Chapter 153: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat
Chapter 153
"...Phew, that’s the sixth one."
It was late in the evening, and Dwight had just finished his sixth magic circle for the day. He wiped the sweat off his forehead, looking slightly tired for once, and Yoon Si-woo watched in admiration.
“Wow... You really finished as many as you said you would. If there were more mages like you, this construction would be done in no time.”
“...Even without that, the remaining work should be done within a week. The Dolos family seems to have gone all out, pouring in capital. The real impressive ones aren’t me, but them. With such a large-scale construction, even excluding the wages for the mages installing the magic circles, the cost of the materials alone must have been astronomical.”
“...This construction costs that much? The only somewhat special material I can see is this slab with the magic circle inscribed on it.”
Si-woo, tilting his head at Dwight’s modesty in attributing the credit to the Dolos family, glanced at the mysterious slab with the magic circle on it and asked.
Of course, it was natural for a large-scale construction to cost quite a bit, but was it really to the extent of being called astronomical?
Considering that the Dolos family was one of the wealthiest in the city, ordinary costs shouldn’t be much of a burden for them.
However, Dwight shook his head as if the question was absurd, pulled out his phone, searched for something, and showed the screen to Yoon Si-woo.
“Magic circles, by nature, are money pits. Even that slab you just mentioned costs about this much per piece.”
“Oh, that's pretty expensive... Wait, per piece? So...”
“Yeah. Just the cost of the materials for this construction... roughly adds up to about this much.”
“...Whoa?! Seriously?”
The overwhelming number of zeros on the screen made even Yoon Si-woo, who could be considered fairly wealthy, gasp in shock.
The cost of materials alone for this one construction was that much.
If you consider the total cost of the entire project, including everything else, even a decent company could go bankrupt instantly...
“So Dolos covered that entire construction cost? Are they financially okay?”
“Well, probably not all of it. I heard they discussed it with the Central Committee, so other families or wealthy individuals must have pitched in too. But since Dolos strongly pushed for it, they likely covered at least half. Even for Dolos, who owns multiple large businesses, this project must have been a considerable financial strain.”
“...Even if it was necessary, they sure stepped up.”
“That’s why they’re called a noble family. Sigh, to be honest, I’m not too fond of how hastily this construction started.”
“Huh? You’re not? What’s wrong with it?”
Mid-conversation, Si-woo tilted his head in confusion at Dwight’s sudden complaint about the rushed construction.
Dwight then showed a slightly troubled expression and spoke.
“If the construction had been delayed just a bit, giving me more time to refine the magic circles, it could have significantly reduced the burden. To be honest, the magic circles used here fall short by my standards. There are countless improvements to be made, both in terms of cost and in mitigating the side effects present in the current magic circles. But Dolos insisted that construction had to start as soon as possible, saying it was okay.”
“They insisted because it was something that needed to be done urgently.”
A new voice suddenly interjected into their conversation. When Yoon Si-woo turned his gaze toward the source of the voice, he flinched instinctively.
It was because the person who had interrupted their conversation was none other than Diakonos Dolos, the head of the Dolos family, whom they had just been talking about.
Dwight, noticing the distinctive aura emanating from Diakonos' robust figure—a characteristic of the Dolos family—asked with a curious expression.
“What brings you here, Lord Diakonos...?”
“Isn’t this a construction project overseen by our family? I was inspecting to ensure the project was progressing smoothly. More than that, I heard you were out here again today, providing significant assistance to the construction. From consulting on the magic circles to offering expertise, it seems Neinhart has been of great help to us. We’re always grateful.”
“It’s nothing. I was simply doing what needed to be done.”
“...Hmm, I wasn’t aware you felt that way. It seems you have some dissatisfaction with how this construction has been handled.”
Diakonos mumbled in a low voice as he stared at Dwight, and Yoon Si-woo couldn’t help but feel an uneasy churning in his stomach.
The Dolos family, especially the family head, wielded immense power in the city, akin to being practically untouchable.
Having expressed even a neutral complaint about the family’s project in front of someone of such stature...
However, unlike Si-woo’s anxious feelings, Dwight remained unfazed and spoke his mind without hesitation.
“It’s simply because what was lacking was indeed lacking. The fact that we provided an incomplete magic circle is a matter of pride for Neinhart. Had we been given more time, we would have worked through the night to improve it. But we handed over the magic circles as they were only because Dolos made an earnest request. I hope you understand that.”
