Chapter 22: Planning the Construction of the Castle

In the afternoon, Verin summoned both the blacksmiths and carpenters, intending to create a powerful long-range weapon in preparation for the gnoll attack expected five months hence.

On a spacious clearing, twenty-five craftsmen sat quietly on the ground, their attention fixed on the lord’s explanation.

“This weapon I call a ballista. Its general shape is as you see here, but the specifics of its operation are for you to determine,” Verin declared, pointing to a crude drawing on a wooden board, speaking with steady confidence and not a hint of embarrassment.

“It’s composed of a hinge axle, drawstring, trigger, fore-bow, main bow, rear bow, and pulleys. Study the principle yourselves. I give you three months; if you complete the weapon, I will grant you freedom from your status as slaves.”

“If you finish within a month, I will reward you with a woman, so you may bear descendants.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the twenty-five craftsmen’s eyes gleamed. Not only could they become free citizens, but the lord would grant them wives.

“Rest assured, my lord, we guarantee to complete your task within a month,” Joseph, a thirty-two-year-old carpenter, stood up and pledged on behalf of the others.

As the eldest and most experienced, Verin appointed him head of the carpentry team. Smith, twenty-eight, was chosen to lead the blacksmiths.

“As long as you fulfill my command, I shall reward you generously.”

Verin looked at the gathered craftsmen and reiterated his promise.

He believed that with sufficient incentive, these men’s enthusiasm would reach its peak—perhaps they would produce results in just two weeks.

Afterwards, Verin marked out a workspace and instructed Baird to supply all necessary materials and tools, hoping to see the ballista completed swiftly.

…

Three days later, after breakfast, Verin learned that the half-elf maiden Eunice requested an audience and hurried to meet her.

Upon entering the wooden cabin, he was greeted by a detailed castle blueprint.

Erected on an internal drawing stand, a dozen sheets of white paper were spread across the wooden boards.

At the center was the overall plan of the castle; on either side, diagrams of internal structures and notes on building materials.

“My lord, as you requested, this castle occupies 4,700 square meters, can hold up to 5,000 people at maximum, and house 600 residents permanently.”

Eunice, the half-elf maiden, stepped to the drawing stand, her gaze tinged with fear as she slowly began her explanation.

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“Here is the outer wall: six meters high, eighty meters long, forty-six meters wide, with two-meter platforms accommodating two hundred and forty fighters at once. Every thirty meters, there’s a small armory connected to the lower level for storing weapons and food.”

“Behind is the inner wall: nine meters high, sixty-three meters long, thirty-four meters wide, with many outward-facing platforms as you requested. In total, thirty-one platforms can host two hundred and thirty defenders at a time.”

Having finished her description of the walls, Verin followed Eunice’s finger to examine the other parts of the castle.

There were large armories, barracks, the lord’s chambers, halls, kitchens, water storage, grain warehouses, latrines, weapon repair areas, cellars, and stables—all present.

At the topmost level of the castle, six large platforms were set aside for Verin to place ballistae, enabling him to strike at attacking enemies.

“Eunice, how long will it take to build this castle?” Verin turned to the half-elf maiden and asked.

“With twenty-five masons and two hundred humans, it can be completed within three years.”

“No, that’s too long.”

Verin shook his head; only five months remained until the gnoll assault, and the castle had to be finished before then.

“What timeframe does my lord expect?”

“Within five months—the construction must be finished by the end of November.”

Eunice replied softly, “If only for defense, the other buildings can be paused. We would build only the outer and inner walls, plus water storage, grain warehouse, latrines, weapon repair, and stables. Disregarding external beautification and other areas, with two hundred more workers, we can finish in five months.”

Upon hearing this, Verin began to consider the current state of the territory.

There were 343 freemen and serfs combined, and 107 slave bandits.

Fields required hands, and salt mining was about to begin, so he could only spare 143 serfs and 57 bandit slaves—a total of 200.

He then recalled the army Baird was training.

“No, the salt mines need workers, patrols must be manned, and the army cannot be used for castle construction.”

After some thought, he quickly abandoned the idea.

“Eunice, I entrust the castle’s construction entirely to you. The twenty-five masons will follow your command, but for now, you only have two hundred workers. I’ll try to find more. Start by choosing the site and building.”

“Yes, my lord.” The half-elf maiden was stunned by the appointment but soon accepted the task.

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Verin then left the wooden cabin, pondering how to find more hands to fill the shortage in his territory.

In the following days, under Eunice’s direction, two hundred laborers and twenty-five masons were divided into nine teams, each with twenty-five members.

Three teams mined stone, two transported materials, and the remaining four handled construction.

After much thought, Verin suddenly considered using cement to fill the material gap, but immediately abandoned the idea.

He knew some of the formula—limestone, clay, iron powder mixed in precise proportions, then processed through several steps—but he lacked the full method.

Besides, there wasn’t time now to experiment.

“Never mind, things will sort themselves out. Perhaps the solution will present itself in a few days.”

Setting the matter aside, Verin decided to organize a small-scale salt mining operation to increase the territory’s income.

He had eighty-five thousand gold coins when he left his family; after a series of expenses, only fifty-three thousand remained.

With only expenditures and no income, he felt uneasy.

On the morning of June 26th, Verin led two knights, three squads of soldiers, and sixty slave bandits twelve kilometers southeast of Star Prayer Lake to the salt mine.

After two hours, they arrived at the site.

The two knights moved aside the massive stone blocking the entrance, opening the passage.

“Andrew, take charge of these slaves and set up a camp. Mining begins tomorrow.”

“Yes, master.”

A knight thumped his chest in salute and replied promptly.

Watching the camp grow busy, Verin mounted his horse and, with a squad of soldiers, patrolled the area to drive off wild beasts, ensuring the camp’s safety.

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