They saw the smoke before they saw the Landing. The column was tired and ready to get back home and the attitude spread to Harold as they marched.
The black smear of burning wood rose above the tree line; this smoke was clean and controlled. It smelled of cooking fires and charcoal. It was civilization, and Harold couldn't wait to get home.
"Scouts," Hale said, spotting the glint of movement through the trees.
A pair of forward runners broke from the shadows near a stand of pines and jogged to intercept them. Lean figures, light on their feet, breathing hard but grinning wide. They were armoured in the standard armour they had been recruited in, but they were armed with multiple throwing spears, which they had not been recruited with. The craftsmen must have been busy making those throwing spears. One of the scouts, a lanky young man with a shock of red hair and a noticeable limp that didn't seem to slow him down, flashed a crooked grin. His partner, a compact woman with quick, birdlike movements and a habit of flicking her gaze sharply from side to side, mirrored his grin.
"You're back," one of them panted. "We—we weren't sure—"
"You sure scared us, My Lord, when we first saw a column of troops approaching, we weren't-
"We're back," Harold assured, clasping the scout's outstretched arm. "Go let them know."
The scout didn't hesitate. He spun and took off at a sprint, vanishing into the trees.
Hale gave the call to keep moving, and the column started forward with more energy.
Two hours later, the trail was becoming more worn when suddenly the trees parted — and The Landing revealed itself.
Harold stopped walking for a moment and just took it in.
It was still The Landing, just more. Harold recalled the day they first carved out space in the dense forest, envisioning fields where there was once only wilderness. Back then, the ground had been barren and untouched by the hands of civilization, full of potential but far from fulfilling it. Now, it was amazing how much could be done in almost three weeks when they all worked together.
The forest had been pushed back. The fields were at least four times the size they'd been when they left—stumps had been torn out, underbrush cleared, furrows already cut in clean rows. The tatanka had done good work. He could see one now, lazily pulling a roller over newly tilled soil. Two workers guided it like a living plow. He remembered getting settlement perks for domestication. They didn't do much, but someone must be making good progress taming the beast.
More buildings dotted the perimeter, their outlines new against the sky. The original halls were finished now—shingled, reinforced, and fitted with proper chimneys that were gently smoking. Two additional halls had sprung up. Half a dozen smaller structures—storehouses, workshops, even what looked like a couple of homes—now filled what had once been empty space.
One large framework dominated the far end of the Landing — an in-progress warehouse, judging by the beams and scaffolding. There was a large stack of cut stone piled up near it. The mine must really be producing now. And the forge building looked like it had been expanded a lot. Hopefully, that means they are pulling good iron now.
The tatanka pen had doubled in size. Fencing now ran high and solid, built with real lumber and reinforced with stone in some places. No more cordage and wishful thinking.
Though no walls stood around the Landing yet, the bustling scene of labor hinted at the promise of progress once they could manufacture the concrete and rebar necessary to fortify their defenses.
Only the military compound remained behind its palisade, neat and squared, like the hub of a wheel that was now spinning outward. It looked like a second tower was being added to it.
They didn't reach the center before the people reached them. They came spilling out of the buildings and fields, the work crews in the forest dropped their tools and ran back. People rushed from behind structures, moving fast, clustered in groups, eyes wide. The column slowed, then halted as the first of the villagers crashed into it.
As the villagers and soldiers mingled, a sudden hush fell over a small section of the crowd. A child, no older than six, was sprinting with unbridled joy, weaving through the sea of legs, a high-pitched squeal rising above the din. With eyes shimmering, the child leaped into the waiting arms of an adventurer Harold didn't know. His face was softened by the exhaustion of battle and the relief of return.
Over the barracks gate, someone, presumably Beth or Josh. Mounted a huge wooden sign that arched overhead.
WELCOME BACK, NERDS, it read.
The "NERDS" had clearly been added after the fact, in a different color. That could only have been Josh, and Harold felt himself smiling. Carter saw it and laughed so hard he nearly doubled over, while Ren and Corwin nearby muttered to each other about some kind of revenge. Josh was popular with everyone.
There was no formal reception or parade. Just a crush of people welcoming their own, and the formation dissolved almost immediately.
Margaret, Beth, and Josh clustered together. Mr Caldwell stood apart. Evan and Mark chatted nearby, while even Lira joined the group. Outside the Lords' hall, the council stood flanked by aides, their expressions unreadable until Harold approached. Only then did Margaret break into a slow, reserved smile and offer a crisp nod.
Beth said, "Welcome back." Harold didn't even reply; he just hugged her.
Hale passed by, already issuing orders to start breaking down the march column; the orders were for show. The formation was already gone. Garrick began counting heads and failing immediately. Sarah had vanished into a crowd of adventurers, all of whom seemed to be talking and yelling at once. As excited as the legionaries were, the adventurers were even more excited, as was only proper. They were an independent lot and had been through a lot.
Harold just stood for a second, taking it all in. He breathed in and let his eyes roam over the people; the happiness was infectious. The contrast between Dalens Hold and the Landing was stark; this was home.
Harold enjoyed the moment until he saw a woman and her child, both heavily crying against the walls of one of the halls. The sight hit him like a sudden gust of cold air, interrupting the warmth and noise around him. In the midst of the vibrant celebration, a pocket of silence seemed to envelop them. The joy he felt moments ago faded sharply. Harold knew who that was and began walking over to join Hale as he talked to her.
It was Max's family, the legionary, who died in the final battle. The only one so far who had come with his family, and he died on the Landing's first campaign. Burying Max was difficult, but this was going to be even worse.
As Harold approached her, he could hear the sobs from his wife before he could hear what Hale was saying to her. Harold didn't think he had ever heard such a gentle voice from Hale before, but he dismissed it.
"- your loss." He heard from Hale.
She had collapsed heavily against the wall, and their child was trying to lift his mother up, not quite understanding what was happening. He just saw that his mother was crying. She was a plain woman with dark brown hair, her clothing soaked from working out by the creek. Their child had leaves and grass in his hair from playing where she could watch.
Harold walked over and sat down next to her without saying anything. He looked up at Hale's relieved face and watched him tactically retreat as fast as possible.
I tried to speak, but my words were heavy on my tongue. "I can't fix this. I know what loss is, and I know there is nothing I can say right now that can make you feel any better," I started, my voice catching slightly as a lump formed in my throat. "I just want you to know that the Landing will take care of you." I hesitated, and for a moment, my guilt threatened to silence me. "Max's service was valuable," I stammered, fighting to keep my composure. "He died to give you and this village a better life."
"He proceeded to tell her and his child stories of Max and what he remembered. The small ruse Harold played with Max's help, and the stories of Max told as he joked around with his friends in the army, as they walked and drilled. He was a good man; he told her everything he knew. Eventually, she calmed down enough to actually listen. He didn't know if she actually cared about the stories. Nothing could actually fill the void left by a loved one, but she would remember the stories for years.
