“At the beginning of the year, during his New Year’s address, the Grand Duke mentioned the Withered Wastes Development Plan. No one paid attention at the time because there’s such talk every year, but it’s never actually been implemented.
“However, after spring break, certain signs made people feel that the Grand Duke was serious this time.
“First was that the National Railway Department planned to connect the railways in the Ashless Lands with the railways inside the Duchy, using the same gauge, and formulated more railway construction plans, wanting to connect more accessible areas.
“This had never happened before. Railways are expensive to build. And most of the railways in the Ashless Lands were laid by private companies. Now the Duchy plans to use national power to improve transportation in the Ashless Lands, which is really…”
Bertram Fenn shook his head, showing a complex expression.
Siles said at the right moment, “So the grand development of the Withered Wastes does exist.”
“Exactly.” Bertram took a deep breath. “Of course, nothing is set in stone yet. How to develop it, to what extent… we’ll probably have to wait until after the winter holiday market to decide.”
The winter holiday market.
This was the second time Siles had heard about this.
He asked, “Is there something special about this winter holiday market?”
He knew about the winter holiday market. Every year during winter break—before the October rainy season arrived—there would be a grand market in Lafami City.
This wasn’t entirely related to Lafami City or the rainy season. The main reason was actually that at the end of October was the birthday of the god of the past and history—Antinam.
Therefore, besides being called the winter holiday market or October market, it also had the alias of the Birth Market.
This market had existed since the founding of Lafami.
Usually, merchants from all over the Duchy came to the capital to set up stalls. With the development of the Ashless Lands, merchants from other countries, as well as goods from the Ashless Lands, wanderers, circus troupes, and the like would also appear at the market.
It was indeed a very lively period.
Bertram said, “People close to the Grand Duke have spread word that he plans to look at the scale of this market, as well as the variety and prices of goods from the Ashless Lands at the market… then assess the feasibility of the grand Withered Wastes development plan.”
Siles nodded thoughtfully.
He then asked tactfully, “What about… those gangs?”
“They… actually, they don’t have channels for trading in the Ashless Lands.” Bertram said. “They’re more interested in profiting from the development process of the Withered Wastes—for example, during the railway track laying process.”
Laying tracks required sufficient manpower and laborers. There were clearly many workers here in the Old City, and the underground gangs controlled these people’s job opportunities.
Only then did Siles understand. Any slight behavioral tendency from Grand Duke Constant would cause chaos among those below. In this era, this was inevitable.
Siles thought for a moment and felt this matter didn’t directly concern him, so with a slightly relaxed mood, he said to Bertram, “Thank you for telling me this. I’ve learned a lot.”
A friendly smile appeared on Bertram’s stern face. He said, “I heard from my wife that you found work. May I ask what that is…?”
“Oh, teaching at the university.” Siles didn’t elaborate. “By the way, I think you could also send Anthony to school.”
Bertram nodded. “I have that plan, but I’ve been away from home for years, and my wife has to manage the family’s properties, so we’ve never had time to pay attention to Anthony’s situation.”
Siles then said, “So this time…?”
“I plan to stay home for a while. Ever since news of the grand development plan came out, the Ashless Lands have become increasingly chaotic.” Bertram said with a complaining tone. “I’ve decided to wait until winter passes.
“Besides…”
He considered for a moment, then looked at Siles.
Siles looked puzzled.
Bertram said, “You helped my family this time. I don’t think I can ignore your kindness. My wife rashly sought your help, but you were still willing to lend a hand. This is rare and precious.”
Siles felt somewhat embarrassed by his words.
But Bertram continued seriously, “Part of the reason I returned to Lafami this time is that I got an opportunity to cooperate with a food company. If you’re willing, I’d like to invite you to join this cooperation.”
Siles was stunned, then said in great surprise, “No, I think I don’t deserve such compensation…”
Spending a morning bringing a spoiled kid home, then receiving such boundless rewards? Siles felt he didn’t deserve it.
“No, Mr. Noel, you may not quite understand how I felt when I received my wife’s letter.” Bertram sighed. “All along, I thought it was enough that I earned money outside while my wife managed household affairs at home.
“But… I think sometimes I’ve really neglected my family too much. You’re also a man. Can you understand this feeling?”
Siles ‘single from Earth to Fisher Planet’ Noel: “…”
Regardless of what Siles thought, Bertram continued, “So during my rush back, I was reflecting on my actions and mindset over all these years.
“I’ve already earned enough money. I already have sufficient assets. But in this process, I’ve also lost time with my wife and son. On my way back, I was terrified that something had really happened to Anthony, terrified that my wife might follow him…”
Bertram said with genuine emotion and great fear, “Mr. Noel, you truly don’t know—when you extended a helping hand to my wife, you didn’t just save her and our Anthony, you saved me too!”
