Chapter 62 - Volume 4 (1/2)
“Ah, s.h.i.+t. Does she think that just saying the word will get the job done? Why is she so stubborn?”
‘You don’t have the right to complain!’
Isaac began grumbling immediately after Rivelia left the roof to unpack her luggage. All of the administrative body who heard Isaac’s complaint had the same thought.
“Sigh, I guess I have no choice. We’ll get it done.”
“Gathering the funds will be a problem, but we will prioritise diverting our tax revenue and business profits to build up funds for the projects.”
“We’ll sort out the acquisition of land for construction by negotiating with the syndica- I mean, your representatives.”
“We’ll do a census to figure out the number of orphans and elderly who live alone and screen the children who are fit to enroll in schools.”
Isaac clicked his tongue as all of the work was set into motion smoothly.
“You heartless, uncaring bunch. The only thing you guys knew was to speak against everything I did, yet you are so eager to get the job done when it’s that damsel who’s giving the order.”
Isaac’s comment triggered a reaction from some of his employees, who awkwardly avoided eye contact with him. It was at this time that Kunette and Reisha came back to the roof with their hands full of snacks.
“Are you guys done unpacking?”
Kunette walked next to Isaac and collapsed on the floor, munching her snacks. Reisha began to answer, her mouth smeared with sauce from kebabs.
“Sunbaenim, when are you going to give me that ‘exciting experience’? All of the others seem to have had their share already!”
Reisha began to nag at Isaac, fuelled by jealousy from watching the other elves working.
“I heard you haven’t graduated yet, and aren’t you’re just here for social studies? Just do your work as a member of the police force for now.”
“Eeh! Sunbaenim, that’s so hars.h.!.+”
“You can do whatever you want after you’re finished with your work hours.”
“Hehe, really?”
Truth be told, it was a decision only Captain Helvent had the authority to decide, so Isaac sneakily changed the topic of conversation.
“So, how do you guys like your rooms?”
“It’s lovely! I’ve never seen such a pretty room before! But how come only some of the knights, Kunette, and I were given a hotel room?”
“Mayor Rivelia and Captain Helvent were also given a hotel room, although those two get VIP rooms.”
“Hm? Then what about the rest?”
Isaac turned to Kalden when Reisha asked her question.
“You explained to them properly, correct?”
“… Yes. The barracks for the police force were constructed hastily next to the loudest shooting range in the Meta District, and we’ve told them to book a residence of their own if they have any problems. We’ve also provided all of them with an employee’s card.”
“Good job.”
“Seeing how they’re spending, I don’t think they’ll last more than a few days.”
“Make sure their cards are declined if they spend more than they’ve earned.”
“Do we really have to go that far…”
“How else will we make them beg their parents for money? I’m sure their parents will give plenty of money to their lovely, rich sons.”
“Uwaah! You’re so mean, sunbaenim!”
“… Isaac, bad.”
Isaac picked up a cigarette as Reisha and Kunette commented on his practices.
“The number of insults received is directly proportional to how much money you make. And I’ll need to make lots of money to feed you two with tasty treats.”
“Ah! Is that how it works?”
“… That’s fine then.”
Reisha and Kunette seemed convinced by the explanation, but everyone else in the vicinity mentally repeated in unison.
‘There’s no way that is okay!’
Work efficiency changes drastically depending on whether the workers are forced into work or if they are eager and motivated. This lot, who would have lagged off had they been working under Isaac’s orders, were very quick to accomplish every task Rivelia had set. This fact irked Isaac.
“We’ve begun construction of the schools and hospitals. Construction will finish in 3 months, according to our estimates.”
“Thankfully, the construction guilds that were originally deployed in the shooting ranges have decided to construct not just the schools and hospitals free of charge but also the orphanages and retirement homes. It has drastically reduced the amount of funding we needed.”
“The magical spires have agreed to provide for the necessary teachers and healers to a degree.”
“Um, good job, all of you. It must not have been easy, but all of you have done well very quickly.”