"When you are ready, find Margaret. I'll let Margaret know that you can work in her section. We'll take care of you as best we can." Harold said softly and walked away. The entire time, she didn't say a single word, just sobbed while holding their child.
He tried to get her tear-strewn eyes out of his mind, and he knew it was going to be something he remembered for the rest of his life. His decisions caused this, and he knew it wouldn't be the last.
By dusk, the whole place had transformed.
Tables dragged into courtyards. They had real furniture now. It wasn't what anyone would call nice, but it was functional. Fire pits were lit, and meat was roasting while large stew pots were boiling. No beer still, but Harold promised himself next time there would be. It was hard to have a proper celebration without making any bad decisions.
Life just wasn't life without some bad decisions sometimes.
Harold didn't set out to make it official, but it was a feast. The Landing's population—now well over 2,300 after seven weeks of steady recruiting—turned out en masse. Old friends reunited, and soldiers told stories of the campaign. Kids darted around with net-woven flags pretending to be legionaries and adventurers.
Harold saw Jace and Theo telling a couple of other female adventurers stories about the campaign, and he saw Mira giving them the stink eye while she was with her family. Two legionaries were trying to talk to a group of women and were very visibly turned down when they asked them to dance. Their enthusiasm didn't dim at all. Someone had made a game of horseshoes, and people were making bets on the results. Someone was doing their best to ride a Tatanka around the group, and they were almost immediately thrown off to the roar of laughter of everyone else. There were signs of life all around him
Josh handed Harold a bowl of stew and slapped him on the back hard enough to almost spill it.
"I knew you'd come back. You look like crap, by the way."
Harold smiled back at him. "Good to see you too, Josh. You look fat and lazy."
"Like the sign?" Josh asked while laughing.
Harold arched an eyebrow.
Josh added proudly, "The nerd bit was my idea."
"Figures." Harold laughed.
As the night deepened, the celebration only grew. Music — crude, but enthusiastic — picked up near the forge yard. Someone had made a flute from a hollow bone. There were dancing attempts. Someone had been showing people how to line dance, and it became lively.
When it was winding down, Harold gave a short speech thanking everyone for their contribution to the successful return. He originally wasn't going to until Josh saw him walking by and dragged him up onto a table, shouting that "Their venerable leader had a speech for them all."
Harold gave him the stink eye for dragging him up there, but spoke about thanking everyone for their hard work and the sacrifices they had made to ensure their success. He didn't wind on too long, as he wanted people to enjoy their time, but he got a rousing round of applause afterward that surprised him.
Afterward, Harold drifted through it all, half-seeing, half-planning. They were happy because their Army had returned safely. It was proof that what they were doing was working. The work was worth it. Yet, in the back of his mind, Harold couldn't shake the feeling that this peace was perilously fragile. This growth and prosperity were the very reasons they might attract unwanted attention. Every moment of progress was a defiant stand against encroaching dangers.
He noted the new structures. The condition of the fields. The flow of people between districts. Everything was better than he expected. The council had done good work. The meeting tomorrow was going to take a while. He had a lot to get caught up on.
But more than that, this place had become something in their absence.
They hadn't just survived while the army was gone; they had expanded and built. They had grown.
Harold had been ignoring the blinking notifications in his vision for hours.
He told himself it was for focus — that there were more important things to handle: reintegrating the army, checking on the Landing's progress, confirming that the relic was secure. But deep down, he knew the real reason.
He didn't want to be distracted by power. It would be too easy to get lost in it and forget why he sought it.
But eventually, the flicker became too much, and with a sigh, he pushed it open.
[WORLD FIRST]
Successful Military Campaign
PERK GAINED: Marcher Lord (Epic)
Your soldiers will move 10% faster while on campaign.
Your soldiers will use 10% less supply while on campaign.
Settlement Bonus:
You will recruit more experienced soldiers from your recruitment portal. (Variable)
Harold blinked.
That alone was huge. But the list was just beginning.
[WORLD FIRST]
Capture a Relic
PERK GAINED: Collector (Epic)
You will sometimes be nudged toward valuable opportunities or objects. (Variable)
Relics that you have displayed and secured will take 50% longer to remove from their sconces.
Settlement Bonus:
Relics you have captured will have their effects increased by 10%.
PERK GAINED: Trusted Council (Rare)
Officials you trusted to run your territory while away will be 8% more trustworthy.
PERK GAINED: Honor the Ancestors (Rare)
Soldiers who command and fight in the traditions of their people will learn those methods 12% faster.
PERK GAINED: Marching Along (Uncommon)
Your marching speed is increased by 6%.
It was a lot.
He hadn't checked them since the march began. Too many small, passive bonuses had trickled in from his people's progress in the territory — mostly minor. Like the one for domesticating animals, which gave a small increase to similar efforts in his domain. The most useful one was probably the one for loyalty and happiness. Loyal and happy people just worked harder and better. They were all useful, but not critical.
He also personally gained several soldier-specific ones, but most weren't anything to write home about. The biggest was for killing that commander. Several for leadership and command. One that extended the effects of his aura. He wondered if that would extend the effect of the aura he got for his legendary Perk.
The world first though? These were game-changing.
World Firsts were the rarest kind of achievement — and the only ones that came with settlement bonuses for Lords. And the military campaign one? It was ludicrous. That variable recruitment bonus was gold.
With how many recruitment portals he'd eventually have access to, his vision of maintaining a highly trained, elite fighting force was suddenly more than just a pipe dream. The soldiers coming in wouldn't just be raw conscripts anymore. Some of them would arrive with training and perks.
Securing relics was dangerous work, and he was only able to secure this one because so much had been posted on the forums about it in his last life. Stealing them was even harder, though, but it was possible and happened a lot. Now they'd be safer and more effective.
10% more effective, to be precise.
Earlier that day, Harold had made time to handle it personally.
He'd placed the mushroom-shaped relic into the socket at the head of the Lord's Hall — the slot built specifically for anchoring relics to a territory. It had glowed brilliantly for a flash, flooding the room in green-white light, before settling into a steady hum. Thin veins of glowing blue and green still crawled over the surface, like light running through living roots.
It was working.
A panel showed up after it settled into its slot.
Relic Bonus:
Name: Verdant Heart
Effect:
Increases cultivated field growth speed by 15%.
Increases the nutritional value and potency of cultivated fields by 10%.
Slightly increases the chance of rare or mutated herbs spawning within your territory.
That relic would accelerate growth, boost crop health, and enrich everything from nutritional density to medicinal potency.
Exactly what a potion lord needed to jumpstart production.
Once it was set, he'd kicked everyone who was still sleeping there out of the hall.
No more crashing on cots or storing crates in the main chamber.
It was time the Lord's Hall actually served its name. He'd told Margaret to find sleeping space for them elsewhere — and she efficiently had. The hall was quiet now for the first time since arriving in Gravesend.
