Chapter 521 – Mermaids' Magical Architecture Tour

First, I start with the foundation. Placing my hands on the ground, I slowly permeate my magical power deep underground. Since the area is vast, I don’t use circulating magical power but instead gradually expand the effective range over time.

Corulis and others seem to sense the changes in the land’s condition, sitting while watching the ground and blinking their eyes.

…Good. This should be about right. Once I’ve sufficiently infused the area with magical power, I use Earth Magic and Water Magic to adjust the land’s condition, modifying it so that it won’t cause problems even when bearing the building’s load.

With the land modification complete, all that’s left is to proceed with the magic construction using circulating magical power as usual. I form the foundation according to the shape of the mansion we’re building.

With the land leveling finished, I’ve secured ample workspace. Next is transporting materials from the coast here to begin constructing the mansion.

“Is it alright to bring the materials over here?”

“Yes, that would be helpful. Let’s divide the work and finish it quickly.”

I answer Elliot and stand up from the ground.

“I’ll help, Professor.”

“Thank you.”

“Think nothing of it. It’s just that I can’t assist with the magic construction itself.”

Starting with Charlotte, those who had been watching the treehouse have gathered to help as well.

Or rather, it seems everyone wants to help with the work, but since magic construction is somewhat specialized, they were apparently at loose ends. Transportation work, on the other hand, is easier to understand, so everyone seems motivated.

When Elliot raises his hand and signals toward the Sirius, Alpha on the deck nods and the gangway lowers by itself.

The plan is to load everything onto the Sirius and transport it all at once. So… all those with free hands head together toward the coast.

Since almost everyone can use Levitation through magic or magic tools, the work proceeds quite efficiently.

The Lindwurm carries barrels filled with silica sand in its claws to the deck, Corulis transports stones piled high in its arms… It seems the animal group is helping with the work too.

Ramriya manipulates the beach sand, Flamia lifts materials with her tail… they’re surprisingly dexterous.

“Theodore-dono.”

At that moment, Weltes appears from the sea along with the people of Grantios. It seems the officers and soldiers, including Grantios and Aianos, have brought those who wished to attend the victory celebration banquet. Besides the soldiers, mermaids, sirens, and children are either coming up on the beach or peeking their faces above the waves.

“Ah, Lord Weltes.”

“My apologies for interrupting your work.”

Weltes gives a quiet bow.

“Not at all. I’ve prepared accommodation in the eastern cove, so right now I was planning to leisurely proceed with construction in the central part of the island.”

“Is that so? If it’s material transportation, we would be happy to assist with the work as well.”

“Thank you. Should the children rest in the cove? I can guide them there.”

When I say this, Weltes smiles slightly and shakes his head.

“Everyone said they wanted to see Theodore-dono’s magic construction. Word seems to have spread about the restoration of the Mother Statue. So… let’s save the completed parts for later enjoyment.”

“Understood.”

I answer with a wry smile. Since the banquet is scheduled for around evening anyway, I suppose they can pass the time watching the magic construction until then.

For the Grantios people’s land movement, those who can use the Humanization Spell take human form.

Those who cannot apparently manipulate water like Queen Eldorene did, moving while riding on water carpets. And those who can neither use the Humanization Spell nor manipulate water… cling to their parents or ride on water manipulated by others. If necessary, they could watch from the Sirius’s deck, but…

Anyway, I’ll proceed with creating the mansion and garden without worrying about the Grantios people joining the gallery. Once the materials are placed at the construction site, preparations will be complete.

“Then, let’s begin.”

First, the underground section. This is an emergency evacuation space. The Golems rise up, and the remaining parts become the underground space.

I secure space for water pipes. Create drainage channels, make toilets, build storage rooms. Create the underground space’s ceiling, and reinforce the walls, floors, and pillars with structural enhancement.

“Hmm. Sturdy and good feeling. With this, even four stories should be fine.”

Seraphina nods.

“Understood. Then let’s continue.”

Next—I deploy a Magic Circle and create spheres of light. The materials are absorbed into the spheres, reformed, and spread out as the building’s shape.

It’s the same method I used when creating the Sirius’s exterior. I reform each material and build it into the structure. First, create the building’s foundation, then reproduce it according to the three-dimensional model.

