Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king - Chapter 442

Chapter 442: A work to remember Chapter 442: A work to remember Alpheo stood outside the palace of Yarzat, gazing up at the newly completed aqueduct-a feat of engineering that had taken ten long months of labor to finish.

The structure stretched across the landscape, carrying fresh water into the heart of the city.

Finally, after nearly a year of planning, construction, and setbacks, the work was done.

Beside him stood Pontius, the Romelian engineer sent by the imperial court at Alpheo’s request.

From the very moment he had set foot in Yarzat, Pontius had made it painfully clear that he loathed working here.

A backwater princedom?

I left the splendor of Romelia for this?

He had grumbled endlessly about the dust, the lack of refinement, and most of all, the stench-an ever-present complaint that made even the most patient workers roll their eyes behind his back.

But all that disdain had vanished the moment he had been given the task of constructing an aqueduct.

At that, his entire demeanor had changed.

Pontius had practically giggled with excitement, rubbing his hands together like a child given a toy.

It was well known among engineers that if one wanted to be remembered-truly remembered-one had to build an aqueduct.

Bridges, roads, even fortifications were respectable, but nothing showcased the grandeur of engineering like a structure that carried life-giving water over vast distances.

Of course, he was also delighted by the idea that this project might finally put an end to the godawful stench he had spent months complaining about.  Now, as the final stones had been laid and water flowed freely through the channels, Pontius stood with an air of smug satisfaction, as if he alone had brought civilization to this forsaken land.

Unlike the grand aqueducts of Romelia, where water was masterfully guided into the city through a series of precisely engineered pontini, using gravity to distribute it seamlessly to various districts, the project in Yarzat had to be much more…

practical.

Money was tight-too tight for the level of finesse that Romelians were accustomed to-so compromises had to be made.

After all, one cannot spend silver that does not exist.

Instead of a sprawling underground network of pipes and reservoirs, the engineers had to rely on a simpler yet still effective design.

The pontini were used solely to bridge the elevation gap between the water’s source and the land toward the city.

From there, rather than meticulously channeling the water , they opted for a more direct approach-a massive open canal, wide enough to transport large volumes of water straight into the city’s main square.

Of course, this was easier said than done.

Unlike laying pipes beneath the streets, carving a canal straight through a bustling city was a brutal endeavor.

Buildings stood in the way-homes, workshops, and even a few small shrines-all of which had to be torn down to ensure that the water’s path remained straight and unobstructed.

When the work was finally done, a canal two meters deep and one meter wide now cut through Yarzat like a fresh scar, bringing in the much-needed water.

It flowed steadily to the square, where a few simple public fountains had been set up-nothing grand, just enough for people to drink from and wash their hands and faces.

It was far from the level of sophistication seen in Romelia, but for Yarzat, it was a revolution.

The sound of flowing water filled the square as Alpheo stood before one of the newly built public fountains, its steady stream glistening under the midday sun.

Around him, his guards kept the space clear, ensuring the prince had room to move freely.

People pushed against each other trying to get a glimpse of the prince .

A few steps away, Pontius, the Romelian engineer responsible for the project, stood with an eager yet restrained expression, waiting for his prince to speak.

Alpheo turned his gaze from the fountain to the engineer and gave a nod of approval.

“You have done well, Pontius,” he said, his tone carrying the weight of genuine appreciation.

“This is fine work.” Pontius immediately bowed, his hands clasped before him.

“Your Grace, it was an honor,” he said, his voice filled with the rare satisfaction that only an engineer who had left his mark on a city could understand.

He hesitated for a moment before continuing, “If I may?” Alpheo gave him a brief look before waving a hand.

“Go on.” Pontius straightened, his enthusiasm bubbling to the surface.

“This is a great step forward for Yarzat, no doubt, but there is still much to be done,” he said.

“The city-” “I know,” Alpheo interrupted, rubbing his temple as if already anticipating where this conversation would go.

