Of course, while complaining inwardly, Gawain knew that this world had developed to this point due to unavoidable circumstances.
The development of civilization follows certain patterns, but it is also filled with uncertainties. Sometimes, a revolutionary technological breakthrough can elevate an entire civilization to a new level.
However, in most cases, especially when feudal ignorance dominates, the development of civilization will remain stagnant and slow for centuries.
In a world with supernatural forces, a rigid class structure, and a history of a great cataclysm, the situation would be even worse.
The existence of extraordinary powers provides conveniences in many areas that are beyond the capabilities of the times. However, at the same time, these powers have shackled the development of civilization.
They allow the elites to lead extremely comfortable and easy lives and establish absolute dominance over the powerless majority of "mortals." Due to the rarity and uncertainty of "magical talent," this power becomes difficult to use as a driving force for societal progress. It does not provide any benefits to the broader population, and the few lucky individuals who occasionally awaken magical abilities only become part of the new aristocracy. They do not, and cannot, change the fate of the majority.
The rule that supernatural powers do not belong to "mortals" is an unquestioned principle.
As a result, societal progress becomes very slow. On one hand, ordinary people, as the majority of the population, are powerless to change anything. On the other hand, the elites, who enjoy the conveniences of supernatural powers, do not see any need for societal progress. In fact, even the common folk do not believe society needs to progress. They simply pray that one day they may awaken their magical talent.
In a world where ice arrows exist, who would think to invent refrigerators or air conditioners?
However, ice arrows will always just be ice arrows. They cannot allow everyone to enjoy ice cream in summer or enable doctors to preserve blood serum and vaccines anytime and anywhere.
At least, this is the situation in the current age.
Gawain was well aware that this was not right. Supernatural powers should not become a hindrance to civilization. This world should not remain stuck in the medieval era forever. Magic, in the end, is merely a way to utilize energy. Its flexible and convenient nature should be a driving force for rapid development, not a shackle. But unfortunately, none of this can be resolved immediately.
He went on to explain in greater detail to Hedy and Rebecca the necessity of collecting these data, as well as some of the points they needed to pay attention to when creating the forms.
Of course, given that neither of them had ever been involved in this kind of work, and considering that most of the uneducated peasants wouldn't even be able to clearly state their surnames and ages, Gawain relaxed his requirements for the forms. He only asked them to gather information on the artisans, and for the other peasants, they would only need to register their names for now.
Everything would be refined once the new territory was established.
No one had ever conducted such a survey of the peasants, for the noble classes of this world saw peasants as almost worthless—barely even enough to serve as cannon fodder on the battlefield.
The only role of peasants was to produce food and provide free labor. No one realized the importance of "people," and naturally, no one understood the necessity of registering population data.
What was encouraging, however, was that while Rebecca was muddled in other matters, she immediately grasped the concept of data collection. She was soon happily off with people to organize the information.
Thinking back to when she had issued the decree allowing serfs to transition into free citizens through service, it seemed that this "incompetent" lady lord was not entirely useless after all.
If properly educated, this child might even be capable of managing personnel (maybe, maybe not).
Fortunately, the number of people to be surveyed was fewer than nine hundred. After settling down in Tansan Town, Sir Philip had already conducted a basic record of the survivors. With Hedy's help, Rebecca quickly gathered the information that Gawain had requested.
After receiving the data, Gawain decided to divide the group into two, heading toward their "new home."
One team was the vanguard, personally led by him, Rebecca, and Hedy. This team included half of the soldiers and militia led by Sir Byron, as well as the necessary craftsmen and one hundred laborers. The vanguard would set up a temporary camp at the destination, investigate the water sources, and prepare for potential animal attacks.
Most of the peasants would follow afterward, escorted by Sir Philip.
It would not be wise to charge into a barren land with more than eight hundred people. Although most of these eight hundred people were not elderly, weak, or ill (those had not managed to escape), it was still safer for the non-combatant peasants to follow the vanguard.
When venturing into unexplored territory, no amount of preparation ever feels like enough. But one must always take the first step. After making the most thorough plans and preparations, Gawain and the vanguard finally left Tansan Town and set off toward the southeastern Dark Mountain Range.
