Edward Pascal

***

Man... It was like Amun came prepared for everything he set his sights on.

Coming from someone like the Necro King, it was expected. The Great King of the Dead had lived for centuries and was powerful enough to end civilizations. Much less create them. No matter how many times I witnessed it, seeing someone as young as Amun do the same perplexed me beyond belief. I believed that would remain true long after we became old or undead. Wrongly so.

The source of his knowledge was always on my mind. But we were forbidden to inquire about it until further notice. So instead, I did like the others and found a reason, then focused on the immense wealth of knowledge he deposited on me. As his Chief Engineer, the books I was given revolved around schematics and blueprints of creations that I believed, had no way of existing in this world. Yet each theory, principle, and practice was explained in deep detail; written in ways that even I could understand. In the beginning, they were simple in nature. Things even we've seen over the years. Infrastructure. Optimized in ways that were unbelievable by Amun. Buildings, roads, bridges, and the like. After that, however, it quickly fell down the hole of the fantastical unknown. Beasts of metal capable of moving on the ground, in the water, and through the sky on their own power; not magic or enchantments. Machines that lived in the body, granting the owner abilities that were in ways like magic. It was so much I didn’t even know where to begin.

But, of course, Amun planned for that as well.

“Honestly.” Giorno’s gasp ripped me from my thoughts. I followed his splayed hand to the model of the new Hill Base just as he gasped again. “It’s incredible.”

“That it is.” Mayor Silas gasped in much the same way.

“Keep in mind this is a model simulating the future, but it goes beyond,” Amun simplistically stated. “I anticipate a population boom during our absence. I wouldn’t be surprised if our numbers double, or even triple while we’re gone. And that's without immigration. Even if it doesn’t by then, however, it’ll happen eventually. Once I return with the ability to make enchantments, though, the risk of overpopulation will be mitigated. That said.” He sighed. “I don’t want to take the whole mountain. Only a part of it. Thus.” He gestured again to the model.

“Only a part of it.” Mayor Silas buried his face in his hand. “You make it sound so simple.”

“With Gravity Magic, it is.” Amun snorted.

“Gravity…” Mayor Silas tapped at his chin. “That’s how we were able to do this?”

“Yes.” Amun nodded. “Between that and my other affinities, we’ll have all the space we need.”

“Well.” The Mayor peered over his feet with a dry laugh. “We already do.”

With only a soft snort, Amun stepped over the ledge. Compelling the rest of us to follow him into a hexagonal hole that shifted into a cave upon the release of his spell. After catching my bearings, I and the others gazed around a space eight meters wide and twelve long. Save a 2.5-meter wide groove running from the door to the open wall, the space was empty. A blank slate for the seven of us to play with.

“If I may.” Mayor Silas interjected. “I’d like to introduce Arbold and Leo, Hill Base’s most exceptional farmer and our most talented artist; likewise, may I present, Lord Amun, along with Lord Edward, Lord Jaimess, Lord Giorno, our new tailor, And Lady Letta, our new watchmaker.”

“My pleasure.” I meekly bowed after the others.

“Now that the introductions are underway, we’ll agree upon the teams,” Amun said. “Mayor Silas and I will go through each cell and the interior to install the enchantments. Ed, you, Arbor, and Jaimess will work on the main infrastructure. Leaving Letta and Giorno with Leo. We want this place to look luxurious and spacious enough to remove the want to go outside. That means a lot of light and even more plants.”

“Understood, my Lord.” Giorno regally bowed.

“Good.” Amun nodded. “Now, assuming no one has any objections, I’ll move on to explain the infrastructure so we’re all on the same page. First, these cells can be used as either communal spaces or as lots for a single family. The standard is eight by twelve meters, with stone walls four meters thick. It seems obsessive, but my intention is that the occupants on either side can dig a meter and a half into the walls and extend as far as they need into the cells to build their rooms. Or, if the family is large enough, they can combine two cells via a door and make a single unit. Regardless, there’ll be a meter of leeway for the necessary pipes or conduits I plan on running through the place. They'll begin high above.” Amun pointed overhead. “In the rainwater reservoirs. From there, the water will pass through filters and pour into one of three reservoirs. One for daily water, one for agriculture, and one for the industry. The water in the former will pass into each residence to fill their toilet and bathwater. Reducing the need for enchantments and allowing us to create fertilizer in the process.”

