"Bibeong!"
Like any other day, Bibeong acted as an alarm and woke everyone in the peaceful Frontera fiefdom that sat at the eastern mountain range.
Farmers rubbed their eyes and got ready for the morning, and bulls drooled as they waited for the morning fodder. Hens that pecked on the ants in the backyard received insults over their incapacity to cuckoo-doodle-doo the heck of out every morning. Everyone was at peace. It was the start of yet another ordinary day. But as for Lloyd, who had returned to his own bed for the first time in a while...
Peaceful day, my ass!
As soon as Bibeong went off, Lloyd jumped out of his bed, threw on some clothes, and darted out of his room. He ran his hands through his disheveled hair on his way to the guest's chamber and woke the Dragon King with his screeching singing. Afterward, he had breakfast with the count and countess before immediately jumping into work.
Duh. I don't have any time to spare for rest!
Lloyd was completely serious. Now wasn't the time to rest or laze around.
I busted my ass off to collect all the key materials needed for construction and even managed to sign a contract with the merpeople's queen. So, it's time to build the Jewel of Truth.
He had to stop the restoration of destiny from dooming them all. Lloyd had about two years left to do so. The mere thought of it made him antsy.
There's more to do after building the Jewel of Truth. That's just the means to find the answer for how to stop the restoration of destiny.
Lloyd would have to take action based on the answer he was given, which could require an immense amount of time and effort. As such, at this juncture, he had to put his nose to the grindstone.
"And so... You are climbing up a mountain this early in the morning to hurry the construction of the Jewel of Truth?" asked Javier.
"Yeah, why else? Then did you think I suddenly had found an affinity for hiking or something?"
Javier was forced to hike the eastern mountain range with Lloyd. His grouch made Lloyd smile.
Javier’s brows furrowed. "Yes, Master Lloyd. I wondered why you were hiking when you could have easily flown up to the summit with Sir Ggoming."
"That did cross my mind," replied Lloyd as he took another step up.
"Then why do you insist on climbing up the mountain yourself?"
"Ggoming's sick."
Javier looked at Lloyd.
"I'm not lying," Lloyd replied as he jumped over a big rock. "Ppodong, Bangul, and Hamang. They're all sick. You know how they've been dragged around lately without getting any time to rest."
Lloyd's smile turned bitter. What he just said was true. Last night, starting with Ppodong, everyone started to groan in pain, alongside developing a mild fever. They seemed to have muscle aches as they started to whine. It was a cold outbreak.
"Well, that does make sense," Javier seconded. "They've been kept on their toes until suddenly returning to the comfort of their home."
"Yeah. That should be it. All the tension in their bodies must've been released when they got here," agreed Lloyd.
"How about you, Master Lloyd? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, as you can see. I have a lot of work to do ahead of me."
Of course. It wasn't the time to loosen up just yet, so there was no reason for him to get sick.
Javier's gaze narrowed. "Then what is my role in your abrupt morning hike?"
"You still don't know?" asked Lloyd genuinely as he stopped.
"No." Javier stopped, too.
Lloyd shrugged. "I brought you with me for fun. Hiking alone is boring."
Javier shot him a look.
"There it is again," accused Lloyd. "You're glaring at me. I'm doing all of this with your best interest in mind."
"My best interest? How?"
"The air here is refreshing." Lloyd inhaled as he spoke.
"So?" demanded Javier.
"Think about it. When we were in Seoul, you know, the place in that other dimension. The air there was horrifying. Remember?"
"Yes, it was." Javier did remember it very well.
"That's why I took you here to cleanse your lungs."
"I would rather you stick to your first answer and say you were bored."
"You see, I still meant I brought you with me because I was bored either way."
"It's not like I can give him a punch..." Javier mumbled.
Lloyd stopped dead in his tracks. "What was that?"
"Nothing." Javier continued to move.
"I heard everything," Lloyd said as he followed.
"Why are you listening to my genuine, inner thoughts without permission?"
"Your genuine, inner thoughts?" huffed Lloyd. "Shamelessly revealing your violent desires out in the open now, I see."
"Everyone has their own sincere desires and hopes they keep to themselves."
"Tsk. Whatever you say. Anyway, we're here," Lloyd announced. "Woah."
As the two prattled, their destination came into view. They stepped over the last mound in front of them, and soon, the marvelous landscape of the mountain lake spanned in front of them. It was Lake Kapua, the place they once hiked to build the waterway and where Bibeong used to hibernate.
This is bringing back memories.
Recollections of the past rushed back to his mind while visiting the mountain after such a long time. However, he came today to do work. Lloyd tensed his eyes.
