Eventually, the Shadow Lord also managed to corrupt the trade system, sever communication between major cities, and render civilians politically powerless. Having established chaos, he set his seven Ak-Baba to scatter the Belt's gemstones throughout Deltora, in "fearful places, guarded by seven terrifying guardians".
The Shadow Lord eventually succeeded in corrupting the commercial system, severing ties between major towns and rendering civilians powerless politically. He then deployed his seven Ak-Baba to disperse the Belt's gemstones across Deltora in "frightening places, guarded by seven intimidating protectors.