Chapter 685: Food Waste, Introspection

Additionally, what Xia Duo also thought of was that he had originally planned to have his own (hired) fleet transport the Elves to the north.

If the Sevonton fleet came over to take the Elves away, plus the cost of those new fleets helping him transport his territory's residents, the money from both sides would all be earned by those Sevonton Chamber of Commerce merchants!

Then what would he earn?

Thinking of this, Xia Duo couldn't help but shake his head, but looking at the situation, it was imperative for those merchants to come to the south; even if he didn't want them to help him transport his residents, they would still come to take the Elves away.

"What kind of situation is this!"

Xia Duo knew the time for a decision had come. In fact, there weren't many choices to pick from, it was nothing more than—whether or not to have those fleets help him transport his residents.

As for not letting those fleets come over, that was not something Xia Duo could choose.

Thinking of this, he immediately gave up on going to the Villa District to meet with Aoruipusi, and instead took a small detour to the Town Hall, where he met Saier Town Mayor, who was reading a Document.

Since there was still a Beilaila waiting for a reply, Xia Duo didn't engage in any pleasantries and stated his purpose directly, "Saier Town Mayor, can you estimate how much surplus there will be this year in the Savile Territory after the autumn harvest, deducting the normal consumption of the residents and what is sent to Konnifila City?"

The output of the Tower of Time's Arcane Garden was relatively stable, but the output from outside was not very stable; although there was a surplus every year, the amount was uncertain.

If there was enough, perhaps he could transport one more ship of residents.

"Lord Xia Duo, are you preparing to recruit new residents from Sevonton again?"

"Yes."

Seeing Saier's hesitant look, Xia Duo couldn't help but feel a bit irritable, "If you have something to say, just say it directly. Do you really think I would blame you for a few words?"

With Xia Duo saying this, Saier no longer hesitated, "My Lord, I suggest you do not continue to recruit new residents!"

"Why?"

Xia Duo asked subconsciously, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized and asked Saier, "Is it because of a poor harvest this year, or because of the Elves?"

Currently, the food that sustained the continuous development of the Daxia Territory residents was all supplied by the Savile Territory. If there was no valid reason, it was impossible for Saier to let Xia Duo give up on recruiting new residents.

Since the autumn harvest was mentioned earlier, it was highly likely the reason was food—insufficient food!

And as for the reason for the insufficient food, at present, it could only be a poor harvest or the consumption by the Elves.

In fact, Xia Duo already had the answer in his heart. When the Dragon Disaster first appeared, he had Saier organize the able-bodied men of the Savile Territory for training, mainly to guard against the food being destroyed before it could be harvested when the Dragon Disaster or the Drow came.

As for the role of a reserve force, that was secondary.

And regarding the growth state of this year's food, Xia Duo also had some understanding; although he wasn't sure how much would be harvested in the end, it was absolutely impossible for it to be a crop failure.

Saier's answer also confirmed Xia Duo's thoughts, "It's the Elves. A lot of the food sent to them has been wasted, and they have even started raising animals at that supply camp in the east. The Elves need to eat, the animals need to eat, and a bunch more is wasted; no matter how much food is sent over, it's not enough."

"Anything else?"

"There is also the fact that Konnifila City is urging us to send food over as well. They don't have fewer Elves there than we do, but it's not even time to send food yet!"

"..."

Xia Duo was silent. The impact of this Drow invasion was truly one thing after another. Let's not even talk about the Dragon Disaster; for the time being, only that scarlet, flickering King-Slaying Star in the sky was a bit scary, but there was no real danger.

But the Elf refugees were different. To some extent, Xia Duo would rather have a few more dragons come to play than receive those Elves who were akin to the embodiment of trouble.

As long as Cormanthor did not fall, who could really do anything to them?

This feeling was truly stifling!

Just as he was about to let Saier Town Mayor contact Aoruipusi for help, Xia Duo immediately stopped himself. Although the possibility was small, he still had to guard against Aoruipusi "harboring enemies to ensure his own importance."

If the Drow retreated and these Elves were unwilling to leave, that would be terrible!

Thinking deeper, who knows if Cormanthor was intentionally letting these Elves enter the territory of Netheril!

"Still have to rely on oneself!"

Originally, Xia Duo came over to have Saier Town Mayor solve the problem for him, but he didn't expect it to turn into him solving the problem for Saier Town Mayor. However, the problems of the Savile Territory were his problems, so Xia Duo didn't mind that.

Leaving behind the words "I will find a way," Xia Duo left the Town Hall.

But in fact, he didn't have any good solutions right now; those Elves were all like tough nuts to crack. Just as he walked out of the Town Hall, Xia Duo contacted Beilaila and told her that his territory could not receive too many new residents for the time being.

As for her good intentions in wanting to help bridge the connection, Xia Duo also expressed his gratitude and politely declined.

Plans cannot keep up with changes!

Returning to the Tower of Time, Xia Duo contacted Niya again, "Do you know about the situation of the Elves wasting food at the supply camp in the east?"

"I don't know, what's wrong? But as long as those Elves don't cause trouble, it doesn't matter if we send more food. The teacher will subsidize us later!"

"..."

This wasn't a matter of subsidies, Xia Duo really wanted to say that, but it didn't seem like a big deal, except for its impact on the Daxia Territory.

Thinking of this, he felt inexplicably irritable, "Forget it, pretend I didn't say anything."

Immediately after, Xia Duo changed the subject, "Niya, do you have any latest news from Cormanthor? About the Northland Alliance or the Drow?"

"Not yet, but you don't need to think too much about the Northland Alliance for now. Don't look at how it seems like the countries have basically reached a unified opinion now; a formal alliance involving multiple countries and even different races cannot be negotiated in just a few years."

"Alright, I was just asking. If there is any latest news, remember to notify me!"

"Got it!"

Interrupting the call with Niya, Xia Duo returned to his residence, brewed a cup of tea for himself, and then sat blankly at his desk, falling into deep thought.

It seemed that since the Snow Melting Competition this year, this world had undergone some kind of change. Although it was not very obvious, it was truly affecting him. Xia Duo was willing to call this change the "tide of the era."

At the same time, he could deeply feel the great power of this change, especially the recent changes, which gave him a feeling of being swept along by the world. For the first time, Xia Duo wanted to empty all his thoughts and stay quietly for a while.

To reposition himself, so as not to lose himself.

Spellcaster, Mage, Arcanist, Magic research, Territory development, world situation, and even individual armament—one concept and event after another inevitably intruded into Xia Duo's mind.

But he did not refuse; instead, he let these thoughts fly, examining everything from a transcendent perspective.

I don't know at what moment, as if a bolt of lightning had pierced through the Mist, Xia Duo suddenly woke up. Although he did not find anything different about himself compared to before, his mood was unexpectedly relaxed, as if he had found the direction for the future once again.