In the end, the ex-slaves decided to follow 1765 and his crew. Everyone climbed back onto the carts to continue their journey. Although they were several days away from their destination, they wouldn't encounter other humans along the way. The ascent toward the valley had begun gradually.
After crossing the plain, the convoy had to climb hills to reach the valley's entrance. This trek would take several days, and crossing the entire valley would take a few more. The camp was located on the far side, and along the way, they would face numerous threats from wild beasts.
Fortunately, this territory only housed common wild animals, not magical beasts. The worst they would encounter were rabbits, classified as low-grade magical beasts and easily manageable. However, this didn't make wild animals any less troublesome. These creatures, drawn by the scent of so many people together, would undoubtedly slow their journey.
While 1765 and his convoy advanced toward their home, days passed, and the empire continued its own development. Among the empire's inhabitants, a specific group had recently returned from a mission. Although they had completed their objective, they had done so poorly and now had to present their report.
The room was a testament to the nobility's luxury and opulence. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries depicting stories of great battles and ancestral legends. Golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating the room with a warm light that highlighted the details of the dark wood furniture. In the center, a crimson and gold-toned carpet covered the floor, with patterns that seemed to move under the light. A large mahogany table was loaded with neatly stacked reports and documents, while a tray with crystal goblets and a bottle of wine rested to the side.
In a high-backed armchair upholstered in black velvet sat an imposing man. He wore a dark outfit made of fine fabric, with silver embroidery outlining patterns of crossed swords—the symbol of his house. Although he maintained a firm posture, his face showed the fatigue of several sleepless nights. The dark circles under his eyes deepened his serious expression, and his carefully slicked-back hair had silver strands that added an air of severity to his presence. His long, bony fingers held a report he was reading attentively.
In front of him, a man in heavy armor marked with combat scars knelt. His stance was robust, and his short, disheveled hair showed the experience of countless battles. The armor, though functional, was decorated with engravings indicating his high rank within the military hierarchy. His eyes were intense but reflected submission and respect at that moment.
With a firm voice full of deference, the kneeling man greeted:
—Your faithful servant greets the great Duke Velkarius.
The duke, raising his eyes from the report he was reading, fixed his tired gaze on the speaker. He stood slowly, placing the report on the table, and nodded slightly.
—You may stand, Garius —he said in a somewhat informal tone. Anyone hearing a duke speak like this would have been surprised; dukes usually spoke with authority and command.
—My lord, I am unworthy. I failed my mission. I deserve to be punished.
The duke set the report aside, crossing his arms as his tired gaze focused on Garius. Finally, he broke the silence.
—Your mission was to report on the mine's condition and confirm if there was gold. Tell me, what was the result of your investigation?
Garius swallowed hard before replying.
—Sir, the mine entrance was covered by rocks, and we found several dead guards with no survivors.
The duke shook his head and, in a sterner tone, corrected:
—That's not what I'm asking. I've already read the report; I know that. Let me ask again: what was your mission?
This time, Garius responded more firmly:
—Sir, the mine is currently sealed due to what appears to be an explosion, but we have confirmed there is gold inside. Efforts to reopen the mine are already underway.
The duke nodded slowly.
—Very well, then the mission was not a failure. Stand up.
—But sir… —Garius began, but the duke raised a hand to interrupt him.
—Regarding the incident —the duke continued—, I cannot ignore that one of my elite squads and one of my trusted men were outmatched by unknowns. However, you returned with no apparent casualties, and the enemy had equipment of unknown origin. This time, I'll let it slide.
Garius bowed his head and replied:
—I understand, my lord.
The duke observed him in silence for a moment before continuing:
—As for your request to conduct an investigation, it is denied. At the moment, we do not have the resources to recover a few lost slaves. However, I will not overlook this situation. I have already ordered some checks.
The duke placed a cloth bag filled with coins and an insignia on the table in front of Garius.
—We already have some clues about their direction, but that's a separate matter.
He sighed, crossing his arms.
—Now, I will assign you a new task. The empire is currently facing too many internal problems, and the king has sent his youngest daughter to these lands for her safety.
The duke ran a hand over his forehead, exhausted, and added:
—However, my daughter has decided to drag her into her foolish project.
