Later that day, we crested the last hill—and there, like a dream on the horizon, stood my territory.
The gates loomed high, the Divine Tree glowing faintly in the distance, its light like a beacon to the weary. Smoke from cookfires rose in neat curls. The temporary market still bustled. The bakery had already sold out twice that morning. Children ran barefoot through the fields.
As the gates opened, the convoy was met by cheering villagers and warriors alike. Musicians played flutes. Dwarves banged on metal pots in celebration. The baker had made a hundred flatbreads, and Ella had already sent out trays of fresh cheese and roast meat.
One young dwarf boy jumped from the carriage and landed into his father's arms. "We're home, Papa!"
I stepped down from the truck and watched the freed families touch the grass, gaze at the Divine Tree, and take their first real breath of liberty.
Karl's mother approached me, eyes glistening. "Lord Dirk… you brought us back."
"No," I said, "Karl brought you back. I just made sure the door stayed open."
Behind me, Kael muttered, "You're getting better at the speeches."
I grinned. "Give me time. I might start sounding royal."
That night, the village celebrated again. Now, I have almost 5000 people. Torches lit the pathways. More tents were raised. The HUMVEEs were cleaned and parked like chariots of war. One of the young beastkin girls even drew their shapes in chalk, calling them "metal lions."
But as the feast began, I tapped my Guardian Screen again. A new notification blinked.
New Quest Available: "Finish The Town Renovation" — Yes / No?
I stared at it for a long moment. Freedom. Justice. And now… a future?
I tapped Yes.
The celebrations had lasted for two days straight—joyous, wild, and heartfelt. Children danced in the fields, warriors told their war stories by the fire, and music never stopped echoing through the streets. But on the morning of the third day, I called for a gathering in front of the Divine Tree.
A large wooden platform had been built just beneath its shimmering branches. The whole town came—gathered with expectant eyes. Former slaves, local villagers, warriors, crafters, beastkin, dwarves, farmers and even low nobles who had decided to stay behind. The morning breeze carried the scent of fresh bread and sun-warmed soil.
I stepped up onto the stage, flanked by Kael, Felix, Karl, Miss Agnes, Igor, Elvie, and Ella. The Divine Tree's petals swayed above, casting soft light over the crowd.
I raised my hand. "Everyone. Warriors, builders, bakers, farmers, freed men and women—my family now."
A quiet hush fell over the gathered people. "We fought. We bled. We endured. And now—we build."
There was a murmur of approval, nods, and hands tightening around loved ones. I continued, "The celebrations are done—for now. The real work begins today. What we've started here is more than a town. It's a sanctuary. And it will take all of us to shape it. We will continue the construction and employ more people. Of course, I will still give a decent salary per day; 20 silver is enough, yeah?"
People cheered, and the newly arrived slave, now a free citizen, gasped in shock.
Karl stepped forward. "We've mapped out the new plots," he said. "Starting today, those who were freed from the mainland will be given land and building supplies. You will be the first to build your own homes—brick by brick, with your names carved into the foundations."
"From slave to citizen," Ella added, "with dignity."
The crowd buzzed with energy. I saw former slaves blinking back tears. A young elf woman clutched her partner's hand and whispered, "We can finally have our own place."
"Behind each home," I said, "you'll be allowed to grow a garden. Fruits, herbs, vegetables. We'll provide mana-rich soil. I want every family to have their own food, their own flowers, and a reason to wake up smiling."
Elvie chimed in, "And a bakery, bathhouse, and marketplace expansion are underway. We'll need seamstresses, potters, woodworkers, bakers, gardeners, farmers—everyone has a place."
A dwarf stood up. "And what of us who have no trade?"
I looked directly at him. "Then we train you. We teach you. This land rises together. No one is left behind."
He gave a slow, respectful nod and sat back down.
