The long-awaited fourth day arrived, when the efforts of the past days would be judged.

From the early dawn, the stands were filled with residents swarming like bees.

In the center of the stage, visible from the audience seats, the buildings constructed by each family over the past three days were covered with massive cloths, stirring curiosity and anticipation.

“Hmm, the Yandel Baron’s building is really big, isn’t it?”

Representatives or proxies from each family gathered to watch today’s judging.

A man sitting to my right casually spoke.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what amazing building those comeback warriors have made!”

There was no trace of sarcasm or hostility in his voice.

Not because he didn’t see me as a competitor, but because he didn’t seem to care much about this competition itself.

He just seemed eager to make acquaintances with me through this opportunity.

“Since fate has brought us together like this, do visit our family sometime. I will make sure to treat you well then.”

“...If time allows someday. By the way, Viscount Kiembrota, haven’t you come once since the first day?”

“Haha, I’ve been busy with urgent matters and haven’t found the time...”

Busy my foot.

From your point of view, you probably just weren’t that invested.

In fact, among other families, I only once saw a representative personally come to observe.

Well, it’s understandable.

“But our overseer has worked hard, so I’m secretly hopeful. Of course, many formidable families are participating, so I’m not overly confident.”

They’re used to delegating everything to their subordinates.

So if they lose, it won’t be their fault but the subordinates’ failure.

“Viscount Kiembrota is humble, though. At least you can say you avoided last place.”

But apparently annoyed by our conversation, a noble sitting to my left interrupted.

So this guy is...

“Count Langston? Avoided last place? What on earth do you mean by that...?”

Ah, right.

He was the only representative among other families who showed the passion to come in person.

Naturally, he saw my building as well.

“Why didn’t the Viscount hear? The Yandel Barony built a building completely off from the test theme, didn’t they?”

The Viscount, hearing this, kept his mouth shut and showed only an uncomfortable expression.

Why are there so many troublemakers just staying silent?

“....”

Ignoring him, the Count seemed to lose interest and didn’t say more, while the Viscount next to him looked as if annoyed by the pointless interference and focused on the event.

“Now then, let’s reveal the first building you’ve been waiting for!”

The explanation on how the judging proceeds had ended, and the moment to reveal the completed works to the crowd was near.

“Waaaaahhhhh!”

Amid the cheering, the first building’s cloth cover was removed, and the chief technician who oversaw the construction came out and engaged in banter with the host while explaining the building.

What were its features.

What was intended, how much detailed care was taken, and the realistic cost estimates to emphasize its substance.

Then...

“Let the judging begin!”

After such presentation, the judging started immediately.

Judging was divided into three major parts.

Architectural expert evaluation 25%.

Noble jury evaluation 25%.

Randomly selected 100 citizens’ evaluation 50%.

Each part’s score was weighted accordingly, and a perfect score was 100 points.

“Total: 71 points!”

The first building’s score came out.

Though it was a grand house impressive just to look at, and I secretly regarded it as the biggest rival, the score was lower than expected.

The simple reason was the low citizen evaluation.

“I don’t understand! Hey! What was so displeasing about my building that gave such a score?”

The chief technician who led the design and construction angrily questioned, and the citizen voter in front replied hesitantly.

“Uh... it’s a nice building, but... it feels like a story from a faraway land to me... and it’s expensive too...”

“Hah! That’s ridiculous!”

The technician clicked his tongue in disbelief but did not argue further with the citizens.

He knew well enough.

Acting up in front of the higher-ups while the spotlight is on you could earn a scolding.

Well, even what was done already looked embarrassing enough.

“Tsk. With such a high citizen evaluation ratio, it’s hard to have a fair competition.”

Perhaps shocked by the score, the Count who was up next clicked his tongue.

“What do those lowly folks know...? I wonder what the Prime Minister was thinking when devising this method...”

Well, I thought it was a good method.

The high citizen evaluation ratio was probably to boost entertainment value in this event.

It’s the first big event since the chaos started.

From the royal family’s point of view, soothing public sentiment was more important than a “fair” competition.

‘I must tell the Marquis later that this guy badmouthed behind my back.’

Complaints from the families aside, the event continued and scores came out one by one.

The Count who went second presented a practical, moderately stylish house scoring 76.

The Baron family’s building, third, scored 71.

And the Viscount, fourth...

“69 points!”

Fell to last place with the lowest score, and the Count took the opportunity to mock me while pretending to comfort.

“Don’t worry too much. You can at least save face next time, right?”

