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CHAPTER 203
294 AC
POV THIRD PERSON
Aermir, having arrived at Moat Cailin, found himself deeply engrossed in the manifold issues that arose from his newfound role as lord of the land. It wasn't just the weighty matters of diplomacy and governance that demanded his attention; it was also the smaller disputes and everyday problems of his subjects that required his careful consideration. Yet, he approached each challenge with a sense of duty and unwavering commitment.
Under his vigilant stewardship, the land began to thrive. The introduction of innovative systems like aqueducts, permaculture ponds, and various irrigation methods sparked a revolution in agriculture across the North. Among the crops, the humble potato stood out as a true blessing, particularly in the face of the region's unforgiving weather. Even during the supposed summer, the temperatures lingered between 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. The slow, gradual increase in warmth offered hope for improved agricultural prospects in the years to come.
With each passing month, as the land grew more prosperous, Aermir couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. His efforts were making a tangible difference in the lives of his people, improving food production, and enhancing the overall well-being of the North. Yet, he remained acutely aware that greater challenges loomed on the horizon, and he was prepared to meet them head-on as the steadfast ruler of these lands.
Despite the stable income generated from soap, grain, and various other products, Aermir was unrelenting in his allocation of resources. The lion's share of the funds flowed ceaselessly into the monumental channel digging project, as well as into his extensive research endeavors, both magical and non-magical in nature.
In collaboration with skilled blacksmiths like Tobho Mott and others, Aermir embarked on a new venture – the production and sale of weapons to the Northern lords. These weapons, while lacking magical enchantments, possessed an undeniable allure due to their magnificent craftsmanship and the use of Damascus steel. Aermir's mastery of the blacksmithing craft allowed him to create blades that not only looked reminiscent of Valyrian steel but also boasted exceptional quality. Of course, they were not even close to their enchanted weapons, let alone the Valyrian ones, but they were indeed much better than the existing steel weapons.
Aermir understood that Damascus steel was not an otherworldly, all-powerful material but rather a result of a unique and intricate blade-forging technique. The true secret to crafting more potent weapons lay in Aermir's extensive knowledge of chemistry, a knowledge he had acquired during his high school and university education. Of course, if we compared it to the modern world, it would be nothing, but in this world, it was something groundbreaking.
His grasp of chemical processes enabled him to experiment with metallurgy and alloy compositions, striving to unlock the potential for creating blades that surpassed the best weapons created by non-magical means.
Finally, after two years of relentless effort, he had succeeded in crafting composite bows, too. While these bows weren't magical in nature, they represented a significant game-changer for his horse archers. They combined the range of a longbow with the mobility of a horse, altering the dynamics of warfare significantly.
Before the development of these composite bows, horse archers were not extensively used, as longbows were almost impossible to use while on horseback, and the reduced power of shortbows posed significant challenges in range. However, with this innovation, Aermir was poised to revolutionize the battlefield.
...
Simultaneously, amidst his other endeavors, Aermir tirelessly conducted numerous experiments on incarcerated murderers. His goal was ambitious: to replicate the creation of a mana heart or implement other permanent enchantments on the human body, akin to the transformative processes he had undertaken on himself. However, these experiments yielded nothing but anguish and suffering for the unfortunate subjects, culminating in their excruciating deaths.
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Undeterred by these failures, Aermir continued to refine his research and expand his understanding of the intricate connection between magic and the mortal form. He knew that breakthroughs often emerged from the crucible of relentless effort and that the path to true innovation was riddled with setbacks, sacrifices, and failures. With each experiment, he inched closer to unlocking the secrets he sought, even if the cost was measured in human suffering.
He didn't see the murderers and rapists as human beings since, in his eyes, they had forfeited their claim on their life when they murdered an innocent soul. To him, they were worthless pieces of thrash that were lower than the life of a rat. At least this way, their worthless life gained meaning.
