He knew it would take time before they could obtain dairy products. Still, the thought settled firmly in his mind: one day, Elysian will have milk.
Finishing his cup, Lucan let the bitter aftertaste remind him of the next goal.
After tea, everyone found a place to sit. Dalia, Kaela, and a few others helped serve food.
Tonight's meal was slightly better than usual—probably a reward for the day's hard work. Lucan had ordered Dalia to use a small portion of their gathered spices in the stew, a modest luxury for their success.
As the men and women ate, their fatigue seemed almost gone. The CP boost Lucan had used earlier still lingered, leaving them feeling light and alert. They talked freely, laughing as though they hadn't just built a Smithy in one day.
When dinner ended, Lucan stood and walked toward his shelter. The others also returned to theirs. One by one, they said good night.
Marcus and Elias took patrol duty. Kaela and her siblings slept soundly in their shelter. Lyra and Cedric were home together. Nors and his family had also gone to bed, while the blacksmith couple lingered inside their new Smithy, inspecting every detail with pride.
Lucan reached his shelter, went inside, and sat on his bed. A familiar translucent screen appeared before him.
[Smithy has been Built]
[Morale of Elysian has Increased]
[Reward: +35 LP, +300 CP]
He gestured to dismiss it, and a new screen replaced it.
[Daily Report – Day 12]
[Population – 17]
[LP – 134]
[CP – 995]
[Threat Level – Low]
[Morale Level – Medium]
Lucan read through the report, a faint smile forming. Satisfied, he lay down on the bed, closed his eyes, and drifted into sleep.
The day had ended with construction, farming, and black tea.
***
The first rays of sunlight touched the state of Elysian, going through the faint mist that hung over the new buildings. A metallic rhythm echoed from the newly built smithy—the sound of hammers striking steel, steady and sharp.
Inside the Smithy, Ronan and Elara worked side by side. The forge glowed with an orange light, illuminating their faces. Sparks flew as Ronan struck the heated metal, while Elara helped in cooling and shaping it with her practiced hands. The scent of burning coal mixed with the faint aroma of earth that drifted in from the morning air.
Elara's voice broke the rhythm as she said to her husband, "Next one, darling?" she asked, brushing the sweat from her forehead, the heat inside the Smithy making her look good in front of Ronan.
Ronan grunted in response and nodded, his large body also sweating. "Yeah, Elara. We'll need at least ten shovels and five hoes by tomorrow. After that—axes. Marcus said they'll be clearing some woods soon."
She smiled faintly, looking at Ronan inside the Smithy. "Ronan, not much time passed since this smithy was built, and we are already thinking ahead."
Inside the Smithy, there was the anvil, a forge, and a stand for tools to place, mostly everything a smithy needs.
Ronan's hammer paused mid-swing. "Can't help it. I feel really good to work again, and when our Lord is being this generous, can't we help him this much, as our life is going to be in Elysian mostly."
There was joy and pride in his tone, and Elara felt the same warmth in her chest. They had been blacksmiths even before coming here, before everything was gone. Now, as the steel sounded in a perfect rhythm, it felt like a lot to Elara and Ronan.
Outside the Smithy, footsteps approached, and a person appeared after knocking on the door. When the person was in the light, Ronan and Elara saw that it was Lucan who entered the smithy, his eyes adjusting to the brightness.
The heat hit his face immediately. Lucan smiled, watching the couple work for Elysian.
"Morning Ronan and Elara," Lucan said. "How is the smithy?"
Ronan and Elara both replied at the same time, "Good morning, sir."
Then Ronan, wiping his sweat, said, "Sir, this Smithy is just fine. We had one smithy of ours, but that was still not as good as this one."
Then Elara stepped up and said, "Yes, Lord, it has all the things we need. Because of this Smithy, we have made good tools already."
Lucan, hearing the words, smiled and then said, "You two are really putting your mind and body into your work; it's really good."
"Ronan and Elara, now that the smithy is built, why don't you give it a name? In the future, it will be called by that name."
Hearing Lucan's words, they first felt happiness, then thinking about the possibility of having a name for their Smithy was good enough. Ronan and Elara said at the same time, "Sir Lucan, a name?"
"Yes, a name for your Smithy," Lucan replied.
Ronan and Elara got the confirmation. After a second of hearing that they could choose any name for the Smithy, they got deep in their thoughts, forgetting that Lucan was still there.
But after a few seconds of waiting, Elara said, "Lord, we can have this Smithy called 'Elysian Smithy'.
If in the future we were to have assistants or fellow blacksmiths, then they will think that everyone is equal. If we were to give it our names, they will think that it's only for the two of us and they don't have any place."
Ronan, hearing her thought, realized that he was just thinking about giving it his and Elara's name, but after Elara spoke, his thoughts changed.
Lucan, hearing Elara's words and taking a few seconds to understand if it would be any good, then said, "Elara, it's a really good thinking. If it's Elysian Smithy, then it can be said everyone is equal in Elysian. Good thinking."
Elara then gestured to a wooden rack beside the forge and said, "Sir, we made some tools to use."
Lucan stepped closer. On the rack lay several farming tools—polished, balanced, and gleaming faintly in the morning light. The craftsmanship was remarkable.
He picked up one of the axes, testing its weight and grip.
"This is… perfect and good enough for our current Elysian to use," Lucan said softly. "You two have done good."
Elara's lips curved into a tired smile. "It feels good to make something that others use."
Ronan nodded. "The metal you gave us was good, sir—better than the normal iron we worked with. It's been a while since we worked together to make something that also helps us in stabilizing our life."
