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Chapter 56 - Roadwork

Chapter 56: Chapter 56 - Roadwork

In the plaza, Aldren and Roneth stood frozen.

Mouths agape.

Eyes wide in disbelief.

It’s as if the world had shifted beneath their feet.

It had only been a week since their last visit to the Lootwell territory.

But now... it looked like an entirely different place.

It had... changed.

No. Changed wasn’t the right word.

It had transformed.

The architecture was striking.

Bold structures built from sharp angles and clean cubes, with little softness in sight.

And yet... it somehow worked.

The design was unusual and almost alien but there was a strange elegance to it.

Beautiful, in its own way.

The two heirs slowly turned in place with their eyes wide and mouths still hanging open.

"Ron... am I dreaming?" Aldren murmured, not looking away.

"I think... I’m dreaming too, Al."

Without warning, Roneth smacked Aldren across the arm.

"Ow! What the hell?!"

"You felt that? Guess I’m not dreaming," Roneth said, still dazed.

"That’s not how it works, idiot!"

Their argument sputtered out as quickly as it began, swallowed by the awe around them.

They took in the sights once more. Silent this time.

And without saying it aloud, the same thought passed through both of their minds.

"Must be nice living here..."

Soon, Lucien arrived.

"You two. I take it the Barons approved my proposal?" he asked as he approached.

But then his eyes shifted and narrowed.

Behind Aldren and Roneth stood a crowd. Dozens... no, hundreds of people.

Laborers... by the look of them.

Aldren stepped forward, offering a sheepish smile.

"Ah, yes, Baron. We brought some help for the construction. It wouldn’t sit right with us to let you handle everything on your own."

Roneth nodded.

"Each of us brought fifty men. That’s a hundred in total. It’d be great to finish the road sooner... Help speed up trade and strengthen ties between our lands."

Lucien gave them a brief, approving nod.

It was indeed a great help.

"Come," he said. "Let’s talk in the study."

After some time, Lucien unrolled a large blueprint on the table.

"This is the nearest path we identified," he said.

Aldren and Roneth leaned over the map... only for their expressions to freeze.

They exchanged a glance then hesitated.

"Uhm... Baron," Aldren began carefully. "There’s a large river cutting through this path."

Roneth added, "Yes, it’s technically the shortest route but that river’s been a problem for generations. Many have tried to build bridges across it... but they all failed. It’s just too wide. Too unpredictable."

Lucien fell silent.

Of course, he already knew that.

He had flown over the region with Sparkles using Skywalk to survey the terrain from above.

That’s when he discovered the truth.

It wasn’t that Hornvale was far. It only seemed far.

The real reason the journey took nearly two days was the long and winding detour through the mountains.

That path had become the default route but it was treacherous and long.

Unreliable, at best.

In truth, Lootwell and Hornvale were much closer... if not for that river.

But Lucien wasn’t discouraged.

He found it fascinating.

Others had seen the river as an insurmountable barrier. But to him, it was just another challenge.

And with the Slime Cement... No river, no matter how wide, could stop them.

Lucien looked at Aldren and Roneth with a piercing gaze.

The two heirs swallowed without realizing it.

Then, Lucien spoke calmly yet with a quiet intensity.

"There’s only one reason they failed... because I wasn’t born at that time yet. If they gave up, that’s their story. Not mine."

Silence.

Aldren and Roneth were stunned. On paper, what Lucien said was absurd.

Arrogant, even.

And yet... it sounded... convincing.

They looked at each other then slowly nodded.

Lootwell’s transformation was all the proof they needed.

If anyone could pull off the impossible...

It was Lucien.

The three continued their discussion for a while, talking about when to start construction, what to expect and what support Lucien might need.

The atmosphere was relaxed, even casual at times.

But then, Roneth asked a question that made Lucien’s brow twitch.

"By the way, Baron... Your former subjects, those who left Lootwell... word have reached them about the changes here. Are you willing to take them back?"

