CHAPTER 474: CHAPTER 452: RY COURT BARRACKS

The wheels rolled over the caterpillars on the mortar pavement, severing their necks and bursting into puddles of green slime.

Before the caterpillars could react, dozens of horse hooves thundered over them, trampling the green slime into an indistinguishable mass, completely eliminating the possibility of regeneration.

Surrounded by dozens of Cuirassiers and Holy Gun Cavalry, the flag and carriage representing the Pope advanced along the erstwhile Blood and Sweat Road.

Horn sat in the luxurious open-top carriage bought by Catherine, with the papal canopy above him, as the moist breeze blew on his face, he contentedly squinted his eyes.

Although the open-top carriage did not move slowly, it was, after all, a high-end vehicle. With the ingenious design by master craftsmen, the bumpiness was much less than ordinary carriages.

Moreover, the wheels were covered with hardened Slime Gel, and the ground was a smooth mortar road, making it as stable as a modern car.

This small path from the Ancient Aier Era was among the first to be paved with mortar roads, yet it remains incomplete to this day.

According to Vite’s original design, to meet the required transport capacity, the road needed to be widened three to four times, to twelve meters, and a request to rename Blood and Sweat Road to Lake Road was made.

However, this design was rejected by the Senate.

First, it was impractical; widening by one or two meters would suffice to meet current needs.

Secondly, "Who gave you the authority to recklessly change the glorious era of the Saint’s Grandson?!"

Therefore, the current plan is to design and build with a one-meter expansion on both sides, paving the mortar gravel road first.

Horn rested his elbow on the carriage door, slightly tilting his head, watching the refugees making way for the papal carriage on the Blood and Sweat Road.

They still wore tattered clothes, but their complexions showed more blush than before, not to mention the upright spirit they carried.

After all, the shock therapy of not paying taxes for a year, and this year’s bountiful harvest, allowed many vagrants not only to eat their fill but even taste pork for the first time in their lives.

During this time, the immigration plan for Daze Village continued without pause.

According to current reports, at least 10,000 migrants have moved to Daze Village from Langsande County and even North County in the past six months.

Without closely examining the reports, Horn could guess that all the immigrants were likely landless vagrants.

It was known that the vicinity of Joan of Arc Castle attracted many non-local vagrants.

Although Horn significantly divided the lands of the lords, it still couldn’t satisfy the demands of all vagrants.

In later stages, Horn extensively engaged in construction, building bridges and roads, and improving infrastructure, primarily because the construction industry could accommodate a large number of low-skilled laborers.

Yet some migrant laborers, originally from farming backgrounds, felt that working was impossible, insisting farming was the only job that could fulfill their needs.

Luckily, Autumn Dusk Island’s resources were insufficient for self-sufficiency, so they introduced the "Autumn Dusk Island Reclamation Act," offering "five years of land clearing, three years tax-free, low-cost renting of oxen and horses, and keeping whatever is cultivated."

The total population of Daze Village has now reached the 50,000 mark, with 30,000 living on the banks of lakes and marshes, and 20,000 on Autumn Dusk Island.

Naturally, this couldn’t compare with Kush Territory’s recorded population of 200,000, but it was certainly much better than before.

Admiring the natural scenery along the way, Catherine adjusted her crystal glasses,

dismounting from the ring-road mortar path and riding a little, before reboarding the carriage upon reaching the New Life Bridge.

Upon arrival at the descending dock, a group of imposing beastman girls, their faces painted ghostly white with only orange-red blush on their cheeks, was spotted.

Seeing Horn’s carriage approach, the girls leaped onto beastman skin drums, rhythmically pounding with their furry pads.

This was the local beastmen’s unique welcoming ceremony, as the coarse old Senators didn’t understand the Ancient Aier rituals and had to use it.

The open-top carriage slowly came to a stop before numerous Senators, and naturally, Horn disembarked, going through pleasantries and greeting them all before reboarding.

