Chapter 507: The mysterious traveler
The Qinggelie Empire had conscripted large numbers of laborers from the towns and villages around the mountains, using a measure of coercion.
"Clink, clink, clink..."
On one of the mountain peaks, laborers hammered away at the rock with iron chisels, leveling the surface.
A powerfully built laborer swung a massive sledgehammer. Using half his strength, he raised it high and brought it crashing down.
"Clink..." "Bang..."
The final crack split open at the base of a huge boulder attached to the ridge's bedrock.
The overseer standing nearby with a set of plans saw it and immediately shouted behind him.
"Get ready!!! The boulder's coming down!! Clear everyone out of its path!! Clear everyone out of its path!!!"
The shouted orders spread. Soldiers and laborers farther down one slope quickly retreated to higher ground on either side. Four or five minutes later, dozens-perhaps a hundred-had gathered beside the boulder at the summit.
Some held wooden pry bars in groups, others carried wooden pushing poles, and still others simply pressed themselves against the boulder.
"Get ready! Come on, together, push!!!"
"Heave-ho!" "Heave-ho!"...
"Together, push!!!"
"Heave-ho!" "Heave-ho!"...
From higher ground, the overseer watched the boulder rock under their combined strength.
"It's going over!!! Put your backs into it!! Finish this rock before noon and we'll have lunch!!!"
"Push together!!!"
"Heave-ho!"...
The boulder tilted sharply to one side, then rolled down the mountain with a tremendous crash and immense momentum.
Everyone on the mountain could hear the rumbling. It smashed through countless plants along the way, and the billowing dust traced a gray line down the mountainside.
Finally, with a thunderous crash, it shattered at the foot of the mountain.
With that massive, stubborn boulder removed, the overseers in charge of the project all breathed great sighs of relief.