The morning sun had barely risen when the news reached Henry that the first wave of migrants had arrived at the gates of Woodhaerst. Standing at the entrance of his manor, Henry could already see a line of weary figures shuffling toward the village, their clothes tattered, faces drawn with exhaustion, and eyes hollow with despair. The sight tugged at his heart, a stark reminder of the desperation that had driven these people to his doorstep.
Captain Joseph stood at his side, his expression grim. “There are more coming, sir. This is just the first group. They’re weak, sick, and starving. Most of them are barely able to walk.”
Henry nodded, his gaze fixed on the approaching crowd. “Open the gates. Let them in. We’ll deal with the rest as they come.”
As the gates creaked open, the migrants staggered into the village, some collapsing to their knees in relief. They were a pitiful sight, a mix of aged men all of them thin and gaunt, their bodies ravaged by hunger and fatigue. Their eyes darting around nervously as if expecting an attack at any moment. Many of them had only just managed to log into the game before the convergence, escaping certain death on Earth only to find themselves trapped in a new world that was just as unforgiving.
Henry walked among them, offering words of comfort and reassurance as he moved through the crowd. Some of the men approached him, their voices trembling with emotion as they pleaded for his help.
“Please, my lord,” one man begged, his voice hoarse from days without water. “My wife and children… they were taken by the bandits. I don’t know where they are, but they need help. I can’t lose them.”
Another man, barely able to stand, gripped Henry’s arm with surprising strength. “We’ll do anything you ask, just please… help us. My daughter… she’s all I have left.”
Henry’s heart ached for these people. They were broken, desperate, and utterly vulnerable. Worse yet they were all low level, the highest among them was only level 10. But he knew he couldn’t simply offer them refuge if they refused to follow his rules, after all this wasn’t Earth.
“We rescued some women and children from the bandits,” Henry said firmly, looking each man in the eye. “Once you rest, you can meet your families. But understand this: if you stay in Woodhaerst, you must follow our laws and pull your weight. We’ll only give you shelter and food for a week. After that, you’ll need to find work or leave. Do we have an understanding?”
The men nodded, their faces etched with gratitude and determination. Most looked grateful, a few looked spiteful. But all seem relieved to be safe.
As Henry continued to make his way through the crowd, he spotted Priestess Thera moving among the migrants, her white robes standing out starkly against the sea of dirty, tattered clothing. She was a beacon of calm, her soothing voice and gentle touch offering solace to those who were overwhelmed by their ordeal.
“Priestess Thera,” Henry called out, approaching her as she healed an injured man.
She looked up, her serene expression softening even further when she saw him. “Lord Brown, these people have been through so much. It’s admirable they came so far with so little.”
“I agree,” Henry replied, his voice heavy with concern. Unlike the people from Heaven’s Gates, the people from Earth would come with their own preconceived ideas. Ideas they may clash with his communities’ culture and governance.
Seeing his concern, Priestess Thera added, “These people are gratefully. After they’re healed, they’ll decided to either integrate or leave. Feel comfort knowing you did the right thing.”
Henry felt a surge of gratitude for the priestess. She had always been a pillar of strength for Woodhaerst, and himself. Moreover, her compassion for the downtrodden was unmatched. “Thank you, Priestess Thera.”
As the day wore on, the rest of the migrant families began to trickle in, each group more bedraggled than the last. Word spread quickly among them that Henry had promised to reunite them with their loved ones, and soon, the atmosphere shifted from one of despair to cautious hope. The men who had spoken to Henry earlier spread the word, and others came forward, pleading for news of their wives, children, or siblings. Each time, Henry reassured them that the women and children were safe within Woodhaerst’s walls, and that they would be reunited soon.
The reunions were as heart-wrenching as they were heartwarming. One by one, the kidnapped women and children were brought out from the village’s infirmary, where they had been treated and cared for since their rescue. The moment they spotted their loved ones, cries of joy and relief filled the air, and families ran to each other, embracing as if they would never let go. Henry and Priestess Thera watched these reunions with a deep sense of satisfaction.
Priestess Thera moved among the reunited families, offering blessings and prayers of thanks. Her presence brought a sense of peace and closure to the long and harrowing ordeal these people had endured. As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over Woodhaerst, it seemed as though the village itself was offering its own welcome to the newcomers.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
As the warm reunion between the migrant families and their loved ones in Woodhaerst continued, the atmosphere was abruptly disrupted by the arrival of a group of adventurers. Their expressions were a mix of frustration and desperation, their eyes filled with a deep, unspoken anguish. The joyous moment was quickly overshadowed by their presence, as they made their way toward Henry with purposeful strides.
One of the adventurers, a tall, rugged man with a scar running down the side of his face, stepped forward as the spokesperson. His voice was strained, barely masking the anger simmering beneath the surface. "Henry, we need to talk."
Henry, turned to face the adventurers. He could sense the tension in the air, the unspoken grievances that were about to spill over. "What’s the matter?" he asked, his tone calm but laced with concern.
