Chapter 11: Magical Machinery

Early summer in the Caucasus is a hive of activity, with Komer returning from his visit to the Barbarian Territory and immediately throwing himself back into the endless cycle of work and cultivation.

The two great lords to the north have gradually revealed their policies of containment and suppression. Although Komer had preemptively stored a large amount of food, it was only just enough to get through May's small spring harvest. Moreover, the transit tax on food has more than doubled the original price, placing pressure on Komer and prompting him to further relax the Land Reclamation Policy.

But a faraway solution cannot quench an immediate thirst; this does not solve the impending pressure of food scarcity. The small spring food harvest across the Caucasus is far from meeting the needs, necessitating massive imports, but the current price of food is clearly unacceptable.