章節 11: Months of Demons (Part 2)
"There are not many, Your Highness," the hunter replied. "During every Months of the Demons, there'll only be two to three demonic hybrids, otherwise Longsong Stronghold would be unable to defend itself."
"Well, you are very observant." Roland noted. He ordered the man to stand up and asked, "What's your name? You don't look like you are from my Kingdom of Graycastle."
"Half of my lineage hails from the Mojin Clan, and the townspeople call me Iron Axe."
Mojin, the Ironsand people were said to be the descendants of Ironsand Giant, who once lived in the southwest of the barren lands. Roland searched for any memories he had related and realized that Iron Axe did not use the name his clan called him by, but instead used the name given to him by the people of Border Town. Apparently, he did not want to have a relationship with the Iron Sand people. As for why, since it was obvious that he was from the southwestern border of the desolate lands, Roland estimated that there was a series of sad stories involved.
For the moment, those stories weren't important; everyone was welcomed in Border Town regardless of their background.
Roland clapped his hands. "That's not why I asked you all to come here. Carter, give each of these men ten silver royals, and then they may go."
"Thank you very much for the reward, Your Highness," the three said in unison.
Afterwards, the men were taken away by Carter. Carter returned once again and asked, "Your Highness, why did you ask them these questions? Do you want to stay here?"
Roland didn't express any opinion, but instead asked, "What do you think?"
"This matter is out of the question, Your Highness!" the knight said loudly. Carter begins to re-explain what Iron Ax said earlier to Roland.
Roland sighed and said witch is able to do and why we can't think positively about it.
"These... witches are evil, but Anna... Miss Anna does not look so. As your Chief Knight, I use facts to look for the truth."
"If I could give you a city wall, do you think it would be possible to defend Border Town?"
"What?" For a moment Carter suspected that he had heard Roland incorrectly.
"If I give you a wall between the North Slope Mountain and the Redwater River, could you defend Border Town?" Roland stressed every word he said. "Although they would not be like the enormous walls from Graycastle and built only to stop beasts, but they should be enough."
"Your Highness, do you understand what you are saying?" The knight honestly didn't know whether to be angry or to laugh. "Even your nonsense should have a limit. If you don't stop, you'll have to excuse my lack of manners."
They started argument again. Carter still didn't accept Roland's words even i we have three month before that.
Roland indicated he had heard enough. "I see. You don't need to be so upset. If there is no reliable wall in place when the time comes, I'll evacuate with you to Longsong Stronghold. I'm not prepared to die in this place."
The knight knelt, swearing, "I'll protect you!"
Afterwards, in the beautiful castle gardens, Roland sipped at his bitter ale. Looking at me and Anna, who was intently eating cream cakes, his mood recovered substantially.
He had decided to stop the demonic beasts at Border town by joining the elite soldiers with the town guards. He would also increase the amount of available farmland by expanding the area the guards patrolled. If he wanted to build a wall connecting the North Slope Mountain and the Redwater River within three months, he would have to use technology from modern times.
It was not that Roland had just suddenly thought of this. Previously he had checked the edges of Border Town (although he didn't go personally). In his mind he had a clear picture.
I know if he want to build a wall in three months time, he need something like cement. That the most appropriate one for his plan but the problem was, there was still no cement! We need make it by ourselves!
Well, I felt sorry for Roland and frustrated of myself because I couldn't give much help at all. I'm not that useful when it came to make something like cement. I'm not that smart in science. Just having basic knowledge but no practical experience.
Roland estimated the time he would need. Even if he could implement new technology, even with cement, he wasn't sure if it was possible. The amount of cement they needed was too much and he wasn't sure if they could calcine so much cement powder in three months. The strength of the concrete would be subpar and they would need to reinforce it with steel. Thus, the odds for successfully building a concrete wall were not great.
They had to maximize the usage of existing materials in order to save cement, so building a fieldstone wall seemed to be the most appropriate choice.
Maybe other thought that what Roland do was easy. But in fact it was not! Don't talk about make a wall, just recalling his memories about formula and then doing experiment were already numerous work! So now I admire him even more. How amazing he is from an ordinary mechanical engineers and programmer became a reliable Prince.
But maybe I still can help him in other thing like design. Even if the past me was just assistant fashion designer, I also have talent and skill in architecture design. So i can help him design house and clothes in the future.
With this, the course was set, but as for the actual implementation, Roland was afraid he would have to do that by himself. Regardless of whether it was the calcined cement or fieldstone wall, both of these were new ideas. Except him, no one had ever seen these things, and no one knew how to make them. He was afraid he would be very busy for the next three months.
Once again, sorry Roland.
….
"You, look here." The sound of Anna's clear voice came from behind him.
As Roland turned, he saw a small cluster of flames in her palm burning quietly. There was no wind, but the tip of the flames was rising up and down, as if it was nodding to her. She shook her finger and the fire slowly moved towards the tip of her finger. Finally, it stood at the very tip of her index finger.
"You did it." It was an incredible scene. Roland felt sincere admiration for what he had just witnessed. This was not a magical illusion, nor a chemical trick, but a real supernatural power. However, this was not the thing Roland was attracted to—many times more dazzling than the flame was Anna's expression. Anyone who looked at her would be put into a cheerful mood.
In turn it made me gloomy. Though i can't deny the fact that it did lift Roland's mood.
"What happened to you?"
"Ah... Nothing." Roland noticed he had looked at her for too long, and he removed his gaze and coughed. "Well then, try using it to melt the iron."
In the past few days, except for eating and sleeping, Anna had continuously practiced. In front of the hardworking enthusiast, Roland could only endlessly blush in shame—even when he studied for the college entrance examination he did not work so hard.
"Apparently, she'll not need long until she completely grasps this power," Roland thought. "Once she does, my ideas for new projects can be put on the agenda."
Looking at him with that happy mood I can't help but be happy too even If I had to reluctantly accept that Anna was the reason.
(When will I become your source of happiness?) I thought bitterly.
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