“...I see. Is that so?”
Diakonos, glaring at Dwight with his characteristic sharp eyes, then suddenly bowed and apologized.
“In that regard, I must apologize. I’m sorry.”
As those born with blessed physiques, the members of the Dolos family were known to never bow to anyone under compulsion.
So, when Diakonos—famous for being the most stubborn of them all—bent his back and apologized, even the normally composed Dwight widened his eyes in surprise and tried to stop him.
“Please, there's no need for that. I didn't say it to receive an apology.”
“No, pride is important. If someone suffers because of our family’s actions, it’s only right that I apologize. That’s my conviction.”
“Really, it’s fine. Besides, isn’t it Dolos that took the financial hit from this?”
“A loss, you say... I don't consider it a loss at all.”
Diakonos, who had been bowing for a while, slowly straightened up and spoke to Dwight.
“I understand what you’re trying to say, Dwight. Indeed, if you were given time, you’d be able to create magic circles that would greatly reduce the costs. But think about this: what if the witch from last time invades the boundary area again with her abilities in the meantime? What if, just like that young girl before, there are more victims? Who bears that responsibility?”
“That would be...”
“That would be the responsibility of the adults. It's the responsibility of the families who lead this city, including Dolos. Therefore, it is Dolos’ role to prepare measures to prevent that as quickly as possible, even if it costs a fortune. The amount of money doesn’t matter when it’s spent on what needs to be done. Spending money on what one believes is right—how could that ever be considered a loss? Besides, we’re only spending the money we’ve earned for the sake of the people back on them. For Dolos, money has always been a means to an end, never the goal itself.”
Diakonos said this with the same dignified expression he always wore.
Then, he suddenly turned to Yoon Si-woo and bowed in apology.
“In truth, it’s heroes like you who’ve suffered because of us. I’m sorry.”
“Huh? W-what? All of a sudden?”
“There are unrefined side effects in the magic circles because we started the construction in such a hurry. Once the construction is finished, the magic circles will block even the transfer gates temporarily, making it difficult to return to the city until the synchronization work is complete. You’ll have to spend your precious holidays at your post, and I sincerely apologize for that.”
Not being able to spend the holiday with Scarlet.
That was certainly disappointing, but Yoon Si-woo smiled and shook his head in response to Diakonos’ words.
“It’s fine with me. It’s something that has to be done.”
“Is that so? I’m always grateful for your dedication and hard work.”
Diakonos slightly bowed his head, showing respect to Yoon Si-woo, and then looked at both Dwight and Yoon Si-woo.
“It seems like I’ve kept you both talking for too long. You must be exhausted from working, so go and get some rest. And Dwight, make sure to collect your overdue wages, including for today’s work. I heard that you refused to accept the payment before and just left, but if you do that again, I’ll take it as a challenge to Dolos.”
“I only did what I was supposed to do as a hero candidate, so how can I accept payment for that...”
“Paying fair compensation for honest labor—that is also my conviction. I’ll take it that you’ve accepted, and I’ll be on my way now.”
Even late at night, Diakonos moved away briskly, as if he still had more places to visit. Yoon Si-woo and Dwight watched his retreating figure for a while.
When Diakonos was out of sight, Yoon Si-woo chuckled softly and murmured.
“...Really, he’s an incredible person in so many ways.”
“Yeah. That’s what you call noblesse oblige.”
At Dwight’s murmuring, Yoon Si-woo nodded.
Although there was a slight lingering complex feeling, as Scarlet had gone through difficult times because of Dolos, she had already told him that she wasn’t upset, especially after receiving a substantial amount of compensation.
Now, all Yoon Si-woo had left for Diakonos was respect.
Because every word and action he’d seen from Diakonos was genuine.
Even from his high position as the head of a noble family, Diakonos sincerely cared about people—a true hero in every sense.
Someday, when he became an adult.
Yoon Si-woo wanted to be someone who took responsibility for his actions, who bowed when he believed he was wrong no matter who the other party was.
But even then, someone who never bent his convictions.
That’s the kind of admirable man Yoon Si-woo sincerely wanted to become.
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I'm imagining Diakonos Dolos as Tywin Lannister from Game of Thrones.
ReplyDeleteHis authority, manners, voice, etc.