Facing Wayne's command, the giant named Red wasted no time. Within less than three minutes, he returned with a group of burly giants, all of whom knelt before Wayne, awaiting further instructions.
Wayne then led them to a flat area south of the lake below Kaer Morhen, where he intended to cultivate magic vegetables. The site was ideal—near a water source and with ample space for planting.
Once they arrived, Wayne surveyed the giants, who were mostly bare-chested, wearing nothing but a few pieces of animal skin as makeshift shorts. Dew clung to their massive bodies, and they looked a bit wild, still acclimating to their new life under Wayne's command. With a wave of his hand, Wayne produced a large pile of coats and caftans made from rough linen canvas.
The fabric was coarse and durable, initially intended for constructing tents and other industrial purposes. But now, these materials had been repurposed into clothing suitable for giants—far more practical and comfortable than the tattered, smelly animal skins they had been wearing.
"It's not much, but these clothes are yours," Wayne declared. "Work hard, and you'll earn better things in the future. You'll come to realize that raiding isn't the only way to live well. Earning your keep through honest work is the way forward."
As the saying goes, use both the carrot and the stick. While instilling fear and obedience in his subordinates was essential, Wayne knew it was equally important to offer rewards and incentives.
Red, ever the quick thinker, was the first to respond. He didn't even glance at the pile of clothes before dropping to his knees and offering heartfelt thanks. "Thank you, Master, for your generosity."
His actions set an example, and the other giants, though slower to catch on, quickly followed suit, kneeling and expressing their gratitude in a clumsy but sincere manner.
Wayne, unfazed by their rough manners, waved his hand again, and a collection of oversized farm tools appeared before the giants. These tools, custom-made to fit the giants' immense size, had consumed a considerable amount of steel and were personally designed by Wayne himself.
Seeing the tools, Red and the other giants visibly relaxed. They had been half-expecting some dangerous task, but the sight of farm equipment reassured them. Their master only wanted them to work the land—not engage in anything perilous.
Without needing further instructions, the giants, led by Red, began picking up the tools and setting to work. They started clearing the land, leveling it, and preparing the area near the water for planting crops.
However, the magic vegetable seeds—precious rewards from a master-level treasure chest—were far too valuable to be left entirely in the hands of the giants. Wayne had brought the two beautiful dryad women, Aglais and Marika, specifically for this purpose.
As Aglais held the magic pumpkin seeds that Wayne handed to her, she examined them closely, her expression one of awe. "These seeds are truly remarkable, Wayne. I can feel the strong vitality within them and their thirst for magic."
She continued, her voice filled with the gentle wisdom of her kind, "These magical plants seem to resonate with our dryad magic. Our abilities should greatly enhance their growth. However, based on our experience in planting other crops in the forest, it's crucial to select fertile soil. The seeds should be allowed to germinate before being buried, and different plants require planting in specific seasons to ensure proper growth."
Aglais spoke slowly and thoughtfully, her tone reflecting her deep connection with nature. As a healer among the dryads, she was well-versed in the intricacies of cultivation and the needs of living things.
At that moment, she was dressed in a black hunting suit made of cotton and animal skin. Despite the practical nature of the outfit, it did little to conceal her graceful figure. Even in such attire, she remained undeniably beautiful.
Marika, her partner, was dressed more for combat, wearing a suit of tough rhinoceros leather armor. She carried a longbow and a quiver on her back, with two scimitars hanging from her waist. Her sharp eyes remained vigilant, constantly scanning the working giants, clearly still wary of these beings.
Wayne listened to Aglais's advice but shook his head slightly. "We don't need to be so meticulous with these vegetables. Let me show you a different method."
With a smile, Wayne took out a single carrot seed from the bag Aglais held. He squatted down in a small patch of the freshly cleared land and buried the seed about twenty or thirty centimeters into the soil. Then, he retrieved his magic wine flask, adjusted it to dispense mana potions, and poured the blue liquid over the soil, as if fertilizing it.
The chaotic magic within a Witcher was too volatile to be used directly in nurturing growth. However, the mana potions from Azeroth contained a gentler, more harmonious magic that was perfect for encouraging the growth of magical vegetables. It was an efficient way to stimulate sprouting, a demonstration that would yield quick results.
However, Wayne knew that using such valuable resources for agriculture on a large scale would be impractical. The mana potions were far too precious for everyday farming. This method was more about showing the potential, with the hope that in the future, when more raw materials became available, lower-grade mana potions could be crafted specifically for agricultural use.
As Wayne poured the blue potion onto the soil, Aglais crouched beside him, watching with keen interest. Even Marika, despite her wariness, couldn't help but glance over, her arms folded over her chest, curiosity getting the better of her.
Wayne remained silent, patiently waiting with the two dryads as they watched the soil. He had already tested the magic seeds in a controlled environment, and the results had been exactly as described. These seeds required minimal external conditions—just being buried in soil and infused with magic was enough for them to flourish.
The bag of magic vegetable seeds contained ten different varieties: carrots, pumpkins, corn, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, peanuts, watermelons, and beets. These plants were not only capable of growing rapidly but could also produce seeds for future planting, ensuring a sustainable cycle. As long as they were tended to properly, these magic vegetables would continue to reproduce, eliminating any fear of extinction.
As expected, under the watchful eyes of Aglais and Marika, the soil where Wayne had planted the carrot seed began to stir. Within less than two minutes, a small green sprout emerged, pushing its way up through the dirt. The sprout grew rapidly, soon reaching over ten centimeters in height, its vibrant green leaves unfurling in the sunlight.
Wayne chuckled softly, satisfied with the result. He then proceeded to plant the other nine types of seeds, replicating the same process. With the help of the two dryads, they soon had over a dozen sprouts covering the small patch of farmland, using about one-tenth of the seeds in the bag.
