‘That’s what I’m talking about. You should be showing that you’re working hard.’

That would give me strength as well.

“I’m sorry. I-I didn’t expect you to visit… this rundown place…” Gregory said.

“Nonsense. This isn't a rundown place,” I said.

“If I had known that you were coming, I would have—”

“Don’t say that, Mr. Gregory. I’m really happy that you welcomed me with open arms. I’m actually worried that perhaps I'm being rude for visiting on short notice,” I said, interrupting him.

“That’s not true! That's not true at all! I’m really happy that you’re here. I’m sure your presence here will give strength to everyone," he said.

“...”

“...”

“So, are we just going to stand here?" I jokingly suggested.

Gregory was taken aback, and he stuttered, “P-P-Please… come… inside."

“Okay.”

I quickly figured out why he made me stand here.

‘There’s no place to sit down.’

I was sure they had shelters for the workers, but they had no place for special visitors. It had only been three days since they officially started cleaning up the place, and their guild master was also helping, so there was no need to create a place like that.

‘Why would they even need to create a room for special guests?

I was sure the jerks of the Federation were reluctant to come here, so the people who had come here to help could be considered the hard-working people of the Federation.

I wasn’t sure whether there was a political agenda behind Gregory and the influential figures of the Federation, but it seemed that there wasn't anything of that sort. It was also proven by the state of the camp.

‘They’re just poor.’

They lacked time, manpower, and resources, so they couldn’t build a decent camp.

It was probably because they wanted to get this started as soon as possible, but I could not see a proper resting area. I saw a cafeteria and housing for the workers, but those were basically just tents.

The mages had no time to cast wind spells to ventilate the place, so I assumed that they hadn't been able to cast any cleaning spells as well. In other words, the bathroom in this place had to smell like the sewers.

‘At least they have a place exclusive for their leaders.’

Gregory seemed to be thinking that there was no other place for us to go, as the cafeteria and the compound where the workers were staying weren’t exactly in pristine condition.

Gregory brought up many topics as if trying to stall time as much as possible, and as expected, I saw a few young men leaving the compound where the leaders of the dungeon clean-up group were staying.

I instantly deduced that those men had to have come here to clean up the place.

“I-It’s filthy, but…”

“It’s not that bad,” I told him.

‘No, it’s actually bad.’

They managed to clean up all the trash, but there was no way they could make things perfect on short notice. I found it hilarious to see a clean white fabric draped over a decent-looking table.

The area where the bed was supposed to be located was covered awkwardly, and the random plants in the corners were just funny.

The guest room was clearly made at the last minute, but the sight of it made the bearded bandit sigh in relief. However, he was still worried.

I was famous for always taking the side of the weak and the hardworking workers, so the bearded bandit was worried that I'd scold him for not making a decent working environment for the people here.

However, he need not worry about those. The sweat covering his forehead made me understand what was going on at the moment.

“In my defense—

Ahem…

we had to start working as quickly as possible, so we haven't been able to set up camp. Once manpower and resources start coming in, we're planning on resuming the construction of the camp. The cafeteria, bathroom, the housing compound, and the resting areas will be prioritized," Gregory remarked.

“...”

“It’ll probably take us about ten days. We're already talking to a company, and they told us that it'll take them some time to get things ready. They’ll start sending us decent food in three days,” Gregory added.

‘You really think they’re going to send you decent food?’

“You don’t have to give excuses, Mr. Gregory. I know the Federation isn’t in the best situation right now. I know that you have no choice but to rely on those companies, and the amount of money you can spend on them is limited.

"I’m sure there aren’t any guilds in the Federation who can provide enough resources for

this

many people. The denizens are even struggling to get food, and there was also the recent famine,” I replied.

“...”

“Now, I'm thinking that perhaps maybe this is my fault. I'm sure you must've been surprised, and I gave you… this job without considering those things. I should’ve made a solid plan. At this point, it feels like I’ve burdened you and the people.

Whew,

” I said.

“That’s not true, Father Lee Ki-Young. I really am thankful for your grace. I can't express it properly, but I really am… thankful that you blessed us with your grace. This is not your fault, so please lift your head,” Gregory replied.

“If I could, I'd send you support in the name of the Sacred Democratic Country or the Continental Protection Management Committee, but you know better than anyone that it's useless.

"There are people saying that the Federation has been receiving an excessive amount of resources. If you want to increase the denizens’ pride, self-esteem, and morale, you need to take care of this task by yourself,” I explained.

“...”

“...” “It’ll be a difficult time for everyone, including the denizens and the workers here,” I added.

“...”

“I’m sorry I can’t be of much help, Mr. Gregory,” I said.

“It’s fine. You—If it hadn't been for you… we would have had no chance to start over again,” Gregory said.

“Then how about we take a look around?” I suggested.

“Yes, sir! I’ll show you around,” Gregory answered.

I already knew what I was going to see.

“Our plan is to start from basement floor one. Once we're done with that, we'll proceed with the deeper floors. We’re also in the middle of laying down the foundation for the maintenance work, but we’re doing our best so that we won't fall behind at our main objectives.

