After killing one Wither, Levi didn't stop.
Moments later, another Wither was summoned and then personally destroyed by its summoner.
Using obsidian as the base, placing a Nether Star on top, and then covering it with a glass shell, this created a beacon.
[Achievement Unlocked: Bring Home the Beacon]
Plop.
Inside the castle, Levi placed the freshly crafted beacon on a full-tier pyramid and replaced all the building materials above the beacon with glass.
Whoosh.
Instantly, a solid white beam of light shot skyward, piercing the night sky and extending to unknown reaches.
[Achievement Unlocked: Beaconator]
Strength, regeneration.
Two buffs emanated from the beacon.
On this day, many people felt they had become stronger and more vital. Small injuries they accidentally received healed on their own before they could treat them.
The source of all these changes came from the very center of the territory, their lord's castle.
Regardless of the late hour, numerous residents climbed from their beds, left their homes, and gathered around with reverence and awe, praying to the light beam that had suddenly appeared above the castle and to the one who had created it.
That miracle, as if a deity had personally descended, brought a hint of fervor to the residents' eyes.
"Truly beautiful."
Inside the castle, Levi caressed the glass cover of the beacon, staring at the star-like crystal within. Bright as daylight, azure blue around the edges like a clear sky, and whiter than mithril at its center without the slightest flaw, not blinking for a long time.
In this world, perhaps only the Silmarils could rival its beauty.
However, judging by performance, the latter still contained greater power. The beacon provided indiscriminate enhancement, while the Silmarils were banes of evil. Any evil creature of insufficient rank would be instantly blinded by a single glance.
Just after installing the beacon and walking out of the castle, Levi was startled by the residents.
"What are you all gathered here for?"
"My lord, we came to behold the miracle you have wrought."
A resident stepped forward, placing one hand on his chest in some sort of prayer gesture.
Levi waved his hand: "Alright, alright. Once you've seen enough, go back. It's late, time for bed."
"If you don't sleep soon, you'll have the sun shining on your buttocks tomorrow."
Sun shining on buttocks?
Hearing this, one resident's brow furrowed slightly.
What did this mean? Why would the sun shine on buttocks?
He simulated the scenario this phrase described in his mind:
Someone sleeping soundly in bed in an undignified position, not waking even long after sunrise, until the sun shone on their buttocks.
Oh.
So that's what it meant.
Lord was quite humorous.
This resident's brow suddenly relaxed in understanding. Looking at the other bewildered residents around him, he knew this would become tomorrow's conversation topic.
A casually spoken phrase thus became a sort of colloquialism, gradually spreading throughout Roadside Fort.
Certain sleepy children didn't yet know that their parents had learned a new saying from their lord, one that would span their childhood...
"We obey your command."
The residents agreed, reluctantly returning to bed.
Many couldn't sleep, their minds full of that light beam and the imposing figure before it.
After dismissing the gathered residents and pushing Little Pink's head back into the tree, Levi went to the tower and crafted the "Warding" core using the Nether Star as material.
This thing... couldn't be used lightly. Its power was too extreme. One careless move could easily cause great disaster.
Each use required utmost caution.
When protection became excessive, it would become eternal torment. Whether for enemies or oneself, such things were too cruel.
He researched in the tower all night.
The next day, when the sun had barely risen, groups of people were already discussing in the square, gazing up at the white light beam above the castle.
Little Pink was lying at the edge of the tree canopy, stretching out its dragon head motionlessly to stare at it from early morning.
It had been urged to sleep at night. Surely daytime viewing was acceptable.
"Don't fall down..."
Levi went up and added a railing to the platform.
Seconds later, a dragon head poked through the railing gaps, getting stuck outside while staring at the light beam.
"You'd better not let me hear cries from getting your head stuck."
After measuring the railing gap size and confirming it couldn't get stuck for now, Levi descended the tree, petted the big yellow dog dozing on the grass, stretched, and began wandering around the territory.
While wandering, a voice caught his attention.
"Did you all remember?"
