Chapter 81

"Alms, I have prepared a rough outline, please read it."

Ismear handed me the plan.

It was very rough and couldn't really be called a plan.

But considering he wrote it after only three days of observation, it was well done.

"The survey of the river's flow and the geological investigation of the capital construction site are pending the reports from Tethra and... Nicolaos. Therefore, I intend to make detailed adjustments based on the survey results."

"Hmm..."

The site Ismea designated for construction is a piece of land slightly to the east of the confluence of three rivers.

According to this plan, the land in this area is slightly inclined to the west, so when the river floods, the water will flow westward.

Therefore, building on the eastern side would be safe.

There seem to be seven gentle hills at that location, and it is said that if important facilities are built on the hills, the risk of flooding is minimal.

However, if a flood of the scale that occurs once every ten years were to happen, even if the hills are safe, the lowlands below the hills could be submerged.

It is expected that the houses of commoners will be built in the lowlands below the hills, so flood control is essential.

This is the report on the capital.

"Flood control, how will you handle it?"

"Flood control, I plan to make specific plans after hearing the reports... but for now, I intend to address it with two methods: flood diversion and levee construction. It's a troublesome location, but it's not as wild as a raging river."

"Flood diversion and levees, huh."

Flood diversion is good. It can also serve as an irrigation system, and reduce flood damage.

It's a two-for-one deal.

"Ah, right. Actually, there's something I want to show you."

When I clapped my hands, two slaves brought in the item in question.

It was a gray, gooey liquid and a gray stone.

"What is this?"

"It's called concrete. It's usually gooey, but it hardens over time to this level of hardness."

I handed the hardened concrete to Ismea, who looked at it with great interest.

"It's made by mixing volcanic ash and lime. There's plenty of material, so feel free to use it as you like."

"This... If such a convenient thing exists, you should have told me earlier!"

Ismea approached me with an excited face.

It took time to develop, so I couldn't tell you. It's not good to get your hopes up prematurely.

"So, how many people and how long do you plan to spend? I don't want to wait too long..."

"First, flood control... for the initial flood diversion and levee construction, one year. Then, over the next four years, we will strengthen the levees and flood diversion and implement irrigation. If we carry out the construction this thoroughly, unless a natural disaster occurs, there should be no risk of a breach."

Five years...

Is this a long time? A short time? I can't really tell.

"Regarding the construction of the capital... as I explained earlier, we will start from the top of the hills. It would be best to start after one year from the start of the flood control project. It will be more stable by then. One year for the construction of the city walls, and three years for the construction of the palace and other government facilities. With at least four years, we can move the capital functions."

Hmm... From what I've been hearing, this is a rather short estimate...

"How many people are needed? To carry out the plan?"

"Two thousand. Considering the country's strength, we can barely maintain four thousand laborers. However, if there are too few, it will take too long and cost more. For maximum efficiency, two thousand is optimal."

Two thousand...

Our standing army is one thousand. So, we will have to divert three thousand people from agriculture to military and construction.

About 1.2% of the population. It's manageable. Considering the maintenance for five years, it's a bit of a headache, but not unbearable.

"Also, Ismea, I actually want to lay roads... Is it possible?"

"Roads? Don't we already have them?"

Yes, simple roads exist.

In fact, wherever people walk, the ground gets compacted and naturally becomes a road.

They are about four meters wide, which is quite spacious. On sunny days, there's no inconvenience.

However, on rainy days, it's a different story.

Since they are made of soil, they become waterlogged and muddy when it rains.

Your feet get stuck. Carriages sink. Horses fall...

It's far from good infrastructure.

I want to promote commercial activities and increase tax revenue.

"I want you to lay roads that allow carriages to travel at full speed without any problems. First, routes from the current palace to the countries of King Dorgal, King Evil, and King Berberdil. These don't need to be as prioritized. Then, routes from the new capital to the countries of King Dorgal, King Evil, and King Berberdil. I want these to be solid."

The current palace will no longer be used in five years if the plan goes as scheduled.

While it's true that the palace is located in a densely populated and fertile area, so it won't be wasted... it would be more efficient to prioritize the new capital and focus on it.

"Specifically?"

"For the roads extending from the current palace, apply gravel paving. This should prevent the roads from becoming unusable due to mud. For the roads extending from the new capital, apply cobblestone paving. I've been to Lezado... I want to lay roads that are at least as good as, if not better than, those."

"I see... How about this design?"

Ismea drew the road design on paper.

The ground is dug deep, and the bottom layer is filled with gravel, the second layer with a mixture of clay and gravel, the third layer with stones about the size of a fist arranged in a gentle arch, and the top layer with large square stones cut to fit the surface.

