Chapter 44

Chapter 44 Episode 44 Youre planning to drill through a mountain? And bring in river water by constructing some kind of gate? Hahaha. The dwarves and wizards were incredulously responding, as if to say, are you out of your mind? Logan just chuckled confidently, replying, Its entirely possible. So I would like you to carry it out as planned. Harmar and Claytons skepticism wasnt unfounded. The McLean domain bordered the Southern Mountain Range, a place so vast that no one claimed to have seen its end. To the north, relatively shallow hills formed a series of undulations blocking the Luther River from flowing southward. There were no rivers nearby heading east or west, and as a result, the land around the castle was barren waste enveloped by wilderness. Logans plan was to create a massive tunnel through the northern hills to draw water from the river. To the people of this era, it sounded more plausible to push the mountain over than to drill through it. Regardless, Logan continued his explanation unwaveringly, Well create a tunnel, 30 meters in diameter, directly connecting to the Luther River, which will be used as a sluice. Its a civil engineering method used in the western continent, they call them dams. Although small dams were indeed being used in some parts of the western continent at the time, precise trends of flood control would only become widespread in the Empire 20 years later. The plan was based on a dam he saw at a fortress in the northern Empire, which used the mountain itself as a natural embankment, crafting sluices through tunnels. I may not know the detailed principles of construction, but Logan had dwarves and wizards to offset his lack of knowledge. In the future, the Empire would demonstrate incredible feats, such as diverting the course of a mighty river within a few months for massive construction projects. But for now, McLean didnt need such grand undertakings. Just a portion of the Luther Rivers flow will suffice. With that, it would be possible to convert the western wastelands of McLean Castle into fertile plains for agriculture. Knowing full well that it was no easy task, Logan had planned around the use of a large number of magical scrolls and wizards, including mobilizing the domains residents for the construction. Haha Even after the explanation, Clayton remained skeptical, but Harmars demeanor differed, We must choose the location carefully. The condition of the ground is critical. We also need to consider the water level and waterways. Hmm, to prevent the tunnel from collapsing, well need to construct an arched structure and get assistance from wizards As the perplexed dwarf mumbled, Clayton looked at Harmar with a stupefied gaze, and Logan was brightened. That means its possible? Eh? Ah Haha. What did I just say? Hahaha. Lately, Ive been saying nonsense without realizing. It sounded plausible even for someone like me, who doesnt know much about construction work. Hahaha. I think my minds gone funny from staying in mines too long, Master. Ah ha, ha, ha. Harmar tried to cover up with an awkward laugh, but Logan had already grabbed his hand eagerly, See, I knew it was possible. Ive seen much bigger things than this! Yes? Harmar responded with a look that read, what are you talking about?, but Logan already seemed too far gone to hear it, If humans can make it dozens of times larger, why cant dwarves? Right? Truth be told, if Harmar said it couldnt be done, Logan was prepared to push over a small mountain and carve out a channel himself. It would take significantly more time, but it was a definitive method that even an uninformed outsider could accomplish. Although, it would have cost much more. He probably would have been better off using that money to buy a hundred years worth of food. That is if you didnt consider the need to prepare for war. Regardless, Logans confident demeanour forced Harmars complexion to grow increasingly ashen, but pride stumbled over reason as he blurted out, It would require a tremendous amount of manpower and money! Drilling through a mountain isnt as easy as Before his rational mind could regain control, it was too late. We have magical scrolls and wizards. Thats not something a few scrolls can handle We have 120 each month. What? There are 120 Fourth Circle Collapse Scrolls every month. Thats enough to use four a day without rest. Plus, we also have Lord Clayton here, a Fifth Circle wizard. Isnt that sufficient? With that, the last desperate defiance of logic was futilely crushed. Come on, now we have to find a mountain suitable for drilling that tunnel. The easiest place we can start. There was still time before the arrival of the supplies and scrolls. If they prepared thoroughly in the meantime, there would be no issue. Am I supposed to find the place too? Logan was not privy to that knowledge either. Then who will? Huh With Logans natural retort, Harmar slumped down powerlessly on the spot. Two weeks later, Really, here? Is this the right place? Logan asked wearily on the ridge of the second-lowest mountain amongst the northern hills of McLean. Not only was he forced to ride a pony due to his stature, but his spirit seemed greatly diminished by the sheer amount of work. Over the past fortnight, Logan had personally been mounting Harmar on a horse and traveling around. To visualize the dam he remembered from the future and apply the dwarfs geological capabilities, it was an unavoidable decision. And now, he was feeling the strain of it all. Ugh. Yes. The ground and geological conditions are even, and the land is low. Plus, its close to the Luther River, making it a good place to dig a waterway. Unable to refute the undeniable truth, Dwain was silenced. Padric McLean was a man who thought in terms of knights when it came to the strength of the domain. Thats why, even when budgets were tight, he maintained a knight order of over fifty knights. Their salaries alone accounted for over 1.5 million gold each year. Over half of the domains budget was spent on the wages of the knights. The bitter realization was that even so, the McLean knights salaries were still below the average of other domains. So, the knights couldnt be blamed. As the treasurer, and knowing better than anyone that without the support from Kairos, the domain would have already gone bankrupt, Dwain could no longer question Logans explanations. So we have to force them together and show them. Make them believe. Huh Times up. Just keep watching. As Logan spoke, Dwain turned his gaze down from the ramparts. Rumble, rumble. The gates are opening! You all know, right? Stick together to live, scatter to die! In times like these, conscripts of what?! Alright! Everyone, brace yourselves. Get your strength up! The villagers, no matter how untrained, were filled with a sense of resolve born from hunger and the fear of death. As they patted each other on the back, watching the gates with eyes beginning to gleam with ferocity. Rumble, rumble. Boom. The gates opened, and a procession of countless carts appeared, Charge! Hurry up! The clamor of armored knights directing the procession could be heard. The remarkable length of the caravan, seemingly stemming from the outer east gate to within, was approaching the gates without end. What are all those? Looks like grain? The presence of the unfamiliar convoy made the gathered residents murmurings grow louder, Where are those going? Theyre coming this way? Their astonishment was palpable, and the murderous intent that had been surging faded away. Halt! Alright, get the distribution ready! As the wagon train halted, sack after sack of grain was delivered, carried by unfamiliar hands and becoming a mountain in front of the residents. Whats that? Are they giving it to us? Stop dreaming! What noble would But why now? Wha, who knows. As uncertainty began to permeate the crowd, hope hesitantly started to take root. When tables set up and the grain piled behind them, that hope neared affirmation. Soon, one of the knights commanding the procession bellowed with a thunderous voice, This decree by His Grace Logan is to provide a months worth of grain to the family of each conscript! The words created a brief silence, but it was soon broken by an uproar even greater than before, Wha, what did he just say? Theyre distributing grain? Could it be true? Commencing distribution now. Form an orderly queue, please. The knights voice echoed amidst the confused residents. Woah! With a thunderous cheer, the people surged towards the tables, Stop! You must form a queue or there will be no distribution! Hey, you there! Get in line! What could have turned into a riot was quickly quelled by five knights brandishing their authority. Is this really grain? Are we truly being given this? Yes. As long as you participate in the construction, your family will receive this every month. Every, every month?! That is the will of His Grace. Whew, were saved. Thank you, sir knight! Not me its His Graces will. Still, thank you! Truly As one resident after another received their grain, doubt vanished, and their cheers grew louder. Eventually, Long live Logan McLean! This ordeal, led by Logan, was praised by the echoing chants in front of the outer castle walls.