Chapter 106: Foundation of the Future

I stood on top of the western wall, which now rose five meters above the forest. From this height, the village looked like a blueprint come to life. No crooked fences or chaotic extensions. Straight angles, a street grid designed for rapid troop movement, and drainage channels that I had forced them to dig during the very first week.

​[Object status: Dornheim. Perimeter integrity: 94%. Logistics efficiency: 87%. Population morale: Stably tense.]

​Lumon's voice in my head had become a familiar background. The system projected translucent icons before my eyes, marking grain supplies and gate durability.

​"You're standing here again, Iron."

​I turned around. Below, on the packed earth of the training grounds, stood Noah. In his hands, he gripped a heavy training sword that I had forged specifically for him.

​I went down.

​"You talk too much, Noah. Let's see how much progress you've actually made."

​We stood opposite each other. Noah lunged from his spot. His strike was aimed precisely at the joint of my armor.

​I didn't want to use the skill, but instincts kicked in faster.

​I caught his sword with my prosthesis, nearly twisting the guy's wrist.

​[Warning! Critical load on the neural network. Synchronization: 52%.]

​The moment I let go of his blade, it hit me. A wild, tearing pain shot through my elbow joint, and nausea surged up my throat. I swayed, feeling cold sweat roll down my back.

​"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Noah lowered his sword, looking at me with concern. "I didn't even touch you."

​I exhaled, trying to steady the trembling in my hands.

​"Everything is fine."

​The spirit, fully recovered by this point, dived onto my head.

​"Stop grumbling, Noah! The iron man is just too strong for you!"

​'What is she even talking about?' Noah thought.

​"By the way, iron man, when are you going to start building my 'Garden of Eternal Roses'? I told you, I need a place for meditation!"

​"Once we ensure safety, then there will be roses," I snapped.

​The morning silence was shattered by the sound of a horn. On the horizon, from the direction of the forest, a squad appeared. Five knights in heavy armor and a man in wealthy attire.

​I went out to the gates alone. Noah stood on the wall behind me, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

​"Who is in charge here?" the man in the robe asked arrogantly, looking over our new walls with clear surprise. "I am the steward of Count Wayland. Rumors have reached us that Dornheim has risen from the ashes. The Count is graciously ready to accept your taxes for the missed months. And... we need explanations as to why fortifications have been erected here without the lord's permission."

​I looked up at him. Lumon instantly spat out a calculation:

​[Probability of diplomatic success: 4%. Recommended action: Demonstration of sovereignty.]

​"Dornheim no longer pays taxes to Wayland," my voice was devoid of emotion. "Three months ago, when the monsters came here, the Count left you to die. The village survived under Zeno's protection. Now, this is a free territory."

​The official turned pale.

​"Do you even understand what you are saying? You don't want a war, do you? Right?"

​"You have one month," I replied, turning around. "Don't waste it on empty threats."

​When the squad disappeared from sight, a dead silence hung over the village.

​"Iron..." Noah approached me. "You do know there will be hundreds of them. We only have fifty people, and barely a dozen of them even know how to hold a weapon."

​"We won't fight by their rules," I turned to Noah, Garrat, and the spirit.

​"Elyria!" I pointed toward the forest. "I need pure sulfur from the volcanic springs to the north. Bring back as much as you can carry."

​"Noah! Gather everyone who knows how to hold a hammer. We are going to start casting 'iron pipes.' Garrat, I need people to grind saltpeter and charcoal."

​I headed toward the forge we finished yesterday.

​The day ended to the rhythmic pounding of my hammer.