"Hmm?" A frown line appeared between Gabriel's elegant pair of brows. It was because of the bundle of reports on his office desk.
Illegal construction status report from the mundane world?
It had been eons ago since he received a report like this. 9,184 years, 9 months, and 28 days in the earth's time to be exact.
I rarely receive a report like this.
It was because any building that necessitated this kind of report was not even permitted in the heavens and out of reach for the mundane world due to its extremely demanding construction requirements. Those down below would struggle to dare attempt such a construction.
Who dared to build something like this? Hmm. Let's see.
Gabriel opened the report. The wrinkle between his brows deepened.
The Jewel of Truth. The Aotearoa.
The name was familiar. Gabriel searched through his memories.
I remember this building being demolished. It was too powerful and demanding for mundane creatures to handle. It even had the potential to reveal the deepest secrets of the upper realms. The demolition order for it eventually came through.
As a result, a terrible war broke out, and the Jewel of Truth was destroyed. Humans. Orcs. Elves. Merpeople. Giants, centaurs, and so many others. With the help of countless beings like them, the building was successfully demolished.
And someone is trying to build it again?
Gabriel couldn't understand it. What kind of apt creature was conceived in the lower realm that was capable of erecting the illegal building? He perused the report that detailed how the building materials were gathered and where the construction was being done. He flipped through the pages with increasing speed to find the information he was looking for. At last, he found the name of the developer.
Lloyd Frontera.
Gabriel's gaze was fixed on the name. He reached out and shook the bell on the desk. Not long after, someone entered his office.
"Raphael, the Director of Inspection for the lower realms. At your service."
"Thanks for coming. I called you because I have a special assignment for you," said Gabriel.
"Yes, please just give me the word."
"It's because of this." Gabriel soon saw Raphael's eyes grow serious as the latter skimmed through the report. "Your job is to put together a special surveillance team and watch Lloyd Frontera. I want you to give me a periodic report about the illegal construction he is carrying out."
"Understood. But..." trailed off Raphael.
"What is it?"
"The Jewel of Truth is not just any kind of illegal building but the one that is at the top of its class that's able to expose heaven's secrets. Is it not better to stop the attempt early on instead of monitoring the situation from afar?" asked Raphael.
Gabriel chuckled. "You are right. Doing that would certainly be convenient. However, it's not possible, and you know why."
"Yes, I am aware," Raphael said as he cast his head down. "We are not permitted to intervene in the mundane world's affairs as heavenly beings."
"You are right. Whatever happens down below is their business, not ours, in accordance with the way of things. That's how it should remain to the most reasonable extent possible."
"What do you mean, Your Grace?"
"The construction will be excruciatingly taxing, as the world will see a host of variables. An unfortunate accident may occur during construction. Otherwise, a design error may ruin their plans altogether. However, if that human overcomes these obstacles and gets close to completing the Jewel of Truth..."
"Then you will make an intervention?" asked Raphael hopefully.
"I should," said Gabriel as he nodded. "It is an unlawful structure. At that time, I will order you to demolish it." "I see. Then I will form a surveillance team immediately."
"Good. Keep up the good work."
"Yes."
Raphael left the room with a sharp salute distinct to the heavenly officials. Now alone at his office, Gabriel went over the report again. He then sighed midway.
"Dragon King Verkis... You raised hell this time again. I wonder what you were thinking when you told a mere human about the Jewel of Truth."
♣
Meanwhile, in the Frontera fiefdom, Lloyd was completely ignorant of the special attention he was garnering from the archangel Gabriel. He was focused on the present moment for the sake of his peaceful retirement and using his Time Freeze skill while being showered with support from the fiefdom's residents.
Ding Dong!
[Would you like to use the Skill Option 5: Time Freeze?]
[YES/NO]
Yes, yes, yes.
Lloyd happily selected YES. There was an immediate response.
[Manaheart Skill Option 5: Time Freeze has been activated.]
[You have spent 3,000 RP.]
[Current RP: 8,755]
[From now on, by the power of the Heart of Winter, the flow of time will remain frozen for one year. At this moment, you can designate a no-freeze zone where time flows normally.]
[The range of the no-freeze zone is determined by the total amount of mana you possess.]
