Chapter 89 - Rewards

Although Zelos shared Heirina’s feelings, they couldn’t say much since their society was flawed… they only defended and their neighbors never took them seriously, that was why they were suffering a lot of attacks recently.

In the end, it took three more days for Zelos to feel back to normal. He only had to eat a lot, though to make up for the blood loss.

As for the rest of the battle, It took a while, but eventually they recovered the territory lost and the enemies retreated to their territory, but the defenders still lost a lot of people. The area of that clan that was decimated didn’t have any one now, and it would be difficult to defend it in case something happens. That being said, it would also take a while for the enemies to raise another army.

“We will move around the area for one week to see what we can repair and salvage. After that, we will return.”

Everyone began to pack their things after they heard Liry’s words. Still of the four thousand survivors, one thousand of them retreated to tend their wounds.

The loss of clan leaders, while not as prominent as the loss of generals, still created significant challenges for those involved with them. Clan leaders held positions of authority within their respective groups, and their absence created a void that disrupted the established hierarchy.

In the aftermath of their deaths, there would be a period of transition as new leaders emerged to take their place. This period was often filled with uncertainty and instability. Without clear leadership, clans could descend into chaos as power struggles and internal conflicts erupt if the previous leader hadn’t prepared for their deaths.

For those who relied on the guidance and support of the clan leaders, the transition was particularly difficult. They found themselves navigating through unfamiliar territory, unsure of whom to turn to or where to seek help. The loss of experienced leaders meant that decisions were often delayed or made hastily, leading to further complications.

Overall, the absence of clan leaders created a ripple effect that reverberated throughout the entire army. It was a reminder of the vital role that leaders played in maintaining order and cohesion, and their loss was keenly felt by all who depended on them.

In the end, the army found nothing but destruction in all the villages that they found. The enemies only wanted to destroy things, they didn’t want to annex anything to their territories.

Those three thousand soldiers began to work to repair fences and clean the area from the burned wood and the corpses as well. Some of the inhabitants had been burned by the enemies, but they did a sloppy job. That wasn’t their intention, to offer a proper funeral to their enemies.

On the first day, they finished repairing the woods of a large farm. The fields were relatively untouched, but there was a lot of work to be done there. The place was pretty large too since it was probably the main farm of the village.

“Do you want this place?” 

Zelos furrowed his eyebrows when he heard that… maybe Liry wanted to save some coins for the reward of his work and she also wanted to pass him some of the work to restore the area.

“Don’t look at me like I am passing a problem to you. You still will receive payment from your services, but you did more than everyone else, so you deserve something more than money.”

Receiving land might seem like a boon for Zelos, especially considering he could potentially sell it for profit in the future. However, it also comes with its fair share of troubles and responsibilities.

Owning land means being responsible for its management. This includes overseeing agricultural activities, maintaining infrastructure, and ensuring the land is productive. For someone like Zelos, who is more accustomed to battles than farming, this could be a daunting task.

Land ownership can also bring legal complications. Disputes over property boundaries, zoning regulations, or land use rights can arise and require legal resolution. Zelos may find himself dealing with legal matters that he is not equipped to handle.

Depending on the region, owning land may also involve navigating local politics. This could include dealing with local authorities, negotiating with neighboring landowners, or addressing community concerns. Without experience in such matters, Zelos may find himself at a disadvantage.

“All right, I will gladly accept it.”

“This area is five days away from the Hei clan territory, so it shouldn’t be hard to manage if you come here now and then. At the same time, we can spread your name in these parts to make people work for you here. I will deal with that kind of thing since we will have to focus on managing this place for a while.”

Zelos nodded. He will have to stay there for a while as well, but it was unlikely that Hei will give him work anytime soon. Things in the farm would be fine as well since some people wanted to obtain the products that Zelos could produce there with some discount. Irlan approached him while grinning.

“You wanted to invest in mines, but it looks like fate wants you to keep working with food, huh, Zelos? By the way, can I help you here? Irlene loves condensed milk, but she is starting to cause trouble for our living expenses with her sweet teeth.”

“Sure, as long as you help more than get in the way.”

“Ouch,”

In the end, things in the other areas were pretty much the same. After some minimal repairs were done, the area was split among the other clans for them to manage for a while until things returned to normal and new clan leaders emerged.

Once that was done, all the armies began to march home and then began to split up along the way. When they almost reached the Central parts of the country, the group got ready to say goodbye to Liry once again.

“It seems that we are only bound to meet when there is trouble brewing. Well, I have the feeling that things will be different the next time around. The prime minister is cooking something and I am planning one thing to help us all as well. I will send some letters to you all to inform of my idea when the time comes.”

“All right, take care, Liry.”

Liry waved her hands and then the group did the same before turning around and heading home. Zelos soon would have to return home since he will have to start managing his farm and he needed the money he had saved up for that. He also will receive something later from the clan and Liry, but he couldn’t wait.

“What are you planning to do with the farm, Zelos?”

Heirina didn’t show much interest in that until now, but it looked like she changed her mind since she was a bit bored. At the same time, she was angry until a while ago since he decided to act alone instead of working with everyone else.

“I am planning to make a lot of profit.”

“I am sure you will since you have such a detailed plan.”

Zelos knew a few things about farming. Location is crucial for a successful farm. Look for fertile land with access to water sources such as rivers or streams. Land near towns or trade routes can also be advantageous for selling produce.

Plant a variety of crops to maximize yield and reduce risk. Different crops have different growing seasons and requirements, so diversification can help ensure a steady income throughout the year. Staple crops like wheat, barley, oats, and rye were commonly grown, along with vegetables, fruits, and legumes.

In addition to crops, consider raising livestock such as cows, sheep, pigs, or chickens. Livestock can provide additional income through the sale of meat, milk, eggs, and wool. They also help in fertilizing the land and providing traction for plowing.

There are other things that Zelos had to be mindful of as well, since this time, he is starting a business from scratch. However, he already knew the basics to make money, now he just had to apply that knowledge when it comes to starting a business.

Health: 1960/1960

Magic: 660/660

Stamina: 1840/1840

Strength: 96

Vigor: 100

Precision: 84

Wisdom: 20

Willpower: 46

Traits: Regeneration Lv 96

“Regeneration leveled up a lot in this battle since I lost a lot of blood, but I guess the others didn’t that much. I might be able to match in terms of strength some guys that stand out, but I am still far too soft when it comes to receiving damage. I will have to focus on my vigor.”

With those thoughts in mind, Zelos arrived back at the base of the Hei clan and soon the group went to give their report to Hei. In the battle, they ended up losing two hundred of their men, so despite the victory, they still suffered a powerful blow.

“Hmm, it looks like you all are gaining a lot more experience than I had expected… Regardless, you all did a good job returning here in one piece. I want to say to you all that you will have a few weeks off, but I can’t guarantee that, unfortunately.”

“Are we going to offer support on watching the northern borders, Dad?”

“We are going to do that, but that isn’t all. I received orders from the capital to keep recruiting more people in this area for the clan and I confirmed with Lua that she received the same orders. It seems that something big is going to happen here, and I can’t tell what it is yet.”

Zelos had envisioned a carefully planned approach to his next venture, allowing himself at least three months to monitor, strategize, and ensure his business would thrive. However, it seemed that luxury was swiftly escaping away from him.