Volume 26: Ready to Go
Chapter 1: By the Lake
The warm autumn sun is pleasant to behold at any time, and this is a season of harvest. Across the landscape, the rolling waves of wheat in the plains present a dazzling golden hue, while the sky seems enveloped in that golden light, offering a joyful sight of abundance. Here and there, farmhouses are hidden among lush green trees, dotting the yellowish fields. Carriages move faintly through the wheat fields as farmers make final preparations before harvesting—another promising year ahead.
If you think this is the Bosson Plains, known as the kingdom’s granary, you’re wrong. Comer is now riding across the Leon lands, long considered unsuitable for growing crops. This is the plain area by Lake Nirel. More than a year ago, it was a lowland covered with reeds, bushes, and weeds—a paradise for small animals. But now, it’s beginning to take shape.
The group following Comer also rides closely behind him. It’s clear Comer is in high spirits. Any lord would instinctively feel satisfaction upon seeing this scene, especially the sight of heavy wheat ears swaying in the wind—a feeling not easily experienced by ordinary people.
Carreira is indeed a talent. Though born a knight, he seems not very skilled in his traditional duties but is instead very dedicated to the responsibilities of administrative officials. Just the fact that he managed to recruit farmers to develop these barren lowlands around Lake Nirel into fertile farmland proves his ability in this area. Building irrigation channels and drainage ditches, planning the land, leveling it, and helping the immigrant farmers establish homes there—everything resembles Comer’s own experiences when he first arrived in the Caucasus. This moves Comer deeply. If only this man weren’t part of the Salvation Society; he would be another Neptune, someone Comer could use freely. But now, Comer must think carefully before acting.
Amidst the beautiful scenery, Comer temporarily sets aside his doubts about Carreira. At least for now, he still maintains a close relationship with the Salvation Society, and he still needs their strong support in rescuing Rebrí.
The areas around Lake Nyerere can be considered the most suitable for agriculture in the entire Leon region. Although they cannot compare to fertile lands like the Bosen Plain, with adequate irrigation from Lake Nyerere, these low-lying areas can match the productivity of farming regions in the Caucasus. This is precisely why Carrera attracted many settlers to cultivate the land here.
Lake Nyerere is so vast that it’s impractical to circle it entirely. Although Carrera also drew many settlers, they mainly concentrated in the most easily developable areas along the southwest shore of the lake—regions with flat terrain, easy access to water, and proximity to the canal routes from Santiago. Hundreds of people built houses here, and simple grocery stores and general stores emerged, even a tavern appeared, giving rise to the beginnings of a village.
The canal construction project from Matdam to Santiago and then to Lake Nyerere is nearing completion. The ingenuity and competence of the Giza people were fully demonstrated in this project, with Kalamaní Gran proving his abilities. Although the construction of the canal from Matdam to Santiago and the one from Santiago to Lake Nyerere started a few months apart, both progressed far beyond what Komer and Puber had initially envisioned. Thanks to Kalamaní’s meticulous planning, the canal from Matdam to Santiago was completed three months earlier and put into operation. As coal, iron, and various precious woods from Santiago were exported continuously while large amounts of food were imported, all merchants saw the tremendous business opportunities this canal would bring. The progress on the canal from Santiago to Lake Nyerere was even faster. With the valleys serving as water channels and Kalamaní’s generous rewards motivating them, both half-orcs and barbarians worked hard to complete the project quickly and claim the substantial rewards.
According to Kalamaní’s plans, the canal from Lake Nyerere to Santiago will be completed in two months. Meanwhile, the Kido waterway from Izmel to Lake Nyerere has already been dredged, allowing large ships to sail directly from Izmel into Lake Nyerere, then travel via the canal through Santiago to Matdam and out to sea. High-quality iron ore from Izmel can now be transported by water, eliminating the need for land-based transport to reach any port in the Abyssal Sea or the Midland Ocean. It’s easy to imagine that Izmel is about to experience unprecedented development opportunities.
Komer was now ambitious to turn Santiago and Izmel into two central towns in the heartlands of Leon and the Caucasus, thereby strengthening his rule over those regions. With resources such as coal, iron, timber, and stone, along with food from Lake Nyerere—though still not comparable to the Bosson Plains or even sufficient for self-sufficiency—plus excellent water and transportation facilities, Komer was fully confident that he could turn Izmel and Santiago into desirable lands within three years. Neither of these places had any indigenous inhabitants or noble lords; they were entirely towns built by him from scratch. Their residents would be simple half-orcs, barbarians, and a small number of immigrants who were completely loyal to him. Komer was already planning to settle the barbarians who came to join him later, as well as those who didn’t want to return to the Cordillera Wasteland after the canal project was completed, mainly in Santiago. There was coal and iron there, and high-quality iron ore could be imported from Izmel. Additionally, the Volt Mountains provided an endless supply of timber. If one or two large smelting plants were established, they could easily employ a large number of barbarian laborers. Once these regions thrived, they would become a solid foundation for his future expansion.
“Lord, Lord, please slow down.” A group of people following behind noticed that Komer’s horse was galloping faster and faster, leaving the officials and merchants behind struggling to keep up. One of them had to shout.
Komer was so immersed in the inspiring surroundings and his own thoughts that he forgot he had a large group of officials and merchants following him. It was only when that sharp voice rang out that it pulled him out of his reverie.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I got a little too excited. This scene makes me feel as if I’m on the Bosson Plains or the Ludd Plains of Galle. Who would have thought this is in Leon, once considered barren land? Carrera, you’ve done well. I think I should reward you.” Komer took control of the reins and slowed down his horse, and the others followed suit.
“My lord, you flatter me. I merely did what was necessary under your guidance. Moreover, without Mr. Calamani’s direction in building these two canals, I doubt these immigrants and settlers would be willing to travel such a long distance to this remote place.” With a humble demeanor, Carrera always maintained a knightly grace, and his warm smile made everyone who interacted with him feel his sincerity and kindness.
“Yes, Lord Komer, it seems you’ve completely ignored the hard work I’ve put into digging these canals over the past two years. When have you ever come to inspect our canal construction site? That’s quite unfair of you.” The man with a shrill voice looked dissatisfied, and his unattractive appearance made him seem even more like a villain or scoundrel. “In another two months, the canal from Lake Nirel to Santiago will be fully completed. By then, Izmel will be able to reach Mardan by boat. Can such a great project be considered less important than land reclamation?”
Komer couldn’t help but smile bitterly. These Giza people—their contributions could never be ignored, even if they lacked the slightest bit of humility. Perhaps the word ‘humility’ didn’t even exist in their vocabulary.
“Mr. Calamani, I have no intention of denying your achievements. However, your status is different from Mr. Carrera’s. You’re a merchant, and it’s well known how much profit you’ve gained from this canal project. But I don’t want to interfere, as everything just needs to be carried out according to the contract we signed. If you fail to fulfill your obligations, then that’s when I’ll need to pay attention.” Komer smiled. “Still, I must thank you for your contributions to our Caucasus region. At least objectively, you’ve done a lot to help complete this canal project ahead of schedule.”
“Well, Lord Komer, you’re somewhat honest. After all, I’ve helped you shorten the completion time of this canal project by nearly a year. How important this is to your territory is self-evident. Didn’t Pubber also say highly of this canal project? Why are you so reluctant to praise me in public?” The unattractive young man persisted, clearly attaching great importance to Komer’s opinion.
“Hehe, Mr. Kalamanis, are my compliments and opinions really that important to you? You’re a businessman; it seems you don’t need these. All you need is to be able to make money.” Komer was puzzled—this guy seemed to have changed his attitude, not being the same as before.