CHAPTER 298: THE PEOPLE’S STRENGTH

The number of workrooms where people could pour their magic into the stones was limited.

No matter how they tried, only about thirty people could enter at once.

Still, once people heard that the country needed magic stones, everyone willingly joined the long line.

"Hey, old man. Weren’t you bedridden until yesterday?"

Edward recognized a familiar face and spoke to him.

It was an elderly man leaning on a cane.

If he remembered right, the man was close to ninety.

"For something this important to the country, how could I stay in bed? I want to be useful, even just a little."

"Don’t you barely have any magic left? You’ll collapse and trouble everyone. Go home before that happens."

"What nonsense are you saying? It’s not about the amount! Young people are always chasing the strength they can see in front of them. Real strength isn’t like that. Even small bits of power, when gathered together, become something great. What matters is everyone joining their strength. That is the strength of people. Cough, cough, cough!"

The old man spoke passionately, almost spitting everywhere, his dentures looking like they might fly out.

He put so much force into his words that he began coughing.

Edward gently rubbed the old man’s back and said, "You okay old man? Don’t push yourself too hard. You’re not young anymore."

"I know that! I’m not losing to the young ones just yet!"

"That stubbornness is exactly what people call the foolish pride of the elderly..."

With his eyebrows lowered in a troubled frown, Edward felt a tap on his shoulder from behind.

He turned around and barely managed to swallow the startled "Hie!" that almost escaped his mouth.

"Yes, yes. We can’t lose to the young folks just yet. Doh-hah-hah-hah!"

Behind him stood a whole group of old men and old women whose laughing with their dentures clicking.

Some leaned on canes, some had bent backs, but Edward knew them well.

These were the lively and annoyingly energetic elders of the town. They are always gathering together out of boredom and plotting something or another.

"The Eldery Activity Club... all of you..." Edward muttered.

"It makes me happy that even at this age, we can still do something for our country," one old woman said.

"Aye, aye. I brought baked sweets. Do you want one?" another old man added.

"Baked sweets, huh? Hey, Old Howard, don’t nap around there, come eat these sweets!"

"Fnyaa, I gotta feed the cows," Howard mumbled.

"You sold your cows ten years ago! You’re confused again," someone snapped.

"When I was young, I was real popular, you know. Remember? Back then, that famous adventurer Troy? He was crazy about me," an old woman bragged.

"There she goes again with her old stories..."

"What? A Rados suddenly appeared? Hurry up catch it!"

"Roast it or boil it, it tastes great either way," someone else added cheerfully.

It was chaos.

A complete chaos, they are lining up behind him in a long row.

...

"Alright! Everyone’s here. Hurry up and carry these to the church!"

When Tenby shouted, Misija, Campbell, and Murray answered in unison and lifted the large sacks stuffed full of magic stones onto their shoulders.

They had received an urgent request from Rosaria Kingdom and their young King had taken the lead to gather every magic stone the country could produce.

The people were also had been informed about the threat of the Aeon and the situation in the Solmaria and they were asked to help.

Under King Jircniv’ rule, the forced military drafts were gone, taxes were eased and the lives of the people visibly improved.

Everyone in the kingdom gave him their respect and trust.

Ever since Rosaria began producing magic stones, the sand and rocks from the mountains of Dalmasca that was once considered worthless became trade goods for Rosaria.

With the payment they received, the people of Dalmasca could buy food and items they lacked.

Their country that was rich in iron improved its metalworking skills and began exporting iron products.

The sheep pelts and pelts from mountain animals were also welcomed in Rosaria.

The industries in the barren lands and mountains finally started to move.

Dalmasca that was once poor kingdom was now taking sure steps toward hope.

Furthermore, with the technical help received from Rosaria magic stone factories had started operating in many places.

These factories had provided jobs for many people and helping stabilize their lives.

Everyone in the country tried to help the king, their neighboring kingdom, and ultimately the world.

They collected magic stones as much as they could and crowded into the magic stone factories to offer their magic power.

Truly, Dalmasca had become a good country.

Forming an alliance with Rosaria and removing the fear of war played a big part in it.

Tenby and the other members of the Royal Restoration Faction had regained their positions as knights and now they were riding their horses according to the king’s request, traveling around to collect the magic stones offered by the people.

But Tenby, Misija, and a few others were not running around only for the king.

"For Lord Dominic!"

"For Lord Dominic who is fighting the Aeon!"

After calling out their words like a slogan, they ran up the steep stairs of the temple.

Inside the church was the transfer magic circle that Lord Quintus had used before.

After the alliance between Dalmasca and Rosaria became official, the temporary magic circle was carved permanently into the floor so it could be used at any time.

This magic circle was connected to the transfer facility in the royal castle of Rosaria.

If they sent the magic stones through it, they would be transported directly from there to the Solmaria Kingdom.

It was truly practical.

In Solmaria, at this very moment, Lord Dominic was fighting a life-or-death battle against the Aeon.

Tenby felt frustrated that he could not go there and fight at his side.

"Lord Dominic is surely fighting like an unstoppable warrior."