Chapter 369
It had a cityscape reminiscent of Tokyo, but that didn't mean there were landmarks like Tokyo Skytree, Odaiba, or Scramble Crossing directly transplanted.
It was simply a scene with towering skyscrapers and multi-level roads intersecting everywhere—a landscape close to modern architectural technology.
"What kind of architecture is this?""I don't know, but how do you build something this tall? Depending on the material strength, it could collapse.""Besides durability, working at such heights must be an issue. Even if you keep building scaffolding higher, can you make something so uniform?""I'm more curious about these roads. They've built bridge-like roads everywhere, cleverly using space to construct a traffic network."
A single painting. Yet, that painting seemed sufficient to stimulate the dwarves' curiosity.
An imaginative vision from one source.However, rather than dismissing the painting as a dream or fantasy, they began seriously considering whether it could realistically be implemented. Their expressions were grave.
They exchanged ideas with each other, debating feasibility.Most opinions centered on technical limitations making it impossible, but there were just as many voices saying they'd like to try.
"If we could build this, it would be something incredible.""Yeah, it would be worthwhile."
I wondered about the design, but the atmosphere suggested that while it was novel, it was also acceptable.
"But isn't this too inorganic by itself?""What if we increase the distance between buildings, widen the roads, and plant trees here and there to improve the scenery?""And creating large parks would be good. They can serve as military garrison points in emergencies and secure land for festivals.""Being able to design the traffic network from the town planning stage is huge. Poor transportation is a common problem everywhere.""But isn't it a problem if it's too good? If invaded, enemies could reach the center too easily."
Furthermore, they started proposing improvements, considering problems visible even from the painting.Not focusing on whether it's possible or not, but striving for the best possible outcome if they do it—a desire for improvement.
"Isn't that implying surpassing that fortress? True, no fortress is absolute, but surpassing those walls and fortresses isn't easy. Even the Royal Capital doesn't have high defensive capabilities in its urban areas once the walls are breached.""Indeed. It's hard to believe Lord Liberta would build a defensive network relying solely on those walls. You said they're still unfinished, after all.""So, does that mean it's not a problem to prioritize the town's convenience over defensive functions?"
They even considered the town's construction priorities based on my words.
Yeah, I'm starting to seriously wonder why they were on the verge of losing confidence moments ago, given this level of capable initiative.
"By any chance... is this an opportunity to build a town freely as long as we achieve the objectives properly?""We don't have to add wasteful decorations to meet nobles' demands?""We don't have to do construction where functionality is ignored, only to have complaints later about it being hard to use?"
Reaching this point in the lively discussion, noticing I hadn't stopped them, the dwarves began to realize they had more discretionary freedom than expected.
"Hey.""Yeah, I know.""Was this... the perfect workplace all along?"
Being able to create things with considerable freedom.That must be a pretty good condition for craftsmen.
A buzz. Their expressions are increasingly tinted with excitement.I wondered if this was the right moment to drop this, but there was no point hiding it. With a wry smile, I clap my hands once to gather their attention on me.
Despite being engrossed in their discussion, they immediately stopped upon hearing my clap and focused on me.
The timing was a little too perfect; it was secretly a bit scary.
*'Having the rugged, bearded faces of muscular dwarves fill my entire field of vision is quite intimidating,'* I thought oddly.
"You've given many opinions, which are very helpful. We could continue like this, but at this design stage of town-building, I want to present some facilities I'd like incorporated to some extent."
Watching the dwarves design a town in this motivated state is one option, but to avoid major revisions later, I bring out new blueprints I hadn't shown the dwarves yet.
"What is this?""A long box?""Is this a long, connected rod?"
Something that absolutely doesn't exist in this world.Just looking at the blueprints, the dwarves are utterly confused, with many tilting their heads.
"Lord Liberta, what is this...?""This is a Magi-Rail."
There's no reason to keep them in suspense. I answer the representative, Don, plainly, revealing its nature.Two blueprints: one for the vehicle design, the other for the tracks.
The Magi-Rail, which could become a key element for transportation and defense.This was a popular facility and piece of equipment in FBO town-building.
"Magi... rail. I understand it's a type of golem, but what does 'rail' mean?""A train is just a train, but let me explain this facility."
As Don guessed, the Magi-Rail is a railway train based on golems.
When FBO first started, placing fixed facilities like tracks in areas with roaming monsters and uncertain elements like bandits was thought to be difficult.
But as progression advanced, conditions aligned: using the "Mark of the Weakling" for unbreakable tracks, and "Sealing" to exclude monsters. This made constructing railway transportation infrastructure realistically possible.
