Chapter 164: The First Stone
The next morning, Blackwood was already awake.
The sound of hammers echoed through the territory.
Workers moved along the roads.
Farmers gathered near the fields.
Soldiers carried timber.
Carpenters measured land.
For the first time, Kael wasn’t looking at Blackwood as a collection of eleven villages.
He was looking at it as the beginning of something much larger.
Kael stood on a small hill overlooking the central section of his territory.
Darius stood beside him.
Below them, Master Rowan was already directing several workers.
Garrick had brought a few of the Blacksmith’s apprentices toward the construction area.
Bram had gone to speak with the farmers.
Grom and several members of the Black Dragon were patrolling the surrounding area.
Kael folded his arms.
It looks different already.
Darius looked down at the workers.
Because people finally believe something is going to happen.
Kael smiled.
That’s important.
A ruler could order people to build.
But if the people didn’t believe in what they were building, the result would never be the same.
Kael wanted Blackwood’s people to understand that their future wasn’t going to be decided by someone sitting in a distant palace.
They were part of it.
Master Rowan approached them.
Your Highness.
Kael turned.
What did you find?
Rowan pointed toward the river.
The water is usable, but the current is too strong in certain areas.
If we’re going to build a proper system, we’ll need channels.
Kael nodded.
Can you build them?
Yes.
But we’ll need stone.
How much?
A lot.
Kael looked toward the surrounding hills.
There should be enough stone in the northern section.
Rowan shook his head.
Transporting it would take too long.
Kael thought for a moment.
Then we’ll bring the stone closer.
Rowan looked confused.
Kael pointed toward the hill.
We’ll establish a small quarry.
That will also create jobs.
Rowan’s eyes widened slightly.
You were planning this already?
Not exactly.
Kael smiled.
I’m learning.
Darius chuckled.
That’s dangerous.
Kael looked at him.
Why?
Because every time you learn something, you create another project.
Kael laughed.
That’s probably true.
A New Industry
Kael called Garrick over.
How many apprentices do you have?
Seven.
Only seven?
Garrick nodded.
That’s all I could find who had enough skill to begin proper training.
Kael thought about it.
Then we need more.
Garrick raised an eyebrow.
You can’t force someone to become a blacksmith.
I know.
Kael pointed toward the villages.
But we can find children and young adults who are interested.
Garrick’s expression became serious.
You want apprentices from the villages?
Yes.
Not just blacksmiths.
Carpenters.
Stoneworkers.
Builders.
Farmers.
Anything useful.
Garrick nodded slowly.
That will take years.
Kael smiled.
Good.
We’re building for the future.
Garrick looked toward the construction site.
Then I’ll start looking.
Kael nodded.
And don’t only look for talent.
Look for people who are willing to learn.
Garrick smiled.
Now you’re thinking like a master craftsman.
The Villagers Arrive
By midday, several village elders had arrived.
Kael met them beneath a temporary wooden shelter.
There were eleven representatives.
One from each village.
Some looked nervous.
Others were curious.
Kael looked at them.
I called you here because Blackwood is going to change.
The elders exchanged glances.
Kael continued.
But I don’t want to decide everything from this manor.
I want to know what your villages need.
An elderly farmer stepped forward.
Walter, one of the respected farmers of Blackwood, bowed.
Your Highness.
Kael nodded.
Speak.
Walter hesitated.
The roads.
Kael listened.
During winter, some villages become difficult to reach.
Food can spoil before reaching the markets.
Kael nodded.
Next.
A woman representing another village spoke.
We need better wells.
Some of ours dry during the hottest months.
Kael immediately marked the location on a map.
Next.
Another elder spoke.
Our children have nowhere to learn.
Kael looked up.
Explain.
There are no proper schools.
Some villages have an old scholar who teaches reading.
But nothing organized.
Kael leaned back.
Education.
Another item for the list.
Next.
A fourth elder spoke.
We need a healer.
Kael looked at Darius.
