The altar with the golden owl statue began to glow. Aiken put his hand on the bird. He received a notification.
[As a courtesy for successfully establishing a Domain, Zeus wishes to reward you with two accommodations. Having your land so bare is unfitting of your title. Do you accept Zeus's goodwill?]
[Yes / No]
Aiken naturally accepted.
[Select two from the following list: Ruler's Castle, Private Bazaar, Wooden Fence, Basic Blacksmith Forge, Buffet Hall, Public Bath, Lumberjack Axe, Stone Depot, Fertile Land, Public Housing, Barracks.]
Aiken took his time to learn about each option.
Ruler's Castle: An important structure in your Domain. In addition to being your main residence, It also hosts your Domain's altar. The Ruler's Castle automatically evolves with your Domain.
Cost to Build: 200 wood, 50 stone.
Private Bazaar: A market only accessible by the ruler of the domain. Olympian Coins and Notes are the main currency for trading.
Cost to Build: 50 wood, 15 stone.
Wooden Fence: A simple wooden structure around your Domain. It won't protect you from an enemy invasion but should keep rabbits and squirrels out.
Cost to Build: 300 wood
Basic Blacksmith Forge: A simple workshop needed to create tools and weapons.
Cost to Build: 30 wood, 10 stone.
Blueprint Required
Buffet Hall: What would your Domain be without a place to feed your residents?
Cost to Build: 40 wood, 15 stone.
Blueprint Required.
Public Baths: Unless you want your residents doing their business all over your Domain and smelling like stinky tofu, you better build public baths.
Cost to Build: 10 wood, 10 stone.
Blueprint Required
Lumberjack Axes: With these axes, your daily wood collection increases to 15 wood per person.
Cost to Build: 10 wood, 2 stone.
Stone Depot: Increases the daily collection of stone to 5 per person.
Cost to Build: 15 wood, 10 stone.
Fertile Land: Produce about 1500 Food per acre.
Conditions: You must buy seeds and plant them on a semiannual basis. It would take 6 months for your crop to grow.
Public Housing: A great ruler doesn't let his/her people sleep outside. A public housing can host up to 20 residents.
Cost to Build: 50 wood, 25 stone.
Blueprint Required
Barracks: Your residents will leave your territory if they don't feel safe. A great ruler needs strong soldiers at his/her command to protect the people. The barracks allow you to train your residents to become soldiers.
Cost to Build: 150 wood, 60 stone.
Blueprint Required
You know which ones to choose, right? Hades's gift asked.
"I choose the Ruler's Castle and the Private Bazaar."
Good choice!
A golden light appeared and covered the area where Aiken was standing. After a few seconds, he was inside a wooden structure. Shortly after, he received a notification.
[The Ruler's Castle's construction has been completed.]
However, the light didn't disappear. A small room was added in the Ruler's Castle.
[The Private Bazaar's construction has been completed.]
A smile appeared on Aiken's face as he received another notification.
[Your Domain has taken its first step to becoming a great empire. However, a territory without residents is nothing more than a desolate land. Zeus sent ten residents to Arcadia Hamlet. They are waiting for you to welcome them in your newly created Domain.]
[Arcadia Hamlet Population: +10]
"Sir Ajax, We just gained more residents. Let's go welcome them." Aiken said to his hero.
They went to the border of his territory and saw ten people waiting for them. There were seven men and three women. Aiken thought he would get robust and strong individuals since Zeus sent them. So, he was disappointed to see the skinny figures. He welcomed them nevertheless. With the colossal Ajax by his side, the newcomers showed him the utmost respect.
"Sir, we are wanderers, seeking a place to call home. Please take us in. We are good workers." One of them said.
"I'm the ruler of this land. And behind me is Ajax, The Great, my right hand."
The newcomers greeted them again and introduced themselves.
"Arcadia Hamlet is happy to have you. It is a new village in need of capable people. You will be treated well as long you work hard and participate in the development of this territory." Aiken added.
"We will work hard, lord." The newcomers said.
"Very well. Let's go back to my residence."
Aiken took them to his modest castle. He put them in one empty room and left them with some food. On the way to the castle, he had heard several stomach growls. The wanderers did their best to hide it and embarrassment could be read on their faces. But none of them spoke up to ask for food. Aiken liked their attitude. From his experience, those asking for something without giving anything in return aren't worth his trust. After temporarily accommodating the newcomers, he went to the golden owl statue with Ajax.
He put his hand on the bird and thought about his territory. A map of his Domain was displayed on a nearby wall through the owl's eyes.
"Sir Ajax."
"Yes, my lord."
"Please memorize the boundary of the domain."
"It's done, my lord." The man from the Island of Salamis replied after a moment.
"I don't know what's lurking outside our border. I want you to go check it out. If you find any beasts and bandits, get rid of them. If you encounter some wanderers, you can offer them to come to the village."
"Very well!." Ajax replied before taking his leave.
Once outside, the hero summoned his mount, a Salamis Saddlebred Horse. The black horse was almost as intimidating as its rider. Its taut and powerful muscles were bulging. Ajax gently patted it before ordering him forward on a trot.
