After leaving the hotel, Bill and John stopped a pedestrian on the street to ask the way to the city hall. Following the man's directions, they started walking toward the heart of Oros City, stepping onto the broad, smooth main road that stretched ahead of them.
According to their understanding, Oros City was designed with eleven main gates positioned along the four cardinal directions. Each gate was supposed to be hundreds of meters apart, forming a protective ring around the city. However, the city walls and gates had not yet been constructed. At present, the only completed road connected the docks to the inner city. Paved with neatly aligned stone slabs, it was unusually smooth and flat, an impressive feat for a city still under construction.
"Master, why do you think the roads here are built so wide? And how much would it cost to construct something like this?" John asked, glancing at the more than twenty-meter-wide street with genuine curiosity.
Bill shrugged, walking alongside him. "How would I know? Maybe Prince Gaimon simply had too much money and decided to spend it on wide roads. After all, King Jaehaerys spent a fortune building the Kingsroad. And don't forget the Valyrians—they once built the Valyrian Way across the eastern continent, stretching thousands of miles. Perhaps wide, sturdy roads are just a Targaryen tradition."
John nodded thoughtfully. "Well, after seeing this, I must admit it is far more convenient than Junlin's roads. There, you always have to watch your step to avoid potholes. Walking there is exhausting, especially in bad weather."
Bill chuckled softly, agreeing. As they talked, they had already passed the outskirts and were walking along what would eventually be the foundation of the city wall, heading deeper into the city.
Oros was built in the middle of a broad river valley, an alluvial plain. Its defining feature was the flat terrain—there were no significant hills or dips. Gaimon had laid out the city with a uniform, orderly design, creating crisscrossing roads that divided the city into neat, rectangular sections. Although it had been planned to house at least 100,000 people, the city seemed unusually empty now, with only about 10,000 residents. The remaining structures were largely workshops or houses prepared for future settlers.
Creating a city of this scale was no simple task. To make it sustainable, the city needed enough jobs for the residents. Unlike most of Westeros, where people lived in rural areas or on manors and rarely interacted with money, Gaimon's domain required a more active economy. Most rural residents elsewhere relied on barter and rarely needed cash, while the manor system ensured survival without entering the city. Gaimon, however, had a different vision.
He had divided the land between himself and the people: half belonged to him, and the other half was distributed to the farmers, who only needed to pay land tax. The surplus grain could be sold back to Gaimon, creating a system where trade and money flowed naturally. By buying grain and other products from the farmers, he not only increased their income but also strengthened the local economy. Gaimon believed that coercion was the lowest form of rule; revitalizing the economy through fair trade and industry would ensure everyone benefited, forming a positive cycle that increased prosperity and tax revenue alike.
The traditional manor economy was gradually replaced. Production of raw materials still occurred in the countryside, but processing and finishing were shifted to the city. This approach not only minimized waste but also boosted efficiency and overall economic output. To support this, Gaimon constructed numerous workshops in Oros City, including furniture factories, leatherworks, steel mills, stone quarries, and brick kilns. Some products were exported, generating profit, while others were consumed locally, supporting the city's residents.
As Bill and John walked deeper into the city, they observed the tall, uniform buildings lining the streets. Many were workshops already in operation, and others were housing provided for workers. The buildings shared a consistent style, as though carved from a single mold, creating a harmonious cityscape.
Bill's eyes widened in amazement. "How did they manage to build these so tall, and entirely out of stone? Did they use magic? I heard dragon kings often rely on magic to control their dragons—perhaps the same principle applies here."
John nodded, equally impressed. "I've been wondering the same thing. These structures have only been under construction for just over two years. With the population still relatively small, it's remarkable that so much has been built already. It almost seems impossible without some extraordinary method."
As they continued, a soldier on horseback approached at speed and stopped beside them.
"This is the roadway. Please walk on the sidewalk," the knight instructed firmly. "I see this is your first time in Oros City, so I won't fine you this time. But if I catch you walking on the roadway again, don't complain about the consequences."
Bill and John exchanged confused glances. They weren't entirely sure what the knight meant, though they understood the importance of avoiding a fine. Bill, always quick to clarify, asked, "Sir, could you please explain the difference between the roadway and the sidewalk? How can we distinguish them? We want to avoid making the same mistake again."
