left only the desolate chill of the season.

The once bustling streets, filled with crowds and travelers, now seemed extraordinarily deserted.

The exotic goods from Canaan Moore, exquisitely crafted swords, Armored Clothing, and all kinds of alchemy products had no takers.

The passersby hurried along their way, and even the streets had few children playing or vendors calling out their wares.

Women and grain merchants engaged in fierce haggling over price hikes, probably the most lively scene Ian had witnessed.

In stark contrast, the busy scene of the industrial workshops was bustling.

Looking past the grimy rooftops of the rows of houses, chimneys built from rock and brick spewed out multicolored alchemy dust in the distance.

While most of this dust was slightly toxic, Terra People were hardy—if it were humans from Earth who had not experienced genetic modification, living here for three or four years would likely leave them riddled with ailments.

Shrouded by fog and dust, the workshop area was alive with production.

There was a bustling crowd of technicians and laborers coming and going.

Although general education had been canceled for many years, the official Alchemy Workshops in various places provided some technical training courses.

Just as Protector Axer had popularized various breeding handbooks and planting tips, another form of educational outreach was slowly unfolding.

From this standpoint alone, Ian believed that Guardian Axel couldn’t simply be categorized as a “bad person”; he had a comprehensive and gradual plan for governing his country.

Moreover, he had a strong hold over the entire country.

Even though he had been largely absent in recent years, the supreme authority of the Empire was still firmly in his hands.