"So, if we can install this Magi-Rail, connecting future towns will not only make moving goods easier, but also moving people. Furthermore, installing tracks on fortresses and walls will not only make moving soldiers easier, but the Magi-Rail itself can become a key defensive asset."
The overview of the railway is simple.Create a path called tracks, and the Magi-Rail runs on it.
Simply put, that's all it is.
Naturally, questions arise about why horse-drawn carriages won't suffice. But unlike living creatures, the Magi-Rail is equipment that can consistently produce a fixed output.
First explaining it as something like a large carriage, then explaining it can travel on a fixed path without any obstacles—the dwarves realize its excellence in transporting goods at this stage.
Further explaining applications like armored trains and how they can become defensive assets, the option of "not building it" is eliminated from the dwarves' minds.
"Lord Liberta. You come up with incredible things again. If this is completed and becomes usable, it will turn the world's common sense upside down.""Let me tell you, I'm going to overturn common sense many more times from now on. This is just the beginning.""Hahaha! This is just the beginning?""Yeah, just the beginning."
Fixed notions, or perhaps better called common sense.In this world, the mainstream transportation and cargo methods involve horses or monster-drawn carriages.
That is common sense, the norm.Whether commoner, noble, or royal, no one thinks otherwise.
Because there are successful examples, there may be developments from this transportation method, but they cannot break out of that framework.
Going from 1 to 2 is easy, but going from 0 to 1 is no ordinary feat.
I can somewhat guess the reasons for this.Disadvantages like maintenance costs—even paved roads get destroyed by monsters. The convenience level is sufficient for current life, not enough to stimulate development drive.A collective consciousness that discourages doing things differently from others.The enormous cost required for development.
The reasons it wasn't born or didn't develop are endless.Unless led by a nation, developing this kind of transportation infrastructure is difficult.
But I am here.
Not just 1, but knowledge and insight exceeding 10, even 100.
That's precisely why I can immediately recognize its importance and necessity and take action.
"I see. In that case, we have no time to be surprised.""No, be appropriately surprised. Seeing surprised faces is quite enjoyable, you know?""Hahaha! What a difficult request!"
Honestly, since coming to this world, I've wanted to improve transportation methods quickly.Creating transfer gates with teleportation magic is fine, but activating them once requires enormous magical power, and maintenance requires equal or greater cost.
Currently, we lack the materials to make them and can't sustain them.There are also methods like airships.
Aerial transport is the fastest method for personnel movement even in the modern era, and moving goods is also fast.The downside is the reduced amount of cargo that can be carried.
We've also postponed this because safe air travel isn't possible until we gather the materials.
In contrast, considering current costs, trains are a very logical means of transportation.
This one-kilometer square land is clearly destined to expand much more in the future.
As the dwarves said earlier, what we're building now is the first city wall.We want at least five city walls and will secure land accordingly.
Securing a transportation method like the Yamanote Line would make moving people easier.In the future, I'd like to connect tracks to the Duke's territory and the Royal Capital, but that probably won't happen soon.
In that sense, an orderly, planned cityscape like Tokyo's could be called ideal.
"But Don, wouldn't you enjoy seeing people surprised by something you made?""Yes, of course."
The direction has been decided among us.I'm convinced of it.
The urbanization plan for the pioneering town, premised on constructing a railway network.
Planning the town's architectural design while preserving room for future development.Having shared this understanding, the work plan rapidly began to progress.
"Block Golems are truly convenient. They can be applied to various constructions.""Though without someone to give proper instructions, they can only make simple things.""Then, leave that part to us. We haven't been craftsmen for decades for nothing."
First and foremost, we need to quickly move out of temporary housing, so the first priority is the residential district.The order was decided: next the railway and traffic networks, then agriculture-related facilities, followed by the industrial district, and finally the commercial district.
Construction materials can also be managed by applying Block Golems.
"I'm counting on you. Also, I'd like you to build several design houses, though they'll be demolished later.""Design houses?""Yeah. We'll actually build sample houses for people to tour, to help solidify their wishes for the kind of house they want to live in.""Hoh... going to such lengths... Doesn't it cost to build them?""Right now, it's about attachment more than cost. To make people think of this as their hometown, their house is important. Besides, we have most of the materials for building houses secured, so providing them for free isn't a problem. Also, by building design houses, we can show the residents your technical skills, Don."
Plus, we have plenty of harvested timber.So, it's time to give a gift to the people who have stuck with this pioneering effort.
"For our sake?""Yeah. In fact, I might even live in the most popular design house."
Since Genjirou and the others are part of the "village as a gift" plan, I might end up living in something like a lodge in this town, but having a proper house is still better.
"!? Boys, get fired up!!!""OOOOOH!!!!!!"
Wondering if I went a bit overboard in motivating them, I place my expectations in the dwarves' skills.