The surrender of the Iron Jaw Tribe was a significant boon.
Through Gros, Anke also learned that two other major tribes, the Emerald Tail and the Blazing Claw, were similarly coveting Hanover Province.
Fortunately, the failure of the Iron Jaw Tribe made both tribes extremely wary of Border City.
Furthermore, Gros, who had now switched sides, intentionally leaked false information.
He deceived the Emerald Tail and Blazing Claw tribes into believing that at least several thousand elite defenders were stationed in Border City.
He made it clear that any attempt to take the city and plunder Hanover Province would come at a devastating cost.
After weighing the pros and cons, the leaders of the two tribes decided to quit while they were ahead.
They chose not to send troops across the Ice River, opting instead to only take a portion of the Iron Jaw Tribe’s hunting grounds as previously agreed.
To avoid pushing Gros too far, they even took a proactive step back and returned twenty percent of the hunting grounds to the Iron Jaw Tribe.
They planned to wait until next year for an opportunity to slowly annex them.
With this, the crisis at Border City finally came to an end.
However, winter was far from over, and the ice on the Piranha River remained frozen solid.
Anke did not intend to simply retreat to Border City for the winter.
Instead, he planned to take advantage of the conditions to build a bridge across the Piranha River, completely opening the path between Border City and the Iron Jaw Tribe!
To this end, Anke specifically summoned bridge-building craftsmen and some of Gros’s men to discuss the construction overnight.
“Forgive my bluntness, Your Highness, but building a bridge over the Piranha River is almost impossible. Others have tried in the past, but without exception, they all failed,” Priestess Kaxier said, shaking her head after hearing Anke’s plan. She had recently been released from custody.
“Why? Is it because the people on either side of the river are unwilling?” Anke asked.
“That is only part of the reason. The fundamental reason a bridge cannot be built is because of a Blue Water Dragon that lives within the Piranha River.”
As Kaxier spoke, she signaled her sister, Priestess Kasia, who immediately produced a pouch sewn from animal hide.
Kaxier then reached into the bag and pulled out a handful of pale gold powder.
“A Blue Water Dragon? I never saw any mention of that in the Lord’s Journal,” Anke noted.
“That is because the Blue Water Dragon considers the entire Piranha River and the land on both banks to be its territory. It attacks any intruder who enters its domain, and almost no human can survive the lightning from its horns. Naturally, no records are left among humans.”
Kaxier tossed the powder into the air. Amidst the drifting pale gold dust, the phantom of a monster gradually emerged.
It was a dragon with massive horns and a slender body. Although it had a pair of wings on its back, they were so short and deformed that they were insufficient for flight.
“Building a bridge on the river would be viewed by the Blue Water Dragon as the most shameless provocation. It would not hesitate to attack and destroy the bridge, then take massive revenge on those who provoked it. Because no one can withstand the dragon’s destruction, no one has ever been able to build a bridge over the Piranha River.”
As Kaxier channeled her secret art, the images reflected in the powder shifted to show the Blue Water Dragon attacking intruders.
The power of the lightning released from its horns could turn any interloper into charcoal in an instant.
“In other words, to build the bridge, we have to deal with that dragon?” Anke understood what Kaxier was trying to convey.
“Yes, Your Highness. But it is nearly impossible. There are no Dragon Slayers in this era. Even the Chief Knight behind you likely could not withstand that dragon’s lightning.”
Kaxier looked toward Vera as she spoke.
“Nearly impossible? I don’t think so. What I intend to do will not be hindered by a mere dragon!” Anke declared with confidence. His bold statement drew everyone’s gaze.
“Forgive me, Your Highness, but you have not personally witnessed the power of that Blue Water Dragon. If it weren’t for its inability to fly, it would be the most terrifying mobile natural disaster on this land. The lightning it releases is different from the flames of ordinary dragons; it is a Divine Punishment that no shield can block.”
Kaxier shook her head.
“I understand, but I have my own ways to deal with it. Let us get back to discussing the construction of the bridge.”
Anke steered the conversation away from the dragon’s threat and back to the logistics of the bridge.
Using the knowledge of the terrain provided by Gros and his people—who had lived on the West Bank of the Piranha River for years—they first designated the location for the bridge.
Next, the craftsmen summoned from Border City began discussing specific construction plans.
The craftsmen quickly reached a general consensus on a plan and then began refining the details.
Because they had already learned how to use the Cement invented by the Alchemy Workshop back in Border City, they estimated that, under the best circumstances, construction could be completed before spring arrived.
Once the plan was finalized, the next step was execution.
Because Gros had captured Kerok, the eldest son of Earl Oca, and Gros had subsequently been defeated by Anke, Anke was able to “rescue” Kerok.
Anke used Kerok to negotiate with Earl Oca, gaining temporary command over the remnants of the Coloque Army and a gratitude payment of 100,000 Gold Markor.
Relying on this substantial sum of money, Anke ordered the militia of New Border City, the remnants of the Coloque Army, and the veterans and young soldiers of the Iron Jaw Tribe—totaling more than 4,800 people—to completely transform the site into a simple, habitable city.
Although the remnants of the Coloque Army still held onto their enmity toward the enemies who had once attacked them, they were forced to gradually accept their former foes under Anke’s mediation.
Once the temporary city was completed, all these soldiers were put to work on the construction of the bridge across the Piranha River.
Meanwhile, in Border City, Mustafa and Kano followed Anke’s orders to organize laborers to repair the road between the Old and New Border Cities, ensuring a steady supply of food and winter materials reached the new settlement.
Anke did not stay idle himself.
On the frozen surface of the Piranha River, Anke held a telescope, observing whether the positions for the wooden ballista battery models were appropriate.
“Move No. 3 ballista position 50 feet to the left,” Anke commanded loudly.
“Move No. 3 ballista position 50 feet to the left!”
“No. 3 ballista position! Left 50 feet!”
Anke’s orders were relayed through the ranks to the shore. The laborers on the bank immediately followed the instructions, moving the wooden models.
The repositioned ballista battery became much more concealed; if one didn’t know it was there beforehand, an enemy would never notice it.
“Good! In that position, the enemy won’t be able to spot it.”
“Your Highness, will your traps really be effective?” Vera asked Anke in a low voice.
Although Anke had accomplished many impossible things, their opponent this time was a dragon, so she remained somewhat worried.
“I’m not sure. After all, I’ve never slain a dragon before.”
“Then why did you say those things before, Your Highness?”
“Because building a bridge is essential to completely subduing the barbarian tribes. Only by linking ourselves to them with a bridge can the barbarians truly submit to me. Besides, there is a saying: ‘Make the high mountains bow their heads and the rivers make way.’ I cannot allow a dragon to block my plans for subduing the barbarians! Even if I’m not absolutely certain, I have to try!”
(Original title image; this sentence has power.)