They traveled along a tributary of the Whitewater River, progressing on a relatively flat riverbank. The knights and the lord led the way, while the soldiers guarded the sides of the group. The craftsmen, along with the materials and tools, were protected in the center of the formation.
Hedy, riding on horseback, glanced back at the not-too-large group and suddenly felt a wave of emotion. "It seems like we've become pioneers..."
"We are pioneers," Gawain said, smiling as he looked at her.
Hedy blinked. "What I meant was... the great expansion seven hundred years ago..."
Gawain shrugged. "That was still me."
Hedy, "Ah, right…"
"Have some confidence…" Gawain looked at the lady, who seemed somewhat worried about the future. "Every step into the unknown is a great journey. Whether it's the second expansion seven hundred years ago, the first legendary expansion, or what we are about to do, they are all inherently great. We will not only build a new homeland, but we might also build a new era."
Hedy looked at him blankly, then nodded. She didn't fully understand what Gawain meant by "new era," but since even the legendary heroes of the past had said so, it must surely be something both great and glorious.
Meanwhile, Amber, who was accompanying them, clapped her hands with a "pop." The little thief didn't think too much about it. After all, Gawain was the boss now, and whatever the boss said must be right. Whether she understood it or not, clapping was always the right thing to do…
The closer they got to the Dark Mountain Range, the more desolate the landscape became, and human civilization's influence in this southern region showed signs of gradual decline.
When the great expansion craze had not yet waned, the descendants of the first-generation pioneers had once used swords and fire to establish small settlements in these wild lands, planning to expand further into the Gondor wastelands.
However, with the repeated disturbances from the remnants of the magic tide, the encroaching dark forces, the increasing numbers of magical beasts, and the deteriorating natural environment, these settlements could not be maintained. Later, when the Mist Moon rebellion broke out, the southern forces were reorganized, and the remaining few pioneer villages in the area were destroyed.
Today, the barbaric forces had consumed all traces of past civilizations. Between the abandoned settlements and the primeval forests, only wild beasts and magical creatures remained.
Although the magic had calmed down and the dark magic tide had been contained in the Gondor wastelands, humanity seemed to have become content with the current boundaries of civilization. With the decline of the Cecil family in the southern region, the Kingdom of Ansu had no intention of redeveloping this land.
The caravan silently made its way along the rugged, uneven road. Although Gawain's encouragement had a positive effect on Hedy, the other members of the group still felt uneasy. No one knew what the result of this march into the wilderness would be, even if they were led by the great pioneer from seven hundred years ago, especially for those craftsmen found among the peasants and serfs.
Rather than feeling driven by a sense of glory, they were more motivated by habitual obedience to their lord and a numbness toward their lives.
And so, they continued on their way along the riverbank and, three days later, stopped by a wide clearing.
This clearing lay right next to the Dark Mountain Range. In fact, it was a narrow plain between the river and the mountains. The tributary of the Whitewater River widened slightly here, its flow slowed. It passed gently by the northern side of the Dark Mountains before flowing eastward into the Typhon Empire.
Looking southward, one could gaze up at the magnificent and imposing Dark Mountain Range.
Gawain climbed onto a large rock by the riverbank, scanning the surrounding scenery. Comparing it with the satellite imagery in his mind, he noticed that there was a forest to the west of the plain. It consisted mostly of black spruce and giant trees, which could serve as a valuable source of timber for the initial stages of the territory. The mountain to the east jutted out more, and if Gawain's memory of Gawain Cecil was correct, there should be an iron mine there.
In addition to the iron mine, there were several other mineral deposits in the vicinity. The Dark Mountains were a treasure trove.
Though Gawain Cecil and King Charles I's pioneering expedition hadn't stayed at the Dark Mountain Range, they had conducted basic investigations and surveys along the way. Gawain
recalled that this was precisely why the ancient Cecil family had nearly been wiped out by magical beasts while building the first city in the region.
This was also the origin of the "Dark" in Dark Mountain Range.