“Let’s not go there, man. Not if you want to keep your head.”
“Point well taken.”
Of course, this was something that shouldn’t have been said out loud, even if everyone was thinking it. If Sol and Rosalind were happy with the arrangement, it didn’t matter if it was natural or calculated. Back in their autonomous region, the Crystanians had been worried about starving to death every year. Here, they and their liege were happy. This was an undeniable truth.
Most importantly, the world was now figuratively entirely in Sol’s hands. A few hundred meters away up in the sky was not a distance beyond his reach or his earshot. If Frederica whispered Wise choice in their ears this very moment, they would jump so high they’d fall off the keep, but at the same time, it wouldn’t be all that surprising. It was never a good idea to tempt fate. Even if it was just words.
When Rosalind disappeared from view, the head builder clapped his hands once and declared, “All right, let’s stop gabbing and get back to work.”
“Yes, sir,” said the youngest of the group as everyone swiftly returned to what they were doing. “We’re hitting White Silver Pavilion afterward, yeah?”
Aside from work that required extreme concentration, a moderate amount of chitchat did not significantly hamper their efforts. What was important was going with the tempo of the workflow and relaxing without becoming negligent or shoddy. It also was important to motivate the troops, so to speak. Thus the confirmation.
“I’ve made a reservation at Paradis after that!” someone who had been with this group just a little longer called out. “No idea if the rumor that Falra and Lucrezia are leaving the main store in Magnamelia and coming here is true, though.” Like a true youngster, he had evening entertainment planned for after dinner.
One of the older men who had yet to settle down had more information to share about the city’s increasingly lively nightlife. “I wouldn’t be surprised. Top brothels from many countries are planning on opening shop here with their best girls.”
The youngster’s eyes widened. “Seriously? Damn...”
Those rumors were not entirely baseless. Large establishments from all over the continent were indeed trying to secure footholds in each country in the rapidly developing west. The effort that some were putting into the business here in Atriesta truly made it seem like they were in fact making this their new home base.
What gave all the talk an extra dimension of credibility was that Paradis, the largest brothel in Magnamelia, already had an open branch in Atriesta, and some of their most famous girls had indeed transferred here. That suggested their richest and most powerful patrons had come too, following them. The other brothels saw this as the beginning of a trend that would make Atriesta a much bigger market for new customers than their home cities or even Magnamelia.
It was no exaggeration to say that at this moment in time, Atriesta was the center of the world. To be more accurate, wherever Sol settled down was the center of the world, and he was currently staying in Atriesta.
While listening to his men’s spirited conversation, the head builder murmured, “Man, us eating at high-class restaurants and sleeping with high-class courtesans? I still can’t believe it sometimes.”
The salary of a castle builder had always been high, but only for a commoner. It didn’t compare to the income of adventurers or soldiers, let alone nobles. Moreover, Crystania had been dirt-poor, so it had almost become an obligation for those working abroad to keep what foreign currency they earned and spend it back home. The high-class establishments in the cities where they worked therefore seemed out of reach, as they had to be frugal.
The youngest shook his head. “The demand for those with specialized skills is crazy high right now.”
This group of builders was being paid very handsomely, and it wasn’t only them. Everyone with professions needed for the restoration of the west was enjoying incredibly generous benefits. That was all the truer for this group, as they had been commissioned directly by the Panhuman League. Their salary seemed off by a whole magnitude, such that they could comfortably afford to eat at high-class restaurants and spend the entire night with high-class courtesans every day.
“I feel kinda bad about it, to be honest. Like, what am I doing working such a big gig, and why am I being paid so much for it?”
“I hear you, but there isn’t really anything you can do except making sure you can be proud of your work.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
The youngster flashed a smile, and his boss gave him a reassuring nod. Then the builders all turned to focus on their tasks. Their liege was sticking it out, facing terrifying opponents in the dungeons next to even more terrifying companions. The least they could do, then, was apply themselves so as not to embarrass themselves, their families, and their beloved queen.
After all, what they were working on was their own palace. It had to look perfect in the eyes of all visitors and be Rosalind’s pride and joy. It was daunting that this project had an unlimited budget, but that also meant they could use the best materials and apply the full extent of their skills and expertise. That was the greatest joy for them as craftsmen, though it certainly also felt good seeing their chosen profession rise in demand and receiving sufficient compensation to support a lavish lifestyle.
All over Atriesta, the same scene was playing out in myriad settings as the citizens of Crystania strove to give form to their love for their country.