On the wind and snow-swept Mason border, heavy ironwood wheels left ruts of varying depths upon the earth.
This was the heavy ore caravan led by the Special Envoy of the Kingdom of Qubi, Bardess.
A dozen flatbed carts, pulled by cold-resistant horses, were piled high with high-quality raw iron ore mined from the depths of the mountain ranges, as well as rare metals that would make any inventor go mad.
Bardess sat on her horse, tightening the fur cloak around her body.
As an envoy who had witnessed the power of Sophia's thunder with her own eyes, she did indeed hold a measure of awe for that Girl Queen. However, behind her, those mine owners and elite guards from the Kingdom of Qubi wore expressions containing a trace of unconcealable contempt and pity.
"Look at this place."
A mine owner with a face full of transverse flesh patted the ore on the cart and sneered, "Apart from frozen rocks and withered willows, what does the Kingdom of Mason have? Even if Queen Sophia is powerful, can she make her subjects survive by eating weapons?"
"Exactly. Look at these people, sallow and emaciated. They don't look as healthy as the residents of the Kingdom of Orr."
"And those houses, crumbling and tottering. Can people really live in them?"
The caravan slowly drove into Withered Willow Town.
In the eyes of the Qubi people, the scene here was simply synonymous with barrenness. The streets were narrow and deserted, and the wooden houses on both sides were so dilapidated they looked as if a gust of wind could blow them over. Although the passing subjects were no longer as skeletal as they had been half a year ago, to the Qubi caravan—who could resell ore and thus lived a passable life—they still appeared shabby and lowly.
"Sparse population, desolate land."
Bardess shook her head secretly, the awe in her heart dissipating significantly. "Your Majesty Sophia is certainly a deterrent ruler, but governing a country is, after all, not the same as fighting a war. Mason's foundation is truly too thin. I'm afraid that after this winter passes, quite a few new desolate graves will be added here."
In their view, although the Kingdom of Qubi was controlled by Orr, they at least had mines, grain, and substantial family assets. Mason, on the other hand, was merely an empty shell struggling to support itself relying on accidentally acquired weapons of Divine Punishment.
The soldiers guarding the entry checkpoint to Mason were not very happy upon hearing this, but they did not utter a sound. Their Mason indeed lacked confidence. Although under the leadership of the Tyrant things had indeed gotten better... compared to other countries, they were still lacking. Yet, for some reason, they had a feeling that in the future, their Mason would not necessarily be worse than these other countries.
Due to a heavy snowfall the previous night blocking the main road leading to the Royal City, the Mason soldier responsible for leading the way pointed extremely naturally toward a diagonal path in the southeast:
"Everyone, the main road is being cleared. Please move to the south road and detour through Kree Village; that will be faster."
Bardess did not suspect anything and waved her hand to signal the caravan to turn. In her opinion, a remote backwater like Kree Village would likely be even more dilapidated than Withered Willow Town.
However, when the caravan turned past the final mountain ridge and the plain below was completely revealed before everyone's eyes, the entire caravan suddenly fell into a weird, deathly silence.
"What... is that?"
Bardess abruptly reined in her horse, and the warhorse beneath her let out an uneasy whinny. She rubbed her eyes, even suspecting she had fallen under some kind of hallucinogenic Witchcraft.
At this moment, Kree Village was right at the peak of this historic harvest. The sky was a gloomy dead grey, and the surrounding mountain ranges were covered in white snow; the entire world should have been pale and withered. Yet, right in the center of this endless pallor, there lay a dazzling, resplendent expanse—heavy as gold—an ocean of wheat!
Those ridges of winter wheat grew so tall and large. The golden ears of wheat were not only uncrushed by the cold wind, but instead refracted a kind of sacred metallic luster. Hundreds of subjects were sweating like rain inside this 'gold mine' within the snowfield. The sound of sickles slicing through wheat stalks could be heard clearly even from the mountain ridge.
"This... This is impossible!"
The Qubi soldier who had a face full of contempt just a moment ago was now so shocked he fell directly from his horse, tumbling wretchedly into the snow.
"It is currently late autumn! The sky is snowing! Why, why is there ripe wheat?!"
