Chapter 214 - Season of betrayal (1)

-Lord Joonbum, Please give me the right to trade on this route.-

-I will make the roads…-

Joonbum thought of Ress’ words before.

‘I made the right choice.’

The people who worked on the barren lands of Khalodian were the Ainos. They and their heavy machineries did the work that would require thousands of people with just ten people. They also began paving roads when the expedition started. Then, as Ress promised, he began building a fortress through the road so people could travel safely on the roads. Trees and rocks that were displaced to make the road were used on the fortress as the Magnos came to help build a strong stone wall. It was also equipped with various weapons provided by the Magnos.

Then, as the fortress was placed down, Ress hired mercenaries to move into the mountain with their families. They were hesitant at first, but they accepted it as they were paid handsomely and found that the fortress was safer than the average village.

‘Winter is almost over. They will come again…’ Ress thought as he looked out to distance. The war had died down, but it was far from over. He was also a noble, so he knew how these people were.

‘They will seek the chance to hit us back.’

Ress scoffed. Khalodian was growing continuously in a way the world would have never imagined. He knew the nobles of other countries were still waiting for Khalodian to fail.

‘It’s too late, you fools. This is the land of the commoners. You will not exert your power over here.’

Khalodian also had a very powerful leader. Joonbum Khalodian was a man of power and the owner of mysterious weapons. It was due to him that the previous war resulted in countless nobles losing their lives.

‘Not only that, he can starve the entire continent to death if he wishes to do so.’

Ress knew this was the core reason that Khalodian could not be touched. Almost thirty percent of all the food was being produced by Khalodian and it was being exported to all parts of the world.

‘If he cuts down on the exports, then it will be over.’

Ress shook his head. He let out a sigh and made up his mind.

‘I am happy that I can make it through. I shouldn’t be too greedy or else it will hit me back.’

He turned to the people working on the roads.

‘The total population is currently four million and there are two-hundred and forty thousand newborns…’

The population was growing rapidly. Unlike the other parts of the world where seventy percent of babies died, babies born in Khalodian survived over ninety percent of the time. The existence of the hospital made it possible and it also allowed people to survive. Otherwise, it would not have been possible due to illnesses and injuries.

The kids also grew well. Since they were well fed, they grew quickly and they grew taller than most kids in the same age range in other parts of the world. The average height was five feet, but the kids reached the height at around the age of twelve and grew taller.

All people were being well taken care of by the countess and Lord Joonbum. They knew they were being treated well, thus praising the countess to be a goddess and calling the land a land of blessings.

“Sir!”

“What is it?”

“Warrior Chief Howen has requested a meeting with you, sir. I think it is because of the potion trade.”

Ress brightened up. The reason he stayed behind even when the fortress and road construction were going well was because of the potions.

‘It’s a good sign.’

Howen was only one of the leaders, but he was Joonbum’s father-in-law. It was definitely a good sign that he requested to meet with Ress.

“Let’s go.”