Chapter 214 The Renowned Architect Elara

Without wasting any more time and to spare herself the headache of crafting a plan for her town, Suzuka decided to meet with the renowned architect, Elara. Armed with a letter of recommendation, she effortlessly breezed past the main town guards, seamlessly entering the noble district. 

Meandering through the rich streets, she finally arrived at Architect Elara's lavish manor. The maid, with a curious glance, escorted Suzuka to the waiting room after she confidently declared her purpose with Elara.

The person who entered the room was a powerful and statuesque Dwarven woman, standing as tall as Suzuka, or perhaps even a bit taller, with the unmistakable features that defined the dwarven race. In a tone that carried a hint of flirtation, she introduced herself, "Well, well, what have we here? A captivating stranger gracing my abode. I don't believe our paths have crossed before. I'm Elara, the master architect. Now, I'm curious, what brings such a delightful person like yourself to my humble quarters?"

Suzuka greeted her charmingly, "Hi there, I'm Helen, an adventurer. Nice to meet someone as talented as you. My business with you is quite intriguing. I need expertly crafted blueprints for an entire town."

Elara's expression shifted to pleasant surprise, and she replied with a teasing smile, "Oh-wow, a whole town, you say? Now, that sounds like quite the challenge. I must admit, I'm intrigued. Give me a bit more detail about your vision, what do you have in mind?"

Suzuka, sensing interest in her tone, leaned in slightly and said, "Well, it may sound a bit foolish, but I want to build a town where various races can live together, form bonds, live in peace, and create families. I know it sounds absurd, but trust me, it's not impossible."

Elara encouraged Suzuka to share more with a playful twinkle in her eyes, "Oh, don't worry. You can tell me anything that's on your mind. I don't think it's absurd or foolish at all; in fact, it sounds fascinating. I love a good fantasy. Don't be shy, spill all the details. I'm here for it. You can share all your wild dreams with me."

Suzuka, enjoying the flirtatious banter, continued with a sly grin, "When I say all races, I mean even the more... odd ones, like Goblins, Lizardmen, or maybe even Minotaurs. It's going to be a diverse community, you know?"

Elara's eyes glinted with a naughty spark as she heard the mention of monster races, and a seductive smile slowly crept onto her face. With a voice that carried a hint of restrained excitement, Elara purred, "Well, well, an interracial town where all the intelligent species coexist in harmony and form, shall we say, friendly relationships? That sounds like quite the thrilling project you've got your mind set on. I would simply love to assist you with such a tantalizing endeavor, I really would. However, I'll need a bit more... information to properly contribute. I'd like to see the lay of the land, love - the terrain, the rivers, the hills, the mountains, and all those delicious details."

Suzuka, catching the playful vibe, pulled out the maps and said, "It's quite a spacious piece of land, a substantial mountain surrounded by lush forests and a vast river. Of course, I plan to rid the scenery of that pesky mountain eventually, and we'll clear out the trees. So, consider it a blank canvas ready for construction. I've got an earth mage ready for the job, and he's more than capable of leveling the ground to perfection."

Elara took the maps with a seductive smile, her eyes lingering on Suzuka's with a hint of intrigue. After studying the maps for a moment, she purred, "Oh, a vast canvas indeed. I have a lot of ideas swirling in my mind for this vast land, and I'd love to share them with you, love. But first, I need to understand your desires intimately. What exactly do you want for this town?"

Suzuka, catching the flirtatious tone, leaned in with a playful glint in her eyes, "Well, Elara, for now, I need a well-thought-out foundation blueprint of the town and a minuscule, squalid, and isolated corner to house the goblins. I'm curious, what are your grand thoughts about the goblin district? Now, let me share my insights. Goblins, you see, are these dimwitted creatures, prone to self-harm thanks to their amusingly foolish shenanigans. Picture this: goblins huddling in big, stinking masses at night, ensuring maximum warmth, and, of course, the enchanting aroma of collective living. Goblins naturally live in tents made out of sticks, vines, mud, and big leaves or in stinking tunnels and dirty holes. Their homes should match their intellect - simple, yet a bit semblance of aesthetic decency. I was pondering over the idea of confining the goblins in shabby huts, closely resembling elegant dog houses. What's your take on that, Elara?"

Architect Elara listened attentively to Suzuka's whimsical description of the goblin district. A subtle smile played on her lips as she considered the challenge laid before her. As Suzuka finished her portrayal of the goblin living conditions, Elara took a moment to collect her thoughts, her graceful fingers lightly tapping the surface of her sketchbook.

