“……Phew, is this the sixth one now?”
It was late in the evening when Dwight, having completed the sixth magic circle of the day, wiped the sweat off his forehead. Yoon Si-woo, watching him, couldn’t help but express his admiration.
“Wow…… you really filled them all, just like you said. If there were more magicians like you, this construction would have been finished in no time.”
“……Even without that, the remaining work will be done within a week. Since the Dolos House has invested heavily as if they were determined about this. What’s truly impressive isn’t me, but them. With such a large-scale construction, even if you exclude the labor costs paid to the magicians installing the magic circles, the amount spent on materials alone must have been enormous.”
“……Is it really that expensive? The only materials that seem special are these boards with the magic circles engraved on them.”
Yoon Si-woo tilted his head, pondering Dwight’s attitude of attributing credit to the Dolos House instead of taking it for himself, while glancing at the mysterious boards with magic circles inscribed on them.
It made sense that a large-scale construction would incur quite a cost, but did it really require such an astronomical amount? Given that the Dolos House was among the wealthiest in the city, a standard expense shouldn’t pose much burden.
However, at Yoon Si-woo’s remark, Dwight shook his head as if in disbelief, took out his mobile phone, searched for something, and then showed the screen to Yoon Si-woo.
“Magic circles inherently consume a significant amount of money. Even that board you just mentioned is worth this much.”
“Oh, that’s quite expensive…… Wait a moment, per piece? Then……”
“Right. Just counting the material costs for this construction…… it amounts to approximately this much.”
“……Huh?! Really?”
The overwhelming display of zeros on the screen was enough to leave Yoon Si-woo, who considered himself somewhat well-off, dumbfounded.
The material costs alone for one construction project were at that amount. Considering the total construction costs including that, it was a level at which even considerable companies could face bankruptcy in an instant……
“Then, is Dolos covering all that construction cost? Is Dolos’s finances really okay?”
“Well, not all of it. They mentioned discussing things with the Central Committee, so other families or wealthy individuals likely contributed too. Still, since Dolos was the main proponent, they probably covered at least half. Even though Dolos has quite a few large projects, this one must still have resulted in considerable financial outlay.”
“……It’s necessary, but they sure are bold to take this on.”
“That’s what makes them a distinguished family, after all. Phew, honestly, I don’t really like how hastily this construction is being pushed.”
“Uh? You don’t like it? What’s wrong with it?”
While conversing, Yoon Si-woo tilted his head in confusion at Dwight, who was expressing dissatisfaction about the hurried construction.
In response, Dwight displayed a slightly troubled expression.
“If we had delayed the schedule just a little longer to give time to revise the magic circles, we could have significantly reduced that burden. Honestly, the current magic circles are lacking by my standards. There are plenty of aspects to improve regarding costs and the side effects currently present in the magic circles. Yet, Dolos insisted that it should start as soon as possible because they were okay with it.”
“Even if it was out of insistence, it was something that needed to be done urgently.”
Suddenly interrupted by another voice in the conversation, Yoon Si-woo instinctively flinched at the sound.
The voice belonged to Diakonos Dolos, the head of the very Dolos House they had been discussing.
Dwight, clearly intrigued by the imposing presence radiating from Diakonos’s robust physique, asked with admiration.
“What brings you to a place like this, Diakonos?”
“This is a project overseen by our house, isn’t it? I was here to inspect the progress and make sure there are no delays. Also, I have heard you’ve come out today to provide great assistance with the project. From consulting on the magic circles to helping Ninehart every time; it seems you’ve really been a big help. I’m always grateful.”
“Not at all. I just did what I had to do.”
“……Hmm, I see. I didn’t know you felt that way. It seems you had some dissatisfaction with this construction progress.”
Yoon Si-woo felt a pang of unease when he saw Diakonos lean in and mutter softly while looking at Dwight.
The Dolos House, led by someone like Diakonos, wielded unparalleled power in the city. Even though it wasn’t intended negatively, encountering complaints about the house’s dealings could be troublesome.
However, unlike Yoon Si-woo’s anxiety, Dwight spoke candidly, unconstrained by Diakonos’s presence.
