Chapter 35 : Chapter 35
Chapter 35: The Six Great Kingdoms, Rudolf
The six great kingdoms on this continent were spread across different regions, each with its own distinct characteristics.
The Kingdom of Mia, located at the very center of the continent, had the largest territory. It stretched roughly a thousand li from east to west and more than eight hundred li from north to south.
Most of its lands consisted of plains and rolling hills, with fertile soil and dense river networks. Three major rivers ran through the entire kingdom, providing it with abundant water.
Its agriculture was highly developed. The main crops were wheat, corn, and rice, and its annual production not only met its own needs but also allowed it to export grain to the other kingdoms.
The kingdom was also rich in mineral resources, with iron, copper, and gold mines. These had been exploited for a long time, and its smelting techniques were mature. As a result, its weapons and armor industries were highly developed, and its population was the largest among the six kingdoms.
The capital of the Kingdom of Mia lay in the central region and was the largest city on the continent. Most of its buildings were made of stone, its streets were broad, and its shops stood in dense rows, filled with every kind of merchandise. Merchants from the other five kingdoms all gathered there, and trade was constant.
The kingdom’s tax revenue mainly came from agriculture, mining, and commerce. Its treasury was full, making it the wealthiest of the six kingdoms.
To the far north lay the Kingdom of Orland, whose entire territory was covered in ice and snow. Only for three months of the year did the temperature rise slightly and allow some of the snow and ice to melt. The rest of the time, it remained bitterly cold, with the lowest temperatures reaching minus thirty degrees.
Most of the land there was frozen earth and snow-capped mountains. Trees were scarce, with only cold-resistant coniferous forests growing along the southern edge.
The kingdom’s cities were mostly built in valleys and used geothermal heat for warmth. Most houses were semi-subterranean structures with thick walls and roofs buried under heavy snow.
Among the residents of the Kingdom of Orland, the Snow Wolf Tribe made up sixty percent of the population. They were tall and powerfully built, with thick fur and great resistance to the cold. They excelled at running and fighting in the snow and lived by hunting, with snow deer and ice bears as their main prey.
Humans made up thirty percent and were mostly engaged in fishing, cutting holes in frozen lakes to catch fish as a supplement to their food supply.
The remaining ten percent consisted of other Beastfolk tribes, scattered among various villages.
The kingdom’s main industry was the fur trade. Snow deer pelts and ice bear hides were of excellent quality and were highly prized by nobles in other kingdoms.
To the west lay the Kingdom of Vilgard, seated amid an endless sea of yellow sand. Nearly all of its territory was desert, with dunes rolling as far as the eye could see. Green plants were rare, and only around the oases could one find a few drought-resistant shrubs and cacti.
Rainfall was extremely scarce throughout the year. Daytime temperatures could exceed forty degrees, while at night they dropped sharply, sometimes falling below freezing.
The kingdom extended about two hundred li outward from its oasis at the center. That oasis was the heart of the kingdom, with a natural spring that formed a lake and supplied all of its water.
The people of the Kingdom of Vilgard all lived near the oasis. Their houses were built from clay and wood, with thick walls capable of resisting the heat.
The population was not large, numbering around fifty thousand, and consisted mostly of humans. They were skilled at digging wells, finding water sources, and mastering the techniques of travel through the desert.
The kingdom’s main industry was gemstone mining. Buried beneath the desert were many kinds of gems, such as rubies, sapphires, and agates. The people lived by mining these stones and trading them with merchants from other kingdoms in exchange for grain and daily necessities.
To the east lay the Kingdom of Candel, whose terrain was dominated by forests and mountains. Vast temperate woodlands covered much of its territory, with towering trees and many kinds of monsters and wild beasts living among them, making it a common destination for adventurers.
Its mineral resources were mainly coal and tin, while its forests were abundant in timber. The woodworking industry was highly developed, and much of its lumber was used for construction and shipbuilding.
Most of the Kingdom of Candel’s residents were human, though there were also members of other races.
Its cities were mostly built along the edges of forests or at the foot of mountains. Most of its buildings were wooden, and its streets were relatively narrow.
Its agriculture focused mainly on potatoes and grains, and its output was only just enough to meet its own needs.
To the southeast lay the Kingdom of Notheria, bordered by the sea on both its eastern and southeastern sides, with a coastline stretching roughly a thousand li.
Most of its territory consisted of plains and hills. Near the ocean were vast tidal flats. The climate was humid, and rainfall was plentiful.
The kingdom’s fishing industry was highly developed. Numerous fishing villages lined the coast, and fishermen used fishing boats to go out to sea. The fish they caught were not only eaten fresh but also processed into dried fish and fish oil, which were sold far and wide to the other kingdoms.
Among the residents of the Kingdom of Notheria, water-attribute Mages were especially numerous, accounting for roughly sixty percent of all Mages.
They used water magic to improve agricultural irrigation and increase grain production. They could also forecast the weather at sea, ensuring the safety of fishing vessels.
The kingdom’s shipbuilding industry was highly developed, capable of producing large merchant ships and warships. Its merchant vessels traveled between the continent and the islands overseas, carrying out trade.
To the southwest lay the Kingdom of Airea, also bordered by the sea on both its western and southern sides. Its terrain was complex, consisting of mountains, plains, and swamps.
Its coastal regions contained many ports and served as an important hub for trade between the continent and the western islands.
