Lord of Avalon : Lost in Another World

The warm afternoon sun filtered through the wooden lattice windows of the Lord's Office, casting a golden glow on the polished floor. A gentle breeze carried the fresh scent of earth and greenery, mixed with the aroma of the meal set before Ardi.

Megumi, the dedicated chef at Daimyo Manor, had prepared a simple but hearty lunch: a steaming bowl of rice, sautéed wild greens, a grilled fish fillet lightly seasoned with salt and herbs, and a small portion of braised rabbit stew with a rich, fragrant broth.

Ardi picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of the rice. The warmth of the grains spread in his mouth, giving him an unexpected sense of comfort. He then tried the greens, their slight bitterness nicely balanced with garlic and oil, and finally sampled the tender fish with a satisfied sigh.

"This is really good, Megumi," he praised, glancing at her as she stood by the door with a proud, humble smile. "You managed to make something delicious out of dried supplies and wild veggies?"

Megumi bowed slightly, hands clasped. "Thank you, My Lord. The villagers have been foraging more, so we've gathered a variety of wild ingredients. I did my best to make it enjoyable."

Ardi chuckled. "You've more than succeeded. Every meal you make lifts everyone's spirits. I'll ensure we keep a steady supply of ingredients so you can keep working your magic."

Yui, sitting on the edge of the table in her fairy form, giggled as she twirled in the air. "Master, if you keep praising her like that, she might get embarrassed."

Megumi's cheeks turned a faint pink. "I'm just doing my duty."

Ardi smiled softly, shaking his head. "And you're doing it wonderfully. Thank you, Megumi."

Megumi bowed again before stepping aside so Ardi could enjoy his meal.

While eating, Ardi opened the village management panel on his Hud visual menu. A transparent panel appeared, showing detailed statistics:

----------------------------------------

[Minori Village Management Panel]

Current Food Production:

Cherry Orchards (x2) → +30 Foods/day

Daily Consumption → 60 Foods/day

Deficit: -30 Foods/day

Current Woods Production:

Lumber Camp → 0 Woods/day

Daily Consumption → 5 Woods/day

Deficit: -5 Woods/day

Current Stones Production:

Forge → 0 Stones/day

Daily Consumption → 0 Stones/day

Deficit: 0 Stones/day

Current Metals Production:

Forge → 0 Metals/day

Daily Consumption → 0 Metals/day

Deficit: 0 Metals/day

Resource Stockpile:

Foods: 1220 Units

Woods: 910 Units

Stones: 1005 Units

Metals: 950 Units

----------------------------------------

Ardi tapped his fingers thoughtfully. While the Cherry Orchards provided a steady food supply for a short period of time, they weren't enough because the Cherry orchard only bears fruit for 1200 units of food for each Cherry orchard a year, and paddy fields and farms nearly finished, the next step was to grow new crops.

"Hmm… Neko Wheat and Wild Rice," he murmured.

Yui, still floating nearby, tilted her head. "Thinking of expanding our food supply?"

Ardi nodded. "We need staple crops. If we find Neko Wheat and Wild Rice, our food production will be more stable. I'll have the villagers search for good seeds."

Yui twirled in the air, her wings shimmering. "That's a great idea, Master! It'll also keep the villagers busy while we wait for the farms to be ready."

Ardi smiled and shifted his attention back to the report. Besides food, wood and stone were running low from construction. He'd need to send out resource-gathering teams soon.

Thinking about this, he summoned Ren, the leader of his shinobi. In an instant, shadows near the doorway shifted, and Ren appeared, bowing deeply.

"You called, My Lord?"

Ardi nodded as he finished his last bite. "Ren, send word to Kenshin. Have him report to me in an hour."

Ren pressed a fist to his chest and bowed. "It shall be done." Then, like a whisper, he vanished.

Ardi exhaled and set his chopsticks down. He glanced at Yui, who was watching him with a playful smirk.

"You're working too hard, Anata," she teased as she shifted into her human form and sat beside him.

Ardi rolled his eyes with a small smile. "It's my job, Yui."

Yui leaned closer, resting her head on his shoulder. "I know, but even lords need a break sometimes."

Ardi chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Let me finish my work, and maybe later I'll take you for a walk."

