Later that day, in the training fields:
Felix barked orders across the open ground where villagers, adventurers, and Felix's mercenaries gathered.
"Steady your aim! Breath in—then pull the trigger, not before!"
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
A series of shots rang out, sending wooden targets at the far end of the field splintering.
Children watching from the fence gasped and clapped, some mimicking the soldiers' stances with sticks.
Igor moved among the trainees, adjusting grips and correcting stances.
"Use your shoulder, lad, not just your arms," I grunted, helping a young man fix his rifle hold.
Meanwhile, Elvie, Miss Agnes and Ella stood at the side, arms crossed, watching it all unfold with a deep sense of satisfaction.
The villagers were learning.
Not just how to fight—but how to defend what they had built.
Felix came to stand beside me.
"We'll hold them off, my lord," he said, his voice low but certain. "No mercenaries or noble scum will take this land from us."
I looked at him and nodded once.
"We're not just defending a village," I said quietly. "We're protecting hope."
Felix's grin widened.
"And hope has a hell of a punch now."
We both turned to watch as another volley of rifle shots shattered the last row of targets.
The following day, under a clear sky, preparations for the "Festival of Harvest and Trade" were officially announced while hundreds of construction workers started their work.
Elvie and Ella took charge immediately, their excitement contagious.
Elvie, sleeves rolled up and hands on her hips, barked orders at the villagers like a seasoned commander.
"String those lanterns higher! No one wants a droopy entrance!" she shouted to a group of boys fumbling with decorations.
Ella, more composed but no less efficient, directed the setting up of market stalls and a small wooden stage in the center of the temporary marketplace.
"We'll need performances—music, dances, maybe even some contests," she told a cluster of young women, who quickly scattered to prepare costumes and instruments.
Meanwhile, colourful banners—some crafted with dyes from my seeds—were strung across the streets.
Children ran between carts, laughing, their cheeks flushed with excitement.
Merchants cleaned and polished their stalls, preparing for an influx of buyers and visitors.
Behind the festive smiles, however, my soldiers and Felix's trained riflemen worked quietly in the background, installing hidden barricades disguised with decorations and reinforcing buildings that would serve as rally points if needed.
The entire town was becoming a trap—but this time, one we controlled.
Kael stood beside me, watching the organised chaos with mild amusement.
"Looks like your village is ready for war and a festival at the same time," he remarked dryly.
I chuckled. "Best to give them something to celebrate. It keeps fear away."
Just as I was about to head back to the manor to finalise a few plans, the familiar soft ding of the Guardian Screen echoed in my mind.
New Hidden Quest Available: Yes or No?
Another one?
Without hesitation, I tapped Yes.
A new window opened before my eyes:
Hidden Quest:
Reward:
My eyebrows rose slightly. This was the most layered quest yet—not just survival, but preparation for a greater future.
Kael noticed my expression. "Something new, my lord?"
I nodded slightly. "Something that will make this village more than just a dot on the map."
That evening, the festival grounds glowed again under dozens of floating mana lanterns, their lights reflecting off the colourful banners and bustling stalls.
Music from flutes, drums, guitars, and ukuleles filled the air, blending with the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread. Villagers laughed, danced, and feasted—unaware of the silent protectors among them. Elvie and Ella stood at the heart of it all, proud and beaming.
"Tomorrow will be even grander," Elvie declared, punching the air.
Ella smiled and handed her a steaming cup of cider. "One step at a time, sister."
I stood nearby, watching them.
The village was alive—vibrant, strong, and growing more powerful by the day.
And soon, the Robinson Territory name would spread across the kingdom.
As I looked around, the town square was alive with magical stone street lights, music and roasted meat. Children ran laughing past their parents, who were decorating their booths with colourful banners and balloons. Artisans showed off and arranged their newest wares—from carved trinkets to mana-infused jewellery. It had taken months to reach this point, but the town now felt like a beacon of progress.
Behind me, I could hear Felix and Igor muttering quietly in that clipped, professional tone only seasoned warriors had. I turned slightly to catch a glimpse.
Felix held a folded map while Igor tapped different points with a gloved finger.