“What was lacking was indeed lacking. Providing subpar magic circles was a matter of pride for Ninehart. If I had been given more time, I would have polished the magic circles overnight. But I didn’t, and I presented what I had purely due to Dolos’s earnest request.”
“……I see.”
And while Diakonos glared at Dwight with a sharp gaze, he suddenly bowed his head and apologized.
Given that the people of the Dolos House were known not to bow to anyone, let alone a figure as stubborn as Diakonos, Dwight, usually unfazed, couldn’t help but be taken aback.
“Please don’t do that. I didn’t mean to seek an apology.”
“No, the issue of pride is important. If someone suffered because of my house’s actions, it’s right for me to apologize. That’s my conviction.”
“It’s really fine. After all, it’s Dolos that incurred financial damage because of it.”
“Damage…… I personally wouldn’t say I’ve suffered any at all.”
After bowing for a while, Diakonos slowly straightened up and addressed Dwight.
“I understand what you’re trying to say. Surely, if you were given time, you would be able to create magic circles that would save a lot of costs. But let me say this: if the previous witch invades the boundary region again with her abilities during that time, and another victim emerges, whose responsibility would that be?”
“That would be……”
“It would be the responsibility of the adults. The responsibility of the families leading the city and, therefore, the responsibility of Dolos. Hence, it was Dolos’s role to provide measures to prevent that as swiftly as possible. The cost isn’t what matters. It’s money spent on something that needs to be done. If it’s for something you believe is right, how could spending money on it be seen as a loss? Furthermore, it’s just using the money earned from work started for the sake of the people again for the people.”
To Diakonos, who expressed the same solemn expression he always had, these words were nothing different.
Then, he suddenly turned to Yoon Si-woo and bowed his head to apologize.
“In reality, it’s heroes like you who have suffered because of us. I’m sorry.”
“Pardon? W-What? All of a sudden?”
“The hasty commencement of construction resulted in unresolved side effects in the magic circles. Once construction is finished, the magic circles will temporarily block all the teleportation gates, making it difficult to return to the city until the synchronization work is completed. You will have to spend precious holidays at your work site, and for that, I sincerely apologize.”
Not being able to spend the holidays with Scarlet was undoubtedly disappointing, but Yoon Si-woo shook his head happily at Diakonos’s remarks.
“I’m fine with it. It’s something that must be done, after all.”
“Is that so? I’m always grateful for your dedication and hard work.”
Diakonos slightly inclined his head towards Yoon Si-woo in respect before turning to Dwight and Yoon Si-woo.
“Well, it seems I’ve kept you here too long while chatting. You must have had a hard time with the work, so you should go and rest. And, Dwight, be sure to collect your overdue pay, including what you worked on today. I’ve heard that up until now, you’ve declined what you were owed and left. If you do that again, I’ll consider it a challenge to Dolos.”
“I’m just doing my job as a hero candidate, how can I take compensation for it……”
“Fair labor deserves fair pay. That’s my conviction too. Knowing that you would accept, I shall take my leave now.”
Despite the late hour, Diakonos hurriedly walked away, still with places to go. Yoon Si-woo and Dwight watched him for a while until his figure vanished.
Once he could no longer see him, Yoon Si-woo let out a small smile and murmured.
“……Really, he’s an impressive person in many ways.”
“Yeah. That’s what nobless oblige is all about.”
At Dwight’s mutter, Yoon Si-woo nodded in agreement.
Even though Scarlet had gone through some difficult times because of it, he felt a bit conflicted about it; however, he had already heard from Scarlet that he felt no injustice in receiving such an enormous sum as compensation, and he had forgiven them.
Now, all Yoon Si-woo felt towards Diakonos was respect.
Every word he had heard from him was genuine.
Though he held a high position as the head of a distinguished family, his true intention to care for the people made him a true hero.
Someday, when he became an adult himself, he thought.
He would take responsibility for his actions, bow to anyone he believed he had wronged, regardless of who they were.
Yet, he would never bend his convictions, aspiring to be such a wonderful man.
Yoon Si-woo sincerely contemplated.
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