Three days later, with a heavy snowfall blanketing the land, the final cabin in the territory was completed.
Everyone finally let out a sigh of relief. They had made it in time.
Raven's own cabin had also been finished. Compared to the others, it was larger, befitting his position.
His belongings were moved from the tent inside by attendants.
Raven entered with Dratini. The cabin wasn't huge—about fifty square meters—but it felt cozy.
Tucker the carpenter and his helpers had used leftover lumber to craft a sturdy bed and a fine wooden table. Beside the bed was even a simple stone fireplace.
On the floor lay a thick handwoven rug marked with the royal emblem of Eindoak.
One maid quickly made the bed with soft pillows and blankets. On the table she placed a tray of freshly picked Yache berries, some pastries, and a steaming cup of sweet red tea.
"Lord Raven, please stay here for the time being," Aelif said softly. He sighed inwardly at how modest it was.
His lord once lived in castles, where a single bedroom was larger than this whole cabin. Someday, when materials allowed, Aelif vowed to build him a proper castle again.
But Raven was already satisfied.
"This is more than enough," he said, stepping inside with Dratini.
The fireplace burned warmly, smoke rising up the chimney. In no time, the cabin was cozy.
Dratini floated about, peering here and there with curiosity at their new home.
Raven chuckled. "This will be our home now, Dratini."
"Wuu!" Dratini chirped happily.
"Chir…"
At the doorway, the Minccino peeked in, eyes shining. Compared to the tent, they much preferred this wooden house, full of the scent of the forest.
But… could they live here too?
One of them gazed at Raven nervously.
He caught the look and smiled.
"Until spring comes, you can all stay here with us."
The tent could serve as the meeting hall for managing the territory.
The Minccino squeaked in joy.
"Chir, chir!"
They bustled about, sweeping the cabin with their tails, then moved their stored food inside.
Now with a warm fireplace and plenty to eat, they no longer feared the winter.
They were so happy they almost wanted to throw a party.
"Have the others' cabins all been completed?" Raven asked.
Aelif nodded. "Yes. Everyone has moved in. They are deeply grateful, my lord. Without your leadership, we might have frozen on the road to Driftveil."
"…That's a bit much," Raven muttered.
Still, when he checked his lord's panel, sure enough, new prompts had appeared.
[Satisfaction +5][Satisfaction +10][Satisfaction +8][…]
With the cabins complete, the panel had changed again.
[Lord: Raven][Territory: Village (unnamed)][Population (humans): 78][Population (Pokémon): 18][Loyalty: 30][Satisfaction: 500][Technology: Gathering, Basic Herbalism, Fishing]
"Oh? It upgraded to a village?" Raven murmured. So that was due to their growth in scale.
Loyalty had risen, and satisfaction had reached 500—enough to unlock another technology.
But he didn't rush. He wanted to see his people first.
"Very well, come with me," Aelif said.
Leaving Dratini and the Minccino behind, Raven followed him outside.
The land had changed drastically since their arrival.
Cabins of various sizes lined the road. Snow fell thickly, while families stayed inside, huddled around fires as they cooked.
Food was precious in the dead of winter, and no one wasted it.
Further ahead stood the food storehouses, and a shed for the Bouffalant. The big bulls lay on straw, watching the snow drift from the sky.
The settlement now truly looked like a village.
Women by the river, scrubbing laundry, cast grateful glances at Raven as he passed.
Three Snover played in the snow with children, dancing in circles hand-in-hand.
Beyond stretched wide farmland.
Here, humans and Pokémon lived and grew together.
Raven felt a deep sense of fulfillment. Everything he had done had meaning.
Maybe this was why people liked playing lord-and-farming games?
Produce a candle, and villagers had light at night. Make clothes, and they wore something new.
A barren land could, through the player's hand, become prosperous—envied by neighboring lords and wandering folk alike.
"My lord, the snow's getting heavier. We should head back," Aelif said, glancing at the darkening sky.
"…Yes." Raven nodded.
With full stores of food and wood, they could weather this winter safely.
Next year, much more awaited:
Mining, farming, exploring the forests, befriending more Pokémon, building sturdier homes…
But for all that, their current seventy-odd people wouldn't be enough.
Population was the key to growth.
"If only the caravan hadn't scattered," Raven thought bitterly.
When they'd left Eindoak, there had been nearly six hundred. Skilled craftsmen, blacksmiths, carpenters, farmers, fishers…
Now fewer than a hundred remained.
Raven sighed.
(End of Chapter)