Beneath the Red Dragon

Chapter 58: Chapter 16: Land of Golden

No one knows when it started, but a rumor began circulating among the Gata Empire’s common folk that those Juvenile Dragons captured and turned into Imperial Colosseum Gladiators possessed the world’s most fertile territories.

There, rainforests flourished, and the centuries-old trees alone could build a small boat; the land was fertile, and crops planted there could be harvested four or five times a year.

The area was rich in species, and even the lowest-skilled Hunters could catch plump game with simple traps or fish with nothing but their hands from those stupid fat fish.

Its mineral veins were endless, with countless precious minerals exposed on the surface, and gold mines and silver mines scattered everywhere; gemstones and agate were easily obtainable.

Even the rivers flowing through the jungles were filled with gold. By collecting the waters downstream from the Land of Golden, you could obtain boundless amounts of gold.

Although this rumor sounded too good to be true, those who had witnessed the Juvenile Dragons’ appearance at the Imperial Colosseum inexplicably fueled these rumors.

Each spoke as though he had personally experienced such distant lands, with great conviction.

These rumors were said to have originated from those Adventurers, who daily extolled their adventures in bustling marketplaces.

And how they explored the Land of Golden and luckily found a piece of dog head gold the size of a human head near the rivers.

Initially skeptical about these rumors, genuine Adventurers began to stir upon seeing the massive dog head gold displayed before them, while the increasing number of boats in the harbored cities near the sea further verified their thoughts.

These boats were filled with people and various equipment for mineral washing, lively and jovial aboard, and after receiving ample supplies at the harbors, circled them a few times declaring their inner joy, then set off toward the legendary Juvenile Dragons’ territory.

These Adventurers immediately became exuberant, quickly spreading the word, linking up with each other, preparing to form an Adventurer Alliance to head to that affluent place.

In this way, not only could they gather everyone’s strength for self-protection, but maybe they could also occupy a bountiful area as a base.

As for those merchants and Adventurers who had previously visited that area, they thought perhaps their exploration direction was mistaken or not deep enough.

After all, they had also seen the area firsthand, so they couldn’t sit still and began organizing their forces, preparing to head to the Land of Golden.

Powerful merchants started assembling their fleets, recruiting Mercenaries and Explorers from the market as Guards, with ships following the paths of the scouts setting off far away.

And some scattered gold-seeking Adventurers rented those relatively cheap small and medium-sized ships, following the large boats of the merchants.

Though these small and medium-sized ships were risky to sail upon The Sea, the Adventurers didn’t care, their desire for gold surpassing their value for life, being people who traded life for wealth in the first place.

Gold-seekers didn’t understand life less than Adventurers did; wherever there might be gold, they’d attempt a try, regardless of whether the place was Heaven or Hell.

The citizens of the northern Gata Empire originally had a strong passion for martial arts, full of martial virtues, facing those dangerous monster mountains, always circulating tales of hidden treasures.

Therefore, the whole country had a dense adventuring spirit and atmosphere, which further stimulated the populace’s enthusiasm.

As this trend spread, it gradually passed from coastal cities to inland cities, even affecting Imperial Capital Hobis at the Empire’s southern center.

This adventure gold-seeking fever seemed led by a mysterious hand, slowly sweeping across the entire Gata Empire, becoming nationwide popular within a few months, as countless Adventurers and merchants began heading north.

When those ships were heading north with noble family crests and Mage emblems, even the ordinary people living amongst the marketplace became eager.

For a moment, Imperial ships became scarce, with even reckless Adventurers attempting to sail out The Sea with fishing boats, only to be capsized by waves shortly after leaving shore, fortunately close enough to retrieve their lives.

”Nut honey cakes, pumpkin soup! Come see, tastes great!”

”Fresh wheat bread, only two copper.”

”Arugula, carrots, chives······”

The crowded market was filled with various hawking sounds of soliciting customers, people coming and going, with not only many farmers and city residents but also occasionally some Nobility servants appearing in this place.

Selective Nobility often had peculiar tastes; maybe one day they might want to try the flavors of ordinary people’s food.

In front of this crowded market were some mobile stalls, those being the first choice for people who lacked the ability to open a small restaurant but were confident in their culinary skills.

Rose was one of them, although he hadn’t opened today.

Rose scratched his head, feeling somewhat embarrassed to shout for customers like others, just standing dumbfounded behind the stall.

Your eyes stared intently at the passing pedestrians, hoping they have a keen eye to appreciate your excellent culinary skills and the fruits of your hard labor.

”Rose, Rose,” a young man squeezed through the crowd, drenched in sweat, breathlessly ran to the stall. This was his close friend, He’Er.

Many food materials on his stall came from this companion, as he was an outstanding Hunter with smooth processing techniques for the game, with the valuable furs of the game requiring an excellent hand to ensure their worth.

”What’s up, He’Er,” Rose chuckled, handing over a cup of water, ”Did something happen, don’t worry, tell me slowly.”

Huh, huh, the young man named He’Er took two deep breaths, gulped down the cup of water, then approached with a mysterious look and said, ”Rose, do you know the recent rumors about the Land of Golden?”

”Of course I know, it’s spread throughout the entire Capital City,” Rose scratched his head, ”You’re not thinking of adventure gold-seeking as well, are you, He’Er? Dismiss that thought, we know nothing about this field.”

”Moreover, even if it truly is covered with gold, we can’t find a ship to take us now, as those capable of long journeys have been rented by others.”

”Hehe, obviously not for gold-seeking, it may not be as those bragging Adventurers say.”

”But so many people went to that place, they’d surely need to eat, right? How about we go there and open a small restaurant, while they mine gold, we’ll ’mine’ them, what do you think?” He’Er proposed, placing a hand on his partner’s shoulder.

”Sounds good,” Rose’s honest face showed a trace of interest, ”but how will we get there?”

”Hehe, as for that, I have a solution!”