This impact was extremely savage and unreasonable. Even in the agriculturally developed Kingdom of Orr, there had never been such Divine Miracles as harvesting wheat on a snowy day.
Those grains were so plump, those stalks so thick; even if Qubi's wheat were doubled in size, it wouldn't be this good. Even the most abundant season of the Kingdom of Qubi could not compare with it.
Bardess stared blankly at the scene below. She saw that high-flying Black Rose flag, and she also saw that slender figure wearing a black cloak standing on the high ground of the field ridge. Even separated by a great distance, she could feel the indifference radiating from that Girl Queen—an indifference that controlled the life and death of all things.
"I was wrong, I was ridiculously wrong."
Bardess's lips trembled violently, cold sweat flowing down her forehead into her eyes.
"Your Majesty Sophia is not ruling the country with weapons at all; she is reshaping Mason with Divine Authority! Those muskets capable of emitting thunder are merely her toys, while this golden wheat wave blooming amidst ice and snow is her true slaughtering knife!"
"She has no need to rob others of grain at all, because she has already mastered the method to fast-forward time and reverse the seasons. No wonder, no wonder she fundamentally does not fear Orr, daring to challenge Orr so easily... This kind of mighty power that defies the heavens... Is she the reincarnation of some ancient god? Or perhaps, she has already become powerful to the point where even natural laws must bow their heads to her and make way?"
Those originally arrogant guards all dismounted at this time, standing trembling in the snow. They looked at those harvesting subjects; the fanatical look in the subjects' eyes made them feel a bone-piercing chill. These subjects were no longer slaves; they were believers of a True God!
Who dared to be enemies with such a country? You slash at her with a sword, she has weapons like thunder. You want to starve her to death, she has an eternal spring. That fool, the King of Orr... cannot contend with her at all. No... as long as Queen Sophia is willing, she could even turn the land of the Kingdom of Orr into scorched earth by tomorrow, while turning the wastelands of Mason into heaven!
At this moment, they rejoiced greatly that Bardess had gone over to kneel beforehand, and rejoiced greatly that their King was willing to reach a cooperation with Mason. Otherwise, contending against such a country, the ones to suffer heavy losses would only be ordinary people like them. The ones sacrificed would also be ordinary people like them who had elders and children at home!
When the caravan finally reached the entrance of Kree Village and faced Sophia, Bardess didn't even dare to look directly into that young girl's eyes.
Sophia was currently holding warm wild berry juice, looking at the wheat covering the ground, her heart still entangled in a dilemma: The wheat harvest looks pretty good, but the warehouse seems not big enough. Should I ask Victor to build two more? But it seems I won't need them; I plan to distribute some food to the citizens who can't survive the winter normally during the winter days. By then, after distributing it a few times, it will probably be empty again, and the extra warehouses won't be needed. Hmm... but I still have to continue farming next year.
Yet, this dilemma, falling into Bardess's eyes—this deep contemplation—was some kind of sacred judgment.
"Your Majesty Sophia..."
Bardess knelt on one knee, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling, her forehead pressed firmly against the freezing mud.
"The first batch of ores brought by the Kingdom of Qubi has arrived. Furthermore, our King entrusted me to convey to you that the Kingdom of Qubi is willing to yield another thirty percent on top of the original trade share, only seeking to obtain Your Majesty's favor. We... we are willing to become the Kingdom of Mason's most faithful miners!"
Sophia froze for a moment, looking down at this Envoy who had suddenly become extremely humble.
Hmm? What's wrong with this person? I haven't even opened my mouth to bargain, and she lowered the price herself? Is it because she thinks my ore shipping fee is too expensive and wants to give me a discount? These Qubi people, why are they so polite... Speaking as if she's preparing to have Qubi annexed... Although expanding territory is a good thing, isn't this sudden behavior too weird?
"Granted."
Sophia spat out two words coolly.
"Thank you for Your Majesty's immense grace!!!"
Bardess felt as if she had been granted a great pardon, her entire person collapsing limply onto the ground, yet her heart was filled with fanaticism. Your Majesty Sophia agreed to protect us! As long as we can hug the thigh of this True God, the Kingdom of Qubi will not only be able to survive but might even witness the birth of an epic-level empire!
