Chapter 417 - Enemy Attack

Pointing to the spinning machine placed in the center of the room, he said, "This is a brand new type of spinning machine that we have just improved the design on. It’s called the Nicole Spinning Machine, and it can spin multiple threads of cotton at once. Its efficiency is eight times that of an ordinary spinning machine. The production process isn’t demanding, and most experienced carpenters could replicate it.""Eight times that of an ordinary spinning machine?" Lord Zalanda’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the relatively complex tool on the ground.

As the City Lord, she naturally understood the value it held.

This meant that she could have one person produce the amount of cotton yarn that previously required eight people’s work.

"Why is there only a spinning machine? Aren’t there any weaving machines?" Zalanda looked around greedily, asking, "This isn’t like your style, just to improve the spinning machine without improving the weaving machine."

"There are indeed weaving machines, but I didn’t bring any this time." Gaven chuckled, revealing his true intentions, "I hope to sign a purchasing agreement with you, elder sister. For the next two years, all cotton yarn produced by Darama will be sold to me, and I encourage the extensive cultivation of cotton."

This was Gaven’s method to break Sambia’s monopoly on valley cotton.

The reach of Sambia’s Merchants Council didn’t extend to Thacel.

Moreover, Gaven wasn’t planning on directly purchasing cotton, but instead consuming the finished cotton yarn.

Spinning yarn was labor-intensive, and Thacel had a population advantage over the valley.

Zalanda had an expression that said she knew there was a catch yet to come, "The reason?"

"Last year, when the gods descended, the pirate fleet of the Sea of Fallen Stars suffered a serious blow. There was a huge demand for sailcloth that couldn’t be met, but the cotton market was monopolized by Sambia. I’m planning to grab a share of the market from them," Gaven admitted frankly.

After all, their two territories were far apart, so there wasn’t any conflict of interest, only complementarity.

It aligned with the military strategy of fostering distant ties and attacking nearby enemies.

"You’ve calculated this shrewdly, by placing the newly-developed spinning machine in Thacel. You’re not only able to reduce production costs but also prevent Sambia from replicating it in a short time, allowing you to wage a price war with them. It’s just a pity that the distance between the two sides is so great; otherwise, your pricing strategy would have much more leverage," Zalanda commented, not directly answering but implying agreement through her words.

It was a sure-fire deal, and naturally, there was no reason to refuse, especially when there were many other areas where both parties could cooperate.

An uncontainable pride shone in Gaven’s demeanor as he said, "Don’t worry, I have other methods to reduce costs and ensure that we can underprice those Sambian crooks, breaking open their monopoly in the valley. The premise is that you produce enough yarn here—however much you have, I’ll take it, for half the price of the current market rate."

"Half the price of the current market rate for cotton yarn?" Zalanda calculated rapidly in her head.

At first glance, selling at half price seemed very disadvantageous.

But if it’s based on an eightfold increase in production, then it would be a huge profit, since labor costs were a major component of the value of cotton yarn.

"Before coming here, I didn’t expect Darama’s population to be so dense, with such an excess labor force, so I only brought a household model. Back home, we have the industrial version that can harness water power and increase the simultaneous output rate to several tens of times higher.

Therefore, I suggest that we both invest in building a factory together, a large spinning factory. I’ll provide the technology, and you provide the labor and resources.

Not only would this solve some of the issues of labor surplus, but it would also give you a stable and enormous stream of income, allowing you to do more things," Gaven advised.

"Harnessing water power? Increasing spinning rate by several tens of times? A joint venture factory? Excess labor force?"

Zalanda understood each word Gaven said, but when combined into new terms, it felt somewhat confusing.

The seeds of industry were already sprouting in Felen, but mainly in places like Baldur’s Gate, Waterdeep City, and other highly populated major cities.

Thacel, with its constant state of warlord conflict, would not become fertile ground for industrial sprouts, but rather a desert.

Patiently, Gaven gave Zalanda a crash course in basic economics. He had not systematically studied the subject but had picked up more through exposure than the natives born and raised in Felen.

Not only did Zalanda listen carefully, but Nola and General Kopofiel also found it very engaging, as if having sudden epiphanies.

Finally, Zalanda decided, "This matter is settled then. You bring the plan, and I’ll handle the execution."

This was where Zalanda excelled.

In this regard, as something she was not skilled at, she didn’t believe that just by listening once she could fully grasp it and do better than Gaven.

Instead of that, she would rather let Gaven devise the entire plan and then evaluate and finalize it.

Creating something from nothing versus picking out faults in something existing—there was no question as to which was easier.

"Good," Gaven agreed without any objection.

He thought of it as practice for later when he’d build factories in his own valley territory.

"If it’s convenient for you, elder sister, we can leave for the valley right away," Gaven proposed.

"In such a rush?" Zalanda was surprised, "I haven’t made any arrangements here, and if I’m not seen for a long time, there could be unrest."

"Not even for one day? If we leave now, we can be back by tomorrow morning," Gaven clarified the arrangements explicitly.

"One day? You’re planning to use a teleportation spell!" Zalanda instantly understood how Gaven and his party had come to Thacel.

After all, at their level, time was extremely precious. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novᴇl(ꜰ)ire.ɴet

Spending some money to enlist someone to open a teleportation gate for long-distance travel wasn’t uncommon.

Gaven pointed to the Dog Demon lying in the shadows and said, "It has the ability to teleport, although it can only be used once a day. But one round trip to Thacel in a day is convenient enough."

