Gesang's work was exceptionally efficient—within less than twenty days, she had visited Beta Station, Beibei Creek Station, Fairford Valley Station, and Mine Station in turn, completing the supplemental signing for every mage.
Most of the hired mages had been quite cooperative. They appeared calm as they signed the new contracts, though their hearts were anything but peaceful.
One by one, they sensed the implications behind these supplementary contracts, yet no one said it aloud. They merely buried their questions about the depths of the Milaginbi Mountains.
In contrast, Isi and Yasi were responsible for the work at Small Plain Fortress.
The two had originally served under Ange, and their loyalty was beyond question. Naturally, there was no need for them to sign new contracts.
Their progress had been astonishingly fast—the railway lines extending from Small Plain Fortress to Beibei Creek Station and Beta Highland Station were nearly complete.
During construction, they had also unexpectedly discovered several shallow metal veins in the surrounding terrain.
The two immediately reported the matter to Ange. After receiving approval, they ordered the kobold troops stationed nearby to begin mining.
The mineral resources were gathered and used entirely to forge the rails needed for the railcars, greatly easing the already strained supply allocation.
By the time Gesang had finished the supplemental signing at every station and returned to Fifth Town with her team, the seasons had quietly begun to change.
Affected by the ocean monsoon, snow had begun falling along the edges of the Dampier Highlands, and the snow line had even reached Fifth Town.
A light dusting settled over the rooftops and streets, gently wrapping the little town—once dominated by gray stone and pale yellow wood—in a layer of silver white.
"Only been gone a month, and it's already snowing?" Gesang stood at the airship