Chapter 340: Population Explosion

Wu Qingsong had been monitoring the situation closely, but as the leader of the entire Icy Sea Clans, he had neither the reason nor the need to personally intervene.

The authority to conduct the trial was given to the priests because there was no official lord in that region. In the plains, shamanic priests often acted as arbiters in tribal disputes, so this approach aligned with the customs of the beastfolk.

For now, establishing the authority of the Xuanyuan Church required such measures. Once the number of believers increased and effective governance was established, judicial power would naturally be returned to appointed officials or lords.

Adding a few laborers to the coal mines was insignificant—it even forced Wu Qingsong to request more wolfkin from Silvermoon to serve as guards. Compared to the undead, they were laughably inefficient, serving merely as a deterrent.

What he truly wanted to see was a change in the missionary work. Yet, after the incident, things didn’t improve as he had hoped—the mousekin still didn’t trust them and continued to observe from the sidelines.

“It doesn’t matter. Just proceed according to the plan,” he said, suppressing his disappointment.

However, the priest soon brought unexpected news: the group of mousekin had cautiously submitted a request to relocate near Nagrand.

“They’re probably afraid of retaliation,” the priest said, somewhat frustrated.

The whole point of punishing the boarfolk was to assert authority on behalf of the mousekin, yet the result was simply fear and retreat. It was hard to accept.

“No problem,” Wu Qingsong decided after some thought. “Nagrand happens to need more workers. Tell them the city’s rules. If they can memorize and recite them, are willing to abide by them, and follow orders, they may move here.”

None of them expected this group of mousekin to be just the beginning. Once they settled in, more and more mousekin began applying to relocate near Nagrand.

Wu Qingsong and Ram repeatedly calculated the maximum population Nagrand could sustain.

Mousekin appetites were disproportionate to their small bodies. To prepare for their long hibernation, they would gorge themselves before the snow arrived—this was likely one of the main reasons they were targeted. But how much food could a mousekin, barely reaching Wu Qingsong’s knee, actually eat? Compared to the beastfolk who relied on hunting and consumed large amounts of lamb and mutton, the energy conversion of their diet meant that, in reality, beastfolk consumed far more than mousekin. The claims that mousekin ate too much were nothing more than an excuse, stemming from the fact that they were weak and had no voice.

Last year’s icefield rice harvest was still untouched, and even the stored forage remained plentiful—both of which were perfectly suitable food sources for the mousekin. With this year’s additional yield, Nagrand’s cultivated land could easily sustain another five to six thousand mousekin. Moreover, there was still plenty of empty land, and golden alfalfa could grow in nearly any condition, requiring only moderate warmth and moisture. As long as a healthy root segment was planted, it would sprout and thrive.

It was only early summer, with four and a half months before snowfall. This was ample time for them to cultivate enough food for themselves.

For a city aiming for industrialization, a sufficient labor force was essential.

“Any mousekin willing to follow orders and abide by our rules may relocate here!” Wu Qingsong instructed the priests. “But only until the end of July. If they arrive later, they won’t have enough time to prepare for winter.”

Thus, an unprecedented migration defying all norms of the plains began along the western coast of the Icy Sea.

In just one week, Ram and the Sisterhood, along with the priests, had resettled over twenty thousand mousekin, and more continued to arrive after hearing the news.

No one could explain how the message had spread so rapidly, nor how they had collectively decided to leave.

Group mentality may have played a role, but it wasn’t the sole reason. However, with so much work to do, no one had time to analyze it further.

Settling the mousekin wasn’t particularly difficult—they didn’t ask for houses or special conditions. Their only desire was to be close to Nagrand, to be closer to safety. Upon arriving, the first thing they did was request holy emblems from the priests, carefully placing them around their necks in the most visible spot.

Ram and Alice quickly selected a few competent individuals from the first wave of arrivals to help settle the new ones. They oversaw the digging of burrows according to city planning, ensuring they didn’t interfere with roads, water sources, or drainage systems. Then, they started digging wells and preparing to plant their own food.

This process required almost no assistance from Nagrand. Mousekin were natural burrowers—they simply lacked the ability to construct windmills and water pumps. Given the barren plains, it was unrealistic to expect them to be skilled in woodworking.

With Nagrand’s protection, the mousekin threw themselves into their work with fervor. Even before windmills were installed, they used whatever tools they had to fetch water for irrigation, carefully tending to the seedlings that had just begun to sprout.

One after another, mousekin villages were established, though they remained largely invisible from the surface. All that could be seen were newly cultivated fields, occasionally punctuated by small mounds—the entrances to their underground dwellings. Without exception, each village bore a large wooden Xuanyuan holy emblem at its main entrance, displaying its name.

Underground temples were also constructed. The mousekin lacked the strength to travel south or west to cut and transport timber, nor could they move large stones. But Wu Qingsong decided that the tunnels they personally dug and reinforced fulfilled the same purpose, allowing them to adapt the rule accordingly.

By the time the migration finally concluded, the western plains of the Glacier Sea were almost entirely devoid of mousekin. All that remained were empty burrows, while the land surrounding Nagrand had transformed.

“Nagrand has officially become a rat’s nest,” Ram remarked with mild exasperation.

Excluding infants who might not survive, Nagrand’s population had suddenly increased by 110,000. The Xuanyuan Church had gained 110,000 new followers overnight. The countless logistical challenges that followed were overwhelming.

Umbel, a prosperous commercial city, had a population of just 30,000. Nagrand’s population now surpassed most trade hubs, and managing so many people all at once left Ram, Harold, and everyone else struggling to keep up.

The numbers alone were exciting, but standing among a sea of tiny mousekin, Ram felt like a giant nanny leading a group of children on an outing. It left her feeling oddly empty—there was no satisfaction in it.

If given the choice, she would rather lead a population of stronger beastfolk—hounds, wolfkin, anyone more capable than this.

“Our subjects shouldn’t be just mousekin,” she said.

“If it had been any other group, the surge in crime alone would’ve driven us mad,” Wu Qingsong countered. “Mousekin might be the most obedient, docile, and easy-to-govern race on the plains. Let’s establish a solid foundation first, other races will follow in time.”

He had no concerns about this at all. The idea of forming a diminutive yet formidable fighting force suddenly sparked a mischievous delight within him.

Mousekin sharpshooters wielding oversized flintlock rifles?

Or perhaps highly mobile mousekin artillery squads?

Both ideas were exhilarating.

When they finally made their debut, how many people would be left speechless? How many jaws would drop?

He could hardly wait to find out!