Outside, the others had begun gathering, drawn by the sound of the forge. Marcus, Cedric, Leo, and a few others peeked in, their faces filled with curiosity.
Marcus reached out, lifting one of the shovels. "This—this is a real tool made by our blacksmith."
Cedric whistled. "With this, I can work better, and the load will be lower than usual."
Nors said, "This quality, I didn't think we would have in Elysian."
Kenny said in an excited tone, "Lord, we now have blacksmiths making tools!"
Leo grinned. "When will you be making weapons?"
Ronan chuckled. "We need to make tools first and then weapons later."
Lucan turned slightly. "Don't worry, Leo. Once the state is stable, everyone who needs one will get their own weapon. For now, let's make sure everyone can work easily first."
Leo nodded reluctantly, though a spark of excitement still glimmered in his eyes.
Lucan clapped his hands once. "Good work, you two. These tools will help us more than you think." The two blacksmiths bowed slightly, but pride showed in their faces.
The rest of the morning passed in movement and light noise. People came to collect their assigned tools, laughter and chatter filling the air.
Lucan helped distribute them, answering questions and keeping spirits high. The settlement felt a bit more alive than before.
As the sun rose higher, the heat inside the smithy intensified. Ronan and Elara continued refining tools while Lucan stepped out, wiping his hands on a cloth.
He turned his gaze toward Marcus and Elias, who were waiting nearby, and then, raising his voice, he said, "Marcus and Elias, come here."
Marcus and Elias came as Lucan said and then waited to see what Lucan would tell them.
Lucan then said, looking at both of them, "We need to start thinking ahead. You'll need to get materials from the Vashali market."
Marcus and Elias looked at each other and then to Lucan. "Sir, will you also come with us?"
Lucan said to both of them, "No, I can't come with you, but Marcus, you will handle what to get. I need to stay in Elysian and work on other things."
Lucan then gestured with his hand to show a pouch of gold coins and then gave it to Marcus and said, "Here, this is the money that was still saved. I trust you two. You'll use it to buy lumber, ropes, nails—anything we can use to build. Also, check the market for any rare materials or blueprints if they're available."
Leo, who had been standing nearby, straightened, and walking to Lucan with Marcus and Elias nearby, said, "Let me come too with you two."
Lucan turned to him and then said. "Leo, it's not a trip for young ones. It's for supplies."
"I know," Leo said quickly. "But I need to learn. If I want to protect my siblings… I can't just stay here and do nothing."
Marcus looked between them, then sighed. "Sir, it's not a problem. We can take him."
Lucan stayed silent for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, Marcus says so. Then you can go with them. Listen to Marcus and Elias."
Leo grinned. "Yes, Lord, I will listen to Marcus and Elias."
After the talk, the three prepared for the trip, discussing what to buy and talking a little about the road.
By the time afternoon arrived, the supply team was preparing to leave. Lucan stood by the carriage as the three of them adjusted to their place.
Everyone other than these four were working on their job. The children were watching from afar, Cedric was tending to his farm, and Ronan and Elara were working in the smithy, where some members of Elysian were also there.
Lucan looked at his horse Chetak, petting Chetak, then looking at Marcus, he said, "Keep the pace steady, and if you can come back before the night comes, that will be better."
Elias and the other two said at the same time, "Yes, sir, we will come back before night."
The trio waved their hands before heading down the dirt road that would take them out of Elysian and onto the road that would go toward Vashali. Their figures grew smaller until they couldn't be seen.
Lucan watched them go, his expression a bit worried, but soon his worries were gone because they would be safe and sound. Lucan turned back and walked toward the farmland where Cedric was working.
After a few minutes of walking and greeting others along the way, Lucan reached the farm. Cedric was inspecting the crops. The green leaves were vibrant, the soil moist and rich. It was only yesterday that Lucan had used LP to accelerate their growth, and they were already nearly mature.
When Lucan approached, Cedric looked up, his eyes widening slightly and shocked. "Lord Lucan," he ran to Lucan even with his old body and then said, "Sir, this, see this! These crops are already good enough to be harvested! I didn't know that this land was this magical. I thought that because of the Cursed Lands they would not grow, but here we are!"
Lucan stopped him and then, in a slightly happy tone, he said, "Cedric, it's a good thing that they are available for cutting. If we were to wait for weeks, too much time will be consumed."
"Yes, Lord, I know that, but this is just a miracle," Cedric couldn't hide his surprised face.
"Cedric, now that they are ready for harvest, why don't I help you in cutting them?" Lucan said and then, going through the crops and seeing their greenery,
"Lord, you, I… I can do that. You don't need to help," Cedric said and looked at Lucan, if he could not help him, because Lucan is a lord.
"Sorry, but I can't do that. You know I like to help, so let me help you. I will not hear no for an answer, okay?" Lucan said and, taking a tool to cut the crops, he sleeved up his shirt.
Lucan was going to harvest the crops when Nors, Kenny, and others joined. Nors, seeing that Lucan was working, they also got there to help him. Taking the tools in their hands, everyone worked.
Nors, looking at Lucan, said, "Lord, I didn't know that our land was this magical that in a single day, crops will grow."
"Yes, Lord, sometimes it is too hard to believe that this can be possible in this land," Kenny said.
"Lord, we will use this to make food, right?" it was Evan and Dalia who said at the same time.
Lucan, hearing all that, was still working. He didn't say any word, just working nonstop.
As the afternoon light began to soften, laughter spread across the farm. Everyone was working; not a single one had tiredness on their face.
By the time the sun began to set, a warm light spilled over Elysian. They all worked together and gathered the vegetables in baskets, as they were going toward the bonfire where they would get to taste this.