Bardess believed that when she went back to discuss these matters with their King, she would definitely receive permission. After all, their King had been oppressed by Orr for many years and was long accustomed to oppression; now it was just changing the person oppressing them. Moreover, this Your Majesty Sophia didn't say she wanted everything; she still left a way out for the Qubi people.
Snowflakes continued to fall, but in the eyes of the Qubi people, this barren land of the Kingdom of Mason was currently emitting a radiance more dazzling than gold.
"Valery."
"Here, Your Majesty."
"Find some people to send the ore back," Sophia said.
However, as soon as Sophia's voice fell, Bardess, who had just climbed halfway up from the ground, seemed to have been pricked by a needle. Her entire person plopped back into the snow onto her knees again. That movement was so crisp it made the hand with which Sophia held her cup tremble.
Why did she kneel again? Does this Qubi Envoy have springs installed in her knees? Or is it that my tone just now was too heavy and scared her?
"Your Majesty! Please, you must... please you must permit us to personally deliver the ores to the Royal City!"
Bardess spoke hurriedly, not even caring to wipe the snow water off her forehead.
"The King of our Kingdom of Qubi instructed that this batch of ores is the cornerstone of friendship between both parties and must be handed over by our own hands. If it is done by others, it would be a dereliction of our duty, and we will definitely be severely condemned by the King upon return!"
However, inside Bardess's heart, she was screaming frantically: Are you kidding me! This is an excellent opportunity to show loyalty! If we let Mason's people take over at this time, wouldn't that equate to us just being ordinary ore sellers? We must display the posture of subjects! We must let this True God see that Qubi people not only have good ore but are also good hands at working!
Sophia frowned slightly, looking at those dozen or so heavy flatbed carts. She wants to deliver it herself? That works too; it saves me the transport labor. However...
Sophia turned her head to look at the Kree Village fields that were bustling with activity; this was the most critical moment of the harvest. The wheat in the fields was heavy; if they didn't finish harvesting quickly, it would indeed be trouble if the snow got heavier.
"Fine."
Sophia spoke coolly. "As you wish. However, Kree Village is currently rushing to harvest wheat. For safety, everyone must wait until the harvest is finished and This Queen's convoy sets off before we can depart together. Since you want to deliver it, then wait at the village entrance first."
Bardess slapped her thigh, whipped her head around, and roared at the dozens of mine owners, guards, and grooms behind her who were still stunned in the snow:
"What are you still standing there for?! Didn't you hear what Your Majesty said? Kree Village is busy harvesting! Is that ordinary wheat? That is God-bestowed food! That is Your Majesty's blood and sweat! You bunch of idiots, what use is holding swords and ledgers? All of you, get the hell off your horses for this Envoy and help harvest!"
The dozens of Qubi men froze. They were originally the most capable soldiers and shrewdest merchants of the Kingdom of Qubi, characters who called the wind and summoned the rain in the mines on ordinary days. But now, under Bardess's near-maniacal orders, they looked at each other in dismay, and in the end could only obediently jump off their horses.
This Bardess must be crazy from wanting to lick Mason's boots, right?
When their boots truly stepped into that golden wheat wave of Kree Village, all dissatisfaction and hesitation instantly vanished into smoke.
"Does... does this truly exist?"
A mine owner with a face full of transverse flesh extended a hand covered in calluses, tremblingly grasping a ear of wheat. Amidst the sky full of flying snow, this ear of wheat actually carried an extremely faint warmth, as if coming from the depths of the earth.
The grains were so plump they looked as if they were about to burst open; the texture touched by his fingertips was thick and steady—that was pure, heavy vitality.
Subconsciously, he broke off a grain of wheat and put it in his mouth.
Crunch—
A rich wheat aroma, even carrying a trace of clear sweetness, exploded on his taste buds. This texture, this extreme satisfaction brought by starch, instantly made him—someone who was used to eating the moldy old grain of Orr on ordinary days—shed tears.
"Oh God... We mined in Qubi for a lifetime, and what we got in exchange was that old rice like sawdust, and wheat flour mixed with sawdust and gravel. Yet the subjects of Mason, they are actually eating this kind of gold-like Divine Miracle!"
