Chapter 171: Interlude (Kingdom of Diaratline)
The Kingdom of Diaratline is an inland nation. It is bordered to the north by the Wheat Country (Weizenland), to the east by the Afrasia United Kingdom, to the south by the Saltia Trading Nation, and to the west by the Ironia Kingdom. Unfortunately, it lacks both the resources and the technological development to thrive.
However, aside from the Afrasia United Kingdom, Diaratline enjoys a degree of prosperity as a trading nation, taking advantage of its strategic location adjacent to three countries and the presence of a large river flowing through its territory.
The great river, wide and mighty, connects the Wheat Country to the north and the Saltia Trading Nation to the south, allowing for navigation all the way to the ocean. To the west lies a sizable lake, facilitating trade with the Ironia Kingdom.
This river serves as a vital artery for transporting salt and wheat, while iron ore and iron are brought in from the west. These resources are accumulated within the kingdom and exported to other nations.
Numerous merchants traverse the land, bringing with them a variety of goods.
In recent years, the kingdom has also focused on spinning. Utilizing high-quality cotton imported from the Wheat Country, they produce vast quantities of cotton thread and fabric. The abundant water resources have allowed for the introduction of waterwheel-powered machinery.
Recently, factories utilizing large steam engines imported from the Kingdom of Repuitari have been on the rise.
The fuel known as Redstone is mined from the wasteland on the side of the Afrasia United Kingdom. Particularly in recent times, the high market value of Redstone in the Kingdom of Repuitari has made it a significant source of foreign currency.
However, the entire territory of the Afrasia United Kingdom has been overtaken by a mysterious group.
As they were ramping up efforts to increase Redstone production, the shocking news brought from the West Gate City sent tremors through the kingdom’s leadership.
Coincidentally, they had just dispatched skilled diplomats to expand their Redstone acquisition efforts. Thus, the report was taken seriously, not as mere exaggeration or a bluff from the enemy.
The adversary had already established their borders. Although specifics were not disclosed, it was believed that most of the mining sites being constructed by the Kingdom of Diaratline would have to be abandoned.
Reports had already come in that several fortresses had been seized by a mysterious Golem user.
According to the ambassador’s report from West Gate City, the group that had occupied the Afrasia United Kingdom called themselves Paraiso, and within a single day, they had disarmed and taken control of West Gate City and the nearby Great Horse Town.
Moreover, although this information was still uncertain, it was said that the occupation of the Aflarasia Royal Capital had already been completed, and a proclamation of total control over the region was imminent.
In such a situation, taking rash actions would be perilous. Especially given the uncertainty surrounding the enemy’s strength, attempting to reclaim the mining sites would be sheer folly. Gathering intelligence was the priority.
This cautious judgment stemmed from the kingdom’s long history of thriving as a trading nation. Trade is, in essence, information warfare. The key to profit lies in swiftly acquiring accurate information and outmaneuvering the opponent.
Paraiso was a dangerous entity.
The leadership, upon receiving the ambassador’s report and communications from the fortresses, promptly decided on their future course of action.
It was a decisive resolution. Paraiso was not an adversary to be trifled with.
While their response to foreign affairs was adequately handled, they misjudged the situation within their own borders.
Due to their own competence, they had overestimated the abilities of the Border Count, who was responsible for the frontier, particularly the border with the Afrasia United Kingdom.
The Border Count feared the loss of financial resources due to the halt in Redstone mining. He underestimated the power of Paraiso and harbored significant resentment towards the royal family.
Believing that the royalty sought to diminish his power, he rebelled against them.
Consequently, he dispatched his elite troops, the standing army, to reclaim the largest mining site.
By the time the leadership grasped the situation, it was already too late.
The Border Count’s assault force was annihilated. Paraiso’s Golem troops launched a counter-invasion into the kingdom, destroying most of the fortresses that protected the borders. The stationed forces were scattered.
The only silver lining was that the soldiers themselves were not actively targeted. Many were injured or killed in the collapse of the fortresses, but the majority managed to flee and save their lives.
After destroying the fortresses, Paraiso reportedly did not pursue or plunder, simply returning to their territory.
When the kingdom finally organized its military and arrived at the scene, all that remained were the completely destroyed fortresses and the trampled earth.
Paraiso had ravaged everything in mere hours and then returned to the Afrasia United Kingdom.
It was akin to a natural disaster.
Naturally, the leadership was plunged into despair upon realizing this situation. The international climate had not been particularly dire, and the Kingdom of Diaratline had a small military force. Most of it was allocated to border defense, leaving fewer than a thousand troops available for immediate response to an invasion.
In this state, should Paraiso choose to invade the kingdom, there would be no means to resist.
Bracing for the worst, including the potential cession of territory, the ambassador initiated negotiations with Paraiso.
In the end, Paraiso did not demand any reparations and agreed to continue trading as before.
Under normal circumstances, it might be prudent for an opponent to adopt a more aggressive stance when sensing weakness. After all, they could deduce that Paraiso lacked the military strength to invade the kingdom.
However, the ambassador, who was directly facing Paraiso, and the leadership who trusted him understood the truth: Paraiso felt no threat from the Kingdom of Diaratline. They believed that as long as the borders were not breached again, they could let the destruction of the border fortresses slide as a mere warning.
It was likely a threat that there would not be a next time. Conversely, it indicated that they were willing to overlook the incident for now.
The Border Count, the one directly involved, was in an uproar, but he was a fool who could not read the times. Abandoned by his subjects, the royal family decided to cut him loose.
Using the military dispatched for rescue, they apprehended the Border Count and his family. His territory was dissolved, and it was incorporated as a direct domain of the royal family.
Due to his own actions, he faced the very land seizure he had feared. Had he not acted recklessly, a future of great prosperity through direct trade with the Afrasia United Kingdom could have awaited him.
That aside.
Having lost one of its core industries—Redstone mining—the Kingdom of Diaratline was forced to shift its national policy. While there were some mines within the kingdom, they lacked the technology for large-scale development, and the actual reserves were uncertain.
Thus, they decided to pivot towards the mass production and export of cotton thread and fabric. They imported large steam engines and expanded their production facilities. The cotton thread and fabric produced would be exported in exchange for Redstone.
A construction boom for factories began, and a significant demand arose for technicians skilled in operating steam engines. The steam engines were massive iron constructs, and the factories themselves required vast amounts of iron. This led to the importation of iron, eventually culminating in iron production within the kingdom.
Consequently, many factories for manufacturing iron components were established.
In the future, the Kingdom of Diaratline would develop into a major power for raw material imports and product exports.
Moreover, cotton fabric would not merely be for export; the technology for clothing production would see significant advancements. This would establish the kingdom’s position as a fashion leader, providing cutting-edge fashion to neighboring nations.
Ironically, the central role in this trend would be played by the former capital of the dissolved Border Count’s territory.
For some reason, a custom emerged during festivals where people adorned themselves with beast ears and tails.