"Well, Helen," Elara began, "I must say, your vision is... unique. However, I believe we can find a compromise between practicality and a semblance of aesthetic decency, as you mentioned. I'd suggest incorporating some elemental motifs, perhaps earthy tones to harmonize with the natural surroundings. We can design simple structures with a touch of charm, ensuring they provide adequate shelter while maintaining an appearance that's, shall we say, easy on the eyes."

Suzuka, intrigued by Elara's diplomatic approach, nodded in agreement.

 "That sounds reasonable. I trust your expertise, Elara. After all, we're not looking for luxury in the goblin district, just functionality with a dash of looks."

Elara, her elegant pen gliding across her sketchbook, began to outline the first drafts of the goblin living quarters.

"Instead of mere dog houses, how about incorporating a design that complements their nature but also provides a touch of comfort? Picture this: small, sturdy huts made from locally sourced materials. Simple, yet functional, with an added layer of aesthetics to elevate their living conditions. We can use resilient vines for the structure, woven tightly to create a cozy, yet well-ventilated space. The roofs can be made from large leaves, providing natural insulation while maintaining that rustic charm."

Elara added, "We'll make these huts compact yet efficient. Each one will be designed to accommodate ten goblins comfortably. We can include designated spaces for their essentials - a combined area for feeding, a water basin, a corner for communal straw bedding, and, of course, a discrete spot for their sanitary needs."

Suzuka, intrigued by Elara's ideas, leaned in further, "Go on, Elara. You've captured my interest. What else do you envision for the goblin community?"

Elara continued, "To add a bit of character, we can incorporate communal spaces within the goblin district. A central gathering area for festivities, storytelling, and perhaps a small marketplace. After all, goblins are social creatures, and giving them a sense of community will not only enhance their living conditions but also contribute to the overall charm of your town."

Elara caught up in the creative flow, continued her imaginative suggestions, "Picture this, Helen. Along the main pathway of the goblin district, we can have colorful murals depicting scenes from goblin folklore. These vibrant artworks will not only add a touch of culture but also serve as a storytelling medium for the goblin community. They can gather around, sharing tales of their history, heroes, and, of course, their amusing misadventures."

Elara continued to share her vision for the goblin community, her words painted a vivid picture, "For more communal activities, we can design a central square with a bonfire pit at its heart. The goblins can gather around it for warmth, storytelling, and celebrations. Surrounding the square, we'll create simple stalls where goblins can display and exchange their crafts and trinkets. It will encourage a sense of trade and community." 

Suzuka, intrigued by Elara's ideas, leaned in further, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

 "I can say that we agree on the goblin housing and the district, but I am not planning to leave them loitering about doing nothing. I was thinking of employing them to work on farms to grow all the crops and food to sustain the town's needs. Farms completely manned by goblins; that way, they will have a purpose and an abundance of food."

Elara considered Suzuka's proposal, her artistic mind weaving practicality into the vision they were crafting. She replied, "Employing goblins in the farms is a splendid idea, Helen. It not only provides them with purpose but also contributes to the overall self-sustainability of the community. Now, let me think about the design of these farms. You want something efficient, yet visually appealing."

She began sketching on her sketchbook, "Picture this: neatly organized rows of crops, tended to by goblins who have been provided with simple yet effective tools. The layout will be strategic, maximizing space for cultivation. The goblin farmers can use their agility to navigate through the fields, ensuring efficient harvesting. We can use natural barriers like shrubs and flowers to separate different crops, not only for functionality but also to add a touch of aesthetics to the farming area."

Elara smiled, "Considering the climate and soil conditions, we can opt for a variety of crops that are both nutritious and versatile. Root vegetables like potatoes and carrots can be cultivated, along with hearty greens and grains. The goblins can rotate crops to maintain soil fertility naturally. Also, did you know? Goblin feces are highly nutritious and good for natural fertilizer, which will solve your problem of disposing of the goblin feces. Additionally to crops, we can introduce some fruit-bearing trees along the periphery of the farms, adding a touch of sweetness to their harvests."

Suzuka nodded in agreement, "I like the idea of blending functionality with visual appeal. It adds character to the mundane and makes the goblins' daily tasks more engaging. Anything else you'd like to add, Elara?"

Elara continued, "To enhance efficiency, we can incorporate a central storage area for harvested crops. Simple wooden structures with secure compartments to store and organize the produce. This way, not only will the goblins have a designated place to bring their harvest, but it also facilitates easy distribution when needed. Plus, it creates a visually cohesive element within the farm."