Merchant From Earth in the Magical World-Chapter 465 - 381: Stealing from Goblins_2
Moreover, we can’t just focus on the Goblins inside human-occupied areas. Orcs, Elves, the Underground City, Nagas, Dwarves... All oppressed Goblins are our targets for liberation. The Eternal Domain intends to use this opportunity to make Goblins one of the primary species within its territories. With two billion Grain Tickets dumped on them, the Farsight Mercenary Corps instantly transformed into the world’s most rampant human trafficking organization. Farsight mercenaries, like hounds chasing Goblins, appeared wherever Goblins could be found. They would quietly approach Goblins, distribute propaganda leaflets from the Eternal Domain, and eloquently describe how well the Eternal Domain treated Goblins. In the eyes of Farsight mercenaries, each Goblin was a walking, large-denomination Grain Ticket. If Yan Xing hadn’t strictly forbidden violence against Goblins, the Farsight mercenaries would likely have stuffed them into sacks and fled. The investment yielded significant results. Coupled with encouraging letters sent home by Goblin migrants in the Eternal Domain, an increasing number of Goblins boarded planes smuggling them into the Eternal Domain.
Without workers, production at the Goblin Alchemy Factories plummeted. By the time the Cloud Tower realized the Eternal Domain had dug a deep hole in its backyard, some Alchemy Factories were already completely deserted, their staff having fled. Yan Xing’s actions had undoubtedly crossed a line with the Cloud Tower. Even the most pedantic Mages of the Tower knew that the wealth and resources they currently enjoyed and squandered were all earned for them by the Goblins. Without Goblins, the Cloud Tower’s resources would inevitably be exhausted one day. In fact, there was no need to wait for that day; the Cloud Tower’s supply of Alchemical Weapons already faced an irreparable shortfall. The Mages of the Tower were furious. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
Mage Miler, stationed in Storm City, summoned Anderson. This time, Miler had lost his usual leisurely demeanor. He said to Anderson, exasperated, "The Eternal Domain is stealing Goblins that belong to the Cloud Tower! This is a direct provocation to the Tower! The Elder Council of the Tower has decided to adopt your earlier suggestion. A contingent of Mages will soon arrive in Storm City to hunt down and kill Yan Xing. We must retaliate against the Thunderous Swamp! These thieves! These despicable robbers!"
Anderson wanted to scream, What took you so long!
It had been two months since Anderson had first suggested hunting down Yan Xing. During that time, he had repeatedly proposed that the Cloud Tower dispatch Mages to hunt Yan Xing, but all his requests had been denied. Now, after a long period of combat, the Wildwind Principality’s army was depleted in both morale and stamina, unable to continue the offensive. The army needed rest, and its forces needed reinforcement. The rainy season is about to begin, and *now* you agree to hunt Yan Xing? This is war, not a game! It can’t just follow your whims!
Anderson could only say to Miler, "Master Miler, you might not be familiar with the weather patterns of the Wildwind Highlands. A two-month rainy season is approaching. During this period, our troops will be confined to their garrisons, unable to mobilize. Only after the rainy season passes can we launch another attack on the Eternal Domain. Please, be patient. In the meantime, we can focus all our efforts on manufacturing Floating Warships and Divine Beasts. After the rainy season, the skies will be ours."
"Two months? We have to wait another two months?" Miler exclaimed, infuriated. "Do you have any idea how many Goblins the Eternal Domain has stolen from us already? If we wait another two months, they’ll steal every last one! Without Goblins, the Cloud Tower will no longer be able to provide you with Alchemical Weapons. Have you considered that consequence?"
Anderson knew the Eternal Domain was frantically smuggling Goblins. The root cause... Isn’t it your Cloud Tower’s excessive exploitation of the Goblins that’s forcing them to flee? None of the Goblins in our Storm City have fled.
