At Verc’s question—the others started telling him the changes that happened while he was away.

The meeting room was completely silent except for the voices of the leaders as they took turns speaking.

Grainne went first, she reported the steady supply of food now from the crops, and the ongoing studies about the mutated plants. Everything was going well on the agriculture’s team side. She explained that the fields they had cleared were producing more vegetables than before, and they had managed to store enough grain to last for several weeks.

Her team had spent a lot of time analyzing the strange properties of the forest soil, which seemed to accelerate the growth of certain seeds while altering their behavior.

It was going so well for them that they were even able to use some of the mutated plants as weapons earlier. She detailed how the farmers had thrown the explosive roots and the sticky vine pods from the walls during the human attack. The plants had successfully disrupted the enemy knights’ charging lines, making them wary of the very ground they walked on. It proved that the agricultural research had a very practical use in defending their new home.

"Good work."

Verc praised after hearing her report. In which, Grainne received with a smile on her face.

Aodh and Kuma went after her. Aodh said that with the help of the gnolls—they were able to build their own workstation just behind the castle, they also have their own place there now. That was why the 2nd floor was now empty, and was being used as a storage place. The new workstation was a large, sturdy building where the blacksmiths could forge metal without the heat and smoke filling the main castle corridors. It gave them a dedicated area to organize their tools and raw materials properly.

Everything on their side was going well too; the dwarves started making armors and weapons for the combatants of the village, while the gnolls focused on constructions and furnitures crafting.

Verc said a praise as well hearing their report. He was glad to hear that their manufacturing capabilities were growing, as a well-equipped force was essential for surviving in the dangerous forest.

Groo and Mamon followed after Aodh—the orcs are working well, cooperating with the others as manpower for the constructions, they also handle the resource gathering, and hunting. Because of their immense physical strength, the orcs had been incredibly helpful in moving heavy stone blocks and massive logs from the deeper parts of the woods. They had formed an efficient system with the gnolls to clear land and gather firewood.

But they told Verc that they stopped hunting monsters for quite a while now because of the expedition group. They didn’t want to risk running into human scouts outside the perimeter and accidentally revealing the exact location of the village before they were ready.

"That’s understandable. It was the best to do that, good work."

Verc said with a light nod on his head.

He approved of their caution, knowing that avoiding unnecessary contact with the outside world was the smartest choice while he was away. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Pwyll and Bernia went after that.

Pwyll stated that training the others is going well, all orcs are actually now attending his trainings, even some of the gnolls. The rowdy orcs had surprisingly listened to his instructions well, showing great respect for his combat skills. Him and the others guarded the walls properly too—they were able to stop wild hordes of monsters that tried to attack their village at night from time to time. The night watches had been reinforced, and every single creature that attempted to breach the wooden gates had been taken down before they could cause any damage.

On Bernia’s side—everyone in the village had at least attended her class now at least twice. The people using the library on the first floor is increasing day by day now too. Many of the orcs and gnolls had developed a sudden interest in looking through the pages of the old books she had arranged. By the pace it was going—everyone in the village will be able to write and read before the month ends.

"Thanks for the hard work, you two."

Verc told them.

The two bowed their heads respectfully, accepting his words with quiet pride. They had dedicated a lot of energy to improving the daily lives and skills of the villagers, and seeing Verc acknowledge it made their efforts feel complete.

Tatum and the other kids are incharge of the castle while Verc was away, they moved flexible too and helped everyone whenever they have time. Because they didn’t have a single set task, they spent their days running around the village, assisting Grainne with the harvest, carrying messages for Pwyll, and ensuring that the internal chores of the castle were kept up. So they really didn’t have much to report; just that Nara, Onyx, and Bong are doing fine; and that the castle is still the same as it was. The horses in the barn were well-fed, the young girl was safe, and the structure of their main building remained perfectly intact.

*****

Anyway, with Verc caught up with the summarized that happened in the village while he was gone; it was time to talk about the prisoners... the remaining of the expedition team that attacked them.

The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.

"Where will we keep the prisoners, My Lord?"

Tatum asked, the castle have no prison after all. Nobody expected that humans will be attacking them. They had built the castle to serve as a home and a fortress against wild beasts, not as a holding facility for human soldiers.

’No... it’s kind of ironic.’

Verc thought to himself as he looked down at the wooden table.

’I chose to live and make a base in a cursed place specifically to avoid humans and their kingdoms.’

He reflected silently, a small feeling of irritation settling in his chest.

’But as if the fate were pranking me—they still found me by coincidence.’

He continued to think, shaking his head slightly at the sheer bad luck of the situation.

’It hasn’t even been a year since we settled here, and an entire army already showed up at our gates.’

Verc frowned as he found it funny, but he kept his face calm as he looked back up at Tatum. He needed to know the exact scale of the problem before he could decide on a solution.

"How many prisoners do we have right now?"

Verc asked, his voice echoing clearly in the quiet room.

Tatum checked a small mental tally before answering, his expression turning a bit grim as he recalled the final count of the survivors.

"Well..."

He explained that from the over hundred members of the expedition team—only sixty-seven of them remained. The others had been killed during the fighting at the gates earlier. But this didn’t come with no casualties; over twenty orcs died, and a lot of them are injured. The loss of their own people cast a dark shadow over the victory, and the family heads looked down, mourning their fallen warriors.