As if it was already a given I was last.

As before, I didn’t bother to argue.

The results will prove it.

“Now, the last entry! The one you all have been waiting for! The giant! The Yandel Barony’s building!”

“Waaaaahhhhh!”

“This time, unlike before, the Baron himself will introduce it, so please give him a thunderous round of applause!”

Hearing that I would step on stage myself, the cheers and applause grew louder.

The Count next to me frowned at me as if I were a clown.

“How did the nobility’s dignity come to such a state...?”

His gaze seemed to say why bother trying so hard.

From experience, that’s the kind of person to avoid the most.

They radiate no positive energy.

“Good day, Baron! I heard that Baron Yandel’s opinion was strongly reflected in this building. Could you briefly explain before the introduction?”

“I tried to create the house closest to happiness.”

“Oh! Is that so! I’m really looking forward to it. Then without further ado, let’s reveal it. Show us!”

At the MC’s shout, the cords were pulled, and the cloth covering the building was removed.

And then...

“Waaaaahhh... huh?”

As the building was revealed, the cheering instantly stopped.

No wonder.

It looked far from the flashy houses shown earlier, even from the exterior.

“Haha...! At first glance, it’s a very simple but ruggedly charming building! Surprisingly, there are two such buildings! Is your strategy to choose quantity over quality?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, I see! Considering the competition’s stakes—possibly taking over an entire district of Ravigion—the speed of work will likely be quite important in judging...!”

What’s with this MC? Why is he so supportive?

Is he a fan of mine?

Or did the Marquis secretly order him to?

Leaving aside reasonable doubts, the MC forcibly raised the tension and continued the event.

“Then let’s see what the inside is like! Let’s all take a look together! Oh! On the first floor already several doors are visible! The living room seems to be designed relatively narrow—”

“Excuse me, that’s a hallway, not a living room.”

“...Huh?”

“Isn’t it ridiculous to call this a living room in the first place?”

“Yes, yes... that’s certainly true... Well then, let’s take a look at the first room!”

With the help of a recording device, the interior was revealed in real time, and the roaring cheers melted away like snow.

“...Haha! A very compact room! The layout is very unique. Usually, such small rooms don’t have bathrooms... may I ask the reason for this choice—”

“I will explain everything at once later.”

“...”

The MC was sweating nervously, perhaps on orders from the Marquis, as I repeatedly declined help.

Still, as if resigned to fate, he stopped forcing the mood up.

First floor, second floor, third floor, fourth floor...

Going through every room on every floor, the MC no longer tried to raise the tension artificially.

Ah, but his persistence to not give up hope until the end was still commendable.

“Now, the second building! I wonder what amazing things are hidden inside—”

“There are no hidden things.”

“Excuse me...?”

“The second building is exactly the same structure, so there’s no need to go inside.”

“...I see.”

Having ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) the last hope crushed mercilessly, the MC shut his eyes tightly.

Yet he did not forget his duty.

“...Then, could we hear the explanation you promised later?”

Hearing that, I slowly looked around.

The crowd seemed shocked, with some nobles showing “I told you so” expressions.

The MC’s eyes begged me not to cause more trouble...

It was a perfect moment for a twist.

Yes, so...

“This house is small. You can’t store much even living alone, and it’s hard to live with a spouse or children.”

“...”

“There’s no garden or terrace to get fresh air, and the kitchen is cramped and inconvenient for cooking.”

I openly exposed the weaknesses to attract attention.

Because when people hear this, they naturally start expecting what comes next.

“But!”

Even without a voice amplifier, I shouted loud enough for all to hear.

“I assure you, this house is the closest to happiness!”

“...May I ask why you say that?”

“There’s no such thing as a world where everyone is happy.”

In reality, no modern technology has yet achieved a society where every member is happy.

But, precisely because of that.

“This house is a home to move toward a happy future!”

I introduced our building with more passion than ever before.

“A home where you can dream of happiness even if you don’t have much now!”

“...”

“A home built with the hope that even if not everyone can be happy, at least there’s the ‘opportunity’ to be happy in the future.”

A four-story building housing 24 households.

“We call it the Happy House!”

Simply put, it’s a studio apartment.

After explaining the concept of the Happy House, I began my earnest self-promotion.

The realistic cost and estimated monthly rent.

And how the seemingly small studio rooms were actually designed practically for single-person households.

“That price is cheaper than staying long-term at most inns, isn’t it?”

“And that wasn’t a wall... it was a storage cabinet?”

“No way! The dining table comes out of the storage cabinet!”