Back in the corner of the Hall, Harold finished scrolling through the last of the notifications. There was a subtle pulse beneath his skin now. His core felt deeper and sharper and he could feel the impact of his bigger mana pool.
It wasn't just quantity though, it was quality.
He'd earned several Epic perks — and he still had the one Legendary he arrived with. The two legendary ones were probably the reason he could even match that Goblin commander. As well as the mana body he had gained. He hadn't heard of that from anyone in his past life, and he still didn't know what it did exactly. He was sure the only place to get more information on it would be in the archives of the native races. He would have to wait until he could get to their cities and afford to enter. Those places weren't cheap.
He flexed his hand, and his mana answered his will.
He'd have to get back into serious training. Mastering this kind of increase in mana took time. He was leagues ahead of where he'd been when he started a month ago, and still not even close to where he'd need to be.
He sat there, feeling the subtle pulse beneath his skin, a rhythmic hum that echoed the revelry outside. The Hall seemed to resonate with energy, the green-blue light from the relic casting gentle patterns on the walls, as if alive with the collective achievements of everyone in the Landing. It was a living reminder of their progress, a beacon of hope and a testament to their hard work. Yet, as he listened to the celebration, he knew this was just the beginning. There was still so much left to do.
The Lords Hall was suffused with a rich aroma of ancient timber, the lingering warmth of a crackling fire, and the sharp, comforting scent of freshly brewed coffee. The amalgamation of these scents was the unmistakable promise of new beginnings.
The council convened for the first time in the newly refurbished Lord's Hall. No more crowded benches or makeshift side rooms. The main chamber held a long, hand-finished table—still very rough and not planed, but perfect for now. Each chair was crafted by someone from Landing; the care was clear.
At the head sat Harold, a steaming mug made from the local clay sat before him while morning sun cast golden lines across the table.
Now, the council gathered around him.
Each had an aide or two behind them now — another quiet sign that they were no longer just surviving. Progress was being made, and they were improving.
Harold didn't speak at first. He let the silence stretch for a few seconds, letting the weight of the moment settle in the wood and stone. Then he leaned forward. His voice was steady.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen." He took a sip of his coffee and smiled. "Let's get to it."
His eyes passed over each of them in turn.
"While we were gone, this place kept moving. I want to know exactly what got done, what still needs doing, and where we stand."
He looked to the left side of the table.
"Beth. Start us off."
Beth - City Planning
Beth stood smoothly, slate in hand. Her aide passed her another from behind. She nodded before speaking.
"Since you departed, we expanded the cultivated field plots by roughly four times. The tatanka helped — cleared the stumps and churned the soil. That'll give us enough food output to support the new arrivals without straining the original stockpiles once the crops have grown."
She tapped her slate.
"Major layout updates: the residential footprint has expanded westward. Still primarily shelters, but space has been cleared, and roads staked out. We've begun marking ground for a dedicated trade row and cistern. I've kept in mind to keep this area clear for the eventual expansion to the Lord's hall that will happen here when we upgrade. There have also been a couple of quests generated for adventurers to escort a surveyor toward the mountains — early aqueduct planning as the creek is quickly becoming not enough."
She paused, looking toward Harold.
"You said before to plan for the eventual city, not the town we are now. I've completed a preliminary plan for my section for your review and approval before we start implementing any long-term changes. That said, some infrastructure is always necessary, so we've already started on the aqueduct and sewer system."
"One more thing — the fence around the tatanka pasture. We rebuilt it. Larger, fully reinforced. No more rope-and-hope construction. It'll hold."
She finished her report and sat down.
Harold stayed silent, taking notes, eyes down, writing steadily.
Josh - Construction
Josh followed without prompting, his calloused hands gripping a well-worn slate.
Both of the new long halls are done. We took lessons from our early attempts and went the extra mile on the second try, throwing in beefed-up frames to support the modular interior we eventually want, some fireproofing, and drainage. You might say we built them tough, like Ford.
"We also built two more long halls. A small percentage of people are still sleeping outside, but it's because they want to — not because they have to."
"We expanded the forge to double its size for the additional capacity we needed. Built a kiln for pottery. Started planning a bathhouse fed by the creek. We should break ground on the sawmill today, and the mill next week. I've had one of the surveyors start studying the creek to see if it can be shaped into a canal, as you mentioned. Still waiting on that."
"Various minor quality-of-life projects were done at work sites. Thanks to Lira, we're finally getting enough material to sustain construction. We're almost ready to begin building the more permanent stone buildings you wanted — just waiting on your approval and for the stockpiles to grow."
He flipped his slate.
"There's a new structure going up near the supply yard — warehouse foundations. Still early stages, but we've got the stone cleared and corner posts in. Should be usable in two weeks."
Josh scratched his neck.
"You mentioned building a more formal industrial area, but I don't think we have the people or supplies to really sustain something like that yet. Maybe in a month. I've kept in mind the area you eventually want to encircle with a wall, but I think we need to expand that or plan for building smaller forts further out to protect the fields."
Harold nodded his thanks and motioned for the next.
Caldwell - Resource Management
Caldwell adjusted his glasses and stood. His slates showed tight handwriting and color-coded blocks.
"Food's stable. Between the fields, the river, and hunting, we're breaking even. A little surplus — mostly root vegetables and smoked fish. Foraging's also picking up with summer approaching."
"Wood is solid. We're starting to hit our stride there, now that we've got proper saws and tools. The tatanka made hauling possible, but there's a problem with how many we have. That's part of why we expanded the fields. Still, with their manure, we've fertilized the new plots."
"We're light on metals and specialty goods — rope, pitch, nails, oil — but production's improving and we've begun to stockpile."
He reached back. His aide handed him a small leather bag, which he passed around the table.
"I now have adequate quantities of coin minted for the Landing. Silver and gold only — no bronze yet, since Lira hasn't found a source. In place of bronze, I've created stamped chits. They've already become a kind of soft currency. People are using them to trade and barter. There's a growing market that sets up every other day in the center."
"While you were gone, I proposed a policy to the council — and we voted to allow non-essential personnel a day off on Sundays. So far, it's led to increased productivity and morale so suggest you allow it to continue. We are stable enough to allow it."
"We're still lacking in a few areas, but I believe those gaps will close once the first crops come in and things consolidate, especially the cloth, as we don't have a constant source of that."
"Overall, we've transitioned from emergency resource management to basic logistics. But we'll hit a bottleneck soon if we don't expand storage and establish a hauling network. We'll need to expand our footprint by three times. Beth has already factored that into her plan."
Harold looked up. "Thank you, Caldwell. I'm glad I reached out to you on Earth. I couldn't have done this without you."
Josh snorted, and Beth's hand lashed out as quick as a viper to smack him upside the head. The room chuckled, the formality briefly cracking.
Lira - Mining
Lira stood. She was the only one without an aide.
