Original subtitles

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,

I think it would be wise to make an exception.

Mr. van Bate, I pardon your crimes and appoint you as Master Stonemason.

From now on, you're a member of the administrative office.

Show me what a master from the Mason Guild can do.

I want to build a city wall here,

from the Dragonspine Mountain to the Redwater River,

roughly 2000 feet in length.

Fifteen feet high, six feet wide,

wide enough for four men to walk abreast.

Well? How would you go about it?

First, to stabilize the upper structure,

we'll need to dig a trench one man deep.

And if the top is six feet wide and the wall is 15 feet high,

then the base must be at least twice that width.

If Your Highness provides me with 150 men,

I can complete the trench in three months.

The upper wall must be built with solid stone.

Cutting and polishing the stone will take a lot of time.

The whole project will probably take three years to complete.

A ditch won't stop the demonic beasts.

Stop the demonic beasts...

You... You mean...

Yes. I need to build a wall capable of holding back demonic beasts.

Therefore, it must be completed before the Months of Demons arrive this year.

Can it be done?

Well, if that's the case...

Then the wall doesn't need to be built that high.

Like this...

If the height is reduced to 12 feet,

and the width reduced by a third,

then the base width shrinks to 6 feet.

We can dig the trench and build the wall simultaneously.

If we increase the workforce to 200,

the foundation could be dug in about a month and a half.

But...

But what?

Building the wall requires a lot of cut stone.

In such a short time,

there's no way we can process enough stone.

Even if we bought it from nearby towns,

factoring in transport time,

I'm afraid it's still...

So if we had enough stone,

you could build the wall within three months?

I believe so, yes.

But...

Then you don't need to worry.

Come with me. I'll show you something.

Oh, okay.

This is amazing.

It's incredible!

They... They've bonded so solidly.

With this, it's like having stone blocks in any shape we need,

without cutting or polishing.

If we can eliminate the time-consuming step of processing stone,

the speed of any construction project

will reach an entirely new level.

Well? With this, can you finish in three months?

Yes. This substance is magnificent.

Your Highness, what did you say it was called?

Cement.

Cement. I'll remember that.

I can't believe the alchemy workshop developed something this amazing.

I'll write you some detailed instructions on how to use cement.

If you need anything else, speak with my assistant minister, Barov.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness, actually, there's one more thing.

Oh? What is it?

It's...

Anna!

Professor Karl!

So, he's the aforementioned Professor Karl.

Yes, many of the town's children go to his house for lessons.

He's really kind to us.

I only told them stories and taught them a few words.

Anna, I thought you were dead.

I've been having nightmares these past few days.

It's such a relief you're alive.

I...

Your Highness, thank you for your mercy.

Don't be like that. Please get up.

Your Highness...

Mr. van Bate, to me,

witches aren't the embodiment of the Devil.

I certainly won't hunt them down as the Church commands.

Miss Anna is innocent.

Of course I'd never harm her.

Your Highness, there's something I must tell you.

Oh, what is it?

Do you remember I mentioned earlier

that I had my own reason for coming to apply?

I didn't dare tell you then,

but now, I'm certain I can.

In this Border Town, there is another witch.

How can this be?

Even Nana... has become a witch too?

Who would've thought that in this tiny Border Town,

there would be two witches?

If this were anywhere else,

there would be another bloody witch hunt.

But how will His Highness react here?

This is what I wish to ask of you, Your Highness.

Your Highness is merciful and unafraid of the rumors of the Devil.

It's Anna's good fortune to be able to join your harem.

Although Nana is still young and cannot serve you,

she is truly innocent.

I beg you, Your Highness,

please save her too.

It's not what you think.

I saved Anna because I need her help.

I-I believe that once Nana grows up,

she'll definitely be able to help you too.

You truly misunderstand.

Miss Anna's job is to make the cement I just showed you.

What?

That miraculous substance was actually made by Anna?

As for this Nana you mentioned,

I'd like to meet her.

I can guarantee her safety.

Could you bring her to me?

Ah! Yes, Your Highness.

I understand.

Forgive me, Your Highness.

I... I am truly grateful to you.

Let's go. We'll discuss details back in my chambers.

Yes, Your Highness.

Miss Anna, I'll leave matters here to you.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness. Your Highness!

What is it, Barov?

Your Highness, I understand your eagerness to meet this witch.

However, there might be a complication.

Oh? What is it?

You see, this girl's name is Nana Pine, right?

The surname Pine doesn't belong to commoners.

It belongs to a minor noble in town, Baron Pine.

Is that so?

Yes, Your Highness.

Nana is indeed the daughter of Baron Tigui Pine.

If the nobles find out, it could be troublesome.

Mr. van Bate, bring Nana here tomorrow morning.

Come at the usual lesson time.

Don't draw attention.

Yes, Your Highness.

Barov, once Nana arrives tomorrow,

take her directly to the kitchen.

Clear the area beforehand.

I'll meet her in the kitchen.

Very wise, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Miss Pine is here.

It's all right.

Go on, Nana.

Greet His Highness.

H-Hello.

I-I'm Nana Pine, Your Highness.

Hello, Miss Pine.

Welcome. Please have a seat.

Go on, it's fine.

His Highness is asking you to sit.

Go ahead, it's all right.

Go on.

Miss Pine,

may I also call you Nana?

Here is some food.

I hope you like it.

Nana.

Sister Anna!

Thank goodness! Sister Anna, you're alive!

They all said you were dead,

but I knew they were lying.

I've missed you so much.

Your Highness, time is short.

I must return to the construction site immediately.

I will never fail to meet your expectations.

Anna and Nana... I entrust them to your care.

So delicious, Sister Anna!

Nana.

I heard from Professor Karl

that you've also awakened as a witch.

When did it start?

How did you discover it?

Could you tell me about it?

About a week ago,

I saw a little bird with a broken leg,

and I really wanted to help it.

Then, I felt something flow out from my palm,

like a ball of sticky water,

and it enveloped the bird.

Oh?

And then?

Then...

Then the bird was healed!

Carter.

Oh! Yes, Your Highness?

Go into town immediately.

Find a hunter and buy some small animals—

injured ones, dying ones, and dead ones.

Get a few of each.

Yes, Your Highness.

Nana, could you show me that sticky ball of water again?

Don't you want to help them?

Sure.

They're so cute.

Look.

Damaged parts can be healed.

Severed limbs can be perfectly reattached.

But if the limb is lost,

it cannot be regenerated.

And...

death cannot be reversed.

This power is incredible.

Saving lives and healing the wounded is a knight's duty.

And yet, it is this little girl

who has shown me what healing truly looks like.

I really... don't know what to say.

Your Highness, I'm beginning to understand your approach to witches.

Carter.

Yes, Your Highness.

Take her home later.

From now on, find opportunities to bring her here every day,

so she can practice her powers.

Why not just keep her here?

Her powers are truly astonishing.

Her family is nobility.

Nana hasn't been exposed as a witch yet.

If we brought her here now,

it might prematurely start a conflict with the local nobles.

And we're not ready for that yet.

Your Highness, do you truly believe that

we can survive the Months of Demons here,

with just that wall and the power of witches?

Of course.

But this alone won't be enough.

Because besides the demonic beasts,

we have many more enemies.

Translator: Henry Lin Timer: Henry Lin Editor: Zachary Carlysle QC: William Haggard