Originally, when passing through Roadside Keep, Gandalf and Balin had planned to visit Levi along the way.
However, when they arrived, they received news:
"He's not here."
Gandalf could only remain silent about this.
"Shall we go then?" Balin looked up and asked.
"What else can we do? Can anyone drag him back?"
Gandalf sighed heavily.
Hearing this sigh, a nearby iron golem thoughtfully handed him a flower, as if telling him not to be dejected.
"Thank you."
"Your master certainly keeps busy, doesn't he? If only he were as faithful to his duty as Lord as you are to your duties."
The iron golem couldn't understand these words. When Gandalf accepted the flower, it continued its patrol.
People said Roadside Keep was impregnable and unbreachable. The reason wasn't just that solid high wall so tall you could barely see its end when looking up from below.
There were also these iron contraptions. They were one of the trump cards of Roadside Keep and all the Free Cities.
To deal with them, you'd either need to develop targeted tools or weapons, or deploy armies ten times their number with capable commanders.
Of course, even if methods could be devised to handle these iron golems, don't forget that atop the high walls were batch after batch of excellent guards rotating day and night without interruption. Every one of them was a warrior of outstanding quality in all aspects.
"Better attack the White City than approach Roadside Keep."
This had become a common saying among orcs.
"Wait."
At the intersection of Roadside Keep and the Eastern Road, just as they were about to leave and continue toward the Shire, Gandalf suddenly stopped and looked south.
In that direction was a new road built of grey stone bricks. Square and orderly blocks, very characteristic of a certain someone.
"So... when did this road appear here?"
"I don't remember there being a crossroads here. At least not a year ago."
"This was newly built in the past year. We call it the 'Grey Road.'"
A passing resident solved his confusion.
Seeing someone knew the situation, Gandalf quickly called out to ask: "Where does this Grey Road lead?"
"Riverside Keep. It leads to Riverside Keep."
"Riverside Keep?"
Gandalf and Balin exchanged glances, their confusion only deepening.
"I've never heard that name."
"It was also established just this past year," the resident reminded them.
"Shall we go take a look?" Balin suggested.
"Agreed."
So the two temporarily changed course at the crossroads near Roadside Keep, following this brand-new wide road southward.
Let's rewind time a bit.
"Build a road directly."
While establishing new specialties, Levi also marked a new point on his map, then took up his pen to connect this new point with Roadside Keep.
Thus it became a line.
When this line appeared, residents had new work to do. A road built of stone bricks began at the intersection of Roadside Keep and the Eastern Road, heading toward the southern delta position.
Since stone-crafted bricks were greyish in color, people simply called this stone brick road the 'Grey Road.' After hearing this unofficial nickname that was just circulating as slang, Levi slapped the table and directly adopted it as the official name.
When the Grey Road reached its terminus at the convergence of three rivers, Levi took action again, building a new structure there.
A castle built by the river.
New buildings naturally needed new names. Levi had a flash of inspiration and named it "Riverside Keep."
Just like its name, Riverside Keep was built on high ground by the river, quite conspicuous and visible from far away.
Surrounding this castle, numerous buildings and facilities would be constructed in the future. Shipyards, docks, cranes, and so on.
A completely new naval facility was about to be established.
Here, the inherited wisdom and latest research achievements of humans, elves, and dwarves were displayed to the fullest. Through Levi's hands, all their crystallized wisdom could be maximized.
But even with Levi's efficiency, building this place would still require considerable time.
Think of those great cities of the past. Which wasn't accumulated bit by bit over decades or centuries?
Even though this had become his territory... it would still take several months to build, since many facilities were needed, plus some terrain modification work.
And even when completed, the talent reserves couldn't keep up temporarily. The facilities might be built, even with Levi idly crafting piles of ships when bored, but the first batch of maritime and naval engineering students from Roadside Keep's school hadn't graduated yet.
"Could establish a branch campus here."
Inside Riverside Keep, Levi stood by the window looking at the construction site outside, thinking briefly.
He decided to do just that.
Once the shipyard here was completed, he'd open a branch school and move related specialties over. With instructors available and complete teaching materials, both teaching quality and environment would definitely be top-notch.
Nothing enabled faster progress than hands-on practice.
Knock Knock Knock...
The castle's main door suddenly rang.
Creak.
"Gandalf?"
Levi seemed somewhat surprised.
"How'd you get here..."
"I'm here too."
A voice came from below. Levi looked down to see Balin as well.
"Oh, long time no see, Balin. Welcome, welcome. Did you finish your work?"
"No no no, don't mention that, Levi. Those aren't good memories. You don't know how terrible those fellows were. They went out to play without taking me..."
While speaking with obvious grievance, Balin gave Levi a rather unequal embrace, like an old child seeking comfort.
"But speaking of which, I was really startled. I was only away for a few years, but it feels like hundreds of years have passed."
"I almost suspect the flow of time's different between the two places."
Balin was quite emotional.
"There's even a new territory here, and such a large new castle."
"Perhaps it'll become a new city before long," Gandalf offered his view from the side.
"This place is quite conspicuous, especially at night. We saw that 'beacon' light beam from far away. It guided us here."
"Didn't even need to ask for directions."
"This thing's indeed quite visible at night."
After brief greetings, Levi stepped aside to welcome both inside.
"Long journey, you've worked hard. Have some hot soup to warm your bellies."
It was currently dinner time, so Levi quite naturally went directly to cook.
"Thank you."
Both accepted the soup and took a look.
Mm, mushroom soup.
"Quite delicious," Balin couldn't help praising.
"Mm..."
Gandalf also nodded repeatedly, commenting:
"Honestly, after drinking mushroom soup once at a friend's house last time, I developed some fear of foods with this ingredient. Now you've helped me face it properly again."
"Glad you're satisfied. What would you like to drink?"
"Wine."
"A mug of ale."
They gave different answers.
Fortunately everything was available here, and their respective needs were soon served.
Soup, roasted meat, vegetables and fruit, plus bread... This meal's combination was quite balanced in all aspects, with no fault to find in taste either.
"We originally planned to visit Bilbo in the Shire."
Balin initiated conversation.
"But seeing that brand-new Grey Road, we changed our minds and decided to come here first."
"This location's excellent. Of course, I know even if the terrain were poor, you'd definitely have solutions."
"But I must remind you, Levi."
This white-bearded dwarf said seriously: "Right beside this place is Moria."