As Murphy and Sylus descended from the dense mountain forest, the first thing they encountered was the newly constructed "Border Fortress." High reinforced concrete walls stood tall, separating the dangerous wilds from the kingdom's territory.
"Halt! Identify yourselves!" A guard shouted from the tower.
But the moment Murphy revealed his face, a small commotion ensued. The guards rushed to open the gates, offering a mana-powered jeep to drive them to the capital.
"Lord Murphy! Please take the vehicle. It's a 2-3 day walk from here!"
"It's fine," Murphy declined with a smile, adjusting his backpack straps. "I want to walk and see what you guys have built... Just some water supplies will do."
Walking along the newly paved main road, the morning air was crisp. The scent of fresh earth and cut grass filled the air, mixed with the faint aroma of mana nourishing the crops.
"Help! Someone, please help!"
A cry came from a roadside wheat field.
A Mana-Tractor was stuck deep in the mud, its wheels spinning uselessly and spraying dirt everywhere. An elderly farmer was pushing with all his might, but the machine wouldn't budge.
Murphy didn't hesitate. He strode into the field.
"Let me help you, uncle."
He handed his bag to Sylus (who took it with a bored expression) and waded through the mud to grab the tractor's rear.
No magic needed... just raw physical strength forged from hellish training.
Hup!
With a gentle heave, Murphy lifted the heavy machine out of the mud as if it were a toy, setting it down softly on solid ground.
"Whoa! Young man! You have the strength of an elephant!" The uncle stared in awe. "Thank you so much! Here, take this—freshly boiled corn, still hot!"
Murphy took the golden cob and took a bite... sweetness exploded in his mouth.
"Delicious... It's really delicious, uncle."
Sylus snatched it to take a bite. "Hmm... Not bad. Quite sweet. Humans these days know how to grow good stuff."
On the second day, the journey entered a more densely populated area.
Both sides of the road were lined with "Rest Stops and Community Markets." Merchants and farmers bustlingly displayed their produce, the atmosphere full of life.
"Hey! You there, the long-haired lad! You look strong. Can you help auntie move these fruit crates?"
An auntie owning a fruit stall waved him over.
Murphy exchanged a smile with Sylus before walking over. He lifted a stack of five "Giant Tomato Crates" in one go and carried them effortlessly to the back of the shop, setting them down gently.
"Oh my! That's amazing!"
Murphy's kindness and strength made him the center of attention. Locals gathered around, asking about his travels and well-being. None of them realized this long-haired young man was the great "Lord Murphy." They only saw a "kind traveler."
"Come eat dinner with us this evening!"
It was an invitation Murphy couldn't refuse.
That evening's meal turned into a small village feast.
The abundance of food was shocking: Salt-Grilled Tuna (fresh from the coast), Crispy Salad (from the adjacent plot), and Chicken Herb Soup.
"Eat up, young man. You look so thin." A grandmother ladled more soup into Murphy's bowl until it overflowed.
"Do you... have food like this every meal?" Murphy asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"Oh, every meal!" A middle-aged man replied while chewing on a chicken drumstick. "We have to thank Chief Axel and Lord Philip for setting up the water and fertilizer systems. No one goes hungry anymore!"
Murphy listened to the villagers praising his friends with pride. Tears of joy welled up in his eyes.
He looked at Sylus, who was sitting with the village children, happily munching on tuna.
"Is it good, Master?"
"It's... mediocre," Sylus replied, mouth still greasy. "But much better than the dry rations you fed me on the mountain."
That night, they slept at a roadside pavilion, surrounded by the sound of crickets and a cool breeze.
Murphy fell asleep with a smile... His home was truly at peace.
On the morning of the third day, they set off with renewed energy.
As they crested the final hill in the afternoon... the image of the "Inner Capital" appeared before their eyes.
A cluster of skyscrapers towered in the center of the basin, sunlight reflecting off their glass facades.
But what made it most beautiful was the "Greenery"—trees planted on the balconies and rooftops of almost every building—and the "Transport Rings" (Sky-Train rails) connecting the structures. Delivery drones buzzed like flocks of birds above the city skyline.
"Finally..." Murphy wiped sweat from his forehead, but his wide smile didn't fade.
"There it is, Master... My home."
Sylus stood up and dusted off his pants. "Yeah, grand and majestic, just as you boasted... Let's go. I'm starting to want to see that four-eyed guy's face when he sees you."
Murphy stepped forward toward the inner city gates, his heart pounding with the excitement of seeing his family again...