Chapter 219: That’s Enough, Isn’t It? (1)
Chapter 219: That’s Enough, Isn’t It? (1)
The expeditionary force somehow managed to reach their destination.
But this wasn't the end. In fact, the real work was only just beginning.
“Fifth Sage, sir. I’ll leave it to you.”
“Mm, understood. Everyone, begin!”
At the Fifth Sage’s command, a hundred magicians each pulled something from their robes, placed it on the ground, and began chanting.
To be honest, the magicians hadn't been much help on the journey here, except during the operation to exterminate the Kikaros.
However, there was a reason why these otherwise useless freeloaders had been escorted so carefully, as if they were precious porcelain that might shatter at any moment.
“Cancel.”
As the magicians waved their hands and spoke, something began to grow rapidly in front of them.
What revealed itself were dressed stones, perfectly shaped for building castle walls.
They had used shrinking and weight-reduction magic to compress the stones and transport them all the way here.
With a hundred magicians working in unison, a staggering amount of stone was piled up in no time.
“How convenient.”
“This magic wasn't originally intended for such things,” Riman Sierra grumbled.
True to their nature as scholars who would stake their lives on research, magicians always carried their vital findings with them. This magic had been developed specifically to store those vast amounts of data efficiently.
And as soon as Patrick learned of its existence, he immediately put it to use like this.
“Whatever the original purpose was, as long as it works, it’s fine.”
“……”
“If it were me, I’d have started a moving company with that and made a fortune.”
Riman Sierra simply sighed. It was his mistake to expect this man to listen to reason.
At any rate, they had the stone. Now, it was time for…
“Alright, your turn. Knights and Greenies, go.”
At his command, the burly Orc warriors and the knights of the Double Dragon Knights began carrying the stones and stacking them at the designated sites.
Each stone was larger than a human torso, but the knights and Orc warriors hauled them with ease.
“Captain.”
“What is it?”
“We’re knights, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Then why are we doing manual labor even after becoming knights?”
At the comment from Oliver—or rather, the man who had now officially become Knight A—Sanson gave a satisfied smile.
“Got a complaint?”
“It’s not exactly a complaint, but…”
“Then don’t tell me. Go tell the Young Master.”
“……”
Oliver realized something then.
In any other territory, knights would never be subjected to such manual labor. Common sense dictated that if you forced knights of at least the 4-star level to do construction work, you had to be prepared for them to quit or revolt.
But in the Schneider Territory…
“You lazy bastards. Are you walking? Are you actually walking right now? Run! From now on, if I see anyone’s feet moving slow enough to be visible, I’ll twist their ankles 690 degrees!”
There was a devil.
A devil against whom rebellion was an unthinkable dream.
“Run! Move it, move it!”
“Hurry up and carry them!”
“Wuaaaaaah!”
Working hard was the only answer.
The knights moved the stones with everything they had.
Orcs, human knights, and laborers.
What did status matter?
Before the devil, all were equal…
The results of using such high-quality labor were absolute.
“Whoa…”
“The wall is actually going up.”
“It’s my first time seeing a wall rise in real-time.”
The magicians watched the scene with awe.
They weren't even using magic; they were moving everything with pure physical strength. In less than an hour, something resembling a wall began to take shape.
Though it was only about a meter high, that couldn't be helped. Because…
“Young Master. We’ve run out of stone.”
“What? Already?”
“Yes, sir. We’ve used it all up.”
“Didn't you say the magicians brought quite a lot?”
“We’ve used every bit of it.”
“……”
“It looks like we’ll have to halt construction until more stone arrives.”
Sanson spoke with a faint, satisfied smile.
Thinking about it, this was actually for the best. They had worked hard and fast, and now the job was done for the day.
“Mmm…”
While Sanson was happy, Patrick was dissatisfied.
The wall wasn't even ten percent complete, and they were already out of stone?
This was a problem.
And Patrick was a man who solved most of the world’s problems by smashing through them.
Patrick looked around and fixed his gaze on a certain spot.
“Wait a moment.”
His gaze landed on a massive rocky mountain.