"With more people and the tatanka hauling loads, we've expanded the mine about two times. Having real tools was a game-changer. There's a solid iron vein — good quality, enough for a year of constant mining. I sent some of my people to scout a couple of the other dens you cleared in the area, and I believe those could also be used, but I suggest we don't for now."
"We've also expanded the area for stone extraction. That stone vein will last for years — but I don't think we want to mine there forever. We need to start surveying the mountains to the north."
She shrugged. "We're pulling good material now, but it won't last forever. We need to expand."
Harold looked up. "Thank you, Lira. We wouldn't have made the progress we have without that iron."
Hale - Army
Hale stood, posture rigid. Garrick and an unfamiliar recruit were behind him.
"Current headcount: 310 total soldiers. 142 veterans. All new arrivals have been sorted into centuries. I've selected centurions, but left promotion for your approval."
"Training began while we were gone, but without senior guidance, it was slow. I estimate a month to bring the new recruits up to standard."
"We're still using basic armor — the same they arrive with. Each legionary in the Prime Century is armed with a spear and a sword. The other centuries only have swords. No ranged weapons beyond crude javelins — and those aren't effective without real heads, though there has been some production on that, which has gone to the scouts."
"We need to develop our own ranged doctrine. Dedicated scout units, then give them time to earn perks."
"The elite Knight program is underway. I've defined standards for mana strength and quality. Then began a ranking system for the knights. For now, it's only Tier 1 to 3, but I expect to add more ranks as soldiers increase in strength with their mana quantity and control. Two soldiers meet the standard for tier 1 so far — I've left them in their units to help train others. Though there are about 40 others that can use it, but don't meet the rank 1 requirements."
"We've begun 10 km patrols, and two watchtowers are going to be surveyed to guard the approaches."
Most of this Harold already knew — the report was more for the rest of the council.
"Thank you, Hale. You've proven my confidence many times over." Harold said.
Adventurers - Mark & Evan
Mark gave a half-smile, then stood.
"Adventurer count: 269. The respawned came back — minus one perk each. Most are taking things more seriously now."
"We've started a structured mission board. Margaret's team posts quests based on town needs — hunting, gathering, and scouting. There are two quest slots that we control based on what we think needs to be done, and so far, that system has worked."
Evan added, "Small teams are mapping local mana zones. There's a pattern to spawns, but we're also seeing a drop in monster activity. Could be seasonal, or tied to the relic, or because we are taming the area."
Mark nodded. "People are jealous of the perks the campaign group earned. Most understand the risk-reward equation, but they want access to the dungeon. Two teams want to explore the other dungeon site, and ignored my warning that we wouldn't support them with a quest and that the difficulty of that dungeon was harder than the goblin one."
"The bestiary you provided yesterday is already being used,even though it is only a quarter completed. On the way here, one team was reading it, looking for perks they want to hunt down. That will be invaluable in the future, and I've instituted a policy for them, rewarding them for expanding the bestiary and adding perks they earn to it."
Harold's expression turned thoughtful, his pen still scratching.
"Thank you. Margaret?"
Margaret - Administration
Margaret stood, all business.
"We've formalized the work rotation system. Color-coded tokens, assigned crews, supervisors, and shift schedules. We're tracking general labor output and resource flow."
She flipped her slate.
"Population: 2,267 — including portal recruits and respawned adventurers. Housing is at 92% capacity."
"I've expanded my department fourfold. It's now training future administrators for our future villages. I've also contacted a former judge who's begun drafting laws. I'll have them to you for approval by week's end. There have been a couple of incidents that I have handled so far, but a judge will be needed."
She paused.
"My lord — we need to decide what kind of government this is. You're the Lord of your territory, yes. But are you a king? Do we delegate power? The Americans among us are struggling with that." As Margaret posed this question, a murmur ran through the room, accompanied by a few exchanged glances, hinting at the cultural tension just beneath the surface. "The others, especially those from outside the U.S., are a little more accepting, but there is still some pushback. There have been some complaints… but nothing major yet, and I don't expect there will be."
"Crime's low. Two thefts. One serious assault — a fight between two lumberworkers. One slept with the other's wife. They're separated now, but we had to use a healing potion to fix the worst of it."
"One last item — a priest's been asking about religion. He wants to build a church. I've denied him for now as we need other things more urgently. He's begun gathering a small following for Sunday services. Not many, but growing. Most people are too busy surviving to care."
Harold's quill finally stilled, then he set his notebook down with care and looked up. He'd have to thank Caldwell for getting it for him. They need to look into making their own; a simple ink and quill wasn't hard to make. The paper was tough to make, but maybe they could after the sawmill.
"Thank you, Margaret. You brought up several things I was already planning to address."
His gaze swept the room — across the council that had kept the Landing running in his absence.
"I know these last seven weeks have been busy. And I have each of you — and the people working under you — to thank for the progress we've made."
"The home we're building here, the future we're shaping… It's because of your effort. But—" he gave a small nod, "—I'm afraid it's about to get even busier."
He let that sink in for a moment.
"I believe we're very close to qualifying for the next upgrade — to move from village to town. The only things holding us back are the number of buildings and our food reserves. I can't see the exact thresholds; it's more of a feeling, but we're close."
He reached for his coffee, took a sip, then set it down again with a quiet clink.
"So, I'm going to begin formalizing our structure. Sections. Section heads. You'll each get specific feedback and updated priorities for your areas. We're not operating as a loose group anymore — we're a functioning government."
Around the table, some council members shifted, and a few looked nervous. But most were already reaching for slates. Aides at the back exchanged glances, readying their own styluses and parchment.
Harold continued.
"First — and to address Margaret's earlier point — let me be absolutely clear: this is a dictatorship."
He let the statement hang in the air for just a beat longer than comfortable.
"The buck stops with me. I am the Lord. It's my responsibility to ensure what needs to happen does happen — and to answer for what doesn't. But that doesn't mean I do everything alone."
"I will be delegating authority across specific sections. You've already been doing the work — now you'll do it with formalized titles and expectations. Let me be clear: the oaths you've sworn to me — and mine to you — will keep this structure honest. There will be no abuse of power. Not from above, and not from below."
His voice steadied, but didn't rise.
"We are here to serve ourselves, and by that I mean the people of the Landing. Our job is to protect them, support them, and give them the foundation for productive — and, more importantly, fulfilling — lives. What fulfillment looks like is up to them. Our job is to give them the chance to figure that out."
He paused, eyes level.
"If someone harms a citizen of the Landing — if they strike them down without cause, without due process — the response will be swift and violent. Let the world know: the people of Landing are off limits."
He let that settle for a moment before shifting tone.
"However."
His voice sharpened, not unkind, but firm.
"I will not abide unproductive citizens. No one coasts, and no one sits idle or leeches off the work of others."
"People will have to earn their citizenship. All citizens will be required to take an oath to me, just as I will swear one in return to them. We will serve each other. That bond of service will be what lifts us — and eventually, all of humanity — out of the dirt."
