The soft ring of the phone echoed in my pocket as I rode on Midnight, riding around the kingdom. I could feel Midnight's excitement as she galloped along, and it seemed like she was even faster than usual, though it could have just been my imagination. I pulled the reins, bringing Midnight to a halt, and swiftly took out my phone to answer the call.
"Hello?" I said, a hint of excitement in my voice. "Hey, Amy! Can you hear me?" Evan's voice came through the phone.
I couldn't believe it, but the connection was crystal clear. "Evan, this is amazing! It actually works!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my excitement.
Evan chuckled; his voice filled with pride. "Of course, it does! I've been working on upgrading the smartphones or should i said magicphone. Huh! that so sound lame... wait we should name it Enchantech!”
I couldn't help but laugh at Evan's dedication. "Your nerd! Well, all that hard work paid off! So, the transmission covers the whole kingdom now?"
"Yeah, with the magic waves...it should be works, I managed to build the transmission medium using gemstones with monster materials," Evan explained. He continued “This magic tower is the tallest structure, making it the perfect location for the transmission to cover the entire kingdom,"
“Now we can communicate with each other no matter where we are in the kingdom," I said, marveling at the possibilities.
"I'll continue to explore magic energy and upgrade the pickup truck, van, and Grandpa Bo's old ATV. In theory, it should work, though I admit, I have a slight doubt. Oh, and I've got something special for you, Amy. I'll replace the gunshot with a magic bullet that'll pack a serious punch!"
"I can't wait to see how the upgrades turn out!" I exclaimed, my excitement bubbling over.
I urged Midnight towards the east side of the crop field, and what I saw took my breath away – a vast and abundant fruit orchard stretched before my eyes. The trees were adorned with a myriad of colorful and luscious fruits, and their sweet fragrance filled the air, inviting me to indulge in their tempting delights.
It all started with a touch of greed, hahaha! I made progress and unlocked new resources; I couldn't resist the temptation of acquiring something truly special. This time, it was a collection of fruit plots from our previous world, each with a variety and some I had never tasted before. How could I pass up such an opportunity?
I decided to indulge myself and bought one plot of each fruit: apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, mangoes, watermelons, papayas, dates, peaches, and pineapples. It felt like a kid's adventure, bringing these fruits from my previous to this new world.
Well, with food crops and fruit production it totally exceeded the requirements of our needs, leaving us with a surplus yield of about 30%. This meant we had more than enough to feed comfortably.
Grandpa Bo advice to allocate 20% of the surplus for storage, ensuring that we were prepared for any future uncertainties or emergencies. It would serve as a safety net, giving us a sense of security in times of need.
For the remaining 50%, Evan and I decided to exchange in the trade, even though the prices were relatively low. A small revenue is still better than none, and every bit helps us in this world. Using the trade HUD was straightforward; I simply accessed the report and made the necessary exchanges. It reminded me of stock trading back in my world.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
I made my way back home; I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and comfort. The day had been long and eventful, and I was looking forward to some much-needed rest. As I approached the house, I noticed that the two new Fenrir, Java and Linux, had grown a bit since the last time I saw them. They eagerly greeted me with wagging tails and playful barks as I dismounted from the horse.
"Hey there, you two troublemakers," I chuckled, giving each of them a gentle pat on the head. Java wagged his tail enthusiastically, while Linux nuzzled closer, seeking more affection. And then Neko gracefully hopped onto my shoulder, her soft fur brushing against my hair.
Just then, a gentle green glow enveloped my body, and I felt a surge of revitalizing energy coursing through me. It was Grandma's newly acquired skill, the Healing Touch. "Thanks, Grandma," I said with a grateful smile.
She smiled kindly, her eyes twinkling with joy. "You're welcome, dear. Just a little touch of healing magic to keep you going."
