The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 566: Volume 14: Accumulate Thinly, Erupt Mightily, - 10: Fissure

Chapter 566: Volume 14: Accumulate Thinly, Erupt Mightily, Chapter 10: Fissure

The growth of the two young Earthwalking Dragons was quite pleasing. These two creatures had an astonishing appetite. Although they were omnivores, their need for meat was still predominant, consuming up to thirty kilograms of beef and mutton daily, supplemented by an equal quantity of grains and fodder. However, these Earthwalking Dragons also had a significant advantage: their ability to endure hunger and thirst was incredibly strong. As long as they were well-fed, they could continue to run swiftly without eating for a week, which was the main reason Komer initially took interest in them.

Although Ilot longed to become a Dragon Warrior or a Dragon Knight, he hesitated for a long time because of these particular dragons and eventually gave up the idea. From among the mortal soldiers, four loyal and reliable individuals were selected to become junior Earth Dragon Warriors. The requirements for Dragon Warriors were extremely strict, particularly the demand for physical, especially arm, strength. Mortal soldiers inherently lagged behind the Barbarians and Half-Beastmen in their physical constitution. Their advantage lay in fast learning and adaptability, allowing them to integrate with the Earthwalking Dragons more quickly. However, they indeed faced many obstacles concerning physical strength. Fortunately, it was not too difficult to find one or two mortal soldiers accustomed to the intense physical labor in the mines who displayed exceptional strength and arm power. The birth of the four junior Dragon Warriors might not have been sufficient for actual combat, yet it signified that the military forces of Caucasus seemed to have entered a new realm.

When the four junior Dragon Warriors patrolled the streets of Ugru on their not yet fully mature Earthwalking Dragons, nearly the whole of Ugru was abuzz. The titles "Dragon Warrior" and "Dragon Knight" seemed to have not appeared in people’s memories for a long time. Currently, it appeared no country or city on the Blue Continent, other than the Barbarians, possessed Dragon Warriors or Dragon Knights. And now, Caucasus became the first to boast such things whose renown exceeded their ability.

The patrol of the Earth Dragon Warriors had a significant deterrent effect on the social order of Ugru. So much so that Judicial Officer Reese asked Komer to agree to dispatch the four Dragon Warriors to the Leon Region, where the social order was most precarious, for surveillance. However, given the great distance, even if the sturdy and enduring Earthwalking Dragons were to travel there, completing a patrol mission would take at least a month. Yet, for the purpose of training the Earth Dragon Warriors, Komer still issued the order to have the Earth Dragon Warriors patrol the Leon Region.

Two Earthwalking Dragons clearly could not fulfill Komer’s needs. Although Shatima regarded these creatures, which she deemed very inferior, with disdain, for all of Caucasus, forming a small team of Dragon Warriors would greatly boost the confidence of Caucasus both psychologically and practically. Therefore, Komer sent out letters to the barbarians’ three Jia Tribes again, requesting that each tribe provide another young dragon.

It should be said that Komer had substantial strength to back him up when he sent the request. The opening of the Catania River navigation route meant that Caucasus no longer had to worry about food security. This indirectly also influenced the Barbarians’ attitude to the south.

The issue of food had always been the greatest concern for Barbarians. Their greatest worry each year did not come from outsiders but from the fear of climate change. On the Cordillera Wilderness, there were not many places suitable for growing food, and the Barbarians were not adept at farming. In bountiful years, relying on the food obtained from hunting and some farming, as well as a portion from smuggling, the Barbarians could barely make ends meet. However, in years of disaster, primarily drought, the crops could fail entirely, and the drought could significantly affect the production of the three most important meat providers on the Wilderness: pouch rabbits, yellow deer, and pan sheep.

These three animals had massive populations on the Cordillera Wilderness and were the main food sources for the Barbarians. Their significance was akin to wheat for mortals. They fed primarily on the grass and shrubs of the Wilderness, so during a drought, the grass and shrubs would largely die off, resulting in a significant reduction of these animals and directly leading to a food shortage for the Barbarians. In such cases, the Barbarians had no choice but to import food from outside. Apart from the somewhat more lenient Homer region, the other southern and western ethnic nations strictly limited the export of food to the Cordillera Wilderness. Each severe disaster would cause the population of thirteen Barbarian tribes to drop by at least ten percent. Starvation was a significant cause of death, and the subsequent plagues also caused extensive harm to the Barbarians.

Though the Barbarians could import food from the comparatively relaxed Homer region, the long distances and adverse transportation conditions caused the price of food transported to the Cordillera Wilderness to skyrocket. The high transport costs also limited the Barbarians’ purchasing power.

