Descending the stairs and standing once more beneath the fortress wall, Keuraber gazed upward, reviewing the structure of the wall before him one last time. His eyes shifted to the lower section extending downward from the wall. He contemplated as he observed the neatly aligned stones.
'If even one central stone, known as the heart of the wall, is missing or damaged, the entire wall could be jeopardized. That's why reinforcing that weakness with other stones is essential...'
Keuraber bent his knees and lightly leaped toward a stone positioned well above his height, touching it with his fingertips. The firm, rough texture transmitted through his fingers felt as vivid as if the stone were awaiting his words. He spread his palm and slowly stroked the stone's surface, sensing the minute cracks and grains.
"Concealing the heart, hiding the weaknesses, and distributing the weight... All of this is the lifeblood of the wall."
Keuraber lightly tapped the stone with the back of his hand. A deep, resonant thud echoed, and he nodded slowly, confirming the stone's solidity and balance.
"This wall is flawless. It's a legacy worthy of the masons of Laboreus to leave to the world."
He closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of the stone through his fingertips, and remained silent for a moment.
When Keuraber opened his eyes again and continued walking, he halted midway along the western wall.
His gaze fixed on one particular stone among the wall's array. The masons of Laboreus had long called this stone the heart of the wall, or the breathing stone, the core stone (nucleus stone). It was no ordinary stone; it served as the pivotal element responsible for the wall's structure and stability.
He slowly extended his arm, bringing his fingertips to the stone. As the rough, unyielding surface met his palm, his fingers moved with a delicacy as if conversing with the stone itself. The traces of time embedded in the stone, the remnants of countless masons' skills and touches, revealed themselves through his senses.
Keuraber murmured in a low voice.
"This single stone orchestrates the balance of the entire wall."
His eyes scanned the surrounding area. The core stone was special in its own right, but the roles of the adjacent stones were equally vital. Intense pressure converged upon it, yet shocks needed to disperse simultaneously throughout the wall. Through this process, the wall could withstand the impacts of siege weapons.
Keuraber continued his soliloquy, gently stroking the core stone with his fingertips.
"If the breathing stone crumbles... even the sturdiest wall falls in an instant. That's why it must be reinforced and concealed from view... Encircled by the most durable stones, shielded and supported by others to prevent easy access— they've done well with that."
He withdrew his fingers from the stone and examined the surrounding structure closely. The stones encircling the core were precisely interlocked. There were no gaps, and every stone was positioned to share the pressure appropriately.
This configuration was not merely robust; subtle crevices existed between the stones, serving to absorb the powerful shocks from siege engines and evenly distribute the wall's weight.
"Hmm... The placement of the breathing stone is well executed."
He chuckled softly and nodded. His disciple, Neidin, had designed and built this wall by blending the traditions of Laboreus with his own intuition. Keuraber could sense Neidin's touch the moment he laid eyes on the wall.
With a satisfied smile playing on his lips, Keuraber lightly propelled himself upward onto the wall, inspecting the stones from even closer proximity. His movements were remarkably agile for his age. He tapped the tops of the stones gently with his fingers and scrutinized the gaps between them.
"This clearance, too..."
He murmured softly.
"It's just right. If they're fitted too tightly, they can't absorb impacts, leading to cracks. But with these appropriate gaps, the stones protect each other while cushioning external shocks."
He lifted his head as if to encompass the entire wall in a single glance, scanning up and down. The stability originating from the core stone extended throughout the wall, demonstrating how meticulously Neidin had stacked the stones.
From each individual stone, Keuraber could discern his disciple's touch and convictions. The precisely honed facets, the seamless combinations without even the slightest unintended gaps, or the deliberate clearances where needed—all bespoke the stone-stacking artistry unique to the masons of Laboreus, transcending mere technique. Keuraber smiled once more.
"This is quite commendable. However..."
He peered intently at the lower part of a stone and spotted a tiny crack. It was so minute as to be nearly imperceptible at a glance, but his seasoned eyes and tactile sensitivity never missed it.
"The soul of a stone cannot be handled carelessly. If this one had been overlooked, it could have led to disaster."
After a moment of contemplation, he drew a small chisel from his belt. The chisel, marked by the patina of time, fit his hand like an extension of himself, appearing utterly natural. He positioned it carefully over the crack and, with equal caution, raised his hammer to begin refining the stone.
The clear ring of hammer strikes echoed into the sky.
A short while later, Keuraber's hammering ceased, and the stone was properly mended.
"Good. Now even Laboreus will be pleased."
He secured the chisel and hammer back on his leather belt and let out a sigh. When handling stones, he seemed to forget even his aged body.
"Hmm?"
