Morning arrived calmly, without urgency or signs of threat. That alone was already progress. I got up without rushing and went straight to the mansion balcony. The view of the demi-dragon region stretched out clearly, and for the first time since I arrived, there was no tension in the air. Only normal movement.
I observed for a few moments.
"It's different," said Liriel as she approached.
"Yes."
She rested her hands on the railing.
"The lands responded well."
"They did."
Rai'kanna arrived shortly after.
"And that was fast."
"Faster than expected."
Scarlett appeared next, still adjusting her hair.
"So that means it worked."
"Yes."
Elara looked around carefully.
"The mana density is more balanced."
Lyannis confirmed.
"And that directly impacts production."
Vespera, as always, simply observed in silence.
I stepped away from the balcony and headed to the main area of the mansion. It didn't take long for the village master to arrive, this time accompanied by two other men carrying tightly sealed sacks.
He stopped in front of me and gave a slight bow.
"My lord."
"I assume you came with a report."
"Yes."
I pointed at the sacks.
"And results."
He nodded.
"Exactly."
The men carefully placed the sacks on the floor. The sound of coins was clear, heavy, consistent.
"Fifteen thousand gold coins," he said.
I observed for a moment.
"Result from the last cycle?"
"Yes."
Lyannis stepped closer, analyzing.
"That's significant growth."
"It is," I replied.
The village master continued.
"After the stabilization of the lands, production increased, and waste dropped drastically."
Elara crossed her arms.
"As expected."
Liriel smiled slightly.
"The purification helped a lot."
"Without a doubt," he replied.
Rai'kanna looked at the sacks.
"And the taxes?"
"Eight thousand coins have already been separated and sent to the kingdom."
I nodded.
"So this here is net profit."
"Yes, my lord."
Scarlett let out a small laugh.
"That's a lot of money."
"It is," I replied.
I stayed silent for a moment, just looking at it.
"In one month."
Lyannis completed.
"And with stability."
"Exactly."
The village master seemed more confident than ever.
"If we maintain this pace, the village could become one of the most productive in the region."
"No need to exaggerate," I replied.
"It's not exaggeration," he said. "It's results."
Rai'kanna looked at me.
"He's not wrong."
Scarlett agreed.
"You organized everything quickly."
Elara added.
"And efficiently."
Liriel nodded.
"And that made a difference."
Vespera simply said,
"They trusted."
I nodded.
"That's essential."
I looked at the sacks again.
"We're maintaining this level."
The village master lowered his head.
"We'll do our best."
"It's not about doing your best."
He raised his eyes.
"It's about doing what's necessary."
He nodded more firmly.
"Understood."
Lyannis stepped forward.
"Let's review the critical points one more time."
"Yes."
We spent part of the morning reviewing everything. Production, storage, distribution, defense. There were no major problems, only minor adjustments.
"This here can improve," Lyannis said at one point.
"We'll fix it," the village master replied.
Elara observed the structures.
"The barriers are working well."
"Yes."
Liriel analyzed the plantations.
"The energy is stable."
"Excellent."
Scarlett watched the workers.
"They're faster."
"Training," Rai'kanna replied.
Vespera simply followed along silently.
When we finished, everything was aligned.
"So that's it," I said.
The village master took a deep breath.
"Yes."
"Keep it this way."
"Yes, my lord."
He left shortly after, taking the men with him.
I looked at the girls.
"This place is resolved."
Rai'kanna nodded.
"For now."
"Yes."
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"And now?"
"Now… the others."
Lyannis already understood.
"Elves and humans."
"Exactly."
Elara added.
"If all of them are at this level…"
"Then the foundation is ready," I finished.
Liriel smiled.
"And that's good."
Vespera looked directly at me.
"But not enough."
I nodded.
"It never is."
I picked up the sacks of coins and handed them to one of the mansion servants.
"Store this for now."
"Yes, my lord."
She left immediately.
I took a deep breath.
"Let's prepare to leave."
Rai'kanna smiled faintly.
"Again."
"Yes."
Scarlett let out a small laugh.
"You really never stop."
"I can't."
Lyannis nodded.
"And you shouldn't."
Elara added.
"There's still a lot to do."
Liriel agreed.
"And we're doing well."
Vespera simply said,
"Then we continue."
I looked toward the horizon one more time.
The demi-dragon lands were stable.
Producing.
Growing.
Under control.
But that was only one part.
And I knew that.
"Let's see the rest," I said.
And this time, with everything functioning… I wanted to make sure nothing would be left behind.