Chapter 762

Before Rhodesney XVIII summoned Duke Giles's envoy, the kingdom's war preparations had already begun long ago.

During that period, the busiest units in the army were the various logistics departments.

In the southern district of Crystal Radiance City, Cast Iron Alley was still shrouded in gray-blue morning mist when the logistics officer Edmund White kicked open the door of the third smithy.

An unfinished breastplate on the anvil still glowed a dull red. The old blacksmith, wrapped in a leather apron, raised his head from the coal pile. His cloudy eyes suddenly narrowed when he recognized the crest on the visitor's chest.

"You have three days left to deliver two hundred Cleaning Rods," Edmund said as his cowhide boots crushed the iron scraps covering the floor. He slammed a metal file folder down beside the forge. "I wanted to ask about your progress."

"My lord, the fire in the furnace hasn't gone out once!" The burly old blacksmith raised his hands, covered in burn marks. "But..."

Edmund immediately furrowed his brows, his two thick eyebrows almost twisting together. "But what? I warned you that there could be no mistakes with this job. His Majesty the King is very concerned about the army's logistical work."

"We're running a little short on iron ingots."

Edmund said angrily, "You people really know how to cause me trouble! All you care about is reaching into His Majesty the King's pockets for money. When you accepted this order, didn't you anticipate that you might encounter difficulties like this? If you can't complete the quota, both you and I will be in trouble!"

"I am very sorry, my lord!"

With his hands clasped behind his back, the quartermaster paced irritably across the floor before finally saying, "How about this? A shipment of iron ingots will soon