Surveying! Crackle!
[Scanning will begin.]
The terrains of the lake were scanned inside his head as soon as the familiar message popped up, each piece of information being translated into the design space. Of course, he had scanned this area before, but Lloyd decided to see if there were any changes made in the terrain.
This time, I have to also check the underwater terrains.
Lloyd removed his boots and shirts.
"I'm going to look around further into the lake. Sit tight and stay here. Don't play around while you do."
"Sit tight?" Javier retorted curiously.
Lloyd scoffed. "You should be surveying the ground while I'm busily working my butt off in the water. How else will you protect me?"
"Hmm, why do I feel that you are simply being mischievous because you can't stand seeing me relax while you work?"
"No..." denied Lloyd. "Your accusation is false."
"Noted. I will play hard as per your instruction."
"Isk. You sly man."
"Speak for yourself, Master Lloyd."
With that, Lloyd jumped into the lake. Splash!
To Lloyd's relief, the lake was clear. He could see a fair distance ahead of him, even without any goggles.
Let's see. Where should I build the Jewel of Truth?
Relying on his underwater breathing skill, Lloyd studied the bottom of the lake with a studious look on his face. There were several flat surfaces that seemed to be viable candidates.
The Jewel of Truth only operates under flowing water.
Just then, Lloyd recalled the conversation with the mermaid queen the day before. She notified him that the Jewel of Truth had to be constructed in a flowing body of water. Unless it was built under a sea, river, or lake, the jewel wouldn't activate.
I confirmed this myself.
Based on what he learned, Lloyd activated his design skill on his bed the previous night and observed the Jewel of Truth in his virtual design space. The queen was right. Lloyd saw a cautionary warning in the design description: "Must be built under flowing water with a depth of at least 230 feet to properly activate."
The only body of water that meets those conditions is here. Lake Kapua.
The Prona River that cuts across the fiefdom wasn't deep enough. The water depth requirement could be met only in this lake. Lloyd's observant gaze grew more careful.
Let's see. The floor here is flat and stable... But the current is too rough and strong. Not here. That one... is good, but I'll need to do something about how unstable the ground is. Okay, taking all factors into account and – gotcha. This is the best spot.
One hour into the job, Lloyd finally discovered the best spot to build the Jewel of Truth.
Now, it's time to run a test.
Lloyd transferred the site's data into his virtual design space and overlaid it with data from the Jewel of Truth.
Thud! Twang! Boom! The Jewel of Truth was constructed in the simulation space, the final output standing tall on the very spot Lloyd had just selected.
Great. It's standing tall and also beautiful. The 230-foot water level requirement is met. The water current is gentle. The water level will rarely go below 230 feet unless a severe drought strikes. Okay, should I try activating it?
Curiosity aroused in Lloyd when the construction was finished in the simulation space. He wondered what it would be like when the Jewel of Truth was operated. He clicked on the "Virtual operation" button in the space.
[You are operating the Jewel of Truth in the simulation space.]
The moment the message appeared, the Jewel of Truth emitted a great shock wave. Kaboom!
An explosive shock wave was produced at the peak of the building and blasted across the surrounding area. Its vibration suddenly created a tidal wave that was 200 feet tall. It then charged at the speed of a bullet train toward the border of the waters until it hit and destroyed the natural dam Bibeong had built when he first created this lake. The tsunami then continued to travel down the mountain.
Fearlessly and recklessly, like a raging bull, it swept everything in its way, the valleys, rifts, and the entire mountain. Finally, it hurtled into the terraced rice fields and coal mines until it annihilated everything in the Frontera fiefdom with its destructive current.
What the heck?
His eyes widened in horror. He turned off the simulation. He clearly understood what he saw and what would happen if he activated the Jewel of Truth in Lake Kapua.
Wow. You've got to be kidding me.
Lloyd heaved an unwitting sigh. But he felt relieved at the same time.
It's a good thing I ran a simulation out of simple curiosity. If I didn't... Whew. I don't want to even think about it.
His body was covered in chills. He had regarded building the Jewel of Truth as the final step of the job. That was why he had carefully inspected the bottom of the lake as though he were performing land valuations. It never occurred to him that such an outrageous event would happen once he activated the Jewel of Truth.
What should I do now?
He felt stuck. One glimpse at the simulation was enough for him to understand the destruction the Jewel of Truth would bring when it was put to use.
It's a smaller version of the Vajont Dam in Italy.
In 1963, a landslide above the Vajont Dam created a powerful wave that eventually developed into a tsunami that swept several villages behind the dam. It was a shocking event that resulted in thousands of casualties.
