Reincarnate as Prince: Change Magical World with Industry

55 Magic

Janus didn't speak much during their whole tea session, but Yvaine seemed to not need any help from him at all. He was just there to sip some tea and nod at moments where Yvaine would ask him a question. "This one was made from one of your plans, right Janus?" She regaled Haruna with tales of their expedition to this land, how Janus had almost gotten them lost and how he found them a better spot to settle. How he stayed up late writing plans upon plans and how everyone banded together to implement them.

Lady Haruna seemed very well-mannered and agreeable, she nodded and laughed at the same places, but Janus felt everything went too formal and political. Something that was hard for him to keep up at all.

After tea, Yvaine went on to give Lady Haruna the tour as well as to distribute the supplies brought by the merchant. Dessa gave them the lists and stormed off without even greeting to Janus, which he thought was unusual.

They boarded a large metallic wagon, made by tougher steel and gilded by the dwarves with gold inlays that decorated the wheels and the whole frame.

The other wagons followed them from behind. Those were full seedlings and produce. Each section of the village had its own rations. They kept distributing these to each sector, with every time they had to stop, Yvaine gave Haruna a tour of the land while dragging Janus in tow.

"This land was once a large forest full of snakes and wild boars in every corner. Well' you could still see them once in a while but now they're mostly fields given to the people."

Yvaine pointed out a huge plot of land which was tilled and planted by shirtless men in the heat of the sun. They made use of oxen to plow the fields while the women planted behind them.

Janus could see that the irrigation system is well on its way, he took notes with him at every stop, trying his best to avoid the two ladies in their chat.

"To the people?" Haruna asked. "You mean to say the workers themselves own the lands?"

"Yep, that's the idea. It might be something crazy coming from an aristocratic country, but it's something Janus heavily advocated to. I could see the benefits of it really, with the incentive to have their own land the citizens are more motivated to work. The council provides them with innovations while they provide us with a small percentage of their produce in tax. The relationship cycles and everybody gets to do work. No more nobilities lazing around and socializing. Everyone convenes at the taverns at night, or at the amphitheater for presentations and such."

"Ahh yes, the taverns and the amphitheater, another one of my brother's finer ideas." Yvaine added.

"Taverns are quite common, but I haven't heard of an amphitheater."

"Oh its a place for entertainment. People were clamoring for pubs and brothels but Janus and I wouldn't ever agree to that. Plus, Father Galvan would throw a fit at the idea of men wasting their coin and energy on such hedonistic affairs. Janus' idea was a theater where everyone can perform and celebrate. The tavernas we call it is actually a space built in a large open area, where crowds can sing and dance and perform their festivities. Each culture has brought with them their rich traditions. Music, stories, and talents. It is there that we celebrate their heritage. We're holding special events every end of the week, you should see a show sometime."

"Yes, I would like that."

Yvaine smiled at Janus, but he was still uneasy till the end of the trip. Lady Haruna would spot something in the distance where there was nothing and would linger until Yvaine spoke to her. She carried a look in her face that felt strange. Plus, the way that she looked at him every now and then felt suspicious. His spine would tingle every time.

He couldn't explain it, so he did his best to be neutral and cordial to Haruna till it was time to retire.

#

Haruna didn't expect Lady Yvaine to be this nice. She was given the best treatment and provided the best quarters in Lakeside.

Now that she was about to sleep in her fluffy feathered bed-- which treated her back way better than the wagons ever could. She reflected on everything she had experienced in her first day of the visit.

Come to think of it, every expectation that she had of this place was blown upside down.

First of all, they were very productive despite not adhering to any class system. There were no slaves and no whips involved, yet everyone worked hard at their task. She marveled at their forges, their farms, and the fishing outposts -- especially the ones that the cat people had created.

No one was lazing around and doing nothing. Everyone had their own task, and they were seemingly organized. Even the monster hunters, whom she thought were thugs who always played dice -- had an alert member with them at every given moment.

The military force that they were building -- the one that her father was wary of -- was nothing threatening after all. It was born out of a dire need to protect and manage this vast territory from every threat. The Mystic Flames looked like a well-oiled organization, despite the fact that they were composed of different races with different cultures.

Out of everyone's race, the goblins surprised her the most.

When they made a stop to the goblin villages, she was wary about what she would find. Goblins were usually monsters that armies had to drive out for their mischievous deeds. She was greatly astonished at what she found. The goblins were just as productive as the humans and other races were. Tilling their own lands and building their own homes. She was even surprised to see a goblin chemists brewing their own concoctions in broad daylight.

She met the shamans as well and it was her favorite encounter. Lines of arcane swiveled and rotated around them. She could see that there were traces of elemental magic around them that they could manipulate and form. The one called Preeni was very adept at sensing elemental arcana from the wind. It was similar to the energies that they were taught to use in magic colleges, but it took years of hard work and practice to reach the ability to feel the wind, or any other element for that matter. She doubted that these creatures atttended any kind of schools at all.

Suffice to say, what was natural for Preeni needed a lot of study and effort from Haruna.

Another thing that astounded her was the environment itself. It was by all means -- hostile. Cracks formed around the environment where magic seeped and flowed, but it was very erratic. These were squiggly jagged lines of energy that were impractical to use and tame. Nothing that any mage would find useful in their arts.

Haruna guessed that perhaps this was the reason why magical creatures and mysterious phenomena happened here. And why no one ever dared settle in this place.

Father was right. Only a madman would want to live here.

Except amongst madmen, there were also geniuses. Fools would find it hard to distinguish between the two.

Prince Janus was the greatest puzzle of them all. There was something off about him. She had already forgotten that awkward first encounter. Now she was intrigued. After a whole afternoon of spending time with him, she could sense arcane energies surrounding the Prince.

Prince Janus had a magical affinity. She wanted to know more.