Several days had passed since the momentous decision made by Ashwind Post. An atmosphere of resolute determination and hard work permeated the village. Every villager contributed, repairing what was broken and fortifying their home under the increasingly confident leadership of Kiana and the ingenious guidance of Leonardo da Vinci.
Bacchus, with his usual boisterous yet strict demeanor, was rigorously training the younger warriors. His laughter and commands echoed periodically across the training grounds, injecting a lively energy into the otherwise grim settlement. Meanwhile, Taurus, his towering frame as imposing as a mountain, meticulously inspected the partially repaired defensive walls, his expression thoughtful and not entirely satisfied. His occasional glances towards Da Vinci still held a sliver of skepticism; to a battle-hardened warrior like him, the foreigner's "theories" and "blueprints" on parchment still needed to prove their worth on a true battlefield.
That opportunity soon arrived. A report came in that three or four unusually large and ferocious mutated beasts had breached a still-unrepaired section of the old wooden wall, managing to enter the village perimeter. Although the warriors, under the command of Taurus and Bacchus, eventually managed to dispatch them, the incident starkly highlighted the existing vulnerabilities in their defenses and caused widespread concern.
In an emergency meeting convened that evening, Taurus stated gravely, "Our walls are still too weak. If it's just wild beasts, we can manage. But if it were mechanical monstrosities or those 'Hunters' that Master Da Vinci faced, I fear we wouldn't last long."
Da Vinci, who had spent the past few days meticulously observing the surrounding terrain, sketching, and calculating various possibilities in the notebook he had recreated, stepped forward. He unrolled several large pieces of parchment covered in intricate diagrams and complex figures. It was his "Master Plan for the Defense of Ashwind Post," a completely revised strategy that focused not just on repairs but on an intelligently interconnected defensive system, drawing upon his knowledge of engineering, ancient military tactics, and an astute understanding of how to use the environment to their advantage.
"I understand your concerns, Master Taurus, and I agree," Da Vinci began. "Walls alone are not enough. What I propose is a multi-layered defense system, relying not just on the strength of materials, but on mechanisms and strategies designed to slow, hinder, and confuse any aggressor."
Taurus eyed the blueprints with lingering doubt. "Plans on paper always look good, young man. But on the battlefield, it is the strength of warriors and tangible walls that decide victory or defeat. I fail to see how your drawings will truly help us."
Da Vinci did not argue but offered a faint smile. "Then, may I have the opportunity to demonstrate? I do not intend to 'draw' these into existence with some wondrous power, but rather, I will use the knowledge I possess to teach and guide you all in constructing them with your own hands, using the materials we have."
Eldrin, who had been listening silently, nodded in approval. "Let us try, Da Vinci. Perhaps new knowledge can indeed forge new paths for us."
And so, Da Vinci's first "project" commenced. He began by teaching the village carpenters and blacksmiths to construct a medium-sized "stone-thrower" of his own revised design. It was more complex than any simple catapult the villagers had ever seen, capable of launching large stones much farther and with greater accuracy. Next came the design and placement of "concealed mechanical pit traps" at key strategic points around the village, requiring an understanding of levers and spring tension (which he adapted from available materials). Da Vinci didn't do all the work himself; he explained the principles, provided illustrative sketches, and guided the villagers who toiled to bring his designs to life.
During this period of intense work, Da Vinci also continued to ponder his "Power of Artifice." He secretly experimented, "drawing" small, precise metal components or "reinforcing" certain wooden materials with the faint, residual energy of his brush. He began to notice a clearer connection: the more profoundly he understood the structure, materials, and working principles of what he intended to "draw," the less energy it seemed to require, and the more stable and perfect the creation became. He started to quietly document these small discoveries in his notebook, like piecing together a grand puzzle, one that slowly began to reveal its answers.
