I’ve witnessed mortar being used in some of Sevit’s constructions, so I should be able to find willing customers for my stone blocks. Before I get too invested in transforming my latest whim into a reality, I need to, uh, query the market first. To do that, I’m going to need to produce some samples. I will design an unadorned stone block. Sounds easy, right?

Wrong. One of the reasons why this project intrigues me is because it can increase my excavation speed. Let me explain; as it stands, I have to spend tons of time cutting stone into chunks small enough for my dungeon helpers to individually carry. I would save so much time if I could get away with cutting larger chunks, because that would imply that I’d cut less material in the process. Making larger chunks, or in my case, blocks (And yes, I do have a plan for transporting them.) is a simple way to increase my mining throughput.

While I would love to conform to the dimensions of a modern standardized brick, making small blocks would somewhat defeat the purpose of cutting larger chunks when mining. No, in order to maximize my efficiency gains, I need to find, or more accurately, guess, at the optimal trade-off point between making the bricks as large as possible and maximizing marketability. A modern cinder block, also known as a Concrete Masonry Unit, or CMU, sports dimensions of 20x20x40 cm. If I was trying to sell hollowed out blocks, as is typical for a CMU, this would be the perfect size. Unfortunately, solid CMUs are simply too heavy for humans, my target market.

With these concerns in mind, I have decided that I will commit to the new standard of 15x15x30 cm for a solid CMU. It’s no minor choice, if my ambitions are fully realized, this decision will ripple through the future.

I quickly whip up an example CMU and levitate it over to Weston’s shop, it’s early in the morning so it’s not difficult to ensure nobody is around to witness my actions. I take a look around; while much of the shop has been completed, it’s stall far from finished, which if anything, is a testament to its size when you consider how many people were working on it. From what I can tell, the building will be two, or perhaps even three stories tall.

I found Wes working in an office on the mostly completed first floor. Not too crazy for an era without indoor plumbing, electricity, or AC. Frankly I’m not surprised that he’s busy at this hour, Weston is not a lazy man. It’s been well over a month since we last communed, however, I have no doubt his reaction to my presence well remain as subdued as always.

“Hi Wes!” I said simply, figuring it’s probably to give him a moment to collect himself before I explain my intentions.

Blinking, Wes sat down a graphite pencil and reclined in the uncomfortable looking wooden chair he’d been sitting on before responding, “Well Ike, it’s sure been a while. I’d been hoping that you’d’ve desired to sell me some more ember blossoms, but I suppose it wasn’t so. What can I do for you?”

Launching right into my sales pitch, I said, “I’d like to propose a new business venture between us. As you can likely tell, the town of Sevit is sorely lacking in cheap construction materials. I want to supply Sevit with cheap, high quality, locally sourced stone blocks. I’ve delivered a sample just outside your back door for your inspection.”

Immediately standing up, seemingly unconcerned with the possibility of a trap, Weston lumbers out of his office and through the reception area and back room of his building. Unhinging the crude iron bolt fastened to his back door, he crosses the threshold and beholds my glorious handiwork!

A shamelessly wide grin can be seen under his scruffy beard as he shakes his head. “Ike, the craftsmanship of this block is exquisite, do we have different definitions of cheap?”

Chuckling, because that somehow works over a telepathic link, I respond, “In truth, I don’t know how much I could sell these for. If you agree to sell these blocks for me, you may keep 40% of the earnings. My only stipulation is that you would be financially responsible for picking up and distributing them.”

Scratching his chin for a moment, Wes said, “Sounds promising, but as you’re no doubt aware, the distance over which I would have to haul the blocks is an important factor. If it’s too far from Sevit, then I’m afraid my entire cut of the sells would be lost to transportation fees. Tell me, where would I go to pick up your blocks if I agreed?”

“Weston, I am proud to say the total distance would be just 1 kilometer!” I exclaimed.

Raising an eyebrow, Wes asked, “And a kilometer is…?”

Well drat, I shouldn’t’ve assumed that just because these people speak English that they would also use the Metric system. The thought never crossed my mind.

Rectifying my negligence, I said, “Ah, sorry about that, it’s the distance unit I’m most familiar with. Anyway, I can deliver the stone blocks to the cave which the miners had just struck yesterday. It’s not far at all.”

With his grin returning again, Wes said, “That is… Awfully convenient... Would I be correct to assume your people inhabit the first subterrane?”

Prepared for this query, I quickly lie, “Though I’m not willing to reveal too much about my people, I can confirm that we do indeed make our homes in the first subterrane. We are a peaceful, yet cautious folk.”

Presumably sensing it was time to change the subject, Wes politely asked, “How many blocks can you provide, and how often? Naturally, if the supply is severely limited, I’ll be unable to turn a profit on this endeavor.”

I cheerfully state, “Once everything is ready, which will be in a few weeks from now at the max, we will be able to initially supply you with thousands of blocks weekly. Of course, if we’re successful, scaling up our operation would be the natural progression. Really, you needn’t worry about supply. I’ve got that covered.”

