The village of Dorsen, which was located near the southernmost part of Stellhart, was once a small, quiet village. After the bandits attacked, some of the buildings were destroyed, and some people were killed at the bandits’ hands.
If it weren’t for Lucen Thornehart and his Thornefang, the villagers would have been sold. After surviving not only the bandit attack but even the attack of the bloodhounds, the villagers thought it would take some time before their village would be restored to what it was, but the sight before them told them otherwise.
In just two days, the village’s population had multiplied several times over. Many new hands now worked to repair damaged buildings and build new homes to house the growing numbers.
The sound of children playing happily could be heard alongside the sound of hammering and sawing.
"So, how do you plan to feed all these people, little leader?" Harlik, who was watching beside Lucen, asked.
"The knights and soldiers Father sent are coming with their families. They’ll be bringing food and supplies with them," Lucen replied while continuing to look at the peaceful scene before him.
"That just sounds like someone adding to the mouths needed to feed. Even if they bring more rations, those won’t last long."
Lucen nodded slowly, "I know that, but I’m seeing something more here. For now, this is just a simple village, but it could be something more, something greater."
"What are you saying?" Harlik asked, confused.
"Look at the scenery before you and close your eyes."
Hearing what Lucen said, Harlik shrugged his shoulders and closed his eyes. Once Lucen saw that Harlik’s eyes were closed, he continued speaking.
"Now imagine this place protected by high walls, and each watchtower has a Thunderspear. In the air, there will be ships flying in the sky, which will spot any danger from a distance. The children are playing around without the fear of any monster or bandit attack."
"A flying ship? Really? I haven’t even seen the sea, and now you’re telling me we’ll have ships in the sky?"
"It can be made, and one day I will show it to you. Now imagine this place filled with people who can do what they dream of, it doesn’t matter if they are born a noble or not, as long as they have the ability, they will have a chance to shine."
"Is that so... Then who is going to finance their dreams, you? In the first place, most can’t achieve their dreams because they lack the ability to do so." Harlik said, crossing his arms.
Lucen didn’t flinch. His gaze remained steady, fixed on the future only he could see.
"I will make it happen. I know it can be done." There was no hesitation in his voice, no doubt. Since he had seen it before in his past life.
"Imagine a place where you, and every member of Thornefang, can return to a warm bed, a hearty meal, and a mug of strong ale. A place for people like you and me. Where we share our stories, our scars, and laugh at the stupid things we survived."
"Hmph, you’re just repeating what you already told us before. I already heard all this before... Still, if it’s you, maybe it is possible to get to see this dream of yours as a reality." Harlik opened his eyes and looked at Lucen, who was also staring at him.
"That’s just a single part of the grand dream I want to show you guys. As long as we continue forward, I’m sure that grand dream will become a reality."
"Okay, that’s good and all, but what about the thing we were originally talking about? We need food, and even if we hunt with this many people, it won’t last long."
"For now, we’ll use the rations the coming reinforcement will bring, as well as make the hunters a little more, just enough to last a few more days. We send someone to a nearby village to trade the weapons and armor we got from the bloodhounds for coin. I also have a good trick when it comes to farming."
"Okay, I understand the other things, but what does a noble know about farming?"
"Let’s just say I read it in some books. Once we’ve saved up enough coin, we’ll buy a few chickens and cows, start a small ranch. Eggs, milk, and meat. That’ll cut down our need to hunt or rely on trade. And once we stabilize that, we move to crop rotation, composting, and water-efficient irrigation."
"Crop rotation? Composting? Water... what now? Are those spells, or are you just making things up?" Harlik asked, becoming even more confused.
’Truth is most of those things I just heard in some random isekai anime, and I then watch a few videos explaining what they were...’ Of course, Lucen wouldn’t say that out loud, not like anyone would understand.
"... Well, I guess in a way I did make some things up. It’s something I thought of after reading a few books and thinking of more efficient ways to do things," Lucen said, making up an excuse.
"I already knew you were different from other nobles, little leader, but who knew you thought so much of how to improve the lives of us commoners."
"Well, the people are the foundation of any place, so if the people are well fed, the foundation becomes strong. As the heir of the Iron Duke, I at least have to think about such things."
"As expected of you, little leader, you do make things sound like anything is possible. It’s making me excited to see what happens to this village."
"Then let’s do it, one step at a time. For now, let’s do what I’ve said and inform the others of the plan. After which, we need to contact my Father and tell him what has happened."
"As you command, little leader." Harlik smiled as he gave a knight’s salute, which he had recently learned how to do properly.
After dealing with a few things in Dorsen, Lucen, with only Harlik, and Risa, one of the mages of Thornefang, had gathered as they contacted Duke Vardon.
"Sir, we have saved several dozen villagers from some nearby bandits and relocated them to Dorsen."
"I see, so you followed through on what we talked about last time."
"Do you expect anything less from me?"
"... It seems you have grown somewhat smug, my son." Vardon’s cold gaze felt like it was going to penetrate Lucen’s skull.
"I am simply asking a question, Father."
"You’re also getting good at word games. It seems that getting involved with Viscount Reval’s schemes has made your mouth more flowery."
"It’s nothing like that, Father. I am simply confident in myself."
"Is that so?... Very well, I will allow it for now."
The father and son had a somewhat pleasant conversation while Harlik and Risa quietly watched from the side.