The pace of things did not slow down. If before I saw each advance as something isolated, now everything seemed connected. The human lands were already producing, the vault was almost ready… and there was still one point I needed to follow closely.
The elven lands.
That morning, I left the mansion in Vailor with the group. The journey to the elven territory was no longer new, but this time the goal was different. It was not an initial inspection, nor adaptation.
It was confirmation.
Lyannis walked beside me. "You're expecting the same result."
"Or better."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "Confident."
"Based on what we've seen."
Scarlett commented: "Positive projection."
Elara added: "High probability of success."
Vespera said: "Consistent data."
Liriel looked at me with slight curiosity. "Do you think my magic really changed everything there?"
"Yes."
She looked away for a moment, as if still not used to that kind of direct answer.
We continued the journey. As we approached the elven region, the environment changed. The density of mana in the air was noticeable, but different from before.
More balanced.
More natural.
Lyannis commented as soon as we crossed the forest border. "It's more stable."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna observed the environment. "Less heavy."
Scarlett analyzed: "Uniform flow."
Elara stated: "Anomaly reduced."
Vespera added: "Balanced environment."
Liriel looked around, a bit more attentive. "Before it was more… charged."
"Now it's right."
We continued to the area of the lands under my responsibility. As soon as we arrived, the difference was clear.
The crops had grown.
But not only that.
They were healthier.
More consistent.
The coloration was better, the growth rhythm seemed more natural, without that strange excess that existed before.
Lyannis smiled slightly. "It worked better than I thought."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna said: "Now it looks normal."
Scarlett analyzed: "High quality."
Elara added: "Balanced growth."
Vespera stated: "Optimized result."
Liriel stayed silent for a few seconds, just observing.
"So… it worked."
"It did."
The elven elder appeared shortly after, accompanied by some assistants. His posture was calm as always, but there was a clear detail in his expression.
Respect.
"Welcome back."
"How are the lands?"
He made a slight gesture around. "As you can see… prospering."
I nodded.
There was no exaggeration in his words.
That was exactly it.
We walked through the area together while he explained the details. Production had stabilized, nutrients were more balanced, and growth followed a healthy pattern.
"Before, the excessive mana forced growth," he said. "Now… it sustains it."
Lyannis commented quietly. "Much better."
Rai'kanna nodded. "No distortion."
Scarlett stated: "Ideal condition."
Elara added: "Maximum efficiency."
Vespera said: "Complete balance."
Liriel looked at the elder. "So… no more correction needed?"
He shook his head. "No. The problem has been solved."
She lowered her gaze slightly, as if not knowing exactly how to react.
"Good job."
I spoke directly.
She simply nodded.
We continued walking until a central area, where some elves were organizing the harvest. The movement was calm, unhurried, yet efficient.
Everything worked.
"And the return?"
I asked.
The elder signaled, and one of the assistants brought a bag of coins.
"This is your share."
I took the bag.
The weight was smaller than the human village's… but still significant.
"How much?"
"About 5,000 gold coins."
Lyannis commented: "Not bad."
Rai'kanna said: "For something already stable… it's good."
Scarlett analyzed: "Consistent return."
Elara stated: "Efficient production."
Vespera added: "Positive margin."
Liriel looked at the bag in my hands. "So this is also already generating…"
"Yes."
I looked again at the elder. "And the taxes?"
"They have already been separated. About 4,000 coins were sent to the elven kingdom."
I nodded.
Everything was as expected.
"It's working."
He slightly bowed his head. "Thanks to the initial intervention."
I looked at Liriel again.
She looked away once more, clearly not knowing how to deal with it.
"Keep it up."
The elder nodded. "I will do my best."
"I trust you."
He replied calmly. "And I will honor that trust."
---
After finishing everything, we did not stay long. Just like in the human village, my presence there was no longer essential.
Before leaving, I looked at the lands once more.
Balance.
That was what defined that place now.
Lyannis walked beside me. "So… two sources of income."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "And both working."
"Yes."
Scarlett stated: "Financial stability."
Elara added: "Continuous growth."
Vespera said: "Consolidated base."
Liriel looked at me. "You're accumulating a lot very quickly."
"More than I expected."
She stayed silent for a moment. "Doesn't that… worry you?"
I thought for a second.
"No."
She tilted her head. "Why?"
"Because now I know what to do with it."
Lyannis smiled slightly. "The vault."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna said: "And it will keep growing."
"It will."
---
The return trip was calm. The weight of money was no longer just physical—it was strategic.
When we arrived at the mansion in Vailor, the construction movement was already nearing its end. The vault was practically complete.
I got down from the carriage and looked directly at the entrance to the room.
Lyannis commented: "We arrived at the right time."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna said: "It's almost done."
Scarlett analyzed: "Final phase."
Elara stated: "Near completion."
Vespera added: "Structure complete."
Liriel looked at me. "So… now you're going to store everything there."
"Yes."
I held the bags of coins for a moment.
Then I walked toward the entrance.
Each step was more than simple movement.
It was decision.
I was accumulating power.
But now…
I was also accumulating control.
And this time…
Nothing would be lost.
I opened the door to the room, looking at the space where the vault was being finished.
And I thought calmly:
"Now… everything is starting to take shape."