The sun was already high when we returned to the center of the village.
After observing the fields and confirming that everything was progressing better than expected, it was time to deal with the part I had been avoiding for a while.
Money.
Not as a reward.
But as a system.
I walked toward the main building, where the minister had settled in to coordinate everything. The place was simple, but functional. As soon as we entered, he was already waiting for us, as if he knew I would return.
"Sir."
I nodded. "Let's get straight to the point."
Lyannis crossed her arms, curious. "Now comes the interesting part."
Rai'kanna leaned against the wall. "Concrete results."
Scarlett kept her attention on the minister. "Financial report."
Elara added: "Objective data."
Vespera said: "Direct analysis."
Liriel simply watched in silence.
The minister walked to a table and picked up two bags of coins.
The sound of metal clashing echoed through the room as he placed them on the wood.
"These are the results from the last period."
I looked at the bags, but didn't touch them yet.
"Explain."
He nodded.
"The initial production started generating returns earlier than expected. We managed to stabilize the harvest and begin local distribution. Part of it was sold to nearby regions."
Lyannis murmured: "They're already making a profit."
Rai'kanna said: "Fast."
Scarlett stated: "Efficient execution."
Elara added: "Good management."
Vespera said: "Positive flow."
Liriel smiled faintly.
The minister continued.
"The total amount collected was divided according to the kingdom's guidelines."
He pushed one of the bags slightly forward.
"Six thousand gold coins. Your share."
The other remained where it was.
"Ten thousand gold coins were allocated to the kingdom as tax."
Silence filled the room for a moment.
I looked at the bag in front of me.
Six thousand.
Lyannis let out a soft whistle. "Not bad."
Rai'kanna commented: "And this is just the beginning."
Scarlett said: "High return in a short period."
Elara stated: "Accelerated growth."
Vespera added: "Sustainable model."
Liriel looked at me. "You did it."
But I didn't touch the money.
Not yet.
"Are you sure about these numbers?"
The minister answered without hesitation. "Yes."
"And the costs?"
"They've already been deducted."
I stayed silent for a few seconds.
Then I pushed the bag back toward him.
"Keep it."
Lyannis raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"
Rai'kanna looked at me. "Seriously?"
Scarlett analyzed: "Unexpected decision."
Elara said: "Reevaluation."
Vespera observed: "Posture test."
Liriel looked at me attentively.
The minister frowned slightly. "Sir… that isn't necessary."
"Use it for the village."
He shook his head.
"We don't need it."
"What do you mean?"
"The production is already stable. The villagers themselves are generating enough resources to maintain the current operations."
Lyannis murmured: "They're sustaining themselves."
Rai'kanna nodded. "Then this is real profit."
Scarlett said: "Economic independence."
Elara stated: "Initial self-sufficiency."
Vespera added: "Functional structure."
Liriel smiled faintly.
I looked again at the bag of coins.
This time… differently.
That wasn't just money anymore.
It was a result.
Proof.
"You're saying the village… can already sustain itself?"
"Yes."
"Without outside support?"
"Yes."
I took a deep breath.
Then I pulled the bag back toward me.
The weight felt heavier now.
Not because of the gold.
But because of its meaning.
Lyannis smiled. "Now you accepted it."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna said: "Took you long enough."
Scarlett commented: "But it made sense."
Elara stated: "Validation was necessary."
Vespera said: "Now it's real."
Liriel looked at me. "You understand now."
I nodded.
"This isn't about taking money."
The minister remained silent, waiting.
"It's about knowing this works."
He nodded slightly.
"And it does."
I tied the bag and attached it to my equipment.
Six thousand coins.
Profit.
Real.
Not a mission reward.
Not a war bonus.
The result of management.
"Continue as you are."
"Yes, sir."
"If anything changes, inform me."
"Of course."
Lyannis commented: "You're coming back here."
"I am."
Rai'kanna said: "This place is still going to grow a lot."
"Yes."
Scarlett stated: "Expansion is inevitable."
Elara added: "Larger scale."
Vespera said: "High potential."
Liriel smiled. "And we'll see it happen."
I looked around once more.
The village.
The people.
The fields.
Everything in motion.
Everything working.
Then it became clear.
This was only the beginning of something much bigger.
"And next time…"
Lyannis tilted her head. "What?"
"I'll demand even more results."
Rai'kanna smiled faintly. "Now you've really become a lord of the land."
Scarlett said: "And a leader."
Elara stated: "Strategist."
Vespera added: "Builder."
Liriel looked at me calmly.
"And someone who's learning quickly."
I took a deep breath.
And gave one last look to the bag of coins.
Six thousand.
But the real value…
Was much greater.
We left the building in silence.
But this time, there was no doubt.
I wasn't just fighting against the world anymore.
I was beginning to shape it.