Zalanda considered for a moment and then nodded, "If it’s just for one day, it shouldn’t be a problem. There are no other pressing matters in Darama."

"Going to Young Master Gaven’s lands? Can I come along too?" Nola asked from the side.

In her eyes, Gaven was still a mystery, brimming with endless allure over the past half year.

"Both of us can’t disappear at the same time," Zalanda shook her head, "When I’m not around, if something happens, you’re the only one who can hold the fort."

Gaven chimed in on the side, "As you’ve just seen, there are many areas where our two territories need to cooperate, and our interactions will become more frequent. If you want to visit my place, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Who knows, maybe one day I might truly need to borrow your help."

"Alright then," Nola said with some disappointment, "When such an opportunity arises in the future, you must take me with you."

"Definitely, definitely," Gaven turned to Kopofiel and said, "General, you have twenty days of free action coming up. Once that time is over, please gather as many old comrades and sailors as you can in Darama. Don’t strain yourself, your safety is the most important. Nola, I’ll entrust you with preparing General Kopofiel’s long journey."

Kopofiel’s influence was mainly along the coast of Thacel. His initial visit to Darama was mainly to introduce him to Zalanda.

"Leave it to me," Nola said, thumping her chest.

"Lord, do not worry. I know my limits; my enemies are mainly at sea, not on land. Besides, everyone thinks I’m already dead," Kopofiel replied with a smile.

"General, do not let your guard down. Many of the old nobles in Thacel are rotten to the core. They definitely do not want to see the last surviving Watcher reappear, especially when you’re preparing to recruit subordinates from among them," Zalanda said with a solemn expression.

This was her personal experience over the half year. After a brief pause, she said to Nola, "Pull Darren out from his duties and assign a squadron of elite light cavalry to assist General Kopofiel throughout his journey."

"As you command," Nola bowed in compliance.

Hearing a somewhat familiar name, it took Gaven two or three seconds to associate it with the image of a thin, stubborn, and hardworking little boy. Curious, he asked, "The Darren you mentioned, is he the one I know of?"

Zalanda smiled and nodded, "Yes, the same Darren who helped deliver your messages and receive your discarded manuscripts. He has become quite accomplished now; not only has he unlocked his Professional Level, but he has also become a Battlefield Spellcaster with a high understanding and application of tactics, especially skilled in combining Ride and Spell in light cavalry tactics.

He now self-proclaims to be your student. When you have the time, go and see him."

Gaven’s face couldn’t hide his astonishment, "Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have done so anyway. I never expected that I inadvertently helped you discover such a promising talent."

"Don’t flatter yourself too much. Even without you, I would have unearthed this talent. It’s just that you sped up the process," Zalanda didn’t snub Gaven this time but rather undermined him behind his back.

"Haha... No matter what, you can’t deny my contribution. Let’s go," Gaven called out to the Dog Demon, opening a Teleportation Spell directly back to Weizemay Manor.

As the power of the Teleportation Spell faded, Gaven’s expression suddenly became solemn, and he involuntarily exchanged a glance with Zalanda, "War."

The deafening sound of battle cries came from the direction of Yewen Pond.

What a coincidence. He had only left the Three Rivers Region for a day—just yesterday he traveled to Thacel, and today the enemy attacked.

"Andrew, you follow Lord Zalanda, and I’ll go ahead to assess the situation," Gaven said as he spread his Energy Dragon Wings and took to the sky, without any further discussion, flying towards the source of the battle cries.

Before he flew a few hundred meters, a long whinny sounded, and Luna came flying towards Gaven on green flames.

Gaven didn’t waste words. He mounted her back and asked, "What exactly is happening?"

"It’s a group of mercenaries without a banner, who arrived at Yewen Pond on merchant ships and suddenly launched an attack. They have already landed successfully and are gathering. Their numbers are no less than two thousand,", Thornspike, Black Nanmu, and Five-Willow have already led the Enlightened Trees into battle," Luna explained while rushing Gaven to the battlefield with all her might, showcasing the advantage of a Sage Steed.

"Mercenaries without a banner?"

Gaven involuntarily raised an eyebrow.

Under such circumstances, it was almost impossible to suspect a second party—it was very likely the work of the wealthy of Sambia, just a matter of who specifically.

"Only two thousand ragtag mercenaries? All infantry?" Gaven pressed.

"There are a total of eighteen longships; it’s impossible to carry more soldiers, and they are all infantry," Luna replied with certainty.

"Two thousand infantry, who gave them such audacity?" Gaven was somewhat shocked.

It wasn’t the shock of the enemy’s strength, but their weakness.

In the Three Rivers Region, although there was no regular army, military strength was not weak at all.

Leaving the Treants aside, just the Enlightened Trees alone numbered twenty-three, all towering over eight meters tall.

Ordinary swords could hardly damage them, instead, it was like scratching an itch.

It would take twenty or thirty axes to bring one down.

And with a single slap of their hand, they could turn a grown man into a meat patty. Even a warrior in heavy armor, unless a Combat Profession Practitioner, probably couldn’t withstand two of their punches.

Or was it that their ranks hid a large number of Spellcasters—specializing in fire spells?

Aside from Black Nanmu and Five-Willow, who had some resistance to fire due to the Negative Energy infused in their bodies,

The other Enlightened Treants and Enlightened Trees were vulnerable to fire, with flame damage being doubly effective against them.