Thaddeus logged into the game. He returned to his yurt. He looked around and noticed nothing had been moved. The tent was small, but it was homely. He walked outside to the grassy plot where he planned to build his farm home. For two months, he focused on building his village. He put his interest last and focused on helping the village and villagers.

But now that the village was self-sufficient, it was time he started focusing on himself. After speaking with Sabrina and meeting her parents, he felt their relationship was more stable. Even though they’d be long-distance in-person, they would still be together in-game. Moreover, Sabrina would be here in three months. That meant he only had three months to build a furnish his cottage.

He had to start now if he wanted to finish on time. He walked the short distance to the kiln and pulled out all the oak lumber he could carry. He dropped the stubs and panels in front of the yurt. Before he started, he checked the weather. It was a sunny early morning with wispy clouds and a warm late spring breeze. The realism of this game was too surreal.

Standing next to his yurt, he saw the green translucent 3D hologram of the farmhouse he created when he burned the prairie to make his farm. For two months he walked past the hologram making slight changes but never started building.

‘Today that changes,’ he said casting [Erosion] to excavate the dirt for the 30-feet by the 12-feet stone cellar. The cellar would be similar in size to the Inn the system built. Once the

When he was done excavating, he cast [Stone Walls]. The stone walls were built tall than the cellar to keep critters and rodents from getting in. He jumped onto the stone floor and began framing the cellar walls. After building and framing so many houses, he finished the cellar quickly. He looked at the cellar’s wood wooden walls and felt displeased.

He wanted to do more for his house, like plaster the cellar walls. But he was out of glue, and none was being sold on the player auction. He also needed flour and gypsum neither of which was being sold either. He could ask Sabrina to purchase them and trade them with him, but he decided not to bother her over something small. Plus, she wasn’t in-game. She was spending time with her parents right now and then driving back home to Louisville, Kentucky to look for jobs.

Instead, he decided he would wait until she arrived to take care of the small details. The biggest priority right now was building the basement steps. Once that was finished, he cast [Stone Wall] again to create the stone foundation for the first floor and raised the wrap-around porch. After he was done, he started framing the first floor.

By the time the villagers were awake, he was nearly halfway done with the floor and started framing the first floor. When the villagers realized he returned, they came over in groups and welcomed him back to their world. Some were worried, that he may not be able to return once he left. But Thera did a good job of settling their worries.

The first to welcome him back were Thera, Brand, Arthur, and Jameson. They came over as a council to update him on what happened in his absence. In short, nothing happened. But they reported at length on the village and villagers. The only thing worth mentioning was the villagers were excited to meet the new arrivals and the 15 new houses for them were completed.

As they continued to speak, Thaddeus asked Alfred, “what’s the percentage of getting a villager with a profession?”

“Sir, settlement lords have a 15% chance of getting a villager with one profession. A 5% chance of getting two villagers with professions. And less than a 2% chance of getting three or more villagers with professions,” Alfred replied.

“…and that is why we want to hold a harvest festival in….,” Brand said.

“I think that’s a good idea,” Thaddeus said distractedly.

“Great! The villagers are going to be thrilled when they hear your approval,” Arthur said excitedly.

“Farewell, Lord Brown,” Jameson said.

“Bye,” Thaddeus waved.

He worked late into the afternoon. Finally, around 6 PM, he laid down his tools and wiped the sweat from his face. He finished the framing the first floor. The interior walls were plumb and everything was set to start work on the second floor tomorrow.

After putting his tools away, he went inside his tent to wash up, change clothes, and eat dinner. When he finished, he sat in outside his tent in a chair he made and spoke a pipe.

Relaxing in the evening after a hard day’s work was the best. From where he sat, he could see the builders working on laborer and their homes. Behind him, he could hear the gentle flow of the river. This is what he originally wanted. This is why he wanted to own a farmstead. He wanted to sit peacefully and enjoy nature. But unfortunately, he couldn’t enjoy it for long.

Off in the distance, he saw a guard running right for him. In the past, the guard would have been out of breath from running from the fort to the river. But now, all his guards were well-conditioned. Kara made sure they could run for miles with spears and shields before getting tired.

“Milord, a caravan approaches with the royal banners. Your orders, sir?” the guard asked saluting with his arm across his chest and his hand balled into a fist.

“Form a welcoming ceremony,” Thaddeus said standing up to follow the guard to the warn fort. As they walked to the fort, the villagers and adventures slowly amassed behind him.

