Chapter 727 - 460: Work Completed

Chapter 727: Chapter 460: Work Completed

At some point.

The sky had gradually shifted from the long polar night to day.

However, a layer of dreary gray clouds, like a giant curtain, obscured the sun, turning the bright sunlight into a washed-out, grayish-white.

The light was the kind that made you feel inexplicably irritable after a while.

After finishing lunch at the dining hall, the group returned to the construction site without a moment’s delay.

Everyone shared a single goal.

Finish the classroom today.

The children were running wild in the camp every day, causing a ruckus and getting on everyone’s nerves. The adults had had enough.

The sooner they were in school, the sooner the camp could have some peace and quiet.

The preliminary foundation work was complete.

The next step was to build the log cabin itself.

Everyone got to work, selecting the two longest and thickest logs to serve as the base sills.

They laid them parallel on the prepared foundation, then secured them in place with wooden wedges.

Throughout this process, they paid meticulous attention to ensuring the sills were level.

Even the slightest deviation could compromise the stability of the entire cabin later on.

So David constantly checked with a level, making repeated adjustments to ensure everything was perfect.

Once the sills were set.

The site burst into a flurry of activity.

Amidst the roar of a small excavator, its mechanical arm extended to effortlessly lift logs one by one, slowly lowering them into their designated positions.

The crew moved quickly, stacking the logs horizontally, one on top of the other.

The ends of each log were notched to interlock with the perpendicular logs, gradually forming solid walls.

Every three layers of logs marked a key juncture.

At this point, David led a team to brace the walls with wooden poles.

They propped one end of each pole against the wall and firmly secured the other end to the ground or another stable support, ensuring the walls remained perfectly vertical without any tilting.

As the walls went up, David used a tool to mark out the planned openings for the door and windows.

With the walls smoothly completed, it was time to build the roof.

Given the heavy snowfall in the Tundra, they opted for a steep, double-sloped roof, with a pitch typically greater than 45 degrees.

The purpose of this design was clear: to allow accumulated snow to slide off the steep surface quickly, effectively preventing the risk of the roof collapsing under its weight.

Feng Mountain led a team to place two parallel beams atop the walls.

These two beams formed the spine of the roof, bearing its entire weight.

Then, they laid rafters, extending them from the beams down to the tops of the walls on either side.

The rafters were spaced exactly 50 centimeters apart, arranged in a neat and orderly fashion to form the roof’s framework.

Paine led a team from the camp workshop, dragging over the wooden planks needed for the roof.

Once the planks were in position, the excavator lifted them up to the roof.

The veterans then laid the planks over the rafters, following their slope down from the central beams toward the walls.

Each plank was placed precisely, fitting snugly against the rafters to build a solid surface.

As the planks were laid one by one, the roof began to take shape.

Next was the insulation step.

Members of the Bear Tribe collected thick moss from the Mossy Tundra and spread it evenly over the roof planks.

The unique insulating and absorbent properties of the moss acted as a natural protective layer, effectively reducing heat loss and helping to create a warm space inside.

With that, the cabin’s basic structure was complete.

From the outside, it had taken shape. While still rustic, it looked safe and sturdy.

Outside, the Bear Tribe members, having finished with the moss, got busy again.

They skillfully mixed moss and animal fur with clay to create a daub, which they then carefully used to chink the gaps between the wall logs.

Every gap was filled to create an airtight seal.

This not only enhanced the cabin’s insulation but also made the entire structure more solid and durable.

The only things left were the finishing touches on the interior.

First, the floor.

The veterans began by laying a layer of planks over the ground logs to create a stable subfloor.

Then they laid a layer of animal hides for insulation and warmth.

Afterward, they laid another layer of planks on top of the animal hides.

The result was a floor that was not only comfortable but also well-insulated, feeling solid and stable underfoot.

Next was the installation of the windows and fireplace.

Paine used a chainsaw to cut openings in the walls along the marked lines, then installed the prefabricated windows, ensuring a perfect fit.

After that, they used stones to build a rustic-looking fireplace.

A fireplace was an essential heating source in the cold Tundra.

For safety, they laid stone slabs on the floor around the fireplace to prevent stray sparks from causing a fire.

Finally, David connected the power. With a soft CLICK...

Soft light instantly illuminated the entire classroom, making every corner clearly visible.

In that moment, all their hard work had paid off beautifully.

As the aurora began its graceful dance across the polar night sky...

Brilliant, colorful light danced across the heavens like fantastical ribbons.

Against this dreamlike backdrop, the first classroom of the Crown Territory was officially declared complete.

Everyone gathered outside the log cabin, their faces beaming with pride and joy as they looked upon the classroom they had built in a single day.

"Teacher Lucy, what do you think of the classroom? Is there anything that needs changing?" Feng Mountain called out, waving to Lucy in the crowd. Despite his exhaustion, his eyes shone with undeniable anticipation.

Lucy smiled warmly. "It’s beautiful," she said sincerely. "I’m sure the children will love it."