The adventurer clenched his fists, struggling to maintain his composure. "It's our families, Henry. We’re grateful for what you’ve done, but you’re not doing enough to find our missing relatives. We’ve been patient, but now that the jump gate is working, we need to leave. I’m afraid our patience is running then. Give us access to the jump gate.”
"I understand your frustration," he began, choosing his words carefully, "but the jump gate only connects to the Twilight Order’s headquarter. Only members are allowed to enter. I cannot permit you access, it’s against the rules.” He understood their desperation, but the reality of the situation was far more complicated than they realized.
The adventurer's eyes narrowed, his anger flaring. "That’s not good enough! We’ve been risking our lives out there, fighting bandits, scouting dangerous territory, and for what? To sit here and wait while our families could be out there, suffering, or worse?"
Before Henry could respond, Cassius, his friend and general store proprietor, approached with a group of merchants trailing behind him. Their faces were etched with frustration, a clear sign that they, too, had grievances to air. Cassius, normally the voice of reason, looked particularly displeased as he addressed Henry.
"Lord Brown, we merchants are displeased," Cassius said, his voice tinged with sorrow. "You’ve done well to protect Woodhaerst, but you’re neglecting a crucial part of what keeps this town running. The merchants are struggling, and we feel you’re neglecting our plight. Unlike the crafters, we have no guild to speak collectively on our behalf. We humbly request permission to found Merchant Guild.”
‘If this was the game,’ Henry thought to himself, ‘I’d already have enough cultural points to build a Merchant Guild.’ The thought was a brief distraction, a reminder of how things had once been simpler when all he had to do was press a button. Before the convergence he’d already completed the first and second tier of the Mercantile Skill Tree, and the first tier of the Cultural Skill Tree. He was really looking forward to beginning on the mercantile third tier. Even now he could picture it in his mind.
Tier 3: National Trade: Upon completion increases commerce by 10%.
* Merchant Guild: Establishes a guild that boosts commerce
* Customs Office: Regulates and taxes imported goods, increasing revenue.
* Commercial District: Enhances commerce with specialized shops and services.
* Trade Agreements: Forming specialized trade agreements with cities.
Henry felt the weight of their demands pressing down on him from all sides. The adventurers were desperate to find their loved ones, the merchants were frustrated by the lack of support for their businesses, and all of them were looking to him for answers. Answer he wished had readily available. He too missed the time when the jump gates connected all the Akkadian Empire. It was a simpler when all that mattered were stats, levels, and achievements.
He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking. "I know you’re all frustrated, and you have every right to be. We’re in uncharted territory, and without the Akkadian Empire’s governance and trade cities we’re struggling. But I’m asking you to give me some time."
Henry turned to the adventurers first, meeting the eyes of the man who had spoken earlier. "Give me a full month. I’ll work with the Twilight Order to see if we can connect the jump gate to another city, one that might help you find your families. I promise you; I’m doing everything I can to make that happen."
The adventurer’s expression softened slightly, though the pain in his eyes remained. “We’ll give you two more weeks. That’s the longest we’re willing to wait!” He apologized, recognizing the sincerity in Henry’s words but time was off the essence.
“Fine two weeks,” Henry sighed, then turned to the merchants, his tone firm but understanding. “As for the merchants, I recognize the importance of what you do for this town. You have my express permission to build Merchant Guild. I’ll also permit the guild master, a seat on the town council. Reach out the foreman, he’ll help you gather the resources needed to construct a proper Guild Hall. You’ll have the backing of Woodhaerst, and together, we’ll ensure that business thrives here, just as it did before."
“Thank you, Lord Brown,” Cassius bowed deeply, grateful for Henry’s offer.
As the adventurers and merchants began to disperse, returning to their respective duties, Henry was left with his thoughts. The challenges felt immense, but the fate of Woodhaerst, and the lives of those who had come to seek refuge within its walls, depended on his ability to lead effectively.
Priestess Thera approached Henry once more, her presence a calming balm against the whirlwind of concerns that had just been thrown at him. “You did well, Lord Brown,” she said, her voice gentle. “It’s not easy to manage so many demands, especially in times like these. But you handled it with wisdom and strength.”
Henry looked down at the elderly priestess, her frail frame belying the strength of spirit that had seen her through countless trials. “Thank you, Priestess Thera. Your support and the council’s means a great deal to me.”
She nodded, her expression comforting. “The Goddess Demeter watches over you. If something troubles you, go to her in prayer?”
Henry gave her a respectful nod, appreciating the quiet confidence she exuded. As he watched the sun begin its descent toward the horizon, casting long shadows across the town, he turned to gaze at the high, sturdy, wall of Woodhaerst. He built this town with his own hands, and he make damn sure to see this town continue to prosper and grow.
As the night fell and the town settled into a rare moment of peace, Henry allowed himself a brief respite, when he caught sight of a soldier breathless towards him.
“Lord Brown!” the soldier gasped, barely able to catch his breath. “The beasts… they’re coming. Thousands of them… all at once!”
Henry’s eyes narrowed, his expression immediately hardening. “What do you mean, ‘all at once’?”