“Fertilizer!?” Arbor huffed.

“Yes.” Amun grinned. “Toilet water will produce black water and dirty bath, sink, and laundry water is known as gray water. The gray water needs to be filtered before it can be fed to plants while the black water will fall into a series of tanks feeding into one another. Each tank will be filled with plants, aquatic life, and insects that feed on the waste, cleaning the water enough to be released back into nature without tainting the environment.”

“Absolutely incredible.” Arbor gasped in disbelief.

“Yes.” Amun nodded. “But that’s not all! The water reserved for agriculture will feed into the balconies lining each cell. There, the residents will have their own aquaponics system.”

“Aqua… ponics?” Mayor Silas slowly repeated.

“Each cell will have its own fish tank,” Amun explained. “Initially, those fish will need to be fed with the food we have on hand. But as they eat, they’ll drop waste into the water. If the fish were simply being kept as pets, the water would simply be filtered. But the filthy water can be pumped into plant beds filled with porous rock. The plants would feed off the waste, in turn cleaning the water for the fish."

“And, given enough time, the fish can be sustained from the produce grown from their waste.” Arbor surmised. “Giving us fresh fish and produce! It's genius!”

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“But that also brings about the risk of wasted food,” Amun added with a pointed finger. “As such, I’m installing a chute in every room meant for organic waste, uneaten or rotten food, along with some other things, where it’ll all be gathered into a chamber filled with worms.”

“Worms?” Mayor Silas writhed.

“Yes.” Amun snickered. “The worms will break down food, paper, and anything else that came from the ground and turn it into fertilizer. That fertilizer, and another material, will be used to revitalize the soil in our indoor farms and around Hill Base. Any questions?”

“A cart full.” Arbor snorted. “But none that’ll keep me from working. I’m ready to begin when you are, my Lord.”

“Alright then.” Amun clapped, then disappeared with the Mayor.

In turn, me, Jaimess, and Arbor were left standing over Leo as he guided Giorno in carving bits of stone into his desired shapes while Letta hauled chunks of stone outside and brought plants and saplings inside with her chains. After, Amun used his void magic to carve the aforementioned canals into the walls while Mayor Silas shaped the stone to create the enchantments needed to light up the place and provide the obligatory amenities. The crafters and a few construction workers then came in with lists and requirements for the tenants and got to work manipulating stone, raising walls, installing doors, and building the furniture needed to transform the place from a mere cave to a luxurious home. And only then, could we finally begin our work.

We started with the plant beds. After deciding to have the tanks be placed above the kitchen, we installed a standard pump enchantment, then asked Amun to create a pipe that ran through the roof to the upper-most bin on the left side of the balcony. After filling that with a few centimeters of porous rock, we installed a mesh screen before an overflow bucket valve, then repeated the process three more times until we reached the far side, where another pump was installed to bring the water back up through the roof and into the tank. With that, the only thing left to do now was to plant the crops, fill the central basin and populate it with fish. All jobs reserved for either the residents or other individuals, so we quickly moved on to the next cell.

In a way, it was perfect. The fish chosen to reside in the tanks bred like rabbits, managed their own population, and favored warm water. And with the angle of the caves, the transparent tank would capture the sun's heat during the day much like the structure itself did. All the occupants had to do was feed them and make sure no disease befell them and they had food for life.

It took us the entire day to go through the fifty-one cells, three double cells, and two triples. Making for just over four rows of staggered hexagonal residential spaces. With our job done, the lot of us made our way deeper inside the mountain, where Amun and the Mayor were finishing up with the main farm complex.

“We’re done.” I beamed after settling beside them.

“Excellent work.” Amun grinned over his shoulder. Then took a moment to recall his void tendrils before turning to face us. “That was a lot faster than I expected.” He chuckled. “Be proud of yourselves.”

“Thank you.” I bowed at the neck.

“Arbor, I’ll remind you that these systems can grow crops a lot faster and with higher yields than even the most fertile soils. But.” Amun raised a finger. “They’re unable to support trees or sustain anything that grows in the ground. For that, we’ll have to farm outside for the former and inside for the latter.”

“Hence the… compost, was it?” Arbor presumed.

“Exactly.” Amun nodded.

“You know, we do have seasons in these parts?”

‘Seasons?’ My brows furrowed. But Amun recoiled in shock.

