The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 649: Volume Seventeen: Dark Descends on Earth - Twenty: Unsolvable Trap

Chapter 649: Volume Seventeen: Dark Descends on Earth - Twenty: Unsolvable Trap

Eve and Finitz’s perfectly delicate appearances managed to impress even the worldly-wise Caru and Boritz, who, despite not being convinced that the Caucasus was a land untainted, found it hard to believe that dark forces could lurk in a region where someone like Eve, openly hostile and dismissive towards their Lord, didn’t sense any evil presence. This led Caru and Boritz to start doubting the rumors of Dark Forces spreading across the Caucasus territory, suspecting them to be the machinations of individuals with ulterior motives.

Izmir is located by the lakeside of Niall, which ranks as the largest freshwater lake not only in the Leon Region but also in the entire southern part of the kingdom. Izmir, situated on the western side of the lake, is rich in iron mines. However, the poor transportation conditions have hindered the development of these iron mines. Often, the iron ore mined by one person would need two to transport it from Izmir to Banassia. It was for this reason that the development of Izmir’s iron mines was severely restricted, until the canal construction project officially commenced and progressed at an extraordinarily rapid pace, sparking a resurgence in Izmir.

Iron mines that were once of little interest suddenly became highly sought after. Everyone understood that once the canal opened, the low cost of water transportation would instantly make Izmir’s high-quality iron ore a hot commodity. By then, it was anticipated that iron smelters would sprout up along the iron mines in large numbers, and the demand for ore would multiply exponentially.

When Caru and Boritz saw a bevy of Barbarians also working energetically on the canal construction site, they could hardly believe their eyes. The presence of Half-Beastmen, Mortals, and even Dwarves on the construction site was not surprising, but the sight of Barbarians toiling away was simply inconceivable. To the southern Mortals, the relationship with the Barbarians was nearly as hostile as the northern Mortals’ relationship with the Beastmen—irreconcilable enemies. When had these fierce and unruly Barbarians become so obedient, willing to work themselves to the bone on a canal project in a Mortal-controlled area? This was truly a marvel of the world!

But the situation before them was just so. The canal project leading from the Volt Mountain Range’s northern foothills to Lake Niall was making rapid progress. Perhaps driven by the prospect that the sooner the project was completed, the sooner Izmir’s iron ore could be shipped out in large quantities, while the goods that had always been transported to Izmir via land route could enjoy the same benefits. Whether it was food or other essentials, the same Gold Shield could likely fetch much more.

These factors motivated stakeholders who had both invested heavily in Izmir’s iron mines and held shares in the canal leading to Mattdam from Lake Niall to aggressively recruit laborers from all over. The Barbarians, who were as tough and enduring as the Half-Beastmen and even cheaper to employ, became the preferred choice for these shrewd merchants. Recruitment ads flooded every corner of the Sanjia Tribe, and the slogan "Go to the Caucasus and make a fortune" became a household catchphrase in the Sanjia Tribe. A large idle workforce from the tribe poured into the Caucasus, with the majority being absorbed by the canal project from Mattdam to Lake Niall.

Many people now understood a money-making channel: simply contract a section of the canal project from the major contractors, then run to the Sanjia Tribe to recruit thirty to fifty Barbarian laborers, bring them back to the construction site, and beyond providing their meals, pay a meager wage that, though considerable in the eyes of the Barbarians, was seen as insignificant by Mortals and even rejected by Half-Beastmen. This became an easy way to profit for those Mortals in the Caucasus who had otherwise failed to make their mark.

The influx of a large number of robust laborers into the Caucasus also made the chiefs of the Sanjia Tribe feel a sense of crisis. However, no crisis was more urgent than the crisis of survival. When the steady flow of food from the Caucasus reached the Sanjia Tribe, and when those mountain dwellers working on the construction site brought home all kinds of cloth, deemed trivial by Mortals but precious to them, along with salt that invigorated the body and medicine that cured illnesses, the chiefs realized they could no longer refuse this overwhelming tide.

They even discovered that residents from other surrounding minor tribes were beginning to sneak into Sanjia territory, paying a sum of money to obtain an identification certificate as a Sanjia mountain person from a tribal priest. With this document, they could rightfully enter the Caucasus in search of work and opportunities to make a fortune.

