Chapter 43
Chapter 43
Fortunately, it didn’t take long to find substitute materials.
For things like nails, iron pins, and wedges, I showed the workshop the items I had purchased from the System Shop and asked them to make something as similar as possible.
Now that the blueprint was complete, the next step was deciding where to install the retention basin and the sluice gate.
We planned to build them based on the location we had explored last time, but the exact position still needed to be selected.
This time, Marquis Howell Smith, the officials of Nubiar, and even the laborers accompanied us as we headed toward the upper reaches of the Raed River.
Naturally, Calix Krauvel and Noah Roheim came along as well.
“I think it would be best to designate this place as the center of the retention basin.”
The Nubiar official immediately drove a stake into the ground where I pointed.
I explained the depth and shape of the retention basin, as well as the drainage direction, but the people only said they would do as instructed and offered no other opinions.
“If anyone has a different opinion, please say it now.”
I even deliberately opened the floor in case they were hesitant to speak up, but there was still no response.
“Then I’ll assume everyone agrees with my proposal. Please don’t come later saying it isn’t right or that you would have preferred another method.”
Marquis Howell Smith nodded on behalf of everyone.
“Of course. We trust you, Miss Aileen.”
That was even more terrifying.
It probably wouldn’t happen, but just in case, I should get some sort of written pledge saying they wouldn’t hold me responsible if something went wrong.
“Dig it so the incoming river water can spread widely. This depth should be sufficient.”
After determining the location of the retention basin, I explained in detail to the laborers how the work should proceed.
Not only the laborers, but even Marquis Howell Smith and the officials listened to my explanation with serious expressions.
“Over here we need to create a channel for the water to flow out. And around this point we’ll install the sluice gate.”
…I have no idea why Calix Krauvel is listening along as well.
“The sluice gate will be a manually operated design using pulleys. When you pull the rope, the gate rises, and when you release it, it lowers.”
“So under normal conditions it should be kept open, correct?”
When Marquis Howell Smith asked, I nodded.
“That’s right. Then when the monsoon season begins in the Northern Territory, the sluice gate should be lowered gradually to control the flow so the water doesn’t rush down all at once.”
The officials of Nubiar wrote down everything I explained in their notebooks without missing a single detail.
While I was still explaining, Calix Krauvel suddenly drew the sword at his waist.
“Y-Your Highness the Archduke?”
Marquis Howell Smith and the officials recoiled in alarm. I widened my eyes as well.
The escort knights also drew their swords, but because their opponent was the Archduke, they hesitated and merely took awkward defensive stances without daring to point their blades at him.
“Why all of a sudden—”
Before Marquis Howell Smith could finish his sentence, Calix Krauvel threw the sword toward me.
With a sharp sound slicing through the air, the blade buried itself deeply into the tree standing right beside me.
Kieeek—
At the same moment, a grotesque scream rang out, and something hot splattered across my face. The metallic smell stabbing my nose felt strangely familiar.
My stiff hand slowly lifted to wipe my cheek.
A sticky green liquid smeared across my fingers.
“It seems there’s a tarantula habitat somewhere around here.”
Calix Krauvel strode over and pulled the sword from the tree.
Impaled on the blade like a skewer was a hideous spider larger than my upper body.
The green liquid was the spider monster’s blood.
Calix Krauvel tossed the dead spider monster in front of Marquis Howell Smith and the officials.
“Ahhh!”
The officials scattered with screams, and Marquis Howell Smith collapsed after only a few stumbling steps, his legs apparently giving out.
Calix Krauvel snorted at the pathetic sight, then slid the sword back into its sheath.
“If you don’t want people dying during the construction, you’d better clear out the habitat first.”
Originally, construction was supposed to begin the very next day, but because the tarantula habitat had to be cleared first, it was postponed for a week.
That meant the work would begin after I had already returned to Belheim.
I wanted to see the construction myself. That’s a shame.
Still, I had completed all the quests I needed to do in Nubiar, so I didn’t feel too regretful.
