Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Did you see that? This is a much faster method. Itll naturally cover the census too.

That it will.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Im just amazed. Recently, Young Master has been surprising me time and again. I should be less surprised by now. Heh heh.

Stop your foolish talk. Oh, and make sure to distribute food to those in the territory who are injured or cant come for labor service, alright? Starting this year, no one in our territory should die from hunger.

There are already enough right there Yes, I understand. I was just worried that the people of the territory may become lazy pigs Yes, yes. I get it. Stop looking at me like that.

Tch.

Logan clicked his tongue, narrowing his eyes.

Anyway, if we wait a little longer, well be able to carry out the construction properly. Thanks to the Treasury Administrator placing such trust in me.

Dont even start with that construction!

Oh, youre going to end up doing it anyway.

Please think it over again, will you? Why spend 2 million gold to drill a hole in the mountain each month?

No. Were doing it. No matter what you say, its futile.

Urgh. Young Master

Dwayne was frustrated by the absurd construction and the wasteful spending that couldnt be stopped.

Logan, having easily dismissed Dwaynes resistance, turned his gaze westward.

Even if its not time for the scrolls, having Clayton is enough.

The other materials ordered through Phillip had already arrived.

It was finally time to start drilling through the mountain.

* * *

Now. One, two, three!

Urachacha!

With shouts, tents rose up in unison.

Far from the construction site chosen by Hamal and Logan, numerous tents mushroomed rapidly in the wasteland.

The chosen location, midway between Teslon Castle, which was one and a half days away, and McLean Castle, which was a day away, made temporary accommodations for the workers essential, not a choice.

And of course, suitable accommodations for the crucial mages had to be prepared as well.

Are you sure you want the mages to have the same conditions as labor?

Its fine, Young Master. After all, our Earth Tower is called the laborers among mages, and our faction has done the most work there. Youve seen the Tower Lord freak out.

I suppose its one less thing for me to worry about, haha.

Leave it to me. Ill finish the job quickly and perfectly.

Claytons grim face bore a firm gaze that felt incredibly reliable.

And the very next morning.

The gaze of nearly 8,000 people summoned from the two castles gathered upon a corner of the wilderness hill.

To dig a straight tunnel, this spot is perfect. If we calculate the range and cause a collapse around this center, we can

Dwarf sir. With my magic, we can have a much larger range, you know?

No, thats too much of a collapse, you mage sir. The tunnel doesnt need to be that big! A semi-circle about 30m in diameter would be enough

Come on, trust me and lets make it big and refreshing!

Ha, this is going to be troublesome.

The dwarf and the mage were coordinating their opinions for the construction.

Logan, a step behind them, watched over the pair with contentment.

Beside him stood a large administrative officer with a dazed look, surveying the surroundings.

Youre really pushing ahead. What will you do when the head of the family finds out?

Itll be fine, dont worry.

I give up. Do whatever you want.

Dwayne muttered helplessly as the construction finally began.

* * *

What are they doing there?

I dunno.

The higher-ups must have some plan.

The local peasants, who had never seen nor heard of magic, looked at Clayton with curiosity.

Magician sir! If youre ready, begin immediately!

Following Hamals signal, a bright yellow light began to emit from Claytons body.

Wow! Whats this?!

Wow, thats magic

Its not some disaster, is it?

Theres the Young Master. Itll be fine.

Mixed with wonder and fear, the workers couldnt take their eyes off Clayton.

Then, Logan felt the change caused by Claytons power.

Hmmm. The flow of mana

Natural energy (), Mana.

Along with The Force, one of the two great powers called the supernaturals controlled by humans on the continent.

The flow of energy that he could barely feel in his past life was now vividly alive.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

The five mana rings engraved on Claytons heart.

Despite its impressive height of about 20 meters, it looked somewhat squashed due to its breadth at shoulder height being about half that size, but the giants strength born from its bulk easily cleared away the debris of the rock face.

Such magic, such a mage, how did I not know in my past life?

It was a natural question for Logan.

The versatile and powerful fifth circle magic seemed far more useful than the common sixth circle spells.

Why?

No matter how hard he thought, the answer eluded him.

But there was one clear fact.

I desire it. What an enviable talent.

Such magic would naturally inspire greed.

Considering they were utilizing such a premium worker at no cost right now.

Hence, Logan could sincerely smile brightly at Clayton.

Elder, truly formidable. To think I would witness such magic in this world. Youve opened my eyes.

Hmm. Well, as leader of our golem faction, this is basic, Young Master. Didnt I assure you?

Haha. Indeed.

Those like the Tower Lord may only see negatives, but our factions accomplishments stand proudly against the world.

Claytons face remained stoic, barely hinting at pride if not for the sweat trickling from his scar.

Hiding any pity, Logan gave two thumbs up.

Hahaha. Elder, I never doubted you. Rather, Im even more astonished than I thought.

Claytons lips curled ever so slightly.

A face mostly expressionless to most, but through recent weeks and disciples explanations, Logan understood that expression meant Clayton was genuinely pleased.

Truly dependable. Are your disciples able to use the same magic?

Thus, seizing the moment, Logan did not shy from asking what might be rude or secret.

Now only using basic magic to stabilize the crumbling terrain, Claytons disciples, if they could cast even a weak version of the golem spell, would speed up the planned construction than anticipated.

However

They can indeed cast it but, cough. Theres a slight issue.

Yes?

The core of the golem requires a 5th circle mana script, so my disciples need magestones. Even so, they will be much smaller and weaker.

Claytons response left Logan dumbstruck.

Magestones?

Magestones (, Mana Crystal) were as rare as the divine metal Orichalcum or Mithril, being minerals imbued with natural energy mana.

They were almost priceless due to their scarcity, the inability to manufacture them artificially, and the constant need for magic or crafting artifacts.

While graded by the concentration of mana, even the lowest grade magestone was more expensive than equal volumes of gold.

Sigh. This isnt cost-effective

But who ever waged a war considering cost-effectiveness?

If the effect is good, thats what matters. If money can increase the power

Logan briefly forgot that Clayton and his disciples were merely employees.

Elder, even your magic?

Indeed. At my level, if I use an appropriate magestone, the golems power can be amplified several times over. Enhancing strength, speed, and duration.

Wow. That is truly incredible.

Logan genuinely marveled, and while externally showing his amazement, internally he rapidly calculated.

If the golems could move just a few times faster than now

They could wipe out any knight. Impressive!

Such power would be unquestionable in war, no matter the cost

But as mentioned, it requires magestones suited for it.

What kind of magestones do you mean?

Well, cough cough. The highest grade, fitting a 5th circle.

That might be a problem.

A fist-sized highest grade magestone cost anywhere between 500,000 to 1,000,000 gold.

The moment Logan understood why the golem faction was always struggling.

Still, Logan had not given up hope.

Perhaps your disciples also need such?

Of course not! 2nd circle golem magic only requires a low-grade magestone. It should last a day and can exert several times the strength of an average man.

These low-grade magestones, the size of a fist if assumed, cost about as much as a lump of gold.

In gold terms, that was nearly a thousand gold.

Such a price for simply a few times a mans strength?

And with just a days duration?

Still not quite cost-effective.

But if its for a short-term battle, it could surely deliver much more

Despite all the downsides, the vision of golem magic on the battlefield was compelling.

What if my side had it?

Logan unknowingly shivered slightly at the thought.

However

Ah, they belong to the tower. Tsk.

Returning to reality, Logan licked his lips and had no choice but to turn away.