Inside a somewhat differently arranged house, an elderly man in his sixties or seventies stood before a large table, speaking to children seated in chairs across from him.
"We remembered!"
The children answered in unison.
What are they doing?
Levi pushed open the door and entered.
"My lord!"
The old man perked up and approached to bow to Levi.
The children at the table also stood up, imitating the old man's bow, though their movements were quite clumsy.
Gesturing for them to relax and gently patting the head of the child standing in front, Levi inquired:
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm teaching the children knowledge, my lord."
"Oh, so you're holding class."
This room was indeed arranged with a scholarly atmosphere. Along the walls were bookshelves filled with various old and new books, plus some paper and pens.
Names were recorded on them.
"These are the children's names. Their parents entrusted me to teach them knowledge."
The old man stepped forward to explain.
The transmission of knowledge...
Levi's expression became more serious.
Previously, the territory's population was too small with hardly any children, so educational matters hadn't really been considered.
But now...
"Your face seems unfamiliar. Did you arrive recently?"
Levi asked the old man.
This elderly teacher had quite a unique temperament, one belonging specifically to learned people. Calm and settled, standing there like dust settled on the ground, old and thick, not moving unless disturbed by external forces.
Such a person, if he had come to the territory early on, would definitely have left some impression.
"Yes, my lord. I come from a small town between the western forests and river mouth of Anórien. I previously served as a librarian in town."
"Anórien? That name... if I remember correctly, it should be a northern fief of Gondor."
Levi thought briefly, then asked: "What happened to your town? How did someone like you end up wandering?"
Seeing Levi's inquiry, the old man didn't hide anything and detailed his experiences:
"It wasn't like this in earlier years, my lord. When I was young, the town had many able-bodied people, and merchant caravans occasionally passed through. Later, I don't know when it started, but orcs began appearing in the surrounding forests. At night, red-eyed wargs would prowl around town. Many people, unable to bear the harassment, chose to migrate southeast and gather around Minas Tirith."
"Eventually only old people like me remained in town, along with many abandoned houses. But I haven't seen lights in other houses for a long time. Perhaps I was actually the only one left."
"I was unwilling to abandon the precious books and knowledge accumulated over many years, so I stayed, daily watering my garden, cooking, then reading. This life continued until several orcs riding wargs suddenly broke into my house. At that moment, I regretted staying in town."
"Just as the orcs were discussing whether to chop me up for soup or roast me directly, a passing Ranger saved me. He was skilled and agile, with a longbow on his back and a rather antique-looking sword at his waist."
"He told me that if I didn't want to go to Minas Tirith, I could also head west. On the western side of the mountains, there was a recently established city that seemed willing to take in refugees."
"Moreover, he said, if I was willing to come here, he could personally escort me partway."
"Oh?"
Levi suddenly became interested.
"Where is that Ranger? Where did he go after escorting you here?"
"He went further west, my lord, saying he was heading to a place called the Forsaken Inn."
"Ha."
Levi couldn't help but smile, almost laughing aloud.
Well, he hadn't expected to hear news of that fellow from a resident.
A Ranger carrying an ancient sword and frequently active around the Forsaken Inn. Who could that be?
Really hard to guess.
Since their last parting, it had been several years without meeting.
Who knew where that guy had gone?
This time returning, he'd even picked up an old scholar along the roadside.
Seeing the lord's somewhat subtle expression, the old man felt rather uneasy. At a certain moment, as if suddenly realizing something, his breathing even slowed.
For the lord to ask such questions meant he knew nothing about all this...
Neither knowing about this outsider's allegiance nor about the children's classroom activities.
The old man, having realized this, hurriedly said:
"Please forgive me, my lord. I gathered the children and taught them my meager knowledge without reporting to you first."
He slowly bowed his head.
"No, this is my oversight. I should thank you for reminding me of this matter."
Levi smiled.
The old man raised his head.
He heard the lord before him say: "Recently the territory's population has grown, with enough children to fill a room. I think we need to establish a dedicated place for learning."
"How about you become the first instructor?"
"The knowledge you've accumulated over decades will be put to good use."