Eternal Empire - Kingdom Building

Adis was in no rush to mount his horse. Instead, he carefully helped Alfie up first, ensuring the boy was settled before climbing onto the horse beside him.

David glanced back at the two, only now noticing a change in Alfie. His skin, once delicate and pale, had turned a bronzed shade from exposure. He wore a fox-head hat, cleverly disguising a cloth band wrapped around his head. No one would notice or question the hidden object beneath that strip of cloth, but David wondered briefly: Had Maloney Mansfield investigated Alfie’s identity?

Judging from Maloney’s demeanor, it seemed unlikely. Either the inspector was oblivious, or he knew but simply didn’t care. David didn’t want to probe further; the best outcome would be for Alfie to remain unnoticed during the journey. If they could return to Cold Winter Village smoothly, complete the inspection process, and send the officials back to Iron Tree Fort, that would be ideal.

As they passed through the northern gate of Iron Tree Fort and began their journey on horseback, David’s mind wandered, and a thought struck him.

With a long road ahead and everyone still in good spirits, he decided to ask, “Master Inspector, after this inspection, should I return to Iron Tree Fort to receive the letter of appointment? Or will a special envoy be sent to Cold Winter Village?”

The monotony of the road must have gotten to Maloney too, as he seemed more than happy to engage in conversation. He answered quickly, “It’s best to return to Iron Tree Fort in person to retrieve the letter. If you wait for them to send someone, you may be waiting for an eternity.”

David nodded, knowing well enough how slow bureaucracy could be. Maloney’s high efficiency wasn’t representative of all the officials in Iron Tree Fort. If left to them, the appointment letter could easily be delayed for months, if not a year.

“Besides,” Maloney added, “having the official letter in hand will help you recruit more villagers. Even if Iron Tree Fort is difficult, you can try nearby villages and towns.”

The inspector was in a generous mood, offering David another piece of advice. The Northern Plains may have a ruined reputation in Iron Tree Fort, but information traveled slowly in this era, especially among civilians. What was common knowledge here might be unheard of just a few towns away.

David considered the suggestion. Recruiting villagers from other places might indeed be easier, especially if he had the official kingdom document. However, he also realized that poaching villagers from other regions might anger the local lords—a risk he would have to weigh carefully.

“Thank you,” David said, genuinely grateful, even as his mind began planning his next move. If recruiting from nearby villages would upset local nobles, perhaps he could seek out regions recently struck by disaster. In such places, people might be more willing to relocate, offering less resistance to the idea of moving north.

But a new problem emerged: How would he, living in such a remote corner of the human kingdom, even know where disaster had struck?

David thought about Azeroth—he remembered that the land would face great natural disasters in a few years, but in the present, he had no idea about specific locations suffering misfortune. Worse, his knowledge of the towns around Iron Tree Fort was lacking.

“It seems I’m too ignorant of this world’s state,” David muttered to himself. He had been so focused on his immediate surroundings and improving his "persona" with books Laura brought from Earth that he had neglected to study the broader picture of the Tilan Kingdom.

The journey ahead suddenly felt even longer. There was so much to learn, and David realized just how much he still didn’t know.

Initially just an ordinary civilian, even as a qualified hunter, he still considered himself a commoner. His ambition had sparked when he first joined the pioneering team; his main goal was to earn the status of a knight. Becoming an Orion—a significant armed member of the pioneering team—was just the first step. If the village could be successfully established and developed, and if the village chief were promoted to the mayor of the kingdom, David would have a high chance of obtaining knighthood.

The status of a knight was more than just a title; it represented a leap across social classes, granting access to the noble circles—albeit as a bumpkin from a remote corner of the kingdom. David’s aspirations had always been focused on his own advancement, seemingly detached from the turbulent circumstances surrounding Iron Tree Fort.

Yet, life rarely unfolds as one predicts, and the unpredictable nature of events often blindsided him. The Orion he once aspired to be had suddenly transitioned into the village head, and the subsequent challenges left David little time to reflect on his initial plans.

Even if he wanted to learn more about the world around him, he lacked the resources. Detailed maps and information about the area surrounding Iron Tree Fort were beyond his reach. The only reliable source he had was Addis, the old hunter who had lived there for decades. Surely, he would have some insights into the region.

