Chapter 576: The Unmoving Standard
“Ahh…”
I found myself staring off into the distance without realizing it.
“Captain Goat!”
The crew member who had been rowing the small boat looked at Captain Cat with pleading eyes.
“Calm down, but I guess that’s asking too much. It’s probably not a bad thing, so don’t go jumping into the sea in a panic, alright?” Captain Cat replied, his gaze fixed on me.
The cliff wall where the sailing ship was docked was steadily being eroded. It was clearly marked by the line I had drawn.
With a soft rustling sound, the scenery on the opposite shore began to change. I could hear shouts from Captain Cat’s ship, but the construction at the port was progressing quietly, despite the scale of the changes.
The white stones that had been eroded were piling up like a dragon’s fingertip. They were clearly intent on building a tower—or perhaps a lighthouse. I understood, as I had been planning to build one myself.
“Under the cover of night, hidden in the shadows!” No, wait, the dizziness effect was still in play here. So, it seems nothing has changed even now?
“Alright, let’s give up!”
“Don’t give up!”
I declared it boldly, only to be interrupted by Retze.
“I’m not saying to stop what’s in front of you, but learn from this so it doesn’t happen again next time.”
He pinched my cheek, stretching it out.
“Seems like the spirits here are feeling quite generous at the moment.”
The level of consideration was high.
“It’s bigger than the roof of the tower.”
Kiel stated without a hint of surprise.
“Are you talking about the roof of my open-air bath? Please, don’t expose that!”
“Well, it’s better than suddenly having art pieces or valuable items appear out of nowhere… Water is gushing from the tower, so I guess these things happen.”
Soleil’s eyes were vacant.
Despite everything, Soleil could endure anything that wasn’t in her preferred category of ‘products.’ Haulon next to her was kneeling.
“If the sea moves, does the land move too…?”
Captain Cat let out a sigh.
The cliff had eroded to a height that seemed just right for boarding and disembarking from the ship, creating something like a corridor. The slight three-tiered height was just as I hoped, yes.
Around that corridor were stairs leading up, and stairs descending to the bases of the cliffs on either side.
Yes, yes, there’s the sandy beach. It’s rare around here, but I want a beach too. Right, I need a room for the tax collector and the person granting landing permits.
“Ahh…”
“Is this what they call rewriting history?”
The butler murmured as he watched the construction being influenced by the spirits.
“Haulon, you better hurry up, or the records won’t keep up. Look, it’s starting to affect us over here.”
Dinoss said.
“W-Wait!”
Haulon looked startled, beginning to fluster at Dinoss’s words.
“It’s not over yet, it’s not over!”
Haulon sprang into action.
“Don’t worry, with the Great Sage’s memory, we’ll manage somehow.”
Grandfather’s mind is still young. I’m sure he’ll be fine after seeing it once.
“There are still places we haven’t seen!”
He dashed off in a flurry.
Grandfather’s body is still young too. He’s muscular, though I’ve never seen it.
“You all seem fine…”
Captain Cat, with his drooping mustache, looked exasperated.
“It’s outside the range, so we’re fine.”
The butler seemed to have stopped thinking about the outside range, drawing a line.
“At this point, I don’t really care anymore. It’s not like our lives are at stake.”
Dinoss looked around, seemingly enjoying himself without a hint of panic.
I see, once you cross a certain line, your mindset shifts. Both of them are legendary adventurers, remaining calm.
“I should learn from them and stay calm.”
If I let my thoughts wander to the construction ahead, the spirits would keep going.
I should try to stay calm and not think about anything. Though it seems like thinking about it has already doomed me.
The more anxious I get, the more I think.
Even civil engineering should be better for the economy if it’s done for the residents—though they aren’t here—and those who want money.
Building a corridor (or whatever) and rooms on the cliff is tough, but I’ll consider this area safe. The ground here, or rather the stones themselves, have been crumbling easily, so they’re doing their best.
If the stones dug and carved by people were just thrown into the sea, that would be awkward. In the end, this turned out alright.
I wished they would have stopped in front of Retze and the others during the process!!!
“That height, we can directly transfer cargo to the sailing ship.”
“The place where people and cargo must check in, the only spots for the small boat are the sandy beach or this dock. The beach is completely exposed, so either way, if we secure the stairs…”
Soleil’s eyes lit up again, while Kiel continued to mutter about defense.
Faramia stood quietly behind Soleil, maintaining her usual demeanor.
“Am I the only coward here…?”
Retze sighed beside me.
“If you weren’t here, common sense would waver, so please stay as you are.”
“Things have been wavering lately, and I might not be able to return to normal society, so please stay as you are.”
The butler and Dinoss chimed in.
“Yeah.”
Especially since I might not be able to return, I really need them to stay.