With her powerful healing abilities, we could tackle monster grinding more efficiently. The newfound speed allowed us to save up more gemstones, With the gemstones we had saved, I decided to invest in military buildings to bolster our defenses. The construction would be completed within three weeks, and I knew it would play a crucial role in safeguarding our kingdom from potential threats. I remembered some small talk from a friend who played RTS games. The "Turtle strategy" seemed like a sound approach—a defensive tactic that emphasizes building a strong defensive position to withstand and repel enemy attacks.
The military progress bar stood at 19%, indicating that our defenses were slowly taking shape. The construction occupied a considerable portion of the west side of the kingdom, but it was a necessary investment for our protection.
I greeted Elara and Eowyn with a cheerful "Good morning... oh, I mean, good day!" Elara returned the greeting with a smile, while Eowyn's expression seemed much brighter than when I first met her.
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The ten fallen we had rescued had now become citizens of Magnolia, choosing to make their home with us. But Elara and Eowyn still clung to their dream of returning to the emerald forest.
Using the HUD, I assigned specific roles to a few of them, granting beneficial buffs to enhance their abilities. Elara proved herself to be an exceptional warrior, and I honored her with the role of knight. Her skills and experiences made her a formidable asset. Two of the young teenage boys, Alex and Marcus, became Guardians and were placed under the guidance of Grandpa Bo. I assigned Lord Vane the role of Council member, knowing that his expertise and vast knowledge in this world would be invaluable and the rest would remain as registered citizens.
With the granting of Magnolia citizenship, a new skill has been granted to my role - Monarch's Insight. This newfound ability allowed me to gain unparalleled insight into the emotion and sentiment of my subjects, enabling me to see their loyalty percentage. What a convenient and powerful tool to have as a king!
Lost in my thoughts, "Amy," Elara said, her voice carrying a sense of respect and kindness. "We hope we're not disturbing you."
Returning their smiles. "Oh, not at all," I replied. "It's always a pleasure to have your company. Is there something you need?"
Eowyn stepped forward, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "We were just wondering if you'd like to join us for a little training," she said.
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Thud! I hit the ground, struggled to wield the sword properly, feeling the weight and unfamiliarity of it. My sword skill is only at level 2, making it even harder to handle. "This is harder than I thought," I muttered, frustration evident in my voice. I glanced up at the holographic sword master, hoping for some guidance.
The holographic meister (holo-meister) remained stoic, offering no words of encouragement. Instead, it displayed the sword movements once more, as if challenging me to improve.
But Elara and Eowyn seemed to be flourishing under the mentorship of the holo-meister, skillfully using their weapons. I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy at her natural talent. "Hah!" Alex's shout caught my attention as he confidently poked the target with his spear, following the holo-meister's instructions. Marcus was no different, displaying remarkable sword skills. It was no surprise, considering they had been using these weapons since they were young.
Meanwhile, my attempts with the long sword looked more like a clumsy cartoon character. Please don't misunderstand. The royal sword displayed its might as it effortlessly sliced through all the targets on the training ground. However, the real challenge lies in mastering the art of wielding it effectively. I sighed, knowing that I lacked the skill and experience they had.
Grandma and Neko came over, carrying an epic loot tray filled with food buffs. "Time for a respawn boost!" Grandma shouted with a warm smile. I walked up to Neko and grabbed the bottle she offered. As I opened it, a satisfying hiss filled the air, and I took a long sip, relishing the taste.
"Ah, that hit the spot," I said with a contented sigh. Turning to Neko, I asked, "Neko-chan can you make this drink?" Our supply of remaining processed food and beverages from the previous world was running low, I began to yearn for my comfort food, and the idea of recreating it crossed my mind.
"Prepare to embark on your quest, Mr. Vane," Grandpa Bo said with a grin. I couldn't help but smile as I watched the unusual duo on the training ground—Grandpa Bo teaching Lord Vane how to ride a bicycle. It was a lighthearted moment, and I realized that everyone needed to lighten up a little and have some fun.