After nearly a year of preparation, Neverwinter City was now operating at full speed like a war machine.

Even the Demon's Month couldn't stop this emerging royal capital from frantically absorbing surrounding resources. The Administrative Office had once thought that a population of 100,000 was an unattainable goal, but in just one year, the city's population had doubled. The influx of a large amount of fresh labor drove the rapid expansion of various industries. Four new chemical plants alone were added, and the number of processing and assembly plants related to machinery exceeded double digits.

According to statistics, the Administrative Office's monthly salary expenditure was approaching ten thousand gold dragons. When Roland first arrived, his largest income was only twenty-four thousand gold dragons—after plundering Longsong Stronghold. In other words, what the Duke of the Western Region had accumulated over half his life was only enough to pay for two and a half months of wages now.

Steam engines, paddle steamers, perfumes, and Chaos Drinks constituted the main sources of income—these goods were sold to the Fjords and the Four Kingdoms through the Joint Chamber of Commerce. Apart from the necessary wages, the remaining money was converted into a large amount of raw materials and handicrafts. The influx and outflow of money formed a delicate balance, and the savings in the national treasury had begun to shrink.

It could be said that this was a highly unbalanced development model, but Roland's choices were limited in the face of the threat of the Battle of Divine Will.

If resources were not poured into heavy industry, jiqiang could not fire at will, and cannons would forever lack shells.

Only in this way would he have the strength to arm the entire army.

Expanding the First Army from one thousand to ten thousand was only the foundation. The air force commanded by Tilly Wimbledon was also actively preparing. In addition, the "Militia Conscription Requirements" and the "Mobilization Act" had entered the drafting stage. These two policies aimed to improve Neverwinter City's war potential by mandatorily providing basic disciplinary training to ordinary students, workers, and farmers, similar to college military training in later generations. Although they couldn't directly carry guns into battle, they could shorten the training time when there was an urgent need to replenish manpower.

Since the specific time of the Red Moon's arrival had deviated significantly, no one could be sure when the Battle of Divine Will would begin. Optimistically, there might be four or five years left; at worst, there should be one or two years. For Roland, the biggest strategic goal at present was to turn defense into offense when the Red Moon arrived and let the flames of war burn on enemy territory.

Therefore, the demons entrenched in the ruins of Taqila were a nail he had to remove.

In fact, the transportation of materials and the mobilization of personnel had gradually begun in late winter and early spring.

The advantage of rail transport lay in this: even if heavy snow covered the entire Fertile Plains, as long as the tracks were cleared, the necessary supplies for war could be continuously transported to the front lines.

Most of the steel produced in Neverwinter City had been turned into rails, and the lines hidden in the Misty Forest had been laid. It could be said that they were just waiting for Roland's order to officially launch the new Northern Expedition.

Both the army and the city were ready to go.

But before that, he had two more things to do.

...

The day after the end of the Evil Moon, Roland received Thunder's request for a meeting.

"What, are you leaving so soon?" He set up a relaxing afternoon tea in the meeting room, bringing Anna and inviting Margie—he could only offer this much help to the merchant woman who was quite compatible with Lightning. "Are you already eager to explore the Shadow Sea?"

"I knew I couldn't hide it from you," Thunder said frankly with a smile. "Every moment I'm piloting the steel ship, I imagine it sailing against the sea breeze. If I could, I'd even want to sail straight to the sea line."

"If that were the case, everyone would face the risk of running out of water and food halfway there," Margie said helplessly, shaking her head. "Besides, the merchants who invested heavily in you wouldn't be happy to see you leave their fleet behind, unless you plan to never return to the Fjord Islands."

"Haha, I just wanted to express my excitement to His Majesty," he said, stroking his chin. "As Margie said, this expedition is no longer just my affair. After all, for the Fjords, the opening of a new sea area means opportunity and wealth, and no merchant would be unmoved. This is probably the largest expedition in the history of the Fjord Islands, and I have to return as soon as possible to make adequate preparations."

It seemed that after Thunder's promotion and recruitment, this voyage had changed from a team effort to a raid. Roland smiled and took a sip of tea. As expected of the most famous explorer in the Fjords, he could attract huge investments just by showing his intention. "It seems that in just a few months, you've become quite familiar with the steel wheel ship."

"This is all thanks to Princess Anna," Thunder said, placing his hand over his chest in salute to Anna. "Her subsequent improvements to the ship have been of great help. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, it would have been hard to imagine that such a large iron ship would be more agile than a three-masted sailing ship."

"I also want to ask you for a favor," Anna nodded. "This ship has only operated in shallow waters near the coast during its sea trials. If possible, I would like to receive a sailing report for the deep sea area, so that any problems can be recorded. It would be best to use Neverwinter City's newly launched waterproof ink and sealed胶袋, so that even if it falls into the sea, it can be preserved intact."

Probably not expecting the other party to make such a serious request, Thunder was stunned for a moment before suddenly laughing, "I understand, leave it to me, Your Highness."

Roland affectionately stroked Anna's head, then looked at Thunder, "I also have something I want to entrust to you."

"Please command."

"I want to recruit a group of explorers."

"Not related to this expedition?" Thunder quickly realized.

"That's right," Roland put down his teacup. "I want them to go to the Endless Cape and take a look."

"I remember there's nothing there but yellow sand and black water," Margie said in surprise.

"I used to think so too..." Roland shrugged. "The Endless Cape is almost free of any risks, so there's no need for experienced experts. It can be said that numbers are more important than ability."

Seeing that he didn't elaborate, Thunder didn't ask further. "There are many such people in the Fjords. I wonder what the screening rules are..."

"There aren't any," Roland replied. "Although they're called explorers, anyone will do—as long as they discover new relics in the Endless Cape, no matter what they are, they will be rewarded."

"Even a brick from a ruin?"

"Of course, but the prerequisite is that it must come from the Endless Cape," he affirmed. "The more information the relic contains, the more generous the reward. This news is valid for a long time. As long as I am the King of Graycastle, it will definitely be honored."

"With your word as a guarantee, that place will probably be crowded with people in the future," Margie said, covering her mouth with a smile. "I'm wondering if I should take the opportunity to open a tavern in Daqing Port?"

"You are most welcome." Boosting the economy of the oil port was indeed one of Roland's goals. After all, the Picture Scroll was at least 1,400 years old, and whether anything would be left behind was unknown. Launching a bounty-style recruitment was undoubtedly a win-win situation.

"By the way, Your Majesty," Thunder said, "Since the steel ship has passed its sea trials and is officially in use, does it have a name?"

"Of course, I plan to call it the Snowwind."

"Snowwind...?" The explorer pondered for a moment. "It's indeed a nice name, but isn't it too gentle and doesn't quite match its steel body?"

"A balance of strength and gentleness is the ultimate truth," Roland couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth. "More importantly, this name contains auspicious meaning, which will surely bring good luck to your voyage."