#387 Let’s Build a Tower

It has been a few days since the expo was held.

Even so, its popularity has not waned, and the number of attendees has been increasing steadily.

According to the administration’s tally, the most visited pavilion is Letasreit’s Bean Pavilion.

We were skeptical at first, but the simplicity it offered made it easy to appeal to men and women of all ages. And the fact that it was food.

The beans sold like hotcakes, and Letasreit seemed pleased as punch.

“My natto is also selling well,” says Horkosfon.

Seriously?!

The next most popular pavilion is Veil’s.

I was surprised to hear that she’s also exhibiting.

When I asked what kind of theme she was going with, it seemed to be a pavilion introducing bread and udon called the Wheat Pavilion.

She baked bread and made udon noodles to showcase the deliciousness of wheat-based food while applying their cooking methods.

I was surprised for a moment when I heard she did it all by herself.

...I knew she could knead bread and make udon noodles, but I guess something about being a dragon makes anything possible as long as they put their heart into it?

In any case, it looks like she’s trying to create a wheat sensation in the Demon Kingdom, and it’s going pretty well.

I guess food will always appeal strongly to the masses.

At the moment, she’s still outdone by Letasreit because it’s hard to imagine the actual product from the title. But she has introduced pasta as a new menu item and is preparing to come up with pepperoncino, meat sauce, and Napolitan spaghetti.

Once the greatness of floury food is known, the battle for the top spot between Letasreit and Veil will pop up sooner or later.

Besides that, Poel’s glass pavilion is also well-received for its unusual building: it’s made entirely of glass, with transparent walls and roof.

People have started calling it the “Crystal Palace” because of its sparkly and magnificent appearance.

Their pavilion is visited day after day.

Seeing how lively things are, I also started to think, “I want to do something too...”

It’s probably too late now.

I thought I’d remain a spectator, but when the actual event started, it seemed more fun than I anticipated.

But you know what?

I don’t think I can beat Letasreit or Veil if I start my own pavilion now.

They’ve already gotten the best candidates.

If I’m going to participate in something, it’s either I win, or I don’t participate at all.

So, I’m going to take a different approach.

...Ah.

I’ve got an idea.

***

“...A monument, sir?” 

I immediately called Mr. Shax to discuss the matter.

He’s now the chairman of the expo’s administration committee.

“Yes, I want to build one.”

A monument is a structure that symbolizes something and bequeaths it to the future.

“I want to build something that symbolizes the farm expo!”

“If that’s what you want to do, we can’t oppose it. We have plenty of land, so I believe you have all the freedom to do whatever you desire, sir.”

Now, this is one advantage of setting up the venue outside the city.

“What kind of monument are you planning to build, if I may ask?”

“A tower.”

“A tower?”

Mr. Shax looks dumbfounded.

“You’re going to build a tower as a monument, sir?”

“But aren’t international expos all about towers?”

“But this is just a local one, sir...”

“Locals, schmocals. It doesn’t matter.”

I want to build a vivid tower and get everyone’s attention!

So I’m going to build one, and that should be a great addition to the expo.

Its construction began as soon as possible.

The planned site was a vacant lot a bit far from the actual expo. As I’ve said many times before, we’re located outside the city, so we can expand our ground as much as possible.

I call Orkubo and his construction-loving peer to start work.

Orkubo asks, “What kind of tower do you want to build, My Lord?”

“Good question!”

It’s important to share the same image.

Our tower’s purpose of existence is not for practical use.

It’s just a symbol to liven up the expo.

“I want it to look flashy and artistic to catch everyone’s attention!”

“Artistic, My Lord?”

“Like, you know, with hands stretched!”

“Hands? But it’s a tower!”

“And put a face on it!”

“We’re putting a face on a tower?!”

“And it will shine like the sun!”

“Are you sure you’re being original right now, My Lord?!”

He’s sharp.

I can’t help it. To tell the truth, the first thing that came to my mind when I heard the word “expo” was that.

We’re going to recreate the tower that dazzled the whole world!

Anyway, I drew the blueprints and started the actual construction.

Thanks to the orcs’ help, I was able to complete it in no time flat.

Otherworldy version of a monument tower!

At first glance, its appearance is striking!

The flashy colors! The mysterious face!

Its unremarkable appearance catches everyone’s eye from a wide range.

“W-W-What the heck is that?!”

“It’s a tower! But why does it look so strange?”

“That’s art! But to turn the building into an artistic piece itself...!”

“How extraordinary!”

“When will this expo’s surprises come to a stop?!”

The main reaction was from the craftsmen.

They had been immersed in the technical pavilions, but when they saw the monumental tower, they were shocked.

It was worth all the effort to build it.

True art transcends the boundaries of the world and moves people’s hearts.

I’m sure all the attendees will leave with that strange image burned into their minds.

Amidst my satisfaction...

“What’s that?”

I hear a voice from the crowd.

“Look up.”

“Something’s falling from the sky!”

Everyone begins to notice the anomaly.

I, too, look up, and sure enough, I see something falling from the sky.

A single shining ball of light is descending from the clear sky towards the surface of the earth.

It’s so bright I mistook it for the sun, but smaller.

It, of all things, lodges itself atop the monument tower I just built.

What the hell is going on?!

Even the attendees can’t help but pay attention to it now.

Just as everyone’s eyes were glued to it, there was a movement in the light.

From the top of the monument tower, lording over many people, it says, “...I am Apollo, God of the Sun, the most loved by my father Zeus.”

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The Tower of the Sun is a building created by Japanese artist Taro Okamoto. It was known as the symbol of Expo '70and currently is preserved and located in the Expo Commemoration Park in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. The tower has three faces on its front and back.