Gromkulde (2)
In truth, the Great Wall that guarded the north and Berg had already undergone numerous reconstructions and repairs over a long time. It had been built centuries ago, after all. Historical records showed that large-scale sieges involving tens of thousands had occurred several times, though rarely. Moreover, the north's notoriously fickle weather meant constant maintenance was needed due to repeated battles and damage. Viewed this way, it wasn't much different from routine upkeep. The only difference was scaling it up for a full reconstruction.
The moment the meeting ended, Roena handed a formal letter to the messenger she'd kept waiting and dispatched him to the Imperial Capital. If he pushed his horses to the limit, changing mounts nonstop, the one-way trip would take a week. Considering the distance, he should return with a firm reply within a month at latest.
Standing on the office terrace, Estiang gazed at the massive Great Wall, lost in thought.
If His Majesty sends the support, I should seize the chance to build it even taller as the main wall.
And in front of that, a slightly lower outer wall, and in front of that, an even lower parapet. It was a structure he'd seen many times before: the Theodosian Walls. The pinnacle of conventional fortifications encircling Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. They had allowed a mere seven thousand defenders to hold out for nearly two months against the Ottomans and their army of over a hundred thousand. And even then, the walls fell only after a prolonged siege, during the Ottomans' desperate final assault—a freakishly high level of defensive power.
And that's not the end of it.
On top of that, he planned to incorporate Silla's Samnyeon Fortress, renowned for its fortification techniques among the three kingdoms. Until now, orcs had bypassed the gates—which wouldn't yield even to bare fists—and simply climbed the walls like it was routine.
"Gromkulde...."
But with Gromkulde's appearance, things changed. If the orcs started using proper weapons and siege equipment like ladders, the gates' defenses needed reinforcement. To make climbing impossible, he'd install Silla's hanging Xuanmen-style gates, suspended in midair. And like Samnyeon Fortress, he'd add protruding bastions around the gates, turning the area into a massive slaughterhouse or arrow target.
"This plan is perfect."
Orcs weren't dragging up some Urban cannon, after all. Once rebuilt to his design, no frontal assault could breach it. It wasn't as terrainally disadvantageous to attackers as Samnyeon or Constantinople, but the image formed clearly in his mind: orcs packed densely before the walls, like some ring-loving dark lord's forces assaulting Minas Tirith. Then, charging boldly only to be repelled by volleys of arrows and boiling oil from the ramparts, leaving nothing but corpses behind.
Huh. His lips curled into a smirk unbidden.
Even if Gromkulde had peerless skill, orcs without proper siege engines or iron weapons couldn't break through.
'Sorry, my wall devoured your orcs. Here, have an arrow instead.' He could melt them down like ice cream.
Of course, this plan required a fortune. Mobilizing massive labor for new walls, quarrying stone, building in the frigid north—it wasn't easy. That's why he called in his ace to drastically cut manpower and time.
"You called for me, Your Grace?"
"Aisha."
Aisha Leste. One of the rarest spirit mages on the continent. And the chosen child who'd clung to him sobbing not long ago, only to suddenly evolve her spirits to mid-tier, outshining even Taeil.
"I have a favor to ask of you, actually."
"A favor... from Your Grace... to me...?"
Aisha tilted her head, her expression shifting oddly. Her lips softened into a loose smile, her eyes sparkled. Then, like a general heading to battle, her face turned solemn. Clenching her fist, she spoke in a voice as grave as her expression.
"Just say the word, Your Grace. How may I assist you?"
"...Right. Well, we're planning a full reconstruction of the Great Wall this time. Not just patching breaks like usual, but a massive project including entirely new walls."
"Massive project... massive project..."
"With spirit power, it should proceed much more smoothly."
"I see... Gnome?"
No sooner had Aisha spoken than the earth spirit gnome poked its head out from midair.
Aisha's abilities were invaluable for his plan. The walls would be thicker and taller, requiring foundation work to bear the weight. Gnomes could also quarry stone more easily, and sylphs could shape it into neat blocks. For stacking like Samnyeon—alternating horizontal and vertical stones—processing the quarried rock was essential.
Aisha nodded vigorously.
"In that case, the gnome's abilities could be of great help to Your Grace."
"Indeed."
A medieval all-in-one heavy machine for foundations, transport, and processing.
