Chapter 26 - A Farm half a Mile Underground

To add some humour to the massacre talk, Stefan mocks the Blue Goblins with little hesitation. I mean for what would he hesitate for? The Blue Goblins were a menace to society! "It seems rather ironic how Lava controllers found their end around Lava."

Woldemir, doesn't seem to like the Blue Goblins either. He barely heard anything about them until now, but they definitely don't seem like allies. So after he swallowed a bite of wheat bread, he expressed. "Well it is a good thing that they met their end. They sound worse than ill.u.s.tratios." Coming from him, this says a lot! I mean, the ill.u.s.tratios even killed his wife.

Eric who again his curiosity is getting to him, giving him anxiety and a lack of patience. He wanted to interrupt, but he knew that if he did, more eyes would be directed to him. Which also caused him anxiety to the point of sweating. Luckily, his curiosity is far greater. "Enough about the Blue Goblins. If everyone is done eating, and Mogranius seems to be clearly able to walk, how about we go check out those mile long underground farms? I need to see them!" Upon finishing his sentence, his usual low volumed voice changed and was replaced by a tone rising in enthusiasm. Enthusiastic about farms? He certainly is different like Stefan stated. Or could it be that Underground farms are something extremely rare?!

Enjoying Eric's unexpected enthusiasm about this farm, she didn't waste more time and swiftly replied. "Of course! Let us go ahead. Perhaps a few thousand years of Ignite wisdom can help the food situation. However even though I arrived here two hundred years ago, I wasn't of much help as i never took much interest in farming. Follow me!"

The gang stood up and started following Commander Alia who seemed to be leading them downwards the spiral like roadway going down the Volcano. After going down one spiral, they reached a rather small entrance. But that small entrance was just an illusion to something extraordinarily big. The lava half a mile underneath their feet while they were walking down the Volcano, captured most of their attention. Commander Alia had to slap.. I mean snap them out of it once they arrived at the not so stunning entrance.

As they entered they saw several types of farm fields, all practically merged together to form what seemed to be a super farm. The farm fitting several sorts of fruits and vegetables reached half a mile wide and a mile long. Simply magnificent.

But the second Eric saw the farm he noticed something which could of both slow down or terminate the production rate. Light! This huge farm lacked light. It's a surprise how they got any crops to grow here. At this point, Eric did not hesitate to point out the problem. Especially since he became more comfortable around these new people as the moment passes. He expressed. "This farm would grow watermelons half the size of my length if this cave had more light."

Woldemir of course Complimented his sons words. "Yes i noticed it too. This cave does have light but simply not enough. Also, seeing that this place is already warm, obviously because of the Volcano, I expect that you grow crops twice a year?" The warmth was noticeable, the lava half a mile underneath their feet maintains enough heat for everyone to feel cozy even at Winter! But he didn't like the lack of light bothered him a lot. It made the farm seem a lot smaller.

Hearing what both of these Ignites have to say, Commander Alia replies with both confusion and raw strong curiosity. "So let me get this straight! You are saying that light can improve the production rate. Also, what does heat have to do with farming?"

Confused how a woman coming from another civilization who succeeded to stand and perish in silence, not knowing something so simple, Woldemir was dumbfounded. The rest however, found the freedom to explore the farm. So Woldemir was left alone to describe these basic things to such a stunning lady. If Mogranius understands this the wrong way, he would chase Woldemir with Fireballs! But Woldemir put the Man Woman tension aside and explained it calmly. "Yes. The more light, the bigger and faster the crops grow. Having a constant source of indoor light is better than twelve hours on the sun's light any day. That however can come expensive unless you have a massive storage of coal or Charcoal." While explaining such matter, Woldemir found an excuse to walk a few more steps away and inspect some Watermelons closeby. His primary aim was of course to give her personal space. However, she didn't see Woldemir as a man who would try anything inappropriate, or best described, "Try his luck.". So she comfortably walked closer to understand more what he means. It got Woldemir even more anxious considering that he has strong gentleman etiquettes. Overdone no doubt, but he likes to respect personal space on a different level.

Giving the growing wheat nearby a quick glance and returning to Commander Alia, to elaborate on his father's earlier words. "And about heat. During the winter months, no one plants anything because the crop can't possibly withstand the cold harsh weather. Here you have heat all year around. You can possibly even plant three times a year no problem if you know how to do it right."

At such explanations, Commander Alia finds relief. Not only the food situation has been solved but it has found a permanent solution. Now the entire Calidum Lutum civilization will be able to be fed without having to worry about being savvy about the food. Or at least, they will after they figure out how to light this place up.

She recalls some men avoiding food for weeks at a time for the love of their people. They did not wish to see them suffer hunger. Food is the strongest sacrifice one can make in these times. But now at least those days are behind them. Well almost. They found the solution to their future, but their present situation is a difficult task to complete. The lack of food is still there and it needs an instant fix.

Although the food shortage is far from being behind them, she couldn't help but show gratitude for these two Ignites. "I find great relief knowing all of this. I don't know how to reward such knowledge. I'm very grateful but our current food problem isn't solved. Even with all the adjustments, our food will not last until the planted ones grow. Harvest season is here but everything is barely over half grown."

Seeing that this situation is only fixable if they obtain another source of food, Woldemir decided to step up for these people. With confidence he states. "Get me a sword. Any kind. I have some scores to settle with the ill.u.s.tratios at Crutal Kingdom and I can save your people from Starvation. There are plenty of wealthy fools I can force gold out of."

Commander Alia replies with further relief on her tone. She seemed to trust Woldemir's abilities greatly although she doesn't know much about him. "I'll have my men get you a sword that other races can actually lift off of the ground. I trust you will not disappoint."

Now, Stefan had something to say about what this farm lacks as well. Odd considering that he doesn't actually farm. "Now let's go back to fixing this farm. After a while of being here, I noticed that over time, it gets difficult to breathe. That's not good for any living kind and its not good for plants either. But I think I know how to fix this."

Commander Alia adds up in a bit of a sarcastic tone. "Looks like a few thousand years of knowledge is helping out quite well. What do you suggest oh wise one?"

Stefan ignored the sarcasm as he was too focused. He is used to tuning people out as soon as he met Mogranius' sarcasm. Its inevitable to learn tuning out. Mogranius however became very proud of Commander Alia at this point. "Can you get one of your Grand Masters up here. And how deep is this cave below the surface?" She still couldn't understand why he was asking about such unusual things, but she did want to hear more. She was itching with curiosity.

Struck at such a reply, Commander Alia filled with curiosity replies with. "How could a Grand Master be of help here? And this cave is about less than half a mile below the surface. Depends where you stay as this whole town is built under a mountain."

Stefan ended up explaining this more, but confusing everyone else. What could possibly be going through his head? "A Grand master provides a raw source of lava. If we try bringing the lava here with teamwork, we could burn the crops down. So a raw source of lava is mandatory instead of teamwork. This cave doesn't seem to be deep below the ground so we can make this work."