Verc wasn’t really pleased with the loss as well.

"Take care of the wounded orcs, make sure the casualties don’t increase anymore."

He ordered. Every single resident of the village was a valuable resource, and he could not afford to lose any more lives to lingering injuries or infections.

"The agriculture team can handle it, Lord Verc."

Grainne spoke up immediately.

She said that they recently discovered a mutated fruit that has healing properties, and they also grew herbs in their small garden plots.

Verc left the treatment of the orcs with her and he told her to act immediately.

"Take the supplies and start treating them right away. Do not let anyone else die from their wounds."

Verc told her.

"We will do our best."

Grainne moved fast, and after excusing herself with a respectful bow as well—she left to go take care of the wounded orcs. She hurried out of the meeting room, her mind already focusing on the mixtures she needed to prepare for the injured warriors.

Verc then told the others to go back to their respective tasks—and looking at Tatum and the kids—he told the seven of them to go to the prisoners that are currently being guarded by orcs outside the castle on the front gates. The captured humans needed strict supervision to ensure they didn’t try to riot or break their bonds while the village was recovering.

"Go down there and keep a close eye on them. Make sure they don’t try anything funny or attempt to escape while we are busy organizing the village."

Verc instructed the kids firmly.

"Where should we put them later, Lord Verc? We can’t keep them sitting in the dirt forever."

Ashley asked out of curiosity, wondering what the long-term plan was for holding so many people.

"I’ll take care of that."

Verc said that. And when everyone asked how he would do that out of curiosity—

"I will make a prison."

Verc declared that casually.

The kids nodded. They knew better than to question his capabilities.

He created a castle all by himself, after all.

*****

Everyone followed Verc’s words. The leaders left the meeting room one by one, heading down the stairs to return to their designated duties, leaving the top floor of the castle in absolute silence.

Verc, on the other hand, visited the library on the first floor to check on Nara and Onyx.

TAP-

And upon getting there—he saw Nara behind a desk, reading a large book with intense focus. Onyx was on her lap, curled up tightly into a ball and sleeping soundly, his small body rising and falling with his steady breathing.

"Hmm?"

But as soon as Verc entered the library—the two perked up and saw him immediately. Their sharp senses caught his presence the moment his shadow crossed the threshold, breaking the quiet atmosphere of the room.

"Lord Verc!"

Nara was surprised, she stood up quickly, carefully sliding Onyx off her lap, and immediately greeted Verc with a deep, polite bow. She seemed to had matured during the brief time he was gone, her movements lacking the hesitant nervousness she used to have, replaced by a quiet confidence.

"Don’t act so stiff with me. You can relax."

Verc told her as he walked closer to the desk, his voice softening slightly.

He didn’t want her to feel like she had to maintain a rigid military posture around him. Then he approached the two.

-ARF!

Onyx barked as he ran to Verc with his tail wagging so fast it looked like a blur.

The little pup didn’t hesitate for a single second. He sprinted across the stone floor, his claws clicking against the surface, and jumped at Verc.

Verc just smiled, patting his head gently as Onyx licked his chin in excitement. Then looking at Nara—she was standing by the desk, watching them with a bright, happy expression. Verc reached out his other hand and patted her head as well, acknowledging her quiet dedication to her tasks.

"Good work taking care of Onyx and the library."

Verc praised her.

"..."

Nara didn’t say anything, but there was a big smile on her face.

... ... ...

... ... ...

... ... ...

Anyway, Verc came out of the castle after that.

Onyx was now in his arms, resting his small head against Verc’s shoulder and not wanting to separate with him at the moment. The pup gripped his clothes tightly with his small paws, determined to stay attached to his master for as long as possible. Nara remained in the library, saying that she’s studying and she needs to watch the place still.

Moving on...

As Verc came out of the castle—he looked over the wide courtyard that led toward the main entrance gates. He saw Tatum and the kids at the far right side of the open space. They moved the prisoners there to ensure they wouldn’t block the main paths.

The human soldiers and mercenaries were all grouped up in a circle; sitting on the hard, damp floor with their hands tied up with thick vines. They looked completely broken, their armor stripped of weapons and their faces covered in dirt and dried blood. The orc guards stood around them in a tight circle, keeping their heavy weapons ready, while the seven kids watched from various vantage points, ensuring no one attempted to break the group’s formation.

’Were those mutated plants grown by the agriculture team as well?’

Verc asked in his head seeing those vines.

He noticed how the thick green cords wrapped around the prisoners’ wrists seemed incredibly tough, pulsing with a slight natural energy that made them difficult to snap or loosen by hand. It was clear Grainne’s team had provided these specialized bindings to secure the captured forces safely.

"..."

By the way, Verc tried looking for Elianna and the others from the crowd. He scanned the rows of kneeling knights, searching. But he didn’t see them.

So he just continued on walking.

Verc decided not to waste any more time analyzing the crowd. He turned his steps toward the opposite side of the clearing and went to the left side of the castle—walking past the solid stone foundations until he reached a wide, flat plot of undeveloped earth. Then right beside the barn where Bong and the other horses are staying—

TAP.

Verc stood tall.

"..."

He looked at the ground... Then opening his mouth—

"[Terrain Manipulation]"

Verc muttered that, using the newest skill he acquired.