The days of tranquility continued, but I knew I couldn't remain tied only to the mansion's routine and simple missions. There was something I had been postponing for far too long.
My lands.
That morning, I woke up earlier than usual. The sun was still rising on the horizon when I got up and walked to the balcony. The air was fresh, and the silence of that moment was almost absolute. It was a good start to a day that required more attention than strength.
I wasn't just an adventurer.
That was something I sometimes forgot.
I went down to the main hall and found Lyannis already awake, organizing some documents on the table.
"You already knew I was leaving today, didn't you?" I asked.
She didn't even look up.
"Of course," she replied. "You've been ignoring those reports for days."
"I wasn't ignoring them," I said. "I was just prioritizing other things."
"That's called ignoring them," she replied bluntly.
I picked up one of the papers and started reading. Production records, expenses, merchandise movement, road maintenance, local security. All of that was now part of what I was responsible for.
"I'm going to visit the northern lands first," I said.
"Good choice," Lyannis replied. "They're the most stable. You can start there."
"Are you all coming with me?" I asked, looking around.
Scarlett appeared shortly afterward, leaning against the wall.
"Of course we are," she said. "You're not going to run away from those responsibilities alone."
Rai'kanna entered through the side door.
"Besides, it's been a while since we went out like this," she commented.
Elara simply nodded, already prepared.
Liriel let out a small sigh.
"As long as it isn't too boring."
Vespera remained silent but stepped forward.
"Then let's go," I said.
We left shortly afterward. The carriage traveled along a well-maintained road, which was already a good sign. It indicated that, at least in that region, the administration was functioning properly.
"This place looks better than last time," Scarlett commented, looking out the window.
"The administrators are doing a good job," I replied.
"Or they're afraid of you," Liriel added.
"That's also a possibility," I said.
When we arrived at the first area, one of the local managers welcomed me. He seemed tense at first but quickly relaxed when he realized I wasn't there to punish anyone.
"Sir, we're keeping production stable," he explained. "And we've reinforced security after the recent events."
"I want to see everything," I replied.
We spent a good part of the day inspecting the facilities. Productive fields, storage areas, guard posts. Everything was operating as expected.
"No serious problems," Lyannis commented while analyzing the data.
"Good," I replied.
We moved on to another region. This time, it was an area focused more on trade. Small villages, constant movement of goods, people coming and going.
"This place has grown," Rai'kanna observed.
"Yes," I said. "More than I expected."
"You're expanding too fast," Liriel commented.
"It's not just me," I replied. "Things are changing."
Elara walked silently, observing everything carefully.
"Security is good," she said. "But it could be better."
"We'll adjust that," I replied.
I gave clear instructions. More guards, improved patrol routes, better resource organization. Nothing excessive, just enough to keep everything stable.
Throughout the day, we visited several areas. Some more developed, others still growing. But overall, everything was progressing well.
"You're handling this well," Vespera commented quietly.
I looked at her.
"I'm still learning," I replied.
"Even so," she said.
By late afternoon, we stopped at a more remote area. A strategic location, but still largely undeveloped.
"This is one of the lands you haven't fully developed yet," Lyannis said.
"I know," I replied.
I looked around. Wide terrain, obvious potential, but still empty in many ways.
"There are others like this," I said.
"Yes," Lyannis replied. "Including the lands in cyclops territory."
I let out a small sigh.
"I still haven't gone there."
"You'll need to," she said. "Sooner or later."
"I know."
Scarlett stepped closer.
"You're overthinking it," she commented.
"They're responsibilities," I replied.
"You don't need to solve everything at once."
"No," I said. "But I can't ignore it either."
The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of orange.
"Let's head back," I said.
The journey back was quieter. Everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts.
When we arrived at the mansion, night had already fully fallen.
I stepped out of the carriage and stood still for a few seconds, looking at the structure in front of me.
All of this... was part of what I was building.
And there was still much more to come.
"You're making that face again," Liriel commented.
"What face?" I asked.
"The one of someone who's planning something big."
"Maybe I am," I replied.
I went up to my room after dinner. My body was tired, but not from combat. It was a different kind of exhaustion. More mental than physical.
I walked to the balcony and looked out at the dark horizon.
I wasn't just fighting enemies.
I was building something.
And the more it grew...
The more I realized the weight I was carrying.
Even so, it wasn't something I wanted to avoid.
It was something I needed to accept.
I closed my eyes for a moment.
And then I went back inside.
The day was over.
But this was only the beginning.