Across the continents that form the world, numerous castles are scattered in various places. A castle is not merely a lavish residence for kings or nobles. The castle walls serve as the utmost bulwark of defense, shielding the populace and soldiers amid the chaos swept by the flames of war, acting like a shield that halts the enemy's advance.
The essence of castle walls is survival itself. Tall and sturdy walls thwart enemy assaults, providing a sense of security to the inhabitants within. Walls with superior defensive capabilities neutralize the foe's siege weapons, guard the gates, and offer soldiers a safe vantage point from which to engage the enemy.
Castle walls are not simply structures piled up with bricks and stones. The height, thickness, slope, and internal structure of the walls are all products of precise calculations and sophisticated techniques.
In constructing such vital walls, there exists a group renowned for their unparalleled skill and fame. They are none other than the masons of Laboreus.
The masons of Laboreus are known throughout the continent as the finest artisans in building castle walls. Their name transcends that of mere craftsmen. Whenever someone mentions "castle walls" the "masons of Laboreus" are invariably invoked and praised alongside. The saying, "A castle entrusted to the masons of Laboreus will stand for a thousand years." is commonly passed down, attesting to the durability of their masonry that withstands the passage of time and the devastation of war.
The walls built by the Laboreus masons are not merely tall and thick. The precise fitting between bricks and stones, the sloped structures that render enemy siege weapons ineffective, and even the hidden secret passages and reinforcing pillars within—their walls encapsulate the pinnacle of masonry, far beyond simply stacking stones.
The masons of Laboreus hold the belief that castle walls are not mere constructions but shields that protect the populace amid war and disaster. Walls are not solely for the castle lords and soldiers. The walls encircling the castle's perimeter are like lifelines for the ordinary folk living within.
This conviction is one reason why the masons of Laboreus receive commissions from across the continent. They do not refuse requests, even from castle lords with poor reputations or those infamous for their misdeeds. This stems from the creed they uphold.
"When war breaks out, it is the common people who need refuge. The walls are for them, and protecting lives with stone barriers is our duty."
Because of this belief, the masons of Laboreus sometimes face criticism. Some accuse them of being obsessed with money for building walls even for wicked lords. Yet, the masons remain unyielding.
Their philosophy is resolute: "Walls are built with stone and sweat, but their weight is sustained by lives." To them, stone is not mere building material but a sacred substance that upholds human lives.
The masons of Laboreus are also famed for their profound faith and sincerity. They worship Laboreus, known as the god of stone walls. Laboreus is the deity who governs the "soul of stone." and it is believed that every stone originates from him. Through daily prayers and hymns, they reaffirm the sanctity dwelling in the stones, viewing the construction of walls as a sacred obligation.
The ritual of praying to Laboreus is unique. Before building a wall, they inscribe Laboreus's name on the very first stone. The ritual typically proceeds as follows:
Selection of the First Stone: Choose the most solid and balanced stone.
Sacred Engraving: Carve Laboreus's name and a prayer of blessing onto the stone.
Declaration of the Ritual: The masons place their hands upon the stone together and vow.
"This stone is the beginning of a wall that safeguards lives. This wall shall prove the protection of our god Laboreus for a thousand years."
The work of the Laboreus masons is not mere labor. They infuse their soul and faith into every stone wall. Every process—quarrying the stone, transporting it, shaping it, and stacking it—is akin to a prayer for them.
Finally, when the wall is completed, the masons of Laboreus offer a blessing atop the last stone and declare:
"This wall shall become the shield of life, watched over by Laboreus, the god of stone."
Thus, they always offer praise to the god of stone walls, quarrying stone, transporting stone, shaping stone, and stacking stone.
*****
The evening glow was dyeing the western sky of the city in red. The crimson light, spreading like flames, colored the castle walls, and the wind passing over them whispered low through the crevices in the stones.
The western wall of Aquiln. An elderly man, appearing advanced in years, was slowly walking atop the wall.
His name was Keuraber Mains. Renowned across the continent as the foremost mason and architect, he was counted among the elite of the Laboreus masons. Though his age had long surpassed seventy, the marks of time were etched upon his body, yet his physique remained robust, and his mind sharp.
His hair was as white as snow, and his long, flowing beard and eyebrows were equally silver. His wrinkled face bore the full imprint of time, but the eyes gleaming beneath that white hair remained piercingly keen. The intensity in his gaze as he inspected every part of the wall testified to the depth of his years.