He let the fire behind those words cool a little before continuing.
"Our second priority is humanity."
"There are a lot of humans out there — scattered and struggling. Just during the march back, there were 5 different forum posts about settlements falling to the various monsters out there. If we can help, we will. But never at our own expense. Our first duty is to the people already under our roof."
"If private citizens want to make efforts to help others, I encourage it. But the government's duty is clear: we will care for the governed first."
His hand rested flat on the table now.
"There will be fights in our future. Real ones with real stakes. When they come, I'll need every one of you focused — pulling in the same direction. I don't want distractions and no split priorities. We move forward together."
Harold paused, letting his words settle over the council like morning mist.
Around the room, there was only the sound of quills scratching and the slow, deliberate breathing of people understanding just how much weight had shifted into the room.
Harold watched them, eyes steady. Judging their reactions. Measuring the shape of his council — and the future they'd be called to build.
The room had fallen silent again.
Harold let it sit for a breath, then two, watching the light shift across the table as the sun climbed higher. The smell of coffee, woodsmoke, and parchment hung between them. His fingers rested on his closed notebook. When he spoke, his voice was calm — but clear.
"We're not a camp anymore." He let that sink in.
"We're not a scavenger crew. Not a desperate band trying to survive one more night. We are building a state. And it's time we started acting like one."
He looked around the table.
I said earlier this was a dictatorship. That's still true. The buck stops with me. But I'm not a god. I can't be everywhere at once. And even if I could, we're growing too fast for me to do this alone.
So from this day forward, sections will have clear responsibilities. No more overlapping roles and no more patchwork solutions. This is how we ensure efficiency as we expand. Each of you is crucial in this structured approach. Own your sections and let's move forward together with purpose.
He raised one finger.
"Josh — you're officially Head of Infrastructure & Construction. You'll be responsible for what gets built and how fast. You'll oversee construction, industrial facilities, sanitation, and maintenance. You'll have your own sections and foremen under you. I don't care who you pick — just make sure they know what they're doing. If your section heads don't perform, they will be replaced. I can smell the cesspits we dug when we walk outside. Get your crap straight."
Josh sat up straighter, smiling at the small joke Harold made, already scribbling something down.
Smiling, Harold looked to Beth.
"Beth — you're Head of Urban Planning & Expansion. You'll decide where we build, and why. Zoning, layout, expansion corridors, and long-term growth. You're thinking in years, not days. Survey teams will report to you. You'll coordinate directly with Josh to make sure we aren't building ourselves into a corner."
Beth gave a small nod. She already looked like she had a dozen new map sketches to draw.
"Caldwell — you're Head of Logistics & Economy. Everything that flows through the Landing goes through your office. That includes food, tools, coins, building materials, and hauling schedules. You'll coordinate with Josh on warehouse planning and with Lira on transport. I'm sure you will build different sections under that umbrella. I'll want to approve those before you start appointing people."
Caldwell looked like he'd been expecting it. His aide just adjusted her glasses and started flipping slates.
"Lira — you're Head of Resource Extraction. That means mining, quarrying, and prospecting. You're also going to oversee hauling for anything pulled out of the ground until Caldwell's people are ready to take that off your plate. This will not include the farms."
Lira didn't nod — just gave a short grunt of acknowledgment and scratched her jaw.
"Hale — you remain Head of Milit
Hale — you remain Head of Military & Defense. You've already got Garrick and your Centurions. I want scout formations up and running. I want the Knight program formalized. And I want a doctrine we can scale with. We're going to have hundreds more coming through those portals eventually. You're the wall between this place and what's out there."
Hale didn't respond with words. He just gave a single sharp nod.
Harold turned next to the adventurers.
"Mark, Evan — you're Co-Heads of Adventurer Affairs. You'll handle the quest board, dungeon access, scouting assignments, perk tracking, and bestiary work. I want a real picture of the monster ecology within a week. You'll also be responsible for helping adventurers build themselves in a way that serves the Landing and their egos."
Mark raised an eyebrow at that, but nodded slowly. Evan just looked eager.
"Margaret — you're Head of Civil Administration. Everything from records to justice to internal security is now under your purview. You've already started training future bureaucrats — good. You'll need more. That judge you mentioned? Bring him in. We need a legal framework. I expect your first draft by the end of the week. That umbrella is broad. I want you to propose a more elaborate structure and bring it to me by the end of the week. I believe that the structure needs to be split a little more, I know that is a lot on your plate." Harold said, quickly banishing the sheepish look on his face.
Margaret looked satisfied and her aide had already opened the ledger the copy the instructions down.
"You'll also be handling cultural and religious affairs. Light touch, for now. But keep an eye on it. If it starts causing division, we'll deal with it."
He leaned back slightly, then glanced at all the aides in the room.
"Each of you — I don't care if you're new or not — you're now part of a real government. If you don't think you can handle it, now's the time to say something. Otherwise, your job is to learn fast and back up the person you serve."
Harold looked back at the council as a whole.
"We're close to qualifying as a town. When that happens, everything gets bigger."
"And once that happens, we'll find new villages. From those villages, we'll grow a chain of influence that spreads through this region like vines on stone. If we do this right, we'll be the foundation that the rest of humanity builds on."
He leaned forward again, voice lower.
"But it has to start here. With this room and this table. With every one of you taking your section and owning it."
A pause. "Any questions?"
No one spoke up.
"Ok, good, we will do this again at the end of the week, I will approve or disapprove of each of your plans, and we will go over the priorities. I need a little time to think about this."
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
The Lord's Hall was quieter than it had been all week.
Section heads and their aides had been coming and going, finalizing their proposed structures and prepping for the end-of-week meeting. It had been a busy seven days, made even busier by the arrival of another 210 people through the recruitment portal. Though the increased manpower was needed, Harold couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and unease. Thankfully, each of the growing industries gained the needed people. There was even someone who specialized in stone relief carving.
With 210 new arrivals a week, it would only grow as the village advanced. It was exactly why Harold had insisted they plan everything — and all at once.
Harold dedicated most of the week to actively engaging with the domain. He engaged people directly, strode through the fields, and conducted in-depth tours of construction sites. He evaluated what was working and what wasn't. It was an experience he seldom had, and he even ventured out to the mine for the first time to observe how Lira operated. Her organized methods there impressed him and sparked ideas for the mine's future development.
Every morning, Harold still drilled with the Army. Hale claimed the new training perk was making a visible difference, but Harold couldn't see it yet. He trusted Hale's assessment over his own when it came to the troops. Yet, during one particularly foggy morning, as the recruits lined up for their exercises, Harold couldn't help but notice a young soldier named Edwin. While the others struggled to keep pace, Edwin executed a series of maneuvers with precision and speed that caught Harold's eye. The difference between the prime century and the new ones was stark when they clashed. The difference in ability between a soldier with a successful campaign under their belt and one without was remarkable.
