On both banks of the Torrentine, the various development plans Arthur had reviewed, improved, and finalized before his departure had been catalyzed by the manpower of tens of thousands of wildling captives from the Red Mountains and the injection of a million gold dragons.
In just one year, the region had experienced explosive growth.
As Arthur led his retinue downriver along the Torrentine, every day's ride revealed another watermill standing proudly on the riverbank, flying the banner of the white sword and falling star on a purple field.
The swift currents of the Torrentine drove the water wheels erected over the river, transmitting power through cranks and connecting rods into the mills.
It was harvest season. Outside the mills, long lines of carts and wheelbarrows laden with barley and wheat waited their turn. Farmers carrying sacks of flour bustled in and out.
Arthur observed that among them were dark-haired, brown-skinned Dornishmen, as well as naturalized wildlings with blond or orange hair.
Regardless of their appearance, they all wore expressions of heartfelt joy, murmuring, "The Lord is merciful."
Bakeries, waystations, inns, and small markets had sprung up around these watermills.
Arthur's retinue, flying the Starfall banner, and his own highly recognizable attire quickly attracted the attention of the local miller and tax collector.
They ran up to Arthur and bowed deeply. "Lord Arthur."
"No need for formalities," Arthur said. "When crops are not in season, do so many people still come to grind grain at this mill?"
"How does the watermill operate then?"
"Uh... well..."
The miller glanced at the tax collector, stammering uncertainly.
"Answer the Lord truthfully," the tax collector prompted.
"My Lord, there certainly aren't as many people as there are now," the miller replied.
"However, during those times, the Smithing District assigns tasks such as fulling felt cloth, or grinding and pressing olives, lemons, and peppers."
"These tasks are also a major source of income for the mill."
Pausing for a moment, the miller added, "I also heard the Smithing District is planning to build canals, using water wheels to lift water from the Torrentine to distant fields, increasing the irrigated area."
Arthur nodded slightly. This miller's answer was largely consistent with those of other millers he had questioned earlier.
Arthur then turned to the tax collector. "How is the tax collection situation now compared to before?"
"With the watermills, we no longer need to run back and forth between villages and manors," the tax collector explained. "Now, during harvest season, we simply wait at the mill. After they grind their grain, we calculate the tax, register it, and issue a tax receipt."
"Then, based on the tax records, we can target those few in the jurisdiction who haven't paid. But those are very few."
Satisfied with the answers and seeing the line outside the mill growing longer, Arthur didn't take up any more of their time and ended the inquiry.
Based on his observations along the way, the watermill plan had been implemented very successfully. It saved labor and lightened the burden on farmers while also facilitating tax collection.
Continuing down the road along the Torrentine, Arthur led his retinue to Starfall Keep.
This transportation hub of the Torrentine domain presented a scene that surprised him and everyone in his party.
Starfall Keep, the Nightshadow Market, and the Smithing District on the opposite bank had merged into a single sprawling complex connected by bridges spanning the river. Cargo wagons flowed ceaselessly across the bridges.
Inside the Nightshadow Market, stalls lining the streets sold everything one could need: bread, felt, ready-made clothes, hemp rope, wine, salt, honey, livestock, horses, and even glass products.
It gave Arthur the illusion of being in a city like White Harbor or Braavos.
Across the river in the Smithing District, five watermills lined the bank, their wheels turning steadily. The buildings of the district were expanding rapidly, like a growing child.
Since the execution of the million-gold-dragon plans, the Smithing District had benefited the most. The massive influx of gold provided jobs, while the execution of the major plans generated enormous demand for tools. This drove the various workshops in the district to produce at full capacity, a situation further accelerated by the revolution in production methods brought about by the watermills.
" The scale of the buildings here is catching up to the Planky Town," Lady Nymeria marveled, peering out the window of the wheelhouse.
"It's hard to imagine that in just three or four years, a town of this scale could develop here."
She remembered her first visit, which was due to the Vulture King's invasion.
If she recalled correctly, back then there was only a three-story watchtower guarding the river. There were no bridges, and the opposite bank was a desolate wasteland of rocks and water weeds.
Little Ashara, held in Nymeria's arms, reached her chubby hands toward the window, babbling as if fascinated by the outside world.
"I suppose you could call it a happy coincidence," Arthur said, reaching through the window to poke Ashara's chubby cheek. The baby's small hand suddenly grabbed his index finger—so small, yet surprisingly strong.
Wildling captives provided the labor to build the bridges and Starfall Keep. The discovery of iron ore on the opposite bank led to the creation of the Smithing District. Later, the Amber Peach Wine distribution contract necessitated the road to the Prince's Pass, which naturally led to the planning of the Nightshadow Market.
Now, stimulated by the million gold dragons, this place had truly become the transportation hub and overland trade center of the Torrentine valley.
Nymeria sighed. "People often praise your martial prowess because of your title as the Sword of the Morning and your victories on the battlefield and in the tourney lists, but they overlook your ability to govern a domain."
Arthur gently withdrew his finger from Ashara's grasp. "We know each other too well for roundabout compliments."
After resting for a day at Starfall Keep, the group continued south. By now, manors and farmlands lined the road continuously. Passing the greatly expanded arena and the Dawn Market, they arrived at Starfall.
Arthur didn't enter the city. Instead, he had the stout steward Karen and his son Kellen, who had come to welcome him, take him to a spot on the coast north of Starfall.
"This is Maester Oswell's grave," Karen said, standing on a sunny slope and pointing to a simple wooden marker.
It bore no family name, only the words: Maester Oswell.
"Maester Oswell chose this spot himself. He said here he could see the first rays of the sun, feel the sea breeze, and hear the Torrentine crashing against the rocks. A good place for a long sleep."
"It is indeed a good place. Did Maester Oswell know about my aunt's wedding?" Arthur sniffled. He had learned of the old Maester's death after Allyria's wedding.
He knew the old Maester's greatest wish was to find a 'Sword of the Morning' who could protect Starfall, Edric, and Allyria.
Aside from that, he wanted to see Allyria married.
"I read the letter to him personally," Kellen replied.
"Then he left with no regrets." Arthur exhaled a heavy breath he had been holding. "The gods were finally merciful to this old man who dedicated his life to Starfall."
He still remembered the five pieces of advice Maester Oswell had given him on how a bastard could become the 'Sword of the Morning.'
Be knighted by a prestigious knight, make outstanding contributions to Starfall, demonstrate convincing martial prowess, uphold the character of the Sword of the Morning, and draw Dawn to become the Sword of the Morning.