“But you must understand, this work alone devoured nearly 45,000 silverii.” Pontius spread his arms in a gesture of insistence.

“Silver well spent, Your Grace.

This aqueduct will serve the people for centuries!

What is a few months’ treasury in exchange for something that will outlive us all?” Alpheo exhaled sharply, his lips curving slightly in amusement.

“I will not argue with you on that.

I was the one who called for this project, after all.” He turned his gaze back to the fountain, watching as a child ran up to cup water in his hands.

“But unfortunately, there are more pressing matters at hand right now.

The city must wait.” Pontius sighed, clearly unsatisfied but wise enough not to press the issue further.

“Of course, Your Grace,” he said, bowing again.

Alpheo let his gaze drift across the square, watching as the people cautiously looked at the new fountain, some still in awe that clean water now flowed freely within the city.

He exhaled through his nose before speaking again.

“In the future,” he said, his voice measured, “I plan to improve the city further-most importantly, a proper sewer system.

That should finally rid this place of the stench of filth for good.” His expression darkened slightly.

“No more streets reeking of waste, no more foul-smelling air choking the alleys.

Yarzat will be a city fit to be lived in.” Pontius’s eyes lit up, and for the first time in the conversation, a broad grin split his face.

“Ah!

Now that is something worth waiting for, Your Grace,” he said with almost childlike excitement.

“The day you call upon me for that task, I will be more than ready.” Alpheo smirked.

“I don’t doubt it.

But for now, contain yourself, Pontius.

I am not made of silver.” Pontius chuckled “A pity, Your Grace.” Alpheo crossed his arms, glancing once more at the canal that now cut through the city.

“In the meantime,” he said, turning back to Pontius, “you may study the city’s infrastructure and determine the best way to construct a proper sewer system when the time comes.

I want the filth gone for good, but I also want to know the most efficient way to do it.” Pontius nodded eagerly.

“Of course, Your Grace.

And perhaps my pupils may learn from the study as well.” Alpheo raised an eyebrow.

“Speaking of them, how are they doing?” Pontius straightened with a bit of pride.

“Eager to learn, Your Grace.

Give them a few years, and they will be full-fledged engineers.

When that day comes, they will be at your service, ready to take on whatever grand project you set before them.” Alpheo nodded approvingly.

“That is a good thing.

A city cannot grow without men who know how to build it.” Pontius smiled.

“And I assure you, Your Grace, I will see to it that they are trained well.

Yarzat will not lack for engineers under my watch.” In just a year, Pontius had transformed the city’s defenses.

The walls, once crumbling in places, had been reinforced and taken care of, ensuring they could withstand a proper siege.

But he had not stopped there.

Under his direction, new platforms had been added to the fortifications-flat, sturdy extensions designed to hold onagers.

These siege weapons were carefully fixed to the stone, compact enough to avoid too large fireback yet powerful enough to unleash destruction on any attacker.

With a thousand defenders, I could hold this city against a force six times our number without breaking a sweat.

He had thought when he laid eyes on the new defenses He had also taken no chances in ensuring the city was prepared for war.

The capital had been steadily stocked with chainmail and weapons, ready for a mass enlistment if ever the need arose.

Enormous piles of stone had been gathered for the onagers-after all, in a siege, a fortress was only as strong as its supply of ammunition.

Yarzat was no Romelia, but it was becoming something just as valuable-a city that could endure.

And in uncertain times, endurance was the key to survival What Alpheo did not know-what no prince would ever wish to imagine-was that one day, these very fortifications would stand between his city and ruin.

No ruler ever hoped to see their capital under siege.

No sovereign ever desired to hear the thunder of war drums echoing against their walls or to watch their people cower beneath the shadow of an invading army.

But fate cared little for the desires of rulers.

And in the days that were to come, when the storm finally arrived, it would be the walls that Pontius had rebuilt, the onagers that had been carefully mounted, and the weapons stockpiled in the armories that would make the difference between survival and annihilation.

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