Evenings were for the potion students. Mana control was still the limiting factor, but slowly, his apprentices were getting better. And the ingredients coming in now gave them new options, too. He realized he would need to add a new section just for potion production. It would be a future pillar of the territory.
Now, though, the real test was the final meeting of the week.
The room still smelled of timber and stone and something herbal — likely from Harold's half-finished potion brewing in the next room.
Harold sighed, rolling his shoulder as he stepped into the main council room. These meetings drained him — politics always had—but they were vital.
The section heads were already seated around the long table, slates and notes arrayed in front of them. Aides stood or sat nearby, ready to take notes. Mugs clinked quietly on wood. When he entered, everyone stood up for him. The mark of respect was something new, and he suspected it came from Margaret or Hale. It couldnt have been Josh. For a conspiracy theorist, he didn't have a serious bone in his body.
Harold took his seat at the head of the table. A clean slate and his notebook open in front of him. He looked more rested than he had on the march, but only slightly.
"All right," he said. "You've had a week. Let's see what you've come up with."
His eyes swept the room. Then he nodded to the left.
"Beth. Let's start with Planning."
Urban Planning & Expansion
Beth stood, flipping open a bound packet of maps and diagrams as aides quietly handed smaller copies down the table.
"We're formalizing three subsections for now," she began, her tone crisp but confident. "Each one focuses on a different scale of planning."
She tapped the first page.
"Survey & Mapping"
"Mako will lead our perimeter survey subsection. She's an ex-ocean floor cartographer known for her adaptability, though she tends to work alone. She has already trained two junior surveyors, who are responsible for collecting data around the Landing perimeter under her supervision. The perks they get are interestingly related to the maps they make, being more intuitive to understand."
She flipped to the next diagram.
"Zoning & Design"
"I will directly manage the land use planning subsection, though I think most of the work will be handled by an assistant I train. This group will determine where we build and how to connect new developments, ensuring coordinated placement of roads, districts, and utility systems. Their oversight is vital as we transition from a village to a larger, more integrated community."
She turned to the final diagram and looked directly at Harold.
"Future Planning"
"Yu-Jin will head the Future Planning subsection. She is an urban designer from Seoul with experience in large-scale growth projections. Her current responsibilities include modeling layouts for post-town promotion, coordinating the placement of expanded villages, factoring in trade routes and defensive needs, and proposing specific locations for our first five satellite villages."
Beth passed a larger map down the table to Harold. He studied it for a moment before looking up.
"You're thinking ahead," he said, his voice carrying a hint of gravity, "but these sites are not approved." Beth inclined her head, accepting the correction, her eyes briefly flickering with the acknowledgment of the authority behind his words.
"Right now," Harold continued, standing as he reached for a carved wooden box beside his chair, "you're planning as if these will be villages. That's shortsighted. These aren't just outposts."
He opened the box and pulled out five carved stone markers — each shaped like a miniature obelisk. He placed the first two at the top of the map, near the western edge of the mountain range.
"These two," he said, "are our lifeline to the mountains. Future cities — not villages. They'll fuel our economy with raw materials, metals, and rare resources. More than that, they'll serve as defensive bulwarks against whatever comes through the passes. We'll need serious fortifications here."
He placed a third marker further south, near a river delta that bled into the sea.
"This one… near Dalen's Hold, is a natural trade port. There's the deep river, three tributaries, and easy access to ocean lanes. This site will become our primary trade city. It'll house our shipyards, navy, and merchant fleet one day. It's also close enough to that jungle-forest mix near the relic site — perfect for early adventurer missions and harvesting exotic ingredients."
The fourth marker went down near the lower hills to the east — close to where the legion had descended from the highlands.
"This is our breadbasket. Fertile plains, gentle hills, and its mostly already cleared. We'll base our food production here — not just for Landing, but for the whole domain. The plateau pass makes it strategic as one of the only large entrances to the Landing. We'll need to defend it."
The final marker was placed directly between the others, on the river upstream from Landing itself.
"This one connects them all," he said. "A logistical hub — warehouse districts, transportation networks, and staging grounds. Once the roads and canals go through here, we'll be able to support everything else efficiently. A large part of our future will be shipbuilding as it will be the quickest way to move men and materials around."
He stepped back and looked at Beth.
"I know some of these areas are beyond our reach right now. But that's why we start planning now. It's ambitious. But we need to get ahead as much as possible while we are not at war."
He let the words hang for a moment.
We have a few short years of peace, just like the calm that came in my last life. In those days, we underestimated the urgency, and the cost was staggering—a price we cannot afford to pay again. We must use this time wisely, or we will surely fail.
Beth studied the map again, expression tight with focus.
"Understood, My Lord."
Harold gave a small nod and smile to her, then continued:
"Your priorities are as follows:
— Begin initial surveys of each proposed village site.
— Develop scalable infrastructure plans to support future trade and supply lines.
— Refine the internal layout of the Landing, assuming a tenfold increase in population.
I'll meet with you next week to review your revisions."
Beth made a note, then sat.
As Beth sat down, Harold turned to the next section head.
Construction & Infrastructure
Josh leaned forward, ready to present.
Under Construction and Infrastructure, we have established three core operational sections. Each has an appointed lead who reports directly to me and oversees foremen and their respective crews. This division now structures the team more efficiently."
He slid a folded parchment of organizational charts and project updates down the table to Harold.
General Construction
"Led by Manny — a contractor I knew back on Earth that came with our group. He's responsible for residential structures, utility builds, and anything considered general purpose. Has three foremen under him now and is rotating crews for each job. Housing, storage sheds, kitchens, all that runs through him."
Industrial Build Team
"Ayo's in charge here. She's an engineer by trade and sharp as hell. Her whole family also came with our group. Her focus is on everything production-based — sawmills, kilns, forges, smithing stations, the warehouse, and anything we build to increase output. Her crews work longer hours than anyone and still ask for more." He said proudly.
Public Works & Engineering
"Public Works & Engineering falls under my supervision for now. This section covers drainage, road preparation, water routing, sanitation, and overall infrastructure planning. Including developing new construction methods and standards. My two senior foremen oversee six rotating crews who operate across these critical areas, though our available workforce is nearing its limit."
Josh pointed to the parchment again as Harold reviewed it.
"We've completed two new long halls. Sawmill's halfway up — we're shaping the blades and mounting the chute. Warehouse has walls and frame done, interiors are next. Bathhouse is ready to break ground as soon as I can free up one more crew. When you toured the site this week, we took your input into account and will add a building next to it to turn the sawdust chips and fibers into rough paper, so we can stop getting Caldwell to buy us some."
He tapped the table once.
"We've started shaping stone for permanent construction, but we haven't used it yet — just storing for now. Tools are holding up better thanks to Lira, but material flow still limits our pace."
Harold nodded as he read, then glanced up. "What about preparation for the expansion?"
Josh exhaled slowly.
