Time passed quickly and a week had already passed since I entered Dandelion.
It's been four days since the advance party and the reserve party joined together.
After successfully adapting to the local environment, the expedition team systematically carried out activities such as exploration, suppression, and civil engineering.
Civil engineering was particularly successful. The craftsmen of the Luciard Architectural poured the essence of magic and alchemy into the rebuilding of Dandelion
“Isn’t there a lot of stone outside the gate? We can get it from there.”
“Yes? If it’s outside the gate..."
Anais absentmindedly glanced eastward toward the gateway. A massive gate, wide open with a key cube embedded in it, as the gate could not be opened at will from within.
In between, huge stone walls forming a maze were visible.
"Aha!"
Anais realized it right away.
“I see. That will do.”
“Yes. How nice that it is even semi-processed and neat.”
“What about restoration? After the punitive war ends next year, we have to transport the magic stone. Then there will be a straight passage through the labyrinth.”
By then we had reached the lookout tower, which was made of wooden frames.
“The tower is quite tall.”
“The taller the conifers grow, the higher the lookout tower has to be. Would you like to climb it?”
“That sounds good.”
There didn't seem to be a lot of room, so I asked Michael to wait a moment, at which point he let out a small sigh of frustration.
“Really? I'll look into splitting the tattoo and mushin ranks. That way, Michael can be number one.”
“It would not be an exaggeration to say that the entire Dandelion is a construction site.”
“Considering that it is a fairly large-scale project, progress is very fast.”
Then she asked as if she had remembered Eve.
“Are you building the military supplies warehouse well?”
“Yes. I took it all underground, just as you said.”
“Yes. When it comes to military facilities, underground facilities are the best.”
“That’s right. Isn’t an underground facility that is strong against enemy attacks the military’s dream?”
We looked at each other and drew a curve at the corner of our mouths. It was a nice, breezy smile, but there was a hint of deceit in our eyes.
It was then that we began to converse in a deliberately sinister tone.
“You know? When you build a warehouse, don’t forget to also lay down water and sewage facilities.”
“Of course, I'll have the water supply connected to Gradrasil and the sewage drained into the Nepenthes Swamp. It's exciting to think about building a green facility that's not even on the ecliptic.”
The same thing happened with the construction of a supply route connecting Ambroxa's Seal and Dandelion.
“The supply line is like a lifeline. It makes no sense to make only one of those important things.”
“That is a fair point. I think it is safer to create many routes, even if they are somewhat roundabout."
“That’s right. Safety first.”
"Sure."
The schemes of the two rulers to cleverly develop Gradrasil were endless.
Then Anais made an important point in a serious tone.
“By the way, before clearing the road, the demons must be subdued first.”
“Looking at the flag, it’s Betty and the Blood Knights.”
“I guess they’ve finished their exploration and are now returning.”
My eyes sparkled.
“Then, as a younger sibling, I should go pick her up, right? Wouldn’t it be great if I could show my face to my sister who has worked hard all day?”
“...God help us.”
My intentions were clear, as my tone and face showed my disdain. But Anais sighed and didn't actually stop me. In fact, her eyes were smiling.
“Thank you for your care.”
Looking at the uniforms, which were stained with dirt and the blood of demons, it seemed like there had been a big fight.
'I can't find the sealing stones and rare resources I'm looking for, but there's an entire village full of monsters!'
Thinking back, Brigitte ground her teeth in anger.
Of course, I, who was watching this, could only swallow my laughter.
In the end, it was Brigitte's own greed that brought about her own downfall.
This was ultimately positive in the sense that Gradrasil was actively being slaughtered, but it was more Brigitte than Rosenite. Sometimes it helps to have a little bit of everything.
I covered my mouth with that thought and secretly felt satisfied.
It was when I smiled that Brigitte shot me a stinging look.
“Are you in love right now?”
“No way. I feel very sorry for you.”
I cast my gaze down pitifully with all my might.
“Take that hand away.”
Of course, the atmosphere became more sinister as the graceful curve of the corners of the mouth became apparent.
I cleared her throat and quickly started to clean up.
“Do you think you’ll need it?”
Brigitte said, trying to suppress her anger that was threatening to flare up again.
The only knight who had not found the sealing stone so far was the Blood Wall. They were in no position to lose their temper.
My ears were filled with the declaration that more villages would be subjugated.
So I readily made the suggestion.
“If you need any assistance, please let me know.”
Brigitte let out an angry voice as if my kindness had scratched her pride. She had a dirty temper anyway.
It's been four days since the advance party and the reserve party joined together.
After successfully adapting to the local environment, the expedition team systematically carried out activities such as exploration, suppression, and civil engineering.
Civil engineering was particularly successful. The craftsmen of the Luciard Architectural poured the essence of magic and alchemy into the rebuilding of Dandelion
The existing shabby huts were all torn down, except near the gate, and a new frame was built.
It will be built with a sturdy and neat finish in the latest architectural style popular in the empire.
