The next morning began like the last with the rhythmic pounding of hammers and the rising hum of purpose filling Velmira's air. Dust and sweat clung to every hand. The scent of fresh wood and stone mixed with dew as the rebuilding effort pushed forward.
Kenzo had just finished redrawing the outline for the expanded village walls on a piece of reclaimed parchment when a rumble of hooves approached from the southern road.
He looked up, eyes narrowing.
A single horse. A woman riding it, cloaked in travel-worn linen, saddlebags full and bulging with tools. She rode confidently with her posture upright, yet graceful, even with age lines marking her face.
When she pulled her hood down, Kenzo caught a glimpse of striking silver-streaked black hair pulled into a practical braid. Her deep hazel eyes scanned the village like a woman taking measurements just by looking.
"You the new lord?" she asked, hopping down from her horse with little effort.
Kenzo nodded slowly. "I am and you?"
She brushed dust off her gloves. "Name's Marella Voss. Builder, architect, problem-solver. I was heading to the capital to offer my services, but… seeing what you've done here in such a short time? I figured I'd stop and offer something useful before nobles start bidding for it."
Kenzo blinked. "You're… offering to stay?"
"Temporarily," she said, glancing at the new roof being installed. "Long enough to build more than one house a day, hopefully. You've got energy, but not technique. I've rebuilt two villages from ash. I can help."
A notification blinked in Kenzo's vision.
[Marella Voss – Builder, Lv. 34]
Specialization: Structural Design, Fortification, Multi-home Planning
Potential: High
Bond Status: Neutral
[New Supporter Encountered!]
Would you like to assign her to lead building efforts in Velmira?
Kenzo tapped "Yes" mentally.
The next few hours were a whirlwind.
Marella surveyed the area, shouted orders, and drafted new blueprints using both her own knowledge and Kenzo's magical input. She praised the water system, criticized the foundation of one rebuilt house, and promptly led a team to reinforce it.
Meanwhile, Kenzo focused his mana and vision beyond the immediate town.
[Recreate – Wall Expansion: Tier 3 Fortified Wood-Barriers]
Design: Based on medieval defense structures from old-world strategy games.
Mana Cost: 70/100
Materials: Supplemented by magic
The land shook slightly as thick wooden beams erupted from the ground, forming a circular border twice the original village's size. Support braces locked into place like puzzle pieces. Guard towers sprouted at four corners.
Gasps rang out from every villager.
Marella walked over and whistled. "Not bad, boy. Not bad at all."
Kenzo exhaled and fell to one knee, drained. "That took… more out of me than I thought."
Akina rushed over, steadying him. "You're pushing yourself too hard."
"I have to," he muttered. "We need safety, structure, space because this can't be a crumbling outpost anymore."
Marella nodded approvingly. "With those walls and my hands, we can make this a home worth defending."
[Quest Update: Rebuild Velmira – Housing Progress 2/5]
[Wall Expansion – Complete]
[New Ally: Marella Voss]
That evening, the villagers gathered again in the square and this time around a fire that wasn't just for warmth, but celebration. Marella drank quietly on a log, sketching something on scrap parchment.
Rina leaned into Kenzo's arm. "She's rough, but… she's kind. I think she'll stay longer than she lets on."
Akina smiled. "And she likes you. She hasn't called you 'idiot lord' yet, which is probably a good sign."
Kenzo chuckled. "Let's just hope she doesn't charge me a noble's ransom for her help."
As laughter echoed through the torch-lit square, Marella handed Kenzo a rolled-up scroll. He opened it.
It was a blueprint.
Of Velmira Reborn.
A vision of wide roads, multi-level homes, trade stalls, guard posts, even a school and central guild hall. It was detailed. Practical and within reach.
Kenzo stared at it.
And for the first time, he didn't see ruins.
He saw a future.