The opening of the Catania River navigation route was like opening a vast door to a granary for the Barbarians. Previously, Caucasus was also short on food, and although the Barbarians were willing to improve relations with Caucasus to supplement their food supplies slightly, it could not fundamentally solve the problem. Now that the golden waterway of the Catania River had been opened, the cheap staple foods from the main food-producing areas upstream could continuously be transported to Caucasus. Bahomon could readily become the most convenient port for exporting food to the Barbarians, especially since Caucasus was no longer constrained by Lord Homer, with whom they had always had a fraught relationship. This was not only a huge benefit for Caucasus but also an unprecedented opportunity for the Barbarians.

When the chieftains of the Barbarians’ three Jia Tribes received the request letter from Komer, they almost immediately gathered together to discuss the demands of their northern neighbor. To put it frankly, a few Earthwalking Dragons did not have much impact on the entire Barbarian Tribe. At least in the eyes of the Barbarians, the idea of relying on a few Earth Dragon Warriors to change the balance of military power seemed unrealistic. However, in Mortal Society, such commodities could indeed play a significant deterrent role, which was probably the main reason their northern neighbors were so eager to obtain Earthwalking Dragons.

Since the other party had made a request, it meant an opportunity had arrived for the Mountain Clan—food, always food, a problem that had troubled the Mountain Clan for hundreds of years and now seemed like a glimmer of light in endless darkness.

"Chief Dvanch, do you think this is an opportunity for us?" An appearance somewhat aged with time, the man’s towering stature was slightly hunched, but no one dared underestimate this seemingly decrepit man. To hold the position of Great Chieftain of the Galong Tribe for twenty years without faltering was proof enough of his power.

"Chief Bellamong, don’t you think we can’t see much of a future if we continue like this? Although our relationship with our northern neighbors is increasingly cordial, the variety of materials that Caucasus was supposed to allocate to us have been taken by other tribes within the Alliance. This route was pioneered by our three Jia Tribes, so why should the Alliance treat us like this? They won’t even give us the average share—is it because our three Jia Tribes are the weakest? That’s too unfair." His voice was lowered in discontent, and Chief Dvanch’s ruddy complexion turned especially fierce, yet his bright eyes shone with a gem-like luster.

"Dvanch, have you considered that even if our three Jia Tribes unite, we probably have less than one-fifth of the power within the entire Alliance? Compared to the larger tribes like Leihu, Lei A, Thunderstorm, Gomont, and Guocang, our three Jia Tribes’ power is simply incomparable. You should be able to imagine the consequences of an outright rift." Despite his age, Chief Bellamong’s experience and shrewdness was something both Chief Dvanch and another tribal chieftain—Chief Gapeng of the Gapeng Tribe, Sike—greatly admired. They needed to listen to the advice of this elder.

"Chief Bellamong, I have of course considered this problem. First, I don’t intend to break with the Alliance outright at this moment, but we need to fight for the rights we should enjoy. Since the Caucasus Region lies right next to us, as the saying goes, ’The moon shines first on the riverbank nearest the water,’ but what have our three Jia Tribes received? Weapons and armor? The Alliance gave us the smallest share, with the excuse that we don’t need that much! Food? We didn’t even receive the average amount, while they—Leihu and Lei A—took almost a third just because they have more say in the Alliance? Is that fair? What’s the point of this Alliance? It would be better for me to act in the name of the Garong Tribe alone; at least our Garong Tribe is in a much better situation!" Dvanch’s voice had turned into a near growl with anger.

"Indeed, Chief Bellamong, during the last negotiation, our three Jia Tribes contributed the most. Even the gift of the Earth Dragon was undertaken solely by our three Jia Tribes. The Alliance didn’t even bother to ask about it, they only knew how to divide the spoils. They ate the meat and drank the soup, leaving us with a few bare bones. If they don’t treat our three Jia Tribes as equals and regard us as second-class members, do we still need to maintain so-called loyalty to them? I think we need to reconsider our position. Our three Jia Tribes don’t necessarily have to rely on the Alliance for survival. Who knows, our situation might be much better if we left the Alliance!"

The other chieftain, Sike, was also righteously indignant. During the previous smuggling of weapons, they had been caught by the Caucasus anti-smuggling team, suffering significant losses, and the people in the Alliance didn’t care about this issue at all, which greatly upset him. He too was itching to try out Dvanch’s suggestion.

If you like this book, please visit Qi Dian Chinese Network at www.cmFu.com for more Chapters. Support the author, support legitimate reading!