Chapter 40

The construction of the Golden Dawn fortress city was proceeding at a rapid pace.

The final planned area was so vast that it could accommodate three entire capital cities, so the construction started with the inner wall surrounding the designated fortress site.

The priority was the construction of the second inner wall, which was in the middle of the triple-layered wall.

Considering the current population, even the second wall was wider than an average city, so the first step was to establish living spaces there.

Not only permanent residents, but also traveling craftsmen and migrant workers were gathering in response to the rumors, and the construction was accelerating.

I was inspecting the town, walking with Reifan for the first time in a while.

"Reifan, how many phases is the construction divided into?"

"Yeah. In the initial phase, the foundation is prioritized, and then a wall with the minimum height is built around it. Even so, the defensive capabilities are far superior to the simple fence of the old pioneer village."

"Hmm."

I had received the explanation, but the thin wall on the extremely large and sturdy foundation made me a bit uneasy.

"It's only because the final wall will be of unprecedented height and thickness. Even the current wall under construction is strong enough."

"Yeah, it looks a bit weak in proportion to the foundation."

"I understand how you feel. But the alchemically hardened rock is incredibly strong and excellent."

"If that's the case, it's fine."

"The wall made of stacked stones can hardly change in thickness or height, but the alchemically hardened rock can."

Of course, there are technical difficulties, but Reifan and the craftsmen have established methods to reinforce the walls after construction, so there should be no problem.

"There are other things being built too!"

"Huh? What kind of things?"

"Look, look!"

Reifan pointed to a giant water wheel.

A water wheel that uses the flow of a river to draw water is not uncommon.

"What's wrong with the water wheel?"

"Of course, the base supporting the water wheel is made of alchemically hardened rock, but the aqueduct that transports the water to the town is also made of alchemically hardened rock!"

"Wait, so that huge and tall stone bridge... is an aqueduct!?"

"Ah, you didn't realize?"

"No, I thought it was a bridge built high to cross the town."

The aqueduct was built at the same height as the planned walls, and I had thought it was a bridge for soldiers to move during emergencies.

"I thought the town wouldn't have any water problems with the wells installed throughout."

"Yeah, but once the aqueduct is completed, we'll have a complete water supply system, and the wells will be closed for emergencies."

"I see. I didn't read that in the report."

"Craft has been busy lately, so it's understandable."

"I'm sorry."

I had been busy with research, teaching, and alchemy.

But finally, the teaching was going well, and I had some free time.

"Once the water supply system is completed, water will be piped into almost all buildings."

"Water pipes? The ones with taps that can turn the water on and off?"

"Exactly. It's already installed in part of the capital, and one of the craftsmen who moved here taught us. After discussing with Lord Kyle, we offered a permanent home as a reward, and he was very happy."

"Of course he would be."

If Lord Kyle prepared it, it must be prime real estate.

Now, among those who want to move, many are working hard to get a good location, taking on difficult and demanding jobs.

"The fountain in the central square is also powered by the water pressure from the aqueduct."

"Really!? I thought it was using some kind of magical device!"

"Yeah, it's amazing, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it's amazing!"

"Hehe."

I couldn't help but be impressed.

So, the aqueduct was built so high to ensure water pressure.

This will make life much more convenient.

"The sewer system is also amazing. The construction is almost complete, and it runs like a network underground, so all the wastewater from the buildings will flow through it."

"I know. I'm involved in the wastewater purification process."

The wastewater and purification facilities will soon be operational, and I have already produced a large amount of the purification chemicals for the giant purification tank.

I have already made a ten-year stock and am exhausted.

Of course, I have submitted the recipe to Kyle and the production guild so that other alchemists can produce it. I have developed a simplified recipe that any alchemist with a crest can make, so it will be fine even if I'm not around.

(The evacuation routes from the fortress are also considered, so it's quite complex.)

(Who knows the full layout?)

(Only me. The construction is distributed, and I will give the complete sewer map to Lord Kyle without making copies.)

(You're impressive, Reifan.)

It must be as complex as an underground labyrinth.

We walked around and headed to the residential area, talking about the details.

"Wow, a ten-story building. Will it not collapse?"