Anderson patiently said to Mage Miler, "My men captured a group of mercenaries a few days ago who were trying to abduct Goblins from Storm City’s Alchemical Munitions Factories. After interrogation, we found they all belong to the Farsight Mercenary Corps, which is owned by Yan Xing of the Eternal Domain. My Jufeng Mercenary Group has extensive experience combating the Farsight Mercenary Corps. Why not let my Jufeng Mercenary Group protect the Cloud Tower’s Goblins? I guarantee they can stop the Eternal Domain from stealing any more Goblins. We just need to wait two months. After the rainy season, when the Floating Warships take to the sky, I can offer both the Eternal Domain and the Thunderous Swamp to the Tower."
Mage Miler’s anger subsided significantly. The Cloud Tower had limited personnel and couldn’t effectively manage the vast, scattered Goblin population; thus, they could only watch helplessly as the number of Goblins in various regions dwindled. If Anderson truly had the ability to prevent further Goblin losses, then waiting two months was not out of the question. After all, the stolen Goblins were all in the Eternal Domain; conquering it meant they could reclaim everything that had been lost.
"Is it truly impossible to fight during the rainy season?"
Sensing Miler was looking for a way to back down gracefully, Anderson quickly explained, "The rainy season in the Wildwind Highlands brings extremely heavy rainfall, and it rains for about half of that period. The muddy terrain severely hampers troop movements, and prolonged exposure to the rain will cause widespread illness among the soldiers. Forcing a battle under such conditions would only lead to heavy losses on our side."
Miler replied, "Since the rainy season in the Wildwind Highlands is so unique, I will report the situation here and your suggestions to the Elder Council of the Tower."
"Thank you, Mage Miler," Anderson said. "I’ll dispatch the Jufeng Mercenary Group to deal with the Farsight Mercenary Corps immediately."
A sudden torrential downpour descended, marking the official start of the annual rainy season in the Wildwind Highlands. The trenches dug by both sides on the Outpost Fort battlefield were quickly inundated. Amidst the vast expanse of water, it was difficult to discern any sign of the great battle that had once raged there. The armies of the Wildwind Principality and the Eternal Domain both withdrew. The Orc forces, having failed to breach Frostleaf City, also retreated to Highland City. The Wildwind Highlands entered a period of ceasefire.
Yan Xing, too, could finally breathe a long sigh of relief after the tense warfare. This recent period of war was incredibly tough. Anderson was full of tricks, and I had to give my all to counter him—maintaining the front lines while being careful not to strike too harshly. To ensure he struck the right balance, he had visited Nuta City several times to seek advice from Count Theodore.
Count Theodore, however, was immersed in the joy of a bountiful harvest. The grain harvested from the farmland contracted by the Eternal Domain was fifty times the maximum yield of ordinary farmland! This meant a single plot of land could support fifty times the population. Nuta City’s maximum population is two hundred thousand. What an idea, to increase that fiftyfold! Of course, Count Theodore was well aware that all this grain belonged to Yan Xing. However, according to their land lease agreement, Yan Xing would pay a percentage of the harvest to Nuta City as rent. This grain rent alone was enough to clear all of Nuta City’s current debts, with a surplus left for further construction and development.
With the grain secured in storage, Count Theodore’s resolve to align with the Thunderous Swamp faction grew even firmer. He understood the immense power of food security and was eager to witness Nuta City transformed by a fiftyfold population increase. At that point, Nuta City would merge with the Eternal Domain to become a single, vast city. I definitely won’t live to see that, but I wonder if Hibel will...
"My Lord... Lord Anderson has arrived," a servant announced, pushing open the study door where Count Theodore was reading.
Count Theodore was wearing a pair of reading glasses, a gift from Yan Xing that the old Count cherished.
Oh... Atreli... Count Theodore was still unaccustomed to Atreli not being by his side. He said to the servant, "Anderson is much later than I expected. It seems the recent war truly kept him occupied. Ask him to wait for me a moment; I’ll be right there."
Count Theodore closed his book, removed his glasses, and placed them on the cover. He glanced at the heavy rain falling outside the window, then stood up and walked towards the door.
With Atreli and Hibel in the Eternal Domain, their presence certainly can’t be hidden from Anderson, even if they aren’t on the front lines. This means I’ve chosen a side—Anderson’s enemy. His visit today is undoubtedly to call me to account.
Having made his choice, Count Theodore was prepared to face Anderson.
How will he deal with me? I’m very curious to find out.