Aermir, despite his expertise in various fields, faced a peculiar challenge in one of his non-magical pursuits: crafting vodka. Over two years of relentless experimentation and substantial investments, he had yet to produce even a single bottle of the coveted spirit. While he possessed a foundational knowledge of the chemical science behind distillation and fermentation, the critical missing components were the precise know-how and meticulous measurements required for success.
Of course, he knew how to make alcohol, but like in his glass-making endeavors, just because he knew heat plus sand was glass doesn’t mean he knew how to create durable and clear glass. When it came to glass, his artisans could only craft cloudy brittle glassware, and for alcohol, he couldn’t craft anything better than horse piss.
Instead of crafting the fine drink he aspired to, his efforts had yielded little more than undrinkable concoctions that tasted dreadful and were potentially hazardous. Aermir had poured a staggering 110,000 gold coins into those two endeavors during this time, and he had set a personal ultimatum. If he couldn't manage to create even a low-quality product by the time his expenses reached 150,000 gold, he would be forced to abandon the alcohol project; as for the glass making, if they could at least make clear glass, they could at least sell them as low-quality glassware. Aermir might have to accept the bitter reality that some endeavors were beyond even his considerable capabilities.
…
Aermir, capitalizing on his substantial export of grain, potatoes, weapons, soap, and wood coal, embarked on an ambitious project six months ago: the construction of a harbor town in the Bite. Today marked the completion of this endeavor, and Moondrift Port was now a tangible reality. Nestled along the shoreline, the harbor took on a distinctive crescent shape, lending itself to the name Moondrift Port, reminiscent of a tranquil seaside village. Currently, it comprises a handful of warehouses, various structures, and a bustling port. However, Aermir harbored grand aspirations for its future, envisioning its transformation into a thriving trading city, akin to the renowned hubs of Oldtown and White Harbor.
Speaking of White Harbor, House Manderly held a markedly different stance on Aermir's undertaking. Their discontent was palpable, with Lord Manderly frequently vocalizing his objections to the harbor's construction at every available opportunity, airing his grievances to anyone who would lend an ear. This discord had undeniably stirred tensions in the region as the Manderlys continued to express their displeasure with the situation.
...
Amidst all of Aermir's diverse and failed magical experiments, one particular successful creation stood out as a testament to his patience and craftsmanship: the coveted 50 cloaks of the Ravenguard. These cloaks held a unique and eerie charm, for they were adorned with the meticulously collected shed feathers of Poe and Erebus, the two ravens that had become his constant companions. It was a laborious and painstaking task, one that required a deft hand, unwavering focus, and an almost surgical precision. Every feather, fragile and delicate, was inscribed with an intricate array of tiny runes along its quill.
The painstaking process was not for the faint of heart, as it was torture. Each quill bore a burden of minute runes that, when completed without error, granted the cloaks a set of minor enchantments. These enchantments, in turn, bestowed upon the wearer augmented speed, enhanced strength, and a subtle but effective cloaking ability during the shrouded hours of the night. As Aermir painstakingly worked on these cloaks, he knew that his creation would elevate the Ravenguard, transforming them into more efficient scouts and assassins. They might not ascend to the level of the enigmatic and formidable Faceless Men or the Sorrowful Men, but they would undoubtedly outperform any assassins the king had at his disposal.
Today marked a significant milestone for Aermir. He had, after much patience and effort, gathered sufficient feathers to craft a Ravenguard cloak for himself. Hours of meticulous labor followed as he carefully inscribed the complex runes onto the feathers' quills. With each rune, he imbued the feather with his mana and intent, weaving intricate enchantments that would enhance his capabilities.
Once the arduous task was complete, Aermir donned his newly crafted cloak. As he fastened it around his shoulders, he could instantly perceive the subtle yet unmistakable surge in his abilities. Casting a series of enhancement buffs, he observed his speed and strength reaching remarkable levels—19 for speed and 18 for strength, on par with the formidable Mountain and Harlik. This newfound power would undoubtedly serve him well in his future endeavors, whether they involved strong-arming or more covert and dangerous ventures.