Translator: AnubisTL
A sparse drizzle, like a shower of fine silver needles, quietly fell from the sky, soaking the somewhat desolate land of Scaly Earth Rift Road. The air was filled with the damp scent of earth and the fresh fragrance of grass after the rain.
This trade route, winding along the northwestern edge of the Sierre Wilderness, had remained obscure for ages, rarely marked by the wheel ruts of merchant caravans.
Its isolation was primarily due to the constant threat of monster raids and its great distance from the federal garrison, making it a perilous journey. For years, it had been neglected and nearly abandoned, with only wind, sand, and wild grass as its most faithful companions.
Only the most desperate and impoverished merchant caravans, unable to afford the exorbitant tolls of the main thoroughfares, would resort to this perilous path as a last resort, clutching at a sliver of hope and gritting their teeth in the face of danger.
However...
Everything changed drastically after a turning point more than twenty years ago.
Today, while Scaly Earth Rift Road still couldn't compare to the bustling, crowded main roads, it was no longer the desolate, goat-track path it once was.
At this moment...
On the road, now more than twice its original width, old merchant Matthew huddled beside the cargo in his open-top truck, wrapped in a thick, waterproof dark cloak.
The icy rain seeped through the gaps, bringing waves of chill.
He turned slightly toward his young apprentice, whose face still bore the fatigue and curiosity of their journey, and began to recount the long-buried history of this trade route.
The engine rumbled low, driven by black oil. The truck, forged from metal and hardwood, maintained a surprising stability and speed on the muddy path.
Matthew raised a hand to wipe the rain from his face, his voice sounding distant in the drizzle.
"Back then... right here on the Scaly Earth Rift Road, something happened that couldn't be ignored. It caused quite a stir, even alarming those high-and-mighty lords. That's what brought this godforsaken place to its current state."
The young apprentice immediately straightened his back, the curiosity in his eyes deepening.
As the truck steadily plodded forward through the misty rain, the old merchant spoke with the ease of a storyteller, his words flowing with a gentle smile. The apprentice listened intently, the story's origins gradually taking shape in his mind.
Over twenty years ago, a fierce pack of wilderness monsters united and seized control of the Scaly Earth Rift Road, claiming the land as their own territory.
But to everyone's astonishment, the monsters did not prove to be the bloodthirsty savages of rumor, slaughtering or robbing passing merchants.
On the contrary.
They had miraculously curbed their innate ferocity and greed. Instead, they offered up the crude minerals they had painstakingly mined from the depths of the wilderness, as well as the raw, primal hides they had hunted, signaling to passing human caravans their willingness to engage in fair, barter-based trade.
Even more incredible.
They even took on the role of "scavengers," clearing the surrounding area of truly bloodthirsty ferocious beasts and dangerous demonic creatures. Through their efforts, they transformed the once perilous Scaly Earth Rift Road into a relatively safe and reliable wilderness passage.
One must understand.
On this vast and dangerous land, only the major trade routes—those that charged exorbitant tolls and taxes—could afford the security of regular sweeps by the federal garrison. Such safety was a guarantee bought by merchants with hard gold.
Yet this free, monster-governed passage was just as secure, and in some ways, even safer.
Merchants are born to keenly pursue profit.
After quickly sensing the unique value and potential gains of the Scaly Earth Rift Road, more and more caravans began tentatively traveling back and forth. Once they personally verified that the monster clans had indeed restrained their claws and fangs, allowing trade to proceed smoothly, the route gradually bustled with activity.
"But..."
Hearing this, the outspoken young apprentice, barely twenty years old, couldn't contain the doubts churning in his heart.
"Old Matthew, why haven't we seen a single wilderness monster all this way? Aren't they the masters of this place?"
He scanned the desolate, rain-swept landscape, his voice filled with confusion.
"Young man, don't be so impatient. Listen carefully."
The old merchant took a sip of the hot tea he carried with him, continuing to describe the story's turn with a voice steeped in experience.
Just as the Scaly Earth Rift Road was flourishing, with a constant stream of merchant travelers and everything seemingly heading in a positive direction...
