Three days until we leave for the north.

Things are a bit hectic around the estate as we finish the last of our preparations. A lot has to be considered. Clothes, foodstuffs, weapons, and transportation all have to be seen to. If we were a part of a group, we would have an easier time as they have people who do this kind of thing, allowing the fighters to solely focus on fighting.

As it is, we are entirely reliant on our own selves for survival. We don’t even have the cushion of buying anything we forget. According to Alana, Fort Victory is not exactly overflowing with commodities on a good day. As they are about to undertake a massive militaristic endeavor, things are likely to be scarce.

Thankfully, my household is full of competent people. Between the succubi and Kierra, we won’t lack for food, water, shelter, or weapons. Thanks to my deal with Howie, we’ll also have plenty of drink, and with Rolly, there’ll be plenty of entertainment outside the fighting. However, that isn’t the extent of my preparations.

After all, I’m not marching into the Bleak Peaks to play soldier. I’m going there to make my mark. To do what no other has been able to do before.

I want to create a foothold in the Peaks. Build a fortified outpost that will serve as a staging ground for future campaigns. The first step in conquering the unconquerable land.

While I am quite confident in our chances, no one else will be. Perhaps I might convince them if I revealed all my secrets but that’s the last thing I want to do. Unfortunately, with no chance of others investing in my plans, I have to source all the resources for this outpost myself.

Bell can rival, and likely outperform, any earth caster in the kingdom, but even she has her limits. Creating a whole building that is sturdy enough to withstand harsh weather and harsher monsters from nothing is asking too much. Especially if we have to defend ourselves while doing so.

Bringing the materials should makes things easier on my virtue posing as an imp but it brings its own complications. Rather than a single carriage, I’ll be traveling with a whole caravan worth of wagons.

That’s a lot to be dragging around and protecting. Not to mention all the beast power needed to move heavy building materials. Regular old horses aren’t going to do the trick once we’re past the mountains. I need special beasts of burden that are strong enough to walk through the snow, won’t be bothered by the cold, and won’t startle with something nipping on their heels.

All troublesome, but not impossible. The Guiness sisters were more than happy to empty their warehouse for my needs. Cloud managed a small miracle getting me enough horses to pull my small caravan. She’ll join me on the journey to Fort Victory and see them back.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t convince the Sanctuary to give us mounts capable of surviving the cold. Too few of the beasties, I suppose, as no amount of gold could sway them, even amounts we’d need years to pay off. I’m hoping there’s some to spare in Victory.

Cloud has agreed to stay long enough to help me select proper beasts, being more knowledgeable of such things. She plays it off as being curious about the famous fort but I can tell she’s worried.

Then of course are the preparations for the house. Mainly the gardens, their care and protection.

My servants are quite capable but too many have convinced themselves that Kierra is growing alchemical gold. Whether she is or isn’t, with the dragon away, some greedy bastard is going to raid her stash for treasure.

Earl is good, disturbing so, but he can’t fight off a coordinated assault from multiple casters. I don’t want to expose him or Anna to that kind of danger anyway.

Thankfully, Miss Talia has agreed to stay at the house. To my astonishment, she’s asked to be released from her role as a dorm mother. Just like that, she’s cutting ties to the Hall, the interrogators, her mentor, and the crown to become…our flower.

I almost can’t believe it. At most, I expected to steal her away on the odd weekend, perhaps a few evenings. She had a whole life before us and a bright future with a wealth of options.

I also have no illusions as to her feelings for me. Rather, her lack of them. I’m confident enough to say she doesn’t detest my company, and on an arrogant day, I’d go so far as to say she enjoys it. Nothing more. I have my doubts she can feel more, though that seems discourteous.

Despite that, she gave everything up with a decisiveness that left me speechless. The bridges haven’t been burned. I’m sure if she asked to rejoin the staff, Dunwayne would be quick to accept her. Her previous mentor would probably be quicker to welcome her into the interrogators.

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It is still a monumental choice. I guess regaining her sight blew away any hesitance she might have had about my household. Another secret we’re keeping. Haha, I’m sure Miss Talia is having fun observing people who think she’s blind. There’s no telling what people have been doing that’s now going to be exposed.

As for maintaining the garden, with the help of the succubi, an artifact will make sure the plants survive the cold. The crisscrossing arches of black stone are certainly eye-catching, the red fire affinity stones socketed into them even more so, but it’s not worth enough for people to risk stealing them, I think. Not with our reputations. They’d also be pissing off the Guiness family, who we’re renting them from.

One of the first things I’m going to do once I return is investigate Geneva’s idea of trading through different realms for rare materials.

