Chapter 39: The Modern City Begins

The vision of building a modern city near Mondstadt had been lingering in Satoshi's mind for quite some time now. All the projects they'd been working on so far—the roads, the power supply, the school, the entertainment district—had all been stepping stones leading toward this moment. Now, finally, it was time to take the first step toward making the modern city a reality.

One sunny afternoon, while Satoshi was standing in the new plaza of the entertainment district, admiring the crowds enjoying their day, the system notification appeared before him, the familiar blue screen glowing softly.

**[New Mission: Begin the Construction of the Modern City near Mondstadt]**

**Objective: Select a suitable location and lay the foundation for a modern city. Establish key infrastructure to support housing, utilities, and public services. Reward: Advanced Construction Blueprint Module (Allows for faster and more efficient construction).**

Satoshi felt a rush of excitement. This was the big one—the dream that had been driving him all along. He immediately pulled out his notebook and began jotting down ideas, sketching a basic layout of what he envisioned the modern city to be like. There would be residential areas, commercial spaces, parks, a central business district, and even a tech hub. It would be a city designed for the future, but with the spirit of Mondstadt at its heart.

---

Later that day, Satoshi gathered his core team—Jean, Lisa, Amber, Kaeya, Diluc, Sucrose, Noelle, and Venti—for a meeting at the Knights of Favonius headquarters. Everyone was curious about what the next big project would be, and Satoshi didn't waste any time sharing the news.

"Everyone, the time has finally come," Satoshi began, his excitement evident. "We're going to start building the modern city near Mondstadt."

The room erupted in chatter. Amber's eyes widened with excitement, and she practically jumped out of her seat. "A whole new city? That's amazing, Satoshi! I can't wait to help out!"

Kaeya smirked, leaning back in his chair. "A modern city, huh? Sounds ambitious. But I suppose that's what we've come to expect from you, Satoshi."

Lisa gave a delighted smile, her curiosity piqued. "Oh, I'm intrigued. Imagine the possibilities—new infrastructure, new technologies. It's going to be a lot of work, but it'll be worth it."

Diluc, ever the pragmatist, nodded thoughtfully. "If we're building a new city, we'll need to plan carefully—utilities, water supply, housing. We need to make sure everything is sustainable from the start."

Jean looked at Satoshi, her expression serious yet supportive. "This is a big undertaking, Satoshi, but I have no doubt that we can accomplish it. We'll need everyone working together to make this happen."

Sucrose, her notebook already out, began taking notes. "I-I can help with designing some of the systems—like renewable energy, or perhaps a water purification system. There's so much we can do to make this city self-sufficient."

Venti, ever the optimist, strummed his lyre. "A new city, built from scratch! Imagine the stories, the songs, the adventures waiting to be had there. I'll make sure the city has a song that echoes through its streets!"

Satoshi smiled at the enthusiasm of his friends. They had come so far together, and now they were about to embark on their biggest project yet. "Alright, let's get started. First, we need to find the perfect location."

---

The next morning, the group set out to survey potential locations for the new city. They were joined by Albedo, the Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius, who had expressed interest in the project. His expertise in geology and the natural landscape of Mondstadt would be invaluable in finding the ideal site.

Amber led the way, bounding ahead with her boundless energy. She stopped on a hill overlooking Cider Lake, shading her eyes with her hand as she scanned the landscape. "How about here? We've got a great view of the lake, and it's not too far from Mondstadt!"

Albedo nodded thoughtfully, kneeling to examine the soil. "The land here is stable, and the proximity to water is a major advantage. However, we'll need to ensure we have enough space for future expansion. A city like this will grow rapidly."

Kaeya stepped forward, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I think we'd do well to pick a spot where we can build some nice plazas—places for people to gather, maybe even a fountain or two. We need a good balance between practicality and beauty."

Diluc, who had been quietly observing, pointed to a clearing further down the hill. "That area looks flat enough for construction. We could start laying the foundations there and expand outward. It's close enough to Mondstadt that transportation between the two would be easy."

Venti, lounging under a tree, played a cheerful tune on his lyre. "A city by the lake, with parks and plazas... I can already see it. The breeze from the lake, the sound of laughter, the songs we'll sing. It's going to be beautiful."

Jean smiled, her eyes scanning the landscape. "I agree. This location has everything we need—access to water, enough space for expansion, and it's close enough to Mondstadt to feel connected."

Satoshi nodded, feeling a sense of excitement building in his chest. "Alright, then. Let's get started. This hill will be the heart of the new city."

---

The team began the planning phase, and the construction site soon became a bustling hub of activity. Workers, engineers, alchemists, and volunteers all pitched in to help lay the foundation of the new city. Satoshi used the advanced construction machine he had built earlier to speed up the process, its mechanical limbs moving with precision as it lifted heavy materials and placed them with ease.

Sucrose, with Albedo's help, worked on designing a sustainable water purification system that would draw from Cider Lake. The two alchemists could often be found near the lakeshore, discussing the best ways to balance the natural ecosystem with the needs of the growing city.

"If we use alchemical filtration along with traditional methods, we could create a system that's both efficient and environmentally friendly," Sucrose explained, her eyes bright with excitement.

Albedo nodded, sketching out a design in his notebook. "Agreed. We'll need to ensure the water supply remains pure, both for the citizens and for the local wildlife. It's all about finding that balance."

Meanwhile, Amber and Noelle were working on setting up temporary shelters for the workers. Noelle, ever diligent, carried heavy beams and materials with ease, while Amber directed the workers and made sure everyone had what they needed.

"It's going to be amazing, Noelle," Amber said, her eyes shining. "Just think—one day, this will be a whole city, full of people living their lives, making memories. And we're the ones making it happen!"

Noelle smiled, her determination evident. "Yes. It's an honor to be part of something like this. I'll do everything I can to make sure it's perfect."

---

As the foundation began to take shape, Venti decided it was time to "inaugurate" the construction site with a bit of music. He climbed onto a stack of building materials, his lyre in hand, and began to play a lively tune.

"Attention, everyone! I, the great bard Venti, declare this construction site officially blessed by the winds of freedom!" he announced, his voice carrying across the site.

The workers laughed and cheered, their spirits lifted by Venti's antics. Even Diluc, who was overseeing the transportation of materials, couldn't help but crack a small smile at the bard's enthusiasm.

Satoshi, watching from a distance, felt a warmth in his chest. This was what it was all about—people coming together, working side by side, and finding joy in the process. The modern city wasn't just about buildings and technology. It was about creating a place where people could live, laugh, and thrive.

---

The days turned into weeks, and progress on the modern city continued at a steady pace. The foundation was laid, roads were mapped out, and the first buildings began to rise. Jean and Lisa worked on setting up a temporary council office at the site, ensuring that everything remained organized and that the workers had the resources they needed.

Kaeya took charge of security, making sure that the construction site was safe and that everyone was accounted for. He could often be seen patrolling the area, a relaxed smile on his face as he chatted with the workers and offered words of encouragement.

One evening, as the sun began to set over Cider Lake, Satoshi stood at the edge of the construction site, looking out at the progress they had made. The first few buildings were beginning to take shape, their silhouettes outlined against the orange glow of the setting sun.

Amber joined him, her eyes wide with wonder. "We It's really happening, isn't it? We're building a whole new city. I can't wait to see what it's going to look like when it's finished."

Satoshi smiled, his heart full of hope. "Yeah, Amber. We're making it happen—one building, one road, one dream at a time."

And as the lights of Mondstadt twinkled in the distance, Satoshi knew that they were just getting started. The modern city was beginning to rise, and with it, the future of Mondstadt was brighter than ever.