Chapter 31: War is less complicated than a teenage girl

I'm observing the progress of building the wall along the Abandon Forest, thousands of workers and engineers are working. This wall costs me nearly a third of my treasury, which sometimes makes me cry. However, acknowledging that at least 200000 Beastmen can come from the forest, I can't feel safe without having something to block them. 10 meters high and 7 wide, along with countless archer towers, that'll be the greatest defense construction that has been ever seen in history.

But the workforce here is somewhat a problem for me, there aren't enough people who want to build a construction like this since the risks of being injured are a little high compared to other constructions. The workers have to take stones from far away and then deliver them here by horse cargoes. In the progress of the building, the rocks can fall can crush the worker's bones. To solve this, I ask the Blue Order instead of sentencing men with heavy crimes to death, to send them here to work as serfs. Even if they're killed by accidents, I don't care since they have done terrible things beforehand.

But with the appearance of these criminals, I have to send troops to maintain the order. I promise the criminals if they can finish this wall, I'll lower their charges but some of them have tried to run away. Those fools think that they can escape from my men; after being caught, I order them to be crucified immediately. ''The stick and the carrot" is always useful when dealing with unruly people.

- Charles, how is the progress going?

- The manager says it is going well, your majesty. At this rate, the wall will be finished in two years.

- That's a bit long, improve the quality of meals and raise their pays. This should boost their productivity. Tell the manager that I want the wall to be finished in 1 and a half years.

- As you wish, your majesty.

Charles ride to the manager's camp to send my words. Look at the Abandon Forest, I call my wolves and bodyguards. It has been a long time since my trial, I don't clearly remember the old path that I went but I think I can figure it out somehow. I'll go inside again and visit the wolf couple's tomb, along with their children can pay our respect. I admire their love toward each other, but I'll have to say sorry to them for not protecting Beta properly.

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The caravan from the Heathen Kingdom appears at the gate of Neverwinter, this caravan is much larger and the previous and more well-protected. Among the carriages, we see a luxurious and big one. Inside them, a beautiful girl is chatting with a woman dressed as a maid:

- Anna, why don't I see any people welcoming us? I'm their future queen, right? At least they'll have to show some gratitude.

- I think King Ivar doesn't know about us coming, your Highness. Khal Kjartan didn't expect that the Fortunian Army marched alongside with the Tumen he sent here right after being asked. So in return, he ordered us to go earlier than the time he informed King Ivar.

- But we should be welcomed in his castle, right? I don't want to sleep on this carriage anymore, it's so bouncing. I want a bed in a big room with warm food.

- I'm sure you'll have that, Your Highness. The Fortuna Kingdom is rich and King Ivar is a generous person, at least to his troops as they say.

It takes them half an hour to get close to the castle. The Fortunian guards block their way but when they see the symbol of the Heathen Royal Family, they let them pass. When the carriage stops at the gate, the Princess and her maid get off. They intend to get in the castle; however, before they can get in, some men with strange armors stop them. The leader of the group asks:

- Who are you, this is the restricted area?

Anna, the maid, go forward and speak:

- We are Heathen people, I'm presentative of Princess Christina, the future wife of your king.

- I'm Mushashi, can I see her Highness? I can't let strange people get inside the castle.

Princess Christina and her maid are covering her face with a cloth, it is a tradition of the Heathen women to let only their husbands see their faces. Anna explains it:

- It is our tradition to not let men see our faces. So you can't see her Highness's face.

- So let me see her hair, people say that nobody has as beautiful hair like her.

Before Anna continues to argue with Mushashi, the princess turns around and reveals her hair to him. The magnificent light pink hair shine like the sun itself. After seeing the princess's hair, Mushashi bows:

- Sorry for stopping you, my duty is protecting this castle.

The princess asks:

- Where is king Ivar? He doesn't come to see me?

- His majesty is not here. I'll inform him of your appearance right after he comes back. I'll arrange a chamber for you in the castle.

- If his majesty is not here, then I'll take a walk around this city. I want to learn more about it.

- If that's the case, your highness, I'll send some men to be your bodyguards.

- No need, I have mine.

Not waiting for Mushashi to reply, Christina, takes the hand of her maid and runs to the man street of the city. her bodyguards sigh and then follow her.

20 minutes later...

- Have we escape. Anna?

- Yes, your highness, I don't see any one of our guards around here. But why would you run from them? They are our trusted men.

- They'll stop me if they know where I'm going to. When we are near the city gate, I see a large wall being built, I want to know what is beyond it.

- It can be dangerous, we should stay in the castle, your highness.

- Don't worry, Anna. The wall is near their capital, so there will not be anything too dangerous. In the worst case, you will protect me, right?

Both girls, one is 12 and the other is 18 years old, both in their curious age. They hold each other hands and then go to the northern gate of Neverwinter. Head for the wall, they run, sneak the blue cloaks that are patrolling the area. About 1 hour later, two girls have seen the wall along with workers/

- It is huge, Anna, there must be more than 2000 people here, why do you think they build this wall?

- I don't know, your highness.

To solve her curiosity, Christina and Anna sneak through the workers and get to another side of the wall. The thing they're seeing is a vast and beautiful jungle. A squirrel appears, when it sees them, it runs deep into the forest. The cuteness of the squirrel attracts the girl, they follow the squirrel and spot an area where a peaceful stream lies and many beautiful flowers growing around. They collect the flowers and play with each other for a while before Anna realizes that they're inside the forest:

- Princess, we should come back now, playing in the jungle is very dangerous.

Like nature supports her statement, a roar is heard right behind them.