How many healers are currently in Blackwood?
Darius shook his head.
Only traveling healers.
No permanent healer.
Kael frowned.
That needed to change.
Next.
More requests came.
Better storage buildings.
More livestock.
Safer roads.
Protection from monsters.
Better tools.
More farmland.
Market access.
Kael listened to everyone.
He didn’t interrupt.
He didn’t dismiss anything.
He simply wrote.
By the time the meeting ended, the list had become enormous.
Darius looked at the papers.
That’s quite a few projects.
Kael looked at the stack.
It’s only the beginning.
The System’s Evaluation
The system appeared before Kael.
Blackwood Development Updated
Infrastructure: Increased
Agriculture: Increased
Administration: Increased
Public Satisfaction: Increased
Territorial Stability: Increased
Kael smiled.
Then another notification appeared.
New Development Condition Detected
Population Growth
Current Population: Insufficient
Required Infrastructure: Developing
Potential Immigration: Moderate
Kael stared at the final line.
Immigration.
He hadn’t considered it seriously before.
Darius noticed his expression.
What did you see?
Kael looked toward the villages.
We need people.
Darius nodded.
There are plenty of people throughout the Empire.
Not enough to come here.
Not yet.
Kael’s eyes narrowed.
Then we need to give them a reason.
The First Announcement
That evening, Kael made his first official announcement.
A messenger traveled through all eleven villages.
The message was simple.
Blackwood was beginning construction of new roads.
New wells.
New farms.
New workshops.
New housing.
A new central settlement would eventually be built.
And skilled workers were welcome.
Anyone willing to work and contribute to Blackwood could apply for settlement rights.
There was no requirement to be noble.
No requirement to come from a wealthy family.
Talent mattered.
Hard work mattered.
Loyalty mattered.
Kael didn’t promise riches.
He promised opportunity.
That message traveled farther than he expected.
Meanwhile, Beyond Blackwood
A merchant caravan traveled along an Imperial road several days away.
The caravan leader received the message from a traveling courier.
Blackwood?
The courier nodded.
Prince Kael’s territory.
The merchant laughed.
That forgotten place?
Apparently not anymore.
Another merchant leaned out of the wagon.
What are they offering?
Settlement rights.
Work.
Land opportunities.
The merchants looked at one another.
Interesting.
The caravan continued toward Aurelia.
But now, Blackwood had entered their conversation.
And that was exactly what Kael wanted.
The First Stone
Near sunset, Kael returned to the central construction site.
Master Rowan stood beside a large foundation.
Your Highness.
Kael approached.
What is this?
The beginning of the central settlement.
Rowan pointed toward the ground.
The first foundation stone.
Kael looked down.
A single large stone had been placed into the earth.
It wasn’t impressive.
It wasn’t beautiful.
It wasn’t surrounded by gold.
But it represented something.
A beginning.
Kael crouched and placed his hand against the stone.
The system appeared.
Territorial Milestone
First Foundation Established
Blackwood Central Settlement: 0.1%
Kael smiled.
Only 0.1%.
Darius looked over his shoulder.
You’re smiling at that?
Kael stood.
Of course.
It’s progress.
Darius looked at the stone.
Then at the workers.
Then toward the distant villages.
You’re serious about this.
Kael looked at him.
I’ve never been more serious.
Darius nodded.
Then I’ll make sure the soldiers protect it.
Kael looked toward the horizon.
And I’ll make sure there’s something worth protecting.
The wind moved across the unfinished settlement.
The first stone had been placed.
Blackwood had taken its first step toward becoming something greater.
But Kael knew one thing.
Building a town was easy compared to building a future.
And before Blackwood could become the territory he envisioned...
He needed people.
He needed money.
He needed resources.
And eventually...
He needed a reason for the wider Empire to look toward Blackwood.
Kael turned toward Darius.
Tomorrow, we start planning the Adventure Guild.
Darius smiled.
I knew you weren’t going to wait long.
Kael laughed.
Neither should we