Chapter 639: Volume Seventeen: Dark Descends on Earth - Ten: Crisis of Faith
The chaotic situation in Jazair seemed to have no sign of easing. Although the beastmen’s offensive had temporarily halted, they still gathered their forces around the region of Jazair. The Blue Dove Corps had retreated to the second defensive line, a line of fortresses built around the cities of Nerian, Mans Tayn, and Schleswig. The Blue Dove Corps, over ten thousand soldiers strong, along with local border guards, were positioned here. Beyond this arched defensive line, what used to be the most prosperous and fertile fields of the northern kingdom had now become a hunting ground for the beastmen. It was the only remaining defensive perimeter around Jazair and, should it fall, Jazair would be left exposed to the beastmen’s sharp claws and teeth.
The wealthy of Jazair had begun to evacuate their assets from the city en masse, with important family members quietly moving south to the safer areas of Cologne and Yun Damei, nearing the Galle Province. Although these places seemed somewhat safer, everyone was aware that if the beastmen broke through Jazair, those areas would suffer the same fate, and transferring assets to Cologne and Yun Damei wasn’t considered very safe. But looking around, there seemed to be few places in the kingdom outside the threat range of the beastmen.
At this time, Gran’s investment solicitation in Jazair appeared, and the canal project from Mattdam to Lake Niall piqued the interest of some traders. More importantly, it caught the eye of the kingdom’s wealthy, who had been keeping the remote regions of Caucasus and Leon off their radar; finally, they began to consider these areas.
Mattdam had already made a name for itself between the Nether Sea and the North Mediterranean. Despite restrictions by the Homer Navy, these wealthy individuals had some influence and were able to maintain a trade route from the inland canal through Odessa to Mattdam. Furthermore, the shipping routes connecting Mattdam to ports along the Mediterranean coast were flourishing despite harassment from the Wicked Dragon.
The opening of the Catania River route also connected the secluded Caucasus to the world outside. The Catania River could smoothly link the Caucasus with various kingdoms and cities along the middle and upper reaches of the river, easily solving food supply issues. The ports of Mattdam and Bahomon could fully satisfy the export of resources from the Caucasus and the import of goods from outside. And if the almost exaggerated canal from Mattdam to Lake Niall were to be successfully constructed, even Leon could join the entire water transport system. Just thinking about the high-quality iron ore from Izmir continuously shipped out through cheap water transport revealed the immense economic opportunities hidden within.
While the stock subscription for the Mani Canal was ongoing with great vigor, a large number of displaced northern traders and the gentry had set their sights on the Caucasus and Leon. Seeing cities and fortresses in the north turn to ruins under the beastmen’s savagery, they lost faith in returning and hope. Finding a more reliable refuge became their most urgent issue, and naturally, Gran became their primary consultant.
Puber had not realized that his old friend’s investment solicitation in Jazair would trigger such a significant ripple effect. The wandering northern nobles and traders had lost confidence in the kingdom. Those who were once hailed as the kingdom’s guardian spirits, the army and the untouchable Paladins of the Church of Light, either utterly defeated or quietly disappeared in the face of the beastmen’s violence. Their properties, houses, and land were swept away. Losing everything, they fled south in panic, and now they had to strive for finding another way out.
Seeing the messages sent back by Puber and Maha Gummi, Komer fell into contemplation.