"Of course, safety is paramount, so there are always soldiers and mages on standby in case of emergencies,” Gregory explained.

“I see. Then how about the protection spells?”

“They're running around the clock, including break times. As I said, safety is paramount,” Gregory answered.

“Do you already have a complete plan for this dungeon cleanup?” I asked.

“Not yet, but we’re in the middle of laying down the foundation so that we can start working as soon as possible.

We’ve been doing things like clearing the road for our supply lines and cleaning up debris. Of course, we haven't discarded the debris, as I assumed that they have religious value,” Gregory answered.

“How about the restoration project?” I asked.

“I actually wanted to talk to you about that. There are some talented people in the Federation who are suitable for that project,” Gregory told me.

“Really?”

“Yes. They’re not famous on the continent, but they’re very thorough. Even the dwarves have acknowledged their work,” Gregory added.

‘Look at him promoting those guys.’

“The theologians of the Vatican seemed really satisfied as well. Sister Jayna especially—”

“

Huh?

Sister Jayna?” I asked.

“Yes.”

Gregory was going all out.

They had to take special care when it came to the debris field, but they had no machines capable of handling such heavy debris, so they had to employ adventurers and mages.

Gregory had to have been dispatched here for that.

For some reason, he looked worried while talking to me.

“You can go ahead,” I told him.

“

Ahem

… excuse me,” Gregory said.

It turned out that he was worried about the workers struggling to move a giant rock.

Gregory grabbed the rock with both hands and started moving it away.

It would be a shame if I refrained from doing anything in a situation like this, so I had to use my tiny hands to help them out.

Others would probably think that I was just baggage, but the sight of high-ranking people shedding sweat from labor was always a beautiful sight.

At some point, I started sweating with them.

“Oh no… Father Lee Ki-Young. It’s dangerous!”

“What?” I asked.

“Please… Please come this way,”

“But… isn’t there anything I can help out with?” I asked.

“Excuse me for saying this, but staying still is helping us.

Ahem… ahem…

”

“...”

I laughed off the blunt words of the elderly workers and created an atmosphere that emphasized teamwork. Lee Chang-Ryeol was filming us. This beautiful sight was an excellent promotional video; I just had to put some dirt on my face, and it'd be perfect.

‘I wasn’t planning on going this far.’

It was a good topic for conversation, and the situation was just a chef's kiss, so I couldn’t let this opportunity pass.

‘I want to stop. My arms… they're in pain…'

I glanced at Colonel Smith, but this was his first time as my assistant, so he couldn't understand my signal at all. I wanted him to pull me out of this hellish labor. It was a universal law for assistants to walk up to their employer and whisper something along the lines of—“You have an upcoming meeting, and you must leave now, sir.”

If he were to do that for me, I'd leave immediately.

‘Shit. It’s hot and humid. Did they not cast a cooling spell at all? Or did they cast one, but it’s really weak?’

“I think we’re pretty much done here, Father Lee Ki-Young,” Gregory informed me.

“I want to help a bit more,” I said.

Gregory was the one trying to stop me, so I couldn't rest. Just as I was starting to think that perhaps Colonel Smith was trying to make me suffer, unexpected guests arrived and saved me from this quagmire of hellish labor.

‘I was just wondering where they were.’

The blood-sucking mosquitoes had come. I was talking about the senators of the Federation, whom I was sure had never visited this place until now.

“Father Lee Ki-Young, the senators are here, and they want to meet you,” Colonel Smith said.

“

Ah…

I have guests?”

“They also said that they want to talk to you about the dungeon cleanup,” he added.

“Thank you, Colonel Smith,” I said.

To make things worse…

‘Why are you guys here?’

Squiat’s group was with them.

‘These bastards are all evil.’

Gregory clearly looked uncomfortable at the sight of them all. At this point, the senators ought to come forward with the Supernovas and jokingly say, “So you’re here as well, Father?”

However, this wasn’t the best time to make jokes. Who could have known that the mosquitoes would come here with them?

They looked so clean and neat that it was absurd.

The way Squiat’s group and the senators were sitting on a chair while waiting for me with their assistants made them look extremely out of place. The two groups weren’t sitting together, but they had a similar manner of speech.

Gregory was left clearing his throat from the awkwardness.

“Father Lee Ki-Young. You never told us that you'd visit…” one of the senators said shamelessly.

However, Squiat remained silent. He probably couldn’t bring himself to say anything, as he found it embarrassing. He seemed to be thinking that he’d receive the same treatment as the senators if he were to say something here.

I turned around and stared at the bearded bandit.

I had no choice but to say something upon seeing his face.

“Mr. Gregory.”

“Yes, Father Lee Ki-Young?” Gregory asked.

“What kind of role have they been assigned for the dungeon cleanup?” I asked.

‘Tell me because I don’t know...’

“Excuse me?” Gregory asked, sounding dumbfounded.

‘I don’t know anything at all.’

I really sounded like I had no idea about what was going on.