Chapter 216: Ruji's Dream Comes True (6)
Chapter 216: Ruji's Dream Comes True (6)
At the same time negotiations were in full swing at the Fermaton Count’s estate.
"Will this suffice?"
"We built it according to the blueprints, so there shouldn't be any major issues. The Count did say we were sticking to the original design for this one."
The architect mages, called to the site late at night, sat huddled together in a tent set up on one side of the grounds.
"Ugh, I’ve squeezed out every last drop. Asking for more than this is impossible. My brain is literally melting."
"There’s a limit to how much money and mana potions can cover. What good is money if you’re actually going to die?"
The architect mages were exhausted to their cores.
The promised deadline had already passed, and the work had been finished cleanly. Their job was to create structures using magic. Fortunately, the request this time was for a design that Ruji Fermaton had entrusted to the site 'foreman,' and the foreman had applied the existing construction methods without any particular revisions, allowing them to finish quickly.
How was the construction carried out?
Unlike general civil engineering methods, the architectural magic currently being utilized in Fermaton involved 'stacking materials from the ground up.'
Why was it operated in such a specific way? Couldn't they just use golems to replace human labor as they did in the past?
"Anyway, if this wasn't at least interesting, I would have quit a long time ago."
"It’s a method devised by the Count himself, so who are we to complain? Even the Magic Tower Master is actively researching it."
Despite their grumbling, they had developed a deep interest in Fermaton’s new construction method.
The Fermaton-style method.
According to Ruji Fermaton’s naming, it was a technique called '3D Printer,' and the mages had to meticulously stack materials prepared by magic from the ground up, layer by layer.
Just like a 'machine.'
Since it was human work, any mistake or lapse in concentration meant they had to recast the magic, fix the section, and then continue stacking the materials.
"The Magic Tower Master said that while we’re using human brains for it now, if we can automate this with magic, it’ll be a revolution in architectural magic."
"Doesn't that mean we'll lose our jobs?"
"If there’s anyone else who can afford this kind of cost, then sure, we’d be unemployed. But we’re only doing this for extra pocket money anyway. And for magic training."
For those who primarily handled earth magic, what better way was there to hone their skills than architectural magic?
"The pay is great, it counts as magic training, and the Magic Tower Master said if this project goes well, we can even write a thesis on it. It’s a win-win. Hehe."
"As long as we can keep our health intact, that is."
"……."
The architect mages grew somber for a moment, but they soon pulled themselves together.
"The high pay is nice, but you can only spend that money while you're alive. What’s the point if you’re dead? Right, Hassan?"
"Hassan earns much money. Feed hometown, family."
The man, who looked like he had come from the far southern reaches of the kingdom, spoke in awkward grammar as he stirred his magic power.
"Hassan can work more. Count said he gives bonus based on performance."
"Then do you want to go work some more?"
"Team Leader…?"
The woman referred to as the site foreman pointed directly outside.
"A-Aren't you tired…?"
"This is much better than pulling all-nighters at the Magic Tower writing papers. Only those who can work more, come out. There’s another facility planned besides the castle. Let’s finish that one too and call it a day."
"Another one? What are we building now?"
"A casino."
The foreman pointed to another vacant lot next to the castle built with architectural magic.
"The Count said he’s going to build a casino where you can win and bed bunny girl succubus dealers if you beat them at poker."
"…That’s impossible! It sounds great, but we’re only human! Human!"
"Controlling the golems is too much, too. We really need rest…."
"Really? Then get some deep sleep starting now. You’ll feel a bit better after three hours."
"…Three hours?"
The architect mages’ expressions turned grim.
"You call that rest?"
"Of course it’s rest. Hey, back in my day, sleeping two hours a day was a luxury. You guys have gone soft."
"……."
"You should consider yourselves lucky to have met the Count. Where else would you find someone who pays this much and lets you work? In this day and age? Sigh, if it were me, I’d cut back on sleep just to work more."
"……."
The architect mages had nothing to say.
That was because the mage before them, the foreman, was personally handling several times more work than all of them combined.
"Don't you guys feel excited? A new kind of magic that can create all sorts of buildings using this method proposed by Count Ruji Fermaton."
"……."
"I’m so excited I can’t even sleep."
The architect mages couldn't easily understand the words of the woman wearing the orange 'Site Foreman' armband.
"Count your blessings. The 'Labyrinth Team' is currently building and tearing down a single building for the 125th time."
They understood soon enough.
The architect mages working on the surface were working in a blessed environment compared to those on the 21st floor of the underground Infinite Labyrinth, who were repeating the cycle of building and destroying 'until they were proficient.'
