Chapter116

Five days later.

The ironworks and the forging factory finished their goals ahead of schedule. They produced the first batch of iron weapons for soldiers in this era: two hundred iron broadswords, two hundred long swords, one hundred iron spears, one hundred iron shields, and one thousand iron arrowheads.

At the same time, the stockpile of iron ore was nearly used up. All the iron ore Elara had gathered from across Marigold Commandery was almost completely consumed.

After working intensely for over ten days, both factories were forced to stop smelting due to a shortage of iron ore. Until Elara found a stable source of ore, they couldn't continue production. But she didn't let the factories sit idle.

They couldn't smelt iron for now, but they could make bricks.

Bricks required much lower temperatures than iron, so the furnaces and crucibles in the ironworks were perfectly usable. The materials were easy to find, and the current era already had basic brick-firing techniques. Big cities also had enough clay and craftsmen, so switching the ironworks to brick-making was no problem.

Marigold Commandery still needed a large number of bricks for rebuilding streets and public toilets. Since this trip would take at least half a month, she left the ironworks to handle brick production. Hopefully by the time she returned, they would have made enough bricks to restore some order to the broken-down commandery.

Elara planned to divide the six hundred weapons and one thousand arrowheads evenly. Half would go to the army under General Qi, and the other half to the new army being formed by Egbert and Hector.

Egbert and Hector had seen the lightweight and sharp iron weapons at the factory earlier. Now that they saw iron weapons being mass-produced so quickly, they couldn't hide their excitement.

This meant they were about to have weapons far better than those of other armies. When they stepped onto the battlefield, their odds of winning would instantly improve.

"These weapons are still few in number. Your troops haven't been fully organized yet. So after taking them back, don't hand them out right away. Just reward a few outstanding soldiers."

Egbert and Hector both bowed with fists cupped. "Yes, Your Highness."

"Also," Elara continued, thinking of the growing number of new recruits, "once your army is mostly formed and organized, bring them to the Qi family's training grounds. I've already spoken to General Qi. After your army is ready, they'll be stationed near the Qi family camp. If you want to train with them, just go."

The Qi family army was one of the best in Plumera. Their training, discipline, and combat experience were all top-tier.

They were currently stationed inside Marigold Commandery. Since such a strong army was here, Elara naturally wanted to take full advantage of it.

Even though both the Qi family army and Egbert and Hector's new troops belonged to her and Plumera, the latter would eventually become her direct forces. Elara wouldn't play favorites with supplies like weapons, rations, and salaries, but when it came to training, she would absolutely take the easiest route.

The Qi family army was such a great training partner. Of course she wouldn't let that go to waste.

Egbert and Hector exchanged a look. Then they bowed again to Elara, more excited than before.

"Yes! Thank you, Your Highness!"

Both of them had experience leading troops and were skilled in training. But compared to the battle-hardened Qi family army, there was still room to improve.

The Qi family army was the most admired force in Plumera. They were known as the protectors of the nation. The chance to train with them was incredibly valuable.

After they left, Elara called General Qi over.

He had escorted her to Marigold Commandery, and she had kept him busy with many tasks. When the first batch of trial iron weapons came out, he wasn't there. Elara didn't call him for the trial since it was just a test, and everyone involved was ordered to stay silent.

So when Elara placed batch after batch of high-quality iron weapons in front of him, it was his first time seeing weapons different from the usual bronze ones.

After testing them, he was just as shocked as Egbert and Hector had been. But he was much better at hiding emotions.

Even though the sharp and lightweight iron weapons amazed him, he showed almost nothing on his face. He simply knelt on one knee and thanked her for the reward.

After that, he stayed kneeling, waiting for more orders. It was clear he knew she had something else to say.

Elara was pleased by how thoughtful he was. And she did have another task for him.

"After you return today, pick out three thousand elite soldiers. These weapons will go to them first. Two days from now, you'll lead this unit and follow me as we leave Marigold Commandery to visit the central part of the southern border."

This amount of iron weapons wasn't enough for either the Qi family army or the new troops under Egbert and Hector.

But for Elara's trip to Anju Town, whether it was dealing with rebel ambushes or managing the situation afterward, three thousand elite Qi soldiers armed with these weapons would be more than enough.

"Yes, Your Highness."

General Qi accepted the order without hesitation and left with the iron weapons.

With the escort unit for the trip chosen, all that was left was to finish handing over local matters in Marigold Commandery.

After Elara went to Anqu Town, all affairs in Marigold County were temporarily handed over to her second-in-command, Scholar Fu, for overall management. He was supported by Kristof, a long-time local official. Together, the two were responsible for overseeing the county's military, craftsmen, civilians, and merchants.

After General Qi left, Elara called both of them over and officially handed them the positions of first and second in command of Marigold County. She also set a goal for the next half-month. During the time she would be away, the two of them had to maintain the overall recovery of the county and strive to make it look completely renewed before her return.

Even though her demand was rather ambitious, the two of them agreed without hesitation.

Scholar Fu's voice was still gentle and calm. "Yes, Your Highness." Kristof, on the other hand, showed his eagerness openly. "Yes! Rest assured, Your Highness! Brother Fu and I will definitely get it done. We will never let you down."

