Chapter 522 – The Mermaids' Trump Card

In the center of the fountain, I created a pillar with a Mermaid leaning against it, smiling gently. On either side of the pillar, a Siren playing a harp and a Fishfolk Warrior resting with a spear propped up.

Technically speaking, there’s nothing particularly innovative about it since I referenced expression methods used in statues like the Motherly Goddess statue and books about statues I borrowed from the academy.

Even when it comes to technique, the value probably lies in having the skill to carve with one’s own hands. So if asked about its artistic merit or expressiveness, I think it would still be somewhat questionable. I believe I previously discussed statues and such with the Duke and Grand Duke.

“Excellent work is still excellent. Indeed, statues created through Magic might differ from the techniques possessed by sculptors. However, producing seamless statues like this through Magic Construction requires exceptional magical prowess.”

“I share the Duke’s opinion. His Excellency the Ambassador has properly studied techniques as well, and the realism that makes them seem almost alive has value in itself.”

The Duke and Grand Duke, perhaps based on that previous conversation, were appraising the completed statues in such a manner.

“For my part… I believe the value lies in the fact that none other than Theodore-sama created these statues that convey such peace.”

“Indeed. A warrior at rest conversely evokes peace—truly excellent.”

Queen Eldorene nodded at Rovisa’s words.

Hmm… Having something I made evaluated right before my eyes is somewhat embarrassing, so I’ll return to work.

The concert hall I built next to the main building is designed more as a dinner show venue than a theater.

While it has a stage with walls and ceiling shaped to amplify it, the seating area is spacious, allowing tables to be placed so people can listen to the stage performances. It’s designed to make the stage and seating feel closer. If the tables in the seating area are cleared away, it can also be used as a dance hall.

For both the inlet square and the main building’s concert hall, I’ve left room to incorporate stage production Magic Tools. I can come back to install those another time. For now, it’s sufficient that the Sirens can sing to their heart’s content and there’s an environment to listen to them.

With the mansion area completed, I moved to the southern part of the island to create a port. Since the port and fishing spot only require terrain Modification, it’s relatively quick.

The southern side, like the eastern side, is rocky, so I leveled it flat and extended a pier out over the sea. For the seabed, I carved out areas where ships would enter to prevent grounding… and used the resulting Rock Golems as building materials to create breakwaters and warehouses for storing supplies brought to the port.

“Hmm. It’s quite spacious. It might be good to place inns and trading posts here as well.”

“Should I… build those too?”

“Perhaps it would be better to have interested parties come here. If we communicate with Merchants, I think some would want to set up shops here.”

“Understood. Then I’ll leave those matters in your hands.”

Furthermore—the southern side has a steep slope that could be called a cliff face, so I decided to utilize this as well. I slightly gentled the angle to prevent collapse and reinforced it with structural Enhancement. I created stairs that could be climbed directly to the top, along with a high plaza and handrails.

“This is… for tsunami countermeasures, I presume?”

“Yes. Since the port is a place where people gather.”

I nodded at Oscar’s words. He truly is the heir of Duke Driscoll’s house.

He seemed aware of port disaster prevention, understanding the purpose of connecting stairs to high ground.

For tsunamis, the golden rule is to escape to high ground as quickly as possible, so climbing the stairs would allow immediate evacuation to the high plaza.

The high plaza is as planned. Therefore, roads have already been laid. I led the remaining Rock Golems to the island’s highest point—and after reinforcing and modifying the land as I did when building the mansion, I began forming a lighthouse.

Floating my body in the air, I spread both hands sideways and deployed a Magic Circle. The Golems gathered at my feet fused and transformed. A central pillar formed in the lighthouse’s core, with the outer walls and spiral staircase extending upward from below. As the lighthouse took shape, I ascended accordingly, with the Golems following me up the spiral staircase.

Simultaneously, I moved Balor to reinforce the completed sections with structural Enhancement.

“Seraphina, how does it look?”

“Yeah. Seems fine.”

Good. Now for the rest… On the top floor, I created a small room where staff could wait, and above that formed a gazelle-like structure with a full panoramic view, placing a platform for a bonfire in the center to complete it. Just lighting a fire would serve the lighthouse’s purpose, but I could also install a Magic Tool.

The telescope Magic Tool has been practically implemented as well… but installing that here might be somewhat excessive. It has high military value at present, after all.

If I stockpile preserved food and blankets in the lighthouse… that would also be convenient during emergencies, I suppose.

As the lighthouse was completed, everyone came up from below. Looking around, Sion and the others had shining eyes.