[Current Range: 300km²]
[Please assign the range of the no-freeze zone.]
According to the message before his nose, it looked like the range for the no-freeze zone could be as vast as half of Seoul city. Lloyd gave the answer he had determined in advance.
As large of a range as possible. But following the areas I outlined, not the shape of a circle.
As fiefdom as its center point, the no-freeze zone headed straight up north where the dam was to be erected and far into the east, covering the Prona River and areas around Lake Kapua. Lloyd wanted to make sure the fiefdom had a sufficient supply of drinking water while the Time Freeze skill was activated.
The river needs to keep flowing, and the waterway has to be operational.
Thankfully, that was possible within the amount of range he had.
Crackle...!
Ack!! Just like the last time, mana started to spill out of his manaheart like a strong tide. It almost felt like his esophagus and other organs were being yanked out of his body toward the heavens. The mana then turned into a gust of frigid air and shot toward the sky, forming a giant dome that was several miles tall. Soon, the passage of time outside the barrier came to a stop.
Ding dong.
[Time has been frozen.]
[The no-freeze zone cannot be changed until the optional skill is canceled.]
[The option is deactivated in the event the user goes out of the no-freeze zone.]
[Any creature within the range of the no-freeze zone will not age for a year.]
His view was filled with an onslaught of rewarding messages. Lloyd sucked in the breath he had been holding in.
Whoa. It worked.
Lloyd felt this time that the Time Freeze skill came with considerable side effects. It was as if all his strength had left his body. Despite that, the reaction from the residents made it all worth it.
"Mother," asked a curious child, "What is that?"
"Yes, my dear son. That is the miracle shown to us by Master Lloyd."
"Mother, what is a miracle?" the child asked again.
"Yes, my dear son. It is something Master Lloyd shows from time to time."
"Mother, who is Master Lloyd?"
"Who else?" The mother said patiently, "He is our savior that you will serve in the future."
The young lady gave the boy a big hug as she thought of the terrible fate that could have fallen on her child when the swarm of locusts invaded the land. Had it not for Master Lloyd's zing, whew, what tragic fate awaited him! Master Lloyd was their lifesaver. As such, she had unshakable trust in her young master. Even though a strange wall was put up and the sun wasn't moving, he must have a plan, she thought. Most of the residents had a similar reaction. They weren't merely tolerating what was happening but enjoying the situation unfold.
"Hey, did you see that? What did I tell you? I was right!" exclaimed one of the woodcutter brothers.
"My goodness, you are right," the older brother scratched his head embarrassingly. "Master Lloyd froze the sky. Does it mean that time has stopped outside? Outside the ice wall?"
"Yes, whereas we can move around like we always do. Wahaha!" "But we are the only ones getting older."
"Hush. You're wrong. Did you forget who Master Lloyd is?" The young brother shot an incredulous look.
"Then what is it?"
"He said we won't age."
"While time is frozen?"
"Supposedly. Amazing, isn't it?" He spoke with a smug on his face.
"Haha! Ha! If it is true, then we're living longer for free!"
"That's exactly right. A two-day celebration will be held to celebrate the occasion. Will you come?"
"Of course, I will be there. You don't even need to ask."
The woodcutter brothers excitedly went out of the house. A small festival had already begun in the central street. Everyone came to the festival wearing big smiles on their faces, joyous over the fact that they wouldn't age and could go on with their lives normally, thanks to their young master who had stopped the flow of time. What a fantastic and exciting time it was to be alive, they thought. They gained an additional year of life filled with cheery mornings and sunlight for free. They merrily ate and drank, praising Lloyd for his amazing work. Even Count Arcos and Countess Marbella roamed through the streets and were content to hear the praises of their son. On the other hand, Lloyd put on a flustered smile as he watched the entire scene.
Wow. Look at these people. They're no joke.
Lloyd had been concerned that he might be misunderstood. But he realized that it was the opposite. Instead of being misunderstood, he received loads of praise.
My, from the looks of it, they would've started booing me if I didn't use the time freeze skill.
Seeing this, Lloyd contemplated whether he deserved their overflowing amount of trust and praise. Of course, the answer came naturally to him.
Of course, I deserve it all! I've done so many things for the people here!