“Seriously?” He asked.

“Depending on the mana and the winds of the great seas.” Mayor Silas nonchalantly nodded. “A winter came nearly a year ago. We almost starved. It’ll be good to know we can grow food year-round. But we may need to have the ability to enclose the cells or install wood stoves or perhaps enchantments to continue growing food should another winter come again.”

“That can be easily done.” Amun dismissively shrugged. “More importantly, the cells are done, the new gate is complete, and the plateau has been smoothed out. I’ll be spending the night carving out a few more things and making a few designs for the artisans. Tomorrow, most of us will be doing the same things we did today while the others work on the gate and the outer yard. While that’s going on, the citizens will be moving into their new residences. Allowing us to demolish the town and begin construction on the plateau the day after. And from there, it’s nothing but classes and training.

“Any questions?” Amun clasped his hands together, then paused to pan his gaze across the still faces gathered around him. “Alright then, have a good night. And, try not to drink too much.”

“I cannot begin to thank you enough.” Mayor Silas lowered himself into a bow before any of us could depart. “This has been a dream come true, seeing Hill Base change before my eyes. I’ve said this to Amun.” He turned to us. “But I and the citizens consider each of you the Lords and Ladies of Hill Base. Nobles, if not Royalty, I daresay. If there’s anything you want or need, all you need do is ask.”

“I appreciate the gesture.” Amun raised his palm. “But, I’m fine.”

As the Mayor’s gaze fell upon mine, I politely shook my head. As did the others. Causing his smile to widen more than I thought possible before he excused himself with another thanks. And with that, the rest of us turned to retreat up the winding stone stairs leading to the residences.

From it being incomplete, the main complex was nothing more than a labyrinth of gently sloped halls, winding stairs that hugged towering walls, and what appeared to be hundreds of chambers and rooms of immense size, supported by a web of iron and wooden beams. As a result of our work, however, the residences were like stepping into a dreamland.

Giorno and Letta’s quarters sat on the top row. A locale that made for an arduous climb, but one that sent a relaxing wave of unignorable proportions over our bodies. Like many of the large families, Letta and Giorno shared a double cell; and like the others, opened up to a central cell shared between the two. The living room sat just before the door, nothing more than a rug-lined area furnished with a small table and a sofa that’d been dug into the raised floor. Beyond that, before the gardens, was the kitchen. Consisting of a sink and prep area recessed into the floor like the couches, opposite the cooktop, oven, and fish tank floating above the central groove. Lastly, a pair of doors sitting to either side of the stove opened to a fridge and freezer that stretched beneath the floor, providing a substantial storage space that could be accessed via simple pull-out drawers.

From there, their rooms started to differ. Excepting his bed and bathroom, Giorno’s cell, on the left, was kept entirely open. Instead of dedicated rooms, he had… areas. All of his machinery for making clothes sat just to the left, surrounded by huge bags stuffed with leather and textiles. His sleeping area sat across the central groove and extended more than halfway to the end of the cell, leaving a lounge area and an open space he claimed would be used for training closest to the balcony. Letta, on the other hand, had a much more segregated space. Within her cell, three rooms sat in the corners, leaving her with a nice lounge area in which to tend to her plants to the left of the door. In turn, her bedroom sat to the right of the door, across from a ‘storage unit’ and her workshop.

After Letta went off to her room, Jaimess offered to cook us a meal. So I joined Giorno in his lounge and took a bottle of ale from my Doppelganger.

“Man.” I gasped in satisfaction.

“What?” Giorno asked through a dense cloud of smoke.

“I don’t know.” I leaned back in my seat with a shrug. “It just… feels good. Working hard all day. Finishing it with a cold bottle of ale. I mean, just look.”

Giorno raised an inquisitive brow as he took a long drag from his cigarette, then turn to see the town below.

“It’s much different from what we saw just yesterday, right?” I asked. “The people went from being fearful and resentful to being happy and hopeful. And, this place is beginning to look impenetrable.

“I don’t know if this is why Amun does it.” I sighed after another swing. “But, passing along knowledge and creating a better life for people- uplifting them, has proven to be quite an exhilarating endeavor.”

“I doubt that’s the reason.” Jaimess chuckled behind me. “But I agree all the same. When I look at this place, I can’t help but dream of the future. And oh, does it seem glorious.”