Without material incentives, it truly wouldn't work. The magic of Gold Dragons birthed miracles.
Driven by the dual engine of sufficient pay and high morale, the construction progress of the Lion's Den advanced by leaps and bounds. The enthusiasm of the subjects seemed capable of chiseling through the mountain itself.
Evelyn walked by Solomon's side. Her face, usually covered in dust, now radiated an irrepressible glow.
Today was the day for the inspection of the first phase of Solomon's project. Solomon lamented that he never thought there would be a day when he would be inspecting construction projects.
Evelyn pointed inside the mountain, her voice trembling slightly with excitement: "Lord Solomon, look."
"The core area of the fortress inside the mountain is complete, sufficient to accommodate three hundred residents for long-term living."
"Next is to build a small castle on the open-air platform connecting to the small path outside, leaving no space for a foothold!"
"Defensive fortifications are also basically complete. Even if the opponent has thousands of troops, they absolutely cannot break through! They can't even get close! This castle will far surpass the mines of Castamere! Even any castle in Westeros!"
Evelyn paused, taking a deep breath, seeming to enjoy the masterpiece she created.
"The respiratory system is fully connected. What you feel now is the result."
Solomon stopped, closed his eyes, inhaled, and exhaled. A stream of fresh, cool air carrying the slightly moist scent of mountain rocks was rising slowly from the gaps in the stone slabs at his feet, brushing past his cheeks, taking away the sultriness and heat of the deep cave.
He could clearly feel the warm, turbid air around him being pulled upward by an invisible force, finally disappearing into some opening high in the rock wall above his head.
Evelyn looked at Solomon, her voice full of pride: "This is natural wind formed by utilizing the temperature difference and air pressure inside and outside the mountain."
"Fresh cold air is sucked in at the bottom, and waste air is exhausted at the top. Warm in winter and cool in summer. Never suffocating."
Solomon opened his eyes. What met his gaze was not the darkness he imagined. Sunlight was guided through window openings carved everywhere in the mountain body, cleverly set refraction points, and passed through carefully excavated shafts, sprinkling soft, dim light throughout the main hall. Torches were only needed for lighting in some narrow, remote paths.
Evelyn led him deeper, lifting her head proudly: "We also dug a large cold storage deep inside, which can store a large amount of food for a long time!"
"There is an even smaller ice cellar next to it, sufficient to freeze ice blocks for your use in summer."
"The aqueduct, sewage channels, and public latrines have also been preliminarily built."
Solomon looked in the direction Evelyn pointed, his eyes shining. Roman technology, truly shocking. A clear canal ran through the hall, making the sound of gurgling water. That was the first mountain spring introduced from outside the mountain.
Evelyn stomped her foot, making a light sound. Solomon looked down at the obviously re-paved foundation: "There is a hidden underground waterway below, directly connected to the diverted stream water, constantly flushing inside. Domestic sewage will follow this and discharge directly into the abyss canyon in front of the mountain."
Solomon listened to the ceaseless flow of the sewage channel beneath his feet and frowned slightly. Discharging into the abyss canyon right outside the castle... Accumulating over time, won't it get stinky?
"Discharging into the abyss before the mountain is just a stopgap measure. I hope it can flow further, far away from my castle."
Evelyn nodded immediately: "I understand."
"In the second phase of the project, I will extend the sewage pipeline to the other side of the mountain range to merge into the river."
Solomon looked around at this magnificent yet currently compact mountain interior fortification. An indescribable sense of security welled up in his chest. I can defend this place until I die of old age!
Solomon turned around, facing the subjects who followed behind him. Their eyes twinkled with expectation and worship.
Solomon announced loudly: "Today, I announce that the Lion's Den will be our Unfallen City!"
"Even if the legendary Long Night descends again, and the White Walkers are at the city gates, those who live here will obtain eternal safety!"
Solomon's voice echoed in the huge cavern, arousing a burst of fanatical cheers.
"All those who participated in this great project, you will become the first residents of the Lion's Den!"
The crowd boiled over. The cheers almost lifted the roof of the cave.
Solomon looked at the excited faces, but his mind was calculating another matter.
Why hasn't Roderick come yet! Can he make it or not! The money is about to bottom out!
As if responding to his thought, Barna ran in from the cave entrance panting, the joy on his face looking like he had picked up a whole chest of Gold Dragons. He ran to Solomon, shouting excitedly:
"Roderick's caravan is here! With Gold Dragons! They arrived!"
When Solomon saw Roderick's team at the territory entrance, he keenly sensed something was wrong.
On Roderick's face, the fanaticism and passion of discovering a gold mine capable of making a fortune were gone, replaced by a gloom and cowering that he tried his best to conceal.
The guards behind him had also changed. They were no longer the lazy caravan guards from before, but a group of tall men with indifferent expressions.
They stood straight, hands resting seemingly casually on sword hilts, eyes sharp as eagles, scanning everything around them. Although they wore the same mercenary leather armor, that aura of slaughter unmistakably showed they were well-trained elite soldiers.
During the entire welcoming process, Solomon strangely discovered that Roderick's eyes always unconsciously glanced at the tall, strong guard captain leading the group beside him. It was a look mixed with awe and fear.
The transaction location was set in the Lord's conference room of the Lion's Den.
Barna and Evelyn were counting the brand-new Gold Dragons in the chests. The crisp sound of colliding gold echoed in the hall. Barna felt his hands shaking, but what shocked him was that Evelyn's hands were terribly steady, her face unchanging.
Solomon's attention, however, remained locked on the strange Roderick and that guard captain.
"Over ten thousand Gold Dragons! Lord Solomon! I've never seen so many Gold Dragons!" Barna's voice carried a tremor.
Solomon nodded. Barna still needed to broaden his horizons; lacking experience was embarrassing. He signaled the servants to hand over the ten pairs of Clear-Sight Glasses, carefully packaged in wooden boxes, to Roderick.
The transaction was complete, but Solomon didn't end the conversation. He spoke as if unintentionally: "Happy cooperation, Lord Roderick."
"Speaking of which, I've been wanting to acquire a batch of fine equipment for my army recently. The price is negotiable."
Solomon looked at Roderick, revealing a faint smile: "I wonder if you have any channels?"
Roderick's face became awkward and unnatural. Solomon's question destroyed Roderick's disguised calm. His lips moved a few times, but not a single word came out. He subconsciously turned his head, looking at the guard captain beside him. That captain remained expressionless, as if he hadn't heard Solomon's words at all, his eyes still calmly observing silently.
Roderick finally squeezed out an ugly smile and shook his head: "Lord Solomon, I'm afraid I must disappoint you..."
"I... I intend to use this money to enjoy life properly and no longer do this business of running around."
This answer told Solomon everything he wanted to know. Based on his contact with Roderick, he was absolutely a greedy merchant who wouldn't refuse profit delivered to his door. The person calling the shots for this team was no longer Roderick.
Solomon understood in his heart, but the smile on his face became even warmer. He discovered one thing: these people were not from House Tyrell.
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