Back at the Ruler's Castle, Aiken was still interacting with the golden owl statue. It was his only tool to get information about his domain.
[Domain: Arcadia Hamlet]
[Ruler: Godslayer]
[Population: 12/300]
[Daily Immigration: 15 people]
[Domain Area: 5000 acres]
[Resident's Satisfaction Index: 60]
[Army: N/A]
[Domain's Treasury: 200 Olympian Coins]
[Godmother Athena Blessings:]
[+50% in Daily Immigration]
[+40% in Crops Production]
[+25% chance of attracting Special Ones]
Aiken was thrilled with the blessings.
Athena is one of the best gods to choose as a godparent. Hades's gift told him.
I know. Back then when I played the game, the ones choosing Athena had some big accomplishments.
This time around, you will be the one dominating the game.
That's the plan.
What do you plan to do with your resources?
Aiken looked at the storage ring on his index finger. He had stored the resources he received from the sac of goods in there. The residents needed a daily intake of 1 food per person. Aiken still had 5490 Food, 550 Wood, 550 Stone, and 100 Olympian Ore.
It seems like a lot, but you aren't going far with that. Hades's gift said.
I know. You're not helping.
Aiken needed food to feed his people. Even if he purchased seeds and grain now, he still had to wait six months to harvest. During that time, he would have to come up with another way to get food. He may have more than enough food to feed his current residents now, but his population will be growing every single day. His resources will dramatically decrease.
You'll have to sell some resources to get food.
Don't you have access to some information to easily get food?
I don't.
You're a bit useless.
Lord Hades never said it'd be easy. I don't have the answers to everything.
Aiken also thought about selling resources for food. However, it will impede his Domain's growth. It would take him longer to build new structures on his territory if most of his resources went to buy food.
You must get the wooden fence, public baths, and buffet hall.
Aiken agreed with his helper. Investing in fertile lands now felt like a waste as he couldn't reap the benefit immediately. The fence would provide minimal security. The baths would keep his territory clean and decrease the chance of diseases spreading. His residents would be able to eat at the Buffet Hall. He felt like those three things should be his main priority.
Moreover, he also wanted to start on the lumberjack axes, the public housing, and the stone depot. Training soldiers didn't feel urgent at the moment. His population was only 12 people. Ajax can be a one-man army for now. He felt better upon deciding on a plan.
Aiken left the altar and went to see the residents. They had finished eating and were talking among themselves. When their lord entered the room, the conversation immediately died down, and they greeted him.
"How are you feeling?" Aiken asked.
"Much better, lord. Thank you again for the food." An old woman who seemed to be their leader replied.
"Good. What did you guys do before becoming wanderers?" He asked.
Aiken was curious if any of them had some talents that could be useful in developing his territory.
"I used to be a chieftain. But my village was attacked last month. A few of us were able to escape. However, life in the wild is harsh. We are the only ones left."
Oh, a village chieftain. Check out her stats. Hades's gift proposed.
"I'm sorry for your loss," Aiken replied to the woman before checking her stats.
As the Ruler of a Domain, he can access the stats of any of his residents.
[Name: Ketara Naan]
[Special One]
[Affiliation: Arcadia Hamlet Resident]
[Class: Public Servant]
[Trust: 65]
[Leadership: 25]
[Agility: 5]
[Constitution: 8]
[Intelligence: 50]
[Strenght: 6]
[Note: She once led a village as the chieftain. In addition to being a leader, she is also knowledgeable in farm management and husbandry.]
Not bad. She's a special one. Quickly check the others too. Hades's gift encouraged.
Aiken also looked at the other stats. There were two builders, Ludo Naan and Branor Naan. The rest were farmers.
"Ludo Naan, take six people and start building a fence around the village."
"Yes, my lord."
Don't waste your time with the simple fence. Double the resources and build a heavy wooden fence. Hades's helper said to Aiken.
I can do that? But it's not one of the options.
That's because you're domain is still new. You will only get a list of structures according to your current development. But that's why you have me… To give you these kinds of tips.
So, it'll take 600 Wood. I don't have enough.
Then you must collect more to be able to complete the fence.
"Branor, take the remaining people with you to build lumberjack axes. Then start collecting wood with it."
He provided Branor with 10 Wood and 2 Stone. He then gave 500 Wood to Ludo to start on the fence. His remaining wood was 40, and he had 548 Stones left.
"Ludo, I will give you 100 additional Wood once we've collected enough. Make sure you use all 600 Wood to build the fence."
"It will be constructed as you ordered, my lord."
"Very well. You may go now."
They all left the castle and got to work.
Tell me more about those hidden structures I'm not seeing.
As you develop your territory, you will able to upgrade some structures. But those remained hidden until the game decided you've advanced enough to get them. But you can build most of them anytime as long as you have the required resources.
I see. It's good to know.
Aiken was happy about the information he received. Hades's gift wasn't so useless after all. With it, he can better plan the development of his Domain.