The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 834: Volume 26: Gathering Momentum, - 1: By the Lakeside

Chapter 834: Volume 26: Gathering Momentum, Chapter 1: By the Lakeside

The autumn sun, whenever it bathes people in its warmth, is always a delightful experience. It’s a season of harvest, and as far as the eye can see, waves of wheat roll across the plain in a dazzling golden hue. The horizon seems to be enveloped by the earth’s reflected gold, and every sight brings joy with the spectacle of an abundant harvest. Here and there, farmhouses nestle among the greenery, dotting the vast expanse of yellow fields. Horse-drawn carriages meander through the wheat, almost undulating with the fields—it’s the farmers making their final preparations for harvesting, signaling yet another uplifting good year.

If you think this is happening in the Busen Plain, known as the kingdom’s breadbasket, then you are mistaken. Komer is currently galloping across the lands of the Leon Region, notoriously difficult for producing food. Here lies the Lakeside of Niall, a place that, just over a year ago, was a lowland filled with reeds, shrubs, and weeds—a haven for small animals. But now, it has begun to take shape.

The group following close behind Komer is also riding fast, keeping up with him. It is evident that Komer is in high spirits. Any lord would feel a sense of fulfillment upon seeing such a scene, especially the sight of heavy wheat ears dancing in the wind—a sensation not easily understood by most.

Carreila is indeed a talent. This knight seems to be less adept at his original duties but has shown exceptional dedication to the responsibilities of an Administrative Officer. Just the act of recruiting farmers to reclaim the long-abandoned lowlands by the Lakeside of Niall and turn them into fertile fields is proof of his capability. Constructing water channels and drainage ditches, planning and leveling land, and then helping the immigrants establish their homes here—all remind Komer of his own early days in the Caucasus. Komer found this deeply moving. If only Carreila weren’t a member of the Salvation Society, he could be another Neptune for Komer to use boldly and with confidence. But now, Komer must think thrice before employing his services.

Upon seeing the beautiful landscape, Komer puts aside his doubts about Carreila for the moment. At least for now, he still maintains a close relationship with the Salvation Society, and their substantial support is still needed for the rescue of Rebry.

The Lakeside of Niall could be considered the most suitable area for agriculture in the entire Leon Region. Although it can’t compare to the fertile lands of the Busen Plain, with sufficient irrigation from Lake Niall, these lowland areas can match the farm zones in the Caucasus Region. This is the main reason why Carreila was able to attract a significant number of settlers for land reclamation here.

Lake Niall is so vast that it is impractical to travel around its entire perimeter. Carreila has brought many settlers to these shores for land development, focusing mainly on the easiest area to cultivate along the southwestern shore of the lake. The terrain is flat, making water diversion easy, and it’s adjacent to the canal from Santiago, gathering hundreds to build houses and starting simple general stores and even a tavern. It has truly begun to take the shape of a village.

The canal construction project from Mattdam to Santiago, then to Lake Niall, is nearing its final stages. The shrewdness and efficiency of the Gisa People are fully displayed in this canal project. Karmani & Gran has fully proven his capability. The canal from Mattdam to Santiago, although starting several months later than the one from Santiago to Lake Niall, has made more progress than originally anticipated by Komer and Puber. Thanks to Karmani’s meticulous planning, the canal between Mattdam and Santiago was completed and operational three months ago. When Santiago’s coal, iron, and various precious woods were continuously exported and a vast amount of food was imported in return, all traders saw the great business opportunities this canal would bring. The canal from Santiago to Lake Niall is progressing even faster. The valleys in between serve as waterways, and with the substantial bonuses offered by Karmani, both the Half-Beastmen and Barbarians are working their hardest on this project, eager to complete it early to earn the handsome reward.

According to Karmani’s plan, the canal from Lake Niall to Santiago should be finished within two months. The Kido River from Izmir to Lake Niall has already been dredged clean, and large ships can sail directly from Izmir into the lake, then travel through the canal to reach Santiago and Mattdam to the open sea. The high-quality iron ore from Izmir, transported by water, would no longer need to rely on land transport and could reach any port in the Nether Sea and Mediterranean. It’s imaginable that Izmir will welcome an unprecedented developmental opportunity.

