As morning came, the village that once felt empty now looked vibrant, with the new homes giving it a renewed sense of purpose. Robert woke up, eager to see how many people would be drawn to his village after the treasure hunt's reward. The smell of fresh pinewood filled his nostrils as he stepped outside, the cool morning air bracing him awake. His mind buzzed with thoughts of how lively the village would become with more residents. The possibilities filled him with a sense of pride and anticipation.
As he walked through the village, he noticed the subtle signs of life taking root. The newly constructed homes, their wooden frames still fresh, stood like sentinels, waiting to be filled with families and laughter. Birds chirped from the treetops, their melodies mingling with the distant sounds of the river. Robert couldn't help but smile at the transformation; it was a far cry from the desolate settlement he had first encountered.
He made his way to the summoning altar, the centerpiece of his growing domain. The ancient stone structure hummed with an arcane energy, its surface etched with runes that glowed faintly in the morning light. Summoning had become a ritual for Robert, a way to reinforce his strength and secure the village's future. Today, he felt particularly hopeful—perhaps the altar would grant him the troops he needed to truly fortify his defenses.
With a deep breath, he activated the altar, watching as the air around it shimmered and pulsed. Slowly, nine figures emerged from the mist, their forms solidifying into soldiers ready for battle. Three scouts, their eyes sharp and their movements swift, and six spearmen, their weapons gleaming in the early light. Robert observed them carefully, noting how the ratio of troops seemed to vary with each summoning. It made it difficult to predict the forces he could muster in the future, but it also kept things interesting.
"Follow me; we've got lots of work to do," Robert commanded, his voice steady and authoritative. The newly summoned troops fell in line behind him, marching with a disciplined precision. He led them to where Sabas and the other soldiers were gathered, their presence a reassuring constant in the village. The older troops greeted the newcomers with a mixture of camaraderie and quiet respect, the bond between warriors unspoken but understood.
Robert checked the level of his new soldiers, noting that all of them were bronze-tier, the lowest level in the hierarchy. It was a start, but he knew they needed to grow stronger. The original five soldiers, including Sabas, had their progress bars filled, ready for an upgrade. With a quick command, Robert initiated the leveling process. The five began to glow, their bodies enveloped in a warm, golden light. As the light faded, they reappeared with new armor and weapons, their presence exuding the confidence of seasoned veterans. Robert felt a surge of pride; having higher-tier troops at his command filled him with confidence. He was more prepared to face whatever threats might lurk in the shadows.
"I think it's time for a little infiltration mission," Robert mused aloud, his eyes narrowing in thought. "I want to see how fast those pesky critters can replace their ranks." The goblins had been a constant nuisance, and it was high time Robert got a better understanding of their capabilities.
On the surface, Sabas seemed like the best choice to lead the mission. He was a strong, capable warrior and had earned his place as one of Robert's most trusted soldiers. However, Robert knew that espionage required a different skill set—one that Thabis possessed in abundance. Thabis, with his cunning and experience in covert operations, was the perfect candidate for the job.
"Thabis," Robert called, turning to the seasoned scout. "Take the other scouts and monitor all their movements. I want to know everything—their food source, their numbers, even their breeding habits. Every detail counts."
Thabis nodded, a glint of determination in his eyes. "Understood, my lord. I'll gather the necessary information and report back as soon as possible."
Without another word, Thabis took command of the scouts and set off toward the goblin base, his steps light and purposeful. Robert watched them go, his thoughts already shifting to the next task at hand. He turned to Sabas, his voice firm as he issued the next set of orders.
"Sabas, I want four groups of five to secure the perimeter. Be on the lookout for any refugees or potential threats. We can't afford any surprises."
Sabas saluted sharply, his expression serious. "Consider it done, my lord."
With the foundation laid for the day's tasks, Robert allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. The village was growing, and so were its defenses. But there was still much to do. He would spend the rest of the day trading and gathering information from other lords. The world was vast, and knowledge was power. If he could learn from the experiences of others, he might find a way to secure the future of his village even further.
Dismissing himself from the troops, Robert headed for the village hall, the heart of his burgeoning domain. As he entered his room, he felt a wave of comfort wash over him. The room was simple but functional, a stark contrast to the primitive conditions of the tribal house he had once lived in. This room, with its sturdy wooden furniture and warm hearth, felt like a luxury.
But there was no time to bask in comfort. Robert quickly set aside his personal feelings and opened the lord chatroom. It had been a while since he'd checked in, and the messages piled up like a flood, threatening to drown him mentally.
[Today I got a message from my beautiful elven ladies. You scum wouldn't know anything about that.]
[Please, brother, share your secrets. I've never even touched a girl's hand before.]
[Who let the loser into the chat again? Please, dear god, can we moderate this trash?]
[I just completed a quest and got a silver-tier domestic hero. I love this new update.]
[Shut up, you loser. Moderate your mother.]
Robert wasn't surprised that the chat was filled with nonsense. A bunch of kids had also been transported to this new world, and the chat often descended into pointless bickering. Sifting through the messages, he found little of value, confirming his suspicion that today was not the day for any significant revelations.
Deciding not to waste any more time, Robert headed to the market interface. Perhaps he could find some deals that would help improve the village's security. The market was bustling with activity, lords from all over trading resources, weapons, and information.
[FlyingDragon: Selling 5 units of wood for every unit of meat. First come, first serve.]
