The pickaxe struck the rock, generating sparks that flew.

On a bottomless cliff, dozens of workers were strapped with ropes soaked in pine resin, clinging like spiders to the nearly vertical rock face.

Sturdy pine stakes were wedged into holes carved out of the rock using fossilized mud.

These stakes were arranged in two layers, interlocked.

On one side of the mountain path, several artisans sat on the slightly swaying pine stakes, wielding hammers to nail them down.

Thick planks had to be inserted between the stakes, secured with square nails to form stabilized triangles.

To prevent breakage, iron hoops were used to reinforce the middle of the stakes.

Large wooden planks and straw mats were laid on the top layer to distribute the load and prevent concentrated pressure from damaging the plank road surface.

From the small hardware workshop in Lower Reif County, all external sales were suspended to fully supply the construction of the plank road.

"How much longer?"

Standing on the opposite mountain path of the plank road project, André lowered the binoculars and asked the engineers and stone masons, including Senius.

Senius, with experience in project management, replied first: "Approximately two more weeks."

"Today is May 25th, give me a definitive answer, can it be done before June 5th?"

Senius glanced at the workers hanging from the cliffs and scratched his head: "In that case, all your carts and horses over the plank road must unload half of their cargo."

"No, I need large troops to move quickly through." André replied decisively.

Priest-in-Charge Valent Taylor told Senius: "This is just a temporary passage; as long as it ensures passage, it's fine…no need to ensure a safe return."

Senius paced back and forth, until his neatly combed hair looked like a bird's nest, then turned: "Prepare fluorescent lamps and high compensation, we'll work overnight and make sure the lads can both go and return."

André patted his chest: "I'll pay the compensation, and if done well, there's a bonus of 100 gold pounds."

Senius immediately turned and called some stone masons to adjust the construction plan.

Valent Taylor then patted André's shoulder in relief: "This will probably take one-third of your fortune, now you're so generous?"

"One-third of a fortune for a Battle Commander is worth it!"

The relief disappeared from Valent Taylor's face: "When will you have some noble pursuits? Tell me, what makes the Battle Commander so valuable?"

"Ah, with this Battle Commander I can earn more, a spring is worth more than a pond."

Valent Taylor's face instantly darkened, muttering about how a rugged stone can't carve a good statue, and walked off.

Openly discussing corruption for profit, André turned to question the Quartermaster about whether the cooling materials and sugar had arrived.

Despite aiming for profit, André knows what can and cannot be taken.

For military supplies like these, André not only refrains from taking them himself, he doesn't allow others to either.

Getting caught in smuggling is one thing, but trading military supplies invites investigations either from the Cheka or enemy forces.

"Within two days, Lord André."

"Hmm, and also buy more spider silk, mix it with the hemp rope—it's much more durable than ordinary hemp rope."

The Quartermaster hurriedly took out a notebook to jot it down, but just as he was about to turn and leave, he hesitated.

André craned his neck over the Quartermaster's shoulder: "What do you want to say?"

The Quartermaster gave a start: "I, I heard a rumor from the merchants, but I don't know if it's true…"

"Speak."

"Prices in Lower Reif County have been skyrocketing lately, especially food, meat, etc."

André sensed a whiff of danger: "That's odd, Rapids City is under control by Ith Rivers, there's the Meigedi Commerce Association to stabilize things, and the Cheka and Military Police—who dares to hoard and manipulate prices?"

"I heard that the Cheka and Military Police were sent to Mountain County for stability, leaving Rapids City sparsely manned.

Catherine took Ith Rivers away, seemingly to reinforce the front lines.

Currently, only the Meigedi Commerce Association is trying to counteract the price manipulation, but you must know, the association itself isn't very stable or united…"

It must be said, at any time, there are people with short-sighted reckless attitudes, even among elite circles.

The backbone of the Meigedi Commerce Association mostly dispersed into state-owned workshops or the Saint Father's Association system, leaving only reliant peripheral merchants.

Horn forbade them from hoarding, yet now he expects them to bleed and oppose others' hoarding.

Merchants prioritize profit, so naturally they work without much effort.

"Something went wrong on the Nao'an River front?" Upon hearing that Catherine took Ith Rivers, André immediately realized, "Why haven't I received word?"

In a flash of insight, André quickly gathered his thoughts and began issuing orders: "Quartermaster, ride out and bring those merchants back, I want to meet them personally.

You there, ride quickly, bring a few companions, and immediately confirm the news at Damp Dock; report back.

Socette, head directly to Ladan Castle…take your men and split into two groups, one to Ladan Castle, one to ry Court Barracks, let Her Excellency Novia fly to Ladan Castle and relay the news…"

Immediately following, within five minutes, a dozen fast horses neighed and vanished down the mountain road.

"I hope I'm just overreacting." André stood in place for a while, just about to mount a horse, only to find all nearby horses dispatched.

He began to jog along the mountain path, yelling: "Valent Taylor…Valent Taylor…where the hell did you go!"

...

Heading north from the Nao'an River bank, crossing the buffer zone, they entered the territory of the Shattered Stone Nobles.

The previous rapid arrival of the Border Knight Order at the Nao'an River Bank was due to abandoning many logistics personnel; now without supplies, they must gather from the Broken Stone Primordial People.

After lingering for two days in Silver Bay City, they replenished grain, arrows, and manpower.

During this time, the Border Knight Order's Priest-in-Charge Wacław negotiated with the local parish for grain and logistics.

Having resolved the logistical issues, the Border Knights continued onwards to the buffer zone between the Thousand River Valley and Shattered Stone Plain.

Throughout the buffer zone, the Border Knight Order began to clash with Rangers, Beastman Cavalry, and the newest minor Dragon Cavalry.

The Rangers and Cuirassiers were manageable, but the Border Knight Order had the greatest disdain for the Dragon Cavalry.

These Dragon Cavalry wielded lightweight long-barreled arquebuses, mingling among the Rangers.

Each time, they'd dismount and unleash a round of black gunfire, launching counter-ambush strikes, then scatter and flee on horseback, eluding pursuit.

Their armor was denim inserts (under their armed clothes, metal plates and pins for arrow defense), carrying only a straight sword and a holy arquebus, with their horses carrying minimal load.

Their only weakness was their horses weren't very good; if pursued over long distances, the Border Knights would inevitably catch them.

The Grand Master ordered against long-distance pursuits to avoid ambushes.

Analyzing specific issues, this world's Extraordinary Knights have better long-range mobility than Horn's homeland.

For cavalry, the two main problems—knights exhausted addressed by breathing techniques, and weary warhorses driven by Blue Bull Potion.

It merely adds some post-war after-effects; in the Border Knight Order, horses abound.

The true hindrance, however, was the infantrymen riding ordinary mules and horses.

Despite the delays caused by Rangers, Dragon Cavalry, and infantrymen, the Border Knights still arrived at Ladan Castle's perimeter outpost area on May 28th.

The Grand Master and Knight Commander conducted reconnaissance, but seeing the outpost area battleground left them speechless.

After a long time, Knight Commander Cosme finally gritted out half a sentence:

"Why is it trench warfare again?!"