As the group traveled, conversation dwindled. The atmosphere grew quiet for several reasons. As the team leader, Maloney found himself at a loss for words to share with his ‘subordinates’ when there were no instructions to give. While he was curious about David and Laura, he maintained his reserved demeanor, avoiding prolonged conversation with civilians.

The guards kept their attention on their surroundings, and Addis was preoccupied with taking care of Alfie, who still struggled with riding. With no one initiating conversations, David and Laura fell into silence, recognizing that their chances for private discussions would come later.

The group settled into a comfortable rhythm, the fourteen members and twenty horses moving steadily through the passage between Iron Tree Forest and the Tilan Mountains. The safest approach was to travel efficiently, avoiding unnecessary delays on the road.

With their reliable mounts, the team picked up speed and reached the northern guard post by the following evening. The familiarity of Captain Gregory brought a sense of ease to David as he approached the man. Not long after their arrival, David retrieved the potatoes he always carried with him, preparing to share them for dinner.

As he cooked, he couldn’t help but ponder how much had changed since he first embarked on this journey. The ambition that once seemed so clear had become clouded by circumstances beyond his control. The warmth of the fire contrasted with the uncertainty lingering in his heart, reminding him of the weight of responsibility he now bore—not just for himself, but for the village and those who relied on him.

After reuniting with Inspector Maloney, Captain Gregory relaxed his guard and eagerly tasted the new crop that David had brought with him. After savoring a few bites, he couldn’t hide his delight. “This thing called potatoes is really good!” he exclaimed. The flavor was impressive, and he quickly recognized their versatility—potatoes could be stewed with various meats and vegetables or served alone as a staple food when roasted or boiled. Considering the crop's high yield and quick maturation, it was no wonder David had managed to establish villages on the northern plains despite numerous challenges.

“If possible, I hope Village Chief David can sell some potatoes to our sentry post,” Gregory added, his enthusiasm palpable.

David couldn’t help but smile at this unexpected request. “Of course! How much do you need?”

“Fifty kilograms,” Gregory replied.

Fifty kilograms didn’t seem like much, especially with ten elite soldiers stationed at the northern guard post. These soldiers, the best Iron Tree Fort had to offer, wore heavy armor and were capable of engaging in intense battles, which naturally meant they consumed a lot of food. David realized that fifty kilograms would disappear quickly, especially if the potatoes served as a staple rather than just a side dish.

Still, he wasn’t certain if Cold Winter Village had enough potatoes in storage. But that wasn’t an insurmountable problem; he could easily have Laura head back to the village to acquire the fifty kilograms needed.

Captain Gregory mentioned that the price he offered was reasonable—slightly higher than wheat but fair given the situation. David didn’t mind; as long as there was a market, the versatility of potatoes guaranteed they would sell. Their consumption rate was remarkable, and he knew that no matter how much he grew, he wouldn’t have to worry about a lack of buyers.

Most importantly, this was David's first taste of funding. While the amount wasn’t substantial, it would allow him to invest in livestock and poultry, or even a horse to make traveling between Iron Tree Fort and Cold Winter Village easier.

After exchanging a few more words, David and Gregory quickly reached a verbal agreement: David would prepare fifty kilograms of potatoes upon his return, and payment could include poultry, livestock, or horses of equivalent value instead of requiring cash.

The northern sentry post was well-equipped, not only housing the ten elite soldiers but also blacksmiths, cooks, assistants, and handymen, all of whom contributed to maintaining the soldiers’ combat readiness. With ample poultry and even dairy cows on-site, the post ensured that soldiers had access to eggs and milk, which doubled as food reserves.

“However, these are war supplies, right?” David asked, concerned about the legality of such a trade.

Gregory dismissed the concern. “As the highest officer of the northern sentry, I have the authority to mobilize all resources here. These materials are consumed, but they can be replenished after applying to Iron Tree Fort. This isn’t considered consumption; it’s merely a material exchange, which is completely legal and reasonable—there might be a slight loss in the transaction, but nothing more.”

With their agreement solidified, David offered Gregory the few potatoes he had left from his pack to seal the deal. In a show of goodwill, Gregory handed over two war horses as a deposit, justifying it with a grin. “After all, how else will you transport fifty kilograms of potatoes to the northern outpost? These horses are for you to take back to the village. No need to rely solely on manpower.”

“Don’t worry, Captain Gregory! I’ll pack those fifty kilograms of potatoes as soon as I get back!” David assured him, excitement bubbling within him at the prospect of this new venture.