In the morning, Thaddeus woke up and walked outside. For the first time in a long time, he felt unburdened. There were no pressing quests to complete, no enemies to fight, and nothing that needed to be built urgently. Today felt great. He checked on the horses, chickens, and goats, and noticed one thing. They were all pregnant. Betsy's belly looked swollen. She was sitting in the grass under a tree. The goats bleated happily as Thaddeus let them out graze, the chickens ate the pests, and the pigs enjoyed the cool morning.

As he walked, he found himself at Cassian’s front door. He knocked on the door and a half-dressed man opened it still looking very tired.

“Oh, Thaddeus comes in,” he said motioning for him to sit at the fancy dining table. He took out a pipe. Turned it upside down and gently hit it against the table to let the dust and old tobacco fall out. He then took out a roll of tobacco, jammed it inside, and handed it to Thaddeus. Then he took out a second pipe and repeat the process.

While he did that, Thaddeus looked around the house. Where he expected to see a bare hour, the house was luxuriously decorated, and even pictures hung on the wall. The furniture looked expensive, and the bed and mattress looked like they were stolen from a castle. He had never seen such an elaborately decorated bed.

“Every man must have a vice. But I have three, wine, women, and pipeweed. If the gods didn’t want men to enjoy themselves, they never should have made those three,” Cassian laughed.

“Do you always travel this well?” Thaddeus asked.

“Of course, how else could I live?” Cassian said, “But is all yours for the right price.”

The two men laughed at the joke, which really want a joke. They both knew Cassian would sell his mother for the right price.

“This is good,” Thaddeus said taking a puff. The smoke was fruity and calming.

“You can only buy this in the capital. Would you like me to order you some?” Cassian asked.

“How much for a pound?” he asked.

“Not much only 20 gold. They grow it in Pine Bluff. The nobility loves this stuff, they can’t get enough of it. Some flavors sell for hundreds god. This is cheap stuff,” Cassian said truthfully a hint of sadness in his voice.

“Cheap or not it’s good enough for me,” Thaddeus said.

“I’ve decided when I return in two months that’ll be my last trip abroad. I’ll head back to Pine Grove sell my route and move here. Make sure you build me a nice general store because I plan to ask Rosalind's father for her hand in marriage. We spoke yesterday, and got along really well,” Cassian said love struck.

“I don’t know Rosalind?” Thaddeus said thinking of the new residents.

“She’s the refugee family’s oldest daughter. She told me, she talked to you yesterday,” Cassian said.

“Oh, her, yes, she’s very beautiful,” Thaddeus agreed.

“This town needs more single women so those new laborers you hired leave her alone!” Cassian said angrily.

“I’ll make sure to keep an eye on her while you’re away, and I’ll build you two a magnificent home,” Thaddeus promised.

“You really are a good friend,” Cassian said hugging him.

“Let me as you a question. Earlier you said pipe weed was Pine Bluff’s export. What do you think should be Woodhaerst? In the future, I plan to sell crops, chicken meat, goat meat, pelts, lumber, and fish. Can you recommend some cash crops like cotton, coffee, or rare spices?” Thaddeus inquired.

“Hmm, that’s a good question. You, Travelers, have brought new spices, foods, and drinks to our world. Coffee was certainly new and is popular with your kind-

"Did you say coffee, they have here? How much does it cost?" Thaddeus interrupted his mouth salivating. He really missed the taste of coffee.

"Hm, last I checked, it was a gold pound. They have to ship it from somewhere far, but I can't remember the name," Cassian said rubbing the back of his head and trying to remember.

"You have to get a bag," Thaddeus said excitedly.

"Fine by me, I'll accept your gold. To finish my comment. Cotton and spices are valuable, but goat and chicken meat are twice as valuable. River fish is also a delicacy that will earn your plenty of money in Pinewood and Pine Grove. Your people are also buying all the dried lumber they can get their hands on. You could make a mint selling lumber. Of course, nothing pays more than magic crystals,” Cassian said.

‘How could I be so stupid to forget magic crystals! Every fantasy game has magic crystals. I wonder if the giant mine has mana crystals?’ Thaddeus thought.

Magic crystals were used to empower magic wands, artifacts, and gear. A mana crystal mine was like a gold mint.

“Thank you,” Thaddeus said getting up to leave.

