Chapter 634 – Labyrinth Fortress

After clearing everything except the well and leveling the ground where the fortress once stood—I began by constructing the underground section first.

Using golems to move earth and bedrock, I petrified the underground areas and reinforced their structures. Then, I carved grooves into the lowest floor of the basement and filled them with powdered magic stones to draw a magic array. This was preliminary work for creating a barrier.

Above that, I reshaped the golems created from the removed earth and bedrock, covering the magic array-drawn floor while constructing walls and pillars for the underground section, reinforcing each structure as I went.

The underground area included a command center, an ice room for low-temperature food storage, warehouses like an armory, and since it could remain dark even during daytime, I added nap rooms, kitchen and bath facilities, and a multipurpose hall.

I also prepared small spaces where soldiers could hide along the corridors and hidden rooms for ambushes. I even created spaces above exits where soldiers could wait… since we’d been thoroughly beaten at places like the Blazing Fortress. I wasn’t planning to lure demons inside the fortress to defeat them. The anti-intruder measures were mainly meant for Beriondora’s monsters. Those creatures have ground and air forces in large numbers, and they can penetrate anti-demon barriers.

“Um, Corulis, could you dig diagonally from here to the sea? You don’t need to reach the ocean immediately.”

“Understood. I’ll convey the message.”

Princess Stephania smiled cheerfully. When the message reached Corulis, it nodded in acknowledgment.

Corulis immediately began digging an underground passage straight toward the sea from the western wall of the basement.

The underground passage served the purpose of allowing Grantios’s soldiers to use the fortress. Essentially, we were creating an escape tunnel that connected to the sea. As for entry and exit security, I had various ideas, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

Once Corulis returned, I would reinforce the tunnel by solidifying its surroundings, but for now, I continued with my own work.

“Seraphina, how does it look?”

“The pillars are thick and the walls are sturdy, so I think it’s fine.”

Good. The strength isn’t an issue. Next, let’s create the stairs. I formed a narrow spiral staircase. This was to prevent enemy troops from swarming in large numbers if they invaded.

I installed a hidden compartment in the central axis of the spiral staircase—also for ambush purposes. After completing the stairs to the ground floor, I proceeded to construct the ceiling of the basement. The golems took their positions, reshaped themselves, and fused together to form the ceiling. I solidified everything with petrification and structural reinforcement.

“What in the world… The underground section is already complete?”

Simon and the others were wide-eyed at the sight.

“No, not yet. We still haven’t made doors, among other things. Also, the modifications around the well remain.”

“Oh.”

The well’s water level was below the basement, but the drawing point was at ground floor height. It would be best to enable water drawing from the basement while also allowing water usage on each floor via conduits. Additionally, I prepared magic tools for water production so we wouldn’t have to rely solely on well water. Soldiers who can’t use magic have excess magical power anyway. Water should be plentiful.

Next, the ground section. Here too, I temporarily converted everything into golems, dug shallow trenches, and drew a large-scale magic array.

Just like in the basement, this work required checking angles and distances. It felt like drawing a geoglyph. I had Caduceus check from high above to ensure the magic array was properly drawn… It seemed there were no issues.

After finishing the trenches, the next step was sprinkling powdered magic stones into them.

This was a collaborative effort with everyone who had free hands. We continued this meticulous work for a while until it was finally completed.

Once the lines were drawn with the massive amount of magic stone powder, I called out to Old Sigmund standing at the edge of the magic array.

“Ready.”

“Hmm. Then I’ll deploy the barrier.”

When Old Sigmund and the others stood in their respective positions and deployed magic circles, the powdered magic stones in the trenches emitted light. The entire magic array lit up—and the barrier formed. It was an anti-demon barrier. We also planned to create another barrier for the outer walls.

I filled the trenches and solidified the surface with golems to form a stone pavement. Well then… with this, the foundation—the base—was complete. Now we would build the fortress on top of it.

The western side was designed for easy access by those fleeing monsters. I built lodging facilities for normal times and Adventurer Guild-related equipment in one corner of the western area. Since kitchens, baths, toilets, etc., would likely be needed for each facility, I constructed those as well.

I also created a plaza where traveling merchants could conduct business. The general areas basically had large windows, giving them an open appearance with plenty of sunlight. Well, that’s how it looks during normal times anyway. During emergencies, these windows would be closed.

Around the well. This area also connected the general section with the knight order’s fortress. I incorporated the Moon Temple’s architectural style here. An altar and goddess statue. Monuments representing the four elemental Spirit Kings. I adopted various other styles too, creating living spaces for shrine maidens and clerics, and everything else necessary.

“Will this do?”

“It’s a splendid temple. And… it seems you made the goddess statue resemble the one in Termwills.”