The knight smiled faintly at the request and gestured toward the road. "It's simple. The roadway is lower, intended for carriages and horses. The sidewalk runs slightly higher along both sides, reserved for pedestrians. You'll notice a clear height difference between them."
Following the knight's guidance, Bill and John examined the street more carefully. Ahead, they saw painted markings and realized how the pedestrian paths were separated from the vehicle lanes. Bill nodded thoughtfully. "I see now. That makes sense. It's well-organized and ensures safety for everyone."
John followed suit, stepping onto the sidewalk to inspect the markings. "It's remarkable," he said. "Even though the city is still under construction, the planning is meticulous. The sidewalks, the roadways, and the arrangement of buildings all show careful thought. Prince Gaimon must have a very clear vision for this city."
As they moved forward, the city unfolded around them. On either side of the wide street were workshops producing leather goods, furniture, and metalworks. The sound of hammers, saws, and chisels echoed through the air. Dust from stonecutting and smoke from kilns mingled with the scent of fresh wood, creating a tangible sense of industry. Yet despite the bustling activity, the streets themselves remained clean and orderly, a testament to the city's meticulous planning.
John paused, looking at the expanse of the road stretching ahead. "It's not just the buildings," he said. "Even the roads are built to last. Stone slabs, properly aligned, and wide enough for multiple carriages to pass at the same time. It's far better than anything I've seen in Junlin."
Bill nodded in agreement. "And the way they separate pedestrian and carriage lanes is clever. It avoids accidents and keeps traffic flowing smoothly. Even now, with relatively few people, you can see the thought behind it. Imagine how effective it will be when the city reaches full capacity."
The two continued walking, marveling at the scale and ambition of the city. Each block they passed was similar to the last, yet each seemed purposeful—housing for workers, workshops, storage, and small markets scattered throughout. The city was not only functional but also designed for future growth.
Eventually, they approached a crosswalk marked with white lines on the road. The knight's words came back to Bill, who looked at the markings carefully. "So this is how pedestrians cross safely," he said. "It's simple and logical. They've clearly thought of every detail."
John smiled. "It's impressive. You can see how Gaimon's vision extends beyond mere buildings. The city itself is designed to foster economic growth, social order, and safety. Everything is connected—the workshops, the roads, the housing, even how people and vehicles move around. It's an ecosystem in miniature."
Bill nodded. "And it makes sense now why the city seems so empty. They're building it in stages. First, the infrastructure and workshops, then the population. Eventually, this place will be bustling with tens of thousands of people, each contributing to the economy and supporting themselves."
John glanced around. "It also explains why the buildings are so tall. To maximize space in the city, they had to build vertically. Stone structures like this would usually take years to complete, but the speed of construction here suggests extraordinary planning and organization."
The two continued their walk, observing the city's orderly progression. Workers moved efficiently, materials were delivered and distributed without chaos, and even small details—like the alignment of streets and the spacing of buildings—reflected careful planning.
"The more I see, the more I realize," John said, "that Gaimon isn't just building a city. He's building a sustainable economy, a place where people can live, work, and thrive. He's creating a model that could influence the entire continent."
Bill nodded, absorbing the sight around him. "I can see that. And it's not just about money or production. It's about improving people's lives, giving them opportunities, and ensuring the city functions efficiently. There's a certain genius in that approach."
As they walked toward the heart of Oros City, they passed more cross streets and intersections, each clearly marked with sidewalks and carriageways. The city, while still growing, displayed a level of order and foresight that left both men impressed and inspired. It was a living example of what careful planning, strategic investment, and vision could achieve—even in a land that had once relied solely on rural manors and barter.
By the time they reached the area near the city hall, the sun had climbed higher, casting light across the wide streets. Bill and John paused, looking around, taking in the sheer scale of what had been accomplished in just over two years. Though the population was still small, the city itself felt alive, promising a future where tens of thousands would live, work, and prosper within its walls..
Walking along the sidewalks, observing the orderly traffic and bustling workshops, both men felt a sense of awe. This was more than a city; it was a vision made real, a testament to the possibilities of planning, ambition, and foresight. And as they approached the city hall, they couldn't help but feel that they were witnessing the birth of something extraordinary—a city that, in time, would become the beating heart of Oros.
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