Chapter 238

The troops sent by the royal direct command are progressing smoothly with their tasks.

Contrary to the content of the report, Dwayne’s expression was not bright.

The smooth progress meant that a huge budget was being drained in real time.

‘If it’s for war preparations, it can’t be helped, but this is too tight.’

Complaints were starting to emerge from the Maclaine fiefdom. He swallowed a sigh. While he believed that he didn’t need to report matters he could control within his purview, the bitterness in his stomach was unavoidable.

“If that’s going well, then it’s about time we started the dam construction, right?”

Hoping that the additional policies to be implemented wouldn’t create further grievances, he nodded heavily.

“Yes. We will mobilize enough workers and pay them a fair wage. But if we are to finish the construction within the designated period, we’ll need someone with definitive experience…”

“Call upon the elite from the golem tower, including Clayton, and the dwarves who have experience with dam construction. Make sure the construction ends before the winter.”

“…Understood.”

As Dwayne’s delayed response followed, a soft voice came from behind his departing figure.

“Just a little bit more. Hang in there. Just one more year. Then things will be much better.”

Whether he guessed the deep anxiety underneath the comforting words was adding even more strain on his mind was uncertain.

* * *

“Lalalala~”

Lately, it’s become common for me to hum out of sheer joy.

For good reason:

‘The owner is the king of this country, and I am the king of the magic workshop.’

Hammar combed his hair neatly in front of the mirror and started humming again.

He checked again how well his pomade-slicked back hair, exposing his handsome forehead, matched his luxurious red silk clothes before he left the room with his hands clasped behind his back.

But as the tranquility of the room faded, a rough cacophony of noise aggressively filled his ears.

“Hurry up on line 3! Why is it taking so long just to flatten a metal plate!”

“Accident on line 1, two human craftsmen. Call the emergency team! Quickly!”

Boom. Crash. Whirrr.

“Line 2 is complete, moving on!”

The dwarves and human craftsmen buzzed about intensely beneath the railings.

The noise they created was hard to call pleasant, but to Hammar, it sounded like music.

As soon as he opened the door, Temar, who had been waiting, stuck to him like a shadow.

“How’s the progress?”

“There are so many orders, it’ll probably take several more months at least.”

“Due to the soldiers’ equipment?”

“Yes.”

“50,000 suits are no joke. But we’ve got to do it if it’s asked. Do bear with me. Take good care of the craftsmen.”

“I’m aware.”

“And what about the… knights who took that thing?”

“They’ll come back as soon as they fall. But considering the volume, maybe once more will suffice?”

“That’s good, then.”

Everything was moving smoothly.

‘The workshop, many times larger than the hidden village I once lived in, now moves at my beck and call.’

His fingertips tingled pleasantly as if the workshop was part of an enjoyable sensation spreading through his mind.

He knew an easy way to amplify this good mood even further.

“How about a beer?”

“Here it is, ready for you.”

“As expected. Temar, unlike most dwarves, you’re quite perceptive.”

Grinning ear to ear, he took the beer mug hanging from Temar’s hook hand.

Gulp. Gulp.

‘He sure drinks well.’

The beer was so refreshingly consumed that one might wonder if a cooling spell had magically been applied without his knowledge.

“Ah! That’s the taste!”

Just as Hammar marveled at the flavor, a loud sound crashed from inside the open door.

A flash of red light and a cacophony erupted within.

Hammar froze on the spot with his beer in hand.

It was the sound he least wanted to hear—a nightmare of a noise.

“Ha, haha. Suddenly I’m hearing things.”

Back sweat pouring down, he turned to Temar with an awkward expression.

“……I heard it too.”

“No, it’s just a mistake!”

Bang!

Hammar slammed the study door, denying the reality.

However.

[Hammar, if you don’t show up within 5 minutes, you’ll be fired from the workshop master……]

Inside the study, the voice of someone could be heard clearly, even past the closed door. Hammar’s face crumpled as he opened the door of the study with a strained smile.

“Wahahaha! It’s been busy. Long time no see, boss!”

His eyes twitching slightly with a forced smile, but it would be difficult to notice unless one was looking closely.

Through the communication device, Logan, who saw Hammar desperately trying to appear bright, smiled faintly and got straight to the point.

[Hammar, let’s get one more dam project done.]

“Ah……hahaha. A dam, dam construction.”

Muttering and naturally turning his head, he cursed softly so that only Temar could hear.

“I’ve been a bit busy lately……”

[We need to proceed as soon as possible and finish before winter. Come to Grang with those who are experienced.]

“It’s just, I have schedules too…”

[I’ll give you 3 days.]

“What, it’ll take 3 days just to get there, you conscienceless…!”

[Then 4 days.]

“……Argh.”

[I trust you to prepare well. See you then.]

Even after the communication device light went off, Hammar stood motionless in place.

* * *

“Dam construction? Again? Ah, the royal direct command…? I see. His Majesty must have his reasons.”

Though he was appointed again as a supervisor of a large-scale project, Clayton’s response was quite different from Hammar’s.

But he still had concerns.

“It’s a bit of a tricky timing. It’s not good to delay this matter for months…….”

“What shall I report?”

“No, let me meet His Majesty personally. Request an audience.”

“Yes, Master.”

After Grik left with the order, Clayton quickly prepared for the audience, organizing the documents sprawled across his desk—it was a critical matter, just as important as the dam construction to him.

“Considering controlling the magic towers perfectly, I think the best course of action is to combine them into one group. We’ll form a new magic tower representing the kingdom.”

“A new magic tower?”

