Reincarnate as Prince: Change Magical World with Industry

33 Storm

The wind started howling by nightfall, and by that time everyone had huddled into the shelter. The wagons were roofed and cramped. Hammocks were carefully connected in a way to keep everybody covered. They selected an area on the slope of a hill where the wind would have the minimum force to blow. They dug ditches for water so that it would not pool beneath their ground. Wolves would be the last of their concerns tonight. Janus was hopeful that their preparations were enough.

Then the rain came, and the ropes shook and water splattered all over. It was the loudest rain that Janus had ever experienced in his life. He was completely soaked in the first five minutes. Children were crying all night, and you can hear the cry of housewives and men alike.

If not for Preeni's warnings. They wouldn't have been ready.

Janus could hear pleas from his people.

"This was a mistake."

"I knew we were doomed."

"Shh shut your mouth, the Prince is close by."

Janus couldn't blame them at all. The wind and the shower were battering him in his position. His books and his maps of top priority and wrapped tightly inside the wagon. It was their ticket to surviving in their new settlement. But he couldn't help but think it would have been better if it were reserved for some of his citizens.

The storm raged on all through the night, but gradually it came slower and slower until only the slightest pitter-patter could be heard by dawn.

That morning the sky cleared and the wind stood still. The camp was in pure chaos. Fallen debris and scattered materials could be seen all over. There wasn't a dry person in the perimeter. Janus checked his books, and some of them took the damage, thankfully the maps were mostly made of cloth and animal skin. It should dry eventually. He wondered if books he already claimed in the library could be salvaged again.

He collected reports from the wagon leaders. Thankfully, there were no human casualties. Aside from cases of the common cold and minor injuries, everyone was relatively safe.

"Is there a dry wagon somewhere?" Janus asked the group.

"Yes, Your Highness." One of the wagon leaders spoke. Her name was Issha, one of the older kitchen staff in the manor. "The one that carried dried fish and jerky was just under the roofing. It's relatively dry compared to the others."

"Let's tear it down and build a fire. So that everyone can dry up at the very least. Take a few chickens and an Ox. Let's cook a hot meal while we're at it."

So they tore down the wagon and built several fires. Rations were given out and everyone was instructed to make soup. This lifted everyone's spirits up. It would be the first good meal they had since they left the last town of Galedon.

When they started the trek again they were approaching noon. A late start to be sure but Janus had to keep morale up, his men still had a lot of work to do, even after they reached the spot.

"Master Ringo, how close are we?" he asked.

"Sire, after the tree line we should see two hills. Below the second one, we should see a clearing."

"Good. Let's keep going." Janus was looking forward to resting his butt once and for all.

Thankfully, the weather had cleared up that day and the storm was but a passing affair. They had consulted Preeni on whether or not it was safe to go through, to which the goblin happily confirmed after a few minutes of twirling and checking the air with her finger.

The fifth day arrived and they kept going, with signs of wolves or large animals on their way.

"Master Ringo, what do you think? Is that the last hill before we arrive?"

"Yes. If our calculations are correct and the map is accurate then we should see the clearing after the hill." Said the steward.

Finally, their suffering was about to pay off. Janus was looking forward to another round of meals before they could commence in their initial infrastructure plans. Their pace quickened as the news of the end of the journey passed along the people.

When they looked over the final hill, however, there was a strong acrid smell.

No, it can't be.

Janus ran ahead to take a peek but seeing the reaction from his scouts already confirmed his suspicions. They were all sitting down and staring at the sight below, speechless and exasperated.

What was supposed to be a large clearing of plains and streams was a huge field of rock and molten lava. With vents and geysers spewing out steam from under the ground. Mount Brimstone loomed in the distance, indifferent to their woes. They were running out of water sources and food. And now the land that they were promised turned out to be a burning pool of chemicals.

Janus scoured his maps again. Looking at how they could have gotten it wrong. He and Master Ringo were checking the signs every day, and charting the distances they covered based on the landmarks and the notable rock formations they passed through. He couldn't believe his eyes.

Several people gasped as they were all forced to stop. It was no good passing through this way. Hot water was bubbling all over, along with sulfur vents spewing acrid steam. He heard Arthan and Captain Caleb signaling everybody to stop and to keep the wagons at a safe distance.

Janus was panting and he felt his heart beating at his chest again. Somebody handed him a wineskin to drink, to which he gulped hastily.

It was Yvaine. For the first time, he noticed the concerned faces surrounding him. Aside from his sister, Father Galvan was here. Captain Caleb, Master Ringo. Kazzuk, Hakkar, Adduk, Preeni. All were gathered around him.

"Janus, what now? Is everything okay?" Yvaine said.

"Looks like the eruption fifty years ago significantly changed the landscape." Master Ringo said, echoing Janus' thoughts.

Father Galvan chimed in. "We have marked our way back have we not? We can still get back to Galedon with our rations I presume."

"No!" Yelled Hakkar. "We will stay here. There is nothing for us there among the humans."

"You can stay if you please, but I'm not about to jeopardize the lives of all these faithful if the cause is lost."

"No, it is not lost. We will find away." Janus said. He had calmed down a bit. All of that eagerness to get the journey over with had taken its toll on him.

"Do you have a plan, Prince Janus?"

"Let me think for a moment." He was too absorbed in his maps that he didn't have a contingency plan.

"Janus, look we can still go back to Father. I'll try to convince him. Maybe there's a better place we can take all of these men. Somewhere that's a little less hostile. There are free lands somewhere in the north."

"There's a war in the north Yvaine, and we'll be closer to Mydir. Along with Marcus and Anders' campaign. I'd be more likely to die if we went there."

"Prince Janus... about those maps." Sir Arthan spoke, "Who supplied them to you? Was it the scholars from the council? Perhaps there are inaccuracies in them. They may have been tainted by the influence of Lord Padron."

Hakkar Spat at the mention of the name.

But no, Janus knew the truth. His maps were from the Golden Library and they were outdated, and it was a careless risk that he took. He was gambling on the information and relying heavily on that it wouldn't change. He missed the fact that this was at the base of an active volcano, and the last eruption had drastically changed everything.

"Bah!" Father Galvan started raising his voice. "What kind of expedition is this anyway, has no one scouted the location beforehand? I'm starting to think we were all thrown in here as exiles."

Everyone looked at Father Galvan.

"What? Did I say something wrong?"

To Janus' surprise, it was Master Ringo who broke the silence with loud laughter. Everyone else looked perplexed, but then Janus couldn't help it. He started to laugh.

"Seriously Father Galvan, you had no idea? Did you really think this was an expedition? No, you're in the middle of a plot to take me out of the succession. They want me to rot in what they think is a desolate place. But I don't plan to follow their will. What I see around me is a land full of potential, and the men and women around me are the keys to building a better life. I am not intending this to be an exile. This is a new land and this is our land."

"Yes! Our Land!" The goblins cheered. People around him were nodding, except for the priest who was still in shock.

Janus looked around. It wasn't that bad at all. The sulfur fields were just one patch of land in this vast property. There are other areas to explore. All they needed to do was to be smart about it.