Civilization

"Was there something the both of you were going to discuss privately?" - Sam

"Not at all. It was about the direction for HavenFall now that Evan and his NPCs have joined me. Currently, we have enough space for everyone, but once we acquire another group of people we will suddenly be crowded. I already told Noah to start on the construction of more houses in the housing district, while also expanding old man Hus's workshop, since we need more blacksmiths and carpenters.

However, this is only a temporary solution, and it doesn't actually have any long-term benefit for everyone to just stay in one place. Expanding is key, and we have so much land to work with since most of the land is still monster-infested. I was thinking to move some residents in HavenFall, both old and new, to the area out looking the plains and create a whole long strip of arable land." - Ian

"That-that's a big project." - Evan

"What about the area between HavenFall and the Krepost?" - Kingston

"The forest? Looking at the geography of the place, it would take a lot of effort to cut down the trees and then change the landscape for farming. Plus, the forest gives us so much food, so I think it is pointless to tear down the forest. Maybe, creating a more direct route between HavenFall and the Krepost would be fine because it still took me a couple of hours to get to the Krepost running there with reinforcement." - Ian

"What are your plans for the new 'village'?" - Sam

"At the moment, it will start off with just a basic framework. Have people protect the location first, before constructing anything there, after all, the event is still ongoing. There will be constant attacks at night and unless we make some sort of defensive structure, there is no point in creating houses or farms.

The basic framework would include troops to defend the area while clearing the area of any large rocks and shrubbery. Make the area clean as well as mark out the potential starting territory. Blocking or noting down an area where there can be an exit or entrance is also part of the plan." - Ian

​ "Then why not build part of the buildings in HavenFall and then connect them at the new location, like how the Japanese did in ancient times." - Adam

"What do you mean by that, Adam?" - Ian

"There was a story about a castle being built one night in Japan during the time of war. It was used to create an advantageous position in an area where there shouldn't be. I'm not 100% sure about the details because I just watched a video of someone explaining it. Apparently, they constructed the walls and floors off-site, transported them in the dead of night, and connected them to build whatever they needed.

So, you can apply the same strategy to the new 'village'. Construct the fences using wooden planks or spikes, then construct the walls and floors for houses. Transport them to the location during the day and set up a generic defensive line using the fences as a barrier before upgrading it with stone or clay." - Adam

"Wow, that's a hectic idea. Doing this means we can create a village in a day and while the farming aspect can only be done over time, it will at least create another location where we can go to if anything bad happens in HavenFall." - Evan
"I hope nothing bad happens in HavenFall, or else we have to pretty much start all over." - Ian

"Farming will have to be led by some women underneath Lucina. They have been tending to the medicinal farm and the vegetable farm next to it for weeks, even months." - Kingston

"Exactly. After that, it will be preparations to expand the Krepost." - Ian

"Wait, what do you mean? What are you going to expand near the Krepost? It's just hills of grass." - Kingston

"I'm not expanding it in the same sense of expanding near HavenFall. The grassy hills that the Krepost overlooks are home to a lot of monsters. What if we can use them as both a tool for farming experience for new soldiers but also to fill in the holes in our army?" - Ian

"I'm not exactly following. Sorry, Ian, I'm not too familiar with HavenFall's army as well as the environment surrounding it." - Adam

"It's fine, I'll explain what I mean. The Krepost is next to an area where there are predominantly 3 kinds of monsters, Zivotinja, Xabaril, and Crinzanna with a couple of other kinds like Ombidia, Ijagu, and the Roc. Celine has already tamed as well as bred some Zivotinjas, Xabarils, and Crinzannas, and they have proved to be extremely useful when we were lacking in troops at the Krepost, right Kingston?" - Ian

"Right, they were able to defend and attack really well. Xabarils are great defenders, rivaling some better shield bearers at HavenFall, and with the Zivotinja as a magic dealing support, they could tank for days. The Crinzanna's are also another type of magic dealing support, but their physical damage isn't something to scoff at either.

