The sun shone warmly over Blank City as
Ethan walked through the main streets, carrying his children with ease.
Ray, who was only four and a half years old, sat high on his father's right shoulder. His small hands gripped Ethan's hair tightly, while his sharp eyes watched the streets below.
On the other side, Miranda, who had already turned three, clung cheerfully to his left shoulder. Her laughter rang out in the air as she pointed at things around her with wide, curious eyes.
The streets of Blank City were alive with the sound of people going about their day. Merchants called out their wares, farmers pushed carts full of fresh produce, and children ran around laughing.
The air carried the smell of roasted bread and cooked meat from the stalls lined along the wide stone-paved roads.
The town had changed a lot. When Ethan first came here, Blank had been a simple place, quiet and not too big, with just around forty thousand people.
Now, under his careful eye and effort, the population had nearly doubled. Eighty thousand souls lived and worked here, filling the streets with life and color.
The roads were newly built and smooth, stretching across town like a neat web.
Public rest houses had been made where travelers could rest, and workers were hired to keep everything clean. Small businesses were growing fast. Shops selling clothes, spices, and tools lined the market road. Even merchants from other lands had opened branches, hopeful to earn in this rising city.
Farmers had prospered too. The fields stretched wide, green and golden, filled with different crops in every season.
There was always something fresh being harvested, which filled the town's markets with food.
Mines, estates, farms, and shops had hired guards, workers, and servants. People's incomes had grown, and families lived with more comfort than before.
Blank had truly started to prosper but it still needed time to develop into a full fledged city.
Ethan strolled calmly, enjoying the scene with his children. Miranda squealed every time she spotted something new. She pointed to a fruit stall, to a brightly painted toy shop, even to the freshly decorated inn where travelers entered with smiles.
"Daddy, look! So many pretty things here!Mother said the place was quite barren before" Miranda leaned forward, eyes glowing.
Ethan chuckled softly, shifting her weight so she sat more comfortably. "Yes, Miranda. Our city is growing."
Ray, however, was quieter. His young face looked thoughtful.
"The more people come here, the more careful we need to be," he said in his small but serious voice. "Not everyone will be honest."
Ethan glanced at him with quiet pride. Ray was still a child, but he spoke like someone far older.
They walked further until suddenly, loud shouts echoed from the crowd.
"Stop! Thief! Catch him!"
Ethan turned his head. Not far away, a man was running, clutching a bag he had stolen.
People in the street scattered, shouting angrily, but no one dared step forward.
The thief tried to push through the crowd, but in that instant, Ethan moved.
With one swift motion, he turned and lashed out with his leg. His kick struck out,hitting the thief across the side and sending him crashing to the ground. The bag spilled open, scattering coins across the stones.
"Got him!" someone shouted.
"Grab him!" another man yelled.
A group of townsfolk rushed forward, pinning the thief down. They shouted at him, scolding and cursing his act.
A few moments later,the local guards also appeared but it was quite late.
Ethan, calm as ever, simply stepped back. While everyone was focused on the thief, he quietly turned away, slipping into the crowd.
"Who was the one who kicked him?"The guard asked curiously."I think he should be rewarded."
Moments later, the people who had seen him looked around in confusion.
"Huh? Where did that gentleman go?" one asked.
"He was right here," another muttered.
"I saw him kick the thief… but now he's gone?"
Meanwhile, a small giggle reached Ethan's ear. Miranda had seen everything, clapped her tiny hands.
"Daddy! You did great!" she said loudly, before kissing his cheek with her soft lips. "Muh!"
Ray's eyes shone with respect as he looked around, then at his father. "As expected from my father," he said firmly, his tone calm yet full of admiration.
Ethan's lips curved into a gentle smile at their words. He kissed Miranda's forehead, then patted Ray's back warmly. His children's reactions filled his heart with quiet warmth.
But in his mind,a deep problem blew.
'With the population rising, things like this will only happen more often,' he thought. 'I should open a new department. Something like a city guard or police. If I leave it to the people alone, things will get uglier with time.'
Ethan exhaled softly. For now, he just wanted to spend the day with his children.
"Daddy, look, so many apples!" Miranda pointed excitedly at a stall. Her small hands waved in the air, almost making Ethan laugh.
"You already had two apples this morning," Ethan said softly, shifting her weight a little. "If you eat more, your stomach will hurt."
Miranda pouted but nodded. "Okay… but can we buy one for later?"
Ethan looked at the farmer and gave a small nod. The man hurried to pack a shiny red apple, bowing as he handed it over. "For the young lady," he said warmly.
Miranda's smile lit up her face as she hugged the apple to her chest like it was a treasure.
Ray watched quietly, his serious eyes moving from the stalls to the people. He wasn't as loud as his sister. "Father," he said, his tone calm but firm, "the market has grown a lot. But more people means more problems too. Thankfully you were but if you weren't."
Ethan turned his head slightly to meet Ray's gaze. Even though his son was only four and a half, his words carried a strange weight.
'Aren't you speaking way above your age..The kids of my world at age of 4 only know to blah..Blah and wet diapers.'
Now that I think,the kids of this world are quite sensible at a young age…Maybe due to mana.'
"You're right," Ethan said. "That's why I will have to make some changes. Order must be kept."
Ray nodded once, satisfied with the answer.
As they walked further, a group of townsfolk glanced at Ethan.With a look they identified him but Ethan signalled them to keep quiet.
Some pointed discreetly, others just bowed their heads with respect.
"Has anyone seen the gentleman who stopped the thief?"
"He vanished so fast. Like the wind itself."
"Who is he? I've never seen him before."
Ethan heard them but did not stop. He didn't need recognition. What mattered more was the peace of the city and the happiness of his children.
"Daddy, they're talking about you," Miranda whispered, leaning close to his ear. Her voice was full of pride. "They don't know you're my daddy."
Ethan chuckled, his lips curling faintly. "And that is how it should be. Sometimes it is better if they don't know."
Miranda tilted her head, confused. "Why?"
"Because," Ethan replied gently, "a person does not need to shout who they are. What matters is what they do."
Ray's serious face softened a little. "That makes sense."
The trio passed by the new stone-paved road that led to the central square. On one side stood a newly built rest house. Families could be seen sitting under its shade, travelers resting their tired feet, children sipping cool water from the public fountain.
Miranda clapped her hands. "So many people are resting. It looks nice here, Daddy."
At the edge of the square, a few musicians played cheerful tunes with flutes and drums.
Small crowds gathered, clapping along. Miranda bounced a little on Ethan's shoulder in rhythm, humming the melody.
Ray, on the other hand, looked toward the guards patrolling nearby. "Father, they need more training. Some didn't even notice the thief until the crowd shouted. If we had stronger guards, you wouldn't need to step in."
Ethan gave him a thoughtful look.
'I brought you here to enjoy yet all you have been doing is nitpicking things…Sigh….'
'What a troublesome kid.'
"I will see to it," Ethan said simply.
Ray nodded again, his expression calm.
Miranda pressed her apple against his cheek. "Here, brother, you can have a bite."
Ray smiled and shook his head. "No. That's yours."
"Just one bite," she insisted, holding it firmly until Ray leaned down and took a small bite.
She clapped her hands with delight. "See? Sharing makes it taste better!"
Ray let out a soft sigh but his eyes showed warmth. "Sister, you are too simple."
"I'm not simple," Miranda said with a small frown. "I'm quite clever.."
As they approached the estate gates, Ethan glanced around and felt something ominous.
Just as he entered.Ethan's heart skipped a beat when he saw the scene before him.