In a less dignified tone, he continued:
—Can you believe it? I gave her permission to try her ridiculous idea of granting more rights to slaves. She insists on her absurd belief that we are all equal. I don't mind indulging some of her whims, but she's dragged the king's daughter into it.
The duke sighed deeply before resuming his authoritative tone.
—Your task is to go to the city of Ravenhold and keep them safe while things settle down. For now, I don't foresee any issues. After all, the city is quite secure. However, there are always hidden rats.
Garius did not flinch at the duke's change of tone. With a respectful bow, he responded:
—Yes, my lord. I will carry out your orders without fail.
The duke returned to his chair while nodding. Then, as he continued to work through some documents, he spoke:
—I hope there are no incidents this time.
Garius bowed slightly in respect.
—You can count on it, my lord.
With those words, Garius left the room.
Far away from the city where the duke resided, a convoy moved through a vast plain. Atop the first wagon of the convoy, 1765 observed the beautiful view stretched out before him. The plain was dotted with a large lake that reflected the sky like a mirror, and a few hills broke the monotony of the flat terrain. A grassy field extended as far as the eye could see, where several animals resembling horses, cattle, and deer grazed peacefully.
These creatures, classified as wild ruminant beasts, were not considered dangerous. Their magical capabilities were negligible, and they were generally peaceful unless provoked. Even in such cases, their combat ability was far inferior to that of so-called magical beasts.
This was the valley where 1765 and his people had decided to settle. A valley nestled amidst a mountain range that, according to Silas, was the perfect place. There were only two feasible entrances to the valley. The first was in the north, the path they were currently traversing. A narrow route between two enormous mountains, it was ideal for ambushes and for building a formidable defense. The second entrance lay to the south, connecting to the Forest of Silence, a region as well-known as it was feared.
The mountain range surrounding the valley was known as the Beast's Range, an extensive formation that bordered several kingdoms, including the human empire. It was said that horrible magical beasts lived in its peaks, creatures so terrifying that even the bravest avoided venturing too close. Although 1765 had not seen any, he had read about them in ancient books.
However, the valley enjoyed a unique natural defense: the dreaded Forest of Silence. This forest, one of the most inhospitable regions on the continent, was avoided even by the fiercest magical beasts. But the Forest of Silence was not the only barrier that made this region so isolated. Nearby were two other equally perilous geographical features: the Dead Desert and the Poisonous Swamp. These regions, together with the Beast's Range and the Forest of Silence, formed what was known as the Central Plug of the continent. By a twist of fate, these four extreme zones converged near one area, marking the borders of several kingdoms.
This combination of natural barriers made the valley a perfect refuge. While most creatures and adventurers avoided crossing any of these regions, 1765 knew they had found a place where they could establish themselves without worrying too much about intruders or invaders.
According to Silas, the location had everything they needed: abundant resources, defensible entrances, and room to expand. The second known entrance through the Forest of Silence was particularly advantageous—1765 was certain that not even the so-called king of the human empire would dare venture into that forest. This made the valley an ideal place to start anew, as most preferred to avoid even approaching this dangerous region.
As 1765 enjoyed the view from the front wagon, an interesting scene unfolded behind the convoy. The 45 young ex-slaves whom 1765 had initially rescued were jogging in an orderly fashion. Leading the group was 037, who called out in a firm voice, chanting to motivate and synchronize the group:
—One step forward, a step to the future!
We leave behind fear, forging the secure!
Our strength grows with every fall,
Together we fight, saving us all!
The verses echoed through the air, accompanied by the rhythmic sound of feet hitting the ground.
Behind them, the 180 recently rescued ex-slaves struggled to keep pace, gasping for breath as they jogged. Since the journey to the settlement would take several days and the most dangerous zones had already been left behind, 1765 had decided it was time to begin their training—or rather, Silas had suggested it. The goal was not to turn the 180 into combatants. Instead, the purpose was to encourage exercise as part of their recovery.
Malnutrition, abuse, and mistreatment had left deep scars on their bodies. However, thanks to the Silent Fruit, which contained an excessive amount of nutrients, their bodies could begin to regenerate. This process, combined with proper nutrition and continuous exercise, accelerated recovery.
The convoy also did not have to worry about water. The wagons were equipped with a fascinating system capable of using magical energy transmission to slightly alter the temperature of a conductor—in this case, a simple metal base. This ultimately created a condensation process that produced water. Although the system was slow, it could operate permanently, ensuring a constant supply of water stored in specially designed containers.
