Morning arrived without delay.
There was no difficulty waking up. No hesitation. Just the natural movement of someone who had already decided what to do.
I got up before the sun was fully high. The silence of the mansion was different than usual. It wasn't empty… it was transitional.
I went downstairs.
Everyone was already awake.
Lyannis sat at the table, eating something simple. Rai'kanna leaned against the wall, observing. Scarlett adjusted some details of the equipment. Elara organized small items with precision. Vespera checked what was still missing. Liriel, calm, had her hands resting on the table while looking out the window.
Everything ready.
"No delays," said Lyannis.
"As it should be," replied Rai'kanna.
Scarlett nodded. "The sooner we arrive, the better."
Elara added, "Time is essential."
Vespera confirmed, "Everything is prepared."
Liriel looked at me. "We can go."
I nodded.
"Then let's go."
We left the mansion without looking back.
Not because it didn't matter.
But because we would return.
The carriage was already waiting outside.
Cedric was there.
Firm posture, hands behind his back, attentively observing the street. As soon as we approached, he merely inclined his head slightly.
"Punctual."
"As agreed."
He opened the carriage door.
"We have a few hours of travel ahead."
We entered.
The interior was simple, but comfortable enough. Nothing luxurious, but well organized.
The carriage began moving shortly afterward.
The sound of the wheels on the road accompanied the steady rhythm of the journey.
For a while…
No one spoke.
The city gradually faded behind us.
The buildings gave way to open roads.
Then… fields.
And then… more distance.
Lyannis broke the silence first. "So this is our new base."
"For now," replied Scarlett.
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "If it's bad, we'll fix it."
Elara looked out the window. "It depends on the conditions."
Vespera added, "And the available resources."
Liriel said calmly, "And the energy of the place."
I looked outside.
The road was ordinary.
Nothing indicated a problem.
But that meant nothing.
Hours passed.
The sun was already higher when Cedric finally spoke.
"We're arriving."
The carriage slowed down.
The environment began to change.
Less movement.
Fewer signs of activity.
And then…
The village appeared.
Small.
Simple.
And… worn down.
Lyannis slightly frowned. "…This place?"
Rai'kanna observed silently for a moment. "Worse than I expected."
Scarlett kept her gaze firm. "Difficult situation."
Elara analyzed every detail. "Structures compromised."
Vespera nodded. "Low level of maintenance."
Liriel said softly, "Heavy energy."
The carriage stopped.
We got down.
The ground was dry.
The buildings were simple, some damaged, others merely… neglected.
Few people were visible.
And the ones who were…
Watched.
Without approaching.
Without speaking.
Just watching.
Cedric stepped forward.
"This is the main village."
Lyannis crossed her arms. "This doesn't look like a functional place."
Rai'kanna agreed. "It looks abandoned."
Scarlett analyzed the surroundings. "But still inhabited."
Elara added, "Which makes the situation more critical."
Vespera said, "Low productivity is evident."
Liriel simply confirmed, "Yes."
An older man slowly approached.
Careful steps.
Suspicious gaze.
But respectful.
"You are… the new lord?"
"Yes."
He inclined his head.
"I'm responsible for the village."
"Name?"
"Harren."
I nodded.
"What's the situation?"
He hesitated for a second.
But answered.
"The land… doesn't respond."
Silence.
"We plant… but nothing grows."
Lyannis frowned. "Nothing?"
"Nothing."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "That's not normal."
Scarlett looked around. "Since when?"
"Months."
Elara commented quietly. "Confirms the pattern."
Vespera nodded. "Ongoing problem."
Liriel said, "It's not natural."
I looked at the man.
"Show me."
He nodded.
We followed a simple path to a planting area.
Or… what should have been one.
The land was there.
But…
Lifeless.
No sign of growth.
No sign of effective recent use.
Lyannis crouched down and touched the ground. "Too dry."
Rai'kanna observed. "But it doesn't seem like only that."
Scarlett analyzed carefully. "It's not a lack of effort."
Elara spoke precisely. "It's blockage."
Vespera added, "Something is preventing development."
Liriel closed her eyes for a moment.
And then said:
"There are traces."
I looked at her.
"Of what?"
"Magic."
Silence came.
Heavier.
Because that…
Explained it.
Cedric spoke for the first time since we arrived at the field.
"Then that confirms it."
Liriel nodded. "Yes."
Lyannis crossed her arms. "Great… so it's worse."
Rai'kanna let out a breath. "As always."
Scarlett kept her gaze firm. "But now we know."
Elara added, "And we can act."
Vespera nodded. "With strategy."
Liriel opened her eyes. "Yes."
I looked at the land again.
Lifeless.
Unresponsive.
But now…
With a cause.
And that changed everything.
I turned my gaze back to the person responsible for the village.
"Gather everyone."
He hesitated for a moment.
But nodded.
"Yes, my lord."
He quickly walked away.
Lyannis smiled faintly. "It already started."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "And it's not going to be simple."
Scarlett said quietly, "But it's possible."
Elara confirmed, "With the correct approach."
Vespera added, "And efficient execution."
Liriel simply said, "We'll help."
I nodded.
And at that moment…
It became clear.
This wasn't just problematic land.
It was a point of change.
And now…
It was my responsibility.
I looked once more at the empty field.
And decided.
This…
Was going to change.