Morning arrived without haste.
Unlike the previous days, there was no tension in the air, nor the need to act immediately. Even so, I woke up early. The habit had already become part of me.
I opened my eyes slowly and, for a moment, simply stared at the ceiling.
The previous night had been peaceful.
Necessary.
But now… it was time to return.
I got up carefully so I wouldn't disturb anyone, but it was pointless.
Lyannis opened one eye. "You never sleep in, do you?"
"No."
Rai'kanna slightly turned her face. "Are we heading out?"
"Yes."
Scarlett was already sitting up. "Destination?"
"The lands."
Elara added: "Southern village."
Vespera said: "Administration."
Liriel stretched, still half asleep. "Already?"
"Already."
It didn't take long for us to get ready.
We went downstairs together, had a simple breakfast, and headed outside the mansion. The carriage was already prepared, as expected.
The coachman straightened himself as soon as he saw us. "Sir."
I nodded and stepped inside.
The girls came right after.
The journey began.
The rhythm of the wheels on the dirt road created a constant, almost hypnotic sound. I looked through the window, watching the scenery slowly move away from the city.
Lyannis broke the silence. "It's been a while since we went back there."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "I want to see how it turned out."
Scarlett commented: "Last time… there was still instability."
Elara said: "Recovery in progress."
Vespera added: "It should be consolidated now."
Liriel smiled faintly. "I want to see the crops."
I nodded.
"Me too."
The rest of the journey was peaceful.
No interruptions.
No problems.
Hours later, the landscape began to change. The greenery became more present, the land more alive. When the village finally appeared on the horizon, something was already different.
It no longer looked the same.
We stepped out of the carriage.
The moment my feet touched the ground, I felt it.
The energy of the place.
Stable.
Balanced.
Lyannis looked around. "It changed a lot."
Rai'kanna silently analyzed the surroundings. "A lot."
Scarlett nodded. "Visible organization."
Elara said: "Improved structure."
Vespera added: "Consistent growth."
Liriel took a deep breath. "It's healthy."
We walked through the village.
The houses were better maintained. The people moved more calmly. That weight which once dominated the atmosphere was gone.
And then…
The fields.
I stopped for a moment.
The crops were there.
Growing.
Strong.
Alive.
Lyannis smiled. "Now that's more like it."
Rai'kanna nodded. "It works."
Scarlett said: "Direct result."
Elara stated: "Cause and effect."
Vespera added: "Successful intervention."
Liriel looked at me. "The purification worked."
"Yes."
I continued walking until I saw a familiar figure approaching.
The minister.
He maintained a firm posture, but there was something different in his expression.
Lighter.
"Lord Takumi."
"How are things?"
He made a small gesture toward the village. "As you can see… better than expected."
Lyannis commented quietly. "He looks satisfied."
Rai'kanna said: "Confident."
Scarlett analyzed: "Positive results."
Elara stated: "Consistent progress."
Vespera said: "Efficient management."
Liriel smiled. "He did a good job."
I looked back at the minister.
"Report."
He nodded.
"The crops began responding shortly after the purification. At first, it was gradual. But over the past few weeks… the growth accelerated."
"Problems?"
"Few. Nothing out of control."
"And the villagers?"
"Motivated. Production has started generating returns."
I remained silent for a moment.
Observing.
Feeling.
It was real.
Not expectation.
Result.
"You did well."
He lowered his head slightly. "I only fulfilled my duty."
Lyannis murmured: "Humble."
Rai'kanna replied: "But efficient."
Scarlett said: "Suitable profile."
Elara stated: "Reliable."
Vespera added: "Stable."
Liriel looked at me. "You chose right."
I nodded.
"Let's continue like this."
The minister confirmed.
"Yes, sir."
We spent the rest of the morning walking through the village.
I observed everything.
Fields.
People.
Work.
And the more I saw…
The clearer it became.
That place had potential.
It wasn't just recovered land anymore.
It was a base.
We stopped at the top of a small hill with a wide view of the region.
Lyannis sat on the grass. "Not bad."
Rai'kanna remained standing, observing. "There's room to grow."
Scarlett said: "Expansion possible."
Elara stated: "High margin."
Vespera added: "Planning necessary."
Liriel looked at me. "What are you thinking?"
I remained silent for a few seconds.
"This place… can become much bigger."
Lyannis smiled. "I knew it."
Rai'kanna nodded. "You didn't come here just to look around."
"No."
Scarlett asked: "Then?"
I took a deep breath.
"I'm going to expand."
Elara said: "Investment."
Vespera added: "Development."
Liriel smiled. "Makes sense."
I looked once more at the village.
At the fields.
At what it could become.
And then it became clear.
This was no longer just about surviving.
It was about building.
"And this… is only the beginning."