Logan was curious about Clayton’s words.

“Yes. In truth, what’s merely called the royal magic tower is no different from a single wizard tower of the wizard faction. It’s been influenced by the legendary Arch-Wizard Drucaille from the early days of the kingdom’s founding.”

“That is true.”

“The original intent was to respect the diversity of magic by embracing all factions, but that sentiment has faded long ago. The friction between the factions hasn’t diminished, and all have left the tower except for the wizard faction.”

“So, Mr. Clayton, are you suggesting that we finally create a new royal magic tower that doesn’t differentiate between factions and gather all mages?”

Clayton nodded in agreement with Logan’s summary.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“But don’t mages from different factions refuse to come together?”

“That’s why I have a plan. I’m contemplating bringing in outliers like I used to be within the tower, feeling marginalized due to being in the minority. First, we’ll draw these talent into our golem tower and then look at creating a new Maclaine magic tower centered on us.”

“Maclaine magic tower…”

As Logan pondered, stroking his chin, Clayton continued.

“As embarrassing as it is to say, with our faction currently thriving under my leadership, if we attract the outliers from each magic tower and further unify, I believe eventually all the magic towers across the kingdom will converge under the Maclaine magic tower.”

“…It’s an interesting notion. But why bring this up now?”

“I’ve been thinking about it since His Majesty began to subdue the magic towers. It’s only now that I’m mentioning it because I’ve been collecting data on potential candidates to recruit for the tower. Especially since the dam construction will likely keep me away for a few months.”

“So the royal name is to gather these talents?”

“Yes. That seems to be the best way for you to achieve your vision. A single magic tower with a mere assembly of mages will probably not satisfy you.”

Maybe because they had been together for so long, Logan chuckled, nodding to the words that seemed to read his inner thoughts.

“Alright. Let’s proceed. However, I won’t impose any restrictions on the number of people.”

“Pardon?”

“Apart from the talents investigated by Sir Clayton, if any other mages wish to join, we’ll welcome them all. That is closer to the vision I have in mind.”

* * *

“Rejected again? Why on earth?!”

“The Tower Master is deeply grieved by the recent disgraceful events. Until a future strategy for the tower is decided, he wishes everyone to tighten their belts…”

“Bullshit!!”

Max, an elder of the fire magic tower and a 5th-circle mage, was furious.

As his outburst released a sudden surge of killing intent, the mage dispatched with the Tower Master’s order collapsed on the spot, shaking with fear. Max, however, felt no desire to apologize or comfort him.

He wasn’t particularly cranky by nature.

It was just that the funds he had requested for over a year had been denied again, and the bearer of this damned news had to be the third disciple of Tower Master Freymer.

“Get out now, Fenon. And tell the Tower Master if he won’t support my research, I’ll truly leave the tower this time!”

“But, Master, I can’t do anything…”

“Then pass on the message!”

“Yes, yes. Ah, understood!”

As Fenon scurried out of the lab, Max collapsed wearily in his chair, exhaling deeply.

“Is he targeting me to this extent? Has the Tower Master completely lost his mind?”

A successor for the nearly ninety-year-old Freymer Tower Master.

The phrase he first heard 20 years ago when he reached the 5th circle had since become invisible chains tormenting him.

Initially, it was only subtle ostracism, but five years ago, after he published research that halved the casting time of the 5th-circle spell Flame Blast, the obstruction became blatantly direct.

His research funds disappeared, budgets were unfairly allocated, and every move he made faced interference or opposition from the Tower Master and Elders Council.

Worn down by such repetitive events, he had no choice but to feel exhausted.

“What rotten practice. Those high-ranking mages…”

As he sighed deeply, suddenly the door slammed open.

“Master!!”

It was his disciple, Lapel.

His usually calm and collected disciple, uncharacteristic of a fire mage, was frantic.

Seeing his agitated state, Max asked the reason rather than scolding him.

“What’s happened?”

“The, the royal! There’s an invitation from His Majesty and the golem master for you!”

“An invitation?”

As Max questioned, Laple, with trembling hands, pulled out a document and read it out loud, trying to maintain composure.

“The kingdom intends to establish the Maclaine magic tower as the nexus for its mages, recruiting talents from all factions.”

Max watched his disciple, swallowing hard as if unable to believe his words.

“The decree was based on a recommendation by Mage Clayton to recruit Max of the Fire Magic Tower as a top priority. Should you become part of the Maclaine magic tower, you’ll receive overwhelming support—inclusive of any mage following you. If you’re willing, respond promptly. By the name of Maclaine, any mages departing from their towers will be protected from harm.”

Crack.

The wooden goblet Max held crumpled, emitting a burning scent from the handle as the fire mana naturally manifested.

“Master!”

Startled by Lapel’s outcry, Max withdrew his hand and stood up abruptly.

“……I must go.”

“Master?”

“I’m leaving this shitty tower right now!!”

Lapel watched his master, who was running around the lab with screams of jubilation, in stunned silence.

And that day.

Max, the elder of the fire magic tower, and his sixteen disciples left the tower.

Six elders from the five major magic towers, all facing similar situations, along came forward to declare their departure from their respective towers and join the Maclaine magic tower.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The count exceeded 150 people, including seven 5th-circle mages who were the primary targets, 22 additional 4th-circle mages, and 70 3rd-circle mages.

This was effectively the power equivalent to a single magic tower.

Everyone invited had accepted.

Moreover…

“……Other mages are also making inquiries.”

“What?”

Apparently, more mages than they anticipated had grown dissatisfied with the long-standing culture of the magic towers.