In just a month and a half, the outskirts of Amnath City had been completely transformed.
A settlement zone for five hundred thousand people had risen from the ground in a grid-like layout. Though most of the buildings were large shared dormitories built from timber and rough stone slabs, they were neatly arranged, well ventilated, and reinforced outside with windproof waterproof cloth—more than enough for the initial housing needs.
Quintina directed workers to establish cafeterias in every settlement zone and organized purchases from various places, even buying large quantities of dried rations and cured meat from neighboring noble lords.
In the end, the granaries were filled with enough food to feed five hundred thousand people for two months, which allowed Ang to breathe a small sigh of relief.
But both of them knew that everything depended on one condition—the people had to arrive as promised.
"Ang, it's been nearly two months already, and there's still no news..." Quintina walked into Ang's study with a frown, a trace of anxiety in her expression. "Are you sure we haven't been played?"
Ang looked up at her. He appeared even calmer than she did, though a faint unease was hidden in his eyes.
He said softly, "Let's wait a little longer. They should still be on their way."
"But we really acted too rashly this time. We started investing on a massive scale before even receiving full confirmation." Quintina sat down in a chair, her tone displeased but helpless.
"Preston was already the best option available to us. There was no other way." Ang sighed, then spread open the account book. "Let's review the resource expenditure."
The two recalculated everything: housing construction, food purchases, transportation mobilization, craftsmen's costs... Altogether, it came to more than twenty-three thousand magic crystals.
"This investment is no small