Monologue by Rem
That Great Liar.
I arose, as any other day, recollecting the sweet utterances bestowed upon me by the one I fervently long for. Gentle and warm was their touch, causing my heart to leap with joy.
However, gradually, something dissipated between us; something that never truly existed, laying waste to every fragment of my world.
How cruel is the destiny that has been assigned to me, toying with my illusions and shattering my heart into pieces. I beseeched for forgiveness, yet deep down, it was an empty apology, a facade to conceal the profound pain I felt.
They have become a pillar that warms my being, immersing me in colors I had never beheld. I am grateful, but also overwhelmed by a rending fear, for I know that my presence only inflicts suffering upon them.
I approach the looking glass, and my trembling hand comes to rest upon my chin, where they forced me to confront the harsh reality. Their words resonate in my mind like a painful echo: "You cling to the past, yearning to change it, but as that is not possible, you live your life in dreams."
Is it wrong to dwell in the past?
The present is so arduous, and though they extended their hand to me, I now feel their touch as cold as ice, as if they can no longer reach me, as if they no longer care.
Thanks to them, I have once again felt the warmth of my sister. Their words were like a healing magic within me, yet they also reminded me of how much harm I have inflicted upon others. I wish to thank my sister for forgiving me, though I do not yet know when I will be able to do so.
Furthermore, I am aware that the dreadful deeds I committed have irreparable consequences.
"How could I expect them to think well of someone who tried to kill them?" I whisper as I stroke my shoulders, which they once squeezed with force in the past.
In them, I found another path, but now I feel abandoned by them. I yearn to deserve their forgiveness, desperately longing for a genuine smile from their lips, even if only for a moment, much like the one they bestow upon Miss Emilia, who, thanks to them, has made such strides.
I used to judge her in the same way I judged myself, ensnared in a mask of feigned effort.
Yet even she has begun to stir. The town, the people, all seem to exert their utmost effort and find happiness in it, while I descend into an abyss of self-destruction.
I place my trembling hand on the window, feeling the icy chill in the palm of my hands, a metaphor for the loneliness and emptiness that consume my being.
And I, who strive so diligently day after day, wonder why I do not deserve her smile. I know, I know that I hurt them deeply, and my actions have left indelible scars.
I know I have no chance, that everything offered to me is mere courtesy and duty.
But then, why did you pull me from the darkness to leave me to my fate? I do not deserve your love, I know that, but I yearn to deserve your forgiveness, to be a part of you, even if only in friendship.
I am happier now than in the past, I have changed, I know.
Yet, I wished to be able to proudly show you those changes and feel accepted by you.
"I just want to give you a piece of myself and find happiness in it," I whisper with a voice broken by fear and uncertainty that torment me.
I am so afraid, afraid of losing them completely, afraid of not being enough for them.
My vision clouds without my control. Tears threaten to overflow, but I contain them, storing my pain deep within.
"Here they come," I think with anguish as I look up at the horizon, trying to contain the torrent of emotions that threaten to drown me. Suppressing fear, disappointment, and my unbridled passion.
I gaze at my reflection in the mirror and whisper with a trembling voice:
"Liar. You pulled me out of the darkness to abandon me in solitude. You promised to be there, but now you feel so distant that I can't even see you. You've deceived me with false promises and left me at the mercy of my own despair."
My eyes settle on my former maid's uniform, evoking memories of simpler times.
It has been only a few weeks since I stopped wearing it, since Marco insisted that I shed that role, claiming it was no longer my duty. I thought it would bring me closer to him, but instead, I feel like I drift further from his heart every day.
I leave my room with my ledger in hand, which has witnessed my relentless hard work and tireless efforts. Today, after much sacrifice, we prepare to embark on phase two of the reconstruction plan.
I walk behind him as he converses animatedly with Roswall about the upcoming steps, but my attention is on his back, unreachable and distant.
I had vested so much hope in this moment, but now I can only proffer a feigned smile, concealing my anguish to avoid causing worry to anyone.
My sister advised me that if I feel weary, I should take a respite, but I cannot afford that luxury.
Not after witnessing how diligently, he labors and how much pain he silently endures. Thus, as on all these days, I keep my sorrows deep within, smile at life, and ponder why you deceived me.
You are a masterful deceiver, Marco. You have brought me into the light and left me alone at the mercy of the darkness.
Prologue.
The beginning of something big.
In the radiance of the dawn, laborers gather around me, their countenances reflecting determination and anticipation for what the future holds. It has been an exhausting day, during which each of us has given their utmost to meet the established goals.
We have successfully completed the production of all the concrete needed to build the initial batch of houses, thus laying the foundations for the destiny of this town. Yet, it is not just about that.
My vision extends further as I present to Roswall the ambitious transformation blueprints I have conceived for this community.
I introduced my ideas, aiming for a future reward, and Roswall, without hesitation, embraced each one of them. Now, here we stand after a month in which I have dedicated myself exclusively to concrete production.