"North gate post secured. Rotating squads every two hours," Igor said.
Felix nodded. "South Gate has a double watch and two crossbowmen stationed in the upper tower. No reports of unusual movement. Scouts are still watching the forest line."
"Good," I said, approaching them with a smile. "I don't want anything ruining tomorrow."
Felix looked up and gave me a smirk. "We've already detained three drunken miners and an overly enthusiastic bard. No demon spies yet."
"I'll take that as progress," I chuckled. I motioned for them to follow me to a cleared bench near the platform, where I'd set down a large wooden crate earlier. Curious villagers, seeing me move with purpose, began to gather. Elvie came trotting up beside me with Ella in tow, both looking intrigued.
"What's in the box this time, my lord?" Elvie asked, eyes twinkling. "More magical food? A new kitchen tool?"
I grinned. "Not quite. This one isn't for eating—it's for speaking. At a distance." I knelt, popped the latch open, and carefully lifted a sleek, black two-way radio from a bed of straw. It looked pristine against the rustic world around it. Next to it lay a smaller box filled with extra batteries.
"A... box that speaks?" Ella tilted her head, clearly sceptical.
Felix's eyes narrowed. "Another North item?"
"Exactly," I said, holding it up so they could see the buttons. "This is a two-way radio. Think of it as... a magical voice pipe that carries your words to someone far away—clear and fast, but without any use of magic stone. Even ordinary humans can use this."
Came the gasps from the audience.
Then I pressed the side button and spoke into the radio. "Test. This is Dirk. Felix, if you would?"
Felix raised an eyebrow, then stepped back and picked up the second unit from the crate. He inserted a fresh pair of AA batteries, flicked the switch, and brought it to his mouth.
"This is Felix. Receiving loud and clear. Over."
Another gasp broke out among the crowd. A few people actually took a step back. "What is amazing, just like the guild orbs but without any use of magic."
One dwarven merchant whispered, "Is that a mimic in a box?"
"No," I laughed. "It's pure science. Batteries power it. As long as you're within range—up to several kilometres—you can talk to each other instantly. No need for runners, messengers, or mana scrolls."
Felix pressed the button again, this time his voice projecting to everyone's surprise. "This will change the way we patrol. Instant alerts. Coordinated strikes."
Igor folded his arms, his voice gruff but impressed. "With this... Even a midnight ambush wouldn't catch us sleeping."
A younger guard stepped forward, wide-eyed. "Can I try, my lord?"
I handed him one unit. "Just hold this button down when you talk. Then let go to listen."
Some of the guys nodded, and I wonder if they understood. However, the boy hesitated, then said nervously, "Uh... hello?"
Felix responded immediately through the speaker: "Hello, recruit. Hope you're not stealing my pizza again."
The square erupted in laughter.
Ella, still staring at the box, leaned toward me. "So these don't run on mana stone, right?"
"Nope," I said. "Earth tech. Purely battery-powered. And I've got a few crates of spares."
I reached into the crate and pulled out a cardboard box filled with dozens of AA batteries. "With proper use, each radio lasts a few days. We'll reserve them for critical posts—scouts, patrol leaders, and emergencies."
Elvie crossed her arms, clearly impressed. "You know, this... This changes everything. Even our fastest messengers take half a day to reach some outposts."
I nodded. "I want a radio tower built on the eastern hill. Small but sturdy. Solar panels to power a base unit. We'll coordinate not just this town—but the villages nearby."
Felix, inspecting the unit, gave a rare nod of approval. "This is no small gift. You're giving us command over the air."
Igor chuckled. "And taking the fun out of chasing messengers through the mud."
I looked at them all—the astonishment, the laughter, the sparks of inspiration in their eyes. Even the nobles, who had mostly dismissed Earth tech before, leaned in with genuine curiosity now.
Ella brushed her fingers along the radio. "Dirk… with tools like these, we could stay one step ahead of the mainland."
I met her gaze, firm. "That's the plan."
Behind me, children mimicked radio chatter with sticks and toy horns. And I knew… this wasn't just a new device. It was the beginning of an information network. A silent revolution—spoken one frequency at a time.