Chapter 24: The Severin Cathedral
"The Director of Evaluation Department, Imperial Official Ascal Debrue!"
Conrad swallowed hard.
How could he fail to recognize that man?
A man with unyielding determination to complete any task assigned to him. A man who could find satisfaction only after seeing things reached completion with his own eyes.
This man was truly the stature of an Imperial Official.
"I've been waiting for you, Ascal-nim."
The proud Guildmaster of the Golden Hammer, Robenharf, bowed his head.
Dwarves were stubborn by nature. Even if someone held their leash, they wouldn't bow unless they genuinely respected them.
Ever since the Hoe incident, Ascal's reputation had silently spread among the dwarves.
"Would you care to see the town hall we've built first?"
"No, inspect our grain storage first."
The Guildmaster of the Blue Flames, Seventer, interjected.
"There's a pecking order for a reason. Move aside, you're at least ten years my junior."
"Ten years? That's hardly an age difference! Learn some give and take. Maybe then you'd lose some of that belly fat."
The squabble between the two seemed endless.
"Enough."
Ascal raised his hand to intervene. The two dwarves instantly fell silent.
"We shall start by inspecting the Golden Hammer's town hall."
Robenharf swallowed nervously and led Ascal. Even a craftsman who had hammered for years would inevitably feel tense when faced with an evaluation.
Upon reaching the newly built town hall, Robenharf began his explanation.
"Look at the beautiful luster reflected by this marble! This marble was mined directly from our quarries. We hand-selected only the ones with matching hues and patterns. If you entrust the cathedral's construction to us, we'll create something truly magnificent."
Seventer watched in frustration, as if he had been outplayed. Clearly, there was a considerable difference in capital between the Golden Hammer and the Blue Flames.
Just by seeing the lavish use of such expensive marble, anyone without architectural knowledge would undoubtedly feel overwhelmed.
Robenharf smirked confidently, as if he had already won.
"Why did you use marble in the first place?"
"...!"
However, the Imperial Official, Ascal, had a different perspective. Upon entering the town hall, he clicked his tongue.
"To begin with, the arch is too high. People in the town hall should converse with one another, but with this design, voices will echo too much. Moreover, it might be cool during the summer, but what about the winter? Even if you use a fireplace, it'll be wasteful."
"Well... that's..."
Robenharf tried to refute, but he couldn't. The criticisms were too valid.
In truth, rather than actually building a 'town hall', Robenharf's construction was more akin to a building meant to show off their superior architectural prowess.
With such pointed feedback, he found himself at a loss for words.
"Moreover."
Ascal moved further inside the town hall, pointing to one side.
"This section is poorly finished."
The marble was uneven.
"How... how did you notice..."
Robenharf was aghast.
In truth, because they were pressed for time, there were tiny imperfections. But Ascal was only human; Robenharf had believed such minor flaws would go unnoticed.
Robenharf felt a chill run down his spine.
Ascal's observations were as if he had actually been a part of the construction.
"I... I concede. There were flaws in the town hall we built."
That proud dwarf admitted there were flaws in his creation.
Seventer knew all too well the immense significance of such an admission within dwarf society.
A tear rolled down Robenharf's cheek.
Seventer felt the profound emotion behind it.
‘This man is terrifying.’
And now, it was his turn.
Seventer suddenly felt sweat bead on his forehead. This was no longer a competition. It felt as though he was being evaluated by a master from his past.
"Now, let's move on to our grain storage..."
Seventer guided Ascal to the grain warehouse.
"Unlike the Golden Hammer, we built a functional building. With proper ventilation, the interior is divided into compartments, each for storing different grains. The floor is layered with charcoal to keep the grains dry."
As he spoke, a renewed confidence surged within Seventer. He puffed out his chest, "Unlike those foolish folks from Golden Hammer, we built a proper structure! The cathedral should, therefore, be built by us, the Blue Flames!"
Ascal entered the grain warehouse. He calmly inspected it, as if reminded of a familiar hometown. He then pointed at a particular section.
"This pillar. It has signs of bug infestation."
Ascal brushed the wooden pillar with his finger. A fine dust fell to the ground, evidence of the bugs' activity within the small holes.
"Weren't you aware that Severin is especially notorious for wood-eating bugs? At this rate, this grain warehouse won't last a year before it collapses."
"What! Impossible!"
He hadn't even considered it.
