Eternal Empire - Kingdom Building

When Maloney heard David introduce the villagers, his initial reaction was one of doubt. Late? Had he miscalculated?

He had considered investing in David before, but looking at the situation in Winter Village, was it wise to bet on such a small group?

Though he didn’t know much about Watney, Fordring, or Crawford, he couldn’t shake the feeling that their presence in this remote village wasn’t mere coincidence. It was too convenient.

Moreover, while Tirion Fordring seemed polite and respectful, there was an air about him that Maloney couldn’t ignore. It reminded him of his father, his grandfather, or the top nobles of Iron Tree Fort. It felt absurd, and he suspected the fatigue of travel was clouding his judgment.

As they rode into the village and sat at the table where David and the others typically gathered, Maloney found himself glancing around for Tirion. But instead of the lumberjack, he was faced with Mark Watney, the farmer he hadn’t seen before.

“Is this really a farmer?” he thought.

Watney didn’t stand out, dressed in ordinary coarse clothes—though Tirion had likely advised him to change before their arrival. Yet, when Maloney looked at him now, he sensed a scholar's wisdom rather than the simplicity of a farmer.

This confirmed it: David’s identity was far from ordinary. It was clear that he had strong backing.

And what of this young man, suspected to be a noble descendant, joining the development team and becoming the village head? Would he expose such a thing?

Maloney quickly resolved his thoughts. None of my business!

He was here to inspect Winter Village, not delve into secrets. His goals were straightforward: Was this a qualified village? Had farmland been reclaimed? Was there a steady crop output? Could ordinary people live here?

Once those things were confirmed, he would check the surrounding geographical conditions for mineral deposits or special products.

As for David’s identity? That was irrelevant to his work. Even if he confirmed his suspicions, Maloney wouldn’t expose it.

Why would he? Revealing David's "true" identity would benefit him in no way. The Kingdom of Tilan had loose requirements for citizenship; anyone could participate in the development, whether noble or commoner.

Even when the pioneering order was first issued, the nobles of the Kingdom of Tilan spearheaded the efforts to open up new lands. Especially those noble descendants who couldn't inherit their elders' territories. It wasn't until the kingdom's territory expanded significantly, leaving only the harsh, uninviting lands, that the nobles gradually withdrew from this endeavor.

David's status as a suspected noble was hardly a concern. In fact, it sparked some inspiration in Maloney: Could he adopt a similar strategy when necessary? After all, wealthy aristocrats often had illegitimate children.

“Even though winters here are harsh and ordinary crops struggle to grow, it’s still a territory,” he mused.

With this mindset, Maloney grew increasingly curious. He engaged Mark in conversation about the land, questioning whether it was true that only potatoes could thrive here.

“It's not impossible to grow other crops; it’s just more challenging,” Mark replied confidently. Coming from a more advanced world, he had mastered sophisticated agricultural concepts. After successfully sprouting potatoes on Mars, his confidence soared.

“No matter how tough the environment is, can it really be worse? With the right methods, I believe we can grow any crop—wheat, vegetables, even fruits!”

Maloney listened, his assessment of Mark's identity solidifying. This was no ordinary farmer; he was a scholar in agriculture, intent on ensuring Cold Winter Village could produce viable crops. No wonder a previously overlooked crop like potatoes had emerged here.

He considered Tirion Fordring’s identity too. A powerful knight? A personal guard for David? Given his demeanor, could he also be the commander of an elite force? The thought sparked intrigue.

But that left Maloney wondering: Whose child was David? A flurry of noble family names crossed his mind. It was clear that only an extraordinary lineage could leverage such resources. The realization sent a chill down his spine. It was probably best not to dwell on the implications of this line of thinking.

Meanwhile, David busied himself in his wooden house, casting occasional glances at Maloney.

Laura stood nearby, her arms crossed. “Aren’t you worried about what Mark said?”

“Not at all. Mark's not an idiot! He’s a scientist on the Mars Exploration Program team. To reach that level, he had to excel in his field and complete rigorous training. He knows what he's talking about.”

Though Mark might appear boastful, he hadn’t said anything foolish.

Just then, Tirion approached David’s wooden house, having wandered back from somewhere. He leaned closer and whispered, “The two soldiers are resting, while the other two are patrolling outside the village.”

The last to return was the knight Hackett. He circled back to Maloney, taking up a guard position just behind him.

“By the way, I arranged for the old hunter and his child to rest in my wooden house,” Tirion mentioned as David guided Maloney through Winter Village. They merely surveyed the village, taking in the few small plots of farmland.

“So, where will you stay?” David inquired.

“That depends on how you arrange it, David,” Tirion replied, glancing at David and then at Laura. His implication was clear: if David and Laura shared a room, he’d bunk with Mark. If David opted for Mark’s company, Tirion would take up residence in the larger temporary cabin.

“I’ll stay with Laura.” David was straightforward about his intentions. “How many potatoes do we have in stock? Enough for fifty kilograms?”

“Not even close.” Tirion answered without hesitation. “The last batch we harvested—most went to our meals. The rest were replanted.” Their food reserves barely totaled twenty kilograms.

The limited seed supply initially restricted their yield, but Cold Winter Villa's residents weren't solely dependent on potatoes for sustenance. With the food Mark brought from the Mars base and Laura’s provisions from England, they weren’t in dire straits.

“Why the sudden need for fifty kilograms of potatoes?” Tirion asked.

David explained he’d “sold” fifty kilograms to Captain Gregory of the northern sentry. It wasn’t just about earning some money; he hoped to trade for chickens, ducks, and horses.

“Speaking of which...” Tirion’s expression shifted as he recalled something everyone had overlooked. “We might be able to handle smaller livestock like chickens, ducks, even pigs and sheep ourselves.”

David paused, realization dawning on him as he slapped his forehead. He hadn’t considered that possibility. “But how do we bring them here?”

Previously, he’d only thought of lifting items, which limited him to smaller, lighter goods. He hadn’t figured out a way to transport living creatures, otherwise Laura could have brought Rose to Winter Villag for treatment. Even if Rose was injured, as long as she didn’t die immediately, healing with Holy Light magic was entirely feasible.

“While Maloney inspects the surrounding area, I could head back and try to buy a live chicken,” Laura suggested, planning to return and manage the agreed fifty kilograms of potatoes.

“That sounds good. Let’s start with one live chicken and see how it goes. Then we can decide about getting more chickens, ducks, pigs, and sheep later.” David replied, thinking ahead. “But we should probably get some books on raising them beforehand.”

David had no knowledge of livestock management, and neither did anyone in Winter Villag, including the temporary guests. Laura would need to bring some teaching materials along with her supplies.

“I can consult some professionals; their expertise might be beneficial.”

“Great idea! Or... how about I hand over the chicken farm to you?”

“…”