Chapter 566: The Difference Between Two Kings (1/2)
Bob let out a long burp, and Donkey Sharo flinched at the crass behaviour. The dragon didn't even apologise for his disgraceful manners, and if King Sharo were in his elven form, he would shoot the brat for not being respectful.
Truen did the dishes, and Zero unfurled the map. It was time to formulate a better plan now that he knew the situation better. Bob sipped on some honey tea and pointed to the areas that were often targeted by the thugs from Indra Seagloo.
”They don't stray far from the shores, huh? The country is struggling only because of how far the wind and waves have reached in-land.” Zero noted.
According to the map and Bob's intelligence, the granary was near the castle grounds and soldier barracks for quick distribution during a famine. King Gaon planned it out rather nicely, but there was one fatal flaw about putting everything in one location. If it catches fire or gets destroyed, the country would starve.
”Is Lycantopia facing food shortage at the moment?” Zero asked, and Bob nodded.
”Not only food. They lack just about everything. You'd be amazed by how extensive the damage is just within the capital. There's seawater everywhere, and while it isn't the first time Queen Leah lost her temper, these werebeasts don't learn. They depend on the sea for a livelihood because of how barren their territory is and how far it is from other countries to trade. However, they continue to put everything important in the capital located just by the sea.”
Truen raised his brow when he saw where the capital was. It was within the disaster zone and didn't serve any strategic purpose for the capital of Lycantopia. The werebeast territory is huge, but most of the land they had was unpopulated. Yet, the land where the farms and mines were at was far from any kind of civilisation. The archer couldn't understand how the werebeasts survived.
”Apart from food shortage, they also lack funds to trade for medicine and cannot afford to hire adventurers or mercenaries. The city requires rebuilding, and it would take them many years to recover from this damage. The werebeasts have a self-sufficiency policy to provide for their people's needs within their own country. Unlike Smargdas, who imports and exports a lot, Lycantopia prefers only to export a few local products and keep everything else for personal consumption.”
Bob's explanation was starting to make more sense now. The werebeast still wear leather armour or wield cheap iron swords that break easily because of the salt in the sea air due to the lack of knowledge and the refusal to import things.
”How open are they to the idea of adventurers, merchants and outsiders coming to Lycantopia in general? Do they hate anyone in particular like how the elves hate the dwarves?”
Thinking about it, Bob shook his head. ”Other than the apparent hatred for merfolk after so many destructions, I don't think they have much contact with other outsiders. The werebeasts are straightforward people. Most of them are very pure-hearted to the point of naivety. I've never seen anyone so gullible, and Jermine is considered one of the brightest beastfolks in Lycantopia ever since she returned. So many werebeasts become tricked into getting sold as slaves because of this, I don't know who to be mad at.”