Tale of Conquerors

Day 7

The morning sun bathed the camp in warm light as Alexander stood near the edge of the farm plot, his hands resting on his iron spear. The sharp scent of freshly turned soil filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of roasted meat from the campfire.

Elias was already at work, using a crude hoe to break up the ground. His wiry frame moved with surprising energy despite the early hour, though his occasional grumbles betrayed his frustration.

"This is harder than it looks," Elias muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.

Alexander glanced at him, his dark eyes calm. "Everything worth doing is."

Elias straightened, leaning on the hoe. "You always this optimistic?"

"No," Alexander replied simply. "Just practical. Food doesn't grow itself."

Elias chuckled, shaking his head. "Fair enough, boss. So, how do we actually do this? I've never planted anything in my life."

Teaching the Basics

Alexander knelt by the edge of the plot, gesturing for Elias to join him. He picked up a handful of seeds the system had provided as a starter pack and began spacing them out in the soil.

"Start by digging shallow trenches," Alexander explained, his voice steady but patient. "Drop the seeds in, cover them lightly, and water them. Simple, but effective."

Elias followed Alexander's movements, mimicking his technique with surprising precision. "Where'd you learn this, anyway?"

"Books," Alexander said, his lips twitching into a faint smile. "And a little trial and error."

Elias raised an eyebrow. "You read farming books for fun?"

"No," Alexander replied, his smirk growing. "But I read survival guides when I needed to. They're more useful than novels when you're starving."

Elias laughed, the sound lightening the mood. "Fair point."

Progress and Plans

By midday, the farm plot was planted, a neat grid of rows stretching across the cleared area. The system chimed softly as Alexander and Elias stood back to admire their work.

[Objective Complete: Establish a Sustainable Food Source]

Reward: Unlock Path of Agriculture.

[Path of Agriculture Unlocked]

First Idea: Irrigation

Personal Buff: Alexander's ability to design and oversee water management systems increases efficiency by 30%.

Territory Buff: Farms within Alexander's territory gain a 25% boost in crop yield.

The notification brought a faint smile to Alexander's lips. He turned to Elias, who was wiping his hands on his tunic.

"Irrigation is next," Alexander said. "We'll dig trenches to divert water from the stream."

Elias groaned dramatically. "More digging? You're trying to kill me, aren't you?"

Alexander smirked. "If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't use a shovel."

Elias snorted, shaking his head. "Fine, boss. Lead the way."

The Barracks Plan

As the afternoon wore on, Alexander found himself sketching plans for the next structure: a barracks. The storage shelter had been a necessary step, but the territory needed proper defenses—and that required soldiers.

The system chimed softly, offering guidance.

[New Objective: Build a Basic Barracks]

Requirements: Wood: 50 Units. Stone: 20 Units.

Reward: Unlock Path of Combat.

Alexander studied the blueprint carefully. The barracks at this level would be a simple wooden structure with space for four recruits. But as the territory grew, the building could be upgraded to house larger groups—eventually reaching regiment size if resources and buffs allowed.

He explained the plan to Elias over a modest dinner of roasted berries and meat.

"We'll need more hands for this," Alexander said, his tone calm but firm. "Two people can't build a barracks in a reasonable timeframe."

Elias nodded, chewing thoughtfully. "So, what's the plan? More trips to the village?"

"Exactly," Alexander replied. "We'll need at least two more recruits to make this work. The villagers won't join us unless we show them results, so we keep building, keep trading, and keep improving."

Elias smirked. "You make it sound simple."

"It's not," Alexander admitted. "But it's necessary."

The First Patrol

That evening, Alexander decided to test the new spear. He and Elias ventured beyond the camp, following a trail toward the stream where predators had been spotted before. The air was cool and quiet, the faint sound of running water breaking the stillness.

Elias carried a crude bow Alexander had fashioned earlier that day. He moved with nervous energy, his sharp eyes darting toward every rustle of leaves.

"Relax," Alexander said, his voice low but steady.

"Easy for you to say," Elias muttered. "You've got the fancy spear."

Alexander smirked faintly. "You've got arrows. Stay behind me and aim straight."

The patrol yielded no threats, but Alexander's sharp eyes spotted fresh tracks near the stream. He crouched to examine them, his expression unreadable.

"Wolf?" Elias asked, peering over his shoulder.

Alexander nodded. "A small pack, judging by the spacing. They'll come back eventually."

Elias frowned. "You're not worried?"

"Not yet," Alexander replied, rising to his feet. "But we'll be ready when they do."

Reflection by the Fire

Back at camp, the two men settled by the fire, their weapons resting nearby. The flames crackled softly, casting flickering light across the clearing.

"You ever think about what's next?" Elias asked suddenly, his voice thoughtful.

Alexander glanced at him, his dark eyes reflecting the firelight. "Always."

"No, I mean... after this. After the camp. The farm. What's the endgame?"

Alexander leaned back, his expression calm but serious. "An empire."

Elias blinked, caught off guard by the bluntness of the answer. "An empire?"

"A place where people can live without fear," Alexander said, his voice quiet but firm. "Where strength isn't just survival—it's progress."

Elias nodded slowly, his respect for Alexander growing. "Alright, boss. Let's build an empire."

Alexander smirked faintly, his gaze shifting back to the fire. "We will."