Ghost Knight King's Dungeon Project

Chapter 35 [Exiles and Exiles]

Golden autumn leaves tumbled in the wind along the imperial streets, like butterflies fluttering up and down. Thin, translucent frosty flakes clung to the tips of the yellowing blades of grass, like they were coated with rock candy.

Some of the merchants in the town had already wrapped themselves in thick cotton-padded clothes, while the farm workers who needed to work hard in the fields were still wearing short clothes—autumn was the wheat harvest season in the northern part of the Erdrik Empire, and golden waves of wheat began to rise from the edge of the town, being blown by the wind in wave after wave, surging towards the horizon.

The empire has vast arable land, and the scale of harvests is unbelievable. Some farmers with savings will hire skilled mages to assist in harvesting large fields with area-of-effect spells. However, mages who can precisely control the power of their spells, apply the appropriate spell strength, and avoid damaging the crops are rare in the small towns of the empire and are quite expensive.

Normally, farmers would choose local foundries and rent harvesting vehicles made by skilled foundry technicians. The vehicles have four wide, horizontal wheat-cutting discs fixed on the frame. As the wheels turn, power is transmitted through gears, and the discs are turned to drive the harvesting vehicles, which require four or five horses to pull.

This type of vehicle was originally used by the Ancient Erdrik Empire against the Desert Light Infantry of the Ancient Supar Empire. However, this type of vehicle was only suitable for solid, open plains and was ineffective in soft desert terrain. After troop reductions, this outdated weapon was phased out in large quantities, but it found a new use in farmland.

The Erdrich Empire never turned swords into plowshares, but perhaps tools are not inherently superior or inferior; they simply haven't found the right place. A bad sword might just be an excellent plowshare.

On the distant horizon, the dark outline of the Imperial Foundry's tall chimneys stood out. Amidst the charred buildings, the faint, distant clanging of metal echoed, like the tolling of a clock counting down to something.

The dwarven steam-powered iron wagons, resembling land-based warships, rumbled as they pulled hill-like heaps of ore toward the Imperial Foundry, their tracks leaving deep imprints on the solid plains.

Several hot-tempered dwarves were arguing with a dozen farmers by the field because the farmers wouldn't let their steam-powered iron carts pass through the wheat field, lest they crush a lot of unharvested wheat.

A gruff, bearded dwarf jumped off the iron cart, wearing a greasy black leather coat and carrying a complicated set of tools. He grabbed his fellow dwarves by the beard and dragged them back onto the cart, apologizing repeatedly to the farmers and talking about allies and agreements.

“It’s a truly magnificent sight,” Samael said.

“What’s so grand?” Talia asked.

“The Erdrik Empire Foundry.” Samael gazed at the silhouette of the chimneys on the horizon. “It’s almost like some kind of industrial-level production capacity, yet it’s only used for military purposes.”

“It wasn’t just military. When Heins III ascended the throne, he ordered the Imperial Foundry to mass-produce high-quality agricultural tools during the harvest festival. These, along with carefully selected premium seeds, were distributed free of charge to tenant farmers who didn’t own their own land. He also briefly opened up the woodlands of nobles whose property had been confiscated the night before the coronation ceremony to a reclamation order. For three days, the reclaimed land could belong to the landless settlers,” Talia explained. “This was known as the ‘Gift of Heins III.’ This measure led to another dramatic increase in the amount of usable farmland in the Empire and a decrease in the number of tenant farmers and rebellious bandits.”

"How do you know everything?" Samael tilted his helmet and looked at Talia.

“I saw it in the history books at the Rondoran United Library,” Talia explained. “It contains knowledge compiled from the experiences of several Northern Dark Lords and wandering exile tribes. I spent many years there when I was a child.”

“A love of reading is a good habit,” Samael nodded. “This Heins III sounds quite remarkable. Such measures will greatly increase productivity, enough to support the army while ensuring the livelihood of the people… and at a very low cost, almost entirely relying on the enthusiasm of the tenant farmers.”

“He may be the most wise monarch in the Empire since the Forged Emperor—although the Empire still suffers from the corruption accumulated over centuries by the old military aristocracy,” Talia replied. “However, the reclamation order has also severely damaged the woodlands, and dust storms are frequent in many border areas—which has indirectly led to a rather bad relationship between the Empire and the Elves.”