“Wait--“ Kara called out bringing his horse, Carl. “I know those royal snobs. If you give’em an opportunity, they’ll look down on you. Better to climb atop your horse that way you can look them straight in the eyes, as an equal,” she suggested.

“We feel the same,” Brand said pointing to the council. Then he said, “You can only trust a bureaucrat as far as you can through them. But they’re usually too fat throw.”

Thaddeus heeded their advice and climbed on Carl. He looked like a general leading his people to war, with his tall frame atop a large horse. He reached the hilltop the soldiers in the fort all saluted. When they saluted, their hands hitting the armor made a loud, Bang! Hearing the noise, the villagers all smiled and nodded approvingly. At the time, Kara looked like a proud mama bird, whose chicks learned to fly.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Kara you’ve done an excellent job training the soldiers,” Thaddeus complimented.

She nodded in gratitude and then commanded, “Make a welcoming column!”

The 10 guards divide in half and formed a column on either side of the road.

Approaching him was a caravan mile long. In the front, he saw the royal envoy. True to Brand’s description, it was a large overweight man. He was dressed formally and wore an expensive-looking purple and red suit. The plump bureaucrat rode a horse but looked uncomfortable. He probably preferred riding in the immaculate carriage behind. The white, pristine, carriage looked like it belonged in a fairy tale. Behind the royal envoy were six knights on white horses, wearing epic weapons and armor. After analyzing the knights, he saw they were around Level 150, but the captain was Level 177.

Riding next to the royal envoy was Hephaestus, whom he met before at the Crafter’s Guild. The Mythical Guild Crafter Vice President had a stern face. Like the knights, he was wearing epic armor, but his weapon was too high for Thaddeus to analyze. Behind him were 10 Mythical Guild guards. Thaddeus tried to analyze Hephaestus and the guards’ equipment and levels but couldn’t. Most likely they had some trinkets that hid their levels and equipment from the skill analysis. Truthfully, Thaddeus was more nervous at seeing the players than the envoy.

Behind them were hundreds of dwarves. Unlike Hephaestus and the royal envoy, most walked on foot carrying carts. A few dwarves drove wagons pulled by ponies. They looked excited and disappointed at the same time. No doubt the royal envoy must have said something to upset them.

Lastly, he couldn’t even find the 15 villagers. They must be mixed into the crowd somewhere.

“Greetings Lord Brown. I greet you in Emperor Raymond Archibald van Conifer's name. I am Earl von Calvin. The empire sent me to inspect your territory. The empire was very happy to learn you clear an old imperial mine. He looks forward to your full support,” Earl von Calvin said formally.

“It’s good to see you again Thaddeus, or do you prefer Lord Brown? Last time we met at the Crafter’s Guild I failed to get your name. But after the Beast Wave event, I soon put everything together. When you came in third on the Settlement ranking our leader requested a full briefing compiled on you. I offered you a chance to join my guild a second time and you turned it. I’m here to offer you one last chance, or my guild will declare war and forcefully take your homestead. I hope we have a productive meeting,” Hephaestus said.

‘Eh, what the fuck was that,’ Thaddeus thought. What is this robbery?

“Earl von Calvin and Lord Hephaestus, I greet you warmly. Welcome to sleepy village Woodhaerst. I am happy to discuss business with both of you. But, you must be tired from your travels. We built an inn for your arrival. An innkeeper was expected to arrive with this caravan. Can you invite that person forward?” Thaddeus asked.

“Oh the emperor did receive your message, but there was a complication,” Earl von Calvin sneered.

“Unfortunately, the innkeeper the noble faction elected died. Thankfully, we have three players willing to lend a helpful hand,” Hephaestus advised. “This is Phillip and Phoebe. They’re a retired couple that joined our Mythical Guild’s Crafter Company Vulcan. They owned a pub and bed and breakfasts for decades in real life. They sold their business to continue their passion in-game. The next is Kira, she’s a bard and also a member of Vulcan. I hope they’re acceptable,” Hephaestus said.

‘These people are obviously spies. Or does he think I’m stupid?’ If I turn them down, the envoy will be happy but Hephaestus will be upset. The reverse is also true. There is no easy choice. At least if I accept them, it starts my discussion with Thaddeus on the right foot. And these people seem experienced and I can’t let the inn stay unmanned with all these guests,” Thaddeus said grumbling under his breath. Hephaestus had really put him between a rock and a hard place.

“Yes, they are very qualified. Thank you for the offer,” Thaddeus said.