Siles felt his contribution was being exaggerated, but Bertram’s enthusiasm was hard to refuse. Finally, under Bertram’s uncompromising tone, Siles heard the specific details of the cooperation with the food company.
After listening for a while, he understood that in this cooperation, Bertram Fenn wasn’t the main organizer but a participating investor.
This spring, when trading in the Ashless Lands, a merchant traveling with him obtained several recipes from a tribal settlement in the Withered Wastes. After trying them, they unexpectedly discovered these recipes seemed profitable.
So they contacted a food company, planning to cooperate on these recipes.
“Of course, we can’t just sell the recipes directly to them. From ingredients to preparation, from sales to restaurant operations, we must maintain tight control.” Bertram said. “Now people are increasingly concerned about what they consume. We all believe this business is worth trying.”
Siles nodded.
“I invested some money, not too much.” Bertram explained. “Besides that, I’m in the fur business, as you may know. So I know some farms and tribes that raise animals.
“The meat from those animals can be used as ingredients. I introduced a merchant to do this and enjoy a portion of his profit share. I think I can transfer this portion of the proceeds to you.
“You teach at the school and probably can’t earn that much money. Consider these proceeds as my help to you. Please don’t refuse.”
For Bertram’s assets, this investment, whose returns were still uncertain, was just a drop in the bucket, but for Siles, it was a temptation difficult to refuse.
After much hesitation, Siles didn’t decline this goodwill and accepted it gladly.
Bertram immediately wrote a note to his lawyer, asking him to come in the afternoon to sign a transfer agreement with Siles. This swift and decisive style also surprised Siles somewhat.
The merchant noticed his expression and rarely showed a smile, explaining, “When doing business in the Ashless Lands, you can’t have a moment’s hesitation. Those cunning tribal villagers and other merchants will always make you lose money-making opportunities when you hesitate.”
Siles couldn’t help but say, “I’ve learned something.”
Through this exchange, Siles established a good relationship with the Fenn family. At noon that day, he shared lunch with Mr. Fenn’s family of three.
At the table, they discussed more matters related to the Ashless Lands. This was also the first time Siles had such in-depth knowledge of the Ashless Lands.
About four hundred years ago, the fog in the Ashless Lands began to slowly dissipate. From that time on, countless merchants, explorers, and travelers went to the Ashless Lands.
They roughly explored the regions of the Ashless Lands but also encountered endless risks.
It could be wild beasts, treacherous terrain, sudden natural disasters, or… some peculiar, eerie encounters.
“People say that although the gods have fallen, their influence remains.” Bertram said in a tone carrying some mystery and fear. “The Ashless Lands hide countless secrets, many of which are related to eras before the Age of Mist… related to the gods.”
Siles nodded, thinking this wasn’t surprising.
After all, the Ashless Lands only appeared during the Age of Silence. During the Age of Silence, the gods fell, and the Ashless Lands happened to be born at this moment.
In historical academia, there were many theories suspecting some connection between these two events.
Of course, they couldn’t find any evidence.
Siles couldn’t help wondering whether the Church of the Past, which worshipped Antinam as the only god still existing in the world, had any archival materials about the Age of Silence.
Siles became somewhat curious.
“The mist still covers many places in the Ashless Lands.” Bertram said. “However, there’s recent talk that the fog is dissipating faster and faster, with more and more land being revealed.”
Siles said, “I just heard you mention ‘tribes.’ Do people also live in the Ashless Lands?”
Bertram nodded, then shook his head. “You can’t say they’re indigenous. From what we can see, there don’t seem to be humans who have lived there since the mist covered the Ashless Lands.
“The people we encounter in the Ashless Lands now are mostly humans who left their original homes and settled in the Withered Wastes only after the mist began to dissipate.
“They live in the Ashless Lands year-round… to be honest, I think they’re all somewhat crazy.”
Siles asked with interest, “Their mental state isn’t quite normal?”
“Indeed. They seem cunning and evil, with a kind of isolated coldness… I don’t know how to describe it. It would be great if you could make a trip to the Ashless Lands.”
Siles said, “I do have that plan.”
Bertram then said, “Then you must be careful. Remember to travel with a doctor or bring sufficient medicine.”
“I will.”
“Speaking of doctors,” Mrs. Fenn, who had been listening on the side without much input, said at this moment, “Mr. Noel, the tenant after you seems to be a doctor.”
Siles froze, then he heard the sound of dice gently rolling in his mind.
…A doctor?
The doctor he knew?!
