Chapter 37

  { Day Five 3 ( Finally, After a Long Wait ) }

  150 soldiers

  25 at level 1 and the rest at level 0

  110 workers in all fields.

  12,000 bronze coins

  3,000 silver coins

  300 common weapons ( 80% swords, 10% axes, 5% spears, 5% bows )

  40 normal weapons ( swords and bows )

  3 rare weapons ( sword )

  No lairs

  No special items.

  A set of blueprints for houses.. The blacksmith room.. An apothecary.

  “Lord.. We have something special,” said the Chief, whose name was Veronica.

  “What is it? ” curiosity crept into Ian’s heart.

  “This way, ” said Veronica.

  She led them to a strange tree at the back of the village..

  It was crooked and resembled an old man with a hunched back.

  But the most important thing was the fruit on it.

  It looked like an ice crystal..

  Solid and cold..

  “Freezing Fruit.

  Common.

  Properties: Preserves food in its various forms for a certain period of time depending on the number of fruits and the size of the food. ”

  This was wonderful... it came at the perfect time.

  Ian had been suffering from a food storage problem. He had to stop Lily from killing recklessly so that the meat wouldn’t be wasted, but now everything would be easy..

  Ian felt happy.

  This village was far more valuable than everything before it.

  But the good news didn’t end here..

  Ian returned to the village with the village stone.. and a large group of people.. as for the treasures, they had already been sent a long time ago via the Heavenly Mirror, which attracted Veronica’s attention and increased her expectations of the village..

  Only… the tree.. the Freezing Fruit Tree was what the soldiers carried on their backs.

  >>>>>>

  “What is this? ” Veronica was shocked when she saw the undeveloped place, the tree trunks placed in formations, and the simple tents..

  This sight wasn’t what she had imagined.

  What she had thought of was..

  Mighty walls..

  Strong and organized patrols..

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  An army of white tiger beasts.

  Tall defensive towers.

  Where…

  Where was all of this?

  Ian smiled at her. “Shocked!? ”

  She looked at him and didn’t reply.

  Ian smiled. “I know what you’re thinking, but… come, let me show you something simple first. ”

  Veronica didn’t reply.. what was happening struck her like lightning.. but the moment she saw Aliano and what was in his hands, she was stunned.

  Training Skill Rune.

  Skill Name: Weakness Aspects

  Skill Grade: Rare (Allows its user to train at all times.. even while sleeping and eating )

  Learning Chance: 100 / 100

  “I did it… I did it, my lord! ” Aliano shouted. “ My mastery increased greatly… even the Science and Research Building… soon we’ll advance to the next level. ”

  Ian smiled and patted his back. “Good. Take the rest of the day off… I have a task for you as soon as you wake up. ”

  “No need to— ”

  Before he could finish, he collapsed into Ian’s arms.

  He hadn’t slept for days.

  This research was an obsession that fueled his strength.

  Even food… he only took a few bites, and that was under Yora’s insistence and pleading—otherwise he wouldn’t have eaten at all.

  He understood the importance of this research.

  And he understood that the village depended on it.

  He had to finish it at any cost, even at the expense of his fragile health.

  The biggest problem with this research was its high grade compared to Aliano’s current mastery and the Science and Research Building, but the moment it was completed, both benefited greatly, and it wouldn’t take long for them to reach the next level.

  “ He… tell me honestly… he’s a legendary researcher? ” Veronica asked.

  Ian nodded with a smile as he handed Aliano to one of the soldiers, then returned to her. “ Now… are you with me? ”

  “ You… are you… a legendary lord? ” she asked.

  She understood the value of a legendary researcher… this was something even main cities would fight over with blood and fire… a treasure… an invaluable treasure.

  “ Oh… you’re asking me about sensitive information, and you still haven’t fully pledged loyalty to me, ” Ian said with a smile, but his question was a confirmation of her thoughts.

  “ Veronica… Chief —no… Veronica… offers her absolute loyalty to the lord, ” Veronica bowed deeply. “ Please, save my husband. ”

  Ian smiled and examined her.

  Veronica

  Age: 41 / 200

  Profession: Minister

  Grade: Epic

  Title: Steadfast Heart {Will remain steadfast in the darkest circumstances}

  Training Skill: Light of the Era (Normal)

  Training Level: 1 - 4

  Skills: Sword Radiance (Normal) ( Low Level, Progress Rate 83% )

  Equipment: Rare Sword

  Loyalty: 100 / 100

  Ian was surprised for a moment, then smiled. He called out to Yora. “ I’ll put all the workers in your hands… you understand what you’ll be doing ”

  Yora nodded and bowed.

  “Veronica will be with you from now on. ”

  “ It is an honor, ” Veronica bowed.

  “ Follow me. ”

  “Yaseen… merge the forces with us and start training them… and take this. ”

  Ian handed him the Weakness Aspects skill, and Yaseen became excited the moment he saw it.

  He would definitely benefit from it…

  Even Chris decided to learn it.

  Both Chris and Yaseen had better skills, but they shared the same drawback—they required complete concentration.

  This skill, however, only needed to be activated… it would continue on its own unless forcibly stopped.

  An incredible skill.

  In fact, both Yaseen and Chris could use both skills at the same time…

  This was a hidden benefit of the legendary grade and above—mind division.

  It looked simple, but in reality it was terrifying… especially with later accumulation.

  Ian then headed toward the pit on the eastern side…

  Yora began organizing the workforce.

  Digging this artificial lake.

  Building the blacksmith workshop.

  Chopping trees and laying the basic lines for the wall around the village.

  Searching for rocks and stacking them until the second form skill could be made.

  Sending workers with part of the army toward the mine.

  Building houses.

  Building a large warehouse for the village.

  Organizing the loot.

  Yora began working seriously.

  Ian didn’t waste time either and went to help the workers while watching the troops train from afar.

  Yaseen took command of the forces and began organizing them.

  Bali and the rest of the troops thought this was normal, but they discovered that Chris was the general, not Yaseen, which shocked them…Strangely enough, Yaseen didn’t object to this.

  The troops began carrying out drills under his supervision.

  They were similarly shocked when they received the Weakness Aspects skill.

  Excitement seeped into their hearts and their loyalty rose instantly…

  Ian ordered the cook to prepare a feast… while waiting for the rest of the good news to arrive.

  “My lord— ” Lily came running, panting… covered in blood, but smiling as she held a small fish-shaped stone

  (Light Fish Den ).

  “Finally. ”

  Ian’s smile widened.

  Everything was progressing at an astonishing pace.

  This day was special without a doubt.

  “Yora… send the workers to fetch water… we need to hurry, ” Ian ordered.

  “As you command, my lord, ” Yora replied.

  As for Veronica—although she was a minister as well—she suddenly realized how foolish she was compared to this woman, and how slow she was in every aspect… and worse, this girl was younger than her and a million times more beautiful…

  But at the same time, she felt relieved.

  Husband…I’m coming to you soon.

  ****

  Sorry

  One chapter and there is a second one after some hours