The nominal owner of this land—Viscount Ironthorn—felt his heart stir with greed, provoked by the sight of his territory's prosperity. His avarice swelled rapidly.
He increased the taxes on the merchants traveling the Scaly Earth Rift Road, the intensity of his exploitation leaving everyone speechless.
At the same time, he began extending his greedy tentacles toward the monster clans that had long held this land and maintained order along the pass, demanding exorbitant taxes from them as if they were his own tenant farmers.
The apprentice frowned, his voice laced with confusion. "You mean... Viscount Ironthorn drove those wilderness monsters away?"
"Yes," the old merchant replied. "But to be more precise, the monsters killed Viscount Ironthorn, then voluntarily abandoned the Scaly Earth Rift Road."
The apprentice's confusion deepened. "That... that doesn't make sense."
"Nobles are exalted and powerful. Why would one personally venture into this perilous wilderness?"
"And those wilderness monsters, no matter how fierce, how could they possibly kill a nobleman who is always guarded by layers of elite soldiers? I can't comprehend it."
Seeing the mixture of bewilderment and shock on the apprentice's face, the old merchant's lips curled into a deeply satisfied smile.
He relished the young man's emotional turmoil born of ignorance. He especially looked forward to the shock and disbelief that would surely follow the revelation of the truth. This always brought the storyteller a flicker of pleasure, as if he were seeing his younger self.
The old merchant slowly shook the raindrops from his cloak, the droplets pattering to the ground.
He cleared his throat and continued his tale.
To temper his heir and allow the future ruler of the territory to amass merit points and prestige, Viscount Ironthorn had dispatched him to this wilderness. He was accompanied by a contingent of the family's elite guards, including alchemy golems.
The party was formidable, and their objective clear:
—Backed by military force, they would negotiate with the impudent monster clans, forcing them to submit to the viscount's will and obediently pay the exorbitant tax.
However, no one could have foreseen how things would truly unfold.
Behind that seemingly ordinary monster clan stood three juvenile dragons!
Evil dragons are arrogant and violent by nature. How could they tolerate such human extortion?
They instantly shattered the facade of peace, ruthlessly ambushing the noble heir, then vanished into the depths of the wilderness with the rest of the monster clan.
Viscount Ironthorn was enraged. He spared no expense in recruiting a powerful dragon hunting group, personally leading the charge into the wilderness in pursuit.
Yet, this party eventually vanished without a trace, like a stone sinking into the deep sea.
Those who knew of the incident privately believed that the three evil dragons had slaughtered Viscount Ironthorn and his entire dragon hunting group.
The wilderness where evil dragons dwell is indeed a perilous place, often attracting human subjugation campaigns, yet no one dares underestimate their ferocious power. There were countless examples of subjugators being slaughtered to the last man.
"A noble viscount and his heir, both killed by monsters in the wilderness... That caused quite a stir back then, shaking the upper echelons of the Duchy of Raymond," the old merchant remarked with a sigh.
"Afterward, the federal garrison mobilized in force to quell the unrest and demonstrate their might, conducting a thorough sweep of the areas surrounding the Scaly Earth Rift Road."
"Ferocious beasts, demonic beasts, and even innocent or weak scattered monster clans were nearly wiped out by the army, leaving nothing behind. This bloody purge, ironically, brought an unprecedented—if only superficial—peace to the region."
"Furthermore, with Viscount Ironthorn's death, his control over the area collapsed. The exorbitant travel taxes he had imposed, which had long plagued merchants, vanished along with him."
"The merchant caravans passing through haven't dwindled in the wake of the previous slaughter. On the contrary, they've grown more numerous, drawn by the tax exemptions and the temporary boost in security. It seems even busier than when the monsters held sway."
The apprentice's mind still swirled with questions. He pressed further, "But didn't we get stopped at the pass by soldiers when we came this way? We had to pay a hefty toll!"
The old merchant smacked his lips, a helpless expression crossing his face.
"That's because seven years ago, the Albert Family—the same one Viscount Ironthorn belonged to—sent people to retake control of the Scaly Earth Rift Road. They set up new checkpoints and started collecting taxes again, and their greed was even more insatiable than before."
(End of the Chapter)
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