The two strolled along the edge of the wheat field, gazing at the outline of the Imperial Foundry on the horizon. The dwarven iron chariots rumbled, bypassing the farmland and taking a longer route towards the Foundry.

The bus took them to a new location, but they were a little late. The receptionist at the inn told them that the next bus to their next destination wouldn't arrive until the next day.

Although the two were uneasy, they could only rest in the town for the time being.

“Valak mentioned that Imperial Guards equipped with Bloodsteel weapons seem to have been stationed on the Imperial border recently,” Talia said hesitantly. “Perhaps the Bloodsteel weapons come from these foundries.”

“I’m very curious where they got their technology from.” Samael looked at the outline on the horizon. “The smelting technology of Bloodsteel doesn’t seem like something they could have developed on their own.”

"Legend has it that more than thirty years ago, when King Heins III was young and training in the army, he encountered the ruins of the Age of Gods on the edge of a battlefield. After he returned to the capital, Blood Guards equipped with Bloodsteel weapons began to appear, and Bloodsteel swords began to be awarded to meritorious officers in the army," Talia explained. "Now, most of the powerful technologies and precious resources come from the ruins of the Age of Gods, which is why the Demon Race uses ancient coins from the Age of Gods as their unified currency."

"What do you mean? The ancient coins from the Age of Gods have other uses in the ruins?" Samael asked.

“You often encounter a machine in the ruins that drops certain special goods when you insert ancient coins from the Age of Gods.” Talia smiled. “Although the dropped goods are not fixed and we don’t know how they work, they are usually very useful resources.”

“…Isn’t this a vending machine?” Samael was taken aback.

"vending machine?"

“Uh… it’s a machine that dispenses goods automatically when you insert coins. There are similar machines in my hometown,” Samael explained. “Logically, you should be able to choose the goods yourself, instead of them being dispensed randomly… never mind, I’ll explain when I encounter it again.”

The two strolled back to town, where the merchants and traders of the horse-drawn carriages were discussing something among themselves.
"Yes, the road is blocked..." said the old merchant, wrapped in a sheepskin coat and wearing a fur hat with a turned-up brim. "There are too many dwarf iron wagons transporting ore, and one of them broke down, blocking the road."

"Why hasn't it been repaired yet after so long?" asked the younger merchant.

"No, and the trains following behind can't get through either. The traffic jam is getting worse and worse. It will take at least three or four days."

"How long will it take! Business opportunities are like war opportunities! Winter is coming soon, and the Northern Knights' Territory is buying cotton at high prices. If we don't get there soon, these three cartloads of cotton will rot and mold in the warehouse once the Dragon Tooth Pass in the north is blocked by heavy snow!"

"You're only setting off in late autumn, you're already too late!" The merchants laughed, mocking the young merchant. "Experienced cotton traders set off as soon as autumn begins!"

"The cotton harvest doesn't start until almost October! How could we possibly set off as soon as autumn arrives?" the young merchant retorted.

The merchants burst into laughter.

"I set off from the south of the empire at the end of September, empty when I left. Along the way north, I bought cheap, fresh cotton, filling the cart intermittently. By the time I reached the Dragon Tooth Pass in the north, the cart was fully loaded with cotton." The old merchant, holding his fur hat, tapped the side of the cart with his long-handled pipe, coughing as he was wrapped in a goatskin coat. "Young man, who taught you how to drive a cart? You can't just drive a cart randomly. You have to memorize the route plan, or you'll lose money."

……

"The capital city is buying up another batch of demonized materials at high prices..."

"Don't go... I heard that a large batch of demonized materials was just delivered from the western border, and the price has already been driven down..."

"The Potions Master Qualification Exam is starting in three or four days, and about half of the materials are for the practical exam... Isn't your nephew a Potions Master? How many years has he been taking the exam? Has he passed yet?"

"You have no tact when you speak. If my nephew had passed the exam, would I still need to run a business? Bah! It would be a waste of money to go to the capital every year. If you ask me, it would be more practical for him to learn from my daughter and become a merchant."

……

"It seems the Imperial Foundry is also acquiring enchanted materials..."