Since the first impression was poor, as advantages were revealed one by one, public opinion rapidly shifted.

However...

‘This alone feels a bit shaky.’

I launched my prepared negative strategy.

After all, this is still a competition.

Although as the last competitor I couldn’t directly lower others’ scores, I could guide perceptions to get better points.

So...

“How many do you think will be happy living in the buildings shown earlier?”

“...Most won’t be happy, I think? Honestly, I’d want to live there myself.”

“Well, I guess more than 90% of this city is unhappy. They’d be struggling to pay rent every month, and even if seriously injured, forced to work. Taxes must be paid, after all.”

“Ah...!”

“Look at the layout, too. How much space is wasted. These houses look nice but are inconvenient to live in. And there’s no storage space. Houses like these get messy as soon as you acquire things.”

“...”

“What about maintenance costs? Keeping the exterior and lighting clean costs extra. Would you want to pay for that? There aren’t many pillars, so the building seems fragile.”

Based on reasonable logic, I criticized the previous buildings, accelerating the swing of public opinion.

“Certainly... such buildings would save a lot on costs.”

“Anyway, it’s not like we’re living in them.”

“For the lowly, that might be the happiest home.”

By now, even the noble jury seemed to be shifting their opinions.

“We tested durability; it’s sturdier than expected.”

“I looked at the blueprint; the basics were thoroughly followed.”

“It wouldn’t collapse even in an earthquake.”

“Flashy appearances mean weaknesses, but that building has none.”

“If maintained well, it could last a hundred years easily.”

As public opinion moved, architectural experts nodded one by one.

Still, some impatience emerged.

“How long are you going to wait? Let’s start the judging already!”

Prompted by the Count’s complaint, the MC came to his senses and proceeded with the final evaluation.

And then...

“T-The results are out!”

Finally, the scores were totaled and the Yandel Barony’s final score announced.

Not yet officially declared, but...

Thump—!

My heart happily trembled.

The air was cool and my mind calm.

No trace of anxiety—perfect composure.

“Second place with a total of 72 points!”

“...Huh?”

“The first place went to Count Langston with 76 points! Congratulations...!”

...Damn it.

I believe second place can be more valuable than first.

Because second place is given the chance to truly recognize one’s shortcomings better than anyone.

‘I think I was definitely overwhelming in the citizen vote, so the problem was the others.’

The nobles and technicians who judged probably didn’t resonate with my philosophical convictions.

Those kinds of people tend to be stubborn.

“Second place... I guess we tried our best. It’s only one point behind the joint third place.”

“...”

“Anyway, the Baron’s rhetoric was truly remarkable. Though if words alone worked, that would be the world.”

Count Langston then climbed the stage to receive the prize for first place.

I felt some frustration inside, but it wasn’t enough to make me cry.

Maybe I had already exceeded my goal?

‘Second place... nothing more to see.’

Though I felt sorry for the Count smiling victoriously, the contract for District 7 would ultimately be mine.

Because the Prime Minister promised it from the start.

If we achieved just enough not to look strange, the Yandel Barony would get it.

So in the end, I’m the winner...

“Hah...”

But why do I find that guy so annoying?

Why did they have to call us both on stage instead of just the first place?

I scowled at Count Langston in front of the Marquis, muttering inside.

‘Light...?’

A flash of light burst from somewhere in the stands.

Before my head could register discomfort, my body’s instinctive reaction was much faster.

Thump—!!

My heart surged with alarm.

‘...Magic.’

Only then did my brain catch up with the situation.

‘Danger.’

Not me—but over there.

I had no idea what was happening.

‘I must stop it.’

There was no time for long judgment.

My shieldbearer instincts took over.

「Character cast [Scale of Greed].」

「Character’s resistance to magic is over 500.」

「All magic damage received reduced by 50%.」

So I immediately dashed forward using skills.

Kraaang—!

An explosion burst as I embraced the target.

Chiiik—!

A burning pain shot through my back.

And then...

“...A—an ambush!”

Someone’s shout triggered time to accelerate.

Knights around quickly gathered and formed a steel shield around me, while I let out a groan I had been holding back.

“Agh...”

The pain was far worse than I expected.

Instinctively, I released my arms from the embrace, and the Marquis, who seemed to regain consciousness, looked at me blankly and asked.

“You...”

No matter how I looked at it, those words weren’t fitting for someone who had just barely survived.

“...Why did you save me?”

I honestly had no answer.

“Uh...”

Yeah.

Why the hell did I stop that?