Felix raised a map. "We're also paving new roads to the housing behind the manor and near the lake. Starting tomorrow, teams will be assigned to clear and lay down mana-infused stone, connecting the Divine Tree to every corner of our growing village. Transport will be easier, especially for goods coming from the outer farms and the bakery district."
I pointed to the western section of the map. "New farming zones will be set up beyond the river. Those with an agricultural background, we'll need you to lead those efforts. If you need tools, the system will provide."
A beastkin woman raised her hand. "Will we be paid, my lord?"
"Yes, as I said earlier. Twenty silver a day," I said without hesitation. "And three hot meals."
She smiled, tears in her eyes. "That's more than we ever dreamed of…"
I continued, voice firm but warm. "You will no longer work to survive—you will work to thrive." There was a growing roar of approval, hands clapping, children jumping in delight.
Karl's sister, standing with her family near the front, whispered to me as I stepped down from the platform. "You don't act like a lord."
I gave a small smile. "That's because I don't see myself as one. Not yet. I'm just a guy trying to make sure everyone gets a chance to live."
As the crowd dispersed, everyone moved with purpose. Already, warriors gathered to assist in the building zones. Women rolled up their sleeves. Dwarves began outlining shop foundations. The marketplace hummed again—but this time, it was builders and farmers that filled the lanes, not buyers.
Kael walked beside me, arms crossed. "You do realise you just gave away most of your profit margin for the month."
"I know," I said, glancing at the Divine Tree's glowing petals. "But this isn't about profit."
Felix chuckled, "You're not building a business, Dirk. You're building a kingdom."
And for the first time, I believed him.
Three Days After the Celebration – Beginning of Construction.
The following morning, a mist rolled lazily through the valley, but the air buzzed with energy. As the sun broke through the fog, the sound of hammers, saws, and shouted directions echoed throughout the land. It was no longer just a village—it was transforming into a bustling town.
I walked with Karl and Felix along the newly paved mana-stone road that led from the Divine Tree to the central plaza. The road sparkled faintly with enchantments, reinforcing its durability and lighting faintly at night. On either side, construction teams were already hard at work.
To the north, a team of dwarves and beastkin began laying the foundation for a large bathhouse, using heated earth-stone bricks powered by fire mana. Felix pointed out the designs as we passed, "Three floors. Separate wings for men and women. And a mixed area for families. Heating stones are being imported from the volcano mines to keep it warm during winter."
"Good," I nodded. "They'll appreciate the comfort after a day's work."
South of the tree, Ella and Elvie oversaw the expansion of the grocery district. A row of modern stalls was taking shape, each with built-in cold storage units I ordered from the Guardian Screen. They were styled like Earth's food booths but built from the local mana-treated oak. Signs with names like , , and were already being painted.
Behind the stalls, we were constructing a two-storey supply depot, complete with a mana lift for easy movement of goods. Elvie waved to us as we passed. "My lord, we'll need more workers to help unload the incoming supplies from the mainland caravans."
"Put out a call," I said. "Offer double wages for those who help train new arrivals."
To the west, where the land dipped near the riverbank, the farming zone was alive with activity. Over forty volunteers from the freed slaves and villagers were marking out plots. We provided them with mana-rich soil bags, enchanted ploughs, and seed kits from the Guardian Screen.
Karl pointed out one family planting together. "That's the Vellas. Former slaves. They said this is the first time they've planted something that was truly theirs."
I watched them, heart warm. The little girl among them was humming as she buried mana-potatoes. "Make sure they get an irrigation charm," I said.
Across the newly established residential zones, lumber was stacked in tall piles. Construction of over one hundred and fifty small homes was underway, most following a modular design to be built fast but reinforced with magic against the elements. Each family was given a mana compass to align their homes with the Divine Tree's energy field, improving their health and magic retention.
Beastkin masons, human blacksmiths, and elf architects worked together. I passed by a group of newly freed men placing the first beam on their home. One turned and saluted, hand over his heart. "My lord, thank you for this chance. We never thought we'd get it."
"Make it yours," I said. "Raise your walls high."