Footsteps approached from afar, and someone drew near. It was none other than his disciple, Neidin.
Neidin spotted his master from a distance and waved with a bright smile.
"Master! So you were here. I didn't expect you'd come personally to see the completion of the western wall."
Keuraber nodded with a smile.
"I wanted to verify your skill firsthand. I had some business nearby as well... Ah, yes. The wall is splendid. However..."
He pointed to the stone he had just refined.
"Perfection always lies just beyond reach. That's why one must always question oneself."
Neidin bowed his head, his expression earnest.
"I'll engrave your teachings in my heart, Master. I'll always remember that the wall is not merely a structure, but a shield that protects lives."
Keuraber patted his shoulder and said,
"Well said. Today's minor oversight becomes the foundation for tomorrow's perfection."
At the western wall, master and disciple conversed for a while, gazing at the setting sunset.
Keuraber and Neidin strolled slowly along the base of the wall, continuing their conversation. Their steps led them to a small clearing below the wall.
The clearing appeared meticulously maintained, as if tended over a long period. Faint old footprints lingered on the ground, and on one side, wooden carvings of horses and soldiers were neatly arranged. A bit further away, a ball made from stitched leather scraps and cords lay rolled into a corner.
In one corner of the clearing stood a small stone tower built from stacked stones of various sizes. Keuraber paused, gazing at the stone tower. It was merely an ordinary little pile of stones, erected by one of the children who played in the clearing.
Neidin looked at Keuraber with a puzzled expression.
Keuraber approached the stone tower and spoke in a low voice.
"The god of stone walls, Laboreus, is not only the guardian of masons but also of children frolicking in places like this."
Neidin tilted his head and asked,
"Guardian of children? This is the first I've heard of that."
Keuraber chuckled softly and squatted before the stone tower. His fingertips carefully brushed over the solidly placed base stone.
"All gods draw strength from those who believe and follow them. Their powers grow with the scale of praise and the depth of faith. Laboreus values our acts of stacking stones more than any prayer."
He picked up one of the scattered stones nearby. It was much larger than the others, with a roughly hewn surface. Keuraber blew the dust off it with his breath, then moved his fingers slowly over it, gauging its balance as if weighing it.
"That's why Laboreus holds a special fondness for children who delight in stacking stones. Even a small stone tower becomes a symbol of faith, an offering to Him."
He carefully brought the large stone to the top of the tower. With a hand that perfectly aligned the balance, Keuraber placed it and made minute adjustments with his fingertips. Once the stone settled stably, he stepped back and regarded his work with a content expression.
"In this way, all of us who stack stones are beloved by Laboreus. Even the simple act of placing one stone holds meaning."
Neidin watched Keuraber's actions, listening intently to his words.
"Therefore, one must never treat any stone negligently. Even in a small stone tower, the will of Laboreus resides."
Keuraber continued, slowly lifting a small stone from atop the tower.
"Even if it's a stone tower built merely for play, it contains the intent and effort to stack stones, and the heart to achieve balance, doesn't it? Laboreus regards such efforts as 'prayers.' Every moment we masons handle each stone with care—whether building a tower or erecting a wall—is an act of praise to Him."
Neidin nodded, absorbing Keuraber's words.
Keuraber smiled faintly, feeling the grain of the stone with his fingertips.
"Laboreus does not desire only grand and ornate structures. In the small act of placing a single stone, we can feel His touch. This stone tower may seem like mere child's play on the surface, but it holds the effort to create balance and harmony, does it not?"
He added as he replaced the small stone atop the tower.
Neidin, deeply moved by Keuraber's words, gazed at the stone tower for a long while.
A breeze swept around the stone tower. Keuraber and Neidin watched in silence as the stones atop it held firm without a quiver.
"So, when I am gone and only the stone towers I've built remain, remember well what I've told you today."
"Yes, Master."
As his words concluded, another gust of wind enveloped the clearing. The stones atop the tower remained steadfast, unmoving, while the surrounding branches swayed. Keuraber glanced at the stone tower once more and smiled faintly.
"By the way, you mentioned heading to Damu?"
Neidin asked hesitantly, his expression recalling the contents of the letter sent before Keuraber's arrival.
"Yes. An old acquaintance has commissioned some work."
Keuraber replied lightly, wearing a relaxed smile.
"I've heard the forest path to Damu is dangerous."
Concern laced Neidin's voice.
"Hmm... No need to worry. I've requested an escort from the Adventurers' Guild, and an adventurer has accepted, so we'll depart together tomorrow."
Keuraber nodded in response. His calm demeanor seemed to ease Neidin's worries somewhat.
The two resumed their walk, leaving the clearing behind. In their wake, the stone tower stood resolute against the gentle breeze.