The winding upward road, the spiral ascending track dedicated to minecart travel, and the gear-operated lifting platform built using advanced dwarven technology.
These were the main components of this sky road's remarkable entrance.
Unlike ordinary ground roads, sky roads possessed some inherent natural hazards, such as their extreme height and the stable operation of various facilities suspended above.
However, there were practical solutions to all these problems.
A qualified road always required many essential facilities. Things like lighting and safety guardrails were absolutely essential, and then there was maintenance of the up-and-down passages, which wouldn't cost too much in the long run.
If it were a lifting platform made through normal processes, there might be tiny possibilities of accidents, such as parts aging or some component failing due to excessive fatigue. But things assembled from various components synthesized by Levi's hands could only have accidents caused by human error.
Stability was completely maxed out.
Levi remained on this road for several days, directly completing the most difficult and complex opening section during this time. What remained was repetitive mechanical labor.
After receiving the news, Bard hurried over without stopping and once again looked up with amazement.
He saw a massive stone pillar reaching toward the sky standing on the ground, supporting a small section of road suspended above. That road was smooth and perfectly level, with torches serving as light sources for streetlights along the roadside, plus sturdy safety railings to prevent accidents.
At the road's beginning was also a small house that could serve as a temporary resting point.
"Even without continuing construction, just its current appearance could already be considered a miracle."
"This can't be considered a miracle."
Levi recalled some history and said: "Have you heard of Khazad-dûm, or rather Moria?"
"I know of it. I've heard that place is filled with large numbers of dark creatures, a habitat for orcs and various monsters."
"Long ago, that place wasn't like that at all."
"Khazad-dûm, that underground city, was quite large in scale, spanning the entire Misty Mountains from west to east, reaching up to the mountaintops and down to underground rivers. Throughout its extent it was magnificent and spacious without any corners cut."
"That was a true hall of miracles, famous throughout the world."
Compared to Moria, both the fortress tower Levi built and the entire territory of Roadside Fort were really quite small.
This was only possible because he possessed the characteristic of enhanced construction abilities. It was hard to imagine how much time Moria's massive scale had consumed and how it had been excavated.
Compared to Levi's work, that was the truly inconceivable miracle.
Bard tried to imagine it somewhat.
Massive, wide halls that could span the Misty Mountains would be many times larger than Dale and Erebor combined.
"Dwarven craftsmanship is indeed powerful."
He couldn't help but sigh with admiration.
"Yes. Now do you still think this project is inconceivable or impossible to complete?"
"No, I never thought it was impossible to complete."
"Good. Then it's time to begin construction."
Levi led Bard, the temporarily appointed road construction project supervisor, toward the entrance, introducing him to the function of each element.
The upward road, for gradual ascent.
The spiral ascending minecart passage is mainly for transporting materials or blocks. Of course, if anyone wanted to try the sensation of high-speed rotation, they could also ride it for the thrilling experience.
After introducing these two, Levi directly jumped onto a lifting platform and invited Bard to come up as well.
This platform was quite stable, and the ascent and descent process was enclosed, equipped with multiple safety devices that probably wouldn't be needed but were installed anyway, with a water pool at the very bottom.
Multiple insurance measures, extremely strong load capacity. As for how strong, it strengthened according to demand.
The two stood on it, and the platform didn't float at all. It was as stable as standing on solid ground.
Levi pulled the lever.
Click.
The platform rose at a moderate speed.
This feeling was commonplace for Levi, or for those dwarves accustomed to mining, but for Bard it was somewhat stimulating.
As soon as the platform moved, he felt slightly dizzy.
As a powerful archer who dared climb tall towers to challenge evil dragons and could make precise shots while ignoring various external distractions, Bard's courage naturally went without saying, nor would he have symptoms like fear of heights.
But this sensation of weightlessness was truly a first-time experience, since he had never been to dwarven mines or ridden their elevators and cable cars.
"How marvelous. I'd only heard of such things."
After taking several deep breaths, Bard also recovered his composure.
"Now you've seen it, and you'll use it frequently in the future."
Soon the platform rose to the very top, and the two walked out, feeling the high-altitude breeze.
Bard took a deep breath, walked to the roadside, gripped the railing, and looked toward the sea of trees that appeared especially brilliant in the sunlight.
"That is the true woodland, not what people call 'Mirkwood,' but the Great Greenwood..."
As a descendant of Dale's former lords, Bard also knew some rather ancient history.
"Too beautiful, great and beautiful. I truly feel sorry for the Woodland King. The power of spiders and certain dark beings has polluted the entire greenwood, forcing them to live only in underground halls."
"In the past, when they wanted to come out, they could almost only use rivers or some frequently traveled paths, and these places really couldn't be considered absolutely safe."
Even orcs could reach both sides of rivers with some effort.
"But now..."
"Everything will be different," Bard continued.
Plop.
Levi placed an iron golem on the spot.
It could serve as patrol police, maintaining security at the entrance.
"Woodland elves are actually quite willing to communicate."
"It's just that years of harassment by dark creatures and threats from various enemies have forced them to close themselves off, maintaining vigilance toward everything external."
Levi expressed his view.
"Toward friends, they are quite friendly and enthusiastic."
Bard looked toward the palace direction and agreed:
"I can see that. That king appears cold on the surface but is actually quite compassionate. I've never been able to think of a way to repay him."
"Didn't Dorwinion cargo ships arrive recently? Just ship him more good wine."
"Alright, I will."
After determining the construction route, Bard quickly gathered the road workers waiting in Lake-town and brought them to the entrance.
The residents stood before the load-bearing stone pillar that was actually decorative, looking at each other and making sounds of inhalation.
"Are we going up there?"
Someone couldn't help but ask.
"Yes. Anyone afraid of heights can withdraw now. This matter won't force anyone to do it."
Bard looked around. No one spoke.
But he could already see the response in people's eyes:
Backing down before even trying? How embarrassing would that be?