"If you want to start building outposts or villages, we need to train people now who can run independent projects. Every section head under me is identifying three foreman candidates each who have the temperament and skills to manage new construction sites—not just building, but also managing materials, labor, and local needs. That'll give us nine. I'll want twelve total, one for each future village and some redundancy. Last time, our effort to expand our teams was strained because we didn't have enough trained leaders in place, which slowed progress significantly and highlighted the necessity of foresight in leadership."
Harold nodded. "Good. Start prepping them. Make sure they understand modular layout and can scale. What works here needs to be copied until it stops working."
"Understood," Josh said, making a note.
"Your immediate build priorities," Harold continued, "are: finish the sawmill, finish the warehouse, and break ground on the bathhouse. Once those are stable, I want two permanent stone structures started here in the Landing — one of them will be a potion workshop."
Josh raised an eyebrow. "Stone already? You sure?"
"I want the perk bonuses," Harold replied. "We'll start small. We trigger one or two early, and by the time we're scaling up, we'll have reduced costs, better yields, faster build times."
Josh grinned faintly. "Smart, all right."
"Also," Harold added, "we need to figure out concrete. Real concrete for long-term construction, bridges, and aqueducts — we'll need it. I want your team to start experimenting with lime mixes and aggregates. Talk to Lira about material availability."
Josh let out a low whistle. "Concrete huh? That's gonna be a rabbit hole."
"Better we go down it now," Harold said, "than be buried under it later."
Josh scratched his chin, already thinking. "All right. You'll have your answers."
Harold gave a small nod, flipping to a new page in his notebook.
"Next section."
Logistics & Resource Management
Caldwell stood with his usual precision, posture straight, slate in hand, glasses catching the light as he adjusted them with a crisp flick.
"My section is now split into three functional arms," he began, his voice calm and clipped.
Hauling & Transport
"Overseen by Serah. She worked for a semi fleet back on Earth that I used to contract with. She's been coordinating Tatanka loads, crew rotations, and overseeing our current wagon supply. Going forward, she'll also be responsible for vehicle construction and maintenance, and for ensuring we always have enough handlers and pack animals for any operation. She is trying to get husbandry going but having a hard time with manpower."
Storage & Inventory
"That's still under me, for now. We're using ledgers — ink, stone, and some rough charcoal rubs. Not perfect, but it works. Once we can manufacture paper reliably, I want to shift to full-scale inventory tracking by site and section, ideally including identification and tracking of key packages down the line. I was hoping you had an idea for a magical way to secure and prevent tampering to do that."
Coin, Trade & Markets
"Managed by Tomas. Former banker — came in on that second wave from the portal. He's… smug. But competent. He's been helping mint coins, issuing chits, and registering vendors. I don't like that he's getting back into what he did on Earth so quickly — but for now, we need him. Eventually, I'd like to rotate in others and break up his monopoly on trade oversight. He feels ... uncouth…"
He flipped open his slate with a practiced motion.
"Food's stable. We're beginning to see modest surpluses, mostly of dried fish, wild grains, and root vegetables. Coinage system goes live today — we've started buying back the chits we issued, which will stabilize value. There really isn't much coin available, and I wouldn't be surprised if we are still using the chits in six months. We've formalized market days — twice a week, with registered vendors operating out of the central square."
Caldwell looked at Harold.
"You want expansion? We need standardized logistics. Packing manifests. Route planning. Field depots. We're moving out of a single-settlement economy. That means complexity."
Harold nodded, tapping the notebook in front of him.
"You'll get what you need. Start with these priorities:"
"One, build our first formal supply depot at the edge of the Landing — near the forge district."
"Two, design a modular, mobile depot system that can be deployed alongside new villages and construction efforts. I want them to be able to request resupplies by token, or courier."
"Three, I want a bank built. We need a centralized, secure location for coins, records, and eventually, credit."
Four, I want a courier and relay system planned between our future cities. Communication between them all will be vital.
Five, I want a pay structure for government employees for me to approve, which, for now, is really everyone.
Caldwell's lips twitched into a rare, satisfied smile.
"Finally. A real logistics challenge."
Mining & Resource Extraction — Lira
Lira stood, her arms crossed, but her voice steady.
"Three teams in my section now."
Core Mining – Led by Garth. He said he was an ex-miner from Montana. I don't know where that is in your world. Runs the iron, stone, clay sites, and forestry sites. He has people running each of those areas for now, and he's looking at people to run those sections in each future village if needed.
Survey & Prospection – Led by Kemi. Quiet, but sharp. She's been mapping mineral signatures north of the creek bend, but we are working to get an adventurer team to take her up to the mountains. But she is training a few others how to do it in preparation for the new sites.
Heavy Haul – Tied into Caldwell's section, but I've kept ten Tatanka teams for my use only. We'll coordinate as needed. We will initially haul them to a depot where Caldwell will take possession of the material. We are getting low on Tanaka, and we will be very low when they start being tasked out so heavily. I second the husbandry program Caldwell said, for all domesticated animals for government use, and we then can sell the excess as a way for us to make money."
She leaned on the table with one hand.
"We're stable for now. But we'll be bleeding dry in a year if we don't find more iron. I want to start sending prospectors to the foothills next week."
"Do it," Harold said. "And keep Captain Hale in the loop — we'll want that area secured."
"Priorities — confirm long-term viability of current mine. Begin prospecting three long-range mining zones and draft a mining expansion plan for village two—we'll likely site that one near a natural resource hub. Build your husbandry program, you're right that it's needed."
Lira gave a curt nod. "Understood."
Military & Defense – Hale
Hale remained standing — posture sharp, expression unreadable. His voice, when it came, was steady and no-nonsense.
"The military division is now organized into five arms."
Line Infantry
"We currently have three centuries in rotation, each led by provisional Centurions. I've got candidate recommendations here—" he held up a sealed folder and passed it to Harold. "Pending your approval."
Knights
"Two current qualifiers. Mana capacity and control are the core metrics. I've initiated combat rotations focused on integrating the soldiers' mana ability, endurance, and battlefield leadership. They're training others in parallel. Our goal is for every Knight to serve as both a force multiplier and a field instructor. We saw how effective the mana abilities were on the campaign to the west."
Scouts
"Garrick has taken command of this section. It's what he did on Earth, and there's no one I trust more to shape it. He's coordinating closely with Evan's adventurer scouts to build a hybrid reconnaissance doctrine and allow people to unlock a series of general perks revolved around perception and stealth. We'll need it, especially as we extend our operational footprint."
Training Corps
"We've started internalizing recruitment. Raul — one of our summoned — is running it. He has taken a liking to Roman combat doctrine. He's efficient, brutal, and gets results."
"I'm recommending all new soldier recruits pass through his training before they're assigned anywhere — especially once we start spawning up to sixty per day across the villages."
He tapped the table once. "We'll need proper camp infrastructure near the Landing, with overflow capacity when new settlements are launched."
