Read Novel Full Chapter 18, Let’s Repair The Bridge
Chapter 18, Let’s Repair The Bridge
Translator: Lizz
Edward first negotiated with the Mayor.
He believed that the possibility of the Mayor betraying them was low due to the magic cast by Sylvia.
Although the Mayor wouldn’t do anything he disliked even if ordered, he would comply if it was something necessary to the Lord, due to the nature of the magic.
“You said taxes haven’t been collected, right? But now that Lady Sylvia has become the Lord, we will collect them properly. Especially since Lady Sylvia has just become the Lord and has many expenses. I’m not saying you have to pay all the past dues, but we need some of it immediately.”
“Of course. I will notify all the residents immediately.”
The Mayor nodded firmly.
Edward added one more important point.
“Also, from now on, make sure that all those who wish to settle in the town meet with Lady Sylvia. Ensure that no one living in this area is unknown to Lady Sylvia, and that Lady Sylvia is unknown to no one.”
Hearing this, the Mayor was moved.
“How wonderful that she will keep track of the residents…! We are fortunate to have such a Lord!”
Internally, Edward thought, (Yes, that’s true on the surface, but the purpose is different), but he nodded nonchalantly.
With the funds she had obtained, Gina went to a clothing store and ordered several outfits for Sylvia.
Having been unaware of the outside world, Gina just now realized that she had considerable skill in clothing and accessories, and became enthusiastic.
She dug up designs from her memory, drew patterns, and left the rest to the clothing store.
Of course, she also bought additional clothes for herself and Edward, but driven by her strong desire to dress up Sylvia, she instructed the store to create various outfits for her.
Sylvia decided to first repair the bridge, which was the most serious and most desired task.
Edward and the Mayor made the decision and asked Sylvia to do it.
Edward advised Sylvia in advance.
“Lady Sylvia, please keep your magic and skills hidden. Your magic is very special and rare. As the Lord, it is the ultimate magic. We don’t know how evil people might exploit or use it, so please hide it for safety.”
Sylvia didn’t understand at all, but she nodded seriously, matching Edward’s earnestness.
Through Edward, Sylvia had instructed the Mayor to place the necessary wood, stone, and iron for the bridge construction near the bridge. The Mayor had informed them that the preparations were complete, so the reconstruction was about to begin.
Edward, the Mayor, and Sylvia stood at the site where the bridge once stood.
“…It looks like only a few remnants are left.”
Edward murmured, and the Mayor gave a wry smile.
The only indication that a bridge had once been there was the absence of an outer wall in that spot.
“The outer wall and the guardhouse remain, so officials are stationed there, and they send out boats upon request… but rarely does anyone cross.”
Residents gathered and watched from a distance.
Edward glanced at them and then asked Sylvia.
“…Lady Sylvia. How is it?”
“It’s fine, I can do it.”
Sylvia nodded and approached the area where the bridge had been.
After thinking for a while, she chanted.
“<Rebuild the path to protect the followers – [Renovation]>.”
She struck the area where the bridge had been with her staff.
“…Oh!!”
The onlookers exclaimed in awe.
The Mayor was speechless with surprise.
The wood, iron, and stone were assembling as if they had always been there.
Everyone was wide-eyed at the sight of magic for the first time.
And so, before their eyes, the bridge was being completed.
“Amazing…”
Even Edward, who had seen it several times, was impressed. As for the residents, they were ecstatic enough to dance. Anyone would surely feel the same if they witnessed this magic firsthand.
To the residents here, this was far more impressive than the large-scale fire magic that was the hallmark of her father, the Commander of the Magic Knights. Some even began to kneel and pray to Sylvia.
Sylvia exhaled and said to the Mayor.
“The bridge wasn’t broken. It was destroyed.”
“…What?”
The Mayor was stunned.
Sylvia continued.
“Since it was destroyed, I made it so that it can be moved to prevent it from being destroyed again. Please raise the bridge at night.”
The Mayor was still stunned, but Edward lightly tapped his shoulder and said,
“The Lord has instructed to lower the bridge in the morning and raise it at night.”
Prompted by this, the Mayor hurriedly nodded.
“Understood. We will ensure that the officials stationed here are thoroughly informed.”
“Understood!”
The officials, who had watched the bridge being completed, nodded firmly and saluted.
The residents, seemingly out of curiosity, crossed the bridge to the other side. There was a checkpoint to enter the neighboring country along the way, and the officials stationed at the neighboring country’s checkpoint were so surprised to see a crowd of people walking towards them that they froze. That was how deserted the path had been.
Incidentally, to go from the duchy to the neighboring country, one must pass through the neighboring country’s checkpoint, and to go from the neighboring country to the duchy, one must pass through the duchy’s checkpoint. However, since there was no one at the duchy’s checkpoint, people could pass through without any trouble.
“Well, it’s fine since no one has passed through while I’m on duty… But seeing them slacking off over there is a bit irritating.”
A guard of the neighboring country said. A resident told the Mayor about this, and the Mayor consulted with Edward and Sylvia. Since the bridge was now open, they decided to send officials from their side.
The officials at the guardhouse would take turns in two shifts, morning and afternoon. In the morning, one would go to the checkpoint to open it, and in the evening, they would close it and cross the bridge to join the others and close the gate.