We have the necessary materials to construct a housing complex, an investment that would be priceless if not for Roswall's immense wealth.
And, of course, the added advantage that the materials turned out to be surprisingly economical, as no one has discovered their true potential. The costliest aspect was the sand, which we had to gather from a more distant area. But everything has unfolded just as planned.
Now, we are prepared to face the most crucial phase: the use of concrete in the construction of all the residences. I direct my gaze toward the group of men who have accompanied me in this arduous task from the outset.
We have enhanced our organization, for the leftward fields lay ravaged by the flames. We have chosen to allocate only a portion for agriculture, and with Roswall's assistance, we have expanded the area to render it sustainable.
Now, the entire region once ravaged by the inferno shall be solely dedicated to the construction of dwellings. The men, toiling tirelessly, gaze upon me with pride and exclaim in unison:
"Ready, sir!"
In the company of laborers, stand the hired builders, commencing their work today. Fortunately, in this world, architecture relies on certain foundations, though primarily bolstered by magic to prevent structural collapse.
When it comes to the architects building for the common folk, you'll find some employing rudimentary calculations and theories to guide their craft.
As for the builders from the Miload mansion, we contacted a group from Kararagi who were toiling away in the city's slums. We conveyed our expectations and, enticed by a generous remuneration, they agreed to work permanently on our project.
Twenty individuals in total, possessing the necessary fundamental knowledge, with their group leader standing out for his remarkable intelligence.
Since their arrival, I've been guiding the builders in my spare time, sharing with them the theoretical concepts underpinning the structures we shall create. Of course, I've omitted certain more intricate aspects for the time being, as they would prove challenging to comprehend.
To my surprise and good fortune, this world employs the metric system, albeit with some variations in the names of measurement units. The true challenge has been contending with the absence of precise measuring tools, so I've ingeniously employed numerous pre-determined-length cords.
Turning my gaze to the new builders, I take the house plans that Rem has handed me and declare solemnly:
"To our new builders, who shall be entrusted with guiding our laborers in the construction of all these abodes."
As I utter these words, I modulate my tone, deepening it, and add:
"Every one of us is integral to this endeavor, yet I must remind you that the contract stipulates certain conditions. If any information pertaining to our project were to be divulged in any manner..."
I pause significantly, allowing my words to settle in their minds.
"...it shall not bode well for you," I assert firmly.
The builders regard me with a certain trepidation. After all, the clause in their contract includes a sworn oath of loyalty to the dragon, binding them to keep the secrets concealed within this village.
The objective is to carry out the constructions and prepare everything for more people to come and settle here.
At that moment, the group's leader approaches me. His name is Oscar, a man of forty with an imposing presence. I have appointed him as the head of the construction team, and he will also guide the laborers who have been working alongside me.
Oscar possesses a commanding appearance.
His long hair, elegantly tied in a bun, bestows upon him a distinguished air. Furthermore, his luxuriant beard accentuates his rugged aspect, although he always maintains formality and seriousness.
The man looks at me, extending his hand for me to hand over the plans, plans he has seen before, but I now pass them to him for the work ahead.
"I hold high expectations for you, Oscar," I say, fixing my gaze upon him with anticipation. "As someone well-versed in the ways of magic, I trust that you will meet the established deadlines."
It is a challenging task, I know, but I hope that within just one month, we can have at least forty of the sixty houses completed. Initially, I thought it would be impossible, but thanks to Oscar's approval, everything has changed.
"We have the space ready for construction, and we have also conducted preliminary tests," Oscar explains, extending his hand to formalize the commencement of work. "If all goes well, we will achieve our goals."
Yes, there is a key detail in this project: the use of magic. Under normal circumstances, we would have to wait for the concrete curing process to complete, which would entail building the houses in stages, starting with the floors, and progressing upward.
But here, in this world, the primary focus is harnessing the magic of the land. They take mountains of stone and, using earth magic, shape and unite them. The challenge lies in transporting these blocks, which require a significant amount of mana to construct, so the process is divided into several phases. Though quicker than in my world, it remains a laborious task.
With a "liquid" material that can be transformed into solid, we find that the solidification process is more straightforward. The builders have worked with clay before, crafting small houses, so they are familiar with the process.
Therefore, in collaboration with the earth, wind, water, and fire sorcerers, we shall craft a flawless system for construction drying. We shall enlist the services of our hired carpenters to fashion wooden molds, into which we shall pour the powdered concrete. Subsequently, with the aid of the wind and water mages, we shall expertly blend the ingredients.
This shall enable us to fashion pre-dried concrete blocks, which shall, in due course, be cured employing water and fire. Furthermore, the earth mages shall expedite the process and assist us in obtaining sturdier, swifter-to-produce blocks.
"Indeed, I shall be vigilant," I reply to Oscar as I observe him distributing the blueprints among his team of builders. Now, it rests upon them to execute their duties with precision. If all unfolds according to plan, this shall mark a fresh beginning for us all.
To achieve this, I must persist in my toil. I cannot afford to neglect any detail.