“Hmm. Well, that was the request.”

When I asked Claudia, she said there were no issues with the style. For the temple to exert its power, shrine maidens and clerics needed to reside here and accumulate faith energy, so while it was only structurally complete for now, it would function as assistance in enhancing blessing power once they arrived.

Regarding the goddess statue, I followed Claudia’s request to make it similar to the one in Termwills. Well… if I made Shuas’s goddess statue myself, it might end up resembling her too closely.

“I believe Her Highness would be fine with her usual appearance.”

“This is fine.”

At Helvorte’s words, Claudia closed her eyes, her cheeks reddening.

I constructed the fortress side completely separated from the general areas by walls and doors. Inside the fortress, I created thick walls and gates, forming hidden rooms for anti-intruder measures everywhere.

“With so many hidden rooms, it’s quite interesting.”

“From above, from pillars… it looks tough for the invaders.”

“No, no, not at all.”

Princess Stephania, Princess Adriana, and Auria seemed to enjoy peeking inside the hidden rooms, but well, that’s normal for them.

While this was happening, Corulis seemed to have returned. It popped its head out from the spiral staircase leading to the basement.

“Welcome back, Corulis.”

When Princess Stephania smiled, Corulis waved back.

Hmm. Now we can work on the underground passage. Well, let’s finish the ground section first.

Typically, a fortress requires defensive facilities against intruders, a command center, barracks for soldiers’ living quarters, armory, food storage, infirmary for treating wounded soldiers, bath, kitchen, toilet and other essential living facilities, wyvern stables, outer walls, watchtowers, and so on.

Additionally, for dealing with Beriondora and demons, we would install anti-air facilities and equipment to house the Miasma Orbs.

Following the earth magic model, I created these one after another. Reshaping golems and huge golems, solidifying and structurally reinforcing them. I immersed myself in the work while asking Seraphina about the strength.

High-priority facilities were placed in the fortress center. I designed the interior with winding paths that forced detours, yet allowed easy escape via underground passages during retreats.

The command center, similar to the Sirius’s bridge, was planned to have monitors installed, voice pipes connected, and the capability to issue commands while monitoring the battle situation in real time. Alfred had already started preparations by bringing various magic tools into the command center.

“Can I leave blocking doors and walls to Theo-kun?”

Alfred showed me a wooden box filled with medals for golems.

“Ah. I’ll handle that once the basic structure is mostly complete.”

“Golem-ifying parts of doors and walls?”

Princess Elham murmured while looking at the pile of medals.

“…Golem-ification, you say?”

When Simon asked with a suspicious look, I explained about the fortress interior structure.

“Yes. For example, creating passages where defending soldiers can move quickly while enemies must take detours, or hidden room entrances that can’t be found even upon inspection, or even changing routes to make invading groups go in circles.”

“What in the…”

After my explanation, Simon formed a strained smile.

“As expected, what our master creates is fascinating.”

Maxwell, who was patrolling overhead with Lindwurm to watch for monsters, said this.

Incorporating golems was inspired by the Sages’ Academy tower and Claudia’s castle.

The control formulas for this were already engraved on the medals. Thanks to the Demon-Slaying Knight Order training in the Glacial Forest, we had plenty of medals. I could afford to be generous here. As long as the medals weren’t destroyed, automatic repair of the fortress structure would also be possible.

Therefore, while highly convenient for defenders, this fortress would function like a labyrinth for intruders.

I applied this to all external connections too, like peepholes for shooting arrows, magic, or sonic cannons. The general areas also appeared open with visible exteriors during normal times, but during emergencies, they could be sealed off from the outside.

On the upper floors, I built wyvern stables so they could directly sortie and return from high positions. Well, it’s quite a unique structure. Since Lindwurm came along this time too, I’d test its usability later.

For the Miasma Orb placement, instead of the fortress center, I distributed them toward the outer areas. Since their danger level was unknown and they might be like bombs, I couldn’t place them in the core. So if someone tried to collect them, they’d have to go through the trouble of gathering them from dispersed locations.

I gathered the power of the Moon Goddess and spirits, binding each with barriers. Knowing they might be detected through precognition, I still set traps. This was to see how they would respond.

Well then. After finishing the main fortress, I still needed to build the outer walls and watchtowers. I planned to install telescopic magic tools in the watchtowers… Well, there’s plenty to do.

To allow the soldiers camping outside to return here immediately, I prioritized creating facilities where they could sleep and stay.

I opened a magic potion to replenish my magical power. After catching my breath and refocusing my energy and magic, I disassembled the huge golems. Then I reconfigured them to form the fortress.

For now, I’ll work nonstop until lunch. I brought plenty of magic potions anyway.