"The Hearthkeeper Lodge can summon another worker tomorrow."
"That’s good. Oh, and with that, I also want salt, oil and flour."
"We have wheat, so making flour could be the next step?" Carlos asked.
"We need a mill to turn it into flour."
Carlos nodded in understanding and added a Grain Mill Blueprint to his Trade requests. But he didn’t think it would be easy to find something this niche.
"Salt should be easier to procure. As for oil, it might take some time."
"But I am confident we can eventually start making our own. We only need the right ingredients."
"Done."
Mira placed another wheat cake on his plate with a cheerful smile. Whenever it came to food and cooking, she always became very happy.
[Mira Favorability increased by 5]
Kaia stood upright and started giving the military report.
"The walls have two entrances and several unfinished sections. Four towers are active, but we only have two trained ranged defenders. The Militia need equipment and at least three days of drilling before I trust them alone."
"What do you need first?"
"Archers. Then complete wall coverage. After that, a second defensive line around the residences and food buildings. We cannot leave anything unprotected after the danger we have faced so far."
"Nessa’s lodge summons one Archer every day. We can start there," Carlos said, making Kaia nod.
"I also want permission to train every resident in emergency retreat procedures. Not combat. Only where to go and which routes must remain clear during combat."
Carlos remembered the staked path Rowan had marked before the first raid. It had kept everyone from trampling the young wheat when they abandoned the fields.
He also remembered how Mira and Rowan were caught outside during the raid.
"Permission granted," Carlos said without hesitation, making the Farmer even grumpier. Rowan did not want to do anything except farming.
[Kaia Favorability increased by 5]
Brann spoke without waiting for Carlos.
"More Bearkin."
Garr nodded beside him and spoke too.
"More hammers."
"One new Bearkin every day," Carlos said. "As long as the kitchen can feed them."
Mira counted silently.
"I can handle it for now."
Brann took another piece of meat and that ended his report.
Carlos listened to the four Veteran Guards next. They requested replacement straps, whetstones and lanterns for the walls.
Nessa wanted more arrows and practice targets while the two Militia wanted names.
Carlos looked at Kaia awkwardly for a moment, leaving her confused.
"You name them." He stated.
Rowan moved his face toward the side as if not wanting to show his expression right now.
"That is your responsibility, though, my lord. And they will be happier this way."
"Why?"
"You purchased the barrack..." Kaia was becoming more confused by the minute.
Carlos looked at the two nervous men standing nearby and sighed with a smile.
"Alright, from now on, you will be Three, and you will be Four," he said while pointing at the two men.
For a moment, everyone froze while Rowan couldn’t hold his poker face anymore.
The silence made Carlos sigh, the name wasn’t that bad. It worked.
Mira covered her mouth in shock while Kaia closed her eyes as if understanding his situation.
"Those are not names, my lord," she said.
"They are working well for the slimes, you know," Carlos stated, and the two militiamen were too shocked to remain nervous.
One bounced from inside the barrack as if supporting him after hearing its name.
Kaia named the Militia Joren and Pell and left the conversation at that.
An unspoken rule formed among everyone to never let Carlos name someone else.
Both looked relieved with their new names and the dinner continued after that.
For the first time, Carlos heard the territory sound alive without battle.
The guards argued about which boar had been the largest. Mira asked Rowan what fresh cabbage tasted like. Garr attempted to drink an entire bowl of berry liquid at once and covered his fur in purple stains.
Even Kaia laughed when Brann tried to wipe him clean with a piece of bread.
Carlos sat among them and listened.
These people had not existed in his life two days ago. They were not merely NPCs. In each of their actions, Carlos could feel a real soul.
His mind went to how their meals, shelter, safety and future depended on him. The responsibility should have felt heavy. But it didn’t.
Instead, it made the territory feel real.
After dinner, Mira packaged the meals meant for trade.
Carlos delivered every agreement on time and watched the resources come in.