"Absolutely not. It can withstand a major earthquake."

"An earthquake? The ground shakes, right?"

"Exactly."

"Doesn't that only happen near volcanoes?"

"Sometimes, it happens even in places with no volcanoes."

"Wow. I don't want to think about the ground shaking."

"Me neither."

I could only be impressed by the buildings, which were taller than the walls of a typical fortress.

The buildings themselves seemed to enhance the town's defenses.

"The inside is completely a home. We have one-room and three-room types, so it can accommodate both single people and families."

"Right. I remember that permanent residents can choose between a setup fee or a room allocation."

"Yeah. Most people are choosing the rooms, so we're rapidly increasing the number of units, but since a single building can house a lot of people, we're not in a hurry."

"I see."

The town planning, considering the future, is progressing smoothly thanks to the alchemically hardened rock.

Many of the craftsmen also live in these buildings, meaning they plan to stay permanently. This is very helpful.

"That's the commercial district over there."

"Wow, this is impressive too."

The central avenue, extending from the fountain in the central square, is made of colorful cobblestones, considering the scenery. The shops lining the avenue are also aesthetically pleasing.

Although there are still few shops, the day when it surpasses the main street of Gundar is not far off.

One shop, in particular, was bustling.

"What!? The effect of the Stamina Potion has changed!?"

"Yes. The ones we sell now have significantly different effects."

"Whoa!"

"But, it's still made by Craft, so the quality hasn't deteriorated."

"The effects are similar to what's generally available."

"Yes, but the duration is longer, lasting a whole day."

"I see. Considering that, it's quite a good deal..."

"Would you like to buy it?"

"Hmm. I wanted the perfect Stamina Potion made by Craft, but... okay, I'll buy it."

"Thank you. By the way, the number of potions you can buy has increased compared to before."

"Is that so? Then I'll buy as many as I can for this price."

"Thank you."

I called out to the shopkeeper when the customers had calmed down a bit.

"Hey, Seira."

"Hello, Craft."

"Business seems to be thriving."

"Yes, thanks to you."

The widow Seira runs this shop on her own. Technically, her two children help, but they also attend the newly established school, so they can't help as much as before.

However, due to the increase in large contracts, fewer merchants come to the shop directly.

Still, traveling merchants who hear the rumors come to buy in bulk.

"Did you buy the shop?"

"Yes. Thanks to Lord Kyle, I received it interest-free and in installments."

"Still, it must have been quite expensive."

Even for the initial settlers, it must have been a significant amount, being a prime location.

"Yes, but with many large contracts, it's manageable. This is all thanks to the production guild that supplies Craft's potions."

"I'm glad to be of help. If you have any problems, don't hesitate to let me know."

"Thank you."

I bid farewell to Seira, who bowed deeply, and headed to the Adventurer's Guild.

"Hey, Craft."

"Hey, Raidock. It's unusual to see you here at this time."

"I'm taking a break today and doing some town work."

"Congratulations on your promotion to B-rank, even if it's late."

"Thanks. But it's all thanks to you, Craft."

"Don't be silly. You were the key to the dragon's defeat and can now take down a Cyclops alone. It's a fair evaluation."

"Still, it's thanks to your potions and Reifan's hard mithril."

"Right, how's that sword?"

Raidock received a special sword as a reward for the dragon's defeat, made from a mix of hard mithril and the dragon's fangs.

"Did you see it? It can instantly kill an adventurer killer."

"I'm glad you like it."

"If a swordsman doesn't like this sword, they should change their crest."

"True."

We laughed together.

Soral, who was behind Raidock, looked bored, so I decided to leave. He was probably prioritizing a date over a break. I have no interest in getting kicked by a horse for interfering with love.

"See you later."

"Sure."

Golden Dawn was steadily developing from a village into a town.

Yeah.

I need to work harder too.

"Wait, are you going to cause more trouble?"

"Excuse me."

Don't say that working hard will cause problems!

---

Note: I made the change from "alchemically hardened wall" to "alchemically hardened rock" as requested.

I'm a bit late with updates due to the comic adaptation work for the related work of "God Shop."

I'm sorry.