The arch shape is to prevent water from accumulating when it rains.

"This is the most advanced road structure in Kirisia. The important areas of Claris and Alt are like this. If completed, it will certainly be a road better than Lezado."

"Can it be done with our country's technology?"

"Probably... It's not that difficult a task. The concern is the stones for the top layer... but I think it can be managed."

Wow, that's good. It seems our country's technology is not that inferior.

Considering the palace and the houses around the capital, they are well-built.

In the countryside, pit houses are common, but they are handmade by commoners who can't afford to spend money on houses.

"I have something to add."

"More than this?"

"Set up drainage ditches on the sides of the roads and create sidewalks. If the road for carriages and the road for pedestrians are the same, carriages can't be driven fast."

People and vehicles must be separated to prevent unfortunate accidents.

And the width must be secured.

The road for carriages should be more than four meters wide, and the sidewalks should be at least three meters wide on each side. A total of ten meters.

It depends on the traffic volume.

At least, this is the minimum standard for major roads.

"How many people are needed?"

"How long do you need to complete the construction?"

"I want the gravel paving to be completed quickly within one year. For the cobblestone paving... I want it within four years."

Is this a bit too demanding?

If my calculations are correct, I think both will be about 110 kilometers long.

"A thousand... or so."

"Alright, let's add a thousand more."

So, the total number of people our country will maintain is four thousand.

1.6% of the population. It's a bit tight, but considering the potential for tax revenue, it should be manageable.

"Once the geological survey report comes in, I will revise it and submit it formally."

"Alright, I'll leave it to you. I'll handle all the troublesome matters like land rights. You just focus on the river and the land in front of you."

While Ismea and Alms were discussing, Tethra and Nicolaos were busy with surveys on Alms' orders.

They were investigating the geology of the capital construction site, the river's flow rate, and its shape.

All of this is essential for flood control.

They were also gathering and organizing information from the local residents.

It was a very tedious task.

The two worked silently.

"Milady Tethra, I'm actually very interested in your magic. Can I design it too?"

"Theoretically possible. It's just drawing lines. But for someone who can't use magic, it might be difficult to grasp the feeling."

While saying this, Tethra lightly explained the theory of magic to Nicolaos.

Nicolaos tilted his head.

"What is zero?"

"Nothing."

"Putting a number to nothing? Isn't that strange?"

Nicolaos frowned.

"It's more convenient to have it."

Nicolaos looked a bit dissatisfied. He couldn't fully accept zero.

"By the way, what is that strange tool?"

Nicolaos pointed to the tool Tethra was holding in her right hand.

"It's an abacus. Alms recently made it. It makes calculations easier."

"Wow..."

Nicolaos looked at the abacus with great interest.

"How to use it..."

While learning how to use it from Tethra, Nicolaos tried the abacus.

"Wow! This is amazing..."

Nicolaos felt that his world had expanded a little.

"Math is great."

"I agree! Math is wonderful, isn't it?"

The two bonded over the wonders of math for a while.

But the conversation suddenly took a strange turn.

"Math can represent any number. Isn't that wonderful?"

"That's impossible. Irrational numbers exist."

"Irrational numbers?"

"Like the square root of two. It can't be expressed as a rational number."

A slightly strange atmosphere flowed between Nicolaos and Tethra.

"No, no, it can be represented."

"It can't."

Tethra first explained the Pythagorean theorem, then wrote and explained the square root of two on the ground.

She then explained that the square root of two is an irrational number using a proof by contradiction.

"Ah, I see... I thought numbers were just a collection of points... So, such a thing is possible?"

"Numbers are a concept created by humans. Therefore, contradictions arise. It's inevitable."

The two put aside their work for a while and shared their knowledge.

Tethra talked about math, physics, and magic.

Nicolaos talked about his specialty, astronomy, and philosophy.

"What do you think is the origin of all things? Numbers, perhaps?"

"Unknown. I think there's a design like a formula, but it can't be expressed in numbers. Probably something else. What about you?"

"There's something called atoms. The world is made of tiny, invisible particles. But what are these particles made of, don't you think?"

The two started a futile debate on a problem that would probably take thousands of years to solve.

The surrounding people watched them with white eyes, thinking, "What are they talking about?"

"Do you know that I advocate the heliocentric theory? What do you think?"

"I think the geocentric theory is correct. Observationally, the geocentric theory is correct. Complex calculations are needed with formulas, but I think it can be adequately represented. But..."

Tethra paused.

"Ultimately, it can