Komer is now ambitiously planning to transform Santiago and Izmir into two central towns in the hinterlands of Leon and the Caucasus. This will solidify his rule over Leon and the Caucasus even more. With resources like coal, iron, wood, and stone, plus the food from the Lakeside of Niall—although still unable to compare with the Busen Plain or to be self-sustaining—the excellent water transportation conditions lead Komer to believe that in three years, Izmir and Santiago could become places of prosperity that everyone yearns for.

Both places had no indigenous people or any damn nobility and gentry, they were entirely towns built up from scratch by myself. The residents here would all be the most simple Half-Beastmen and Barbarians, along with a small number of immigrants who were completely loyal to me. Komer had already planned to mainly settle those Barbarians who would come seeking refuge, as well as those who, after the Canal construction was completed, did not wish to return to Cordillera Wilderness, in Santiago. There was coal and iron here, and high-quality iron ore could be imported from Izmir. Coupled with the inexhaustible timber resources in the Volt Mountain Range, if one or two large smelting factories were planned, a considerable amount of Barbarian labor could be absorbed. Once these regions developed prosperously, they would also become a solid backing for my future expansions.

"Lord, Lord, please slow down a bit." The group of people following behind saw that the pace of the horse’s hooves under Komer was quickening, so much so that the officers and traders following him were somewhat unable to keep up, forcing one of them to shout out.

Komer was completely intoxicated with the inspiring environment around him and his own contemplations, to the point where he forgot he had a whole bunch of officers and traders behind him. When that somewhat sharp voice rang out, it startled him back to reality.

"Oh, my apologies, I got a bit too excited. The scene before my eyes makes me feel as though I am on the Busen Plain or the Lud Plain of Galle. Who would have thought this is the once barren Leon? Carreila, you’ve done very well, I think I should give you a reward indeed." Komer reined in his horse, slowing down the pace of his steed, and the people behind him also caught up.

"Lord, you are too kind; I merely did some things that were my duty under your guidance. Also, without the two canals constructed under the direction of Mr. Karmani, I don’t think these immigrants and pioneers would have been willing to travel thousands of miles to this remote area." Carreila always maintained a knightly demeanor at any time, and his warm smile seemed to convey his earnestness and goodwill to everyone he contacted.

"Indeed, Lord Komer, it seems you’ve completely overlooked the hard work I’ve done digging canals over these past two years. Think about it, when was the last time you inspected our Canal worksite? Your words are really a bit too biased." The man with the sharp voice looked dissatisfied, and with his furtive and cunning appearance, he seemed all the more like a schemer or trickster. "In another two months, the canal from Lake Niall to Santiago will be completely connected. Then, Izmir can take a boat directly to Mattdam. Isn’t such a grand project at least as important as reclaiming wasteland?"

Komer couldn’t help but smile wryly; these Gisa people never allowed their achievements to be ignored, not even a bit of modesty. Perhaps modesty just wasn’t in the Gisa vocabulary.

"Mr. Karmani, I have no intention of denying your achievements; however, your status is a bit different from Mr. Carreila’s. You are a merchant, and it’s well known how much benefit you’ve gained from this Canal project. However, I have no desire to inquire about it, because all that needs to be done is follow the contract we signed. If you can’t complete it, that’s when I’ll need to pay attention," Komer chuckled, "But still, I want to thank you for your contribution to our Caucasus, at least objectively you’ve done many beneficial works for the early completion of our Canal project."

"Well, Lord Komer, at least you have some conscience in what you say. In any case, I have helped you finish this Canal project almost a year ahead of schedule, and I believe its importance to your territory is universally acknowledged. Didn’t Puber also say that you highly praised this Canal project? Why then are you so stingy with your praise for me in public?" The sly-looking young man still seemed quite fixated, apparently valuing Komer’s opinion highly.

"Heh, Mr. Karmani, are my praise and opinions really that important to you? You are a merchant, seemingly not in need of these; making money should be enough for you." Komer was a bit puzzled; this fellow seemed to have a change of attitude, which was somewhat different from before. (To be continued, for what happens next, please log onto www.qidian.com. More Chapters are available, support the author, support authorized reading!)