*** Snowkeep - South Eastern District ***
"Are you really sure about this...?"
Darius and the new worker stood at a nearby ledge that overlooked the entire left side of the city, with Darius holding a ledger of the budget while the new one had his arms crossed with full confidence.
Martin Melbourne.
The man who was blessed by Justinian, and due to that, probably the best architect who had ever existed since the creation of the entire duchy.
"Of course I am!"
Melbourne said with confidence, gesturing at the overall idea of his build —a huge aqueduct capable of delivering fresh water from the snowy mountains that covered the Thirell Duchy's borders.
The Frostruin Fall.
The largest known high altitude source of water that was ever discovered on the continent, a boon to all who trekked the mountains in search of more opportunities.
And now, Martin Melbourne planned to use it for the benefit of the entire capital.
"H-how do you plan even to construct that?"
Darius looked at the copy of a blueprint that Martin had made, his whole skin turning pale from the thought of the cost of the raw materials alone.
"Simple! I've trekked Frostruin before; there are a surprisingly large number of native people living there. I plan to use their mastery over the terrain as an advantage."
Martin smirked, arms spread wide as he yelled out his master plan.
"How would you even convince some isolationist natives to work for us?"
"Food, my dear Darius, food."
Martin responded, his smirk even wider now.
"I-I... I give up."
Darius sighed. It made enough sense for him; tribes like that wouldn't be won over with gold, but if they used their Duke's special recipes, they could probably make them do the hard work while keeping costs at an all-time low.
"Want me to prepare the palace chefs?"
"As quick as you can!"
As Darius left, Feryll was next to approach him, this time with a crowd of blacksmiths, laborers, and all other physical workers.
All informed by Matthias to repay Justinian's help by helping with the city's new head of construction.
"I hear we're needed?"
"You're just on time. Let me show you what you need to do."
Martin began to reorder the entire guild, assigning them to different parts of the construction, with others focusing on the sewage system, the rest on irrigation, and the best for the aqueduct.
With the actual winter season nearly approaching, it was obvious they needed to finish the project fast, or at least, prepare fast enough to avoid future problems.
Because while Justinian knew how long the construction actually took, his workers, however, even Martin himself didn't know how long it would actually take.
"I'll help."
Justinian's voice rang out from behind all of them, a voice enough to make all the craftsmen immediately look behind them as they saw Justinian completely covered with symbols of faith.
Cassia continued to follow him, but now with a warmer expression than before that everyone immediately noticed.
"My duke! You shouldn't move-!"
"I'm fine, it'll take more than overexertion to take me down."
Justinian laughed weakly. Even if he was now able to move, the symbols he wore still had a lesser effect than the church itself.
[Martin Melbourne]
A panel appeared on top of Martin, something that Justinian noticed, a new feature unlocked by his system.
'Fairly useless... but I'll take it.'
"Feryll, do you have contacts with other branches of the craftsmen guild?"
Justinian commanded, walking to the edge of the ledge and seeing the blueprint that was placed on a wooden table.
It really was an aqueduct, and a huge one at that.
'And that's only five months!?'
"Yes, it'll take a messenger pigeon about a day to reach those of the Vesuvian and Farsen branches, and another day for the neighboring duchies."
"Good, use as much gold as you need to ensure their cooperation."
Justinian ordered, excusing Feryll from her work to allow her to prepare the messages.
"My lord!"
Martin yelled out dramatically, wiping tears from his eyes.
"Why are you crying...?"
Justinian asked, his expression a confused frown. Didn't he just help him?
"I am nothing but just a commoner, yet you support my projects without fail! I'll make sure to do my best!"
"Aha... I see."
Justinian replied, he couldn't blame him. In everyone's mind, this was Justinian's most insane action yet, but to him, it was nothing; he knew he had just given this commoner enough knowledge to become a master.
"Let's just say I see your potential, and I wish to see it bloom faster."
He mirrored Martin's emotions, trying to act as over the top as his current frail body can manage.
"It's good to see you well, Lord Justinian."
This time, it was Matthias, parting the crowd of craftsmen with a simple wave of his hand; his short time as the new castellan had already cemented him as a terrifying leader.
"Sir Martin, I've employed the refugees from Ferlain to work with the construction; it was surprisingly easy."
And as always, Matthias's presence always brought good news.
'He beat me to it.'
Justinian laughed. He also planned to give the refugees from Rhyne's lands new opportunities to work, but he didn't expect Matthias to also handle it faster than him.
"You work fast, Matthias, but I have to remind you to take a rest from time to time."
"I assure you my health is of no concern, my lord."
Matthias laughed Justinian's concern off, handing him instead a rolled parchment.
"The king is holding a ball, and apparently, you're the honored guest."
"Seriously? When will it be held?"
"A few weeks from now..."
Matthias answered, his usual composure breaking slightly; even the sudden invitation caught him off guard.
Even a genius like him couldn't expect the whims of those who stood at the top; they had enough power to do anything without even planning.
And that means they were immune to his scheming.
"It reassures me to see you being caught off guard..."
"I'll try to be less competent, my lord."
Matthias joked; he knew the effect he had on his duke.
"Write a message to the king, it's not like I could refuse."