"I’ll visit Autumn Dusk Island often, so let’s not do this again," Horn waved his hand, "Let’s head straight to the Mechanical Palace to settle down. This long journey, finally a chance for a break."

Looking at the dock before him, a smile unavoidably crept onto Horn’s lips.

This once desolate ghost town was now thriving with vibrant life.

Currently, there is only one yet-unnamed small town on Autumn Dusk Island, with a population of about 11,000.

The entire island’s population is about 21,000, with the remaining non-urban population managing farms on the island.

Autumn Dusk Island covers approximately 110 square kilometers, with higher terrain in the north and lower in the south, with central rising mountains; much of the southern island consists of undevelopable tidal flats and marshes.

If sedimented lake water could be drained through the river project, the southern island could expand by at least 10 square kilometers.

Currently, Autumn Dusk Island is divided into two areas: urban and suburban, with the main leaders in City Hall being the Senate and Mayor Vite, while the suburban adopts a Hundred Households District system.

The suburban farmland now covers about 16,000 acres, producing about 720 tons of food annually, yet the entire island’s populace requires approximately 6,000 tons, nine-tenths or more of which need external transport and fish catch.

The flax fields span over 3,000 acres, currently yielding 600 tons of flax annually. If fully put into production, it could yield about 120 tons of flax fiber, translating to 70,000 yards of linen fabric.

This 70,000 yards of linen fabric could produce about 12,000 complete sets of clothing, as garments can be preserved long-term, and linen is rarely worn in cold seasons, thereby satisfying the island’s clothing needs.

The similarly produced 95 tons of linseed oil barely suffices for the islanders’ oil needs, with vegetables and fruits provided by beastmen and small farmers.

Salt was more than enough, not just self-sustaining but even capable of exporting several tens of tons; the Beastman Queens have prepared to tap into a second and third salt well.

As the open-top carriage gradually neared the Mechanical Palace, the flashing brass tower appeared in view.

"What is that?" Catherine pointed at the tower and asked.

Horn glanced up and then smiled, shaking his head, "In a couple of days, I’ll take you to see it yourself, then you’ll know what it is."

So mysterious? Catherine frowned, staring at the shiny tower.

Why did she feel she had seen this somewhere before, yet couldn’t recall? She had never been to Autumn Dusk Island before.

Looking up, Horn noticed a group building something on a hill. Turning, he asked Vite beside him, "What’s that?"

"Ah, that is a water tower designed by Princess Hilov, using a rotary holy machine to pump water, intending to install a tap water system in the Mechanical Palace first, to see the effect and gather construction experience."

"Oh?" Horn glanced at the distant small town, "With the current development level of the town and the number of Star-Cast Gears, starting a tap water system now seems a bit premature."

"After all, Princess Hilov controls a quarter of the Star-Cast Gears, perhaps she just wants a bit more convenience in life," Vite laughed bitterly.

Star-Cast Gears are Hilov’s private property, and her providing Horn three-quarters for free is generous enough.

As for the remainder, she could do as she pleased; Horn had no say, as charging the Star-Cast Gears relied on her, not to mention she often used private Star-Cast Gears to handle official duties like a machine tool.

"You’ve been saying ’small town’ all this time—what is this small town’s name?" Catherine, who had been listening silently, finally couldn’t help but ask.

Vite, having received written notice and portraits, naturally recognized the beautiful woman before him, and bowed, "The Senate hasn’t decided yet, but Princess Hilov suggested a name that’s quite popular."

"She has an idea too? What is it called?"

Horn heard this for the first time; initially, he suppressed the Senate’s disputes, preventing them from escalating but unwittingly allowed Hilov to come up with a name.

On reflection, this is Hilov’s hometown, with everything essentially planned by Vite and her, so she surely had her naming ideas.

If her suggested name wasn’t excessive, Horn had no objections.

"It’s called ry Court Barracks."