At the End of Ruin, There You Are (56 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 91

Ever since the Ostein merchant vessel docked at Lusenford Harbor—normally fortunate if no foreign tribes invaded—the place had regained its long-lost liveliness. The market stirred to life, and the sound of pickaxes striking ore in the mines never ceased.

Merchants had long avoided this harsh land out of fear, leaving locals unable to sell even when they had goods. Now, having cleared years’ worth of stockpiles, the people of Lusenford beamed with joy whenever they saw anyone from Ostein.

Considering how they usually treated outsiders, this was truly astonishing.

“There were no incidents at all, they say. I even tightened security out of worry.”

Regen, who had anxiously anticipated possible conflicts, reported with genuine surprise.

His eyes sparkled with awe as he gazed at Caella. She merely nodded and tried to let it pass, but eventually spoke—she couldn’t just ignore it, seeing how deeply this young butler revered the Grand Duchess.

“I suppose Lusenford’s combative nature matched well with Ostein’s rugged sailors. Doesn’t Lusenford tend to respect those who are strong?”

The Grand Duchess was slender, delicate, and so frail she seemed likely to collapse if nudged; the Ostein folk must have thought, “Are all of them like this? She nearly died eating wild turberries children casually snack on!”

But the sailors disembarking from the ship were all broad-shouldered, sun-bronzed with olive skin, boisterous and hearty like the locals of Lusenford—and above all, heavy drinkers.

“I thought it would be good experience for the people of Lusenford to trade as equals with such men.”

“An absolutely necessary experience. We’ve grown used to showing our teeth first, for fear of being looked down upon.”

“In truth, this place has long been scorned.”

Scorned, isolated, and barren—the harsh environment inevitably hardened its people. The Crania Empire had dumped the entire duty of northern defense onto Lusenford and then turned a blind eye.

Only when storehouses brimmed full and granaries overflowed did people find room for generosity and ease. Though unintentional, the Grand Duchess had steadily arranged for regular visits by Ostein merchant ships, eventually filling Lusenford’s empty pockets.

Already, people asked eagerly when the next ship would arrive and began preparing goods to load onto it.

Read full content of this chapter on r e d c a t t y . c o m