The kingdom’s agriculture focused mainly on sugarcane and cotton. Sugarcane was processed into sugar, while cotton was woven into cloth, both of which were important export goods.
The Kingdom of Airea also had many water-attribute Mages. They excelled at using water magic to manage swamps, transforming some of them into farmland.
Mages also participated in the construction and maintenance of ports, using water magic to clear silt and ensure that ships could enter and leave safely.
The kingdom had many merchants and maintained trade relations with all five of the other kingdoms. In the markets of its capital, one could see goods from every land.
Over the past several thousand years, countless wars had broken out among the six great kingdoms.
Although the reasons for each war had differed,
anyone with eyes could see the truth.
In the end, there was only one real reason—the other five great kingdoms coveted the resources of the Kingdom of Mia.
It could not be helped.
After all, the Kingdom of Mia occupied the exact center of the entire continent.
The climate there was pleasant in all four seasons.
It could be said that the output of the Kingdom of Mia fed everyone on the entire continent.
All five of the other great kingdoms had to maintain trade relations with the Kingdom of Mia. Otherwise, their own nations would inevitably collapse.
That was also the fundamental reason why the other five great kingdoms had launched repeated invasions against the Kingdom of Mia.
But the Kingdom of Mia was not so easy to bully.
With the finest land and environment on the continent, it could nurture many powerful Mages and warriors.
Each time, the Kingdom of Mia managed to repel the assaults of the other five great kingdoms.
Even so, the Kingdom of Mia did not dare push them too far.
So after every war, the Kingdom of Mia would make certain concessions in trade.
For thousands of years, such wars had become an all-too-common occurrence.
...
Kingdom of Candel, Korenz.
This was the place Ryan had interrogated out of Gram, where Nika’s younger sister had been sold.
Ryan brought Nika to the Slave Merchant Guild in Korenz.
Many of the slaves here had been purchased from the Kingdom of Mia.
When the two of them arrived, they happened to see the Slave Merchant Guild bringing back a group of slaves.
Among them were both men and women.
Ordinary male slaves, if they were strong and sturdy, would usually be sent to work in the mines.
If they possessed great strength, then nobles might buy them as guards.
As for female slaves, if they were lucky, they might be bought by someone kind-hearted and taken home as a concubine.
Ryan did not know whether Nika’s younger sister had already been bought by someone, so he could only ask around first.
“Hello, welcome to the Slave Merchant Guild. I am the owner here, Rudolf.”
No sooner had Ryan and Nika stepped inside than a middle-aged man came up to greet them.
“I saw you standing outside for quite some time, so I assume you’re here to buy slaves. Whatever your requirements may be, you can tell me, and I will do my best to satisfy them.”
Rudolf spoke with a smile.
“Mm. I came here because I have a question for the owner.”
“What question is it? Please ask freely.”
“I would like to know whether, about a month ago, you received a female Fox Tribe slave here. Her name was Nila.”
Nila was the name of Nika’s younger sister. Nika had already told Ryan that on the way here.
“A Fox Tribe woman?”
Rudolf murmured to himself.
“May I ask why you are inquiring about this slave?”
The moment Ryan heard Rudolf’s response, he understood.
This Rudolf definitely knew Nila’s whereabouts.
Which was only natural. A member of the Fox Tribe was not a common sight, so it was perfectly normal for Rudolf to remember her.
“Oh, don’t overthink it, Boss. Take a look at the person beside me.”
Ryan shifted aside so that Rudolf could clearly see Nika’s face.
“Huh? You... you...”
Rudolf cried out in surprise.
“Boss, don’t be startled. She isn’t Nila. She is my slave, Nika. She and Nila are twin sisters, so they look extremely alike.”
Ryan explained slowly.
“Oh, I see.”
Rudolf let out a sigh of relief.
To be honest, when he had first laid eyes on Nika, he had really thought she was Nila.
“Boss, I’m sure you now understand why I’m looking for Nila. I want to reunite the two sisters.”
“Well... Nila was indeed here for a time, but she is no longer here now.”
Rudolf spread his hands helplessly.
“She isn’t here? Then... then where is Nila?”
The moment Nika heard news of her younger sister, she could not help blurting out the question.
Rudolf looked a little surprised that Nika was able to speak in front of Ryan.
A moment ago, he had clearly heard that Nika was Ryan’s slave.
Still, he had no intention of concerning himself with how masters and slaves got along.
But there was no way he was going to reveal information for free.
“Well now...”
Rudolf stroked his chin and smiled, but said nothing further.
Seeing this, Nika grew anxious and wanted to press him again.
But Ryan had already understood Rudolf’s meaning and quickly pulled Nika back.
“Boss, say it. How much will it take for you to tell us Nila’s whereabouts?”
Ryan asked in a deep voice.
“Heh heh, now that is the mark of a sensible customer. You should know that I am a businessman. I can’t casually sell out a client’s information. That would do great harm to my commercial reputation.”
“What are you getting at?”
“What I mean is—this will cost extra!”
“Fine. Name your price.”
“Mm...”
Rudolf thought for a moment, then probed cautiously, “Ten Gold Coins?”
Ryan nodded. “Fine.”
“Uh... twenty Gold Coins?”
“Fine.”
“Ah... fifty Gold Coins?”
“Fine.”
Rudolf stared at Ryan with wide eyes.
At first, he had only meant to test the waters, but Ryan had agreed without even blinking.
Just how rich was this man?