Aiken woke up early the next morning. Ajax was already up practicing his swordsmanship. The hero stopped his series of movements when he saw the young man.
"Greetings, my lord!"
"You're up early."
He nodded.
"While others are still dreaming, you can work to make your dreams come true," Ajax said. "My father used to say that to me." He added.
"I agree," Aiken answered. "We're getting new residents today. Let's go welcome them."
"Yes, my lord."
Ajax summoned his mount while Aiken walked to his horse tied to a nearby tree. The two men rode together to the skirt of the hamlet. Fifteen people were waiting behind the fence. Aiken opened the heavy wooden door and welcomed them in. He received a notification.
[Arcadia Hamlet Population: +15]
"Good morning. I'm the lord of this land. Welcome to Arcadia Hamlet."
The newcomers greeted him in turn. Aiken was a bit pleased about this group. Two of them were well-built with a large frame. They looked strong. The rest was as skinny as his first residents. There were 11 men and 4 women.
With Ajax, he guided them back to the castle. They found the other residents in front of the castle. Aiken announced the newcomers as new residents. They were warmly greeted. He was pleased to see everyone getting along.
You have more labor to put to work. Hades's gift said.
Aiken ignored the comment and addressed his residents.
"First, let's eat."
He took out 30 Food from his storage ring and distributed it. A unit of Food was enough to fill up an average person for a day. The ruler of Arcadia Hamlet waited for everyone to finish eating before addressing them again.
"We still have work to do. The fence needs to be finished. I hope we can complete it today. We still need to be collecting wood. And finally, we need to build Public Housing for everyone to be comfortable. The castle is too small to accommodate all of us. I hope everyone gives their best."
"Yes, lord!" His residents answered in a loud voice.
Aiken nodded. He noticed a blacksmith and another builder among the new residents by checking their status. Mati was the blacksmith's name. He was short but sturdy. He had short black hair and inquisitive brown eyes. The new builder's name was Jarl. He was taller than Mati and also well-built.
Aiken put him in charge of building 2 sets of Public Housing. He gave him the blueprint as well as 100 Wood and 50 Stone. He also provided him with manpower. All the people who came with him were under his leadership to build the houses. Godslayer received two notifications.
[Jarl is happy with the responsibility you entrusted him with.]
[Jarl's Trust: +5]
"There are more structures to build once the houses are finished," Aiken said to the man.
"I'll do my best, my lord."
Aiken nodded. The Buffet Hall was on his list next. Once everyone left to do their task, Aiken was alone with Ajax.
"What shall I do, my lord?"
Aiken thought for a moment.
It'd be nice to have some domesticated animals. Hades's gift suggested.
Aiken didn't find it to be a bad idea.
"The boar you killed yesterday… Do you think you can find more of them?" He asked his hero.
"Hmm, I only met that one by coincidence. I'm sure there are more of them in the forest. What's in your mind?"
"If you can bring a few, we can raise them."
Ajax's eyes widened a little as he understood his lord's intention.
"It's a good idea, my lord. I'll search for those boars and bring some with me."
"Excellent! I'll be waiting for you."
Ajax said his goodbye, summoned his mount, and left.
What will you do now? Hades's gift asked. I want to see some action. You should go hunt to gain some experience.
If I was a regular player, I would. But as the Ruler of a Domain, I cannot think like most players. I need to focus on my territory.
So what will you do?
I'll make sure my residents have a positive view of me.
He mounted his horse and wandered the hamlet. He went to check on each group's progression and would often help as well. They were all happy to see him. The heavy wooden fence will be completed soon. The main gate had been built. Aiken even requested them to engrave the territory name, Arcadia Hamlet, on a wooden board that they hung above the door. The wood collection team was also doing a good job. Jarl and his team were also off to a good start. One house's foundation has been laid and the walls were being built.
Ajax came back right before sunset. He looked disappointed.
"I couldn't find any boar."
Aiken could feel the glumness in his voice.
"It's alright. I'm sure we'll have better luck next time."
