Since the Evil Moon ended, the Western Frontier has seen only two rainfalls, with sunshine filling the rest of the season as if to make up for the winter's absence. The office has shed its former gloom, now filled with fresh, natural air. Opening the windows, one can still catch glimpses of the garden's delicate fragrance drifting through the air.
By now, the land route between the town and Changge Fortress had largely been restored to its original state, and Roland had grown particularly attentive to the fortress's developments.
Based on the previous year's pattern, once road transport resumes, merchants will soon return to Border Town to sell daily goods. Yet he hasn't encountered a single merchant from the Long Song Fortress yet. Lightning conducts two daily reconnaissance missions to ensure the town is fully prepared before any enemy forces arrive.
Over the past week, the First Army has entered the comprehensive exercise phase, comprising two components: defensive line engagement and field pursuit. The defensive phase primarily relies on the "Lightning" system to report enemy distances in the air, with artillery and rifle units executing commands—this segment is relatively straightforward, as both instructions and corresponding actions are clearly defined. For instance, solid projectile bombardment occurs at 800-meter and 500-meter ranges, shotgun fire at 300-meter proximity, and rifle engagements at 50-meter ranges. Upon seeing the flag raised by the "Lightning" system, team leaders immediately instruct their members on the specific attack method to employ.
The critical phase lies in the field pursuit. According to Roland's plan, after the enemy's defeat, their retreat to the fortress would take three days, just like their advance. Even if they abandoned the militia and mercenaries to return alone, it would still take at least two days, forcing them to camp in the open. This created an opportunity for the First Army to pursue. With Lightning maintaining full surveillance, the First Army would follow in a safe zone undetected by scouts, while artillery and ammunition were transported by the Township. Once the enemy established their camp for the night, the forces would complete the encirclement and launch a pincer attack at dawn to annihilate the enemy.
The plan seemed straightforward, but coordinating a coordinated attack by splitting the troops into two groups without radio communication was nearly impossible. Roland had no choice but to deploy the Witch in this critical phase to bridge the communication gap. Yet he remained uncertain about the outcome.
Another critical factor is the dwindling stockpile of gunpowder. This explains why live-fire drills were omitted during the joint exercises, with the focus instead on coordinating the musketeers and artillery units, as well as enhancing cooperation between the First Army and Witch. He has dispatched expeditions to the more remote Zhulong Ridge and Chishui City to secure additional saltpeter sources. Without timely replenishment, the muskets in the First Army's arsenal may soon be reduced to mere spears after these two engagements.
Roland drafted new procurement plans for gunpowder, grain, seeds, and other supplies, intending to have Barov send another apprentice to the royal capital of Graycastle to test the waters. The capital was well-stocked, especially gunpowder—by summer, the royal nitreworks would undoubtedly be operating at full capacity. As a city teeming with nobles and wealthy merchants, the consumption of gunpowder skyrocketed once the heat set in. He hoped to secure a reliable supplier to continuously supply Border Town with gunpowder.
Prior to this, he had dispatched two bodyguards to execute the "Summoning Witches" and "Seeking Fruits" missions. The former typically posed as travelers or merchants, spreading rumors about Border Town's witch-hunting operations through streets, taverns, and black markets. The targets were not the Fourth Prince Roland, but rather the Guild of Mutual Aid, who had finally located the Sacred Mountain and hoped to settle the witches there. The latter mission involved direct travel to Bishui Harbor to procure exotic crop seeds from the opposite side of the fjord. Should any rare crops be found along the route, their seeds would also be brought back.
After finalizing the purchase order, Roland handed it to Shuruan and instructed her to deliver it to Barov at City Hall. As Shuruan left, Roland stretched lazily, intending to take a sip, only to find his glass already empty.
As he was about to rise to fetch the water jug, the nightingale had already brought it to his table. Not only that, but she also smiled, filled the cup, and then carried the jug back.
Roland took a slow sip, his mind in turmoil. The Nightingale's behavior had been odd lately—she kept smiling at him and even offered to serve tea. Was she trying to get a raise? Back in the day, she'd just sit on the sofa, clutching a bowl of dried fish slices, and munch on them all afternoon.
Though Roland had asked for an explanation, the other party merely smiled without responding, so he simply let it be.
Could it be that the Quanta brand truly brings people joy? If he were to develop both poker and mahjong in the future and launch an entertainment casino, he'd be sitting on cash... Stop it, Roland shook his head, dismissing the distractions. Now wasn't the time for pleasure—he had to plan for what came after capturing the fortress.
Relocating the office center to the Long Song Fortress? Roland had pondered this for ages. While moving to a more prosperous location might seem tempting, it was ultimately a poor choice. Unlike Border Town, the Fortress had stood for over a century, with its power networks deeply intertwined and numerous Nobles. The territories were governed by a feudal system, making it nearly impossible for even the Fortress Lord to interfere with other domains. To fully convert it into his own territory, he would need to initiate a major reform. Moreover, in such a chaotic place, even his own safety was uncertain. He certainly didn't want to be ambushed by a radical Noble while strolling through the streets.
Border Town, however, stood apart. Its territory was entirely self-governed, with vast surrounding lands that required no immediate expansion. The population, predominantly miners and hunters, formed a homogeneous community. After successfully resisting the Demon's Moon, their reputation in the region soared. Crucially, through ideological propaganda by the People's First Army, most residents had come to accept the Witch's existence. Unlike the Church's deeply influential Long Song Fortress or other urban areas, this small town naturally became a haven for the Witch. Thus, Roland chose to establish it as his core domain.
As for the fortress, he could entrust others with its management, as long as they consistently provided labor and tax revenue. What he currently lacks most are manpower and funds.
Roland's initial plan was to use funds from the Chōkō Fortress to hire its personnel and contribute to Border Town's development. The Golden Dragons, plundered from the defeated Noble, would return to the people and be remitted to the fortress through taxation. After the fortress remitted the funds to him, he would allocate them. Additionally, certain preferential policies could be implemented to retain skilled artisans with specialized expertise on a long-term basis.
However, these remain only a preliminary framework. For instance, the selection of trustees and specific tax policies will need to be determined after the conflict concludes.
Just then, a yellow figure darted in through the window and landed steadily on Prince's desk—it was Lightning.
"Thank you for your hard work. Have some water," Roland offered her a cup. She took it but didn't drink, shouting, "Your Highness, they're here!"