The next morning, the rising sun spilled over the coast at Point 5, and the air was filled with a faint dampness.
As ships docked one after another, Ang stood on a distant cliff, gazing at the mudflats in the distance, unable to suppress his excitement.
The soldiers aboard the ships busied themselves unloading supplies. More and more combat equipment, provisions, and tools were brought ashore, while Ang and his troops had already begun a full-scale clearing of the mangroves.
Each felled tree gave off a heavy crack that echoed through the air, releasing a strong woody scent.
The soldiers swung their axes with practiced speed. Their steps were orderly, like well-trained machines, constantly pushing the felled trees toward one side of the cliffs.
The trees struck the rocks with dull thuds before being shoved over the cliff, cutting through the air and crashing heavily into the mudflats below.
As their numbers grew, the felled trees piled into small hills, with more and more timber used to lay roads.
The soldiers methodically carried the wood to the places Ang and Isi had enchanted. The hardened ground was like a thick foundation, bearing the steadily increasing troops and supplies.
"We'll soon complete the first stage of the mission." Quintina approached Ang, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Can this timber be used to build the port?"
Ang smiled faintly and pointed at the open ground in the distance. "We're not just building a port. We also need to make sure this area becomes our supply line." His voice was low and forceful. "Give them some time, and the outline of North Wind Port will emerge."
As supplies continued arriving, several squads were assigned to begin work in the port area, constructing simple docks.
Some soldiers skillfully used timber to build temporary defenses,