[Daily Food Agreements completed]
[Wood x180 obtained]
[Stone x120 obtained]
[Iron Ore x20 obtained]
[Copper Coins x150 obtained]
[Territory Experience x30]
Rowan’s latest wheat harvest added more.
[Common Wheat x39 harvested]
[Territory Experience x10]
The newly constructed buildings provided the final amount.
[Territory Experience requirement fulfilled]
[Territory Level increased to Level 3]
Golden light spread across the whole territory.
The walls, towers and buildings briefly shone beneath it.
--
Territory Level: 3
Natural Territory Expansion Available: 1
Maximum Resident Capacity increased.
Maximum Building Level increased to 3.
New Functions Unlocked:
[ROAD CONSTRUCTION]
[DISTRICT MANAGEMENT]
[WAREHOUSE]
[TERRITORY NAME]
--
Carlos opened the final function.
[This territory may now receive an official name]
[A territory name cannot be changed during the Beginner Period]
[Would you like to name the territory now?]
Carlos almost answered. Then he remembered how he had named Blue, One and Two. He closed the panel before making another rash decision.
"Tomorrow."
"What?" Mira asked from the side. Carlos showed her the message, and the others came closer to look too.
"You could ask everyone for ideas."
"That is probably safer."
"Definitely safer."
When dinner was over, Carlos walked to the Lord’s hut. One guard watched each entrance. Nessa remained in the eastern tower, and Kaia had organized the night rotation without needing him.
The fields were fully watered, the kitchen was cleaned, new walls stood in the territory and he lay on the small mattress.
There were plans waiting for morning, but nothing required Carlos to bleed before sunrise.
Blue entered the hut and settled inside a bowl of Mana Water near the open entrance. One and Two remained safely inside their barrack.
For once, Carlos did not open the conquest panel.
He did not check the Rankings. He did not search for another trade.
Outside, the territory continued moving without him. His people did not need his protection at this time, unlike earlier. Carlos closed his eyes.
And for the first time since entering the World of Lords, he slept without keeping a weapon beside the mattress.
Many hours later, Carlos woke to the sound of knocking at the side wall.
He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling.
Sunlight entered through the open entrance. Blue was still floating inside its bowl, and the hoe remained propped against the opposite wall.
Carlos had slept through the entire night without waking up to screaming and a war.
"Carlos?" Mira called from outside. "Everyone is waiting."
He sat up, confused by what she was saying.
"For what?"
"The name."
Carlos remembered the panel he had closed before sleeping.
He washed his face at the Mana Spring and joined everyone between the kitchen and the fields.
Mira had prepared breakfast. Rowan stood near the vegetable rows with soil on his sleeves. Kaia and the guards had already completed the morning rotation.
Brann and Garr were eating, and that part was expected.
One and Two bounced beside the table while Blue floated behind Carlos.
"Suggestions," Carlos said.
"Green Hearth," Mira answered immediately.
"Northwall," Kaia said.
Brann swallowed an entire wheat cake.
"Strong Farm."
Garr nodded. "Strong Farm."
Carlos looked at Rowan. The Farmer instead studied the repaired fields in the distance.
"Names do not help crops grow, my lord."
Carlos looked over the territory.
Blue water moved through the irrigation channels. Young vegetables had begun breaking through the dark soil. Iron-reinforced walls stood beyond them, and armed guards watched from the towers.
The territory was neither only a farm nor only a fortress.
Everything strong inside it had grown from something that had nearly been destroyed.
"Ironroot," Carlos said.
"Ironroot..." Kaia repeated it with surprise.
Mira smiled. "I like it."
Brann struck his fist against his chest.
"Strong name for a strong farm. I like it too."
Carlos opened the panel.
Everyone seemed to like the name. They appeared even more surprised that Carlos had managed to choose such a good one.
It was a rare sight indeed.
[Would you like to name this territory Ironroot?]
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