Release that Witch (放开那个女巫)

Back in Graycastle,

Fourth Prince Roland Wimbledon was already notorious.

A life of debauchery, utter incompetence,

not a shred of noble grace... the list goes on.

Compared to his four siblings, he was worlds apart.

Ah, why was I sent to assist him in the Royal Decree?

If His Majesty hadn't promised to appoint me as the

official Finance Minister once the Royal Decree concluded,

I wouldn't have come to this godforsaken place.

And yet, things began to change.

When exactly did it start?

Probably around the time he saved that witch.

His Highness Roland displayed a sharp mind and grand strategic vision.

He skillfully avoided his own predicament,

and struck at the very essence of theocracy.

By using witches, he set his sights directly on the Church of Hermes.

At first, I thought it was just baseless rhetoric.

But then, His Highness spent all night studying financial reports,

formulating trade strategies,

and even proposed something called the "Silk Road."

Heaven knows where he learned those words.

Still, to possess such a long-term vision,

while keeping his focus squarely on the immediate development of Border Town,

this is no baseless fantasy.

But if we cannot survive the Months of Demons,

everything will be for nothing.

I hear from Carter that His Highness now plans to build a city wall.

Winter is just over three months away.

Even if it's only around 2000 feet long, it should be theoretically impossible.

But His Highness has already surprised me so many times.

There's still three months left.

If it really can't be done, there's still time to run away.

How will His Highness build a city wall in just three months?

From here on, things are only getting more interesting.

Be careful. Move it over there.

Go to the North Mountain mine and bring back a cartload of limestone.

Also get a cartload of clay, something like this.

Then have someone crush them into small pieces, mix them thoroughly,

and spread the mixture evenly in the pit in the firing room.

Leave the rest to Miss Anna.

Carter, get someone to crush this clinker.

Mix it with gypsum at a 10:1 ratio and grind it into powder.

Your Highness, what is this for?

A new formula from the alchemy workshop.

Your Highness, everything is prepared as you instructed.

What exactly are you making?

Miss Anna, this time, let me show you a bit of magic.

Your Highness, you can use magic too?

Yes. A kind of magic called science.

Science?

Carter, mix this powder with water and pour it onto those stones over there.

Pour it into the gaps, so that it's evenly spread between the stones.

By tomorrow, they will become a solid wall.

Huh? You must be joking!

Miss Anna, do you believe me?

Whatever you say, I believe you.

Then do as I say.

Let's wait and see.

Y-Yes, Your Highness.

Go on, Carter.

Test its strength.

T-This is truly incredible, Your Highness.

With this, we can build our city wall as fast as we want.

A border wall in five years would be well within reach.

We could even use it to reinforce this castle,

making it the strongest, safest castle in Graycastle.

Not just the castle.

We'll use it to build much more.

Much more?

Could I have ten thousand mansions,

sheltering all the poor scholars and making them rejoice.

Your Highness, what did you say?

We'll use it to build a better home for everyone.

Everyone can live in a sturdy house,

one that neither storms nor blizzards can destroy.

Miss Anna, starting today,

please fire a batch every day.

Yes, Your Highness.

Carter, you're in charge of wall construction.

Make sure it's built within three months.

Yes, Your Highness.

Leave it to me.

Oh, by the way, Your Highness,

what is this miraculous alchemical powder called?

Cement.

What... What is this?

What's going on?

So many days have passed.

Why is construction moving so slowly?

And it's crooked and uneven.

You can't even stand on it properly.

Forget holding off demonic beasts,

it'd collapse in the first rain.

Apologies, Your Highness.

It is my responsibility.

Your Highness, if I may speak frankly,

Carter has no prior experience in such matters.

For a wall over 2000 feet long,

without an experienced architect to oversee the work,

even with this miraculous alchemical agent called "cement,"

it would be difficult to meet Your Highness's expectations.

We need a true master stonemason.

A master stonemason...

Go and recruit one immediately, no matter the cost.

But Your Highness, it's not a matter of money.

There's no one with this kind of expertise in Border Town.

Then look for one in Longsong Stronghold or Willow Town.

Even if you have to go back to Graycastle, find someone.

Professor Karl!

I...

I've become...

I've become a witch too.

Mr. van Bate, could you please come over here?

What's happened?

Please take a look at this notice for us.

They say the prince posted it.

What does it say?

By decree of Roland Wimbledon,

Fourth Prince of the Kingdom of Graycastle:

Urgent recruitment for the following positions:

Stonebreakers: male, ages 20 - 40, physically strong.

Daily wage: 25 bronze royals.

Masons: Any gender, ages 18+, with masonry experience.

Daily wage: 45 bronze royals.

Laborers: male, ages 18+.

Daily wage: 12 bronze royals.

Master stonemasons: Any gender, any age.

Must have experience in municipal construction,

fortress building, or large-scale engineering projects.

Monthly wage: 1 gold royal.

Those with exceptional experience and performance

may be granted official positions.

Fourth Prince of the Kingdom of Graycastle, Roland Wimbledon.

Did I hear that right?

You could even become an official,

maybe see His Highness the Prince every day!

Mr. van Bate, Mr. van Bate!

A master stonemason came to apply so quickly?

Didn't you say finding one would be hard?

I'm surprised too.

The man is clearly a local teacher,

yet he claims to have experience in large-scale construction projects.

Your Highness, would you like to see him?

Of course. Bring him in.

So you're here to apply as master stonemason?

Yes, Your Highness.

My name is Karl van Bate.

I heard you used to teach in town.

I just taught the children to recognize their names, Your Highness.

Then what qualifies you for this position?

I... have participated in the maintenance of embankments within Graycastle,

the design and construction of the palace,

and the renovation of various public facilities.

You mean you've been involved in many major construction projects in Graycastle?

Yes, Your Highness.

All large-scale construction in Graycastle

is handled by the Mason Guild.

Are you a member of the Graycastle Mason Guild?

Yes, Your Highness.

The Mason Guild's members are naturally elites.

But as I recall, during construction of the Graycastle Theater a few years ago,

a collapse occurred.

The entire Mason Guild was convicted

and executed.

That is indeed how the story spread outside.

Oh? Then what really happened?

The administrator at the time,

for a kickback of several hundred gold royals,

ordered us to switch the stone,

which led to the accident.

We warned the administrator many times that

using that grade of stone would compromise structural integrity.

But no one listened.

After the accident,

we explained everything to the investigators.

But the official who ordered the substitution

claimed that it was to save costs.

In the end, he was deemed to have good intentions and was acquitted.

The entire Mason Guild was sentenced to death.

I heard rumors beforehand and fled overnight.

I came to Border Town and have hidden my identity ever since.

If you've been hiding your identity,

why are you revealing yourself and applying for the job now?

Because... I have a reason I can no longer stay silent.

What reason?

I...

I'm sorry, Your Highness.

I cannot yet reveal my reason.

Your Highness,

I know you have doubts about me.

After all, I defied the investigation and fled, a capital offense.

But I really had no choice.

If I hadn't fled, I wouldn't be alive today.

I've been a stonemason my whole life.

I can definitely meet your requirements.

Please give me a chance to atone for my sins.

Barov, what do you think?

Your Highness, I believe this man is mostly telling the truth.

By law, he is now a fugitive guilty of a crime.

However, considering your current needs, Your Highness,