One of the public houses was finished by dark, and they even started on the other one. Aiken was pleased. Twenty people will sleep comfortably tonight. The remaining will have to stay in the Ruler's Castle until they finish the other house. Over the next five days, the heavy wooden fence, 5 more public housing, the Buffet Hall, Public Baths, the Stone Depot, and the Basic Blacksmith Forge were built.
With ten people to collect Wood and Stone every day, Godslayer's domain generated 150 Wood and 50 Stone a day. He had gained 75 more residents, bringing the total to 105 people. Ajax came back one day from his usual trip outside the border of the territory with two swords. According to him, he took the weapons from some bandits he killed. He gave the weapons to Aiken. The latter examined them.
Basic Iron Sword 1
Sharpness: 20
Hardness: 25
Basic Iron Sword 2
Sharpness: 25
Hardness: 20
How can you call these swords? You can't even shave yourself with them. Hades's gift commented.
Aiken ignored the sarcasm. The two weapons will allow him to practice his dual-wielding skill combined with his swordsmanship. He would practice the whole morning, then wander the territory to check on the progression of each team's work. At the end of the seventh day on Pangea, he gathered Ajax, Ketara Naan, Ludo Naan, Branor Naan, Mati and Jarl. They all sat in the main room of the Ruler's Castle.
"I gathered you here to discuss the development of our village. You've all done excellent work. I wanted to congratulate you again." Aiken said.
You mean you want to sweet talk them so they can work even harder for you. Hades's gift said to him.
Aiken ignored the comment.
"Thank you, my lord." His audience said in unison.
"As of tonight, we have 5085 Food, 750 Wood, 586 Stones, and 100 Olympian Ores. The only resources we are producing ourselves are Wood and Stones, with respectively 150 and 50 a day. Our population is now 105 people. We have 7 Public Housing, hosting 20 residents each. Myself and Sir Ajax live in the castle. So 103 people occupy the public housing. There is still space for 37 people." Aiken explained.
"But we're getting residents every day," Ketara said.
Aiken nodded.
"Indeed. Our immigration rate is 15 people a day. We will run out of room in three days. But now, it takes a day to complete the construction of one Public Housing. During the next three days, I want three more Public Housing built. It will bring our capacity to host to 200 residents, an increase of 60. We will gain 45 residents over that period."
"There would still be space for 82 people," Branor said.
Aiken nodded again.
"We won't have to worry about building more houses for five days." He added.
Everyone agreed.
"Over the next three days, I also want us to start building a harbor, a ship, and barracks."
And a temple. Hades's gift said to him.
A temple? He asked.
Yes!
But I didn't find a blueprint for a temple in the Bazaar.
That's because it qualifies as a special building. You won't find the blueprint in the market. It only gets rewarded for completing specific tasks.
What tasks?
No idea.
So you're useless after all.
Watch your tongue. Lord Hades didn't get information about the tasks, but HE was able to get the blueprint.
You mean, you have the blueprint?!
Hehe, I'm not so useless after all, am I?
I guess not. Can you give me the blueprint?
Of course.
Aiken felt a warm sensation in his brain. A few seconds later, the knowledge of the blueprint came to him. A smile appeared on his face. His audience looked at him, then looked at each other, trying to understand what was going on with their lord. Aiken cleared his throat.
"I was just thinking it's time our village gets a temple."
"A temple? I thought only priests knew how to design one." Mati said.
"I know how to build one. I will draw the blueprint. Our land is under the goddess Athena's protection. It's only natural to build a temple to show our faith and gratitude to the goddess by going praying there."
Nice speech. I almost believe you. Hades's gift said to him.
"The Lord is right. We mustn't neglect the goddess Athena. SHE is benevolent, but we must show our faith in HER." Ajax said.
Everyone nodded with determination.
I can't believe they were so easily convinced. What a bunch of simpletons! Hades's gift lamented.
Why do you care about what they believe? Don't you want the temple built?
You have a point there.