Chapter 1157 - 616: Boswell, Ingram

But the various dangers encountered along the way left the grassland horse with a limp.

In addition, lacking supplements of refined materials and protein made it extremely weak.

There’s no way around it, wandering such a vast world is not an easy task.

Especially for a Minstrel, who relies solely on performing for tips along the way, it’s exceedingly arduous.

Yet these fair-skinned Minstrels consider this a form of ascetic practice.

They record the sights and experiences along the way, sing praises of heroic deeds, and condemn the despicable.

And they bring vivid stories from one city to the next, and to the villages along the way.

Minstrels neither use Teleportation Arrays, nor have Aerial Riding Beasts.

Their only means of transportation is the horse.

Ingram is considered a newcomer among the Minstrels.

His background is quite decent, with a father who is a Baron.

With the lowest noble title, according to the system of hereditary downgrade, by Ingram’s turn there was no title left to inherit, a situation similar to that of Harold, the son of Baron Bezos.

However, even without a title to inherit, accumulated wealth allows one to enjoy comfort in the city.

Back then, not only was Ingram young, but he was also handsome and had a captivating singing voice.

He had an exceptionally good affinity with the opposite sex, allowing him to lead a time of indulgence and revelry.

Until he met a remarkable Minstrel known as "The Walking Poem," Beowulf.

He was a truly Legendary Minstrel.

With a long lifespan, stories of him have been passed down since the founding of the contemporary Human Race Kingdom.

Most importantly, Beowulf always roamed the world.

He never participated in conflicts, always going to a tavern for a drink upon arriving at a new place.

Only at night would he sing his songs aloud.

There are even rumors that he is close to a Divine Spirit.

However, because he never engages in fights, no one knows his true strength.

More so, there are just epic tales and rumors.

That time, when Ingram was returning from an inebriated night, he saw Beowulf.

Receiving his teachings, he came to a sudden realization, wanting to explore an even broader world.

On his journey, he wished to meet more friends, and possibly find his own love.

Therefore, Ingram proactively befriended Zong Shen.

Including trying his luck in Lairontaxus Giant City, it was also to see whether his love resides there.

Walking on the straight road, people were coming and going around him.

The Giant City’s straight roads were built by the Giant City, first compacting the soil, then applying a layer of lime followed by another layer of compacted soil, then a layer of charcoal, upon which another layer of compacted soil, followed by a layer of gravel, was added, and then another compacted soil layer was laid before finally completing the solid straight road.

This road is approximately 10 meters wide, leading to Tandita City over 500 kilometers away.

Unlike the "remote" Boss Bang, Tandita City is the nearest city under the domain of Lairontaxus Giant City.

This is one of four straight roads leading out of Lairontaxus Giant City.

A few more kilometers ahead leads to the straight road checkpoint.

A line of fortresses has been built there.

Accommodating the stationing of tens of thousands of soldiers at least.

In other directions, roving cavalry patrols have constructed impenetrable routes.

Most of these Knights are Tier Four Strong Strike Knights from Avalon, with a few Tier Five Elite Knights.

Now and then, a group of Dragon-kin Rangers and Strong Strike Rangers with Longbows passes by.

Avalon Swordsmen with Dual Swords and the Avalon Guard with Shield Swords stand guard on either side of the checkpoint.

They hold Magic Discs in hand, their expressions somewhat vigilant.

Compared to a city, the defensive forces of a Giant City are much stronger.

Correspondingly, the range a Giant City covers is incredibly vast as well.

In the vicinity of the Giant City are hundreds of villages large and small.

Inside and outside the city, there are twenty to thirty million people.

Including the cities, villages, and settlements under its governance, the total population can reach forty to fifty million or more.

It can be said that the Giant City is the core of population gathering in a region.

With a population size of tens of millions, it can be called a Super City on Earth.

In such a context, the Giant City covers an enormous area, comparable to the combined area of over a dozen super cities on Earth.

The reason is simple; this world has no skyscrapers, so land utilization is naturally less efficient than on Earth.

As the saying goes, lack of efficiency is compensated by size.

The solution is to increase the city area.

The entire Lairontaxus Giant City is divided into four concentric rings from the inside out.

The inner two rings have towering watchtowers guarding them.

The outer rings are open areas.

Including infrastructure like sewers and more, follow the same pattern.

The internal two rings are very complete.

While the outer rings are quite inadequate, to address the waste issue, a special team of collection carts is responsible for gathering waste and transporting it to an agricultural zone over a hundred kilometers away from the Giant City for composting.

From 100 kilometers to 400 or 500 kilometers from the Giant City, there are a vast number of farms.

The villagers working the land in nearby villages, along with some suburban residents, comprise the agricultural population.

Besides farms, there are orchards, fisheries, horse farms, cattle and sheep pastures, among others.

Lairontaxus Giant City is generally able to achieve agricultural self-sufficiency to an extent.

Additionally, large quantities of supplies are constantly being transported in from the territory under its governance and even from neighboring Giant Cities.

Goblin Merchants and multinational trade organizations have also established trade guilds in Lairontaxus Giant City.

So the prosperity of the Giant City is unmatched by any city.

Ingram Hanover curiously observed his surroundings as he reached the checkpoint and was stopped by the Guard Corps’ warriors.

"Ahead is the Lairontaxus Giant City checkpoint, please halt to enter the city!"

"Please state from which direction you came, and be prepared to undergo Detection Magic inspection!"

The sharp Longsword flashed with a silvery Sword Aura pointed at the white horse.

Ingram gently tugged on the reins, dismounting gracefully.

He respectfully performed a chest-holding salute to the warrior who stopped him.

"I am a Minstrel, having traversed all the way from Dagalisni Giant City in the East."

"Intending to enter the city to participate in the Lancaster Marquis’ tournament!"