Rendon barely had time to breathe. His workload had grown to an unbearable level, leaving him with almost no time to rest. The training of new soldiers, the fortification of the walls, and maintaining security within the town all fell under his command. Each day was a cycle of endless responsibilities, and sleep had become a luxury he could no longer afford.
At least one issue had finally stabilized. The merchants, who had been an uncontrollable force of greed, had finally calmed down. The market was operating smoothly, and conflicts between merchants over territory and pricing had diminished. However, just as one fire was put out, another problem arose Lady Vivian's new expansion project.
The extension of the town near the northern river required immediate surveying and protection. This meant additional patrols, additional planning, and another layer of work added to his already overflowing duties. The thought of stretching his forces even thinner made him grit his teeth in frustration, but there was nothing he could do. This was a direct command from Lord Vincent, and orders from above were absolute.
Despite his exhaustion, Rendon understood the importance of this project. The expansion was necessary, not just for economic growth but also for the refugees who had been given a chance to earn citizenship. Still, logistics were a nightmare. He needed to assess the threats in the area, allocate security forces, and ensure that construction wouldn't be hindered by external dangers. The river was an unpredictable element there were risks of flooding, potential wild animals, and even the possibility of bandits taking advantage of the newly developing area.
With a deep sigh, Rendon leaned over his desk, finalizing the reports that needed to be sent out. He had to assign a team to inspect the river surroundings, identify weak points, and determine where security should be stationed. Every decision had to be precise; a single mistake could lead to disaster.
As he finished drafting the orders, he rubbed his temples, exhaustion catching up to him. "No time for rest," he muttered to himself. "Just another damn day in Ravennest."
Rendon slumped over his desk, dark circles under his eyes, hair an absolute mess. Papers were stacked precariously high, teetering with every tiny movement. His hands trembled as he reached for yet another report, barely able to focus on the words in front of him.
Just as he sighed, believing he might be able to squeeze in at least a few hours of sleep, a soldier burst into the room, standing at full attention. "Sir! I bring an important message!"
Rendon lifted his weary head. "If it's not about a fire, an invasion, or the walls crumbling, I swear—"
"Lady Vivian has approved Young Master Zach's visit to the new market district for educational purposes."
Silence.
The candle on Rendon's desk flickered.
A tiny vein on his forehead twitched.
"...Say that again?" Rendon's voice was dangerously calm.
The soldier gulped. "The Young Master will be visiting the new market district. For education. Lady Vivian approved it."
Rendon's soul left his body for a full five seconds. He blinked. Then blinked again. Slowly, ever so slowly, he brought his hands to his face and took a deep breath.
"I see," he said, voice unnervingly even. "So, after the endless soldier training, the fortifications, the market expansion security, the bandits in the outskirts, the refugee situation, now I also have to protect the heir of the territory in an unfinished district full of unknown risks?!"
The soldier wisely took a step back.
Rendon let out the most exhausted sigh in the history of sighs. "Do they think I have twenty clones? No, actually, do they think I am a clone? Maybe I was one in a past life. That would explain why I feel like I'm constantly being copied and pasted everywhere in this town."
The soldier shifted awkwardly. "Sir, should I—"
"No, no, it's fine." Rendon massaged his temples**. "Fine. We'll do this. Not because I want to. Not because I have any energy left. But because if something happens to that boy, I'll probably die of stress before anyone can execute me."**
He pushed himself up from his chair, wobbling slightly. "Alright. Assemble the best guards we have with me. Extra security. Double shifts. And find me some coffee. Strong coffee. If I'm going to survive this, I need it to be so strong it can raise the dead."
"Y-yes, sir! Right away, sir!"
As the soldier rushed out, Rendon stared blankly at the wall. "One month. Just one month. That's all I need. A nice, quiet month where I don't have to hear the words 'urgent report.' Is that too much to ask?"
Zach had expected this conversation to be difficult, but he hadn't anticipated just how stubborn his mother could be.
"Mother, please! I need to see the new district with my own eyes," Zach pleaded, standing in front of Lady Vivian's desk with his hands clenched. "It's important for my education. You always tell me that firsthand experience is the best teacher!"
Vivian sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You don't need to go yourself, Zach. I can have the reports prepared for you. You can study them in the comfort of the mansion."
Zach shook his head. "Numbers and words on a page aren't the same as seeing the people, the land, and the work in progress. If I'm going to be a proper lord in the future, I need to understand these things directly."
Vivian raised an eyebrow. "You'll be a proper lord regardless. You're already learning well enough without running around construction sites."
Zach felt his frustration grow. He had anticipated resistance, but he had hoped logic would win her over quickly. Clearly, that wasn't the case.
"Mother," he tried again, softening his voice. "Don't you want me to become someone capable? Someone who can make good decisions?"
Vivian leaned back in her chair, regarding him carefully. "Of course, I do. That's why I'm ensuring you have the best education possible."
Zach took a deep breath. "Then you should let me see the new district. Let me meet the workers, the merchants, and the people who will live there. I need to see how things are actually done, not just how they're written down."
Vivian exhaled, tapping her fingers against the desk. "I see you've thought this through."
Zach nodded eagerly. "Of course! I wouldn't ask if I hadn't."
She regarded him for a long moment before shaking her head. "It's still too dangerous."
Zach gritted his teeth. "Mother, I'll be escorted. I won't be alone. You can send as many guards as you want!"
Vivian's eyes narrowed slightly. "And who do you propose as your escort?"
Zach had already thought about this. "Rendon."
