Published: January 12, 2026
Panamera’s subordinates were competent and diligent.
After the surveying, they divided the tasks to check for any mistakes, helped the villagers, and transported materials.
Because of this, the foundation work for the castle walls using Espada’s magic became so fast that it couldn’t keep up.
Once Espada completed a part of the wall, wooden frames and stones were brought in for fixing and reinforcement. I would then casually show up to finish the work and busily build ballistas on top of the walls.
Although I became twice as busy as before, I enjoyed seeing the village develop rapidly.
Since I was at it, I thought about paving the village ground with stones after the barbecue party for dinner, but Espada and Dee, who should have been exhausted, caught me.
“I couldn’t study yesterday.”
“Nor could I train in swordsmanship!”
“…Just so you know, you two at the same time is impossible.”
I gave up and was dragged away.
Two weeks flew by in the blink of an eye, and amazingly, the hexagon inside the castle walls and the two triangular sections on the highway side were completed. If we build the remaining four triangular walls, the original plan for a six-pointed star fortress city would be fulfilled. The Apcaluru resting lake wouldn’t fit inside the walls, however.
By the way, fifty ballistas with double barrels were installed.
When everything is finished, there will be at least three hundred ballistas covering all directions. Well, it would still take about another week. Materials were also running low.
“…Even though I’m helping, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been shocked.”
Panamera sighed with his arms crossed, looking up at the completed walls from the highway side.
His crossed arms made the walls seem taller than usual, but nobody would be foolish enough to touch them.
“Yes, my lord... nngh! Thanks to everyone, the main parts of the castle walls are done. Now, if more residents, merchants, and adventurers move in, we can start building houses.”
“Honestly, I envy you. Having a territory is my dream. But it costs money and time, and there’s no way I can ask a Count who just lost land to lend me some. Well, I’ll aim to earn military merits that money can’t buy in the next battle and get my own land. When that happens, help me out a little, alright?”
Panamera laughed while shaking his shoulders and spoke lightheartedly.
Suddenly, I heard Ort’s voice from far away.
“H-help me!”
It was rare to see Ort scream like that while running.
No, perhaps it was the first time. Especially since I started selling weapons, he usually hunted big game with ease.
But now, seeing him sprint with his companions from across the highway made him look nothing like a skilled warrior.
“There’s a dragon behind us!”
Ort shouted again, pointing behind him as he ran.
“A dragon?”
Another armored lizard?
I squinted to look into the distance but at that moment, a dragon with huge wings appeared, smashing through the tall trees beside the highway.
“A d-dragon!”
“Impossible! Even if it’s the frontier, this is a highway!”
The villagers and soldiers shouted. Frontier or not, what did that matter? Is it like how wild boars sometimes appear on country roads?
No, you can’t compare dragons to wild boars. Calm down, Van-kun.
The dragon looked about fifteen meters long from head to tail—a huge creature. The last giant creature I saw was Jinbei, the whale shark at the aquarium. The dragon was much thicker and had wings as wide as its body length.
With its green scales and developed limbs, it was probably a Forest Dragon, the master of the woods.
Forest Dragons make their nests deep in the forest and mainly hunt using their fangs, claws, and tails. They are not high-level dragons and should not use breath attacks.
Anyway, when facing a flying demonic beast attack, swords and spears are useless. We had to fight with bows and magic.
“Everyone, take cover inside the walls! Close the gates once Ort and his group get through! Anyone free, get to the top of the walls!”