Chapter 149 - World in turmoil (3)

Corn was being planted by the machines. They were the most suitable seeds, designed to last in the harsh lands of Earth, so they were sure to flourish in this world. The bird feces were piled up to be used as fertilizer. It was rich with minerals that would ensure that the barren land could still bear good crops. With the warmer winter temperature, it was certain that the corn would be ready to harvest in no time.

‘We will need about four months.’

Sunsook was delighted as she worked on the field. However, they didn’t just plant corn. Barley and other crops aimed to be harvested in winter were also planted while greenhouses were built around the farmlands. It would house fruits that could not normally grow during the winter.

People began to have renewed hope. They were fed with soup, bread, dried fruits, and vegetables. They sometimes were fed with sweet, high-calorie foods that they had never seen saw before. They had only heard rumors that it was from the countess’ homeland. Joonbum also distributed health supplements. Just a few of those showed great improvements in the people’s general condition. Under the care of Joonbum and the Ainos, the refugees became healthier and more energetic.

When the people regained their energy, Jackson ordered them to work. Even kids had to go out and do their part. They walked around town to pick up trash, or clean and tend to livestock. Even the elderly helped out.

There was a man who tried to rip off the refugees. He was caught and executed. Following a few more occurences, they were all sentenced to death by public execution. They were decapitated by a strange new equipment called a guillotine. As the head fell to the ground, the people shouted.

-WHOA! THAT LYING TOMMY IS DEAD!-

-That treacherous bastard!-

-Hope you end up in hell!-

But not everyone was so hopeful. There were some refugees who created a ruckus about the bird feces.

-I heard that foul stench is coming from the bird dung.-

-Yeah.-

-I’ve lived sixty years as a farmer, but I’ve never heard about using bird dung in the fields.-

-I hope the barley doesn’t smell like dung.-

-It’s so awful.-

Joonbum was at a loss for words as he heard those rumors. He had explained the reason for using bird feces, but some just didn’t seem to grasp the idea of using fertilizer.

‘But they don’t mean any harm.’

There were more people who were hopeful than those naysayers.

‘That’s been taken care of. Let’s focus on the war now.’

The world was in turmoil. Some nobles had rebelled against the kingdom while others attacked neighboring lands. Some kingdoms were looking for the opportunity to invade other kingdoms and create an empire. All of these things made the world chaotic and the kingdom that suffered the most was the Benzen Kingdom.

One of the royals fled to the empire and asked for help to recover his throne. The empire moved immediately, but it wasn’t to help the royal. Their intentions were clear. It was same for Galia. After they took care of the monster problems, they then turned their sights to Benzen while they were in distress, rather than attack the strong and more stable Toria. The other countries that neighbored Benzen joined in as the empire and Galia began invading Benzen. The Kingdom of Benzen was no more.

‘It’s okay for now…’

It was after the winter that would lead to another problem.

‘Next is us.’

The rumors of the Ainos village in the Torian Kingdom were spreading fast throughout the continent. Countries had no intention to heed the rumors as they were busy taking care of the monsters and wars. Also, the rumors of the Ainos village seemed like a largely exaggerated hoax or trickery, so no one really paid much attention. However, when the corn was harvested and the people flourished despite the winter, it would prove that all the rumors were not actually exaggerated. This would result in attracting all kinds of attention. It was for sure that some forces would come to try steal everything.

‘I will stop them, but…’

What he was concerned about was the aftermath.

“It’s gonna get too complicated.”

“Yes, sir?” Jackson asked as Joonbum voiced out his thoughts. Jackson looked quite satisfied.

“This coat with duck feathers is amazing. I don’t think we’ll have to worry about the cold during the winter. It’s warm with these clothes!” Jackson said happily. He also had thick leather gloves on.

‘He hates the cold so much and yet now he’s happy with a padded coat.’

Joonbum smiled. Jackson flushed with embarrassment as he realized he was too excited and looked at the map on a table in the center of the room. There were flags and blocks with some names on it, which he moved to new locations.

“The capital is under the empire flag now. Duke Sireon of Benzen has surrendered.”

“Already? I thought it was only two days ago that they were attacked.”

“They are scholars, and they have six chancellors in that family. They know reality better than anyone else. They know what awaits them if they fight to the end.”

Joonbum nodded. Loyalty only existed if the king existed. But the Benzen royal family all fled the country so there was no loyalty left. The empire was also attacking under the pretense of returning the throne of Benzen to the rightful owner.

‘More will die.’

“So the war is over, but the people of Benzen will go through hell this winter.”

Jackson sighed.

‘Yeah, for sure.’

The country was now in ruins. There was no king or nobles to protect the land while it was overrun by invaders. The people were left vulnerable to pillaging and kidnapping.

‘And the next target will be us.’

The rumors that the merchants spread would soon draw attention.

‘And come for our machinery.’

The amount of food was one thing, but the machines that allowed for such an enormous amount of food were more valuable. It was obvious that countries would want such machines.

“We should be careful. No, we should be ready for war.”

“Yeah, we showed off too much.”

“Hmph!”

Jackson scoffed at Joonbum’s expression of disdain.

“Here, have some coffee.”

Joonbum handed Jackson a cup of hot coffee. Jackson accepted and began enjoying the scent.

“So, we should fight or hand it over?”

“Yes, sir. They will want the machines, but they will want all of them.”

“And our choice?”

“There’s only one.”

Jackson did not hesitate. He didn’t seem to have any fear when they were talking about the empire or other kingdoms attacking them.

‘He’s smart.’

Joonbum knew Jackson was thinking about the Marauder.

“If they come, we will wait for them in the Zedra Plains and wipe them out with the Marauder and Humvee.”

Jackson pointed to the map. That was where Khalodian land ended.

“And Toria will not help?”

“Of course,” Jackson immediately answered. Joonbum grinned and looked at the map.

“This… place is amazing.”

The plains were shaped like two balls stacked together. The entrance to the plains was about a hundred feet wide and was surrounded by steep cliffs. The entrance passageway was about a mile long. The road was straight with no way around it, so the possibility of an ambush was very low.

After the entrance passageway, the path widened for a while, then narrowed again before it opened up into a wide area again.

‘If an army comes in here…’

“In this area, no one, whether it’s the empire or a kingdom’s army, will be a match for us. We have to crush them so they won’t even dare to try again.”

Jackson spoke coldly. It would be brutal, but it was the best choice. There would be no peace when these people knew no peace. The best defense was to attack.