Caru and Boritz, with their mindset, could not fathom the motives of that yet unseen young Lord—their actions took everyone by surprise. Dealing with the Half-Beastmen was one thing, after all Leon was a mining area dominated by slave labor, and after Homer’s rule collapsed, if a minor lord wanted to maintain control over Leon, he would have to deal with those crude Half-Beastmen and leverage their strength. But what about the Barbarians? Constrained to the Cordillera Wilderness, they launched attacks to the west day after day, year after year, without ever breaking the encirclement. Meanwhile, all other races were united in their stance towards the Barbarians: to never let that scourge spread. Yet, it seemed this Lord of the Caucasus did not worry about or care for this at all—what on earth was he thinking?

"Brother Priest, are you surprised by what you see before you?" Eve seemed to notice their astonishment, which was something Komer worried about as well. Even though the Barbarians had no ties to the Dark Forces, these two men were from the Church Tribunal, infamously known for being filled with extremist madmen. The current head of the Tribunal, Noyola, was a perfect example. Perhaps, in their eyes, these exceptional races would be seen as the accomplices or even the underlings of the Dark Forces, a bunch of outcasts.

"Miss Eve, you seem to take all this as quite common?" Caru suppressed the chilling intent in Boritz’s eyes with his gaze and asked feignedly.

"Of course, this might be unseen elsewhere, but in the Caucasus, anything is possible, even Shark people." Eve curled her lips, "That Lord seems to have no interest in racial issues whatsoever. Whoever can work for him or risk their lives for him, he grants them freedom, opens doors of convenience for them, whether they are Half-Beastmen or Barbarians."

"So, this Lord is truly a person who will stop at nothing for his own benefit?" Caru followed up.

"More or less, otherwise he wouldn’t have ventured into the heart of the Great Swamp to bargain with the Jellyfish People. But this Lord is a cunning character, more sly than anyone; what can be traded and what are his principles and bottom lines, he knows more clearly than anyone." Eve’s gaze was distant, as serene as water, "I heard the Barbarians have always wanted to buy weapons from him, but he’s been stringing them along, never agreeing to their demands."

"Oh? Miss Eve, how come you are so well informed about these matters?" Boritz’s eyes lit up, pressing Eve for an answer.

"Mr. Priest, it’s not only the Church of Light that serves as the guardian deity for Mortals. Everyone is charged with defending their own race, and I think no one is unaware of the dangers posed by Barbarians." Eve glanced at him and didn’t answer directly, instead hinting that she also bore great responsibility. "Mr. Priest, are you crossing the Volt Mountains to Santiago or will you travel from here to Mandu, passing through Muscat to Ugru?"

"Miss Eve, you’re not considering going to the Caucasus?" Caru felt somewhat regretful. This White Magic Priest had left a very good impression on both of them through the interactions over time, and could be deemed a suitable candidate for Saintess. Despite their several attempts to probe, they were alas politely rebuffed. She seemed still engrossed in endeavors of saving the world, unwilling to let anything bind her movements.

"There’s nothing in the Caucasus worth our visit; it is no different from Leon, or perhaps a bit livelier. Finitz and I plan to journey into the Volt Mountains. We’ve heard about ancient relics of the Dwarves appearing there, true or false, I aim to verify this myself." Eve knew it was time for them to part ways; she had been active in the Caucasus territory and many recognized her and were aware of her relationship with the Lord’s Mansion. If the two in front of her learned of this, her cover would be blown.

"Well then, Miss Eve, Miss Finitz, this is where we part ways. We will first head for Mandu, then enter the Caucasus via Muscat. I sincerely hope you will consider our proposal, but of course, we won’t force you. If you change your mind, you can send a message; I’ve given you my address." Caru hadn’t given up; he believed his reasoning had some effect on her, but understood that she probably found it hard to accept restraints after being accustomed to long-standing freedom. Should she have a change of heart, or encounter some setbacks, she would realize that the power of an individual can never compare to that of an organization, and only the Church of Light can truly save the people.

Watching the silhouettes of the two priests fade into the distant horizon, Eve felt not a trace of joy for completing her task. She had hesitated when Komer pleaded for her help—using such means to achieve her end, even against the people of the Court of Church of Light, made Eve feel vile. All that lingered in her heart was a haze of bewilderment and melancholy. She didn’t know if what she had done this time was right or wrong, if she was abetting a tyrant or...? Perhaps this question would never have an answer. Who is right or wrong—standing in their own positions, who can rashly judge?

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