Royal Realm

I hopped out of the carriage, feeling the puffiness of the soft grass beneath my shoes. Spinning around, I only saw flat grassland as far as the eye could see, with the exception of the nearby woods and a river that lapped at its bank nearby, slowly churning and rippling southward.

"Well this looks like as good a place as any to found a city."

I willed the City Heart to come out of my inventory, and it appeared in my hand. I placed it down on the grass in front of me, or at least I tried to - as soon as I held it out in front of me it began spinning in my hands, forcing me to let go and watch it float and spin in midair. A multicolored glow began to spread from its faces, shining bright light upon everything in the vicinity.

>>>City Heart used. Please name your Encampment.

~Hmm… for now 'Fort Rose' is fine, I imagine I can rename it once we actually have a city.~

>>>'Fort Rose' established. Unlocking Management System.

- Fort Rose (Level 1 Encampment) -

Population: 4

Average Loyalty: 100

Average Happiness: 100

Total Resources: None

Basic Resources: None

Special Resources: None

Territory:

- 'Rosebed', Receded Wild Growth

~Well that's a pretty depressing readout, but it's to be expected.~

"Young Master, congratulations on the formation of your encampment. If you are able to procure the necessary materials, we should be able to construct basic accommodations and unlock more of the management screen."

>>>You have received a minor quest:

Requirements - Acquire the following materials:

30 Wooden Logs, Any Type, At Least 10 Feet Long and 1 Foot Diameter

16 Vines, Any Type, At Least 20 Feet Long

Reward: 15 Experience

~Seems simple enough.~

The forest nearby was a perfect source of wood, and I assumed I could probably find vines of some sort in the trees once I knocked them down.

As for how I would knock them down?

A piercing blue light shot from my hand, racing towards the nearest tree and shattering into fragments of blue crystal. A large gouge had been left in the tree's base, and it g.r.o.a.n.e.d under the force of the impact, tilting slowly until it finally collapsed under its own weight and crashed to the ground.

>>>Mana Bolt Used. Damage: 15.

~Well, that's not an item, so I doubt I can put it in my inventory.~

"Daen, would you mind transporting the logs I knock down?"

I turned to the butler, and he nodded, striding over to the fallen tree. With great effort, he hefted the log over his shoulder, proving that he was far stronger than I even as a "non-combat NPC".

With that out of the way, I got to work, casting as many mana bolts as I could at every tree in the vicinity.

>>>Mana Bolt Used. Damage: 15.

>>>Mana Bolt Used. Damage: 15.

>>>Mana Bolt Used. Damage: 15.

>>>Mana Bolt Used. Damage: 15.

>>>Mana Bolt Used. Damage: 15.

…

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Wooden Logs Collected - 30/30.

Vines Collected - 0/16.

30 logs lay stacked near our carriage, long since stripped of their various branches and leaves with the aid of Daen and the girls.

~Well we didn't find any vines in the trees, looks like I'll have to start looking in the forest…~

I entered the forest at a jog, keeping one eye on my surroundings and another on my minimap for any sign of vines.

"Nothing, Nothing…"

For several minutes I only saw trees, with the occasional mouse scurrying through the underbrush or a bird flitting from branch to branch. I stepped onto a patch of leaves in the center of a circle of trees, but they suddenly gave way, sending me tumbling downward.

Thankfully, I managed to land in a crouch, not taking any damage as I gathered my wits on the new ground, 10 feet below where I started.

>>>You have discovered Hidden Region - Ancient Cave.

I glanced around me, and my eyes lit up. Vines coated the walls of the pit, and a hole at one side led to what I assumed was the Ancient Cave itself.

~I wager leaving this alone for now is a good idea…~

I was more than satisfied with taking the vines and leaving the cave until I was better equipped to begin exploration of a hidden region, so I did exactly that. First climbing out of the pit using the vines, I then pulled up several, before cutting them from their roots with a few carefully placed Mana Bolts. They rolled up easily, and I slung them over my shoulder, before making the long trek back to the beginnings of Fort Rose.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>>>Quest Complete. Resources Added to Management Screen. Rewards Granted.

My experience bar increased by a decent amount, though I was still far from the 100 experience needed to level up to level 2.

"Young Master, if you open the management screen, a construction option should now be available."

- Fort Rose (Level 1 Encampment) -

Population: 4

Average Loyalty: 100

Average Happiness: 100

Total Resources: Basic

Basic Resources:

- Logs, 30

- Vines, 16

Special Resources: None

Territory:

- 'Rosebed', Receded Wild Growth

Available Buildings:

- Basic House (Cost: 30 Logs, 16 Vines - Construction Time: Instant)

"Construct Basic House."

The logs and vines disappeared without a trace, and around the City Heart a wooden house slowly materialized. It was nothing special, with joints between wooden panels bound only by threaded vines throughout the structure, but it would do for the moment.

>>>Basic House Constructed. City Progression Screen Unlocked.

With a thought, the aforementioned screen appeared in my view.

CITY LEVEL 1 - ENCAMPMENT

Progression Requirements:

- Construct a Basic House - Completed!

- Construct a Stable - Not Completed.

- Construct a Garden - Not Completed.

- Reach Player Level 5 - Not Completed.

~Well, I have a lot of work ahead of me.~