In his fierce rivalry with the Golden Hammer, he had failed to thoroughly research Severin.
It was arrogance.
For a true architect, not only is the 'what' of the construction important, but also the 'where.'
Seventer knelt and a tear fell down from his face.
"We, the Blue Flames... accept our shortcomings."
It was an unexpected turn of events.
Both guild masters were now as downcast as crushed bugs on the floor.
'What... what am I witnessing?'
Conrad, a stout-hearted laborer, couldn't fathom the situation.
No matter how competent Ascal was as an official, he couldn't possibly surpass dwarves in architecture.
Yet, what was this outcome?
Both guild masters had been persuaded by Ascal, a human, admitting flaws in their own constructions.
What was even more astonishing was,
'He hid his status for this task and personally worked as a laborer?'
Exactly which empire's official would go to such lengths?
Conrad looked at Ascal, disbelief evident in his eyes.
"So... what's going to happen with the cathedral construction?"
In the tense silence, a worker spoke up.
The initial condition was to choose one guild from the two. But now, both guilds had conceded their inadequacies.
Everyone awaited Ascal's words.
Then,
"We will consider this cathedral project nonexistent."
It was a cold decision.
Yet, no one could object.
Leaving the despondent guild masters behind, Ascal headed back to his carriage.
"Wait a moment, young man."
It was an elderly dwarf.
As a guard tried to push away the dwarf blocking Ascal's path, Ascal raised a hand, stopping him.
"What can I do for you, elder?"
Ascal remembered the old dwarf.
They had worked together at the construction site and even shared snacks. The dwarf he recalled with fondness.
The eyes of the old dwarf, with his unkempt hair, shone brilliantly.
"I am known as Jeff. I am the master of those two incompetent disciples."
Jeff.
The village stirred at the mention of that name.
"Ma-Master! When did you arrive?"
Robenharf and Seventer, taken aback, rushed to their master.
The most surprised was Conrad.
'Jeff, the former chieftain of Stonehead, one of the most outstanding architects on the continent, and known as the master to all architects, was here!?'
And they had even shared meals and swung pickaxes together.
"After retiring, I came to see what kind of antics my disciples were up to, and was met with such a sorry sight. It's quite a disappointment for me as well. However, young man, might I have another chance?"
Jeff stroked his beard.
"Of course, for this cathedral's construction, I won't accept any compensation. With my name on the line, I'll ensure the creation of the finest cathedral. It's a matter of dwarf pride. Would you permit it?"
"You, yourself, Master?"
Over the years, Jeff had been responsible for numerous constructions. The Centennial Castle of the Medes Kingdom, the Seven Mines, the Deltreed Bridge... Each one was a legendary work that would be recorded in history.
The fact that Jeff himself would oversee the cathedral's construction was of immense significance.
"I did have that delightful stew, after all. It was quite delicious."
"Haha, you remember that?"
On the first day, it was Jeff who had handed a steaming bowl of stew to Ascal, who was unfamiliar with the work.
It was a warm and delicious stew.
Jeff's blurry old eyes transformed instantly into the sharp eyes of an architect and he shouted,
"You laggards! What are you waiting for? Get the materials now!"
Upon hearing Jeff's stern command, the two guild masters quickly sprang into action.
Witnessing this, Conrad seemed to sense something and bit his lip tightly.
It felt like it was going to be a long day.
****
◆Empire Magazine's Selection - Best Architectures
10. Redveern Overpass Bridge
9. Seren Inn
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1. Severin Cathedral
"I never expected this."
Ascal recalled old memories as he looked through the magazine.
He had intended to find fault with the two dwarfs, planning to tarnish the cathedral construction project and make it as if it never existed.
But out of nowhere, the legendary dwarf interfered and created the most magnificent cathedral in the empire's history...
It still seemed unbelievable to him.
Ascal skimmed through the magazine and tossed it onto his desk.
He failed to read the last section.
****
Architect of the Year - Interview with Conrad.
I was merely an ordinary laborer, living day-to-day without a dream. But one day, I met my life's benefactor.
Even though he was already in a high position, he came down to my level and sweat alongside me, without a single complaint.
Watching him, I remembered why I started this work in the first place. My path was always there. I just had turned away from it.
From that day on, I decided to leave my old self behind and start anew. Taking this opportunity, I want to express my gratitude to him. Carl. I truly thank you.
