CHAPTER 48: CH 48: SETTLE DOWN - PART 5

Jamie followed Lucian through the valley, her steps slow, eyes scanning every corner as he explained the route.

He pointed out the farmlands, the edges of the furnace’s warmth, and the areas where the predator plants had been carefully set as defenses.

"This will be your patrol route. Walk it until you know it by heart. These grounds will be your home from now on, so treat them as such."

Lucian said simply.

Jamie frowned slightly, almost as if the words made her uncomfortable.

"You’re really giving me this much freedom? Just like that? You do remember I tried to kill you not too long ago, right? You and your people."

She tilted her head, her voice almost mocking.

Lucian didn’t flinch.

"I remember. But you already signed your life away. The contract binds you. You can’t harm me, or anyone I choose to protect. That’s enough."

Jamie narrowed her eyes, curiosity tugging at her thoughts.

"If the contract is so reliable... why didn’t you just use it on me earlier? You could have saved yourself all that trouble."

Lucian’s gaze shifted away, his face unreadable. For a moment, the silence pressed heavy between them. Then he finally spoke.

"Because, if someone is going to sign their life away to me, I want it to be their choice. Not mine."

He said quietly.

His words landed strangely on Jamie’s ears. She didn’t understand him, not fully, but her instincts warned her not to pry.

There was something sharp beneath his calm exterior—something better left alone.

"...Fine. I’ll walk the route."

She muttered, turning her eyes back to the land.

Lucian gave her a short nod and left her to it.

When he returned to the heart of the valley, he paused. His eyes swept over the settlement, and even he had to admit—it looked different from just a week ago.

The shelters were sturdier, the farmlands wider, the people livelier. The valley was growing.

Berry spotted him and hurried over, holding a wooden plate.

"Master Lucian, lunch."

Lucian accepted it, glancing down at the meal. It was practical—nutritious enough, filling enough—but bland. His expression soured almost instantly.

Berry winced.

"...I know. Sorry. We don’t have much to work with yet."

Lucian sighed, finishing the food without another word. But afterward, he didn’t waste time.

He gathered herbs, tested seeds, and began planting spices and flavorings across a small plot of land.

Only one ingredient was missing: salt. Fortunately, the fairies had mentioned their ability to make it with magic.

By evening, the results were ready. When dinner was served, flavored with herbs and a pinch of fairy salt, the difference was undeniable.

The people sat around the fire, tasting carefully at first, then eating with wide-eyed surprise.

"This is... amazing!"

Someone exclaimed.

Another laughed, clutching their bowl.

"I can’t believe food can taste like this."

But soon, their amazement turned to playful complaints.

"You’re spoiling us, Master Lucian! If we get used to this, how will we ever go back to our old meals?"

One of the men chuckled.

"Yeah! You’ll ruin us with good food!"

Another agreed.

For once, laughter carried through the valley. Joyous, light, unburdened. The warmth of it wrapped around them like a second furnace.

Lucian listened quietly, watching them all. A rare smile tugged at the corner of his lips—but only for a moment. Then his face returned to its usual calm.

The valley was growing. The people were adapting. And soon, it would be time to move forward.

The next morning, Lucian gathered everyone in the valley. Berry, Jamie, Fredric, and the others stood in a half-circle, waiting for his instructions.

"We need to expand the cultivation area. With more people here, we can grow more than just the basics. Vegetables, fruits, herbs—variety will keep us alive longer. And soon, our second reactor will be ready. That means more power, more stability."

Lucian said.

The people nodded eagerly, their eyes lighting up. Some laughed with relief, others clapped each other on the back.

For the first time in a long while, work didn’t feel like punishment—it felt like progress.

Lucian watched them scatter to their tasks, tilling the ground and marking new plots.

A rare warmth filled his chest, pride flickering in his expression. The valley was becoming more than just survival. It was becoming a home.

Working was hard in such a harsh environment, and the reserves in Lucian’s inventory were running low.

However, he had a new resource farm he could use to fill his inventory.

"System, keep an eye on the world around us and inform us of any dangers. As much as I trust Jamie, I know there is no way for her to detect all the dangers."

[Understood. The user will be informed if someone is headed toward the Valley who is not part of the group the user has created.

The system was a force Lucian hated because it was the symbol of all his hardships, but he also knew that if he did not have it, he would have gone mad a long time ago.

This relationship was complicated but necessary for him to survive.

—

Far away, in the Everette settlement, the mood was the complete opposite.

In the council hall, the higher-ups sat around a long wooden table. The air was heavy, thick with tension.

"Our food reserves are almost gone. We can’t keep offering supplies to... to them. Not anymore."

One of them said, voice trembling.

"If we fail to deliver, we’ll be sacrificed!"

Another shouted, slamming his hands on the table. His face was pale, sweat dripping down his temples.

"They made it clear—our lives only continue because we pay our tribute!"

The room broke into chaos, men and women shouting over each other. Panic clawed at their throats, desperation leaking into every word.

And then—

Bang!

The heavy doors burst open, slamming against the walls.

A guard stumbled in, gasping for breath. His face was ghostly pale as he tried to speak through his panting.

"Th-The Lord...The Lord’s envoy has decided... to visit."

He choked out, clutching at the doorframe.

Silence fell instantly.

Every person in the room froze, their fear deepening into something colder, sharper.

The Lord was coming.