Marquis Howell Smith said he would send regular reports, and if anything happened, he would open the magic portal immediately.
Time passed like that, and the day before returning to Belheim arrived.
Tonight, a farewell party would be held to celebrate both my departure and the solution to the Raed River flooding problem.
The construction hasn’t even started yet. Is it really appropriate to hold a party already?
It felt strange, but Marquis Howell Smith and the Nubiar officials looked so excited that I kept quiet.
Since it was a party, I needed formal attire.
Of course, I didn’t own anything like that.
“I’ve prepared everything, so don’t worry.”
While I was wondering what to do, the Marchioness of House Smith unexpectedly extended a helping hand.
She had prepared everything—an emerald-colored dress, accessories, and even shoes.
“It’s really beautiful.”
I never thought I’d have the chance to wear a dress like the ones I had only seen in movies or dramas.
My heart fluttered with excitement, but the feeling didn’t last long.
“I’ll tighten the corset now.”
The reason was the corset.
The maids pulled the laces with all their strength, and as my waist tightened, breathing became increasingly difficult.
“S-stop…”
“No. Your waist has to be slim for the dress silhouette to look full.”
The maids mercilessly pulled the corset tighter, telling me to endure just a little longer.
Clutching the bedpost, I cried out for mercy.
After the corset was tightened, they put a voluminous petticoat underneath and layered the dress over it.
Th-this is uncomfortable.
How do people stand for hours wearing something like this?
I suddenly felt a new sense of respect for noble ladies and aristocratic women.
Once the clothing was finished, they moved on to my hair and makeup.
The maids worked quickly and skillfully.
I wanted to look in the mirror to see how I was changing, but they had ordered me not to open my eyes, so I couldn’t.
“It’s finished.”
When the makeup was finally done and I opened my eyes to look in the mirror, I was momentarily speechless.
Not because it looked strange—but because it was far prettier than I expected.
Aileen didn’t have a face that was objectively stunning, but like this she looked quite beautiful.
“Do you like the makeup?”
“Yes, I love it. I almost want to learn how to do makeup myself.”
The maids smiled proudly at my words.
Just as the final preparations were completed with a necklace and earrings, there was a knock at the door.
“I’ve come to escort you, Miss Aileen.”
It was Noah Roheim.
His eyes widened when he saw me.
“My goodness. Is this really the Miss Aileen I know?”
“…Please don’t tease me.”
“I’m not teasing. I’m simply surprised because you look so beautiful. You truly look like the star of tonight’s party.”
Noah Roheim placed one hand over his chest and extended the other toward me.
“Shall we go, Miss Aileen?”
This makes me feel like a princess from a fairy tale.
In reality, I’m just an extra character whose name barely appears in the novel.
“Please take care of me tonight, Sir Roheim.”
But at least for today, like a real princess, I smiled faintly and lightly placed my hand in his.
So the real star of the party is someone else.
The moment I saw Calix Krauvel in the ballroom, I realized it immediately.
Standing beneath the brilliant chandelier, he shone like the main character receiving every spotlight.
It wasn’t even as if he had dressed particularly extravagantly.
He didn’t even wear something as common as a tie pin—only a pair of cufflinks on his sleeves. His hair was neatly swept back to reveal his forehead.
Rather than flamboyant decoration, it looked more like simple refinement.
And that made him stand out even more.
It felt as though he was showing confidence that he didn’t need elaborate adornments.
If the second male lead looks like that, how handsome must the original male lead be?
According to the description in the novel, Calix Krauvel was like the ruler of the night, while the original male lead was like the ruler of the day.
Since darkness could never defeat light, the novel described the original male lead as surpassing him in every aspect.
I’d like to see him at least once.
If I ever leave Belheim and go to the capital someday, I might get the chance.
“Miss Aileen, would you like some champagne?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll go get some. Please wait here for a moment.”
Noah Roheim went to fetch champagne while I looked around the ballroom.
“Miss Aileen?”
A stranger called out to me.