Chapter 283: Start of Construction!
Panamera was rejoicing without restraint, but among the city’s administrators like Thomas, many cast skeptical eyes toward me. Even Bell and Rosalie, being merchants, noticed those gazes.
“Well, you can’t really believe it until you see it, right?”
When Bell muttered that, Rosalie giggled elegantly. This was her formal public persona.
“Yes, that is true. Rather, they might not believe it even if they see it.”
As the two laughed over such a conversation, the older administrators all looked dubious. Only Zetros maintained his poker face, so I secretly resolved to surprise him somehow.
Panamera smiled, sensing that the discussion had concluded, and looked around at everyone’s faces.
“So, the policy is decided, correct? First, instruct us on the necessary materials. The Chivalric Order of Fortress City Cayenne will be in charge of gathering materials.”
“Umm, I need a large amount of timber. Since most buildings in this city are made of stone, I don’t think I need much stone. Other than that, if possible, I’d like some metals like iron, copper, silver, gold, and mithril.”
When I answered, Panamera nodded.
“Alright, understood. I will have them prepared. What else do you need?”
“Mages. Specifically, the more Earth mages, the better.”
“Hmm, Earth, is it…? Bellbeer. How many capable Earth mages are there in this city?”
Hearing the question, Panamera groaned while pinching her chin with her fingers, then looked at Bellbeer.
“Only one. Although he is an intermediate mage.”
“Call him.”
“Yes!”
Every time I answered a question, Panamera moved immediately, issuing instructions to her subordinates. The conversation was proceeding so briskly that I suddenly became anxious.
Huh? Could it be that she intends to start construction today? I just arrived in the city a little while ago…
While I was watching the situation unfold with such thoughts, Panamera noticed my expression and smiled gently.
“Ah, you must be tired from the long journey. My apologies.”
“Ah, no, no, I’m just waiting for a delicious meal.”
“Hahaha! We have prepared for that. I shall have it made immediately.”
“Yay!”
I can eat delicious food from the former Kingdom of Yelenetta. As I was honestly rejoicing at that fact, Panamera spoke with an apologetic look.
“…However, unfortunately, there are no facilities large enough for everyone to stay. If Viscount Van were to remodel the barracks or this castle, everyone would be able to leisurely heal their fatigue from the long journey, but it is a pity.”
Panamera said this with a look of regret I had never seen before. It was incredibly theatrical.
“I understand. Then, let’s remodel the barracks a little bit first. I’ll do the castle too if it seems feasible.”
“Ooh, that helps!”
“Please give me rare ores or seasonings. Ah, Black Orbs would be fine too.”
When I said that, Panamera nodded happily.
Panamera walked ahead, leading everyone in a good mood. Following right behind were the Van party. Zetros and his group walked in line at the very rear. Ortho and the other adventurers, as well as the Seatoh Chivalric Order, were waiting in the main street. Ortho and his group, who traveled to various places, were unfazed, but everyone in the Seatoh Chivalric Order looked at the cityscape with curiosity. Since most of them were originally just villagers or slaves, they must have never seen a city of another country. By the way, since it was my first time too, I was suppressing my desire to stroll around and enjoy the cityscape.
“This is the barracks.”
“Ah, it looks very barrack-like.”
Panamera stopped at a location exactly halfway between Cayenne Castle and the castle gate, pointing to a large building. It was a perfectly square building with absolutely no decorations. It was two stories tall, and it seemed one could go up to the rooftop as well.
“It is built long towards the back. One hundred people sleep and stay in this barracks. There is a training ground in the back, but it is not very wide.”
When Panamera explained this, Bellbeer from the Chivalric Order provided supplementary explanation from behind.
“There are stairs at the front and back, and a warehouse to store arms and armor near the entrance. It is small, but there is also a cafeteria, and toilets are divided into two locations.”
“No baths or anything?”
“There is nothing like a bath or bathroom. There is a well at the edge of the training ground, so we draw water from there to wash our bodies.”
“Boy, normally only nobles use baths.”
“Ah, that is true.”
I listened to the brief explanation about the barracks and training ground and nodded.
“Then, could you ask the members of the Chivalric Order inside to step out for a moment?”
When I said that, Bellbeer was momentarily bewildered but immediately moved to action.
“Lord Van, shall I prepare timber?”
As I watched the knights hurriedly coming out of the barracks, Khamsin asked me that. It seemed he was worried about materials.
“Ah, right. I want to make furniture and such too, so it’s not a huge rush, but I’d be happy if you could prepare a reasonable amount of timber.”
I answered lightly, but Khamsin nodded with a serious face and went to call the members of the Seatoh Chivalric Order.
“You don’t have to rush that much, okay? It’s fine if there’s a little bit when the dormitory is finished.”
I called out so as not to rush them, but Khamsin turned back with a startled face and eventually started running.
When Khamsin called out to the knights nearby, each of them looked shocked and hurriedly started running toward the outside.
“H-Hurry!”
“If possible, before the building is built!”
“Will we make it!?”
The members of the Seatoh Chivalric Order headed to procure timber with tremendous momentum. Seeing them running while shouting words that didn’t make much sense, I wondered what the residents of the fortress city thought. They might think the Chivalric Order of Seatoh Village is strange.
While I was worrying about that, Bellbeer came out of the barracks.
“Lord Panamera. Evacuation from the barracks and training ground is complete.”
“Mm.”
Receiving the report, Panamera turned her face toward me. Panamera was looking at me with incredibly expectant eyes. It seemed she wouldn’t be satisfied with simply making it bigger.
It can’t be helped. I’ll put a little thought into it for her.
“…Since other buildings might eventually become three stories tall, I guess I’ll make the barracks basically three stories tall, and make a fourth-floor section on the four corners like watchtowers? No, with this width, that would be inefficient… Alright, I’ll make a fourth-floor section only on the side facing the main street, and make the rest a rooftop space.”
Looking up at the building, I muttered to myself, working out the overall image. Once it was decided to some extent, the only thing left was to move into action.
“Well then, I’m starting.”
“Mm, I’m counting on you.”
After hearing Panamera’s reply, I tried entering the building. Without being told, Dee followed right behind. Likely as a guard. Very reassuring.
I walked around lightly thinking it would be good to understand the structure even if just the first floor, but thanks to each room being partitioned widely, I could grasp the whole thing immediately. I also peeked at the training ground, and it was indeed narrow. It was close to a square shape, but probably not even ten meters on a side. The ground had exposed soil, so it didn’t seem like one would get injured by falling.
“That’s the well. As expected, I can’t move the well.”
Finishing the check of the training ground, I quickly committed to memory what could be used and what couldn’t be moved.
“It would have been easier if Esparda were here.”
Muttering that so no one could hear and smiling wryly, I first placed my hand on the ground.
Well, I’ll think about it as I build. In my case, even if I make a design error, I can change it later.