"The foundry only buys low-grade materials, buying them by the truckload at very low prices. They have to go to godforsaken, bandit-infested wastelands just to get materials! It's not worth it if you want to make big money!"

"No, no! I heard the foundry has recently started buying high-grade enchanted materials, and the prices are decent. With some planning, it's worth making a couple of trips..."

……

"No, old Duke is being controlled by Musa's men... We can't act recklessly..."

"Are you kidding me? How much further are we going to be coerced by them?"

"They said the target is very close, but there are Imperial Foundry troops stationed in this area, and possibly Blood Sword Guards as well, so they won't dare to act recklessly for the time being. Once he completes his mission and takes care of the so-called target, maybe he'll let us go..."

Talia suddenly stopped and grabbed Samael's arm.

"What's wrong?" Samael asked in a low voice.

“【Firethroat】Musa-Salamanda,” she whispered. “One of the high-ranking demon warriors under the Demon King Sitika, the hunter commander who is hunting me down. Leading twelve demonized subordinates, driving a fire-breathing chariot.” Samael turned to look at the two merchants who had just passed by behind him.

They were two seemingly ordinary young people, a man and a woman. The young man was wearing a leather cap with a turned-up brim, and the young woman had a bandage wrapped around her cheek.

"We have to go." Talia said in a panic, trying to pull Samael to the post station, but she couldn't budge him.

“The merchants said the main road is blocked,” he replied in a low voice. “We can’t get through anytime soon.”

"..." Talia looked at him, "In terms of individual combat strength alone, Musa-Salamanda has the strength of a level 10 adventurer."

“Let’s go ask around and find out what’s going on. If that doesn’t work, then we can talk about running away,” Samael replied in a low voice. “What does Musa look like?”

"Brown skin, golden vertical pupils, and a jaw covered in crimson scales, like a salamander," Talia replied.

“They just mentioned that there are Blood Sword Guards stationed near the Imperial Foundry, so they dare not make any rash moves. Don’t worry, find a place to hide first, I’ll go and test the waters.” Samael tucked Talia into the shadows at the street corner. “Come out when I call you.”

While keeping a vigilant eye on his surroundings, he quickly caught up with the two seemingly ordinary young men and gently patted them on the shoulder.

The two turned around and stared at him in astonishment.

"You two seem to need some help."

"Who are you?" The young man in the fur hat with the brim turned up sized up Samael. "What did you hear?"

“I am a knight, and I am sworn enemies of demons. I am preparing to go to the desolate lands to hunt down high-ranking demons,” Samael replied. “I think I just vaguely heard the name [Firethroat] Musa Salamander. Do you have any news about him?”

He spread his arms, displaying his armored body and bronze sword and shield as symbols of his fighting prowess, in order to gain the other party's trust.

"Really?" The young woman with bandages wrapped around her cheek looked excited and wanted to say something, but was stopped by the young man next to her.

“You misheard me,” he replied cautiously.

“Is that so?” Samael replied. “That’s a real shame. Ever since I became an adventurer, I’ve been searching for powerful and brutal demon opponents to duel with, in order to fulfill my knightly duty of saving the weak, but I can never find one.”

"Wait a minute...you...you only crave powerful demons as your opponents?" the young man in the leather hat asked hesitantly.

“Yes, the powerful and brutal demons are my enemies. I feel sorry for the demon exiles I occasionally encounter in those desolate lands. If I had the ability, I would like to help them,” Samael sighed.

The young woman with a bandage wrapped around her cheek tugged at the young man's sheepskin vest.

"You are truly a kind knight," the young man replied cautiously, "but... I wonder about your strength?"

“My companion and I are both at the level of a level seven adventurer,” Samael replied gently. “While we’re not exactly very strong, we excel in tactical planning and calculation.”

The two young men, dressed as traveling merchants, exchanged a glance.

“Yes…yes, Your Excellency,” the young woman with bandages wrapped around her cheek said softly, “our merchant caravan has been taken over by a high demon named Musa Salamander and his men. We are no match for him…and for personal reasons, we dare not ask the Imperial garrison for help.”

“He kidnapped our old wagon commander,” the young man in the leather hat said, “and forced us to hide him and his men in a hidden compartment in a large truck and bring them into the Empire.”