The room went still.

Lucien’s demeanor shifted. The warmth vanished from his face, replaced by something cold.

He was silent for a long moment. The tension thickened like mist.

Then he finally spoke.

"They chose to leave. I have no intention of taking them back. They are no longer part of this new Lootwell Barony."

The response hit harder than expected.

Aldren and Roneth glanced at each other in surprise. They had always believed Lucien cared deeply for his people.

"But... they had no choice at that time," Aldren said, trying to reason. "They were just trying to survive..."

Lucien turned to the window.

Outside, the massive structures stood proudly under the sun.

They are monuments of sacrifice, discipline and relentless work. Proof of those who stayed.

He turned back, eyes sharp as steel.

"Survive? By abandoning their home? Their people?"

He scoffed.

"I have no place here for those who run when things get hard. Let them survive elsewhere. But not here. This barony was built by those who stayed. Those who endured."

His voice grew colder.

"And please don’t speak of this again. If anyone breaks my trust, I will cut them off... immediately. No matter who it is."

For a brief moment, his gaze bore into them. Unyielding and... almost inhuman.

Aldren and Roneth gulped. It felt like Lucien was staring straight through them.

He was serious.

Dead serious.

In that moment, both heirs understood.

The former people of Lootwell didn’t just lose a home...

They lost a future.

And Lucien would never look back.

Lucien let out a quiet sigh and shifted the conversation.

"We’ll coordinate with Stone. We’ll begin as soon as possible. The newcomers need to be briefed too."

With that, the tension in the room finally lifted.

The two heirs nodded, silently grateful for the change in tone.

Not long after, Stone arrived. Lucien gave him instructions regarding the roadwork and the new laborers.

Once everything was settled, Stone left with Aldren and Roneth to begin preparations.

Lucien remained behind... alone once more.

Lucien sat quietly, lost in thought.

He didn’t regret his decision. Not one bit.

Cutting people off came easy to him now. Especially those who had once called Lootwell home... and chose to abandon it.

He didn’t need anyone capable of betrayal. Not in the territory he was building.

Still, a shadow of the past tried to creep in. But he quickly shook his head.

’No, They’re not part of Lootwell and no longer my concern.’

He turned his focus back to the present.

"Sigh... I need to figure out how to get Uncle Max’s help again..." he muttered.

"Did you call for me?"

Lucien blinked, startled by the sudden voice.

It was Maxim, standing just outside the door with his usual grin.

Lucien quickly opened it.

"HA! Nephew, I calculated that it was about time you’d call for me," Maxim chuckled. "You need help again, right? How about the same deal as last time? Except this time... I’d like to apply it for my family in the capital. That alright with you?"

Lucien’s eyes lit up.

It was a good deal. He had nothing to lose.

"Fine by me," he replied without hesitation.

He needed Maxim’s help.

Especially his escorts who could wield Earth Magic. They’d be invaluable for leveling terrain and clearing forest paths.

And the gravel they could produce with Earth spells? It would save them the constant trips to the cliffs.

The two talked for a while longer before Maxim left to give orders to his men.

Once again, Lucien found himself alone.

Lucien sat in silence, eyes unfocused as he stared into the distance... lost in thoughts of the future.

The Grand Celebration was only fifteen days away.

By now, the tax caravan should have already departed for the capital. And yet, it remained here, assisting with the construction efforts.

Maxim had reassured him before. "We can afford a delay as long as the taxes are delivered in full."

That alone was enough to ease Lucien’s mind.

Soon, he and Maxim would be heading to the capital as well.

But before that, there were still pressing matters to resolve.

Loose ends that needed tying.

Only then could he leave without worry.

With a steady breath, Lucien raised his hand and summoned the MAGIC BOOK once more.

Pages turned on their own as he resumed his study of the Eclipse Chain.

He used Perfect Calculation once more.

His mind sharpened.

His focus returned.

He grinned.

The future was approaching fast.

And he would be ready for it.