Preparations

Rose stood beside the wagon while resting her hand on the high front wheel. Glancing around at Knut and the farmer, busy loading supplies inside, her brown eyes then landed on Ming. Some distance away, the teen engaged in conversation with a man.

"Who is that bald man? Ming acts as if he is more than just a friend from town. Do we have a division in Karst?"

Finn asked while joining Rose at the wagon. The stranger didn't seem so old if not for his bald head and accompanying walking cane. Somehow the face seemed familiar, but he couldn't place it.

"Did you forget about him already? He is one of Jill's companions who had his leg broken in the bear trap. They had come to steal Chu's designs."

"Ah! You're right, his expression back then had a contorted look. I remember him now, but what is he doing here? Didn't they all return to the capital?"

"No, Jill remained with us, and this guy was always in Karst. He distributes our letters and provides us with information for a fee. I don't think he works for us, but he and the Boss seem to have a good working relationship."

Rose explained. She watched Ming laugh while rubbing his fingers through his long hair. Sneaking a glance at them, the teen then shook hands and ended his meeting. Rose watched the man hobble into the bustling crowd before turning to Ming.

"I know you handed him some coins there. Don't think of asking for reimbursement. Did you finish what you needed to do in Karst? I think it's time we head home."

"Your eyes are sharp as always. Give me a minute, we just need to collect a few things from Limping Tull before we leave. Apparently, Chu sent a message while we went north. After that, it's straight home. I can do with a good bath and rest."

Ming replied with a frown while raising and sniffing under his clothes.

***

Five days later...

Since its construction, the shed near the western gate had seen many uses. First, it acted as a shelter to Doug and his wayward group. Later, it served as the birthplace of the Research Division, where Old Hodge brought paper into the world. Rebuilt from a style suitable for the slums, it appeared as an ordinary house.

Inside the enclosed one-room building, hanging lamps on the walls shed their light on the occupants.

"I can't believe you encountered bandits on the road. We really are in need of their service. Why couldn't you bring them here? I had to pay Limping Tull good money for the three you brought."

"I didn't know you wanted them. Otherwise, you wouldn't have to pay."

Ming voiced as he concentrated on joining two halves of a halfstone together. His face reflected the arcing electricity as the stone fused to become one.

"Stop reminding me. Let's hope three is enough."

Chu grumbled while glancing towards the corner. Sitting wrapped comfortably in ropes, three men huddled together as they stared open-eyed at the occupants. If the conversations of the two boys weren't enough, the arcing of their strange experiment raised their pores. Not to mention the enchanting but non-human entity stirring a cauldron over the fire.

"Near finish. Potion needs one day before use."

Ishara replied while brushing a few strands of her glossy black hair behind her ear. She gazed at the teens hovering over the small box. Never had she realized this human fused halfstones into lifestones. The impossibility of the feat before her convinced Ishara the Goblin Shaman deciphered the truth.

The teen standing grumbling before her truly held the capabilities to represent humans.

"Will this pot be enough? I mean, for the number of ingredients used, the yield sure is poor."

Miki commented while peering at the popping bubbles inside the cauldron. Her words caused Chu to flinch in reflex. On the table, Dyna sat with Lucy as they gathered the remnants of the purchased herbs. Each bundle cost no less than one gold coin and had to be ordered from Karst. A few of the more expensive, rare ingredients arrived only a few days ago. The potion caused his heart to bleed as it required boatloads of the same ingredients.

"Are you trying to make Chu cough up blood, Miki? Not only did he have to buy these expensive ingredients, but half of them were the wrong type. Didn't you see the contortion on his face as Ishara casually tossed them away?"

Ming advised while unaware of the open hand bearing down behind his head.

"Stop speaking nonsense. Sure, we use a ton of gold on this endeavor, but the end results, if successful, will be more than worth it. Even in another world, humans will part with billions to secure even five extra years to their lifespan. On the road to immortality, men will sacrifice what they hold dear."

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Chu stated while slapping Ming on the head. A person could romanticize about wanting to die together with their loved ones, but facing the inarguable face of death, such thoughts flew out the window.

"Lucy, remain with Ishara and keep an eye on the potion. Dyna will join you guys later tonight. I want a wolf outside to ensure no problems. Until we are certain the potion is effective, I want to keep it under wraps. Miki, ensure we have enough ingredients ready at hand to create future batches."

Stroking his chin, he turned to Lucy.

"Lucy, find out the lifespan of this potion if stored. If we can't store it, then we need to stock up on ingredients until we achieve success. Tomorrow, we'll begin by lowering the concentration of a sample. Ming, take these guests down to the butcher sheds. Let the watch help you."

Leaving the shed, he scratched the large head of a sitting wolf. Chu entered the barn and followed the conversation to the large table. A large map covered the top, drawn on sheets of paper glued together by a paste of flour and water.

"We avoid interfering with the palisade wall. I have already instructed Worths to survey and mark out the site for the walls and the surrounding work area. This is so it doesn't interfere with our existing defense."

