In the early morning light, Robin prepared for his day with Aria by his side. Dressed in a small maid uniform, she carried a basket filled with snacks from the royal kitchen. Robin's focus was set on creating farmland in the mountains, envisioning the resources it could bring to his kingdom.
"Can I still use the life energy at a high level, Malsa?" he asked, his voice filled with quiet determination.
"Yes, you can, master," Malsa replied, her tone surprisingly warm and less mechanical than usual.
A royal chariot awaited them, accompanied by four soldiers. In the palace, Robin's transformations had become accepted; some even saw him as a divine child. He gathered a sword and some basic farming tools—a hoe and an axe—and, along with Aria, took his seat in the chariot. Aria sat across from him, hands clasped tightly, her silence marked by a lingering fear.
"Aria," Robin called softly, and she looked up, her gaze cautious. "You don't need to be afraid. From now on, you are one of my people. Tell me if you have any problems."
"Yes, your highness," Aria replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Robin smiled, gently patting the seat beside him. "Come, sit here with me." He took the basket and offered her some snacks. The flavors were bland, lacking the richness and variety Robin had hoped for. It only deepened his desire to expand the kingdom's agriculture. The royal diet relied heavily on meat, honey, and a few seasonal fruits, but with proper farming, he believed they could bring new tastes and sustenance to the people.
Determined, he looked out toward the mountain, envisioning the fertile land he would cultivate to enrich the kingdom's food supply and make a lasting difference.
As they arrived at the forest entrance, Robin took a deep breath of the fresh mountain air. The land was quiet, but he could still sense the lingering traces of the life energy he'd released during the battle. The fertile soil here seemed to pulse with new life, and he knew it was the perfect place to begin his work. He designated the first ten acres of this transformed land for wheat—a staple that, if cultivated well, could feed the people for generations.
Two of the soldiers stayed behind with the chariot, while the other two followed Robin and Aria deeper into the forest, each vigilant of any possible threat. Robin took note of the flowing river nearby, its clear, clean water a natural resource too valuable to ignore. "Perfect," he murmured to himself, already envisioning irrigation channels branching out to supply water to the crops he would plant.
Over the next few days, Robin returned to the forest, each time making progress on the farm. He worked tirelessly to sow the wheat seeds, cultivating the land by the river and ensuring the crops had access to water. He set up basic irrigation channels, allowing the river to nourish the soil and make the land more suitable for growth. He'd often consult Malsa, his magical assistant, for guidance.
"Malsa, can you help me remember any farming books from the palace library?" he asked, setting down his tools one evening as the sun began to set.
"Yes, master," Malsa replied. "In fact, I can scan books for you and record their contents in my database."
Robin's eyes lit up at this newfound potential. "So you could remember everything you read and replay it when I need it?"
"Correct," Malsa said, her voice now sounding increasingly natural, almost warm. "Just show me the books, and I'll store the information."
When he returned to the palace, Robin gathered as many books on farming, medicinal plants, and herbal remedies as he could find. Each evening, he would read beside Malsa, who scanned each page with a faint, bluish glow. Together, they built a small library of knowledge that he could access whenever needed.
The more he learned, the more Robin felt confident that he could bring new life to the kingdom. The recipes for bread, porridge, and herbal teas that he came across inspired him to draft new food ideas for the kingdom. He experimented with recipes, testing different combinations of the few available ingredients, and compiled a list of meals that could be made from simple crops like wheat and barley.
One night, as he reviewed his notes on the potential uses of herbs, he noticed Aria watching him intently. She seemed fascinated by his dedication to the land and to creating something meaningful for the people.
"Would you like to learn with me?" he asked, offering her a seat beside him.
Aria's eyes widened. "I... I would, your highness," she said, her voice filled with a hint of excitement.
Together, they pored over the books, studying different plants and their properties. Robin showed her how to identify herbs and seeds and explained the importance of each crop they planned to grow. Aria absorbed the information eagerly, her initial shyness fading as she realized Robin was as much a teacher as he was a guardian.
With each day that passed, Robin and Aria's bond grew stronger. She began to see him not just as a noble but as someone genuinely committed to improving the lives of others. Robin's sense of purpose was infectious, and soon Aria's enthusiasm for their work in the forest matched his own.
By the end of the third month, Robin's small farm had taken shape. The wheat crops were growing steadily, and the irrigation channels were functional. He'd even cultivated a small herb garden beside the wheat fields, filled with wild herbs he'd discovered by the river. The soldiers who accompanied him marveled at the transformation, recognizing that Robin's dedication went beyond his duty as a noble—it was a sincere effort to change the kingdom's future.
Robin took a step back, surveying the land he had brought to life. His heart swelled with pride, but he knew this was just the beginning. He dreamed of fields stretching far beyond this forest, of bustling markets filled with grains, herbs, and produce that would feed the kingdom.
As the sun set over his flourishing field, Robin looked at Aria, who stood beside him, her gaze filled with a newfound sense of purpose. Together, they would continue to nurture this land, paving the way for a brighter future for the kingdom.
"Thank you, Aria," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "We're only getting started."
Aria nodded, a determined smile spreading across her face. "Yes, your highness. For the kingdom."
With that, they returned to the palace, both carrying a renewed sense of purpose and hope for the days to come.
The Next day Robin brought the Duke, King and Queen could not believe what they were looking at which changed there whole perspective and started adjusting to Robin farming methods which significantly improve the kingdom situation.