"Move faster! Don't damage the wheat ears!"
These dozens of Qubi people, who were originally here to deliver goods, were now like a pack of wolves that had been starving for ten days, throwing themselves frantically into the harvesting queue. They originally had great strength and came from a background of physical labor, so their harvesting was even a few degrees fiercer than the farmers of Kree Village.
However, as they harvested, their hearts were experiencing a tsunami.
I've seen the Kingdom of Orr's wheat too; withered, yellow, small, and always infested with bugs. But the wheat here... look at these thick stalks, look at this golden luster. Is this territory favored by a True God?
If I could also become a citizen of Mason, even if I cut wheat here every day, it would be better than gnawing on dry steamed buns in the mines! Crazy, truly crazy. This yield per mu, this maturation speed. Queen Sophia doesn't master muskets at all; what she masters is creation! As long as she is willing, she could even create a world without famine. If the Kingdom of Qubi could merge into Mason—no, even if it just became a vassal of Mason, we should live better than we do now! Detestable Orr, every time they only trade us food of such poor quality.
They looked at Sophia sitting on the field ridge not far away. That young girl still calmly held her cup, her pale golden pupils reflecting this golden miracle. In the eyes of the Qubi people, Sophia at that moment was no longer the 'Tyrant' with a fierce reputation, but the Supreme God walking in the mortal world, in charge of spring plowing and autumn harvest.
Sophia was currently watching those dozens of Qubi burly men sweating like rain in the fields, their movements even more standard and desperate than the villagers of Kree Village.
What is the situation with these Qubi people? Just delivering ore, why did they actively request to stay and work overtime to cut wheat? And looking at them, it seems like if I don't let them cut wheat, they'll fight me to the death.
Sophia took a sip of the sweet and sour fruit juice, her heart bursting with confusion. Could it be that the people of the Kingdom of Qubi actually all have some special labor fetish? Or is it that the wheat of my Kingdom of Mason really smells so good it can make people lose their reason? However, since there is free labor force, I might as well use it.
Wait, I seem to see a Qubi person who is crazy from hunger; why did he just take a bite of the wheat ear in the field? Qubi sends people to deliver things but doesn't provide these soldiers with some carry-on food?
"Valery," Sophia ordered coolly.
"Here, Your Majesty."
"Ask the Village Chief to prepare some hot soup for these Qubi people as well. Since they love labor so much, This Queen won't be stingy with those few mouthfuls of soup."
Valery hadn't had time to pass the message when Bardess, who had been secretly observing from the side, already heard it. She abruptly straightened her waist, moved to tears, and knelt down toward Sophia's direction once again:
"Your Majesty is benevolent! You are actually willing to bestow upon us common mortals the Holy Water! We will definitely risk our lives to harvest this golden Divine Miracle completely into the granary!"
Sophia: "..."
It's just a few bowls of bone soup with not much meat; do you Qubi people have some misunderstanding about the word 'benevolent'?
The snow fell heavier and heavier, but on the fields of Kree Village, two groups of people who had originally been strangers were currently composing the rise of the Kingdom of Mason together in an extremely absurd yet extremely harmonious manner.
The villagers of Kree Village straightened their backs, watching those originally arrogant Qubi merchants and soldiers revealing envious and covetous gazes toward them. The sense of pride of being a Mason person reached its peak at this moment.
Meanwhile, those Qubi people were harvesting while calculating in their hearts. When we get back, we must tell our families: stop thinking that relying on the Kingdom of Orr is a good thing. Only if we defect to Your Majesty Sophia can we ordinary people see a way to live! Hope this Bardess talks properly with our King when she goes back; who doesn't Qubi sell ore to?
When the last bundle of wheat was loaded onto the ox cart, Bardess and her caravan had completely become die-hard fans of Sophia. They guarded that heavy ore, following behind Sophia's steady carriage, marching toward the Royal City amidst that sky full of flying snow.
Behind them, although the golden wheat waves of Kree Village had already been harvested, the residual warmth belonging to the Divine Miracle burned a fire in everyone's heart that could never be extinguished.
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