As planned, when completed, Dandelion will boast a scenery no less than any other bustling city.
Not only that, they cut down the surrounding forests to expand the village's lands and then began building walls and perimeter towers.
The shabby village with only a fence would soon become a worthy outpost.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product.”
Today, the Knight of Punishment is to stay at the outpost and not go out on an exploration mission. I, who naturally stayed behind, went to work with Anais.
I was looking around the town which was progressing steadily.
The reconstruction project was generally smooth. However, the chronic problem of lack of resources could not be solved. Anais sighed and poured out her worries.
“The problem is the supply of stone. I don’t know about anything else, but the walls and perimeter towers have to be built with stone.”
“Ah, stone.”
The quarry that I found was inaccessible due to gravity, so I couldn't use it yet. Until Ambroxa was defeated and the Sealstone was removed, there was no way to get enough stone. But I came up with an easy solution.
It will be built with a sturdy and neat finish in the latest architectural style popular in the empire.
As planned, when completed, Dandelion will boast a scenery no less than any other bustling city.
Not only that, they cut down the surrounding forests to expand the village's lands and then began building walls and perimeter towers.
The shabby village with only a fence would soon become a worthy outpost.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product.”
Today, the Knight of Punishment is to stay at the outpost and not go out on an exploration mission. I, who naturally stayed behind, went to work with Anais.
I was looking around the town which was progressing steadily.
The reconstruction project was generally smooth. However, the chronic problem of lack of resources could not be solved. Anais sighed and poured out her worries.
“The problem is the supply of stone. I don’t know about anything else, but the walls and perimeter towers have to be built with stone.”
“Ah, stone.”
The quarry that I found was inaccessible due to gravity, so I couldn't use it yet. Until Ambroxa was defeated and the Sealstone was removed, there was no way to get enough stone. But I came up with an easy solution.
“Isn’t there a lot of stone outside the gate? We can get it from there.”
“Yes? If it’s outside the gate..."
Anais absentmindedly glanced eastward toward the gateway. A massive gate, wide open with a key cube embedded in it, as the gate could not be opened at will from within.
In between, huge stone walls forming a maze were visible.
"Aha!"
Anais realized it right away.
“I see. That will do.”
“Yes. How nice that it is even semi-processed and neat.”
“I'll just tear the walls of Labyrinth out of the way for now, and repair the quarry when I can use it.”
“So you're saying it's going to be demolished anyway.”
"So just tear it apart and use it. I’ll take full responsibility for it.”
“As expected of my lord, I will trust you and handle it.”
Military supplies are always prioritized over all other uses.
In Dandelion, neither external procurement nor conscription is possible.
It would be more than acceptable to tear down and recycle old mazes.
'We need to get rid of mazes that are used to imprison people.'
Of course, it would have some historical value, so I thought I'd save some of it. Aside from my emotional reaction to the monstrosity, I made a thoroughly practical calculation.
“As expected of my lord, I will trust you and handle it.”
Military supplies are always prioritized over all other uses.
In Dandelion, neither external procurement nor conscription is possible.
It would be more than acceptable to tear down and recycle old mazes.
'We need to get rid of mazes that are used to imprison people.'
Of course, it would have some historical value, so I thought I'd save some of it. Aside from my emotional reaction to the monstrosity, I made a thoroughly practical calculation.
By then we had reached the lookout tower, which was made of wooden frames.
“The tower is quite tall.”
“The taller the conifers grow, the higher the lookout tower has to be. Would you like to climb it?”
“That sounds good.”
There didn't seem to be a lot of room, so I asked Michael to wait a moment, at which point he let out a small sigh of frustration.
“I feel like I'm losing ground on my servant rank every time I go out on dispatch, Your Highness.”
“Ouch, don't look at me like that. My bad. Let's go up there together later, just the two of us.”
I whispered to Michael, grabbed Anais' hand, and used my flying magic to leap to the top of the Boundary Tower in a single bound.
The guard tower doubled as an observation deck. To the west was a spectacular coniferous forest, like a sea of purple, and to the east a panoramic view of Dandelion, with construction here and there.
“Considering that it is a fairly large-scale project, progress is very fast.”
My accumulated virtue was the reason for my success. The townspeople cooperated and provided Anais with labor.
“Are you building the military supplies warehouse well?”
“Yes. I took it all underground, just as you said.”
“Yes. When it comes to military facilities, underground facilities are the best.”
“That’s right. Isn’t an underground facility that is strong against enemy attacks the military’s dream?”
We looked at each other and drew a curve at the corner of our mouths. It was a nice, breezy smile, but there was a hint of deceit in our eyes.
It was then that we began to converse in a deliberately sinister tone.
“You know? When you build a warehouse, don’t forget to also lay down water and sewage facilities.”
“Of course, I'll have the water supply connected to Gradrasil and the sewage drained into the Nepenthes Swamp. It's exciting to think about building a green facility that's not even on the ecliptic.”