Robert's eyes lit up at the opportunity. Wood was always in demand, and his village could never have enough of it for future expansions and repairs. He quickly started a conversation with the lord.
[Robert: I have 7 units of delicious crab meat.]
[FlyingDragon: Yes, let's not waste time. Make the trade.]
A smile spread across Robert's face as 35 units of wood landed in his inventory. It was a small victory, but every bit of material counted. Having these resources on hand gave him a sense of security, knowing he could handle unexpected repairs or construction needs. Of course, he was careful not to trade away too much food. With the potential arrival of new citizens, wasting his food reserves for wood that didn't offer immediate use would be a dangerous move.
Despite his successful trade, a nagging thought lingered in Robert's mind. His lack of combat experience was becoming increasingly apparent. He had the strategic mind, the leadership skills, but in a direct confrontation, he knew he would be outmatched. He needed a teacher—someone who could hone his abilities and prepare him for the challenges ahead. Sabas was a capable commander, but his teaching methods left much to be desired. Robert hoped that in the coming days, someone with the right skills would arrive in the village, someone who could train him in the art of combat.
As he pondered his next move, Robert heard footsteps approaching. He quickly closed the market panel and turned to face the soldier who entered his room.
"My lord," the soldier said, his voice urgent. "A group of 40 people have been found wandering south of us, near the beach."
Robert's heart quickened at the news. New arrivals meant more hands to build and defend the village, more potential citizens to help his settlement grow. Hiding his excitement, he asked, "Did you escort them here?"
"Yes, my lord. They should arrive any minute now," the soldier replied, his tone filled with relief.
Robert wasted no time, heading outside to greet the newcomers. He could barely contain his eagerness as he waited, the minutes stretching on longer than they should have. Finally, he saw them—four soldiers escorting a group of battered, weary people. They looked like they had been through hell, their clothes torn and dirty, their faces pale and gaunt.
"Thank you for taking us in," said the man who appeared to be the leader of the group, his voice shaking with exhaustion. "I thought we were going to die out there—first the storm sinks our ship, then we get stranded in this strange place." He paused, taking a shaky breath. "I'm sorry for going on this rant, but I feel like my life is over."
"No need to worry," Robert said, his voice firm yet compassionate. "I will do my best to accommodate and protect you. As long as you're loyal and productive, you can call this place home."
The man looked up at Robert with a mixture of gratitude and disbelief. "Thank you...thank you so much," the man stammered, his eyes welling up with tears. "We thought no one would take us in."
Robert nodded, understanding the weight of the man's relief. "Come, we'll assign you homes and prepare some food for you. You all must be starving."
The group followed Robert to the village hall, their footsteps dragging with exhaustion. As they walked, Robert couldn't help but notice the haunted expressions on their faces, the way they clung to each other for support. These people had been through a lot, and it would take time for them to adjust to their new lives here.
Inside the village hall, Robert led them to the meeting room, a large, open space with wooden tables and benches. The air inside was warm, the scent of fresh bread and stew wafting from the kitchen nearby. Robert knew it would take him forever to interview and assign homes to each of them individually, so he decided to delegate the task to someone who could handle it efficiently.
Turning to the leader of the group, Robert spoke. "I'll start with you. Tell me your name, age, and expertise."
"My name is Eugene," the man replied, straightening up despite his fatigue. "I'm 50 years old, and I was the navigator on the ship."
Robert's mind began to turn with possibilities. "Well, Eugene, your first task is to identify these people, learn their skills, and group them based on compatibility. We need to make sure everyone is placed where they can be most effective."
Eugene looked surprised at first, but then a sense of purpose seemed to settle over him. "Yes, my lord. I'll get started right away."
"Good," Robert said, patting Eugene on the shoulder. "And don't worry—we'll make sure you and your people are well taken care of. You're safe here."
Leaving the room, Robert felt a sense of satisfaction. The addition of 40 new subjects raised his population to 70—two-thirds of what was needed to level up his village. The growth was steady, and each new face brought him closer to his goal.
Outside the hall, Robert met up with Sabas to discuss the situation with the troops and their living arrangements. Together, they decided to reserve two of the new homes and the hall as temporary sleeping quarters for the soldiers. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it would do for now until they could construct proper barracks.
"How are the new recruits settling in?" Robert asked as they walked through the village.
"They're eager to prove themselves," Sabas replied, his voice steady. "The level-up has given them a boost in morale, and they're ready for whatever comes next."
Robert nodded, pleased with the report. "Good. We'll need that spirit in the days to come."
As they continued their patrol, Robert's thoughts turned to the future. He had done well to secure the village and gather resources, but he knew this was only the beginning. The world outside his small settlement was vast and filled with dangers. Goblins, rival lords, and other unknown threats loomed on the horizon, each one a potential challenge to his growing empire.
But Robert was not one to shy away from a challenge. He had come too far to let fear or uncertainty hold him back. With each day, his strength grew, his influence spread, and the foundation of his kingdom solidified.
He would train, he would learn, and he would conquer. And when the time came, he would face whatever threat emerged with the full might of his village behind him.
For now, though, he focused on the present—on building, on preparing, and on ensuring that every citizen, soldier, and ally knew that this village was not just a place to survive but a place to thrive.
And so, with the sun setting over the horizon, casting long shadows across the village, Robert continued his work, driven by the promise of what was yet to come.