“Listen, I know you’re paying a lot of money to fund this village, but this place is already more self-efficient than you think. As long as you keep doing, what you’ve done, this village will be a town sooner than you think. When that happens, you can relax and let the cam relax and appoint a Village Elder,” Cassian shaking his hand see you later.

When Thaddeus went outside village looked a lot busy. There was already a line outside Lidia’s bakery. Across the street, it looked like Brand and Hunter looked like they were negotiating the cost of three squirrels.

He walked down the street and greeted his residents. Everyone looked so happy, and they waved at him respectfully. He waited to purchase bread, but everyone ushered him to the front. He bought his usual loaf for two copper and venison steak for three. He went home ate a quick breakfast and walked to the forest.

He took his axe and started good-quality oak trees. He’d cut down 17 trees by the time the loggers arrived.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“Greeting Lord Brown, they said you were an early riser, but we didn’t believe it. The stories they tell about you are almost too good to be true. Our last lord was a real slacker, it’s nice to have a lord who works hard. Oh, I’m Nathan,” he said stretching out his hand.

“Nice to meet you, Nathan. As long as you men put in a full day's work, I’ll pay you a full day's wage. Now, do you the difference between good-quality trees and bad ones?” Thaddeus asked.

“No, our last lord just told us to chop down trees, he didn’t care about good-quality trees,” Nathan said.

“Well pay attention,” Thaddeus said as he explained how to tell good quality trees from poor ones. He showed them the proper stance to fell trees. He quizzed them and answered questions. He was passionate about them and monitored them. When they could reliably tell good-quality trees, he left them.

He brought his timber to the sawmill and saw Marcus marveling at the sawmill.

“This is incredible,” he said respectfully like a visitor to the basilica.

“I’m glad you like it, I built it by hand,” Thaddeus bragged.

“Is it true you built all these buildings by hand?” Marcus asked in admiration.

“Yes, when I arrive there was only prairie and forest,” Thaddeus described. “Now let’s get to business. How much time have you spent in a sawmill?”

“None,” Marcus replied nervously.

“None! How did your lord cut dimensional lumber?” Thaddeus said aghast.

“He brought in a carpenter, I was just his assistant. He didn’t teach me anything, but I picked up the Woodcraft skill,” Marcus said embarrassed

“Let’s start with the basics,” Thaddeus instructed. He showed Marcus how to turn the water wheel on. Then he showed him how to roll the log onto the track. He showed him how to make the top cuts, then the planks and beams. He let him practice sawing the wood and gave him advice as he watched from the side. When he was satisfied, he showed Marcus the kiln and how to keep the fire lit.

He left Marcus and walked to the tannery. Oscar was inside looking at the shop and the pelts in different stages of washing, tanning, and drying.

“It doesn’t smell, how?” Oscar said amazed.

“It’s amazing what you can build when you build it yourself. Now, how much tanning experience do you have,” Thaddeus asked.

“Not much, I had to trap to feed my family. I learned to make tannins from trees and tan hides,” Oscar explained.

“Good, you’re self-taught. Show me what you know, and I’ll suggest corrections,” Thaddeus suggested.

Oscar explained how he washed hides, tanned them, and dried them. He did a good job and needed little guidance. His biggest problem was not knowing how to use the appropriate tools. Thaddeus quizzed on the tools and use. When was consistent, he left Oscar alone to work.

He left the tannery and visited the farm. Sean, Arthur, and Mathew were standing around the group of builders. When they saw Thaddeus, they stopped talking and straightened up.

“Good morning!” Thaddeus said greeting them.

“Lord Brown, we were just talking about the farm. You are surely blessed by the goddess. There are no pests or weeds. The crops are growing twice as fast and are twice as hearty. You can expect a fine harvest this year,” Arthur commented.

“Good, that’s what every farmer wants to hear. How’s the lives stock?” Thaddeus asked.

“All the nanny goats are pregnant. Their bellies are big, so I suspect most will have twins, but the range is anywhere between one to three,” Matthew elaborated.

“Good, we’ll start selling goats at the end of the year. Preference will be given to our village and then we’ll sell what we can on the market. Oh, I forgot, I need a builder to take Carl to the loggers to help them move the timber to the sawmill,” Thaddeus explained.

“I’ll do it,” said a builder running off to grab Carl.

“I call you all here today because we need to build a large barn,” Thaddeus said taking out the blueprints for a 54-feet by 48-feet Gambrel Barn. The barn itself was 30 feet by 48 feet with two 12 feet by 48 feet enclosed lean-to overhangs.

