I Build a Modern Shelter in Fantasy World

***

Three months later.

Rockvalley Village.

Gideon stood in front of the Baron's residence, walking alone along the road that was slowly returning to normal.

The piles of snow were melting away, no longer seen along the streets. The snowfall had also stopped, a sign that winter had ended.

In a few days, spring would arrive, and the work that had been delayed could continue again. Luke could focus once more on digging the well without Lyra.

Lena was busy with patients coming in to complain about the flu, the result of the season's harsh changes.

As for troop training, Lucas was leading them with other soldiers. Gideon actually wanted Norton's help with this, but since Norton was at war in the north, he could not assist.

Gideon did not know whether Norton would survive the war that was turning against the Moko Kingdom.

Even so, Norton Ashfield had been the Kingdom's infantry commander for years. He understood the battlefield more than Gideon ever could.

He'll be fine, just coming back late.

Loud shouts full of spirit echoed from the right side of the Baron's residence. That was the new location Gideon had ordered to be built to concentrate the three branches of soldiers. For now, only Infantry and Archers were available.

He walked over, curious to see what their training looked like. Lucas was not in the military compound, only a few of his trusted men tasked with drilling the recruits in physical conditioning and sword skills.

For three months, Luke and Lucas had worked together to begin recruitment. They traveled to Nemora, Rockvalley, Dergon, and Algus to deliver Gideon's message. Anyone could enlist under the given terms.

The result? Two hundred eighty-seven people gathered at the military yard, training hard in physical endurance and sword fighting.

The total recruits were divided into three small squads to make training easier and to watch their talents.

When combined with the Baron's guards, Gideon had at least three hundred fifty-seven troops: seventy Baron guards and two hundred eighty-seven new soldiers.

Gideon stepped into the military yard and saw the recruits training in shirts and pants. They were not wearing armor yet, since Lucas's men prioritized physical endurance and sword skill first.

The time would come when they would have armor, and then they would have to treat both their armor and their sword as if they were part of their own lives, never to be neglected.

Gideon's arrival instantly drew attention. Training stopped for a moment as they all turned to see him coming unannounced. The distraction caused a stir until practice was paused.

"Lord Gideon," one of the officers greeted as he and two others approached. Gideon stopped and waited for them.

"Where's Lucas?" Gideon asked.

"He is leading an expedition to Algus to deal with the security issue there, my Lord."

Gideon nodded. He had indeed assigned Lucas to go there from time to time to stabilize the situation. Slowly, Algus had become far better than before.

He turned and watched the three squads of new recruits, swinging wooden swords in their drills. Their progress was impressive.

At least they were far better than common bandits, though Gideon knew they could not compare to Norton's elite forces.

For now, this army was more than enough to secure the four villages. If Gideon were to expand into the lands of the mythic races, he would need a much larger force.

He did not intend to invade them directly. He would send letters to each of their villages, demanding surrender and compliance. Gideon wanted them to act like the Kitsune toward Rockvalley.

That way, needless conflict could be avoided, and he could spare his soldiers' lives while still gaining territory.

"I will prepare letters addressed to the villages of the mythic races. I want you to deliver them directly," Gideon said.

"Yes, my Lord. We will do it."

"I will call you once the letters are ready. For now, focus on training the troops first," Gideon ordered.

"Yes, my Lord."

The three officers returned to their places, and training resumed. The recruits refocused, ignoring Gideon's presence as they followed the lessons being taught.

Gideon nodded, pleased and relieved with their progress. To distinguish his army from others, he needed to create a flag and a name for his force.

This had to be done carefully. The name and the colors of the banner had to reflect the southern lands. Gideon would need to consult with Viviene to decide the design and name, something fitting with the culture of the border villages in the south.

He headed back toward the Baron's residence to meet Viviene. But unexpectedly, a carriage was parked in front, guarded by several soldiers.

They wore heavy red iron armor and carried spears, cavalry troops whose horses were even draped with coverings like paladins.

These were palace troops, not the guards of nobles or city soldiers. Their status was the highest among all the armies.

One of the guards turned and saw Gideon near the residence. He walked up and told him that Queen Anastasya was inside waiting for him.

Queen Anastasya? What is she doing here?

"All right, thank you."

Gideon quickly entered the yard and opened the door of the house. What the soldier said was true: Queen Anastasya had come to Rockvalley with two people. Gideon recognized one of them as Princess Alanar, but he did not know the other woman.

"Your Majesty," Gideon greeted.

Queen Anastasya turned, smiling wide when she saw him. She rose from the sofa and walked quickly toward him, her face showing deep worry.

"Thank goodness you're still here," she said.

"I am the ruler of this village. Of course I'll still be here."

"So, he is Gideon? The Ghost Team's leader?" asked the other woman, the Queen's daughter.

Gideon turned, then nodded with a slight cough. He introduced himself, and she did the same, presenting herself as the Queen's second daughter and the eldest princess of the Moko royal family.

"I'm Hannah," said Princess Hannah, a tall woman with shoulder-length short hair, pale skin, and sharp eyes, still single.

"My respect to Princess Hannah."

He glanced sideways again at Queen Anastasya, who had come to Rockvalley without warning. In her expression, Gideon could clearly see the anxiety etched across her face.

"What brings you all the way here, Your Majesty?" Gideon asked.

"This is about the war."

"What you said is true. The war in winter hit the Moko army hard."

"Several major cities in the north and west have fallen to the enemy. The capital itself is in danger," Queen Anastasya said firmly.

"So, you came to ask me to join your army?" Gideon asked.

"Only you and your Ghost Team can defeat them. If you succeed, I will wed you to Hannah."

"WHAT?"