Chapter 81. Cable Cart’s First Test

The Viscount’s Bedroom, Ironwood Castle

Miller turned to her, his crimson eyes gleaming with intense interest as he asked the question: “So... when does the war break out?”

“I don't know the exact date since news didn't reach me immediately in the past timeline, and we need to take into account that the changes I've made might have affected the timeline somewhat... but the Holy Civil War started sometime around the end of the year,” Francesca answered.

“I am certainly no military expert, so I will leave it entirely up to you to figure out how we can take advantage of this information,” Francesca added, resting her head back against his chest.

“Hmm...” Miller fell deep into thought before speaking up. “With the addition of the Julian chicken coop and our local fishing industry, we should be able to ensure that our citizens don't starve, even with the price of imported goods inflating.. so long as our mercenaries continue working through the winter freeze.”

Caressing her back gently, he added, “However... I would really prefer to handle this in a way where our men don't have to forfeit their winter leave with their families.”

Francesca nodded softly. “Then... we still have other ways to capitalize on the situation, right?”

Miller’s eyebrow raised with a subtle smile. “Knowing when a major conflict is coming is always advantageous. A war of that size will surely have many elements we can take advantage of”

His smile broadened as he concluded, “I’ve got it. I can solve this inflation issue by leveraging this intelligence regarding the civil war. You just focus on the cable cart system and our administrative territory issues, while I take care of our financial strategy during my bed rest.”

Next Day, Hidden Cave, Melony Lake, Ironwood Viscounty

“So... this is what you have been working on all this time, Craftsman Aron?” Stella commented, standing inside the hidden mountain cave alongside Francesca and Kenny.

Several modified timber transport carts were lined up throughout the cavernous space. The Chief Craftsman, Aron, stepped forward with a broad smile. “Indeed, Miss Stella. Your Ladyship, allow me to explain how we brought your blueprints to life!”

Francesca smiled warmly, tapping her cane, offering a gentle nod. “By all means, let us see how you executed the design.”

Aron gestured toward the prototype setup deeper inside the cave. “To begin, the construction team drilled deep anchor holes directly into the cliff face using iron tipped augers. Into these holes, they fitted massive, tar treated oak beams to serve as our pylons. To lock them in permanently, we poured molten lead into the surrounding gaps. As the lead cools, it expands exponentially… locking the timber rigidly into the solid rock.”

He walked over to a thick, heavy reel. “As for the main line, we braided three heavy iron chains together into a tightly twisted bundle, much like a hawser rope. This distributes the weight evenly and provides crucial structural redundancy.”

Demonstrating the chain's texture, Aron added, “To combat rust and friction, the chains are constantly slathered in a heavy paste of rendered animal fat mixed with charcoal dust. It serves as a surprisingly effective lubricant and rust preventative.”

“What are those for?” Kenny asked, pointing toward massive wooden capstans mounted at the far end of the test rig.

Aron’s smile widened. “The chain bundle runs over massive iron pulleys, connected to heavy capstans mounted at both the upper and lower stations of our test base.”

He then pointed to the newly constructed cart frame as the workers maneuvered it into position. “The modified carriage body is mounted onto a heavy wooden sled crafted from solid ironwood. Instead of dangling freely in midair, the sled rides directly along two parallel wooden rails that will be laid down the steepest, most stable slope of the mountain once this test succeeds. This prevents the cart from swinging sideways in heavy mountain winds.”

Francesca watched in awe at how much they had accomplished using only her rough blueprints and conceptual notes.

They even figured out how to solve the chain rusting problem on their own, I didn't even write notes about... she thought to herself. Observing the workers setting up the haulers, she noted aloud, “They are able to load and secure the carts remarkably fast.”

Aron puffed out his chest proudly, a triumphant smirk spreading across his face. “Ah! At the front and back of the sled, we mounted heavy iron claw-hooks that clamp tightly around the moving chain bundle. These claws utilize a crossbow-like spring mechanism fitted with thick leather pads. It allows the cart to grip the moving chain with immense force, while enabling workers at the top and bottom stations to instantly disengage the clamp for quick loading and unloading!”

He patted the iron mechanism proudly. “I must admit, I am rather proud of that little mechanism myself!”

What on earth... Is this man a secret genius or what?! Francesca thought, thoroughly surprised by his addition. Even She hadn't considered an efficient mechanical clamp system for loading the carts.

Looking at Aron with a bright, appreciative smile, she said, “That is genuinely brilliant, Master Aron! I hadn't even thought of such an addition... It is no wonder you are the Chief Craftsman for Miller's mercenaries!”

“Ha! Of course, My Lady. Spending years on the battlefield designing siege engines, counter-traps, and makeshift weaponry naturally gives a man plenty of practical experience,” Aron commented then praised her back, adjusting his dark hair. “However, the true genius here is you for conceiving something so remarkably innovative in the first place!”

I... I technically just stole the blueprint from the future, though... Francesca laughed nervously to herself, before clearing her throat to regain her composure. “Well... I have several pressing territorial matters to attend to today on Miller's behalf, so let us commence the test right away.”

“Of course, of course, My Lady!” Aron nodded enthusiastically.

Turning to the crew, he began shouting commands, ordering the blacksmiths, haulers, and carpenters to fall back behind a safe perimeter. He then signaled for Francesca, Stella, and Kenny to step back to a protected vantage point overlooking the tracks.

“Alright, get set!” Aron bellowed.

An electric wave of excitement surged through Francesca's golden eyes. Standing beside her, Stella held her hands tightly together in quiet anticipation, while Kenny adjusted his coat, his eyes glued to the rig. Every single craftsman and mercenary worker held their breath, their hearts pounding in unison against the quiet cavern air.

“Release!”

CLANK! CLATTER-CLATTER-CLANK!

The sudden, deafening roar of grinding metal shattered the silence of the cave. The heavily laden test cart lurked forward down, its sheer momentum pulling the empty return cart upward in an instant. The massive, fat coated chain bundles spun furiously over the iron pulleys, creating a terrifying screeching noise that echoed off the rock walls like a roaring beast. Dust, wood shavings, and flecks of black grease flew everywhere as the heavy wooden sled plummeted down the steep ironwood rails at a dizzying pace.

“Oh no... at that speed, it is going to crash right into the lower edge!” Francesca muttered in sudden panic, her hands gripping her cane tightly as she watched the heavy cart accelerate at a breakneck speed.

Aron merely offered her a snarky, supremely confident smirk. “No, it won't, My Lady.”

Raising his hand high in the air, he delivered a sharp, decisive downward signal to a worker standing beside a heavy timber mechanism at the edge of the platform.

At calculated intervals along the track, they had integrated an ingenious braking system, thick wooden sand-drag wedges lined with heavy, reinforced leather that pressed directly against the main pulley drums. The worker at the top station manually cranked a massive wooden lever, tightening a system of thick tension ropes that forced the leather brakes against the spinning drums.

SCREEEEEECH!

With a shower of sparks and a cloud of rising friction smoke, the wildly spinning chain slowed to a smooth, controlled crawl. The heavy sled glided effortlessly along its wooden rails, coming to a soft, perfect halt right at the lower loading platform.

“No... way...” Kenny was the first to break the stunned silence, his jaw practically dropping as everyone gasped at the flawless demonstration.

Francesca stared down at the successful prototype, a wave of unstoppable confidence bubbling up within her chest. A brilliant, triumphant smirk formed across her face.

“This... this can officially become our transport lifeline for all goods from now..”