The room fell silent.
Vivian blinked, clearly surprised. "Rendon? My commander?"
"Yes. He's the strongest and most reliable guard in all of Ravennest. If he's with me, nothing will happen."
Vivian studied him carefully, and Zach felt a bead of sweat run down his back. He had played his best card, but he could still see doubt in her eyes.
"You do realize he is extremely busy?" she pointed out.
"I do," Zach admitted. "But this is important. And… you trust him, don't you?"
Vivian narrowed her eyes at his wording. "Don't try to manipulate me, Zach."
Zach had the decency to look sheepish, but he pressed forward. "If you won't let me go with Rendon, then send someone else you trust. But please, Mother, let me do this."
Vivian sighed again, rubbing her temple.
Zach held his breath as she deliberated. After what felt like an eternity, she finally spoke.
"Fine."
Zach almost shouted in excitement but forced himself to stay composed.
"Really?!"
Vivian gave him a look. "Yes, but only under strict conditions. Rendon will escort you, and you will follow his instructions without complaint. If he deems something too dangerous, you will listen. No reckless behavior, Zach."
Zach nodded vigorously. "Of course! I'll be careful, I promise!"
Vivian sighed once more. "You're really starting to take after your father…"
Before Zach could respond, a small wail interrupted them.
"NOOOOOO!"
Both turned to see Miya standing at the doorway, tears streaming down her face. "You're leaving me behind again?! Zach, you promised we'd explore together!"
Zach flinched. "Miya, it's not like that—"
Miya ran forward, latching onto his leg. "I won't let you go! You always leave me behind! First the town visit, then to the frosthold and now this!"
Zach sighed, crouching down. "Miya, I can't take you with me this time. It's dangerous."
"I don't care!" she sobbed. "I'll be careful! I won't be a burden! Just take me with you!"
Zach looked helplessly at Vivian, who simply raised an eyebrow as if to say, This is your problem.
For the next hour, Zach desperately tried to calm Miya down. He promised her sweets, more playtime, and even a personal outing when he returned. But nothing seemed to work.
Finally, after much persuasion, bribery, and gentle reasoning, Miya sniffled and pulled away. "You have to bring me something back."
Zach sighed in relief. "Of course. Anything you want."
She wiped her eyes, still sniffling. "Promise?"
"I promise."
With that settled, Zach finally felt a wave of exhaustion hit him. He turned back to Vivian, who was watching with mild amusement.
"Still sure you're ready for responsibilities, young lord?" she teased.
Zach groaned. "Just… let me enjoy my victory, Mother."
Vivian chuckled. "Alright, alright. Go prepare yourself. You leave in the morning."
As Zach left the room, he felt triumphant. It had taken a lot of effort, but he had won. He was finally going to see the new district for himself.
Meanwhile, a few hour after that in Ravennest, Rendon was completely unaware of this receives a message of this request.
Zach sat inside the carriage, his hands resting on his lap as he felt the gentle sway of the vehicle moving along the road. The journey to the new district had him brimming with excitement, but there was something else making him slightly uncomfortable the presence of Rendon, who sat across from him, arms crossed, giving him a look that could pierce through steel.
It wasn't an angry glare, nor was it one filled with discontent. No, it was something far worse it was the gaze of a man who had been thoroughly exhausted, worked to the bone, only to be told he had yet another duty to fulfill. Zach couldn't understand why, but every time he shifted, Rendon's sharp eyes followed his every move, as if he were a predator watching his prey, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
'What's with that look…? Did I do something to him?' Zach thought, breaking eye contact and turning his gaze toward the window. The scenery was changing, the familiar buildings of the town fading behind them as they neared their destination.
Still, despite the tension in the air, Zach couldn't let it ruin his mood. He was finally going to see the new district, the project that would expand their town's influence and trade. The thought made his heart race with anticipation. But before he knew it, his mind started to drift not to the present, but to his past life.
He recalled the time when he had to oversee the construction of the new market district in his hometown. The announcement alone had sent waves of excitement throughout the populace. People were eager for the opportunities it would bring jobs, commerce, and a stronger economy. But behind that excitement was a mountain of work that never seemed to end.
'The first thing we had to ensure was the structural integrity of the buildings. There was no point in constructing something that would crumble in a few years,' Zach reminisced. 'Then there was the traffic situation having a market meant an increase in people and merchants moving through the streets. We had to plan roads, ensure proper flow, and even anticipate future expansions so that the entire layout wouldn't become chaotic.'
He sighed, recalling the sleepless nights he had spent working with the town's developers, going over blueprint after blueprint, discussing the best materials to use, and making sure that the construction workers were not only efficient but also paid properly.
'A leader's job in a project doesn't end until the entire thing is finished. No, even after completion, there are still issues that arise maintenance, regulations, and making sure it actually functions as intended. It's never as simple as just building something and calling it a day.'
As he pondered, the carriage hit a small bump, snapping him out of his thoughts. He blinked a few times before looking forward, only to once again meet Rendon's sharp gaze.
Zach swallowed. 'Why is he still looking at me like that?!'
Deciding it was best to pretend he hadn't noticed, he turned his attention back to the outside view. The carriage was slowing down.
"We're close," Rendon finally spoke, his deep voice cutting through the silence.
Zach nodded, pushing away the thoughts of his past life for now. He straightened his posture, anticipation filling him once more. This was it. He was about to witness the foundation of a new market district one that would shape the future of their town.
And he, Zach of Ravennest, would be there to see it unfold from the very beginning.