Chapter 72: Interlude (Radaeri Flatara)
In the bustling city of Flatara, located to the northeast of the Five Connected Lakes, the landscape is framed by Wheat Hill City to the north, West Gate City to the west, East Gate City to the east, and a road leading south to Iron Town and the Port Town of Terek. This city serves as a vital hub for trade and interaction.
Due to its unique characteristics, Flatara has a low number of agricultural workers, with a predominance of inns, eateries, and merchants. The city relies heavily on food imports from other cities, with only about one-third of its total population able to sustain themselves through local agriculture. It is said that if trade were to cease, most citizens would face starvation, making it a town utterly dependent on external supplies.
However, in recent years, as the internal conflict worsened, Flatara found itself increasingly in dire straits.
Even amidst the civil war, merchant caravans continued to operate. There were certain rules in place, such as prohibiting direct travel between opposing territories, but trade remained the lifeblood of the nation. Halting it would lead to a gradual decay of the entire country. Thus, for several years, caravans continued their usual routes.
Yet, as the civil war dragged on, the number of caravans began to dwindle.
Several reasons contributed to this decline, the most significant being forced requisitions by the ruling powers. Desperate lords, stretched thin by constant military campaigns, frequently confiscated the goods of merchant caravans. Compensation was rarely provided, and those who resisted often found themselves stripped of their possessions and even executed.
Naturally, merchants ceased to venture into territories that engaged in such practices. This led to disruptions in logistics, and some lords, cornered by their circumstances, resorted to pillaging. As the flames of war spread, casualties began to mount among civilians, and starving soldiers sometimes turned to banditry. At this point, the distinction between merchants and common folk became irrelevant, as the populace fled in search of safety.
As these events unfolded across various regions, the presence of merchants vanished, and soon each territory became isolated. While areas with available soldiers could form escort caravans, the costs became untenable, leading to a growing number of impoverished towns. For cities like Flatara, which relied on food imports, the situation was dire.
Yet, Flatara was still better off than some. Wheat Hill City was a major agricultural hub, making it relatively easy to maintain trade. West Gate City also had trade relations with the Country of Wheat, allowing food supplies to flow in. For a time, they managed to sustain their citizens through escorted trade.
But as one year turned into two, Flatara finally found itself in a state of complete depletion, unable to trade or accumulate wealth.
The civil war had originally stemmed from a power struggle among the three leaders of the Afrasia United Kingdom. Tracing back to its origins, this kingdom had once been divided into three separate realms.
The three nations, situated in a barren frontier, lived impoverished lives akin to nomads. Eventually, influential families from these nations gathered near the current capital, and after much turmoil, a council of the three leaders was established. This marked the beginning of the Afrasia United Kingdom. Over several generations, the council operated, but it gradually devolved into a battleground for power struggles.
With limited agricultural and mineral resources, the kingdom relied on the sparse grasslands for horse breeding to earn foreign currency. Additionally, although the technology was lacking, the land was rich in Redstone, a highly sought-after fuel resource. It was only natural that other nations would take notice.
Particularly, the small southern nations with abundant mines sought to acquire Redstone cheaply, even attempting to obtain it for free. Consequently, the already tense political climate within the Afrasia United Kingdom became increasingly convoluted, leading to a chaotic struggle for power.
As the civil war dragged on, law and order deteriorated, and factions began declaring independence, igniting conflicts and military clashes. The nation’s already fragile strength rapidly diminished. As conditions worsened, foreign nations found it increasingly difficult to intervene. Even if they offered gold, there were no factions willing to act, and any attempt to deploy troops could provoke intervention from other nations.
Reluctant to engage in war against foreign armies within the Afrasia United Kingdom, nations began to keep their distance, ultimately becoming mere spectators.
Thus, Flatara was forced to make a choice.
Should they tighten their grip on the citizens, extracting their wealth in a bid for survival?
Should they comply with the demands of Wheat Hill City and relinquish their governing rights?