A cool breeze rustled his cloak. Revealed beneath the fluttering garment, his body was lean yet astonishingly sturdy. His muscles, unbowed by time, still possessed the strength and flexibility needed for handling stone.
At Keuraber's waist hung an array of mason's tools, neatly arranged. The various chisels, each differing in size and shape, served unique purposes. Some were pointed and elongated for precisely refining crevices in stone, while others were flat and broad for smoothing wide surfaces. The hammer's handle was worn smooth from years of use, and the steel head bore numerous fine scratches left by time. These were symbols proving how many stones he had shaped and refined.
Keuraber walked slowly along the western wall, surveying his surroundings with deliberation. Traces left by the masons' chisels were etched into the stones of the wall. He paused his gaze on each massive stone, feeling the texture of their surfaces with his fingertips. His fingers moved delicately, tracing the stone's exterior.
For a moment, he halted his steps and lifted his head to gaze at the forest beyond the wall. The birdsong echoing from beyond the wall cut through the serene air and spread out.
"Hmm... That Neidin lad, his skills have improved quite a bit."
He murmured to himself, a faint smile forming.
Keuraber recalled his disciple, Neidin. From a young age, Neidin had learned the art of handling stone at his side, honing his talents as a Laboreus mason.
「 Aquiln was a city where four races coexisted: humans, elves, Dawi, and Muwa. The city was renowned for the cooperation and harmony among the races, but at the same time, the unique temperaments and philosophies of each race often complicated the council's decisions. Particularly, discussions surrounding the expansion and reinforcement of the defensive walls starkly revealed such differences.
Several years ago, Aquiln's council decided to strengthen the defense system by expanding and reinforcing the walls. The northern and southern walls had already been splendidly completed by the Laboreus masons, but the eastern wall was being handled by the Dawi and Muwa. However, due to the slow pace of work and delays in the schedule, they lost the council's trust and were excluded as primary candidates for the new western expansion.
Voices of doubt arose among the elves, who had not experienced war for such a long time: Could walls that were merely beautiful withstand the flying boulders from siege weapons? Yet, politically, the elves' position could not be ignored.
For ages, the elves had contributed to Aquiln's development, playing a key role in designing and constructing the city's internal symbols. This expansion was no exception. It was decided that the elves would handle the spires and central inner walls. This was both to preserve the race's pride and a consideration by Aquiln's council to avoid unsettling the elves' political standing.
As a result of such deliberations, the western wall expansion of Aquiln naturally fell to the Laboreus masons. Among them, Neidin, regarded as one of the most outstanding artisans, was appointed as the overseer for this outer wall expansion. Recalling that decision, Keuraber was enveloped in a peculiar emotion. He realized that it was time for Neidin to step out from his shadow and complete the wall entirely on his own strength.
To confirm whether he had infused the wall with his own perspective and touch. To ensure that, in pursuing something new, he hadn't shaved away too much of what needed to be preserved—as both a master and a senior artisan of the Laboreus masons, Keuraber had come here to verify it. 」
Walking along the western wall, Keuraber recalled the council's decision and nodded slowly. He was convinced that this choice was right. No one surpassed the Laboreus masons in handling stone. Thanks to the council's sound judgment, the western wall now possessed a defensive structure nearing perfection.
He stopped his steps and fixed his gaze on a stone before him. With the sensitivity of fingers accustomed to stone, Keuraber was reading the traces of effort embedded within.
"Not bad at all."
He slowly stroked the stone's surface with his fingertips, feeling its smoothness and cracks. Each stone interlocked perfectly with the others, and the gaps between them were meticulously calculated. Keuraber missed not even the finest fissures. The appropriate clearance between stones provided the essential flexibility for a defensive wall.
"A wall fitted too rigidly is vulnerable to strong impacts."
He muttered to himself as a reminder.
"Heh heh heh. This is undoubtedly a wall made by a mason of Laboreus."
Keuraber found himself smiling unwittingly. His disciple had clearly demonstrated further growth in constructing Aquiln's western wall. The precise fitting of each stone, the delicate refinement of surfaces, and even the thoughtfully placed gaps considering the interlocking—all of it thoroughly embodied the principles Keuraber had imparted.
He bowed his head slightly atop the wall. Feeling the cool texture of the stone transmitted to his fingertips, he leaned his body slightly outward over the wall, gazing at the grand extension stretching endlessly westward.
Soon straightening himself again, Keuraber slowly directed his steps toward the stairs leading down from the wall. Though rough, unfinished stones peeked out along the path down the stairs, he thought he could save any nitpicking about the stairs for their next meeting as he continued walking.