I Build a Modern Shelter in Fantasy World

Sigh!

"Forget about that. I'm not interested in the war you started," Gideon replied.

"You are a Baron, a noble of our kingdom. It is only right for you to help if the kingdom commands you," Queen Anastasia answered.

"I will not send my team, which is far stronger than any elite unit, into war. Losing one member is enough, I won't lose anyone else!"

Hearing Gideon's words made Queen Anastasia and her two daughters fall silent for a moment. They saw the sadness on Gideon's face. His words were not just a refusal, but a deep confession of his fear.

"I understand. I will not force you," the Queen replied.

Her statement, so quick to comply with Gideon, was enough to surprise Hannah. She knew her mother well, a firm and authoritative woman who always prioritized the safety of the kingdom.

But in front of Gideon, who was only a Baron on the southern border, Queen Anastasia could neither pressure him nor threaten him.

To her, the title of Baron for Gideon was not something worth protecting at the cost of abandoning his principles.

It would be easy for a man like Gideon to gain any noble status he wanted. If he wanted to become king, he could do so without trouble.

"Allow us to stay a few days in Rockvalley, Baron Gideon?" Queen Anastasia asked.

Gideon nodded, allowing the maids to come and escort his three guests to the guest rooms. The rooms were still in good condition, clean and proper, though not as luxurious as Viscount Duncan's residence.

"You may rest. I have matters to take care of."

Queen Anastasia nodded. She and her children watched Gideon go upstairs. He was heading to meet Viviene, who was in her office busy handling the administration of the four villages.

KNOCK!

Gideon entered after Viviene told him to come in. His eyes saw her sitting at her desk, a stack of papers covering most of it. She worked hard to show her loyalty to Gideon.

"Lord Gideon?" Viviene greeted.

"Relax, you can keep working, Viviene."

"Do you need something, Lord?" she asked.

"Yes, I realize that an army is being formed under my authority. They need an identity that shows they are part of my team."

"An identity? Like a flag?" Viviene asked. Gideon cleared his throat.

She paused for a moment, put down her pen and papers, then walked toward a shelf in the room. She reached for a wooden box on the very top of the tall rack, but Gideon got up and helped her take it down.

"What's this?"

Curious, Gideon opened the box and found a neatly folded flag with a purple background. When he spread it open, he saw several symbols printed on it.

There was a golden crown, bat wings, and a blood-stained sword, all on the purple background. Viviene explained whose flag it was.

"Nozel always used that flag whenever he went to the Viscount. People recognized it right away," Viviene said.

"They recognized it because the symbols matched his way of ruling. Am I right?"

"Yes. People in the villages he passed would shiver in fear whenever Nozel's gonfalon was raised by his troops."

Gideon nodded, folded the flag, and put it back in the wooden box. He ordered Viviene to burn it, to erase the people's past trauma. She agreed.

"So what kind of flag do you want?" Viviene asked.

"I need to know the traits of the four villages to decide what symbols I should use."

"The four villages? I don't think any of them stand out much."

Gideon fell silent. The scope was too small, making it hard to design a flag that truly fit. He would have to create one using his imagination and his knowledge of flag symbols back on Earth.

"I see. Do you know anyone skilled in making flags?" Gideon asked.

"There is. His name is Kuro, the best flag and clothing tailor in the village."

"Kuro? I think I've heard his name before, maybe at the tavern," Gideon said.

"Let me take you to him."

Gideon refused. He felt Viviene already had too much work and should stay focused on her duties. As for Kuro, Gideon would find him on his own.

"I'll meet him myself. Thank you, Viviene."

"Of course, Lord Gideon."

He left Viviene's office and went downstairs. Princess Hannah and Queen Anastasia were still in the lounge, while Alanar was playing with Isabella and Sheilla.

Ignoring them, Gideon walked outside, making Hannah curious. Without Gideon knowing, Hannah followed him. Queen Anastasia allowed it but told her not to disturb Gideon.

That was because Gideon was important to the Kingdom of Moko.

Hannah kept a good distance as she trailed him. She saw him enter a tavern in broad daylight, which surprised her.

"Only lazy men waste time in the tavern at noon. What does Mother see in him, really?" Hannah muttered.

To her surprise, Gideon came out quickly without lingering for hours. His movements made Hannah even more suspicious, yet curious.

Gideon walked farther from the tavern until he reached a small house with a yard full of hanging laundry. Hannah couldn't follow him inside without being noticed.

KNOCK!

The door opened, and a middle-aged woman in a thick house dress stepped out, surprised to see Gideon. She bowed and asked his purpose.

"I want to meet Kuro. Is he home?"

"I'm here," answered a thin man with glasses.

"I know you from Viviene. I heard you can help make a flag?"

"So, you want to create your own flag? Come in, let me hear what kind of flag you want," Kuro said.

Gideon stepped inside, and the door closed. Hannah clicked her tongue, stuck outside with no way to know what Gideon was doing in there.

Inside, Gideon stopped in Kuro's workshop, which was filled with cloth and, of course, a traditional sewing machine. It was just as Gideon imagined.

"Do you have an idea already?" Kuro asked.

"Do you have paper and a pen?"

Kuro handed him blank paper and a pencil. With that, Gideon sketched his vision for the flag, using his knowledge of symbolic rules while still including elements of the four villages under his control.

He did not use any weapons as symbols. Only an eagle, rice, cotton, and stars, with a blue background. Gideon finished his sketch.

Kuro looked surprised. He had never seen rice and cotton drawn on a flag, though animals and stars he had seen many times.

"No crown?" Kuro asked.

"No."

"No shield or sword?"

"No."

"Hmm… I've never seen a noble flag like this. What form do you want me to make it in?"

Gideon turned, looking at the flags in the workshop. He pointed at three types: rectangle, gonfalon, and pennant.

Kuro followed his finger, then smiled and nodded. With Gideon's sketch, he promised to finish it in less than a week. Gideon trusted him and agreed.

After finishing with Kuro, Gideon said goodbye and stepped out of the house. Hannah, who had waited half an hour, moved again, following him from behind.

Sigh!

"You should know I can hear your armor clinking."

"What?" Hannah gasped.

Gideon turned sharply, staring at her with a serious look. Hannah hadn't expected that Gideon was fully aware of her following him.

"What are you? My fans?"

"I-I'm not—"

He noticed the sword at her waist, a sign she was a knight. Gideon smiled, an idea forming about her.

"If you're free, how about teaching my troops the kingdom sword techniques?" Gideon asked.

"I'm a knight, not an instructor!" Hannah shot back.

"If you're a knight, then this isn't your place. You should be using that sword in the north or west."

Gideon's words struck Hannah deeply. She was the leader of the Blue Rose Order, commanding 500 skilled women warriors.

But the king had forbidden the Blue Rose Order from joining the war. That was why some were stationed in the Capital, while others came with Hannah to Rockvalley.

"You don't know anything about me."

"That's the point of talking and relaxing, so we can learn about each other."

"The kingdom is in chaos, how can you relax like that?"

"My territory is not affected by your war."

"Look."

Hannah turned where Gideon pointed. Her eyes saw villagers who were neither worried nor afraid. They lived their lives calmly, full of laughter and joy.

The sight was completely different from the Capital, where many people were beginning to doubt King Moko's rule.

"You live in comfort. What if war breaks out and you're not ready?" Hannah asked.

"We are preparing. If it becomes an emergency, then the Ghost Team will step in," Gideon replied.

"I'm curious how strong your Ghost Team really is. Want to fight?"