"Shall we?" I asked Hera, and she nodded with a serene smile.
We took a few steps toward the wooden gate. When we reached it, I pushed it open, giving us a better view of the interior. Saying that the fort was made of wood could give the wrong impression, making it sound like a very simple, perhaps even ugly place. But the truth was quite the opposite.
The wooden finishing throughout the fort was detailed and elegant. There were several blue banners whose origin I did not know, but that did not matter. We began walking inside. There was a grassy courtyard surrounding the fort, with plenty of open space. I could fit at least one more structure there if I wanted to.
"It’s simple, but quite inviting," Hera commented beside me, observing the details.
"Indeed... This place feels more like a comfortable and cozy country house than an actual fort, despite being one."
I gave a genuine laugh as we walked toward the entrance.
When we arrived, I opened the door, which gave a slight creak as it opened.
"How organized," I said, raising an eyebrow. "And it even comes furnished."
I was happy about that. Now I wouldn’t have to worry about furniture.
In front of us was a living room with two wide sofas and an armchair beside an unlit fireplace. In the center was a hallway leading to the other rooms.
Hera took a look around, apparently satisfied. Aster silently thanked her for not minding the simplicity of the place.
’Despite being a queen, she’s far from being petty.’
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
"It’s much more spacious than it looks," she commented as we headed toward the other rooms.
The next room was the dormitory, which contained exactly 50 neatly arranged bunk beds. The sheets were properly laid beside the pillows; there was nothing chaotic about the room. There was also a fairly large window, offering a good view of the forest ahead and allowing plenty of light into the room. In one corner, there was also a bathroom for the dormitory residents.
’I think I’m going to have a problem here...’
I thought.
’I can’t leave men and women all together in the same place. Especially the women, who will want privacy. I’ll have to solve that soon.’
I sighed, looking at the floor. Deciding to inspect everything first, I turned around and went to the next room.
Before the next room, there was a staircase leading to the second floor. We passed it and finished exploring the first floor.
When we reached the final room, there was a small kitchen. It could fit, at most, about five people. There were some utensils and a stove ready for use. I looked toward the corner of the kitchen, where there was a door.
"There’s an exit to the back," I murmured as I walked toward it, with Hera following close behind.
We passed through the door and entered a covered veranda with a very long table meant for meals.
"I like eating outdoors," I said happily.
"It’s not bad... I used to do this often outside the palace in Olympus," she said, looking at the table as if the simple sight of it had awakened memories. "My children and I, and sometimes some friends, would have dinner like this, watching the stars and drinking good wine... Those were good times," she murmured.
Aster heard everything but did not turn around.
"Do you miss it?" I asked while running my hand over the table.
Hera looked at me as she considered my question. With a sigh, she lowered her head slightly.
"Yes... I do," she agreed, her voice melancholic.
Aster turned around and walked until he was standing in front of her. He stretched out his arm and began running his hand over her head.
"Does it bother you?" I asked.
"No... It’s all right."
She paused.
"It’s not an unpleasant feeling."
She raised her head and gave him a mischievous smile.
"Even though I’m much older than you... I, a Goddess, a queen, have never been treated like a spoiled kitten before... It isn’t so bad."
It was obvious that she was teasing Aster. She loved his exaggerated reactions of shyness and nervousness, and because of that, she had begun to enjoy teasing him. But unfortunately for her, he realized what she was doing and continued running his hand through her hair.
"How cute," I murmured. "Trying to intimidate me... It won’t work."
I said with a smile.
I paused the caresses and looked down, removing my hand from her head and carefully choosing my next words. I didn’t want to give her false hope.
"I can’t guarantee anything, but..."
I raised my face and looked into her eyes. The playful look had disappeared, and she was now paying close attention to me.
"But it’s possible that I may be able to summon your family in the future. Your children and friends. I don’t want to promise you anything because I don’t know if I can fulfill it, but... it is quite possible. If I brought you here, I don’t think anything prevents me from doing the same with those close to you."
I spoke carefully while looking at her. I could see the pain in her eyes, the pain she constantly tried to hide. She was suffering deeply.
Hera looked at Aster and remained silent for a while. She was uncertain whether she should allow herself to hope or develop expectations based on his words.
Yes... everything he had said was quite possible. But the pain of her past had taught her not to expect much from others. He had explicitly said it was not a promise. That relieved her somewhat, because if he had promised her something and ultimately failed to fulfill it... she would lose all trust in him. It was quite likely that she would leave.
The contract established by the system only prevented her from directly harming the Lord. It did not prevent her from leaving if she wished to. Find the original chapter at g.com.
For that reason, she was grateful that he had not made any promises.
Yes, she wanted to see her children and friends again, just as she desperately wished to. Now she simply had to do everything she could to make it happen.
Aster, unaware of what was going through her mind, had made exactly the right choice by not making promises. That earned him a few more points with her.
[ ? Hera’s trust increased by 5%! ? ]
"You are right... We can do our best until they are here... Thank you, Aster."
"Don’t worry."
I smiled and looked toward the balcony on the second floor.
"Let’s continue and look at the second floor."
She agreed, and we both went upstairs. When we arrived, there were only two rooms: a bathroom on the left side of the hallway and a bedroom on the right.
We entered the bedroom. It had a decent amount of space.
’This is Hera’s room.’
I walked toward the balcony, and she came to stand beside me.
"Do you like this temporary place?" I asked, looking toward the forest ahead. It remained silent, and I still hadn’t decided whether that was a good or bad sign.
"For something temporary, it’s very good... This place has a certain charm," she replied, resting her hands on the small wooden railing.
"Well..."
I sighed softly.
"I think it’s time to call the troops and workers."
I snapped my fingers, stretching my arm forward.