When the first stone-thrower was completed and test-fired, Taurus and the warriors were stunned by its power. A large stone soared through the air, striking a distant target with impressive accuracy, causing far more damage than they had anticipated. The newly constructed pit traps also proved their clever design, being difficult to detect and highly effective.
Taurus's attitude towards Da Vinci began to change perceptibly. The skepticism in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a grudging admiration and respect. He started to consult Da Vinci more seriously regarding defensive placements and strategies. The other villagers, too, found their faith in this enigmatic outsider growing; they saw that he possessed not only the "miraculous power" they had witnessed earlier but also a profound intellect and knowledge that could bring tangible improvements to their lives.
Once the village's initial defensive upgrades began to take shape and looked significantly more formidable, Eldrin and Kiana convened another important meeting. The atmosphere this time was markedly different, filled with a palpable sense of hope and renewed confidence.
"Our walls are much stronger now, thanks to Master Da Vinci's intellect," Eldrin stated, opening the discussion. "But a purely defensive stance is not a sustainable path to survival. We need to understand our enemy's movements and seek out allies to stand against the Nebula Empire."
"Information is our most crucial weapon at this juncture," Da Vinci added. "If we know our enemy's plans, or the capabilities of the remaining 'Seven Hunters,' we can strategize accordingly."
Bacchus nodded in agreement. "I concur with the Sage. Sending out scouts for intelligence is an urgent necessity."
The council unanimously agreed that they needed to dispatch their most capable individual for reconnaissance and survival to gather information in enemy territory. All eyes turned to Ryu.
Kiana looked at her older brother, her gaze a mixture of trust and concern. "Brother Ryu... I believe no one is more suited for this mission than you. Our village places its hope in you."
Ryu stood and bowed solemnly to everyone present. "I understand, Kiana. I accept this mission. For Ashwind Post, and for Elder Eldrin, I will not fail."
"Your destination will be 'Siren's Haven'," Da Vinci announced, unrolling a crude map of the world he had sketched based on various accounts. He pointed to a large port city on the eastern coast of the Nebula Empire. "It is a major trade hub and a strategic point. Information regarding the Empire's military and the 'Seven Hunters' should be most concentrated there. It might also offer more avenues for infiltration or information gathering than attempting to penetrate the capital directly."
Eldrin nodded. "Da Vinci's proposal is sound. 'Siren's Haven,' though dangerous, is a melting pot of various peoples. With caution, one might uncover unexpected intelligence."
Ryu's objectives were clear: gather information on the other "Seven Hunters," assess the Nebula Empire's current military movements, and look for potential weaknesses or allies, all while prioritizing information gathering and avoiding unnecessary confrontation.
Serious preparations began the following day. Rations, disguise materials, concealed weapons, and even a few small "gadgets" specially designed by Da Vinci to aid Ryu's espionage (such as a unique compass unaffected by the world's strange magnetic fields, or a special smoke signal device) were meticulously prepared.
On the morning of Ryu's departure, Kiana approached him privately. She handed him a small leather pouch containing a potent healing salve (a new extraction method Da Vinci had recently taught).
"Brother... take care of yourself," her voice was laced with genuine concern. "I will await your return."
Ryu offered a rare, faint smile, tucking the pouch securely into his belt before gently patting his sister's shoulder. "Don't worry about me, Kiana. I can take care of myself. It is you who must look after yourself and everyone here. I have faith in you, our new leader."
The first light of dawn was just beginning to break. Ashwind Post lay quiet, cloaked in a temporary peace. Ryu, dressed in travel attire that blended with the predawn gloom, stood at the village exit. He took one last look back at his home, drew a deep breath, then turned and strode purposefully away. His figure quickly disappeared into the dense forest, heading towards "Siren's Haven," the port city of danger and secrets that lay ahead.
Da Vinci and Kiana watched him go until he was out of sight. They both knew the mission Ryu carried was fraught with peril, yet they had unwavering faith in the young man's abilities. A significant part of Ashwind Post's future... now rested in his hands.