Thousands of craftsmen and laborers toiled amidst the ruins.
Some pointed at construction blueprints, while others hauled dirt and stone to clear the rubble.
The weather had already turned cold, yet few of them were fully clothed. Most were bare-chested, revealing crisscrossing scars.
"CRACK!"
A guard from the Situ Family's Nursing Home cracked his long whip, felling a man, and roared abusively.
"Work faster!"
"Fall behind schedule, and it'll cost you your lives!"
"All of you, pick up the pace! If I catch anyone slacking, I'll beat you to death, no questions asked."
"CRACK!"
The whip rang out sharply.
These craftsmen and laborers were mostly men from the General's Mansion, or slaves kept by certain Magicians.
Now, having been forcibly conscripted by the City Lord's Mansion, their lives were in others' hands. They didn't dare to not give their all.
A moment of laxity would earn them a vicious beating at best, and death at worst.
Observatory Pavilion.
