133.1. The Impossible Will Be Crushed, Isn’t It?

The accident site cleanup was completed in a few days, thanks to the help of many volunteer adventurers. The people who were rescued and in critical condition have all recovered, so a meeting was held to discuss countermeasures.

It’s been a while since Kyle has been involved in a large discussion like this. Today’s meeting isn’t in the grand hall of Kyle’s mansion but in a conference room at Elixir Castle. By the way, we’ve been ordered by His Majesty the King to call it a castle, not a fort.

The reason we’re using the castle is primarily because of the large number of people, but also because this meeting is considered an official conference. Thus, Myrna is taking the day off.

Along with me, the attendees include Kyle, the leader of the Holy Knights, Alphard, the head of the production guild, Leafan, and our personal alchemist, Jabil-sensei. From the adventurer’s guild, there’s the guild master, Sinos Gasheul, and representing the adventurers, Raydock and Eva. Solal isn’t here because Eva is the party’s strategist.

There’s also a new face: a man with a flashy hairstyle of red and green stripes. He introduces himself as Eddie Drake, the head of the shipping guild. …He looks like a pirate to me, though.

And of course, Jitaro is here, as always, sneaking in somehow. Why? His flimsy title this time is “resident representative”.

Once everyone is seated, Kyle stands up.

“Now, let’s begin by reviewing the problems with the Great Bridge construction and searching for solutions. First, Leafan, the head of the production guild and project manager, will explain.”

Leafan then stands up and hands out documents.

“Let’s dive right in. First, an overview of the construction.”

She spreads out some diagrams.

“This is a large-scale project to build a giant bridge across a deep river. It’s a project spearheaded by His Majesty, the King, and must be completed at all costs.”

Though everyone already understands, she reaffirms with a strong statement of resolve, implying that they are ready to accept casualties if necessary. Everyone tightens their expressions, understanding the gravity of the situation.

“Now, the problem occurred in the test section we began construction on to verify the building method. It’s near the shore, where we thought conventional methods would work.”

Leafan flips through the materials.

“The method involves driving thick boards called sheet piles into the riverbed, lining them up without gaps, and creating a space where we can pump out water.”

It’s like making a hole in the river.

“Since this was a shallow area, the sheet pile installation went smoothly.”

Wait, really? I quickly skimmed the materials, and sure enough, the sheet pile installation was completed. But then why…? Before I can ask, Leafan continues flipping through the pages.

“After that, monsters attacked and destroyed the sheet piles, but an even bigger problem was discovered.”

So the attack happened after the sheet piles were in place? And what’s this bigger issue?

“Our investigation revealed that with the current sheet piles, construction in deeper areas is impossible. They aren’t strong enough.”

That’s…a huge problem.

“And there’s another issue.”

It must be about the aquatic monsters, right?

“The river’s depth.”

Huh?

“The central part of the river is much deeper than we anticipated in our preliminary survey… roughly ten times deeper.”

Everyone in the room is stunned, not just me. The original plan was based on the assumption that we could use large trees from the frontier to match the predicted depth. But ten times that? Impossible. Even if we could extend the sheet piles, they wouldn’t withstand the water pressure. And even if we could prepare such piles, the buoyancy of the wood would make driving them into the riverbed nearly impossible.

This is impossible. There’s no way to solve this.

I glance at Kyle, and his face has turned pale. I feel like punching myself. It’s not impossible! We’ll do it! For Kyle, no matter what! We will do it! Think of something, you useless brain!

Wait a second. We’ve got plenty of reliable people here!

“Everyone! Does anyone have an idea to solve the sheet pile issue?”

I call out to everyone, but my gaze naturally falls on Jabil-sensei. However, Leafan shakes her head.

“…Craft-kun, even if we solve the sheet pile problem, there’s another issue.”

“Huh?”

“Even if we had sheet piles that could withstand the water pressure, it could take years to pump out all the water…”

Leafan points to a page in the documents.

“To withstand this water depth and pressure, we’d need three times the number of bridge piers we initially planned. Even if we used workers strengthened by stamina potions, the sheer volume of water would be overwhelming. A significant amount of water will likely leak from the sheet piles, so the water removal would never end. Without draining the water, we can’t pour in the hardening rock, either.”

Leafan squeezes out her words, her face contorted with frustration. She’s always been positive and never one to give up, but now, even she looks defeated. Almost everyone in the room has realized this project is impossible.

A heavy, dark atmosphere fills the room. But one man shatters it effortlessly.

“Then, why not make the sheet piles out of mithril? Or adamantite?”