"It’s all for your own good. Do you really think the Count and the Magic Tower Master would make you do this just to see you die?"
"Um, Foreman…."
"What?"
"There’s a succubus behind you…."
"What?"
The foreman turned around with a startled look and was surprised to see a succubus with sparkling eyes standing right behind her.
"Goodness. You startled me, Ms. Astarotte."
"Oh my. Isn't that a bit too distant for us, sister?"
"…This is a workplace, so shouldn't we avoid personal relationships? But the succubi behind you…?"
The foreman, called 'sister' by Astarotte—a succubus mage from the Lord's Castle—scanned the group behind her with a sour expression.
"Ah. These are virgin succubi who transferred from the Dream Factory because they want to appear in pornography."
"Want to appear in pornography…?"
"Rather than absorbing essence through dreams, directly extorting semen is much more delicious for succubi, after all."
"Delic…."
At Astarotte’s suggestive smile, the foreman’s eyes shook violently.
"Then the succubi there are…."
"The Count is a man who keeps his promises. He promised sex with virgin succubi, so naturally, I brought them here to fulfill that promise… Hmm."
The architect mages were looking haggard, as if they were on the verge of death.
"If they have sex now, they might die of exhaustion right on top of a succubus."
"W-Well, that’s."
"I have a good idea."
Astarotte pointed to the makeshift sofas placed behind the architect mages.
"They can have sex in their dreams while they sleep, and then have sex again after they wake up and recover their stamina."
"……!!"
The architect mages’ faces lit up with a look of enlightened shock.
"Um, Ms. Astarotte. Won't that cause a bit of a delay…?"
"It’s fine. I’ll report to the Lord. He won't complain about this, of all things."
Astarotte was certain.
"He’s the kind of person who would understand and even send over some Penisilin if they were late because they were busy having sex with virgin succubi after waking up from exhaustion."
"……."
"Sister Evelyn. You know the Count, don't you?"
"I suppose so, but."
The foreman, 'Evelyn,' smacked her lips with a complicated expression.
"It’s a bit of a shame. If the Count put even a fraction of the passion he has for sex into magic or other research, surely…."
"Isn't it the opposite? He’s only this passionate because it is sex. If it weren't for sex, he might not go this far."
The architect mages nodded vigorously at Astarotte’s words.
"Fufu. Please get some rest. I’ll be the one to contact you."
While Astarotte stepped away with her magic tool.
"Then is it our turn now?"
"Fufu. You believe you’ll be having sex like dogs once you wake up, right?"
"A succubus’s virgin sex… you wouldn't want your first experience to be as a premature ejaculator, would you?"
Guided by the succubi to the makeshift beds, the architect mages felt a renewed sense of conviction.
"Fermaton really is the best…!"
* * *
[I’m sorry, My Lord. Due to the situation, there will be a slight delay.]
"Ah, is that so? Better than hauling away corpses. Tell them to take a day off. I have enough to persuade them even without the building."
Following Astarotte’s report from the construction site, I ordered the architect mages to rest.
"Actually, this works out. I was a bit uneasy about showing off a mass of buildings without any interior decor anyway. I’ll leave that side to you. I’ll wrap things up here."
After ending the communication with Astarotte.
I returned to the drawing room and resumed negotiations with Joker, who had not yet left his seat.
"Now then, Joker. Shall we talk again? Is the amount to your liking?"
"…There is no disagreement among the team members."
That was a relief.
As expected, most problems can be solved with an amount of money so large it’s impossible to refuse.
'I’ve already finished the investigation.'
Through Yurdias and Charlotte, I had already grasped the entire salary structure of the casino staff. All that was left was to hand over an amount that guaranteed at least three times their current pay.
"Then will you sign the contract?"
"I must ask for one promise."
"A promise? Ah, you want protection from the existing shareholders?"
"No. I will not be signing. A portion of my team has decided to 'resign.'"
"…Hm?"
"One should not put all their eggs in one basket. It is still a difficult situation to take such a risk in many ways. What the Count desires is someone with experience in operating a casino."
Joker pointed to the name on the signature line of the contract.
"How about my disciple instead? I guarantee their skill."
"And who might this disciple of yours be?"
"For starters."
For the first time, the corners of Joker’s mouth twisted into a smirk.
"They are a beauty who can rival the women around you, My Lord."
"……."
This man.
"That is an offer too tempting to refuse. Do you know what it means to become one of my people?"
"My disciple is an adult. They are someone who can take responsibility for their own life."
That answer was sufficient.
"I’ll double the pay."