The construction of the Nether highway proved to be a monumentally time-consuming endeavor.
Not only because of the staggering distance involved, but also because Levi had to systematically clear obstacles that nature and past civilizations had scattered across his chosen route. Nether fortresses loomed as ancient monuments in his path, their dark corridors echoing with the footsteps of bygone ages. Piglin ruins sprawled across valuable real estate like forgotten cities. Basalt formations jutted upward like sleeping giants' teeth.
None of it mattered. Where Levi needed his road to run, everything else had to go.
Structures that didn't directly block his path could remain as interesting scenery for future travelers. But anything standing directly in the way of smooth passage met swift, violent destruction. Efficiency trumped archaeology every time.
Monster encounters posed no challenge whatsoever. With his current equipment and accumulated power, the Nether's denizens were little more than minor annoyances to be swept aside.
Zombie piglins shambling into his construction zone received swift sword strokes that sent them back to whatever afterlife awaited the undead. Living piglins wandering too close found themselves unceremoniously kicked aside, squealing indignantly as they tumbled away from the work site. Ghasts that dared shriek their otherworldly cries while he worked received arrows that dropped them from the crimson sky like deflated balloons.
Even the mysterious endermen, those enigmatic beings who carried blocks with single-minded purpose, earned sharp slaps when they stared too long with their unsettling violet eyes. Unlike the orcs he'd faced in the overworld, these shadow creatures showed remarkable courage, screaming with gaping mouths and charging forward even after being struck.
Their bravery ultimately earned them nothing but transformation into teleportation pearls for his inventory.
Time flowed like molten lava during this period.
The people in the main world maintained their productive routines while Levi labored in the Nether's perpetual twilight. Not a single person in either territory remained idle. Everyone stayed busy with meaningful work.
The territory's steady accumulation and development proceeded peacefully, without major incidents. During these quiet months, Levi's primary concern centered on that mysterious dragon egg, which continued its seemingly endless incubation process. Each day he checked it, hoping to see some sign of progress, some crack or movement that might indicate approaching hatching.
This didn't match any dragon egg behavior he'd encountered in various modifications to his world's systems. The extended incubation period suggested something far more significant than a typical summoned creature.
It might truly be a native dragon of Middle-earth.
But if that proved true, the egg's origin would raise troubling questions he wasn't prepared to answer.
For most of winter's duration, nothing extraordinary occurred.
The single noteworthy event came when winter had progressed roughly halfway through its cold grip. A wandering group of over a dozen people appeared at Roadside Fort's gates, travel-worn and desperate but carrying themselves with dignity despite their circumstances.
They had arrived following guidance from the trading company, having heard tales of a place willing to shelter hardworking, peaceful folk. Stories spoke of warm protection from wind and rain, plus everything necessary for daily survival.
Under Levi's standing authorization, after careful verification that these people carried no criminal backgrounds or dangerous associations, they received swift admission. Current residents immediately stepped forward to guide the newcomers through essential orientation: finding suitable lodging, understanding daily labor expectations, and learning the contribution system that governed advancement within their society.
These long-term refugees had never experienced such generous treatment. After confirming that their guides spoke truth and this place could genuinely provide such extraordinary conditions, several dropped to their knees and swore binding oaths of loyalty to their new lord and permanent service to Roadside Fort.
Thus they became temporary residents, needing only sufficient contribution accumulation to achieve full citizenship and truly belong to this remarkable community.
"We originally lived in a small village east of Archet," explained the person who seemed most respected among the refugee group. "Life was tolerable enough, even comfortable by the standards we'd known."
His weathered face darkened at the memory. 'Then a pack of ruffians swept in like wolves upon a flock. They robbed and wrecked everything in sight, leaving the village in ruins. Our food stores, the few silver coins we'd saved, even our personal keepsakes—everything disappeared into their greedy hands.'
"Then they continued north, establishing a base in the nearby woods."
His voice carried growing concern as he continued: "Strangely, recently many criminal groups have chosen to abandon the towns where they once operated and gather toward Chetwood. Every village along their path lacking proper defensive forces has suffered their systematic plundering."
"We were among their victims. After our village was occupied and destroyed, we had no choice but to wander toward safer settlements, desperately seeking places where we might rebuild our lives."
The man's voice broke slightly with emotion: "Thank you to our merciful lord for allowing us to find new hope here. The life you've provided surpasses even our most prosperous times."