The Guiness’ favor toward my wife only extends so far. A merchant values nothing over profit. As such, we paid full price for those stones. The only reason we aren’t destitute is because we didn’t try to buy them outright.

The succubi know how to create artifacts but paying for the materials for anything useful will kill us, financially. As always, summoning is the answer.

There’re also the winter assignments. Geneva won’t be around to continue the servant’s educations. I was fine giving them a break but the succubus doesn’t believe in such. I did talk her into going easy on them.

Their assignments are more leisure activities than anything else. Sewing for Anna, reading for Earl, and preparing useful plants from the garden for Gajin. Nomad…he’s fine.

I’m looking over the wagons gathered in the back when I hear rapid footsteps approaching. A glance over my shoulder reveals Anna rushing toward me, several golden balls of fluff trailing her.

During the qualifiers, I picked up a strange manabeast called a flockett. Small creature, smaller than my hand. Nearly as round as a ball with soft golden fur and big eyes.

The one I picked up happened to be carrying a full litter of young in its belly. On a whim, I brought it home. Little girls and cute animals suit each other so I passed the fluffy bundle to Anna to take care of. A nuisance out of my hair and a friend for the girl who is woefully lacking in beings to socialize with.

They’ve been getting on well, especially since Cloud started teaching her. Some might think it irresponsible to deliver the girl into the hands of a woman who practically worships monsters and genuinely wants to become one, but Cloud is a good, honest person, no matter her peculiarities.

Besides, Anna was well on that path without any help. At least now she has a guide.

She skids to stop in front of me, her open jacket billowing behind her before settling down. Hm. She’s a bit too active to be in full uniform like those in the house. The jacket is already filthy. Perhaps I can have something easier to move in made. Anna is hardly going to settle down.

“Good morning, Lady Lou.”

I reflexively smile. “Morning. I see you’ve been practicing your greetings.”

“Mm! Good?”

“Very good, very good.” I ruffle the haystack atop her head. “You had a message for me?”

“Visitors. Two men. Arty and Bert.”

Arty and Bert? Hm, the first is probably Arthur. I can’t imagine anyone else whose name could be shortened such a way and would be visiting me. Who in the Abyss is Bert? I know I’m terrible with names but I could swear I’ve never met anyone like that.

“I suppose I can take a break. Has Earl prepared tea?”

She nods her head.

“Alright. Remind Gajin he has until tomorrow to finish packing the herbs and edible plants from the garden.”

“Mm.”

I give her head one more ruffle before heading into the house, stepping around crates and barrels. We retrieved Howie’s stash of drinks yesterday and the wagons are arriving tomorrow. Until then, the house is a little crowded.

Geneva’s been using the clutter as a make-shift obstacle course for the children with assistance from Rolly. Really, that succubus knows how to turn anything to her favor.

Kierra loved the idea and now Alana runs through the house with the sadistic elf chasing her at least once every hour. It’s more than a little amusing.

Two young men are seated in my living room. One of them I would reluctantly call a friend, though even I have to admit, he’s much easier to be around after his “fun time” with Geneva.

Arthur is no longer the crude, scruffy, perverted pirate-son he used to be. Instead, he is a cold, morose, sharp-eyed bastard. The disgusting smile that used to come so easily to him hasn’t graced his lips once since he willingly let Geneva toy with his mind.

Poor idiot thought he was going to have some freaky sex. Instead, she tortured him for ten years inside a false reality.

A part of me feels guilty. I warned him, several times. Far too many times. I gave her rules so she didn’t utterly destroy him. I even made sure he wasn’t injured. He emerged from his ordeal without so much as a scratch.

But whatever he went through, I only have the barest details, it left its mark. He’s matured. Very, very fast and not through positive learning experiences. Pain matured him. The last time I saw him, he was lost, incredibly so. Combined with his new quiet countenance and my lingering guilt, I’m not as opposed to his company as usual.

The other one is very much unwelcome yet he seems to come around more than my supposed friends. Once again, Mr. Four Affinities has graced my house with his presence. Not too far from the suppressed agitation during his last visit, he looks distinctly uncomfortable.

Bad memories, perhaps? Geneva assures me he remembers only faint impressions of his episode when he reacted to my pheromones but maybe something in him is reacting.

His survival instincts? He’s certainly putting himself in danger. For some reason, unfortunate things tend to happen to the future Harvest Hero in my presence. Mainly brought on by himself.

They turn to me as I enter the room. Mr. Talented gets to his feet. “Lady Tome, thank you for seeing me.”

Arthur simply nods.

“Afternoon.” I take a seat across from them, waving for the future hero to relax. “What can I do for you today?”