The layout is decided. The stones spread across the ground in predetermined shapes. Then floors, walls, insulation between walls. Pillars, window frames, ceilings—. The drawing room, guest rooms, VIP rooms, game room, kitchen, toilets, baths—I create each room one by one.

Balor uses Levitation to bring the necessary materials at the right timing. I just use them in sequence. Form brass into hinges and attach them to window frames made from wood, or make them into doorknobs.

I’ve prepared hidden passage spaces for evacuation from the beginning. By sliding and spinning the wall at the end of each floor’s corridor, you can reach the basement from there.

The mansion’s exterior and construction are adapted to the southwestern climate with relatively small windows. Based on white stone, it gives the impression of a miniature castle.

It’s a reasonably large three-story building… but I’m thinking of making a slight change to the plan and creating a terrace seating area on part of the roof.

It resembles the southwestern port town… Count Wisneaire’s residence. I liked that rooftop terrace, so I calculated whether I could change the plan, and since there’s little difference in material usage, I incorporated it.

With Seraphina, I confirm safety while finishing the first floor, then proceed to the second and third floors. Finally, the rooftop section. Create the spire, make the flat terrace, build handrails—when all these processes are complete, applause and cheers erupt from the gallery.

“Amazing!”

“Magic construction is… truly incredible.”

The children’s eyes sparkle, the adults’ eyes widen—reactions vary, but it seems generally well-received by the Grantios people too.

“Well, I still need to make window glass from the silica sand though.”

“Ah. So you can’t form it all at once like the walls and floors.”

Rovisa nods as if understanding.

“That’s right.”

Window glass has to be made piece by piece to fit the frames, which is somewhat troublesome. For the glass, similar to when I made the greenhouse, I’m using double-layered construction to enhance cold protection and insulation.

Also, due to removing the earth and sand from the underground space, that material remains unused too…. Hmm. Should I build a concert hall next to the main building? It would be good to have facilities for singing here too, not just by the seaside.

I’ll proceed with the work while taking breaks for lunch. If the children get bored, having them see the treehouse would be good too.

After finishing the mansion, next comes the garden, harbor, lighthouse, and fishing spot… but since most of these are based on single materials like stone, they won’t be too labor-intensive. As for the harbor construction, I’ve already built a shipyard in Termwills once, so it should be similar to that structure.

“You built a wooden house over there. It’s lovely, like Lady Lisa’s house.”

“Hehe.”

Ashley smiles while Marlene nods repeatedly. Seeing the two of them like that makes Grace break into a smile.

In the cheerful atmosphere, we open baskets for lunch.

“Oh? This is…”

“Apparently Alfred brought a prototype.”

“I made it since I had the chance.”

Rosemary and Claudia explain.

The slightly late lunch consists of sandwiches—and specifically, cutlet sandwiches. It seems Alfred brought a prototype of a non-fryer magic tool, and they apparently used it right away to make the cutlet sandwiches.

“Mmm. Delicious.”

“Thank you.”

When I share my thoughts while nibbling the sandwich, Grace smiles.

We leisurely bask in the sun while nibbling sandwiches, drinking tea… and after taking a break, continue with the work.

Make window glass to finish the mansion. After that, the garden. Create a fountain in the garden’s center, build a gazebo nearby. Lay stones to make paths in the garden, create flower beds…. Since there are no shrubs or plantings yet, it still looks somewhat barren here, but the impression will change once plants are added.

“I’ll arrange for gardeners.”

“Understood. Please leave the budget for furniture, plantings, and such to me.”

The Duke and Grand Duke are moving the conversation forward. Hmm. I can leave gardeners, plantings, furniture, and furnishings to the two of them.

“Ah, that reminds me… I was thinking of creating a statue in the fountain’s center… Would it be alright to make a mermaid statue?”

“Of course.”

When I ask, Queen Eldorene nods with a pleased expression. I considered using the Mother Statue as a model too… but since it holds special meaning for the Grantios people, I’d have to worry about maintenance. A regular mermaid statue should be fine here.

When I restored the Mother Statue, I learned various things about sculpture too, so I want to incorporate that as well.