Listening to this resident's account, Levi felt a familiar stirring of irritation.
So that explained the absence of ruffians and bandits from nearby towns. Rather than reform or find honest work, they had discovered they couldn't survive individually and had formed a larger criminal organization based in the wilderness.
Chetwood, if his geography served correctly, bordered Archet town at the very edge of the Bree region. As a settlement built beside the forest, it thrived on active lumber trading that supported both local residents and traveling merchants.
For the trading company's reputation to reach refugees from such remote areas suggested his merchants had indeed traveled extensively and left positive impressions wherever they'd ventured.
"Have those bandits shown recent activity?" Levi inquired, already forming preliminary plans.
"No, my lord. There's been no news of them for the past month. They've probably all retreated deep into winter hiding."
"I understand the situation now. You may return to your duties."
"Yes, my lord."
The refugee group dispersed to begin adapting to their new lives and integrating into the productive community they'd joined.
Levi opened his detailed map and searched for the location the newcomers had described. The distance wasn't particularly concerning, just north of Bree, positioned directly beside the Great East Road, where it would be easily accessible to travelers.
He remembered Gandalf mentioning that area during casual conversation, describing an attack he'd suffered there during his own travels.
"This forest has become a bit too lawless," Levi muttered, closing the map without taking immediate action.
Winter's grip still held the land firmly, and those bandits had accumulated enough stolen supplies to sustain themselves through the cold months. As the refugees had indicated, the criminals were currently holed up in their forest stronghold, waiting for spring. Even if he traveled there immediately, locating them in the vast woodland would prove challenging at best.
But since they engaged in no productive activities, they would eventually need to resume their predatory lifestyle to survive. The supplies they'd stolen wouldn't last forever.
This would be their final winter of plundering the surrounding countryside.
When the first tender shoot pushed through thawing earth in spring, that would mark the beginning of their end.
Keeping this matter firmly in mind, Levi once again stepped through the portal's purple flames, returning to the endless construction work awaiting him at the highway's frontmost section.
By this point, the road's length had grown impressively substantial. Each time Levi entered the Nether and mounted his horse, nearly an hour of riding was required to reach the newest construction point. Despite the time investment, progress continued steadily.
He estimated completion before winter's end, barring unforeseen complications. Once finished, multiple round trips between Roadside Fort and Dale could be accomplished in a single day if circumstances demanded such urgency.
Although residents of the two territories couldn't meet often due to distance, they could all expect frequent visits from their lord.
Now the lord could finally maintain regular contact with both communities.
This winter proved notably mild, at least for the fortunate residents of both Roadside Fort and Dale.
Since the Battle of Five Armies, considerable progress had been made in repairing Dale's ruins. With generous dwarven assistance and determined resident efforts, numerous houses had been restored to livable condition, providing comfortable shelter for the growing population.
Many people chose to spend the cold months here rather than return to Lake-town's limited accommodations.
As winter's end approached and residents huddled in their houses beside warm fires, quietly anticipating spring's arrival, something extraordinary appeared beside Dale's city wall.
A gate made of obsidian materialized, glowing with otherworldly purple light that cast dancing shadows across the snow.
Levi rode his horse through the portal with casual confidence.
The sound of movement immediately caught the attention of guards stationed on the wall. Initially, the guard glanced over with mild curiosity, but that single look transformed his entire demeanor in an instant.
"It's the Lord!" he shouted with unbridled excitement.
The lord had finally returned!
Levi made no attempt to conceal his presence. News of his arrival spread like wildfire through the settlement, drawing residents from their warm hearths. They emerged bundled in coats and cloaks, eager to see their legendary protector after his long absence.
But before the general population could gather, Bard approached with the swift efficiency of an experienced leader reporting to his superior.
"Everything has been progressing very smoothly in your absence," he said without preamble.
"I can see that clearly."
Levi nodded approvingly as he surveyed the scene before him. "No one here shows signs of hunger or deprivation, and I don't see anyone who appears particularly desperate or downtrodden."
"It's entirely reasonable to expect that within a few more years, this place could return to Dale's most prosperous historical periods."
Looking at the steadily reviving ruins with a critical eye, Levi suddenly added: "But I think the current pace is still too slow."
"Having been absent for so long, I think I should finally fulfill some of a Lord's proper responsibilities."