Hera remained silent for a moment before letting go of the railing and nodding.
"I believe you should do that... Every moment counts. We need to understand our situation first before we can plan. And for that, we need people to help us."
What she said was completely true.
"Then let’s go."
We went downstairs and left the fort, heading toward the altar in front of the gate.
When we arrived, I took out the remaining 16 tickets.
"Five workers, ten Silver Troops, and one Gold Troop."
"Are you nervous?" she asked.
It was strange. Around her, I did feel nervous, but not that much. I was more excited than nervous.
"I think it’s because things are starting for real now. I’m worried about failing the people who arrive here, because their lives will be in my hands," I said, looking at the tickets. "I’ve never led anyone, much less a group of people, so I’m worried I’ll end up not knowing what to do."
"Well... That’s the burden of a leader," Hera said. "The lives of these people will often depend on your choices. That is the weight of leadership. You must learn to carry it."
She paused and smiled slightly.
"Don’t worry so much. You sought me out for this, didn’t you? My role is to help you become the best ruler you can be."
She spoke with her chin raised, playfully acting arrogant.
I gave her a wide smile filled with gratitude.
"Thank you... I’ll accept your help."
"You’re welcome, dear... Now call your first soldiers and citizens. This is the first step toward reaching the top."
She clapped her hands with a smile.
Nodding, I took the five tickets first.
"I’m going to summon the workers first."
I began tearing them apart.
[ ? You consumed 5 Silver Worker Tickets. ? ]
[ ? You summoned Cook Mila — Rank D. ? ]
[ ? You summoned Maids Tina and Luza — Rank E — 2x. ? ]
[ ? You summoned Carpenter Doran — Rank E. ? ]
[ ? You summoned Farmer Reiner — Rank E. ? ]
Soon, all five tickets were consumed. A rune formed on the ground, and a weaker, more discreet light appeared above it. Soon, five people teleported onto the altar.
They all looked around, their eyes eventually falling upon Aster and Hera, who watched them with curiosity.
"We salute the Emperor!"
"That was unexpected," Aster said, looking at the five people before him.
’Why did they react as if they already knew who I was?’
The Guide, who had been silent for a while, returned to answer Aster.
[ These people were dead and were brought back to life for the purpose of serving you. This is one of the truths behind the summons. Before being brought to you, they were informed by the summoning system about the circumstances. ]
’So that’s how it is,’ I thought.
Looking at Hera, I wondered if the same had happened to her.
’Was she dead?’
I mean, she’s a Goddess. How do you even kill a God? I wondered.
[ Host, you are still incredibly ignorant regarding the information available to you. If you knew about the forces and horrors that exist within reality, you would collapse where you stand. There are forces that even Peak Gods would avoid and keep their distance from. ]
The Guide dropped a bombshell that made Aster feel several thumps in his chest.
’Of course,’ I thought. ’Of course there are monsters out there greater than the Gods themselves.’
He sighed.
’I need to learn more about the truth of Existence.’
Returning his attention to the people, who were still kneeling, Aster spoke.
"Stand."
They all rose together.
"Look, I still have nothing that could compare to an empire, nor do I have vast lands. You are the first five people summoned after my companion here."
Aster pointed toward her.
"All we have is this fort behind me. I need help with everything I can get in the beginning. My hands are tied, we have few resources, and we haven’t explored the area yet."
"Of course, you were brought here as workers. I won’t assign you tasks outside your specialties, so don’t worry. And I also ask, from the beginning, that you treat my companion exactly as you treat me. She is your superior as well. Show her respect."
Everyone took a deep breath.
They had expected their lord to hand them swords and shields and order them to kill monsters. But now they were more at ease upon realizing that the lord before them was not irrational.
Aster saw their concerns. He understood them, but they were unfounded. He had no intention of sending the few hands he had to their deaths. He wasn’t stupid.
"But at least for simple tasks, especially those outside your specialties, I expect you to help until we find people for those positions."
"Look, some of you still don’t have the right place to work. Doran and Reiner, you two are the ones who don’t yet have suitable areas for your respective professions. But don’t worry. Agriculture and a smithy will be among my priorities."
Reiner and Doran bowed.
"We understand, Lord."
Seeing that no one disagreed with his words, he nodded.
"Good... Now you can go to the fort and settle in. Doran and Reiner, come here. Mila, you too."
The brown-haired woman with freckles followed the two men, both of whom appeared to be in their forties. One had black hair, while the other had dark brown hair.
The three stood before him. Aster accessed his inventory and took out a huge piece of 50 kilograms of boar meat that he had obtained from one of the tickets. The massive piece fell into the arms of the two men.
"Take this meat to the kitchen. Mila, start preparing it however you prefer. Unfortunately, I don’t have any spices yet, but we’ll have to make do with this for now. We need food for the eleven troops and, of course, for all of you."
Mila smiled.
"Don’t worry, my lord... When I was summoned by you, a basic spice kit came with me. It should last for some time."
She showed him a small pouch hanging from her.
"Very good."
Aster nodded.
"Reiner and Doran, once you leave the meat in the kitchen, go around the side of the fort and gather some firewood... Here."
He took an axe from the tool kit he had obtained from one of the tickets and handed it to Mila.
"Take it to the kitchen for them while they’re carrying the meat."
She nodded, and the three headed toward the fort.
The two maids remained behind, waiting for orders. Both appeared to be in their thirties; one had blonde hair and the other black hair.
"Tina and Luza, the fort is clean and in order for now, so you don’t have any work to do. Help Mila prepare the meal."
The two maids placed their hands over their stomachs and bowed.
"We will do as ordered, Lord."
Then they left, leaving Aster and Hera alone at the altar.
Turning toward her, who was standing slightly behind him, he asked:
"How did I do?"