“You can see far into the distance—what a wonderful view.”

“The sea around here is so beautiful.”

“…I’ll paint this later.”

Leaning over the handrail, they seemed to enjoy the scenery happily. Forset smiled as he watched the three.

Indeed. The sea illuminated by sunlight visible in all directions is quite a spectacle. The port and lighthouse were now complete.

“Well then… Next, I plan to create a fishing spot on the western side.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

As expected, or rather, the one who reacted to the words “fishing spot” was Sheila. Returning a wry smile to Sheila, I moved west and created footing for a pier extending from the rocky shore.

The pier is high enough to avoid being washed over by waves. While we have Aerial Combat Gear and don’t need it, considering the possibility of falling, it seemed good to carve grooves at regular intervals on the wall surface that could serve as ladders. Hmm… They might also be usable when coming ashore from small boats.

Should I create several similar footings to allow changing spots? Lastly, I built a stone hut for when sudden rain comes. Creating stairs using the slope for evacuation and a high plaza continuing from there… completes the fishing spot.

“How about this?”

“Yeah. Perfect. But I’ll resist fishing until Theodore finishes all his work.”

Sheila said this while looking at the completed fishing spot. Well, I don’t mind if she doesn’t wait.

Anyway, with this, the basic facilities are complete. Placing the Magic Tool that creates fresh water near the lighthouse would be best, I think. From there, I can draw water through conduits and supply water to various places on the island via aqueducts. Since water is supplied from high ground, it should also save on conduit materials.

Working like that—creating facilities in various places, installing Magic Tools, building aqueducts and laying conduits—I continued various tasks while taking breaks, and by the time all work and Magic Tool functionality checks were complete, dusk was approaching.

“Ahh… I worked hard.”

As water emerged from the center of the fountain where I’d embedded the conduits… I stretched largely. With this, my work is essentially finished for now. Perhaps due to the relief of completing a task, I feel quite good.

From here, I’ll hand over to Queen Eldorene and the Duke to have paint applied to underwater facilities and arrange personnel like lighthouse keepers, mansion managers, gardeners, and security—then the island should take proper form.

Located conveniently as a relay point between the Duke’s remote islands and from Grantios, with proper maintenance, the port and such will likely be used.

“My, my. You’ve shown us something wonderful.”

Queen Eldorene said quietly as she approached.

“I’m glad if you enjoyed it.”

“No, no. One can hardly tell who is hosting whom. And we have our own banquet coming up.”

When I answered, Queen Eldorene gave a wry smile. Then—she extended something like a large pearl about the size of a clenched fist toward me. Hmm… I feel like I’ve seen this somewhere before.

…Ah. Was this attached to the tip of the golden Staff Queen Eldorene carried on the battlefield?

“Will you… accept this?”

“This is…?”

“I hesitated whether I should give this to you or not… It’s the same Orb used by the Motherly Goddess to Seal Waldom. Over long years, it has gathered the prayers of us Grantios’s Water Guardians.”

“So—using this, one can create a sealing Barrier similar to what the Motherly Goddess made?”

“Yes. I intended to use this against Waldom… but thanks to you, it’s no longer necessary. The Barrier’s strength depends on the user’s infused Magical Power, and its limits are considerable. The Motherly Goddess wagered everything she had, even her life, to create the great Barrier that has lasted from ancient times until now… But for you, it should demonstrate sufficient power without going that far. In fact, successive queens of Grantios have used it several times.”

…I see. So it’s not that one must stake their life to activate it, but rather that the limit value and capacity for infused Magical Power are extremely large. Her hesitation about whether to give it was probably due to considering the circumstances involving the Motherly Goddess’s and her own resolve.

And if it takes long years to create… then it truly is a trump card.

“Understood. Then I’ll take custody of it. Even if I use this, I won’t do anything that would sadden Your Majesty, so please don’t worry.”

When I answered, Queen Eldorene widened her eyes before smiling gently.

“Indeed. If my giving this resulted in sacrifices, I would sleep poorly.”

That’s right. That’s something I said to Queen Eldorene as well. I shouldn’t contradict words I myself spoke to Queen Eldorene. When people stake their lives like that, it leaves deep wounds for those left behind too.

But a Barrier, huh? Judging from the amount of Magical Power it contains, it’s undoubtedly a tremendously powerful item. Since we’re facing battle with Demons, it’s reassuring. However, since there’s no replacement, I’ll need to carefully judge when to use it.

“Well then. Shall we proceed to the banquet? Everyone is looking forward to it.”

Queen Eldorene—said this with a smile.