The days began to pass differently after my last training session.
For the first time since receiving the Dragon King's power, I felt like I was truly making progress. There were still difficulties, there were still limitations, but now the fire responded better to my mana. Control was becoming more natural.
And that changed a lot.
That morning, I woke up early as usual and walked out to the mansion's balcony.
The sky was clear.
The Cyclops village was already bustling in the early hours of the day. Workers crossed the fields carrying tools, some children played near the small central well, and wagons loaded with crops moved slowly along the main road.
The place seemed more alive with each passing day.
When we first arrived there, the region gave off a strange feeling. The excess dense mana made everything feel heavy. The crops grew unevenly, and the villagers constantly worried about losses in their harvests.
Now it was different.
The crops were finally healthy.
Liriel's purification had stabilized much of the land, and the rest was gradually improving thanks to the Cyclopes' magical irrigation methods.
I watched the fields in silence for a few seconds before hearing footsteps behind me.
"You always wake up before everyone else."
I turned around and saw Elara stepping onto the balcony carrying two cups.
"You too."
"Today I had to review some reports early."
She handed me one of the cups and moved closer to the railing.
"The minister sent new harvest figures."
"And?"
She smiled slightly.
"They improved again."
That was already becoming a regular occurrence.
Production increased week after week.
Trade in the village gradually expanded.
Even small merchants had started appearing in the region.
I took a sip of the hot drink while looking over the village.
"Who would have thought managing land would be so exhausting?"
Elara let out a small laugh.
"You'd rather fight dragons."
"Definitely."
She shook her head.
"Liar."
Before I could answer, we heard noise coming from downstairs.
Scarlet had probably already woken up.
A few seconds later, she appeared in the mansion courtyard carrying a training sword over her shoulders.
"Takumi!"
"Good morning."
"We're training after breakfast."
"You just woke up."
"So what?"
Scarlet seemed to have endless energy.
Soon afterward, Liriel appeared, helping some of the mansion servants organize freshly harvested fruit and herbs. Rai'kanna came right behind her carrying a huge crate by herself as if it weighed absolutely nothing.
Lyannis came downstairs reading a book, while Vespera simply appeared sitting on the mansion's outer wall, watching the village activity.
I had already gotten used to that.
We ate breakfast together in the main hall while discussing the day's work.
"The festival starts this afternoon," Liriel said excitedly.
"Festival?" I asked.
"The minister mentioned it yesterday," Lyannis replied without taking her eyes off her book. "It's a simple celebration for the improved harvests."
Scarlet smiled.
"So we're finally doing something fun."
"You call everything fun."
"Because almost everything is fun."
Rai'kanna rested her face on her hand.
"She's actually serious."
After breakfast, we spent the morning helping around the village.
Scarlet went to train the local guards once again. She seemed to enjoy that role quite a bit. The guards were already beginning to respect her almost like a commander.
Elara stayed with the minister reviewing trade contracts.
Liriel helped villagers who were still trying to recover small areas contaminated by irregular mana.
Lyannis spent much of her time studying the magical structure of the Cyclopes' plantations.
Vespera silently patrolled the outskirts of the village as always.
And Rai'kanna ended up attracting the attention of local children by lifting enormous barrels with one hand.
Meanwhile, I headed to the main fields to oversee the farmers' work.
The Cyclops minister was already there waiting for me.
"Lord Takumi."
"Good morning."
He quickly handed me several reports.
"Production has increased more than we predicted."
I examined the numbers.
It was truly impressive.
"Did this happen solely because of the purification?"
"In part. But also because of the reorganization of the fields and the proper distribution of condensed mana."
I looked around.
The workers seemed much more relaxed than before.
The entire village seemed to breathe easier.
"And to think that only a few months ago these lands barely produced anything," the minister commented.
I continued watching the fields in silence.
Sometimes it still felt strange to realize how much my life had changed.
Before, I only thought about becoming stronger.
Missions.
Battles.
Survival.
Now I managed lands across different kingdoms, trained people, cared for entire villages, and still tried to prepare for future threats.
It was a tremendous responsibility.
But...
Somehow, it didn't feel bad.
During the afternoon, the village began preparations for the small harvest festival.
It wasn't anything grand like the events in the human capital or the dragons' capital.
It was simple.
Small.
But precisely because of that, it felt more genuine.
Tables were set up near the central square. Magical lanterns were hung between the houses. Several stalls sold food and drinks while local musicians organized their instruments near the center of the village.
The children ran around excitedly from one side to the other.
Scarlet was already participating in some kind of strength competition with local guards.
Rai'kanna was competing too.
And both sides seemed terrified by the absurd difference in strength between them.
Elara chatted with merchants near the stalls while Lyannis curiously examined simple magic used in the lanterns.
Liriel helped elderly villagers arrange flowers around the square.
Vespera sat on the roof of a house, silently observing everything.
I slowly approached the square while several villagers greeted me.
"Thank you for the land, Lord Takumi."
"The harvests have finally improved."
"The children are eating better now."
Hearing that still made me uncomfortable.
I had never been very good at dealing with recognition.
But it was impossible to ignore the fact that the village was truly changing.
And maybe...
This was the first time I was building something without destroying something else in return.
When night fell, the lanterns illuminated the entire square.
The atmosphere became beautiful.
Peaceful.
Music began to play while the villagers danced near the tables.
Scarlet returned carrying several meat skewers.
"I won every competition."
"What a surprise."
"You doubted me?"
"Not even a little."
She smiled proudly.
Soon afterward, everyone gathered around the main table.
For a few minutes, we simply talked normally.
No worries.
No wars.
No monsters.
Just enjoying the moment.
I quietly watched all of them as they laughed and talked among themselves.
Scarlet arguing with Rai'kanna.
Liriel trying to stop Vespera from disappearing while secretly carrying food away.
Elara complaining about the financial organization of the stalls.
Lyannis correcting magical details on a lantern.
It felt strange.
But good.
Very good.
Maybe too good.
That was when I felt it again.
A strange sensation.
Faint.
Distant.
But present.
My gaze automatically shifted toward the dark horizon beyond the fields.
The music continued.
People still smiled.
But for some reason...
My chest felt heavy.
"Takumi?"
I looked to the side and saw Liriel watching me.
"What is it?"
"I don't know."
I kept looking at the distant horizon.
"I just had a strange feeling."
Scarlet immediately noticed the change in my expression.
"Did something happen?"
"No."
And nothing had happened.
At least not yet.
But that feeling...
It seemed familiar.
Like the silence before a storm.
I looked away from the horizon and tried to ignore it.
There was no point in ruining the moment because of a vague feeling.
So I simply took a deep breath and turned my attention back to the festival.
The night remained peaceful.
The lanterns shone over the quiet village while the wind slowly swept across the finally restored fields.
And even with that strange premonition lingering in the back of my mind...
That night, for the first time in a very long time...
I truly felt something close to peace.