Chapter 36: Growth

Leon strode through the settlement, heading toward the newly designated agricultural zone where the druid, Vaelin, was working. The air was thick with the scent of soil and freshly cut wood as workers expanded the fields. As he arrived, he spotted the druid crouching near a pile of fine white powder—the enchanted bonemeal.

Vaelin looked up and greeted him with a nod. "You're just in time, my lord." He gestured to the bonemeal. "This is the first processed batch."

Leon scooped a handful and let it slip through his fingers. It looked normal, but he could feel the faint thrumming pulse of mana within it.

"How effective is it?" Leon asked.

Vaelin smiled. "Far beyond your expectations, I'd wager. Crops that would take two months to grow will now mature in just three weeks."

Leon's eyebrows rose in surprise. That was better than he had hoped. With this, their food supply would stabilize quickly.

"But," Vaelin continued, "I have other techniques we can apply to further reduce this time. With the right irrigation magic and growth runes, we could bring it down to just a week and a half."

Leon frowned, considering the implications. That kind of rapid growth would let them sustain an enormous population—but there was a catch.

"Our supply of enchanted bonemeal is limited," Leon pointed out. "And we have no cleric to cleanse more bones efficiently. If we use it too fast, we'll run out before securing another method of enhancing crop growth."

Vaelin nodded. "A wise concern. If we ration the bonemeal properly, we can extend its use for several years, even with a growing population. If we set our target at one month per harvest cycle, we can sustain fields that could feed thousands of people for at least a couple of years with our current supply."

Leon exhaled, pleased with the balance they had struck. A month per harvest was more than good enough.

"Then that's what we'll do," Leon declared. "Distribute the bonemeal and instruct the farmers on the proper amount to use."

"As you command." Vaelin gave a respectful nod and moved to relay the orders.

With the farming issue settled, Leon turned his focus to other matters.

---

The settlement was buzzing with activity as construction of the barracks neared completion. Workers hammered planks into place, secured iron reinforcements, and ensured the training grounds were level.

With time to spare, Leon moved around the settlement, addressing various tasks:

1. Inspecting the Blacksmith's Progress – Bram had been forging new weapons with the iron they'd gathered. Another batch of silver-edged weapons was almost complete. Bram assured Leon that soon, every soldier would be properly armed against both normal foes and Hollowborn threats.

2. Checking on the Hunters – The hunting parties had been working harder than usual, gathering meat to supplement their food stores. Reports came in about strange creatures spotted in the deeper parts of the forest, but no immediate threats had been encountered.

3. Overseeing the Marketplace Plans – With trade routes being considered, a marketplace was necessary. Leon had his workers clear an area where future stalls and trading posts would be set up.

4. Testing More Transmutation Combinations – He experimented with transforming excess resources. He found that wood could be enhanced into reinforced timber, and that low-quality stone could be refined into stronger materials.

By the time he finished his rounds, the sun had risen high into the afternoon sky.

It was almost time.

---

Leon stood before the barracks, watching as the workers nailed the final planks into place. The structure was strong and well-fortified, capable of housing and training their growing army.

A moment later, a system notification appeared before him.

[Settlement Barracks Constructed!]

New System Function Unlocked: Troop Training & Advancement

Leon's eyes gleamed with interest.

Finally.

He had been waiting for this. With the barracks complete, he could now formally train, improve, and evolve his soldiers through the system.

But that would come next.

For now, he allowed himself a small moment of satisfaction. The foundation of his army was now firmly in place.