“For a second there I thought you would turn down my hospitality a third time,” Hephaestus said, hinting at the larger discussion to come.

“Mathew and award, why don’t you lead the Baron, his entourage, Lord Hephaestus and his soldiers, the innkeepers, and bard to the Sleepy Coyote,” Thaddeus instructed.

“If it’s fine with you Lord Brown, we’d like to accompany you a little longer?” Hephaestus asked pressuring him.

“Of course. You and Earl von Calvin are always welcome to accompany me,” Thaddeus said with his best smile.

“Please continue as if we’re not here,” Hephaestus encouraged him.

“I wish to speak to the dwarves’ leader,” Thaddeus announced.

“Ah, lad, that be me. Name’s Vakdraen Ironwood. I greet you in True God’s Hephaestus’ name,” he said looking at the player name Hephaestus disgustedly.

“Welcome. How was the travel? I hope everyone in your clan is okay?” Thaddeus asked.

“We’re fine, we dwarves are a hearty bunch. Those too old or crippled to walk rode. Now enough small talk I want to see the great City of Ironwood,” Vakdraen demanded.

“Hunter, Raine, please led the Ironwood Clan to the mine. Prince, I’ll come by tomorrow to discuss taxes, rent, and wages. Vakdraen, I’m also appointing you as the Mayor of Ironwood Hamlet. Tomorrow we’ll also discuss the hamlet’s governance,” Thaddeus said sending them on their way.

After watching the hundreds of dwarves migrating to the mine, Thaddeus told Alfred to run a census for him. Now all that was left were 15 human settlers.

“Welcome to Woodhaerst. I can promise you it's usually not this busy,” Thaddeus joked, explaining the wages, taxes, rents, and their new homes.

“Welcome new neighbors,” the villagers cheered and introduced themselves one by one.

“Thank you for greeting us, your lordship! I cannot believe you’re offering us a house,” said a middle age woman curtsying.

“Now the 15 of you introduce yourselves. If you have a profession speak up,” he advised.

“My name is Molly and these are my five adult daughters. We don’t have a profession, but we have experience working in a weaver’s shop,” she said weakly, ashamed of not having a profession.

“And the rest?” Thaddeus asked.

“…” they remained silent.

“Don’t fret, I’m sure the mayor can find a use for you,” said Thera raising their spirits.

”Thaddeus appoint those four men as guards. They may be scrawny now, but I’ll whip them into shape,” Kara said grinning maliciously.

He did as Kara suggested, which left six people. He appointed three to the farm and three to construction. With the construction team growing he planned to split them into two groups to speed up the construction process.

He was also excited that he had four full-time and one part-time farmer. He planned to increase the number of farms after the first harvest. If things went well, he’d add two more large farms. By winter he’d have more than enough wheat to sell.

“The new villagers may choose their homes, except for those appointed to the military. You’ll move into the barrack,” Thaddeus explained.

With that, the villagers and adventurers walked down the hill to the village. Only Hephaestus, his escorts, and Thaddeus remained.

“…”

Neither spoke. They just stared silently at each other.

“I commend you on your appointments and your guards. I admit none of the guards we trained were as well trained as yours. Our guild leader eventually decided to just purchase mercenaries,” Hephaestus praised.

“Thank you. Would you like to head to the inn to check on the Earl?” Thaddeus asked.

“Why would I care about some 1s and 0s? When our guild leader becomes king, something every NPC with a brain in the capital recognizes. He’s tasked me to secure the mana crystal mine for the guild. Either through diplomacy or war,” Hephaestus said not as diplomatically as he had in the past.

“Listen I’m willing to sign a trade contract with your guild. We can discuss the number of crystals per month, is that sufficient?” Thaddeus asked curiously.

“The guild wants 60% ownership rights of your mine. Here’s my last offer. You’ll earn a salary of 150,000 dollars a month, plus living expenses. I’ll also appoint you as a Vice President of Vulcan Company. Which allows you access to trade or purchase with an imperial network of stores. Finally, the guild master has offered to extend a 1 million line of credit,” Hephaestus said.

‘Why do I feel like a stripper all of a sudden,” Thaddeus thought.

“You can’t threaten me, I’m a member of the Financial Consortium!” Thaddeus explained.

“Oh? Then let me leave first. I need to inform the vice guild master and see what she says,” Hephaestus said riding to the inn with the other players.

‘Whew. Well, that bought me some time,’ Thaddeus said turning Carl around and riding back to town to speak with Earl von Calvin.