I build the Jewel of Truth here in this lake, and it's going to happen right here in my fiefdom. The wave I saw was unbelievably high. At that height, I won't be able to prevent the tidal wave from developing no matter where I build the Jewel of Truth in this lake.
This only meant one thing.
This lake won't work.
Lloyd heaved a sigh. This time, it was heavier than before. Lloyd was flustered.
Tsk. What should I do? The Prona River is too shallow. And building a reservoir won't do since there will be no water current. Should I search for lakes in other regions? But I don't want to do that since I signed a contract to construct the building in my fiefdom. And besides, I hate the thought of putting this precious structure on top of someone else's land.
Lloyd thought building it in the Mermaid Kingdom was a hundred times better than doing so. Lloyd racked his brain, and he only sunk deeper into thought as he went down the mountain with Javier.
What should I do?
The tidal wave. This was an unexpected stumbling block. Even when he was back at the manor, after sending Javier away, resting his back against the bed as he stared at the opposite wall, Lloyd continued to think.
Build a wall in the lake that would stop the waves? Will it prevent any damage? No. For that to work, the wall has to be extremely high and sturdy. And besides, it's impossible to put up a wall on just one side. It has to be erected along the corners of the lake.
Lake Kapua was a mountain lake that was as large as Lake Chuncheon in South Korea. To enclose the lake, he would have to build a wall that was several miles long, even for just a portion of it.
It's ridiculous. Just imagine building a wall that's several miles long to stop a 200-foot-tall wave. I can't begin to imagine how thick it will need to be to withstand the impact of such a wave.
It was a terribly unrealistic and large-scale project. Moreover, it was even less likely that the walls could be maintained over time.
This isn't a viable method. Not a chance.
Lloyd crossed out the method in his head. Even after that, Lloyd continued to rack his brain. Past lunchtime and afternoon, the sun dipped down as it set the sky on fire. Then Lloyd heard someone knocking on his room. It was Emily. Tap tap tap.
"Master Lloyd, please excuse me. It's Emily," she said from the other side of the door.
"Yeah, what's going on?" Lloyd said aloud.
"I'm here to collect your laundry. May I come in?"
"Sure, come on in."
As soon as he permitted, the door opened and revealed a grinning Emily. "Good afternoon, Master Lloyd. Please excuse me for a second."
"Sure, no problem."
Lloyd remained seated against the bed as he stared at Emily working. Of course, he was absolutely engrossed in the Jewel of Truth situation. But his gaze, though blank, must have affected Emily, for a blush appeared on her cheeks as she collected his laundry. Slightly flustered, she started to stammer.
"Um, I will bring them back all nice and neat. These shirts. Your pants, too."
"Yes, thank you," replied Lloyd blankly.
"I actually have become better at washing clothes." She twisted her body as if she was overcome with embarrassment. Her eyes were fixed on the ground. "A long time ago, I just scrubbed the laundry as best as I could before rinsing them off. Completely unaware of what the others were doing, especially the other servants situated higher up the stream."
"Higher up the stream. Other servants?" Lloyd asked.
"Yes," Emily said shyly as she grinned. It looked like she was glad to see Lloyd respond to her. "The thing was, no matter how hard I washed the clothes, it was all pointless if those up the stream released the lye into the water at a different time than me."
"Hmm. That makes sense. After all, you'll have to wash the clothes all over again if the detergent, no, lye, gets into what you just washed."
"Yes, that's right," she affirmed, her voice sounding more cheerful. "So, these days, I've learned to sync with the others. I can now wash the shirts faster and better. It's all because I keep an eye on the water coming down from upstream."
"Keep an eye on the water coming down from upstream, you say... You're right. Up... Hm? Hold on right there."
Lloyd stopped. He was just blankly repeating what Emily said when something, an epiphany, struck his mind. An idea started to circulate in his head.
Upstream water. Higher. Flowing. Wait, if that's the case... Downstream?
Before he knew it, Lloyd was already standing up. Then he began to trudge around the room, nibbling his underlip, developing the idea in his head. He inspected, studied, measured, and made predictions until an answer came to him.
"This is it... Thank you!" exclaimed Lloyd triumphantly.
"Excuse me? Young master?"
Overcome with joy, Lloyd grabbed Emily's hand and jumped up and down several times. Afterward, he rushed out of the room before Emily could even make sense of what was happening. He darted along the corridor, jumped down the stairs, and entered the dining room, wherein he found Count Arcos about to eat dinner.
At the sight of him, Lloyd blurted, "Um, I am thinking of building a gravity dam downstream of the Prona River."
