Chapter 9 – The Foundation of Andora

Spring brought new life to Andora. After weeks of hard work, the construction of homes and the village hall had finally taken real shape. The villagers worked shoulder to shoulder, driven not just by survival anymore—but by the hope of a future.

In the midst of the bustle, Belinda stood out. She didn't just give orders—she got her hands dirty. Her hands were stained with soil and paint, yet her eyes remained sharp and determined. At her side was Garren, a seasoned builder now acting as project consultant, who provided technical direction while discussing with Belinda and Taeyang.

"If this wall is too close to the main road, it could block water flow from above," Garren said, pointing to a line in the dirt.

"We can shift it one meter east. Belinda, have you seen the latest layout?"

"I have. I even added a small drainage route here," she replied, showing a worn sketch filled with notes.

Meanwhile, Taeyang was arranging the locations of villagers' houses. He adopted a European-style village layout: homes facing inward, creating an open space for the hall and logistics warehouse. He noted every detail, making sure each family had a decent space.

Days passed. Houses began to stand firm. The warehouse was completed ahead of schedule, and the village hall was nearly finished. On the eastern side, Wonho set up a small learning space for children.

"This place may be simple," he said during the first lesson, "but knowledge is the foundation of the future."

That evening, in the newly built hall, a special meeting was held. The village leaders—Claude, Belinda, and Taeyang—gathered with Hyunwoo.

Claude opened the meeting with a calm but steady voice. "We've changed Andora. But our work isn't done. Out there, many still live in the suffering we once knew."

"Our land is vast," Taeyang added. "If we can invite others, Andora could become a place of refuge."

Hyunwoo stood, looking around at those gathered. "I want to form a small team. We'll travel to other regions, seek out struggling villages… and offer them hope."

Belinda immediately spoke, "I'm in."

"Me too," said Taeyang firmly.

Claude smiled. "If you're going, I can't sit still."

At that moment, a young woman stood from the corner of the room. "My name is Seren. I come from a mountain village destroyed by war. I know the old roads. I can help."

Silence fell. All eyes turned to her.

Hyunwoo nodded. He knew—he wasn't perfect, not a flawless leader. But he had something more important: people who believed in him.

On a small hill east of Andora, Elden Harrow Feyta—the former village chief and Belinda's grandfather—stood watching the neatly arranged new houses, the firm village hall, and children running between the fields slowly turning green again. His eyes drifted far, recalling when this village was on the brink of death.

"We were just surviving back then," he murmured, clutching his old wooden cane. "Now… we have a future."

Meanwhile, near the livestock pens, Thadrick the blacksmith sat under a tree with Lurik, the traveling merchant who had now settled in Andora.

"You know the cave behind the hill?" Thadrick asked, sipping water from a coconut shell.

"The one behind the thorn bushes? I heard it's just a fox's den," Lurik answered casually.

"I went inside. There's a thin stream and… ancient carvings. Doesn't feel like a natural cave. We should take another look."

Suddenly, the sound of hooves shattered the calm. Dust rose as a small mounted force approached swiftly from the north.

They stopped at Andora's gate. Villagers gathered, wary.

At the front line, a woman dismounted. Her long white hair was tied neatly, her eyes sharp though her face remained calm. She wore a light coat bearing Thalveran's crest—the kingdom that ruled the surrounding lands.

"I am Vanessa Valemont, technical representative and Knight of Thalveran," she declared. "We are here because you've disrupted our water access."

Murmurs rose among the villagers. Thadrick quickly summoned Hyunwoo, who was in the storage room with Wonho.

Before long, Hyunwoo and Wonho arrived at the hall, now filled with villagers and foreign soldiers.

"What's going on here?" Hyunwoo asked firmly, stepping forward.

Vanessa's gaze locked onto him. "Someone from this village destroyed one of our underground water channels. We know it was you. If it's not fixed soon, Thalveran reserves the right to act… including annexation."

Tension immediately surged.

Wonho clenched his jaw, eyes locked on the water map he had once suspected was interconnected. He knew—it was likely his fault.

Hyunwoo raised his hand, trying to calm both sides.

"Give us time to investigate and repair. We never intended to start a conflict."

Vanessa didn't flinch. "One week. Or we will take action."

The hall fell silent. Only the sound of heartbeats lingered.

Elden Harrow slowly stood. "If it's war you bring, then you don't know how fiercely we've fought just to live. But we'll try for peace… because we want to live, not die."

Vanessa looked at Elden, then at Hyunwoo. After a few moments that felt like hours, she nodded. "One week. Prove you can take responsibility."

She mounted her horse, gave the signal, and the Thalveran unit turned away—leaving a cloud of dust hanging over Andora.

Hyunwoo clenched his fists. "One week. We need to move fast."

Night fell as Hyunwoo stood in front of the village hall. The flickering torchlight cast long shadows on the ground. Wonho and Yerin sat on a long bench made from logs, while Taeyang and a few villagers prepared for tomorrow's long journey—beyond Andora.

Hyunwoo gently patted Wonho's shoulder. "Wait a moment," he said with a calm but firm tone.

Wonho turned, a little wary.

Hyunwoo leaned close, speaking softly into his ear. "You have one week to resolve the Thalveran issue. Not just fix the channel... I want them to admit their mistake too."

Wonho stared at him. "That's... nearly impossible."

Hyunwoo smiled faintly. "You're a scientist—you know that the best solution isn't always the most logical, but the most beneficial. Bait them, find a loophole, and make them depend on our water system."

Wonho frowned, surprised and slightly confused. "You want… them to rely on Andora?"

"I want them unable to survive without us," Hyunwoo whispered sharply. "Andora may be small now, but we must grip like roots in stone. And you… are my sharpest weapon."

Wonho swallowed hard. The cold, calculating side of Hyunwoo always caught him off guard, even though he knew the man was far sharper than he appeared.

"…Alright. But if this fails, don't blame me."

Hyunwoo patted his shoulder again. "You won't fail. Because you know I never give you another choice."

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The next morning, before the team departed, a grand meeting was held at the village hall. A long table was surrounded by key figures appointed by Hyunwoo:

Belinda, as Finance Treasurer, submitted the logistics and resource flow report for the next month.

Claude, Head of Defense, shared new patrol schemes while the team was away.

Arlain, Claude's right hand, added defensive strategies for the unexplored northern paths.

Lurik, Economic Consultant, reported on trade expansion plans and suggested forming a cooperative.

Garren, Infrastructure Consultant, presented maps of weather-resistant houses and new stone bridges.

Verine, Head of Domestic Innovation, proposed keeping the community kitchen open daily.

Maelis, leader of the weavers' guild, reported a textile project aimed to become a top barter product.

Thadrick, head of metalworks, revealed prototypes of new farming tools.

After everyone reported, Hyunwoo stood and addressed them all.

"When we leave, it's not because I don't trust this village. It's because I trust you… that I can step forward with peace of mind."

He looked into each face one by one.

"Build Andora without us. And when we return, I want to see this village… more alive than ever."

Everyone nodded—some even smiled proudly. Andora was no longer just a remote village—it was a home with strong roots that could stand tall even when its leader marched away.

And for the first time, venturing beyond the village wasn't about running from problems—it was about chasing the future.

The next day, five people prepared to depart. Not as heroes. But as messengers—that hope could be rebuilt, even from lands once buried in scars and silence.