CHAPTER 23: CAN WE BUILD IT? YES WE CAN!

Just like that, we had stumbled upon a gold mine without even realizing it. At first, we didn't comprehend the sheer worth of what we had until Lincoln auctioned off one of the golden eggs in the capital. The moment the hammer fell, he secured 100,000 gold coins, the wealth of an average baron. 100,000 × 5 = 500,000 (half a million), and if he were to sell all of them, he would amass a fortune rivaling that of a duke or marquis.

As for us, we still had fifteen golden eggs in our possession, making us three times wealthier than the Aragòns.

But Lincoln…Lincoln was no fool. His mind worked like clockwork, he saw beyond mere riches, he saw power. With the Kingdom of Ingris locked in the throes of war, resources were in high demand, gold, grain, and steel. And that's where Lincoln made his first move. The Aragòns had once been nobles, but he had lost everything, his land, his fortune, his title, all to gambling in the aftermath of his wife's death. The king had stripped him of nobility, reducing his name to nothing but a memory of a ruined house.

Using the golden eggs to his advantage, he donated 100,000 gold coins, equivalent to a single egg, to the war. The king, preoccupied with battle, didn't question the source of his wealth. Instead, he rewarded Lincoln with a noble title once more, not Duke, as he once was, but Baron. A stepping stone, alongside the title, he was awarded governance over our village, which now belonged to the Aragòns, making us subjects of the Aragòns. Yet, little changed. We were still the same village, only now with nobility watching over us.

Not everything remained untouched, though.

Anastasia, once cruel and cold-hearted, softened toward Novalie, as if she recognized the girl as the catalyst for their newfound fortune. She even attempted to engage me to one of her twin daughters or both, offering their hands in marriage.

"One twin for two golden eggs…both for four."

She was selling her daughters like prized livestock.

And Lincoln was always ahead in the game. With newfound wealth, he employed workers from our village, paying each 100 gold coins, enough to start a small, inn or tavern in the capital. His once modest home on the hill was transformed into a fortified grand manor, its stone walls encased within fortress walls of solid stone, sturdy enough to repel even orcs. When the work was complete, to celebrate he invited us for a lavish dinner. The transformation was undeniable, he was indeed, now a noble among nobles.

Anastasia dripped in jewels and wrapped herself in lynx fur. The twins and Novalie radiated nobility, their bruises and tattered clothes replaced by silk and gold-threaded dresses. Servants bustled around them, tending to their every whim. And Novalie was finally free from her suffering.

That night, over a three-course feast, Lincoln made his move.

"Logan, Naomi," he said, his voice as rich as the wine in his goblet. "If it weren't for your son, we'd never have acquired this wealth. I would like him to take my daughter, Novalie, as his fiancée once they come of age."

Anastasia tried to object, "But dear, I've already spoken with Jake about the twins—"

Lincoln cut her off with a sharp glance.

"That's a fine idea, old friend," father said with a nod.

"Novalie Lionheart…that has a nice ring to it," mother, added.

And just like that, Novalie and I were engaged.

After sealing the engagement, Novalie visited more frequently, as if she had been encouraged, perhaps even pressured, to grow closer to me.

But I had other things to focus on.

I met with Lincoln privately. We had to cover our tracks. The kingdom couldn't know where our wealth came from. So, we made a deal, for every golden egg he sold, he'd take 10%. He sold two eggs, taking his cut, and I was left with 180,000 gold coins.

I had one goal, rebuild the village and expand its land.

I had no intention of hoarding it.

"Save it for when you're older, for your children," my parents urged.

I shook my head. "No. I want to do this."

The next day, my father and I set out for the capital, accompanied by Novalie. The city of Anoixi was breathtaking. The grand castle stood in the distance, towering over the lively market square. The streets were brimming with life, merchants, entertainers, and the aroma of roasted meats and fresh bread filled the air. We purchased two strong horses and a closed carriage for transporting goods.

We expanded our purchases, three additional horses, five cows, five pigs, five chickens, and five sheep, along with essential materials. Livestock would breed and multiply, ensuring our long-term prosperity, an investment for the future.

The moment we returned, we got to work.

The first project the villagers undertook was a stone bridge crossing the lake, connecting our village to the untouched green land beyond. Now, our livestock had endless pastures to graze on. Next a watermill, turning the river's strength into power, grinding our grains ten times faster than before. Then came the Observatory Tower, a watchtower overlooking the Dark Forest, ensuring that we'd never be caught off guard again.

A fortified wall around the Black Forest itself. Not because I doubted the barrier's magic, but because I refused to let history repeat itself. The village itself remained open, I didn't want anyone feeling trapped. A towering windmill, ensuring that crops flourished year-round, sparing our villagers from backbreaking labor.

Gone were the rickety wooden cabins. In their place stood two-story brick houses, inspired by the capital's architecture, high-peaked roofs, casement windows, second floors overhanging the first, and sculpted chimneys.

For my family, I built a manor, not as grand as the Aragòns', but sturdy, practical, and ours. A wall enclosed our manor, a forge, for my father, expanded, modernized, stocked with the finest tools and livestock keep, ensuring our animals were protected and well-maintained, especially during harsh winters, forming a fortified estate

A dirt road connected everything, making travel easier without disturbing the natural beauty of the land.

It took a year and a half to complete everything. In the end, the total cost was 80,000 gold coins.

But what we had built, was a legacy.