Rivelia rewarded the administrative body with a nod of approval, and they didn’t even attempt to hide how happy they were to receive such a reward, squirming with a mix of happiness and embarra.s.sment. The sight had frustrated Isaac even further.
“So all that’s left is the issue of having one house for every resident…”
The administrative body descended into a hush when Rivelia muttered those words. Every other problem could be solved with their hands, but this was a problem they had no solution for.
“Do you not even have a proper plan at this point? What’s happened, Administrator?”
Isaac took a deep puff of the cigarette in his mouth when Rivelia began her questioning.
“Do you really want me to solve this issue?”
There was a hint of worry in Rivelia’s mind when Isaac seemed like he wanted confirmation from her. But Rivelia was confident that no matter how cunning and resourceful Isaac was, he wouldn’t be able to solve the problem of a lack of land.
“Of course. You must fulfill your duty as the Administrator.”
“Then I’ll take it that you don’t have any problems, and I’ll proceed then.”
Isaac nodded and ordered Rizzly.
“Go and bring the representatives of the construction guilds.”
Rizzly quickly ran out of the meeting, and Rivelia frowned at the sight.
“What are you trying now?”
“I’m just trying to follow my Mayor’s orders dutifully.”
“…”
The atmosphere became heavy as Rivelia and Isaac stared at each other, trying to figure out what the other was thinking. The staring match continued for a while without interruptions. Finally, Rizzly brought the representatives of the construction guilds up to the rooftop.
“May we ask why we were brought here…”
The man who carefully asked the question was Roberten. As the eldest member of the Headstone Merchant Guild, he was forced into being the Representative of the Construction Guilds.
The construction guilds’ weren’t acting charitably purely out of good will when they decided to build the orphanages, rest homes, schools, and hospitals. It was their way of escaping the impossible task of building one home for every citizen in the city; it would be their excuse when push came to shove.
“I am planning to announce a call for bids.”
“What?”
Roberten’s tongue was tied when Isaac mentioned the residential problem that he tried so hard to avoid.
“I will build homes fit for just one person. Its height will be only slightly higher than an average adult male, the width of which will be enough to have two people lie side by side. The rest of the interior will be up to the guilds to decide. You’ll have an easier time if you use the hive buildings in the slums as examples.”
“… Wait! Administrator, what are you doing?”
“Making homes, what else?”
“How could anyone call that a home!?”
Rivelia shouted out what was on everyone’s minds. Isaac simply tilted his head, unable to understand.
“How is it not a home, when their beds have a roof above their heads and walls to shelter them from rain and wind?”
“How can it possibly be a home when there’s not a single living s.p.a.ce in it? That’s just storage for the living!”
“The kitchen, toilets, and showers will be shared by the residents. The construction guilds will be paying for this. And I don’t need windows. Just put in some residential magic circles such as air purification, temperature maintenance, magic lamps, and anti-fire measures.”
Despite Isaac’s ludicrous demands, Roberten couldn’t help but begin to calculate how much that would cost out of habit as a merchant.
“Um, that would exponentially increase the cost of each home…”
The costs for creating magic circles differed wildly, and although residential magic circles were on the cheap end, it was still a magic circle. Creating a single magic circle was considered a great luxury for commoners, and stuffing so many into such a small area was like throwing money down the drain.
“I will compare each guild’s proposals before deciding on a final design. And the chosen design will be sent to the Department of Administration to be licensed as one of New Port City’s special goods. Any merchant guilds that plan on selling the design must pay a commission to New Port City.”
“…”
Roberten began to think if there was any merchant guild out there that would accept such conditions. The design of the building was different from the norm, but that was it. Roberten couldn’t understand where Isaac got the confidence to call it his ‘special good’ and ask for a commission to boot.
“Um… if you do approve a design, how many do you plan to buy?”
Isaac asked his employees when Roberten followed up with that question.
“How many single people are there in the city?”
Trentor, who took a census of the city population, spoke hesitantly.
“Around forty thousand people live alone in the city.”