After he finished speaking, he even winked at Elara. He was clearly very happy about being entrusted with such an important task. After giving instructions to the two of them, the matters inside and outside of Marigold County were more or less settled.

In the next two days, Elara handled a few other detailed issues. Once everything was confirmed to be properly arranged, she set off on the morning of the third day.

She was joined by the excited Oswyn, who had packed early, and the Qi army who had already changed into their new iron armor. Together, they officially began their journey to the Valley of Divine Medicine and Anqu Town.

Congratulations, Master! Under your guidance, Marigold County has begun to shift away from its previous decline and chaos. National fortune increased by 110 points. Current total: 480 points.

Congratulations, Master! The crown prince of Sargassum State, Leif, has just decided to use your improved saline-alkali soil solution. The worsening trend due to the salt disaster has started to change. Sargassum State's fortune trend has shifted, and this has also started to influence Plumera State's national fortune in a new way. National fortune increased by 60 points. Current total: 540 points.

On the morning of departure, Elara had just woken up when she heard System 92 broadcasting the latest national fortune values in her mind.

The first announcement was within her expectations, but the second one was a surprise.

She had already gained enough benefits from the deal with Leif, and now she even earned national fortune points from it, which was a nice bonus.

It also reminded her that as long as something was connected to Plumera State, even if it was outside the country, it could still earn national fortune points.

That was great. This world had no shortage of divided and scattered nations. There were seven or eight third-rate states neighboring Plumera State. She could consider this aspect whenever she encountered foreign rulers in the future.

After the broadcast ended, Elara got out of bed. With Uno's help, she washed up and finished breakfast. Then she changed into her travel clothes and headed toward the gate of Marigold County.

At the city gate of Marigold County, the destination this time was the mining area. Besides the escorting Qi army, the always-following guards, and Oswyn and the others, Elara also brought along a few craftsmen familiar with minerals who had just been recruited from the governor's office.

After arranging the craftsmen, Elara turned and walked to the front of the group. She stood next to a tall horse and held her hand out toward Uno.

"Uno, carry me."

"Yes."

Uno took her hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist. With a light push from his feet, he brought Elara up onto the horse, seating her in front of him.

His long, strong arms wrapped around her waist and held the reins in front of her. His tall figure easily enveloped her slender body, blocking the wind from all directions and shielding her from any possible harm.

Anju Town was more than 200 kilometers away from Marigold County. Elara had already stayed in Marigold for quite a while. Since the goal of this trip was clear, it was better to arrive as soon as possible.

So she didn't take a carriage. Letting Uno carry her on horseback allowed them to travel over terrain that carriages couldn't pass, which made the journey faster.

In her past life, Elara had been a CEO skilled in many areas, so she knew how to ride. But this body was too weak. If she rode on her own, she might not last long before tiring out. Letting Uno carry her was better. When she got tired, she could just lean back and rest in his arms without needing to hold the reins. Much more comfortable than riding alone.

Seated on horseback, Elara adjusted her position to find a comfortable way to lean against Uno's chest. Then she turned to look behind at General Qi, Oswyn, and the three thousand elite soldiers, who followed a few steps back on their own horses.

"Let's go."

With her command, the tightly closed gate of Marigold County slowly opened.

Uno rode at the front with her in his arms. General Qi and Oswyn followed closely behind. The entire group departed from Marigold County in full formation.

The straight-line distance between Marigold County and Anju Town was over 200 kilometers. Elara didn't take a carriage and didn't go out of her way to search for rebel hideouts. They took shortcuts all along the way. Whenever there was a water route, they used it.

Conveniently, the path passed by the famous Divine Healer Valley, a renowned medical sect in the martial world. Though hidden deep in the mountains, and protected by formations that outsiders couldn't easily find or enter, it still attracted many who sought healing.

As more people came, a path naturally formed.

Out of the dozens of possible routes from Marigold to Anju, the one passing by the Divine Healer Valley was the best.

The road, built by people seeking medical help, was wide and straight. Some parts even had existing water routes, avoiding the need to cut through mountains or cross cliffs. This saved energy and time, which was exactly why Elara chose this path.

Thanks to this, the group's travel speed was much faster than when Elara had first arrived at Marigold. In just one day, they covered nearly 60 kilometers, almost halfway to the Divine Healer Valley.

But this day was rough on Elara's weak body.

She knew she was physically weak, but she hadn't expected it to be this bad.

Even though Uno was carrying her and she leaned in his arms the whole time, the constant bumping still wore her out. Her legs were sore and numb. The inside of her thighs was red and swollen from rubbing against the saddle.

By the time they set up camp in the mountains for the night, Elara didn't even have the strength to dismount.

For the first time in both her lives, she felt like the lower half of her body had stopped working. For someone as proud as Elara, the feeling was simply indescribable.

She cursed her useless body and gritted her teeth as she sat there, her hips and legs aching and twitching from a full day of riding. Even the slightest movement felt like being stabbed by needles.

"Uno, carry me."