Earth Dungeon 72.1

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Chapter 72.1. The Beginning

Shingen rode his horse back to his base. Compared to the outer town, the market, and the main headquarters at Amatsugahara, Shingen's base was in the middle of the market and had the highest population. Shingen's base is full of fluttering banners that bore the characters for "heaven", showcasing the old man's extravagant taste.

At his base, Shingen noticed that a section of the wall had been removed, and a large crowd had gathered, centered around a dwarf girl. 

As he approached, he saw Oukubo was earnestly holding her hand, deep in thought.

[Block]

With a single word, a shining wall appeared. It was a modular frame, in which others had inserted fragments of reinforced concrete taken from somewhere, reinforcing them with wooden frames before pouring concrete over them. They were creating concrete walls.

"I'm not sure how to put this... Sorry, Oukubo. I don't want to doubt your proposal, but will this work?"

It seemed like it would easily break. Even an amateur like him could see that. Wouldn't the reinforced steel need to be embedded in the foundation?

"Hahaha... This is the 2nd attempt. But it seems impossible. We really have to build it properly from the foundation; otherwise, it's too fragile."

The young girl looked downcast as she said this. Shingen rubbed his chin, thinking of what to say.

"Don't worry. The boss said not to worry even if we fail."

"Yeah, even with the skills, our experience that counts."

"Let's not get discouraged and keep trying."

However, one of the workers spoke first, working alongside Oukubo. Oukubo's eyes welled up with tears at the kind words, but she quickly composed herself.

"Thank you, everyone! But, I want to give up on the concrete wall and try a new method!"

"A new method?"

"Yes. [Block] would work for stone walls and such. We can cover that, and support it while replacing it with new stones. However, because the reinforced steel supports the entire structure. It's impossible to replace just that part."

I and the others nodded in agreement. Initially, they thought they could repair Sakimori's House, but it seemed like they would have to give up because it would be sloppy to replace it. Concrete walls also needed to be built from the foundation, which didn't match their skills.

"So, I thought about it. We need to block enemy attacks, right? So, what if we stack a lot of breakwaters? Even with hastily inserted reinforced steel and concrete, once it hardens, its weight and size could potentially block the enemy, don't you think?"

Like the ones at the seaside pier... I see. Those are massive and have strange shapes, making it difficult to trip over them or cross them. Not only goblins but also giant rats and spiders would find it challenging.

There are many issues, but what if we built it in front of the current plywood wall? Then we could use long spears to thrust them down. It might even serve as a moat.

"Sakimori is saying we can experiment and make it, so it should be fine, right?"

"Yes! I'll immediately make a frame for pouring concrete with [Block]. I'll also ask the president for a drying spell... The shrine construction didn't work either. I didn't have the skills to put it together."

"We have to make do with the cards we're dealt. In reality, not everything we propose goes smoothly. He won't be too bothered by it."

Reality can be harsh. Not everything we suggest works out perfectly, unlike in stories.

"Yes! I'll go see the president later."

"Very well."

With a forgiving boss and supportive colleagues, even in the face of failure, success will eventually come. There was no room for "eventually" in the abandoned town, but now they were fine.

I looked kindly at the girl who discussed when to go to the headquarters with the workers and their bright expressions, then he returned to his base.

And just like bright conversations with the girl, there were also new dark stories.

I returned to the restaurant, Furinkazan, which had been renovated and turned into the Amatsugahara branch. He found some familiar faces sitting there with troubled expressions. It seemed like they had been waiting for Shingen.

"Human nature: 2 people would fight to the death, and with 3, they'd form factions, huh?"

Katsuyori, walking beside me, muttered sarcastically, shrugging his shoulders. I understood. Yes, I did understand.

"Oh, Shingen-sama, just returning now? It seems like the dungeon conquest with Sakimori-sama went well."

The people who noticed Shingen stood up and greeted him, to which he nodded casually.

"We finished without any problems here, Babayaro. My apologies for keeping you waiting, Numata-dono."

It was an old-fashioned way of speaking, but Shingen liked it. Those who knew him well also spoke in an old-fashioned manner, trying to please him.

The first to speak to him was Baba, one of his long-time confidants who had started using that name recently. Shingen turned to Numata, who was sitting next to him.

"Oh, Shingen-dono. Today, at the instruction of President Amano, I came to discuss the delivery destination for the ale, the amount, and the quantity."

"I've heard about it. Ooki, bring us some tea."

"With pleasure."

Ooki headed to the kitchen with a spirited "Hei!" Shingen couldn't help but smile, perhaps because the atmosphere had become tense.

Numata scratched his cheek, bowed, and then approached. Babayaro shot a sharp look at Numata. It seemed like they had been getting along while I was away, which made him smile wryly.

I sat in the chair, Numata and Baba sat down, and Ooki, although he said it was coarse tea, placed a cup of tea in front of me. This was my house,  don't offer coarse tea to guests.