Chapter 1865 A Treasure Land
Stepping out of the wagons, everyone couldn't help placing their hands above their eyes. For some, they had been in underground slave camps for years, and haven't seen the sun since then. For others who were slaving away in upper ground camps, they hadn't seen the sun in 3 months since being taken away by this mysterious group. The wagons stood in a location that crests the peculiar sight ahead, allowing them to catch their first glimpse of the Promised Land – a lush, verdant valley that stretched out before them, with its 2 rolling hills and winding foliage with a stark contrast to the dull landscape they had left behind. That said, why did the surrounding rim of this promised Land look so desolate and rocky?
Indeed, one can imagine the Promised Land to be in the shape of a bowl. The promised land was down below in the center, protected by the bowl's high walls that enclosed the entire place.
The outer bowl's rocky surfaces were also covered with black slippery moss that everyone in the empire was familiar with. This slippery moss produced so much slippery gooey waste products day in and day out, be it winter or summer. So with the near 90 degree ankle the bowl's outer walls were, coupled with the slippery moss covering the empire thing, rock climbing the surface was an impossible fee\at from the outside. But of course, from the inside, the walls gradually turned thicker the deeper one slid down the bowls, and there are hardly any slippery black moss plants growing in there.
So yes, it was easy for their scouts to watch the outside world, but very different for those outside to venture in or spot their movements.
In short, this was a very secured and hidden location in the deep, deep, heart of the Forest surrounded by all sorts of wildlife and e]deady\ly creatures too.
What? Did you think they moved on ground floor to get in here?
No! They have tunnels and other peculiar paths to get in. Bottom line, it was the perfect place for a Promised Land to be. And because the towering natural walls surrounding the place were so high, it also shielded the many towering medieval stony structures scattered around.
Again, even if they laughed loudly and boisterously in here, it won't be carried out because of the already rowdy noises from nature outside the Bowl.
Waterfalls in one corner, animals roaring in another… the deepest part of the jungle was indeed the rowdiest. Hiss!~
A collective gasp of wonder and disbelief escaped everyone's lips. And for a moment, the burden of their captivity seemed to lift.
It was so big! The Promised Land should be as huge as 2 Royal palaces put together. (Q0Q)
At the same time, several fit women and broad shouldered men came rushing forth on horseback.
The way the sun shone on their approaching figures made them look majestic.
"Welcome back, master!"
"Hmm…"
Tilda nodded deeply while reaching for the horse they brought for her. Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee~
The gallant black stallion jumped with enthusiasm when seeing and sniffing its owner. It rubbed its head against the masked Female King, and also licked her too. And even though no one could see the Female King's expression, they knew she must be smirking. You can tell how much she cared for the creature with how she rubbed her hands across its luscious mane, pampering it to no end. The masked Tilda then got on her horse, and stared at the group of newcomers, "Welcome everyone… Welcome to the Promised Land."
Everyone followed silently.
The first thing they saw when drawing closer, were the neat rows of farmland and storage buildings scattered around. There were people working in those fields, but no one looked as if they were forced.
People laughed and worked while also taking out snacks, eating and telling tales during their rest.
Look! Look!
What was that?
Everyone then turned their attention to a water wheel that was churning and dropping large gallons of water in drums. Everyone could see massive bamboo poles connected to the drums that lead towards the farms and different locations around the Promised Land.
Wow!
In all their years, they have never seen such a simple but effective technology as a Water wheel. How come they didn't think of this?
(Q0Q)
Moving forward past several buildings, they saw soldiers, but female and male, training out in the open. What's this?
They bypassed a place with the words Academy written on it, and saw several carrot heads reading and writing with bizarre pens and paper booklets. So… so… their slave children will be allowed to become literate if they stay? This… This… this…
Many broke down in tears, inwardly thankful that they stayed this long on the journey to the Promised Land.
Reading and writing, do you know how important one's status will have to be before they can get the opportunity to study? suSure, some peasants do get the opportunity to study, but do you know how much their families will have to save up to make that happen?
Seeing the opportunity for their children to study, several people fisted their palms, inwardly swearing to be loyal to the Female King from this day onwards.
But little did they know that this was just the beginning. The more they saw, the more they could scarcely believe their eyes, their imagination running wild with visions of the life that awaited them _ a life of freedom, self-determination, no slavery, and an opportunity to build a future of their own choosing.
Soon, they were shown to their sleeping quarters, and that marked the first day of the rest of their reborn lives. Yes, they were reborn from the ashes of slavery, and would now become subjects to the Female King.
One week and 5 days went by in a flash, with many people quickly adjusting to their current lifestyles here. Everyone was already allocated to do different tasks. Some were farmers, cooks and laborers, others sent out as gatherers to gather herbs, fruits, and vegetables… and some sent to the barracks for training. Of course, the children were all sent to school, irrespective of their genders.
After tasting the life here and seeing the potential this Female King had, Old man McKenzie stared at his sons, making a firm decision for the family in his heart.
But first, he wished to have an audience with the Female King….