Standing roughly twenty meters high, the mountain boasted a sturdiness that looked as if it had endured thousands of years.
“I was thinking that thing was ruining the view anyway.”
Patrick drew his twin swords.
The moment an Aura Blade over three meters long formed at the tips of his swords, Sanson felt more dread than awe.
Patrick leaped high into the air. And then…
Twin Dragons Eight Sword Styles
Fourth Form
Twin Dragons’ Chaotic Dance
Adaptive Form: Dicing.
Slash!
The Aura Blades flashed at precise intervals. The moment Patrick landed back on the ground…
Rumble!
The rocky mountain collapsed.
It had been sliced into perfect, uniform cubes.
Patrick smiled and said, “Look, here’s your stone.”
“……”
“Keep going. I’ll keep making more for you.”
Thank you so much I could cry, you little brat!
That day, the expeditionary force created a semi-circular foundation for the wall along the Moana River.
They managed to raise the height of that outer wall to a staggering three meters.
At this point, even if it wasn't a full fortress wall, it was at least a very sturdy barrier.
It was incredible progress for just one day’s work.
* * *
The sun set.
The knights and Orcs, who had hauled stone to their absolute limits, were completely spent.
Sanson, who came to report, looked as if he had lost several kilograms in a single day.
“Young Master. For today, at least…”
“Yeah, go ahead and rest.”
Upon hearing Patrick’s permission, Sanson turned back without even answering.
It was as if he didn't even have the energy to speak.
Sanson considered pitching a tent but decided it was too much trouble. He simply wrapped himself in his cloak and lay down near the campfire.
Patrick chuckled at the sight.
Being tired is better than being dead, you bastards.
Patrick was currently perched atop the unfinished wall, sipping liquor from a canteen.
He was projecting his energy toward the demonic beasts glaring from within the pitch-black curtain of night.
This is my territory.
Sensing the intent in Patrick’s energy, the lesser beasts growled a few times before tucking their tails and slipping away.
However, there were some who lingered, subtly testing him in a battle of nerves.
Patrick smirked as he felt their presence.
“The Demon Realm is the Demon Realm, after all.”
He took another sip of the liquor.
The burning sensation of the strong alcohol flowing down his throat felt good.
However, Patrick pushed back the intoxication and analyzed the situation coldly.
In the end, the most important thing is securing the sphere of influence.
To settle within the Great Forest, simply building high walls wasn't enough.
No matter how high or sturdy the walls were, they wouldn't be much help if a national-disaster-level monster horde attacked.
The Anacondict and Manticore they had encountered on the way here were exactly those kinds of monsters.
Once the walls were up and the city’s development accelerated, he would have to clear out the big shots in the vicinity one by one.
He would carve it into the instincts of the beasts in this area.
That this land was no longer their domain.
* * *
Building a city wasn't just about raising a wall.
Houses had to be built inside, warehouses for stockpiling goods had to be constructed, and above all, people were needed to live in the city.
The very next day, Patrick used the magicians’ communication magic to send word back to the territory.
“April. Can you hear me?”
—Yes, Young Master.
“We’ve reached the destination. The foundation is mostly set. Send the workers and supplies now.”
—Understood. We will depart immediately.
* * *
Schneider Territory.
Upon receiving Patrick’s message, April took off her maid uniform, donned armor, and picked up a sword.
She went to Matthew and said, “Lord Matthew. The Young Master’s orders have arrived.”
“I see. Then let’s depart at once.”
“Yes, sir.”
Matthew prepared to lead the second expeditionary force, consisting of supplies arranged through the Elvador Merchant Group, as well as the workers and experts needed for city construction.
Ava, who had been watching the process from the side, spoke with a worried expression.
“Will it really be alright? I can’t help but worry.”
Hearing that April, whom she had raised like a daughter, was heading into the Great Forest made Ava anxious.
But April spoke calmly.
“It will be fine. The escort force, including myself, is only moving to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, so you don't need to worry.”
“I know that, but…”
Ava was still concerned.
She had worried when her son left to pioneer the Great Forest, but she had also felt a sense of security.