Yui's eyes sparkled mischievously. "I'll hold you to that."

Outside, the peaceful hum of Minori Village filled the room. With his plans in motion and his people working toward a better future, Ardi knew that this new life—challenges and all—was worth fighting for.

In the peaceful quiet of his private garden, far from the bustling activities of the Ashigaru, Ardi decided it was time to train his kenjutsu alone.

The garden was a calm and beautiful place—bonsai trees carefully trimmed, a small koi pond rippling with the breeze, and stone pathways bathed in soft afternoon light. The crisp air carried a faint scent of pine and earth, while distant birds filled the space with gentle chirping.

Dressed in a white kimono and hakama, Ardi had adjusted his outfit for training. His hair was tied back, his eyes sharp with focus, and his posture firm. Today's practice would be divided into three sessions.

Session One: Warm-Up & Basic Drills

To start, Ardi spent fifteen minutes warming up—stretching his arms, bending forward, rolling his shoulders—making sure every muscle was ready for intense movement.

His breathing steadied as he moved. Inhale… exhale… The slow rhythm echoed in the quiet garden, helping him clear his mind.

Once warmed up, he unsheathed his katana and assumed his stance—feet firmly planted, hands gripping the hilt with confidence.

"Ashibumi…" he murmured, marking the start of his drills.

He began with 100 vertical slashes, each one sharp and precise. The whoosh of the blade cutting through the air and the soft thud of impact filled the space. His gaze remained locked on an imaginary opponent, never losing focus.

Next, he switched to 100 diagonal cuts, his body twisting slightly to maintain the perfect angle. Sweat formed on his forehead, and his breathing grew heavier, but he pushed through, letting the rhythm of his strikes carry him forward.

The repeated movements became almost meditative, the blade an extension of his will.

Session Two: Attack, Dodge & Parry

After a short break, Ardi moved to the next stage—combining offense with defense.

He set his katana aside for a moment, then resumed his stance, now with renewed focus.

This time, he practiced against an invisible enemy, dodging attacks while countering with swift strikes.

"Hiki…" he took a sharp breath, pulling his sword back. Then, in an instant, he sidestepped an imaginary blow, swinging his katana in response—

Swoosh, clink!

He repeated this over and over, his movements growing faster, more instinctive. Each dodge came with a quiet grunt of exertion, each parry marked by the clash of metal meeting an unseen force.

His breath was steady, his body in sync with the blade. For the next thirty minutes, he kept moving—attack, dodge, parry, retreat, counter—until his body ached from the effort.

Session Three: Shadow Fighting

For the final part of his training, Ardi took position in a cleared area of the garden where long shadows stretched across the ground.

He imagined an opponent standing before him. A skilled swordsman, fast and relentless.

"Hanare…" he whispered, raising his katana.

Then he launched into combat, clashing against nothing but air, yet treating the fight as real as any battle. His blade sliced through empty space in precise, flowing motions. Every attack was measured, every step calculated, as if his enemy truly existed.

The rustling of his garments and the whisper of the wind were the only sounds accompanying his battle.

As the session neared its end, his breathing slowed. Inhale… exhale…

This training was not just for strength but also discipline. Every motion reinforced his resolve—as a leader, a warrior, and a protector of Minori Village.

As the final strike landed, Ardi lowered his katana, taking a deep breath. The garden was quiet again, except for the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant call of a night bird.

He wiped the sweat from his brow, feeling both exhausted and satisfied.

A soft glow appeared nearby as Yui floated toward him, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

"Master, you really gave it your all today," she said, her voice filled with warmth.

Ardi smiled, reaching out to take her hand. "Every session brings me closer to being the lord I need to be—for myself, and for all of us."

As they spoke, a few villagers passed by, offering him respectful smiles.

"My Lord, your dedication inspires us all," one said.

"Thank you for leading with strength and kindness," another added.

Ardi nodded, his expression filled with gratitude. "Thank you. We're all in this together."

As twilight deepened into night, he stepped inside his manor, his mind at peace. Though his body was weary, his heart felt lighter.

Every strike, every breath, every moment of training brought him one step closer to protecting his people and securing the future of Minori Village.