The Dark Mountains

Of course, though he complained bitterly inwardly, Gawain knew there was no helping how this world had developed.

The development of civilization followed certain patterns, but it was also full of uncertainty. Sometimes, an explosive technological innovation was enough to raise an entire civilization to a new level. More often, however—especially when feudal ignorance held overwhelming dominance—civilization remained rigid and sluggish for centuries.

In a world where Supernatural Power existed, class divisions were exceptionally entrenched, and a great catastrophe had once occurred, the situation would only be worse.

The existence of Supernatural Power gave this world many conveniences beyond its era, but at the same time, it had shackled the development of civilization. It allowed those at the top to live lives of extreme comfort and ease, while granting them absolute dominion over the vast majority of powerless "mortals." And because "magical talent" itself was so rare and unpredictable, such power could hardly become a driving force for social development—because it could not benefit the masses. The few lucky people who occasionally awakened magical talent would only become a new aristocratic class. They would neither wish nor be able to change the fate of most people.

Supernatural Power did not belong to "mortals"—that was a rule everyone took for granted.

For that very reason, social progress had become incredibly slow. On one hand, ordinary people, who made up the bulk of the population, simply lacked the power to change anything. On the other, the upper class that enjoyed the conveniences of Supernatural Power saw no need for society to advance at all. In fact, even the commoners themselves did not think society needed to progress. All they had to do was pray that one day, they might awaken magical talent.

In a world with Ice Arrows, who would think to invent refrigerators and air conditioners?

Yet an Ice Arrow would always be just an Ice Arrow. It could not let everyone eat popsicles in summer, nor could it allow doctors to preserve serum and vaccines anytime, anywhere.

At least in this age, that was how things stood.

This was definitely wrong. Gawain understood that perfectly well. Supernatural Power should not become an obstacle to civilization, nor should this place remain trapped in the Middle Ages forever. Magic, at its root, was merely a way of using energy. Its flexible and convenient nature should have become a force for rapid development, not a shackle—but none of that could be solved right now.

He explained to Heti and Rebecca in greater detail why it was necessary to collect this information and what they needed to pay attention to when making the forms. Of course, considering that they had never compiled such data before, and that those uneducated commoners likely could not even clearly state their surnames or ages, he relaxed the requirements. He only asked them to gather information on the craftsmen, while the other commoners would, for now, only register their names.

Everything else could be improved after the new territory had been established.

No one had ever conducted this kind of census among the commoners, because to the aristocratic class of this world, commoners were almost worthless—even as cannon fodder on the battlefield, they were barely sufficient. Their only purpose was to produce food and serve as free labor. No one recognized the importance of people, so naturally no one recognized the need to register population data.

Fortunately, Rebecca, who was muddleheaded in other matters, understood this point the moment it was explained. She quickly grasped Gawain's meaning and happily led people off to organize the information.

Thinking of how she had previously issued a decree allowing serfs to become free citizens through service, it seemed this "incompetent" young lady lord was not entirely useless after all.

If properly educated, this kid might even be tricked into managing personnel affairs. Not really.

Fortunately, fewer than nine hundred people needed to be counted. Moreover, after settling in Tanzan Town, Knight Philip had already made a simple record of the survivors. With Heti's help, Rebecca quickly organized the information Gawain had requested.

After receiving the records, Gawain decided to divide the group into two parties and head for their "new home."

One party would be the Vanguard Team, personally led by him, Rebecca, and Heti. It would include half the soldiers and militia led by Knight Byron, as well as the necessary craftsmen and one hundred laborers. The Vanguard Team would establish a temporary camp at the destination, determine the situation with the water source and other conditions, and prepare defenses against attacks by wild beasts.

The majority of the commoners would follow afterward under Knight Philip's escort.

It would not be wise to charge directly into a barren wilderness with more than eight hundred people. Although there were basically no elderly, weak, sick, or disabled among those eight hundred—they had not managed to escape—the commoners who lacked combat ability would be safer following behind the Vanguard Team.

To develop a barren land, no amount of preparation ever seemed enough. But one had to take the first step eventually. After making the most thorough plans and arrangements possible, Gawain and his Vanguard Team finally left Tanzan Town and set out southeast toward the Dark Mountains.

They traveled along a tributary of the White Water River, moving across relatively flat riverbanks. The knights and lords led at the front, while soldiers guarded both sides of the formation. The skilled craftsmen, supplies, and tools were kept together in the center, under protection.

