Chapter 834: Volume 26: Gathering Momentum, - 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.