Or should they surrender to the Country of Wheat, becoming a vassal state? (It seemed West Gate City had already fallen into such a relationship.)
Each option was fraught with peril.
Even if they collected wealth from the citizens, it would only provide a temporary reprieve, and there would be no second chance. In a situation where all paths were blocked, buying time would yield no hope, only incite the citizens’ resentment.
Subjugation to Wheat Hill City might not be entirely negative, but the Flatara family would either be forced into retirement or outright exile. Moreover, as a vassal, the treatment of the citizens would likely become harsh.
Surrendering to the Country of Wheat would ultimately be seen as treason. At worst, they could be branded as traitors, leading to the dispatch of punitive forces against them. Even amidst civil strife, the emergence of a common enemy could unite the factions.
As the situation deteriorated, Flatara sought various measures for survival.
They expanded their fields and cultivated crops.
They ventured into the forests around the Five Connected Lakes to hunt.
They built boats and fished in the Five Connected Lakes.
While each effort yielded some results, it became clear that they could not provide food for all citizens. Fishing held potential, but the lack of experienced fishermen and limited transportation options meant that resolving these issues would take time.
What they needed was time—time to secure a substantial food supply.
In such dire circumstances, a caravan finally appeared.
It was a caravan from the Port Town of Terek, a place long thought to have perished. Although they were technically a diplomatic envoy headed for East Gate City, Radaeri Flatara hoped that this encounter might provide a breakthrough and arranged to meet with the envoy.
The envoy seemed to have visited before, as one of the servants recognized his face, confirming without a doubt that he hailed from the Port Town of Terek.
Upon inspection, the envoy wore remarkably fine clothing. His horse appeared healthy and robust. Additionally, he was accompanied by a mysterious figure who reportedly commanded a riding Golem. Though the figure’s face was obscured, glimpses revealed exceptionally beautiful skin, suggesting she was likely a woman.
Even if the envoy were a man, a handsome Golem user would surely attract attention.
The two envoys, likely scouts as well, were treated with utmost courtesy, and Radaeri Flatara pondered the implications.
If they were headed to East Gate City, they would be dealing with the Forest Country, which likely meant they were carrying significant tributes. Moreover, that Golem user—according to reports, multiple individuals accompanied him, and their strength allowed them to reach Flatara without incident. While they had received warnings about the importance of this trade partner, the lives of many citizens hung in the balance. Ultimately, they would decide after the meeting, but depending on the envoy’s attitude, they would not hesitate to resort to plunder.
Fortunately, the envoy’s party was small. The standing forces of Flatara were engaged in escorting caravans, making them strong and experienced. A group of about ten should be easily subdued.
However, that would be a last resort. Ideally, they could conduct a peaceful transaction. While the potential gains might be modest, there was a chance they could establish ongoing trade with the Port Town of Terek. If they could trade, ah, if they could monopolize it, they would no longer be at the mercy of food suppliers.
“Tomorrow. Everything hinges on tomorrow. But that Golem… I can’t gauge its true worth, yet I desire it. The die has already been cast. Now, it’s merely a matter of which outcome I will seize.”
And so, the lord of Flatara, Radaeri Flatara, would later recount the events of that day in his twilight years.
“That was the worst day of my life. Shot through with some incomprehensible weapon, threatened with a knife, and to top it off, my prized clock tower was reduced to rubble. My aching shoulder was left unattended as I was dragged down the hallway and out into the open.
Can you imagine? Before my mansion stood an enormous monster, towering over me. And then, without a moment’s hesitation, I was tossed into its belly. I thought I was done for, to be devoured and finished.
Yet, from within, I could see outside. My proud soldiers were being literally mowed down by those Ringo Family girls. At that moment, I braced myself for the inevitable, believing I would be consumed by this colossal beast.
And I was forced to witness it all from this prime seat. Well, you know how it ended. I was ultimately burdened with work until my dying breath—now? Ha ha… well, I’m allowed to do as I please, as you well know.”