Last night Alfred was able to transfer the blueprint to paper. Thaddeus handed the blueprints to the farmhand and builders.

“My lord this is large enough to fit two wagons,” Sean said impressed.

“Lord Brown, I apologize we never learned to make Mortise and Tenon, and Tongue and Fork Joints,” said an ashamed builder.

“Don’t worry, Marcus and I will take care of the joints in the shop. Your job is but it together correctly. I’ll periodically come to check on your progress,” Will explained.

Then he cast [Erosion] creating a two-foot depression in the earth. Then he filled it with [Stone Wall]. When he was finished, he turned the builders and said, “There your foundation is done. Grab only the pine wood and get started.”

The oak lumber was reserved to build his house.

“Yes, sir!” the exclaimed.

Next, he went to check on old man Jameson. It took a while to find the man, but he was fishing near the mill. When Thaddeus walked up next to him, he already had three fish in his basket.

“It looks like the fish are biting,” Thaddeus said making small talk.

“There’s no need to check up on an old man like me. Surely a lord has more important things to do?” Jameson said softly.

“Checking on the new residents is something important,” Thaddeus countered.

“Then yes the fish are biting, they’re as hungry as I am. Ina should be here soon, care to eat with us?” he asked.

“I’ll pass for now. How’s the pole?” Thaddeus checked.

“The poles fine, it’s the bait that matters and you bought nice bait. Thank you for letting giving this to me, I swear to pay you back,” he said bowing his head.

In the distance, he could see the old man’s wife walking over with a lunch basket.

“I’ll leave you and Ina to enjoy your lunch,” Thaddeus said, walking away to visit the church.

When he walked inside, he saw Cassian talking to Rosalind as he swept the floor.

Thaddeus welcome, how may I help you,” Thera asked.

“I imagine your church has seen an uptick in visitors,” Thaddeus chuckled.

“Why yes, young, single, men, keep coming into the church,” she laughed back.

“How has your stay been so far?” Thaddeus asked.

“Thank you for checking on me. Things are fine, the sacristy is comfortable. I enjoy the quiet, yesterday was quite enough adventure for me,” she explained and then called Rosalind.

When Rosalind walked over Cassian followed quickly behind.

“I came to check in on you. I just finished speaking with your father,” Thaddeus said

“I’m fine Lord Brown,” she said with a cutesy. “My family finally for a full night's rest and everyone in the time is nice.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Will said.

“Cassian shouldn’t you be getting on the road?” Thera asked pointedly.

“Yes, I must go. Please wait until I return,” Cassian begged before leaving.

After saying farewell, Will followed him outside of the church.

“Shall we square up before I leave, or do you want to run a tab?” Cassian asked petting his horse.

“I’ll pay now,” Thaddeus said unsure of the final cost.

“Let’s see that's five spears, 14 sets of clothing, minus my future wife, plus the axes, and the builders' tools come to a grand total of one silver and 18 coppers.

“Alfred, please transfer the money,” Thaddeus ordered.

“Done, sir. The money has been transferred into his account. Your skill books have sold. The final price was 583 gold. Would you like me to add it to your investment account?” he asked.

“Yes, thanks, Alfred!” Thaddeus said happily. In three days, he earned 603 gold from selling the skill book, 10 gold from his Word First Bonuses, 5 gold from the coyote den, and another 5 gold from Demeter for giving asylum to the religious refugees.

“It’s a pleasure doing business with a man who pays his debts. Now is there anything you’d like me to bring back? More livestock, maybe some sheep this time? More skill books or jewelry?” He asked.

Thaddeus knew one thing from undergraduate business classes, you have to spend money to make money. And he had money now, so he might as well invest in his village, “I want more iron ingots, goats and chickens as many as you can transport, pigs, and combat skill books. Oh, can you tell me what the others wanted? I’m willing to help them purchase any necessities.”

“You sir are the only one that can afford the Merchant Guild’s prices, at least until I open my shop. Also, you should know, most lords make their people pay for clothes, tools, and weapons. You are too generous, and that’s why your people, respect you,” Cassian complimented.

“You don’t need to butter me up, what’s the expected price?” Thaddeus

“The price of ore has gone up and skill books are hard to find right now. I have a connection who works the black market. I might find you some for cheap. I'll try to bring everything you want but this time it will cost a lot more," Cassian shouted whipping his horse and driving his wagon, down the road, and out of sight.