Digging a hole in the ground is a pretty big undertaking. In this situation, the construction of an underground warehouse was a good enough reason to start the project.
In this way, we stayed true to the imperative but also filled Dandelion with infrastructure that would be useful in real life.
“The supply line is like a lifeline. It makes no sense to make only one of those important things.”
“That is a fair point. I think it is safer to create many routes, even if they are somewhat roundabout."
“That’s right. Safety first.”
"Sure."
The schemes of the two rulers to cleverly develop Gradrasil were endless.
Then Anais made an important point in a serious tone.
“By the way, before clearing the road, the demons must be subdued first.”
“If that's it, don't worry about it. My sister Betty and brother Derek are still working on it.”
I smiled wryly. It was one of the most unusual expressions I'd ever worn at the mention of Brigitte's name.
Just in time, we were able to spot a group of men coming out of the forest from the watchtower. Their blue banners made them recognizable from a distance.
“I guess they’ve finished their exploration and are now returning.”
My eyes sparkled.
“Then, as a younger sibling, I should go pick her up, right? Wouldn’t it be great if I could show my face to my sister who has worked hard all day?”
“...God help us.”
My intentions were clear, as my tone and face showed my disdain. But Anais sighed and didn't actually stop me. In fact, her eyes were smiling.
“Anais, you are watching from afar. I don't want Sister Betty to poison you and do anything to harm you.”
I descended from the guard tower and headed toward the entrance with Michael, soon coming within sight of Brigitte and the Wallblood Knights.
I greeted Brigitte, who was in the lead, politely.
“Welcome, Sister.”
“...Why are you here?”
“I saw my sister returning from a long way, so I came to pick you up.”
“Useless thing.”
Brigitte took off her robe in annoyance and threw it at Elijah. It was obvious that she was in a sensitive state.
There was nothing good to touch, but today I was particularly active in sisterly exchanges.
“Did you have any success with your exploration today?”
“Today... I discovered a Behemoth monster village and spent time subduing it.”
“No, that’s not it!”
I covered my mouth in a pretended, pouty manner and expressed my regret.
“You subjugated an orc village yesterday, and a troll village yesterday. So, today is the Behemoth Village?”
"Ugh..."
“Ah, somehow, it seems like you’re better at finding demon villages than sealing stones.”
“That’s what I’m saying!”
Brigitte finally screamed as if she had exploded.
I was right. The area the Wall Blood was assigned to explore happened to be an area densely populated with demon tribes.
“Welcome, Sister.”
“...Why are you here?”
“I saw my sister returning from a long way, so I came to pick you up.”
“Useless thing.”
Brigitte took off her robe in annoyance and threw it at Elijah. It was obvious that she was in a sensitive state.
There was nothing good to touch, but today I was particularly active in sisterly exchanges.
“Did you have any success with your exploration today?”
“Today... I discovered a Behemoth monster village and spent time subduing it.”
“No, that’s not it!”
I covered my mouth in a pretended, pouty manner and expressed my regret.
“You subjugated an orc village yesterday, and a troll village yesterday. So, today is the Behemoth Village?”
"Ugh..."
“Ah, somehow, it seems like you’re better at finding demon villages than sealing stones.”
“That’s what I’m saying!”
Brigitte finally screamed as if she had exploded.
I was right. The area the Wall Blood was assigned to explore happened to be an area densely populated with demon tribes.
'I can't find the sealing stones and rare resources I'm looking for, but there's an entire village full of monsters!'
Thinking back, Brigitte ground her teeth in anger.
Of course, I, who was watching this, could only swallow my laughter.
'Of course. Just as I discovered the World Tree, you thought you might find something, so you claimed an area that looked rich in resources. Any place that's attractive to humans is also a good place for demons to live.'
This was ultimately positive in the sense that Gradrasil was actively being slaughtered, but it was more Brigitte than Rosenite. Sometimes it helps to have a little bit of everything.
'Alas, Betty, your valuable work will be instrumental to Gradrasil's progress. Keep up the good work.'
It was when I smiled that Brigitte shot me a stinging look.
“Are you in love right now?”
“No way. I feel very sorry for you.”
I cast my gaze down pitifully with all my might.
“Take that hand away.”
Of course, the atmosphere became more sinister as the graceful curve of the corners of the mouth became apparent.
I cleared her throat and quickly started to clean up.
“Don't get me wrong. I don't want you to just kill without exploration, but the Sealing Stone is in danger, and we need to act quickly.”
Brigitte said, trying to suppress her anger that was threatening to flare up again.
The only knight who had not found the sealing stone so far was the Blood Wall. They were in no position to lose their temper.
“I can't find the other two sealing stones, either because they were washed away in a landslide or because they weren't laid out in a pentagonal formation in the first place. I think we need to expand our search.”
So I readily made the suggestion.
“If you need any assistance, please let me know.”
Brigitte let out an angry voice as if my kindness had scratched her pride. She had a dirty temper anyway.
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