Aisha smiled gently.
"You heard that, right, Gnome?"
Kyu? The gnome met her gaze, sighed deeply, and shook its head.
Eh, um. Was that a flash of coldness in Aisha's eyes? An illusion, perhaps. She kept staring at the gnome, which finally averted its gaze first. Sensing overwork ahead, the drooping gnome squeaked in complaint.
In stark contrast to her stare at the gnome, Aisha turned back with a bright smile.
"The gnome says it'll work hard, Your Grace."
"...Mm."
"So just leave it to us."
Aisha clasped her hands over her chest. Her blue eyes sparkled like sapphires, brimming with anticipation.
"If it can help Your Grace, I'll gladly do anything."
"Is that so? When we start the reconstruction, we'll need your abilities, so prepare in advance—"
"I'm ready right now."
Aisha replied instantly.
"What should we start with? Just say the word."
"Your enthusiasm is welcome, but we haven't finalized the plans yet. I've only set the direction. I'll call you when we need you."
"Oh? That's a shame."
Aisha smiled sweetly.
"I'll be waiting for Your Grace's summons."
"I'll call right away if needed."
"Hee hee."
Aisha's eyes curved like crescent moons with enthusiasm. With a gentle eye-smile, she bowed her head and withdrew.
Hm, alright. Passion was a good thing. But that sparkling gaze directed at him seemed laced with something subtle, another layer of expectation. Hard to put into words—just a gut feeling, instinctual.
Puzzled, he tilted his head, thinking to formalize the Great Wall 2.0 plan on paper. As he turned to grab a quill from the desk—
"Your Grace, a guest has arrived."
Roena knocked on the office door.
"A guest? Suddenly?"
"A visitor from the Ivory Tower wishes to see Your Grace... but, well, the person themselves..."
Roena trailed off unusually.
"Ivory Tower?"
The Ivory Tower was the magic tower near the Imperial Capital, repository of all magic and knowledge. Did he have a visitor from there? Racking his brain—
A voice came from outside.
"I'll introduce myself once inside. Your Grace, may I enter?"
"...Come in."
The voice was younger than expected, unfamiliar. The door opened immediately, revealing a young man matching the voice. Long blue hair, a monocle rare in this era. The sharp yet intellectual-looking man smiled as if reuniting with an old friend.
"Then, pardon the intrusion. If I may be so bold, Your Grace, do you know a man named Leonard?"
"Leonard?"
"The lord of the Ivory Tower."
"I do."
Of course. Like Billaine, now a home guard dog or Chun-sik, Leonard was one of the sub-male leads in the original story. A genius mage who became Ivory Tower lord at a young age, the continent's top wizard.
No way? As Estiang eyed him suspiciously, the man smiled.
"That's me."
"..."
They hadn't spoken long, but he got the picture. The absurdity from reading lines on a page now hit in reality. Leonard was this kind of character in the original, sure... but.
Ignoring Estiang's subtle gaze, Leonard smiled and pulled out items: a rolled map, miniature pieces, even a measuring tape. Unfurling the familiar Elrang set, he said,
"I wonder if now is a good time."
"...Elrang?"
"Let's play a game of Elrang. I've trained and toiled to beat the creator with my own hands."
"..."
His head throbbed.
Misreading the silence, the sly-faced Leonard added a condition.
"If I lose, I'll serve as Berg's exclusive mage for a while, no questions asked. Hiring the Ivory Tower lord as your personal mage—for free, no less. Of course, only if Your Grace beats me."
"..."
"Come on, how often does such a chance come? A once-in-a-lifetime stroke of luck. So, just one game of Elrang? Or best of three, first to two wins."
"Elrang..."
"I've waited for this moment. I've come all this way—surely one game? Even if I win, I'll pay the wager fee, please."
Sensing Estiang's lack of enthusiasm, the sly Leonard turned pleading and pathetic.
This guy wasn't even begging for rain like some danbi chant. What was he?
Well, technically this fit the character, but experiencing it firsthand was something else.
"Lady Roena."
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Escort the Ivory Tower lord politely... to the guest quarters for now."
"Understood."
As he tried to shoo away this uninvited duelist, Leonard's face fell like the sky was collapsing.
Had he poisoned the capital water supply or something?