What would be even more amazing is if Celine could tame a Roc and breed them. We would have a strategy for aerial combat as well as a way to fly to places. The Ijagu could be tamed and then put together with Shadow, the assassin group led by Stellar. Their stealth and ambush tactics are one of a kind and if they run away, it becomes very difficult to find them." - Kingston

"What about the Ombidia?" - Adam

"Oh, they are just sources of meat. Literally free meat, the only problem is they are kind of rare despite their large size." - Kingston

"Learning that, imagine we had a bigger army of monsters. We would have more monsters than actual soldiers, but it would help us a lot since everyone is so split from each other. Groups of other intelligent races are also wary of large groups, which makes it hard to bring them over unless there was a reason. Rebecca told me she tried to recruit a group of kobolds, but she was refused because she was human." - Ian

"Alright, so in conclusion, a farming area in the plains near HavenFall and a zoo near the Krepost." - Evan

"This is more thought out than my location. I like it, I think I'll do something similar then, and using your place as a guideline, I'll be able to figure out what I can and can't do." - Sam

"Ask if you need any help, Sam. We are in this together, so there is no harm in asking." - Ian

"Will do. Let's drink then, until dinner, and then eventually before we go back into the game." - Sam

Closing off the conversation, Adam leaves his seat to prepare us drinks and snacks. The lighthearted atmosphere continues until dinner when the girls join us after their walk. Despite Rebecca saying she will talk more to me, she decided to not bother and instead enjoyed the dinner. After dinner, we all decided to play some board games together, bringing everyone closer until we eventually parted to sleep and prepare for the game.

Picking up the VR helmet, I feel slightly nervous and anxious compared to the past 6 months of playing. Going into Settlement had a different purpose and looking at all the NPCs that trust me and follow me feels heavier. Compared to before when it was definitely saddening to have someone close die, it will feel heavier and more heart-wrenching knowing that they are not dying in a game but for real in their world.

Pounding against my chest, my heart feels like it would burst out. Clenching the VR helmet, I let out a small sigh. Glancing up, I see Rebecca walking toward me with a worried expression.

"What's wrong?" - Rebecca

"Nothing. Just a little anxious about going back." - Ian

"Going into battle has a whole different weight to it now, doesn't it?" - Rebecca

"Yea, what you say is right. Especially when I'll be walking into new territory to help out Kingston. I don't know what to expect not what to do. I want them all to survive, but that's probably the hardest part." - Ian

"You have grown stronger and so have they." - Rebecca

"I know, I know. That's why I'm also worried. What if we are still that weak? The fight I had in the cavern just further showed how weak I am compared to the other monsters out there in the game. It's just not enough." - Ian

"What can you do? The world isn't going to wait for when you are ready. We are going to be constantly in the deep end. The amount of times I died trying to get to you is immeasurable, but that didn't stop me. I'm sure they also know that you are constantly working harder and harder, and to not be left behind they are pushing themselves to their limits in order to catch up.

Just look at who is traveling with us right now. Even though I have only met Kaede last night, I could tell she grew up fast even if she was forced to grow up, to make sure she got her brother home. It isn't just her as well, some of the scouts that you brought along told me they have been waiting for the day you let them come out of HavenFall. They want to serve you and help you.

They are growing and they will keep growing. You just need to steer this boat called HavenFall in the right direction and led them to the path you deem as right. Don't worry because you have me here now and Evan on the sidelines to help you. Kingston is also there managing one part and eventually, Adam, Nina, Eve, Sabrina, and Sam will be joining us." - Rebecca

"You are right babe… I just have to do my best. Thank you." - Ian

"Of course. Hrmp, without me what would you be doing?" - Rebecca




Smiling, I took Rebecca into my arms and push her onto the bed. Placing my helmet on the table I give her a kiss. With a couple of hours before the game starts for the night, we had our fun, until we had to stop and go back into the game. Back to Settlement.