38: Well, since we’re at it, let’s really blow their minds, huh?

The new village of Goldendown was built where Leifan had chosen—the banks of a great river.

They’re turning the area where the dragon fight happened into a granary district.

They’re actually going to turn that rocky, boulder-strewn land into farmland. There’s a reason for it, I’m sure. If Leifan says so, I’ll just leave it to him. I’ll ask about the reason later.

For now, wheat fields are being planted, with shelters dotted around them.

Thick stone huts, stocked with enough food for several days—no way a dragon could break through, even if it came knocking.

The village is only an hour away. If something goes wrong, adventurers’ll be there in a flash.

“Man, I’m so glad you’re here, Akindoo.”

“Nonsense, we’re both excited—this is a big haul after all.”

The caravan of a hundred or more was led by Akindoo, one of the merchants who’d been coming in and out of the village since the beginning.

Unlike the others, he wasn’t swayed by quick profits. He thought long-term. Smart.

What he brought was a mountain of volcanic ash and lime.

“Still, what’re we supposed to do with this? No, if you’re paying, I’ll sell my soul on the scales—just so long as you’re serious about the deal.”

“Ah, nothing special. We need it to make a kind of stone.”

“Volcanic ash and lime… stone?”

“Yeah. Mix in alchemical reagents, some fine gravel, and water. It turns into a thick, gooey liquid. But once it sets, it hardens into something like solid rock—no seams, no cracks.”

"Whoa, that's impressive! But you said it's solid with no seams—how strong is it really? It can't possibly match actual stone, can it?"

"No, actually it's rock-solid. Look—there's a shelter I made for testing purposes. Go ahead, hit it with anything you want."

"Seriously? You don't mind?"

"It's built for strength tests. Been pounded with hammers and magic for weeks. What's one more?"

"Huh. I see."

Akindoo asked his guard to attack the shelter with weapons and magic.

"This is... even tougher than I imagined."

"Right? The only downside is the sheer amount of volcanic ash and lime needed."

"Still, you're not done, are you? What exactly are you building?"

"The largest fortress city in the world."

"...Oh."

"You're not surprised?"

"Come on. I’ve seen too much already. So, can I count on your continued cooperation from now on?"

"Yeah. But until it’s done, keep this as quiet as possible. Gather everything up before the price skyrockets."

"Of course. What about after the city’s finished?"

"Hmm. I’ll have to talk to Professor Jabir first, but I’m planning to release the recipe along with the method. Though… there’s still a chance the Marquis might shut it down."

"Likely, that’s what’ll happen."

"So Akindō won’t be tasty anymore?"

"No, no. Sure, if this technique spreads to common homes, I’ll be raking it in. But just from nobles’ demand alone? That’s already a sure thing—easy pickings."

"Good. Just need a lot of it. Count on me."

"Leave it to me. After all, it’s an endless nuisance pouring down from the volcano. I can bring you as much as you want."

Kyle’s fortress construction plan had a completion date set twenty years in the future. Too boring, I flipped through Professor Jabil’s book, coaxed a new whisper from the heraldry, and finally arrived at this special technique—Alchemy-Hardened Stone.

This Alchemy-Hardened Stone.

As explained earlier, it starts off sloppy, but hardens over time—reaching the strength of bedrock.

And it’s nearly pure white. Looks damn fancy.

After repeated experiments, Leifan checked and confirmed it was stronger than the capital’s city walls.

Leifan really is top-notch.

Sure, she’s often a bit clumsy, but in truth, the frontier village wouldn’t run without her. As head of the Production Guild, she knows the economy inside out. She’s been a one-woman engine driving the village’s growth—no one else could do it all.

Most of my vague ideas just wouldn’t come to life without her help.

This time, she figured out that if we run metal rods through a giant wall, its strength increases dramatically.

If this method spreads, the defense of the Maugaria Kingdom could go up three levels.

Meanwhile, we’re testing whether we can build a massive bridge across the great river.

With this "reinforced iron-alkaline rock" technique, we might finally make humanity’s dream—great river bridges—real.

Right now, we’re building fortress cities assuming the bridge will work.

No more hauling giant cut stones from distant quarries on wagons like before. Compared to regular fortress construction, this is dirt cheap and takes nowhere near as long.

It costs a bit more to gather and haul the volcanic ash, but the benefits are way better.

Honestly, volcanic ash is a pain in the ass—falls constantly in certain areas. But it’s cheap. Most of the cost is just transport.

What’s great about alchemical hardening stone? You can pour it into wooden frames, and it sets into any shape you want. No need for masons to fit the rocks together like a puzzle, no gaps.

Sure, now it’s just Leifan and me acting like experts… whatever.

We’ve shown the craftsmen who came to settle in Goldendown village every single detail—how to make it, how to use it, everything. They’ll be alchemical hardening stone experts before you know it. Can’t wait.

Other useful things made from alchemical hardening stone? Warehouses and wood-drying sheds.

The warehouse remains as is, but things made from it are strong and easy to build. The townsfolk love them.

The other wood-drying shed looks just like a warehouse, but inside it’s packed tight with wood.

We’re smoking the wood with smoke from alchemical hardening stone, which evaporates moisture.

Normally, drying wood takes months. Now it’s done in about a week.

Thanks to alchemical hardening stone and wood, the village of Goldendown—no, the fortress city of Goldendown—was growing at an insane pace.

◆

"Um… is it really okay to have a church this grand?"

"Of course it is!"

"Hey, Jitarou. Why are you answering that?"

"Ah, well, I just—"

"Whatever. This city’s supposed to be huge, as you can see. So we need a church this big."

"W-will I even be able to handle something like this?"

"Handle it yourself, then."

"I'll help out!"

"Thanks, Jitarou."

"Fooaaah!"

No, cut that nonsense out. And Azur's a priest... marriage isn't really something she's thinking about, I don't reckon. Not that I know for sure.

"Craft兄ちゃん!"

"Hey, Ed."

The rambunctious wolf boy Ed came charging in, full of energy.

"Teach me magic!"

"Study?"

"That's... uh..."

"Ed and the others have been putting in real effort lately."

"Really?"

"Right? Right?"

"Only compared to how they used to, mind you."

"Aaah..."

"Hmm. Fine, once a week, let's try some basics."

"Sweet!"

"Craft-kun? You sure that's okay?"

"Yeah, I was planning to teach them anyway."

"Still... that's fine, then..."

"Meet me after dinner. Bring everyone."

"Got it, big bro!"

Good to see you’re feeling lively.

Why not just down a mana potion straight up and go full Spartan on them?

That’s what I had in mind—joking, of course. But I never actually thought about what happens when villagers get used to stamina potions…