My apprentices are currently making rock-splitting wedges, but I noticed that it would take time quite a while to make the necessary amount, so I choose to help them. Time went by fast as we all work to finish today's smithing.

After that, we loaded up everything onto a cart and brought everything to the quarry. I quickly cut a few bigger pieces out of the rock face. Cutting was actually the easiest part dragging the huge blocks out was a lot harder and I had to use every bit of strength that I had.

Now when everything was set up, I started to teach how the stone was cut and shaped without using any abilities. It was extremely hard work using chisels to make holes in specific locations that needed to be in a straight line. Then inserting the wedges and slowly hitting them until the stones split apart. Progress was slow but I never expected it to be faster. I left them to continue practising while I quickly started to cut out the pieces of stone that I wanted.

When I finished making the amount needed, I made a few examples of what kind of sized stones were needed for their house foundations. I told them to use the normal technique on the stone blocks that I cut out for them but when that was finished, they could use abilities for the rest.

I let them have a break so they can show me how to use their abilities to get the job done and while it will take them a lot longer than it took me it was still a lot faster than doing it without abilities.

We were preparing to go back to the house to get some lunch, but I had accidentally told them how many rocks they needed for their foundations which made them freeze in place. “Oh, come on, it's not that bad it will take you a few days perhaps a week,” I told them while pulling the cart filled with all the stone slabs for my greenhouse. The cart was at its limit for how much weight it could carry and I contemplated if I needed to make a stronger cart as I was quite certain it will be needed quite soon.

I didn’t wait for my apprentices as it seems they were still shell-shocked. I was already halfway home when they finally caught up. The walk from there was also silent which I didn’t mind. Eventually, George spoke up and I could hear the pleading in his voice. “Rich we were thinking that perhaps you could help us so we could get the stone cut faster?”

I didn’t immediately answer and thought hard about the question. They will have a lot of other things to do as well so perhaps helping them is a good idea at least with this. But is telling them that the best idea. A strong mindset is also needed if you wanted to be a homesteader. You shouldn’t be afraid of hard work. “I have a lot of other things that I must do but if I have some free time I will help” I finally answered them which didn't give them the relief that they wanted but still gave them some hope.

I will probably give them two days before I go and help so we can finish on the third day. But perhaps I could make this an even better learning opportunity. Just before we finished eating, I explained to them what was going to happen.

“I will soon finish with the greenhouse as it won’t take long to place all the stone slabs after that I would be leaving but I also want you guys to live at the quarry site until you have cut out all the stones needed.”

I could see how Emma’s jaw slowly opened in pure shock and a piece of meat fell back onto the plate. I was somehow able to stay serious, so I started to explain some more. There was a small shack that I made and if they packed properly and provision themselves well enough, they should be able to survive out there for a week. I gave them time to prepare until I finished laying all the stone slabs.

It took them almost a minute to figure out what I meant and what it meant for them. They did not look pleased, but that look was quickly replaced by determination. They finished their lunch in record time. I finished my food slowly and watch as they ran around like headless chickens but after a few minutes, they were finally able to calm down and get together to make a proper plan.

I decided to be generous, so I made myself some tea checked out the cows and the chickens and let Francis pull the cart for the final stretch. He was not pleased that I had pulled the cart by myself, but I assured him that he would be doing a lot of pulling soon. Laying the stone slabs I felt like I was Superman. Well I did feel this way while I loaded the cart but now I could see the fruit of my labour and it felt so much better.

Stolen novel; please report.

Two by two, meter stone slabs that were 15 cm thick weighed if I have to guess about 1600 kilos and while they were a bit awkward to move, I was still able to quite easily pick them up and place them when using all that I had. I could have probably finished this in 15 minutes but I took my time and make sure that every side that was touching one another was perfectly straight so there wouldn’t be any gaps in between. I also drank my tea and appreciated the beautiful day. I was able to stretch my work almost to an hour before I was finished.

I now pulled the empty cart back and when I made it to the front of the house, I saw a small pile of stuff gathered there. I was glad to see food and water skins already filled and ready to be taken to the quarry site. I let out a loud whistle and repeated that another time so Goose and the wolves wouldn't come running to me. But my apprentices did come with a little bit of panic show on their faces. “Times up, load everything on and back to work.”

I could see that they wanted to argue against this, but they all stayed quiet and quickly loaded everything onto the cart and then started pushing it towards the quarry. I looked at them go and when they thought that they were out of hearing distance they started to grumble about this turn of events. I didn’t mind it; it was good for morale. I would of course interfere if it went too far but they had already learned those lessons long ago.

I packed up all the books meant for David and the soul core with everything else meant for the village and started to head towards there. Just before I started to run an idea came to me and I headed to the root cellar and got many carrots. I had decided to make a detour and visit the horses. I was running full out in the grass fields, but I didn’t use my movement ability as I wanted the training.

Goose was flying up high easily keeping up and I wondered if I would ever be able to fly. It would have probably taken me the entire day to find the horses if I couldn’t just check where they were. I slowed down well before I reach the horses and approach them slowly. It appears that they can smell carrots quite well or perhaps see them in my hands as some of them came quite quickly.

The fierce-looking horse always kept a close eye on me and didn't let too many horses come close to me. I had to throw him the carrots as he didn’t want me to get too close to him. Eventually, he did come close, and I was able to scratch him behind his neck. While some of the other horses had new scars on them otherwise, they were quite healthy.

While giving the leader of the horses my last carrot I finally spoke to him about important matters. “I see this you guys are doing quite well but I will offer you an opportunity to come back with me. While you will have a lot less freedom like that it would be a lot safer at least for most of you.” He whinnied at that.

I continued. “Yeah, I know but I don’t believe every one of you would want a simple life doing simple things. I’m quite certain you don’t want that. I could feel the battle in your blood and we can offer that as well. But most important no one will ever mistreat your herd ever again.”

The horse couldn’t understand what I was saying I knew that, but I also know that intent was important for animals to understand you. Now he had no clue what I was saying but he at least understands what I was offering. It was his choice to choose if he wanted that and there was no hurry. I didn’t want the answer right now. I will leave them enough time and come back a few times before I give up and we let them live free. I was never going to force animals to be subservient, it would be their choice.

Next, I went to one of the prosperous farmhouses where we planned on building and expanding the horse stables. There currently were only a few horses here that were owned by the knights. These were war horses, and they were too proud to do any work so Francis had to do all the fieldwork. I didn’t mind that a war horse had to have a certain mentality and that just didn't fit with them pulling farm equipment.

The few people with building classes seem to have done a good job. If the entire herd joined us, it would be a bit tight before we could build some extra stables, but we could still fit them all. I inspected the buildings and was pleased by the quality. Around here new pastures were being grown so the horses would have enough to eat. I could already imagine looking at the pastures where hundreds of horses roamed around.

I wanted to head towards the village, but I stopped and looked toward the South. There was a strong monster there that hadn't caused too much trouble, but it was moving towards here and I didn't want it to get into striking distance of the village.

I started to run and even used my movement ability but it still took me almost two hours to make it to the monster’s location. The fight itself lasted only a few minutes and most of that was just me chasing after the fleeing monster. I ended up killing it with just a single throwing knife.

It was a strong silver-tier monster, but it didn’t have any elemental spark in its core which I was a bit sad about. I grabbed the core so I could give it to the wolves or perhaps I would find the use for it myself.

When I finally made it to the village it was completely dark and almost everyone was asleep. The people who weren't asleep were mostly the guards and I contemplated on what to do as I looked at the village walls while hidden in the grass.