She believed her son was the strongest swordsman in the world, and he was surrounded by hundreds of knights and Orc warriors.
Furthermore, magicians and Elves were lending their strength.
With that much power, she could feel at ease.
However, over ninety percent of the second expeditionary force departing now were commoners.
There was no telling what might happen if ordinary people with no combat ability entered the Great Forest.
Even if Patrick himself led them, eighty percent would likely die on the way to the destination.
That is, if…
“Lord Matthew. Everyone has boarded.”
“Good. We’re departing. Maintain sufficient distance from the front and move forward.”
…if they were traveling by land.
The second expeditionary force led by Matthew was divided among fifty small boats and began heading north upstream along the Moana River.
The first expeditionary force had already confirmed during their journey that the river’s width and depth were sufficient for small boats to navigate.
Thus, they were transporting supplies and personnel via the boats.
To prepare for any emergencies, April was on board, along with ten magicians and two squads of Elf warriors led by two Elven Knights.
The Elves’ wide-range scouting using spirits would greatly reduce the risks to the expedition.
In particular, there was one person among the Elves who wanted to reach the pioneering city as quickly as possible.
“Mother, please don't worry.”
“Elione.”
“I will go and help him. So please, don't worry, Mother.”
Elione, who would lead the Elf warriors in the second expedition, spoke warmly to Ava.
It was unclear what had transpired, but Elione’s attitude toward Ava was nothing short of respectful.
Ava spoke with a bright smile.
“Miss Elione.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Do you remember what I told you?”
Elione replied, “Yes. You said if I push too hard, he might run away.”
“That’s right. So you must be careful even in your daily behavior.”
“Even in daily behavior?”
She looked shocked.
Ava sighed inwardly.
I can’t tell if my son has good luck with women or bad luck.
She sighed and said, “Remember your greatest strength. Understood?”
“Yes, Mother.”
A short while later.
With the send-off of the territory’s people, the ships carrying the second expeditionary force departed for the pioneering city.
It was the beginning of the pioneering activities in earnest.
* * *
Patrick’s idea to pioneer the Great Forest using the waterway was brilliant.
Perhaps this was a way of thinking unique to someone from the Central Plains.
As someone from the Central Plains, where the great currents of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River were actively used for agriculture and commerce, it was natural for him to view a river as a road.
Although the first expeditionary force had thoroughly scoured the riverbanks to eliminate threats beforehand, the second expedition moved much more smoothly than expected.
They arrived safely at the pioneering city without a single monster attack.
This was a feat beyond imagination.
It was proof that as long as they maintained it, they could transport goods using the waterway.
As soon as the boats arrived…
“Lord Patrick!”
“Oh, she came too.”
Even though a peerless beauty was running toward him, Patrick’s first instinct was a sense of wariness.
Just as Elione was about to reach Patrick…
“Wait a moment.”
April stepped in and whispered something in her ear. Then…
“Ugh…”
Elione’s face looked as if she were suppressing something intensely, and then her expression changed.
Wiping the smile from her face and regaining her composure, she walked up to Patrick and said, “I have arrived with the second expeditionary force as requested.”
She suddenly gave a businesslike report.
“Uh… yeah. Good work.”
Patrick was taken aback by this sudden change.
What? Why is she like this?
There was almost no smile or expression of emotion on her face.
The swirling vortexes in her eyes had vanished.
What stood before him was… well, a cool and beautiful Elf.
She even looked competent and intelligent.
What the? She’s much prettier like this.
Come to think of it, this was the impression she had given at first.
Not the scatterbrained woman clinging to him and calling him "Lord Patrick," but a cool, beautiful, and somewhat mysterious Elf.
That was Elione’s original self.
Elione spoke in a blunt, cold voice.
“Then I shall meet with my kin and hear their reports.”
“Oh. Right. Good work.”
Elione bowed slightly and walked away from Patrick.
And she thought to herself:
Endure for now. Someday… someday… someday… someday… someday… someday… someday… someday… someday… someday…
What is more terrifying than madness revealed is madness concealed.