Engineering & Fortifications
"Currently building watchtowers. Josh's people have been a help there, especially when we need stone setting or anchoring. There are combat perks tied to fortification efforts — soldiers can earn bonuses for construction during battlefield deployments. They're not a replacement for proper construction teams, but they'll work for marching camps and temporary fortifications."
He passed Harold two more slates: one outlining a standardized Village Militia Structure, and another detailing a Civil Legion proposal for law enforcement inside settlements.
"We're going to need internal stability as we expand. The Civil Legion won't be frontliners — but they'll keep order, enforce curfews, mediate disputes, and act as r
"We're going to need internal stability as we expand. The Civil Legion won't be frontliners — but they'll keep order, enforce curfews, mediate disputes, and act as reserve security if any of the villages are attacked from within or without. We can launch a program that allows people who want to retire to do so in this structure and keep their soldier role. Then if we need to call upon reserves these will be the first people we call upon."
He met Harold's eyes.
"If you're planning to push outward, we need to be staging garrisons now. Takes at least six weeks to turn a fresh recruit into someone I'd trust to hold a gate."
Harold nodded slowly, flipping through the militia structure first.
"Understood. Here are your priorities:
One — Finalize and implement militia training protocols. Every new village will, for now, have a Century of a properly trained guard unit and a quartermaster.
Two — Identify and begin testing candidates for Knights. Maybe a try-out? Maybe we can do it on a Sunday and allow people to come watch. We'll need decentralized leadership and decision-making to be prioritized.
Three — Start selecting officers and support staff for the Training Corps. I want a formal rank structure planned for us to grow into. When the portals accelerate, we're going to drown in new recruits if we don't prepare."
Hale gave a single sharp nod in return. "On it, my Lord."
Adventurer Affairs — Mark & Evan
Mark cleared his throat and stood, giving a nod to Evan before beginning.
"Our section's breaking down into three main arms."
Quest & Board Management
"Handled by Jules. She was a project manager on Earth. Real sharp. She's been coordinating job postings, assigning field teams, keeping the mission board updated with requests from Margaret's office and citizen submissions."
Bestiary & Research
"That's Evan's domain. He's been managing monster ecology logs, tracking perks, and trying to match patterns in monster behaviors. Also collecting reports from returning adventurers on what kinds of mutations or evolutions they're seeing."
Evan spoke up, voice more casual but confident.
"Mana zone mapping is nearly done; there's been some interesting results from that."
Mark took back over.
Dungeon & Ruin Affairs
"Currently empty. But if we're serious about long-term growth, we need this staffed and running. Controlled dungeon runs are the best source of perks, relics, and rare resources. You want combat-ready adventurers? This is how we train them."
Harold leaned forward, nodding slightly.
"Understood. Here's what I want."
He raised a hand as he spoke, ticking off each priority with a measured tone.
"One — Build a standardized adventurer deployment package. When we establish a new village, I want a dedicated adventurer team assigned to it. Scouting, early protection, monster culling — they're the first boots on the ground."
"Two — Start developing a 'Problem Solver' unit. If something goes wrong — a monster terrorizing a village, something the local teams can't handle — these are the ones we send. They need to be elite, flexible, and fast."
He paused just long enough to meet both their eyes.
"Your job is to guide and grow these people. They're risk-takers, yes — but they are not expendable. Do not spend their lives lightly. We need every adventurer we have."
Mark nodded firmly. "We can do that."
Evan crossed his arms and added, "They're getting better. Some of them are starting to really buy in. They just need the structure. And the incentives."
"You'll have both," Harold said. "But they'll need purpose. You'll give it to them."
Civil Administration — Margaret
Margaret placed a thick binder in front of Harold.
"My proposed structure:"
Records & Citizenship – Run by Ismail. Tracks population, births, deaths, and oath-taking.
Labor & Rotation – Overseen by Lia. Handles token assignment and crew disputes.
Justice – Judge Menendez has taken the lead on our legal framework.
Culture & Morale – Managed by Kora. Former HR, surprisingly good with events and people management."
She didn't sit back down.
"Priorities?"
Harold leaned forward, surprised by how straightforward Margaret was.
"One — I want the first village oath and citizenship framework drafted by next week. Then, implement it as soon as possible. All the people from Earth we have now will be citizens. They helped build this place, and they earn it. Newcomers will be on a case-by-case basis, figure out that criteria."
"Two — establish mobile admin teams. When we found new settlements, I want a miniature version of your section deployed with them."
Margaret raised an eyebrow. "A traveling bureaucracy."
"An expandable government," Harold corrected. "We don't send settlers into the wild without giving them a voice. We will be rapidly growing here, and we need able administrators to make it work."
Harold stood, stretching his back with a faint crack of his spine.
"You've all done good work," he said, voice carrying the weight of both exhaustion and pride.
He looked around the table — not just at advisors, but at leaders. Men and women who had taken raw survival and begun to shape it into civilization. Each had stepped up. Each had proven themselves.
"Start grooming replacements," he continued. "When we found those first villages, I want each of you to be able to walk away from your section without it falling apart. No single points of failure."
He picked up his mug, now only warm, and took a sip.
"From here on, it only gets bigger."
As Harold spoke, the first light of dawn began to filter through the council windows, casting an invigorating glow on the faces of his assembled leaders. The soft morning light seemed a symbol of their journey ahead, illuminating the path to a future rich with promise and ambition. It was a hopeful reminder that their efforts would yield not just growth, but a thriving legacy.
"Now, some priorities for everyone moving forward."
He looked at each of them in turn as he spoke.
"First — start logging every crafter, laborer, or specialist who can manipulate their focus. If they can shape stone, command flame, manipulate water — I want their names. If they're willing to take the Oath, grant them immediate citizenship. We need as many of those types as possible. They'll speed up everything — construction, roads, defenses, farming. Every effort in the territory."
"Second — if you come across someone with common sense, someone sharp, practical, and a problem-solver — refer them to Margaret. She's got a special project I want to start soon. We need minds as much as we need hands."
Then his gaze turned to Hale.
"Hale — your boys have had their week off. Time to earn their keep."
The room quieted slightly. Everyone knew what was coming.
"Prepare the centuries for deployment. I want them to secure the proposed village sites. All monster dens cleared out to 15 kilometers before we break ground. This week, I want the area around Landing cleared to 20k. We'll hold our plateau tight. You know what to look for based on our discussions on the march back."
Harold didn't soften the order.
"I know most of them haven't been fully trained. I know this isn't ideal. But they'll learn. Trial by fire. It has to happen — we don't have time to wait for perfect."
He looked to Mark and Evan next.
"You'll support him. Treat it like a hybrid op — clear the map, log mana zones, assist where needed. Get your adventurers earning their keep."
There was a beat of silence. The table held steady. Then Hale nodded once.
"It'll be done."
Harold exhaled slowly. The hard part was beginning.
"Then we're dismissed. Get to work."