With access to water and food that had been hunted earlier during the journey, 1765 was relatively relaxed as he thought alongside Silas. At that moment, while gazing at the horizon, he spotted some wooden structures in the distance.
It was a small village that had grown significantly since the last time 1765 saw it. There were many more houses now, enough for each inhabitant to have their own space. With the arrival of 180 new residents, more homes would need to be built, but for now, there were enough to accommodate everyone if they shared.
The houses were simple but functional. Each had a rudimentary clay kitchen with a chimney, a main room, and one or two bedrooms, plus a bathroom.
The bathroom was particularly interesting. A river flowed near the settlement, originating from the large lake at the valley's center. Using a canal system, they had built functional sanitary facilities and showers. The system operated by gravity and other basic mechanisms designed by Silas. There were no magical adaptations in its operation due to the high fuel consumption required by the golems, which already demanded a significant portion of the available energy resources.
Silas had devised a primitive yet efficient system to ensure everyone could maintain proper hygiene. This wasn't just a matter of comfort; it reflected the hygienic standards inspired by the intergalactic norms of the ancient federation. An organized and clean settlement was fundamental to his vision for the future.
1765 was the first to spot the settlement, but soon the rest of the convoy noticed it too. The newly freed ex-slaves were curious as they beheld their new home. During the journey, the group that had rescued them spoke wonders about the place: delicious food, beautiful views, and, most importantly, facilities for bathing and maintaining hygiene. This was unheard of for them, accustomed to being forced to stand in lines while guards threw cold water at them and relieving themselves in the same places they worked.
The idea of having proper bathrooms and a clean environment seemed almost magical. There were also clear rules: no stealing, no harming others, daily bathing, and mandatory attendance at classes. While these rules might seem restrictive, to them, they were an intriguing novelty—a privilege associated with the powerful, not slaves like themselves. Their curiosity and anticipation grew as they approached.
The horses began to gallop, eager to reach the settlement as quickly as possible. As they drew closer, more details became visible. The cabins were made of processed wood, with an elegant yet cozy design. There was a lot of activity in the village. Wooden golems moved back and forth, some feeding animals that resembled poultry. These birds, similar to chickens but the size of a dog, had been captured during previous raids and had adapted well to the environment. They provided meat and helped meet the settlement's dietary needs.
Upon reaching the entrance, the group dismounted from the wagons. 1765 stepped forward, standing before everyone. With a calm but firm expression, he began to speak:
—Well, we've arrived. As you can see, this is a small settlement, but from now on, it will be your new home. Welcome. For now, we'll assign one house to each group. You'll have to share for the time being, but as soon as possible, we'll build one for each of you.
The new residents listened attentively as he guided them through the settlement, pointing out key locations and handing out steel keys to unlock their new cabins. The atmosphere was charged with mixed emotions: relief, curiosity, and a spark of hope.
Once all the keys were distributed, 1765 returned to his own cabin. Though it was nothing special, it was identical to the others. Upon opening the door, he was knocked to the ground by a massive figure that leaped on top of him. What appeared to be a dog, specifically resembling a Border Collie, pounced on him and began licking his face enthusiastically.
It was undoubtedly a dog, but its size was astonishing. It could easily compare to a lion. Its sharp claws and teeth were intimidating, yet it showed no aggression toward 1765, limiting itself to licking his face while wagging its tail energetically.
—Easy, Max, easy —1765 said, petting the enormous animal—. I missed you too.
Max had been found during a raid and brought to the settlement along with the chickens at Silas's insistence. The goal wasn't experimentation on his health but to develop an understanding of and interaction between wild beasts and humans.
Silas came from a world where animals had been essential to the development of civilizations. Dogs, in particular, were useful and loyal. In this world, they seemed stronger, but they were still classified as wild beasts rather than magical ones. However, their interaction with humans showed promise. Max represented both a social and functional experiment: laying the groundwork for the domestication of other species in the valley, particularly the large ruminants that were abundant in the region. For Silas, this was a key strategic priority.
Meanwhile, 1765's companions hurried to their respective homes. The two women in the group, in particular, could no longer bear their own smell after the long journey. It was time to enjoy what 1765 called "soap" and take full advantage of the carefully implemented shower system.