Chapter 49

Chapter 49

A week later, Hamar stood up from his sickbed.

Ill do my best to make up for the lost time, he said.

His complexion, markedly improved from before his injury, Hamar set about the construction schedule at a pace that surprised even Logan.

Everything naturally progressed smoothly, according to planmuch faster than Logan had anticipated.

What? Already?

Yes. Weve already opened the tunnel you mentioned and connected the waterway to the Luther River. The sluice is nearly full.

Uh In just three months

The construction expected to take six months was completed in only three.

Overjoyed by the news, Logan rushed to see the sluice brimming with water himself and could not hide his admiration.

Of course, the water level will not rise above that of the Luther River. It will only fill up to the depth weve dug the tunnel

Wow. It actually worked.

What?

A sincere exclamation of surprise escaped Logans lips, shocking the dwarf who had heard him.

Lo-, Lord. What did you, just say?!

Hmm?

The larger one. Didnt you say youve seen a bigger dam built by humans?!Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Thats right.

And now? It actually worked?!

Logan had indeed seen it in the future, but was unable to prove it.

So whats the problem if it worked?

He simply responded with a bright smile.

Hamars reaction to that smile was fiery.

Huh? You, you were bluffing! I almost died because of that Ahh! Hey!! Today you die, then I die! Let go! Let me go, wizard! This ends to Gah!

Haha. Even so, this was a valuable experience, wasnt it, Master Hamar? Using human strength to tunnel through a mountain and guide water through it. I thought it would have been more realistic to just shave off the mountain

Clayton, with a haggard look as pale as Hamar, held the struggling dwarf and smiled at Logan.

Logan responded with a hearty laugh.

Hahaha! Youve really outdone yourself, Mr. Clayton.

Ugh! Ugh!

Alright, Hamar. Of course, I know youve worked hard. Well done.

Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!

Yes, yes. I know. Youre the number one contributor.

Logan once again realized that the combination of a dwarf and an earth magician was the best team for large-scale construction work.

Honestly, I thought it could fail.

But it had ended up cutting the expected duration by more than half.

This construction project was the only one since his regression that Logan had not been entirely sure would succeed.

Now that it had been resolved so successfully, everything seemed to be on a positive track, lifting his spirits.

Then, Hamar, having narrowly escaped from the magicians firm grasp, asked with a grumpy face.

So, that when do you plan to do it? If its as expected, any time before winter should be fine.

My disciples are helping, so the waterway work will be done in a few days.

Then why wait? Call all the hardworking workers together. They all need to see it. To see what they achieved.

The number of workers involved in the construction was nearly 8,000.

All of them were robust adult men, in other words, the resources that would support him in future wars.

To instill confidence and patriotism in them.

That was another goal Logan intended through this construction project.

* * *

Three days later.

As the irrigation work was completed, the workers climbed up the ridge at Logans command.

Whats this noise? Water? Youre saying theres water over there?

I saw it. Theres definitely water inside.

Then did we really dig the waterway?

Still, it cant be enough water for all that vast land.

Murmurs rose among the crowd.

Thousands of people, standing on a hillside overlooking a wasteland woven with a dense network of irrigation channels, harbored skepticism.

And even less pleased were the administrative officials of the territory, called out unexpectedly.

They were present to see the lands transformation and reflect it in their administration, as Logan had willed.

But the officials didnt respond positively.

Soon enough, with a loud noise, the sluice crumbled.

The sluice shattered, sending huge clumps of stone into the air, overwhelmed by the vast gush of water spilling toward the wasteland.

Everyone gasped at the enormous stream that swept even the golem down the fields.

The water, drenching the entrance to the wasteland and flowing along the irrigation canals, showed no signs of slowing down for some time.

When, at last, the water began to subside slightly, a mighty cheer erupted from the people.

Wow!

Water! Its water! Truly water! Hahaha!

Thank God, thank you so much!

We really did it this vast land

Yes! We did it, we did it! Hahaha!

The exhilarated voices filled the expanse that would soon be called the New Mackline Plains.

* * *

Logan, too, joined in cheering as he watched the water flow across the wasteland.

Or rather, knowing the crises to come in the future, he was even happier.

This will solve the food issue during the civil war.

Food prices would skyrocket the moment a civil war broke out.

Therefore, stockpiling food in advance was critical.

To such an extent that hoarding food might attract unwanted attention.

The Macklines have hoarded a lot of food, havent they?

Then well hit them first

In the worst case, they could become a prime target before the civil war even began.

Thus, the development of a productive plain was the best outcome, resolving those worries in one strike.

Of course, itll be a problem if word gets out.

One year was too short for rumors of this barren territory to spread throughout the kingdom.

Besides, theres no hurry to cultivate the land; we can start farming next spring. Before that

Logan, content with a proud smile, was organizing his future plans when a tearful, broad-shouldered man suddenly embraced him.

Ugh? D-, Dwein?!

Master! I, I was really wrong. I apologize.

Ah, its okay. Dwein helped out later, right?

Sniff. But if I had cooperated sooner

Its okay, really. How can such a big man cry so much.

Although Dwein made quite a scene, among those who hugged and cheered, a few shed tears as well.

Then, as the wave of emotion slightly subsided.

Nows the time.

Logan, rallying his strength, roared loudly.

I will permit anyone who wishes to cultivate the new Mackline Plains!

The eyes of everyone present, especially the workers, poured upon him.

And for that cultivated land, I will give tenancy, and the tax will be only 30%! This I, Logan Mackline, publicly declare!

His voice echoed across the vast wilderness, and the response was an overwhelming cheer.

Wow! Master!

Thank you!

Having shouted this, now even the nobles cant oppose.

Amidst the throngs gratitude and cheers, Logan smiled satisfactorily as he watched his pleased retainers.

But there was one person, or rather one dwarf, who was in despair amidst the jubilation.

The sluice how many days will it take to rebuild?

Worry not, dwarf friend. I will help again. Itll be faster since weve done it before.

No consolation from his human friend, who had become close over the past few months, could alleviate the dwarfs deep disappointment.

However.

Theres no rush for the sluice. Rest for a week. Then well wrap up the mining work and take a long vacation, alright?

Logan, slightly buoyed, mentioned a vacation which instantly changed the morose Hamars expression.

Really?

Of course.

Hahaha! Thank you, thank you, Master!

Only then did Hamar join the joyous celebration, his face flushed with elation.

After that, theres a mountain of work to do. Better smile while you can.

The cruel master, who had coerced his workers into half a year of relentless labor and still received thanks, concealed his insidious intentions with a crooked smile.