Chuckling, Weston said, “Well then, I accept your deal and look forward to working together! You can start preparing as soon as possible and I’ll go ahead and purchase the wagons needed to haul your fine blocks. I’ll make hires once your ready to begin exporting.”

Weston is an incorrigible opportunist, I knew it’d be easy, but I didn’t think winning him over would be this simple. Not that I’m complaining, after all, I just know he’ll succeed in milking the buyers for as much coin as possible, which is in both of our own best interests.

Just as I’m about to make my leave, Wes adds, “Also, is there any way for me to contact you first? If we’re to make as much money as possible, we’ll need to stay in touch.”

That should’ve been obvious… Why didn’t I think of that? Glancing around the reception room of his shop, I spot a coat rack by the wall. It’ll do for now, I’ll come up with something better later.

“If ever you wish to speak with me, simply place the coat rack in your entrance room by a window such that it is visible from outside, if I see it as such, I’ll reach out to you. Oh, and also, don’t ever hesitate to initiate contact with me, I’m always available!” I said.

Weston confirms his understanding and we say our farewells.

It’s time to get to work. How in the world am I going to transport such heavy CMUs? Ha! You know me well enough by now to guess that I sure won’t be doing it manually!

My domain has been expanding into the cavern at a breakneck pace, after just one day, I’ve already claimed an eighth of its volume. To put that into perspective, the cavern covers a staggering area of about 40,000 square meters, or nearly 10 acres. Of course, it’s not entirely contiguous, there are numerous walls and pillars interspersed throughout the expanse.

Already Mr. Normal has notified me of the addition of many new species, including small rodents, reptiles, and cave swallows! Now that I have access to a robust population of vertebrates, my previous trapping efforts seem useless. Well, almost, I still like having as many species as possible, so I’m glad I’d first caught those animals. In any rate, the concentration of ambient mana in my dungeon paradoxically seems to be tied with the biodiversity and complexity of my ecosystems, so it’s for the best. Speaking of which, my mana regeneration rate has skyrocketed after acquiring the new populated territory of the cavern as well as the extensive tunnel network which I’d recently dug, in order to supply the required substrate for the tunnel sealing operation.

But I digress. With part of the cavern under my control, I have access to a new resource: Fungiwood! While I might not have precise material control over metals, wood poses no problems to my cut and merge abilities.

Even working together, dungeon helpers are not strong enough to drag CMUs around, but therein lies the problem. Dragging things is not Efficient™. If fungiwood proves to exhibit the properties I’m looking for in a material, I should be able to fabricate some basic wagons, in fact, I already have some ideas for that!

Getting right to it, I fell one of the behemoth 8-meter-tall yellow mushroom stalks in the portion of my domain situated in the cavern. Just as I suspected, its tissue is denser and more durable than the mushrooms I’m used to. As it should be; the physics of scale wouldn’t tolerate anything less. In other words, it’s perfect for woodworking.

Thank goodness I don’t have to worry about acquiring cutting tools! I won’t deny that my cut ability is as overpowered as it is implausible. I’ve designed the wagon’s bed with interior dimensions of 31x61x2 cm such that it will be able to fit 4 blocks on the first layer. As for how many layers of blocks I intend for the wagon to carry, I’ll decide that on a case-by-case basis depending on the maximum incline of the slopes which will need to be traversed. I primarily use bridle and lap joints to merge the fungiwood pieces together. In this situation you can draw a comparison between my merge ability and glue; by utilizing joints that increase the contact surface area, I maximize the strength of the merge.

Each wagon has 4 wheels, with two wheels to an axle, and the front axle pivoting along the vertical axis to allow for basic steering. If I can commission or make some metal parts in the future, then I’ll no doubt redesign the steering apparatus, perhaps by transitioning to an active control compatible form such as rack and pinion steering or, my personal favorite, the beautifully simple Ackerman steering mechanism.

Hanging down and pointing horizontally outwards from each side of the bed of the wagon are 6 evenly spaced fungiwood shafts which will serve as handles for my dungeon helpers to use. This way my ants can push the wagon forward from both the sides and the rear.

I’m not too worried about them being unable to operate the wagon properly, whichever part of my subconscious is responsible for handling the commands I assign to the denizens of my dungeon has proven to be capable of managing complex tasks so long as I clearly define the parameters of the command. How hard can it be to get ants to steer a wagon anyway?

Sure, I could simply decide to excavate a passage from my dungeon to the human’s mine for the wagons to traverse, but where’s the fun in that? That route will undoubtedly evolve into a­ busy highway as I continue to add on to my fleet of wagons and scale up my mining, so I’d much rather try something different here.

I have an idea; it might not be the most efficient solution, is needlessly complex, and is likely a waste of my time. But I don’t mind, I’ve been working so hard lately that it’s about time I take up a hobby. I’ve set my heart on it, I’m going to design a mechanism.