"I agree since we will be short-staffed in defense. Jim and I spoke to the Chief in the village when we went over to settle the farming family Ming brought over. He has agreed to pay the garrison to train some of the village men to assist us in security while constructing. We should focus on increasing security inside the wooden walls."

Jill said while acknowledging the words from Halter.

"I can have Rind and the others join Jill in rostering the defenses. Our stockpile of wood should be sufficient in the initial stages of construction. The Goblins have indicated they can assist us for about ten suns before they leave for their homes."

Jim muttered.

"I placed an order at the Trading Post. Luckily, with Karst opening the granary, they have secured a few wagons of grain for us. We can hand it over to the goblins when they are ready to depart. Their assistance has bailed us out considerably."

Clod said. He ran his fingers across the map highlighted under the lamps.

"Next week, I plan to begin tilling the fields. By the time the old fields have been planted, we should have new helpers. From the windmill, across the road to near the barrelworm cave. With the help of Dareck's invention, our food costs should decrease substantially by winter."

Chu joined them by squeezing in beside Bon and Elder Pick. His arrival placed a pause on the conversations.

"It's great you're looking at the future. Having a map serves as an open floor to gauge your work. I hope you'll be able to understand it better as you begin filling it in with words and little completed models. It might not be to scale, but it will help you in the layouts for our home and the industrial complex."

"Boss, I have been browsing through your guidelines you handed over to Marie. The idea of having this Industrial complex, a place with workshops, mills, and smithies, is a unique idea. It is perfect for the villagers since it brings employment to their door. This concept got me and Pick thinking..."

Old Hodge stroked his beard. Next to him, Pick cleared his throat. The old miner had experienced enough travel with his Boss for some of his qualities to rub off.

"Boss, Hodge, and I have thought about this layout. From Worth's survey and marking of the spots, the complex falls a little closer to the farm. I know you have decided to provide a stipend to the workers who will be mostly slaves. Fanny mentioned you wanted to open a large infirmary to take care of the sick, right?"

Pointing to a spot north of the shaded area marked for development, Pick continued,

"We think the infirmary here is a good spot away from the smoke and noise of the complex. Our idea is to build large warehouses like the ones we have here. Safe inside, we will have various clothing shops, taverns, food supplies, and other necessities. Ms. May, for instance, is interested in restarting our food shop, while Sherry is interested in the clothes store. The concept is for the copper coins you pay the workers to find their way back into your pockets."

Chu digested the words while Pick spoke. Looking at the old miner, his eyes glazed over on hearing the last sentence. The cost of this project required pouches of gems to be converted into coins. Under the staggering cost, his companions had already hit on a plan to recapture his funds.

"Don't worry, Boss. What we are about to accomplish rivals building a small town, but I promise when you return, you will be happy with our progress."

Pine said while thumping his chest.

His words initiated a circle of agreeing nods. The Boss already hinted at his intention to travel to Frost City. The situation of Doug and his team had been relayed to everyone. Their hearts beat with pride in knowing the Boss never hesitated in receiving the bad news.

"Boss, I don't think I would ever swear loyalty to a noble who would compare to you and this farm. No noble would risk their lives for their subordinates. I've always said, my family and I owe you our lives."

Bon said.

Given their adventures over the years, Bon felt it was about time the Boss allowed them to build a suitable place to call home. He had spent endless nights with Halter, Pick, and Old Hodge discussing how they could incorporate all their inventions to create a mansion suitable for the Boss.

"It's good that you know, however, just remember to stick to the budget. Every copper saved can add up to a gold coin in the end."

***

Sitting at his desk, Chu drafted another checklist for Marie. The previous discussion removed a weight from his shoulders. The words from Pick proved that these men could think on their own. By sharing his thoughts, they adjusted to follow his guidelines.

"What are you drafting now?"

Ming asked as he settled himself to begin meditating. He had returned after settling their captives for the night. The incantation from Ishara worked wonders in boosting his reaction time. His report caused Chu to make it mandatory during classes for everyone on the farm. Clearing one's thoughts could never be enough of a good thing.

"I'm drafting the steps for our paper manufacturing and book printing. Pine has been pressing me to write it out. According to his father, they want to have us ready to print the first set of books before winter. Halter says winter will be the best time for them to print the books. I want to have Tye act as our liaison since Clod knows him."

Chu replied. The mass production of books would include interacting with representatives from the Tower, the Churches Union, and officials from the Empire. By the time he stepped his foot into Frost City before the end of summer, the Tower and these other behemoths should witness a sample of his product.

"I get it now. We will have bigshots from the Military, Tower, and all who require books to be fawning all over us. No wonder you had me grab those messenger falcons from Limping Tull."

"Precisely, it's high time we develop our communication network. We are going to shake Frost City from the underworld up. Mr. Thomas doesn't know it yet, but his reputation is going to climb another few rungs..."

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