A New World, an immersive game experience

"Do you really think you can manage something on this scale?" Sofiera asked, rough estimations of forming a fort through magic and magic alone. It would require over a hundred thousand mana.

This was simply not something that was feasible. Sofiera, as a highmage (Tier 7) with quite excellent equipment to boost her mana regeneration, had around 6k mana and it would take her three quarters of an hour to recover after expending all her mana.

However, to avoid magic fatigue, she would prefer to spend small amounts at a time and also take breaks from time to time. Mana poison was also an issue, especially if external forces were used to boost the mana recovery.

If she wanted to ensure her health while working, she could only use around 5k mana every hour. And she would only be able to maintain that for about a workday's hours (8).

If it were her pushing herself, she might be able to create a fort in a couple of days. Half a week was a prudent assumption. And with that, it would be a simple, hardened dirt fort. More an outline than an actual fort.

However, considering the lower undead that would be the enemy, that would be enough. Having walls, even if they are only dirt, would allow the defenders a significant advantage.

But that was to make just one such dirt fort. To make enough to stretch across the entire region. It simply wasn't feasible. They didn't have enough mages, and not everyone would be capable of structure creation. It was, after all, an off-branch magic.

Most mages only learnt the most basic to help when setting up a military camp. They could form mounds or created ditches, but they weren't able to form walls.

As for using mana crystals, that would be foolish. The city was running extremely low and the mana crystals were required to ensure the function of the city. They were especially required for emergency usages should the city come under siege again.

Even Eldrian's mage battery plan wouldn't work. After all, mages needed their mana for their daily activities. Sure, some had the mana to spare, but not all.

And then there was the problem of mana inefficiency and poisoning from overdrawing and reliance on mana crystals. Mages who suffered from that certainly wouldn't enjoy the next couple of weeks.

Sadly, there was no way to hasten a recovery from mana poisoning. In fact, trying to help with magic would only make the situation worse.

"I feel quite confident." Eldrian declared. "I've never experienced a backlash from using my mana..." he paused. He hadn't experienced it for almost a year.

"And I have experienced the abnormality of letting the mana of a mana crystal fill my body. I think I can channel the mana without letting it influence my state."

"Are you planning on forming formation to assist the creation?" Sofiera asked. This was where her mind went when thinking of channeling mana, but not through one's body.

"It is true this will reduce the strain on you, but it will take longer. Besides, we do not have the crystals to spare."

Eldrian paused. He indeed had such a plan. It was complicated, but simple at the same time. By using a magic circle focused on channeling mana, altering it to the element and adding function to the mana. All he had to do was guide where the magic circle will target.

At least, this was his plan. But without mana crystals, this would be impossible.

"What if we directly use the mana of everyone who will be stationed in the fort or watchtower?" Eldrian asked.

"Explain." Pelaros said with a frown. Sofiera too had a frown, not following Eldrian's thought train.

"My way of using runes isn't normal. I'm sure you all are aware. So my plan is to engrave the following onto a plate of Mithril..." Eldrian quickly outlined the idea.

"Basically, all anyone needs to do is channel their mana into the Mithril plate and it will then alter the mana as required for the construction."

"Your idea is to make a... construction magic tool?" Sofiera found the idea fascinating and wondered why no one ever thought of that before. No, there probably were plenty who had tried, but something had likely prevented it from being spread.

"Ah, yeah. I guess the limitation would be that you can't connect with it as you do with a normal magic item. Only the user, the responsible for the construction, will be able to do that. Otherwise, the different wills will clash and cause the mana to go rampant."

This was something Two had highlighted for Eldrian. Along with the fact that not everyone can simply guide their mana at will. Which was quite a steep requirement.

"So they will be similar to the original magic cannons?" Pelaros enquired, "Only people capable of guiding their mana will be able to interact with it, meaning you need a crew of Tier 5 mages?"

"As expected, yes. That should be the case. I'm planning on visiting Boran after this to ask for their help. He might be able to assist in improving the plan."

"I see..." Pelaros hesitated slightly. Somehow it felt like Eldrian was more in control of things than he was. A strange feeling to the mayor of the city, but not one he disliked.

As long as Eldrian was willing to offer his support, Pelaros would, in turn, do his best to help the half elf Chosen when possible.

"Do you think the dwarves will assist us?" The centaur mayor of Kynigo asked after his moment of hesitation came to an end.

"I doubt I'll be able to have them send soldiers. But having them spare a few craftsmen might be possible. I also think it is about time that Solvi returns, especially since we have a much improved magic cannon now."

"Agreed. She was our best smith. Her return would be a great welcome. There are several items that need repair, but no one can perform the repairs."

From there, the conversation shifted more towards the situation of the city and the general feeling of the populace. Since the morning, things have been hectic since Pelaros had suddenly called for arms.

However, the situation had not turned into chaos. Thanks to a great number of reasons pilling up.

Eldrian was one of the pillars that helped the populace calm their hearts.

As he left, the three centaurs sank into contemplation. "Do you think this is actually possible?" Evale asked. Naturally, as a person with the least experience in the magical field, she deferred to the other two.

"Things have calmed down." Pelaros replied, "We can spare a few thousand people for construction. If, as Eldrian suggests, we deforest Pyknos and use the wood along with relying on his construction magic... it might just be... but..."

"Yeah, I can't imagine him actually being able to work on something so strenuous without pause." Sofiera added, "The strain on his body should be too much, however..."

"He has done plenty of other insane things as if they were normal." Pelaros finished the thought.

"True." Evale nodded. "Then, shall we start a recruitment drive?"

"Yes, I think we should." Pelaros nodded. "I'll draw up a few basic plans for these midpoint forts. They don't need to be overly complicated, simply a place where the tired can rest along the wall. We will want to also access the outside from some, but not all..."

"Evale," Sofiera called out before just as the centaurette was about to leave the room. "I believe Eldrian has only a few retainers, but they are reliable from what I've seen. Include them in the recruitment. Perhaps we can turn this in an advertisement of a sort?"

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