Chapter 33 - Word and Deed

The sample of excavation had gone better than expected.

With Seraphyne's magic speeding up the work and Ren's detection tools guiding the digging teams, the Trade Union workers had made quick progress.

What would have taken a week with picks and guesswork took a single day to map and sample.

By afternoon, they'd exposed a vein of shimmering mineral. Dense layer of raw stone laced with fragments similar to the relic Ren had found.

It was enough to confirm the site's value.

A decision was made. A mining facility would be established.

Ren walked the perimeter with the Union foreman and a clerk, pointing out anchor points, terrain hazards, and natural drainage lines.

Meanwhile, Sera, occasionally stabilizing weak areas with hardened stone or clearing debris with wide sweeps of controlled air pressure.

"This will work," the Union rep finally said, surveying the chalk marks on the ground. "We'll bring in materials for a proper camp, start construction within the week."

"We'll need the detectors," the foreman added. "Whatever that tool is, it's ten times better than our usual methods."

Ren nodded. "You'll get the tools. Calibrated and field-ready."

"And your share?" the rep asked.

Ren reached into his satchel and pulled out a folded contract, already stamped and signed. "As agreed: twenty percent of all processed stone, priority trade lanes through Ironpeak, and first rights on any unknown object unearthed. These items will be withheld and unused until I decide."

"Generous," the man muttered, scanning the seal.

"It's efficient," Ren corrected. "I don't need stone. I need a partner. Long-term. Someone I can trust. Let's build the future together."

He turned to leave, then paused mid-step.

"One more thing," he said without looking back. "Tell your boss, don't ever betray me. Not even once."

His voice was calm, steady.

"I have something coming that'll be worth far more than this mine in the future. Just... don't."

The man blinked, then gave a short nod. "He won't betray profit. Or value. I'm sure, he won't."

Ren smirked. "Good. That makes things easier."

***

By late afternoon, Ren gathered the Union clerk and handed him a hand-written list.

"These are materials needed by the wasteland settlement. Farming tools, timber, seeds, nails, livestock... water wheels if you can manage it. Prioritize the basics."

The clerk nodded, eyes widening as he read through the list. "This is… a full-scale expansion."

"It is," Ren said. "And you'll be paid in gold, up front. I want it delivered tomorrow, with nine men to assist."

"You're serious."

Ren looked at him. "I don't make empty requests. The faster we stabilize the Wasteland, the more we all benefit."

***

As the sun dipped lower, Ren and Sera began their walk back to the guild.

The trail was quiet, the last light catching the dust still hanging in the air from the departing wagons.

"By the way," Sera asked, glancing at him, "what are you actually doing in the Wasteland?"

Ren kept walking. "Just… helping them find water and food."

"That's it?" she said, skeptical.

"You'll find out soon enough, when you come with me."

Sera nodded slowly, her expression unreadable. But her curiosity was clear.

Ren looked ahead. "The wagon must've arrived by now."

"Then the rumor mills already started," Sera replied with a smirk. "Of course, it has. Half the workers saw what you're doing out there. The rest are probably still trying to make sense of it."

She was right.

As they neared the guild hall, the low hum of conversation filtered through the open windows. And then, laughter.

"You know, he's really crazy," someone said, their voice half in awe. "He actually brought water to the dead land."

"He's really doing it," another added. "With real people. Real food. They say crops are growing already."

"They're calling it the Rebirth of the Wastes."

Ren paused outside the door, the words hanging in the air like distant thunder.

Sera glanced sideways. "Sounds like you'll becoming a legend here."

Ren shrugged. "Not interested in that."

"Too late," she said, smirking. "Legends don't get to choose."

They stepped through the doors of the guild together, quietly, as if nothing had changed.

But something had.

And the whole city was starting to notice.

When Ren and Seraphyne stepped into the guild hall, silence fell like a dropped blade.

The room had been lively only seconds before. Laughter, tankards clinking, quiet conversations between missions.

But the moment people saw them walking in side by side, everything stopped.

Not because of Ren. Because of Sera.

Every pair of eyes shifted. Sera barely glanced around the room, but that was all it took.

Adventurers straightened in their chairs. Lower-ranked members stiffened. Even the front desk attendant paused mid-ink stroke.

Sera was feared. Not because of arrogance or cruelty, because of what she could do, and what she had done.

At the corner of the room, they all sat neatly: Guild member that comes from the Wasteland also London and Fera, the wagon driver from village.

They all went still as the two entered, clearly not expecting Ren and Sera to walk in together.

From across the floor, a younger mage hesitated, then slowly approached, Kaela. one of Sera's known students. She moved with stiff, reluctant steps, her eyes low.

Sera tilted her head, calm but sharp. "Did I ever tell you not to greet your teacher?"

Kaela flinched. "I… I'm sorry, Teacher."

Sera gave a faint sigh, not unkind. "Then greet me properly next time. I don't bite. Unless you doing it again."

Kaela nodded quickly and stepped aside.

Ren moved toward the table where London and Fera waited.

They stood as he approached, Fera offering a half-smile, London staying stone-faced but attentive.

"You made it back quick," Ren said.

"We took the wagon straight here," London replied. "Didn't want to miss anything."

Ren nodded. "You two heading back to the Wasteland tomorrow morning? Or staying another day?"

They glanced at each other. Fera answered first. "We're ready to go home. The sooner we get back, the better."

"Good," Ren said. "There's work waiting. Supplies will be coming with you, and then hands to help the rebuild."

London raised an eyebrow. "You pulled that off already?"

Ren gave a faint smile. "I told you. We move fast."

He turned, addressing the rest of the group gathered nearby. Several guild members and two other villagers from the Wasteland.

"That's all from me tonight. You've earned the rest. Tomorrow, we go back."

He gave a nod, quiet and final.

Then he left the guild hall, the noise slowly returning behind him as the door closed.

The evening air was cooler now, the lamps along the street casting soft halos on the cobblestone.

Ren paused for a moment outside, exhaling slowly.

One more place to go.

Evelyn.

Where is she now? Still home, maybe preparing dinner. Or reading something by the window.

Ren didn't know, but he found himself walking anyway. His feet turning down to the familiar street without needing direction.

No grand reason. No urgent matter.

Just a quiet pull.

He walked on, the city's bustle fading behind him, the rhythm of his steps steady, purposeful.

And with each step, a question settled deeper in his chest.

Would she be glad to see him?

He hoped so.

And so he walked, toward the little house with the warm light in the window.

Toward her.