Even on Earth, where transportation and communications were exceptionally advanced, conducting an accurate census was an extremely difficult task.
On the Sains Continent, obtaining an accurate population count for an area was all but impossible.
But even without precise statistics, a simple look around made it clear that Stansome City and its surrounding region were extremely sparsely populated.
Across the vast stretch of open country, aside from the faint outline of Stansome City in the distance, the only places that looked inhabited were two tiny villages not far from the city.
According to the figures supplied by Count Jossius, the lord of Stansome City, roughly fifty thousand subjects of the Malo Empire lived under its jurisdiction-fewer even than Bunta City had had at the very beginning.
Yet Stansome City was already the largest and most populous city along the northern coast of the Malo Empire.
If even Stansome City had only fifty thousand people, the population elsewhere could only be sparser.
"My lord Baron, according to the plans, once this base is established, its factories will need more than two hundred thousand workers in total. But everyone in Stassom City combined amounts to only fifty thousand, and that includes many elderly, infirm, sick, and disabled people who simply cannot work. There's no way they can meet our needs," Hogan said helplessly.
"Hmm... that is indeed a serious problem." Franklin stroked his chin, which had just grown a soft, downy beard. After a moment's thought, he continued, "But it shouldn't be that difficult to solve. We can recruit openly throughout the empire. I imagine that once people hear there are good jobs here paying quite a few gold coins a month, plenty will be willing to come."
"Not necessarily." Hogg shook his head. "The conditions here are far worse than inland.