Once the fresh green shoots covered the ground, Wayne turned to Aglais and Marika, giving them a light pat on the back. "This farmland will be your experimental field. Work on figuring out how to speed up the growth of these magic plants. Once we've established a reliable method, we can move on to large-scale cultivation."
Wayne then waved over Red, the giant leader who had been busy directing the other giants. As Red approached, Wayne introduced the two dryads. "The task of growing these magic vegetables will be yours, Aglais and Marika. Baboon and this twenty giants will be at your disposal to help transform this area into a large-scale vegetable farm."
Aglais and Marika both nodded in agreement, accepting the responsibility. This was the first significant task Wayne had entrusted to them, and they were eager to prove themselves. Baboon, understanding his role, quickly knelt before the dryads, showing his respect for his new leaders.
With the arrangements for the giant village and magic vegetable cultivation made, Wayne made his way to the magic node situated in the mountains behind Kaer Morhen. There, he found Triss, dressed in her elegant purple gown, deeply engrossed in studying the Magic Array Wayne had given her.
When Triss noticed Wayne's arrival, she looked up, the frown she'd been wearing easing into a smile. "Wayne, this magical artifact you found is truly extraordinary," she said, her voice filled with a mixture of admiration and awe. "It's even more powerful than the enchantments at Aretuza, where I studied."
"I've been studying it for a while now, but its principles still elude me. However, with the help of the auxiliary intelligence, I've been able to figure out some basic-level applications."
Triss continued, her tone becoming more analytical. "With the current magic power supplied by this node, we can activate about forty percent of the array's capabilities. This would allow us to create a Mystique Lock covering a fifty-kilometer diameter."
"Within this area, we can block all teleportation spells and establish a powerful barrier that prevents unauthorized creatures from entering. For any enemies we identify within the boundary, the array can suppress their powers, cut off their magic supply, and reduce their strength by half or more. It's an incredibly potent defensive measure."
She placed a hand over her chest, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. "In short, within this barrier, we would be nearly invincible. Other spellcasters would find themselves powerless, as if their abilities had been completely sealed."
Wayne nodded, stepping closer to Triss. As his most trusted sorceress, Triss had been given a secondary control ring with the second-highest authority over the Magic Array. When Wayne wasn't around, she was the one responsible for maintaining the array.
Wayne knew just how powerful this magical artifact was. Even in the world of Faerûn, it was considered an extremely powerful tool—one capable of turning the tide of any battle. Some of the highest-level Mystique Locks were even rumored to be able to imprison gods.
Gently, Wayne stroked Triss's long red hair and asked, "How long do you think it will take to fully activate it? Now that we have this array, we can put the tracking devices for the giants on hold, freeing up your time for other matters."
"I don't plan to send the giants out in large numbers anytime soon."
Triss held Wayne's hand against her chest, sighing softly. "I'm not entirely sure. As a sorceress, I'm still relatively young and inexperienced."
"It's a shame that this magical equipment is so powerful and valuable. If other sorcerers learned of its existence, they would undoubtedly covet it. We must keep this a secret."
She leaned her head on Wayne's shoulder, a mix of pride and frustration in her voice. "I don't know what world you managed to find such a treasure in, but it must have been no easy feat."
"Give me a month. If I can't figure it out by then, I may have to consult with our principal, Margarita, or even the former principal, Tissaia."
Wayne smiled and kissed Triss on the cheek, offering her encouragement. "I believe in you."
"There's no need to rush. Even if it takes three months or half a year, it's worth getting it right."
"And as the chief sorceress of our Witcher Order, I'm giving you the authority to recruit other sorcerers."
"You can recommend some trustworthy ones to me. Perhaps you could even establish a sorcerer's academy of your own."
"You are someone I trust, and I want you to have the freedom to pursue your ideas," Wayne said sincerely.
Triss was deeply moved by Wayne's words. Living in a time where male dominance was the norm, and women's status was often low, even for those with power like sorceresses, finding a partner who supported her ambitions was a rare and precious gift. Despite their magical abilities, sorceresses were still subject to slander, disdain, and exclusion by men. The fact that Wayne not only supported her but also encouraged her to pursue her own career and ideas made her feel truly fortunate.
Over the next half a month, significant progress was made under Wayne's leadership. The giants, fully aware of Wayne's authority, refrained from causing any trouble and followed Berengar and the two dryads' guidance diligently.
Both the magic vegetable plantation and the giant village developed rapidly. The experimental magic vegetable field, nurtured by Aiglais's magic and the frequent use of Druidic plant growth spells, yielded astonishing results. In just over two weeks, the magic vegetables had matured.
These were no ordinary vegetables. The magic-infused plants grew to enormous sizes: corn cobs half a meter long, potatoes the size of pumpkins, fist-sized peanuts, and pumpkins as tall as a human. It was as if each vegetable had been magnified ten or twenty times its original size, reminiscent of the legendary vegetables from the Kingdom of Giants. While the number of vegetables produced was similar to that of ordinary crops, their size meant that the yield was exponentially greater.
The taste of these magic vegetables, however, left something to be desired. Perhaps due to their rapid growth, the flavors lacked the depth and harmony found in traditionally grown vegetables. Nevertheless, they were more than adequate as a food source—nutritious and plentiful, if not particularly gourmet.
Meanwhile, under Berengar's guidance, the Giant Village had completed the construction of dozens of wooden houses and the necessary facilities. With proper housing in place, the giants were now able to turn their attention to other tasks. Some were assigned to assist in the transformation and repair of Kaer Morhen, while others were sent to fish, cut firewood, and mine.
The influx of giant labor had brought new life to Kaer Morhen. The fortress was not only being restored to its former glory but was also becoming a self-sufficient stronghold.