Brian's group finally arrived at the Sue Forest.
"Let's head a bit north—there's a strategic spot there," Brian said. He had already studied the map and knew there was a mountain and a river close together in that direction.
When they reached the mountain's base, Brian ordered Key and Lylia to each lead a team of ten to scout the surrounding area.
"You should already know why we're here, so let's get to work. Sixty of you will cut down trees and start building a defensive wall. The rest will work on putting up some simple houses," Brian instructed. With the soldiers busy constructing the settlement, he continued farther north, following the sound of a battle.
Up ahead, he spotted two beautiful women locked in combat with a massive snake.
What are they after, fighting a White Snake of all things? …Oh, wait—that's a Sallelcrown, Brian thought, recognizing the crown-shaped blossom of the rare herb.
"Pengha Fist!" Angel's punch landed squarely on the White Snake's body, but it barely made an impact.
"Careful, Sis! It's going to use its tail!" Bella shouted.
The snake's tail whipped toward Angel, but before it could strike, someone pulled her out of harm's way.
"Hey, are you alright?" Brian asked with a smile.
"Who are you?" Angel demanded.
"Wouldn't it be polite to say thank you first?" Brian said casually.
"A-ah… right. Thank you," Angel muttered, blushing furiously.
"How about we make a deal? I'll help you get the Sallelcrown, and in exchange, you stay out of Sue Forest for a whole year," Brian proposed. He wasn't about to let anyone interfere with his plans for developing the village.
"Why can't we come back?" Angel and Bella asked, puzzled.
"Because I'm in the middle of taming a powerful beast. If it's disturbed, it might flee deeper into the forest," Brian lied smoothly.
"…Alright, fine."
"Good. Wait here for a moment."
Brian stepped forward to face the White Snake.
"Golden Thunder Fist!" His strike pierced straight through the snake's body, killing it instantly.
"He defeated it in one blow… Is he at the Spirit Stage?" Angel thought, stunned.
Brian plucked the Sallelcrown and handed it to Angel. "Here, check it."
After confirming it was intact, Angel remembered their agreement and quickly bid farewell. "Thank you—we'll be going now."
Alright… now to check the system notification, Brian thought.
System: Congratulations! You have slain a White Snake. Rewards: 300 EXP and Fog Array.
Fog Array: An array that generates dense mist within its range of placement.
This is perfect. If I set it up around the village, it'll stay hidden. Alright—I'll head back and have Key go to town to buy some fog-beast blood.
When Brian returned, he was stunned—despite being gone for only five hours, the village was nearly complete.
Even though it's just wood, this is insanely fast work for five hours.
"Hm… I'll name this place Green Village," he decided.
Welcome back, sir," a soldier greeted.
"Yes. How's the construction going?" Brian asked.
"We've built thirty simple houses, and the wall is currently fifty meters long. At this pace, we estimate it will be completed within a week, sir," the young soldier reported after glancing at his notes.
"Have Key and Lylia returned?"
"Yes, Young Master. Both Sir Key and Lady Lylia are back."
"Good. Please call them here," Brian ordered. He wanted to hear their scouting reports before planning the next stage of development.
. . .
"Young Master, you called for us?" Key asked as the siblings entered.
"Yes. I want to hear your reports from the expedition—Lylia, you go first," Brian said with a smile.
"Understood, Young Master. During our expedition, we discovered a cave, but we didn't dare go inside. Even at the entrance, we felt a biting cold. I suspect there may be an ice vein inside," Lylia explained.
"Ice vein?" Brian's mind lit up. Hahaha… could this be a gift from the heavens? If there's an ice vein in there, I could store food inside the cave—it'd be like having a giant refrigerator, just like on Earth.
"This ice vein is incredibly valuable. Lylia, starting tomorrow, form a team to build a wall that connects the village directly to the cave," Brian instructed.
"Yes, Young Master."
"Now, your turn, Key."
"Young Master, we discovered flowers that could be used as natural air fresheners. Please take a look. The red ones are called Roselly, and the white ones are called Melty," Key said, showing him the blossoms.
"Aren't these roses and jasmine?" Brian's eyes lit up. Roses and jasmine can be made into tea, and each has its own health benefits.
"Jasmine? Rose?" The two looked puzzled. Weren't these Roselly and Melty?
"Ah, nothing. How much of these plants are growing there?" Brian asked, his tea-loving heart already racing at the thought of brewing again.
"The Roselly covers about twenty meters of land, and around thirty meters for the Melty, Young Master. If we sell them in the market, we could earn around twenty gold coins. The scent of both is very popular among women," Key explained enthusiastically.
"Sell them? No, no. How much did you bring back?"
"About two baskets, Young Master," Key replied, still confused about why they wouldn't sell them.
"Good. Dry them all under the sun until they're completely dehydrated. Once they're ready, I'll show you their true purpose," Brian said.
Then he turned to both of them. "Lylia, you'll also be in charge of building a protective wall around the flower fields. Key, you'll go to the city and buy as much fog-beast blood as you can. Here—fifty gold coins."
"Yes, Young Master," the siblings replied in unison.