Heti rode on horseback and glanced back at the not particularly large group. Suddenly, she felt a wave of emotion. "It seems we've become pioneers too..."

"We are pioneers," Gawain said with a smile as he looked at her.

Heti blinked. "I meant the Great Expansion seven hundred years ago..."

Gawain shrugged. "Wasn't that me too?"

Heti said, "...Right."

"Have some confidence," Gawain said, looking at the Lady who seemed somewhat worried about the future. "Every step into unknown territory is a great journey. Whether it was the Second Expansion seven hundred years ago, the first expansion in ancient legends, or what we are doing now, they are all equally great in essence. We will not merely build a new home—perhaps we will even establish a new era."

Heti stared at Gawain in a daze, then nodded. She did not really understand what he meant by a "new era," but since her legendary hero ancestor had said so, it must be something both great and glorious.

Amber, who was accompanying them nearby, immediately began clapping. The thief girl had simpler thoughts. Gawain was the boss now, so whatever the boss said had to be right. Whether she understood it or not, applauding first could not possibly be wrong...

The closer they came to the Dark Mountains, the more desolate the scenery became. The power of Human Civilization showed signs of steadily declining in this southern land.

Before the fervor of expansion had faded, the descendants of the first generation of Expansion Knights had once carved out small settlements across this savage land with sword and fire, planning to expand their territory once more toward the Gondor Wasteland. But as the aftershocks of the Magic Tide stirred again and again, as dark primitive forces at the edge of civilization eroded the land time after time, the ever-breeding monsters and worsening natural environment made those settlements difficult to sustain. Later, the Mist Month Rebellion erupted, and the southern powers were reshuffled. The last few expansion villages barely holding on in this land were destroyed as well.

By now, the resurgent forces of savagery had swallowed every trace of civilization from those days. Between the decayed, ruined settlements and the primeval forests, only beasts and monsters remained.

Although magic had calmed once more and the Dark Magic Tide had been confined to the Gondor Wasteland, humanity seemed content with its current civilized borders. Coupled with the decline of the Cecil Family in the south, the Ansu Kingdom had, to this day, made no plans to develop this land again.

The convoy moved silently along the rugged, potholed road. Though Gawain's encouragement had been effective on Heti, the others in the group could not help feeling uneasy. No one knew what the outcome of this march into the wilds would be, even with the great pioneer from seven hundred years ago leading them—especially the craftsmen drawn from commoners and serfs. Rather than a sense of honor, it was habitual obedience to their lord and numbness toward life that drove them to keep walking.

Thus, they followed the riverbank all the way and, three days later, stopped beside an open stretch of land.

This open land lay right beside the Dark Mountains. In fact, it was wedged between the river and the mountains, forming a long, narrow plain. Here, the tributary of the White Water River widened slightly, its current slowed, and it flowed steadily along the northern side of the Dark Mountains before continuing east into the Typhon Empire.

Facing south and looking up, one could see the magnificent yet daunting Dark Mountains.

Gawain climbed onto a large boulder beside the riverbank, surveyed the surroundings, and compared them with the satellite overhead view in his mind. He saw forest growing on the western side of the plain, mostly Black Fir and Giant Wood with hard timber that could serve as a valuable source of lumber in the early days of the territory. The mountains to the east protruded somewhat, and if the memories of Gawain Cecil were correct, there should be iron ore there.

Besides iron ore, there were several other mineral deposits nearby—the Dark Mountains were a treasure trove.

Although the expansion party led by Gawain Cecil and Charles I had not remained in the Dark Mountains back then, they had still conducted basic surveys and exploration along the way. Gawain knew every detail of those mineral veins discovered but never exploited during the expansion.

Since the Ansu Royal Family had abandoned them, he would gladly accept them.

After observing the terrain, Gawain jumped down from the boulder and looked at Heti. "Set up camp here. Put up all the tents we brought, and have the soldiers protect the lumberjacks as they gather timber from the forest—but do not go too deep in, in case of attacks by wild beasts. Don't worry about monsters. The Dark Mountains are not as frightening as you imagine. The effects of the Dark Magic Tide faded long ago. You would have to wander near a Magic Power Focus to encounter monsters. Aside from the people cutting timber, all other laborers will remain here and help build the camp. Rebecca, Byron, Amber, the three of you come with me."

Heti froze for a moment. "Ancestor, you are going to..."

"Reclaim my inheritance."