"Where is he now?" Samael asked in a low voice, glancing around to make sure the figure Talia had described wasn't among the crowd.

“Our wagon camp is on the outskirts of town,” the young woman replied. “There’s an Imperial Foundry near town, and he’s worried that if he alerts the garrison there, there might be… something he calls the Blood Sword Guard.”

"Their numbers? Their condition?"

"Musa seems to have a wound under his ribs, but it's almost healed. He also brought five demonized subordinates with him: one Sand Wyvern, two Dune Scorpions, and two Crimson Beetle Guards, all of whom have wounds of varying degrees."

"Injured? No vehicle?"

"No, they came on foot."

“Okay… thank you very much.” Samael nodded, noted down the lineup, and assessed the odds of winning. “One last question—what is your attitude towards Rondoran?”

"Wh...what?" The young man in the leather hat took a half step back alertly, then suddenly came to his senses.

"Are you connected to the Demon Kingdom of the Rondoran Mountains?" he asked in a low voice.

“I have a friend from Rondoran,” Samael replied.

“The King of Rondoran has been kind to us,” the young woman replied. “We lived in Rondoran in the north for a long time. He allowed us to live in the inner ring, where the snowfields are beautiful, and the inhabitants of the dungeon are hospitable and willing to share. Unlike other demons, who are like beasts, they do not divide power and status by strength. Your friend must also be a very good person, as noble, humble, and polite as you are.”

"Thank you, then I'm relieved." He tapped his helmet and beckoned to the shadows in the corner.

"Are you kidding me... Are you sure you can do it?" Talia, wearing a helmet, emerged from the shadows and whispered to Samael.

“You’ve been so anxious all this way because of the hunter Musa and that compass,” Samael replied in a low voice. “Once we get rid of him and that compass, you can relax a bit.”

"No, no, no... It won't work. How could it possibly succeed? It's useless. We can't beat him. In the Wasteland, I could barely escape with the help of the monster horde, but there are no monster subordinates or undead warriors within the Empire now!" Talia took a half step back, but Samael grabbed her wrist.

“Moussa is injured, and his demonized subordinates are down to only five, all wounded. The Empire's border garrison has greatly weakened them; this is a good opportunity. If we wait for him to recover, we'll miss this chance,” Samael said softly, pressing the front of his helmet against the top of Talia's helmet.

“We can run away at any time, but not now. We must face it, confront the difficulties at the right time, break through the predicament, set out to change everything, and create a new life.”

"Be prepared, we need a plan—I will make the right plan, just like every time before."

"Believe me."

　The author cares about the reading experience of every reader, so he always follows the chapters of TV dramas and the screenwriting style of screenwriters to strive to bring the smoothest and most comfortable reading experience, and carefully reads every comment and every piece of data.

　　This work was not originally intended to delve into the protagonist's background. The outline was originally planned to establish a light and easy-to-understand tone at the beginning, and then briefly mention the past life experiences in the later stages, with a line like "Your situation reminds me of my sister" to provide plausibility, without going into detail about the past life plot. However, too many readers have given feedback that the initial character design is frivolous and childish, which does not fit the tone of the work, and they are unwilling to wait for the plot to show the character's growth. The comments are so noticeable that they cannot be ignored, so we had to release a chapter (Chapter 34) that addresses the problems ahead of schedule. This chapter does not affect the main plot and only serves as a supplement to the character design; it can be considered an extra chapter or a bonus chapter.

　　Unexpectedly, in order to humbly listen to readers' opinions, the author was simultaneously labeled with two completely opposite tags: "immature middle school student" and "heavy old-fashioned literary youth." This left the author confused and exhausted. No matter how one writes, some will inevitably be satisfied while others will be dissatisfied. Perhaps it's best to pay less attention to reviews and focus solely on writing.

　　Recently, a good fantasy novel by a steampunk author was abruptly abandoned, reportedly due to negative reviews leading to uncontrolled plot changes. The author has kept the book on their shelf, periodically checking the comments on the latest chapter as a cautionary tale.

　　There are readers who love this work, so I must be responsible to those who love it, not those who hate it.

　　(PS: A dungeon construction chapter will be released before the official launch.)

　　
　
(End of this chapter)