Lloyd breathed heavily through his nose. He was the one who resuscitated the dying fiefdom, saved it from the Monster Domino incident, and raised the rural barony up to a county! As such, Lloyd decided to be more confident and brazen. When the festival came to an end, the dam construction ensued right away. The first step was to organize the laborers.
"Okay," announced Lloyd aloud. "I'm sure you've heard already, but we are here today to hold up our shovels for the never-ending advancement of the fiefdom. Okay, Group One?"
"Dig! Carve! Scoop!"
Chop! Chop! Sir Bayern and the Engineering Corps took a step forward in unison at Lloyd's calling. Their tanned skin and wrinkles around their eyes reflected their years of experience in the construction field. Whether they were in South Korea or here, they were sure to find work as supervisors.
"Engineers," said Lloyd as he looked at them. "You are Group One for the joint project for the dam and Jewel of Truth. What's Group One?"
"The center of the project!" Many among them shouted.
"Yes, indeed," affirmed Lloyd with a nod. "I want you to think for a second here. Think of the time when you were new to shoveling. All the way back when you constructed the ondol with me."
“...”
"You should never forget your resolution from then. And remember, nowhere is safe in the construction field. Accidents do not discriminate between newcomers and veterans. Keep that in mind and act as the center of the site. Regularly check in on your coworker's work progress and set the right tone for the construction site. If you get it, then give me a chant."
"Dig! Carve! Scoop!"
"Very well," Lloyd said. "Next. Group Two?"
"Scoop! Transfer! Fill!
Lloyd turned. The White Cavalry. They were now addressed as the White Shovelers and held shovels and woven bags on their horsebacks. There was a time when they protested at the thought of holding a shovel. But now, everyone had evidently transformed into mobile shovelers. Lloyd's gaze was filled with contentment.
"The White Cavalry. You will act as the lubricant for this project as it will require more dirt to be dug and transported than ever before. You are the greatest dirt transferrers I know. No one can move the heaps of soil better and more swiftly than you all. As such, why don't you give me your chant as a promise to continue your good work this time as well?"
"Scoop! Transfer! Fill!" Their piercing chant rang aloud.
It was time for Group Three. But they didn't have any chants and instead responded with the sound of clacking bones.
"Okay, Group Three?"
Clack!
The Skeleton Corps came forward with the sound of clacking bones. Since they couldn't speak, they didn't chant with their voice. Instead...
Raise! Raise! Raise! Turtle Neck, the leader of the group, Square Jaw, and Frozen Shoulder raised their pickets in order. The pickets had the Skeleton Corps' chant written down on them...
[Overwork!]
[Burn the midnight oil!]
[Work until you die!]
Lloyd smiled with a glow of satisfaction.
"Good. You know it. You are tireless and strong. You don't need any sleep or breaks. That is why I'm assigning you an important task. While Group One supervises the field and Group Two transfers the soil, you, Group Three, will be the main laborers working on the construction field. Therefore, I want to introduce you all to a new member."
Clack?
The skeletons tilted their heads in confusion. Lloyd flashed a big smile and shouted, "Yong Yong! It's time to greet your seniors!"
Boooom!
As soon as Lloyd finished, Yong Yong landed majestically and bowed at the skeletons. Every bone in its body shook in joy and overwhelming emotion. This was the moment it had been waiting for. It was finally enlisted in the Skeleton Corps. The skeleton members, too, jumped up and down at the news of a dependable newcomer joining them. They could proudly walk around with their chin held high now. They danced in sheer joy.
Just like that, a total of three groups were organized for the joint construction. One more group was added, and they were Javier and the fantastical creatures who would play the role of giant construction equipment. Then later, one more group, Group Five, was added, and it was composed of the blacksmiths, including Corgidus, and civilian volunteers. Its job mainly was providing support. When everything was good to go, the construction took off right away, starting with the foundation. The makeshift road was paved to allow the transfer of materials. Limestones and rocks were collected. Bangul produced volcanic ash for concretes. Each had different tasks, and everything progressed smoothly.
One day, however, a telepathic message came to Lloyd out of the blue.
"You over there, my beneficiary. There's a huge problem. You better hurry up here if you want to continue building the Jewel of Truth. Now."
The telepathic message was from Dragon King Verkis. His voice sounded urgent.
