Chapter 414: Chapter 413- Connection

The workers and engineers hurriedly rushed toward the front side where Adrian stood with their Queen. The ground beneath their boots was still scarred from the recent devastation, yet there was urgency and a flicker of determination in their steps.

Adrian discussed with the engineers about the plantation and the structural patterns they had used to build it originally. He listened carefully, eyes tracing the ruined edges of the farmland as the engineers explained the foundation design.

“We have the blueprint, sir,” one of them said after a brief search through his satchel.

Adrian nodded, his tone steady. “Please show it to me.”

Another one, unable to hold back his curiosity, asked, “Would you mind if I asked why you require the blueprint?”

Isabelle’s eyes snapped toward the man, her glare enough to silence most, but Adrian only smiled—calm, patient, showing no hint of discontentment.

“I plan to add security measures to the plantation,” he explained, voice composed yet heavy with purpose. “So that in the future, our soldiers won’t have to stand between the plantation and the threat.”

Raven, who had been listening quietly, blinked in surprise. “Can you really do that?”

Adrian nodded once. “Yes. But a mage will be required to activate the defense mechanism.”

Automatic defense systems could only be built for structures that were meant to remain untouched—shrines, sealed vaults, or forbidden chambers. But this was different. The plantations were meant to be alive, tended by hands and nourished by labor. A manually operated system would be far more suitable.

The engineers exchanged glances, whispering under their breath before one of them finally spoke. “What kind of retaliation are we talking about, sir?”

Adrian’s gaze turned toward the blueprint, his voice calm but certain. “Illusion, photon charge, inferno discharge—and several more. Each plantation would be laced with at least three defensive runes, capable of being activated over a hundred times before there’s any need to rebuild the structure or reinforce it with an outer layer so the runes can be rewritten.”

The material he had in mind could easily withstand that level of magical erosion, though he was careful not to overlook the wear that would come with time. Once the runes thinned out the base material, the structure would simply need renewal.

Still, he asked with quiet calculation, “I believe a hundred activations should be enough to keep the danger away until a few rounds of crops are cultivated?” His tone was steady, but there was an unspoken question in his eyes as he looked toward the engineers.

They glanced among themselves before one of them finally nodded. “It would be more than enough, sir. With this kind of retaliation system, our soldiers won’t have to use themselves as shields anymore. They can finally fight freely—with their full potential.”

A farmer, who had been standing at the back of the crowd, suddenly stepped forward.

His hands trembled slightly, still covered in dust. “With this change, we’ll be able to protect our food from those monsters… Thank you, Sir Adrian. Truly… thank you.”

For a moment, no one spoke. The air hung thick with emotion as several workers bowed their heads, tears welling in their eyes.

Two days ago, despair had taken root in their hearts. The monstrous attack had been more than destruction—it was a cruel reminder that even the gods who once blessed them still seemed to resent their existence.

Their hopes, once bright, had withered beneath the suffocating heat of that ancient creature’s wrath.

But now, with Adrian’s return… that faint, flickering ember of hope had begun to glow again.

It stirred in their chests, fragile but alive, refusing to die out. His presence felt like a promise—that this time, they wouldn’t be left to burn alone.

Adrian glanced at Raven and noticed the glimmer in her eyes—soft, wet, and trembling. She quickly looked away, but the emotion was clear.

He smiled faintly, letting the warmth in his tone cut through the heaviness that lingered. “Now, now,” he said, clapping his hands once. “Since I have very limited time, let’s not waste it standing around. Let’s get back to work, shall we?”

The workers straightened, their earlier exhaustion replaced with new energy. His calm authority had that effect—lifting spirits without needing grand speeches. The men who stood before him seemed more alive now than when they first arrived.

Adrian walked beside the engineers, their boots crunching against the soil as they began planning the next steps. Together, they examined the framework and discussed what structural adjustments would be needed to make the outer material durable enough to handle his runes. Every stroke of chalk on the blueprint, every calculation of pressure and mana flow—he oversaw them all with precision.

Fortunately, the required material was available in abundance. That meant there was no need to dismantle or rebuild the plantations entirely, only to strengthen them. The news lifted a visible weight off the engineers’ shoulders.

Once the plan was finalized, Adrian turned toward the workers and explained the process clearly. No complex terms, no lofty speeches—just straightforward instructions. The moment he finished, the men scattered to their tasks with renewed purpose.

The clang of metal, the steady rhythm of hammers, and the faint hum of mana-infused tools filled the air as they began reinforcing the outer perimeter. Each plantation would receive a new protective layer—one designed not only for strength but for harmony with the runes he planned to inscribe later.

“It should take around six hours, sir,” the chief engineer said after assessing the manpower and materials. His tone carried quiet confidence, though his brow glistened with sweat.

Adrian gave a short nod, satisfied. “Works for me,” he replied, his gaze sweeping over the busy field. “Coordinate with the laborers. In the meantime, I’ll begin adding the reflectors and placing the artifacts in the domes that aren’t under construction yet.”

He spoke as if six hours were more than enough for him to complete what most would call a week’s work. But that was Adrian—methodical, unshaken, and always ahead of the clock.

The engineers exchanged quick salutes before scattering again, barking orders and guiding the workers. The plantation field, once silent in despair, now pulsed with purpose.

And at the center of it all stood Adrian—quietly commanding, hands already glowing faintly with energy as he began preparing the first dome for enchantment.

…..

Annabelle was sitting on the top of the academy.

The harsh wind brushed by her face as she watched the forest ahead …though her gaze was unfocused.

Her mind was cluttered with thoughts that she couldn’t express to anyone. That’s why, she chose to avoid Ariana for the time being.

She didn’t want to talk to anyone about this…situation.

However, not all wishes are heard.

“Ah!” A yelp echoed from the left before Annabelle turned towards the person and found it was a familiar girl.

“You…” She narrowed her eyes, “The one who insulted Darling.”

Sylvie was taken aback by that greeting. However, considering how close she was to the Professor, there was no surprise that Sylvie’s impression was so bad in her eyes.

“I…have apologized for that mistake,” Sylvie muttered as she slowly approached the woman.

Truth be told, she still couldn’t believe she was standing before the strongest Warden in existence.

Annabelle turned her gaze away and asked, “Do you need anything from me, kid?”

Sylvie wryly smiled, “Even though we are just five years apart…” She mumbled under her breath.

Stopping a few meters away from her, she voiced, “I…am just here for the breeze. It’s pretty relaxing here.”

“Oh? So you broke the rule for the breeze?” Annabelle asked, “You are worse than I thought.”

Sylvie’s shoulders dropped, “I am a very bad person in your eyes, no?”

Annabelle exhaled a sigh, “I…I am just not in the right mood…don’t mind me.” Annabelle hadn’t forgotten the fact that Sylvie had been quite useful to her Darling…that’s why there was no actual hate in her heart. It’s just, she was quite irritable at the moment.

Sylvie glanced at the woman, quite surprised that she nearly apologized as she muttered, “Troubled about work…or maybe love?”

Annabelle scoffed, “Don’t become an advisor all of a sudden.”

Sylvie raised her hands, “I am not trying to become an advisor or anything…I was just wondering if someone as close as you to the Professor could have love troubles as well.”

Sylvie always thought that beside the headmistress if someone was actually close to Adrian’s heart then it was Annabelle…yet, she appeared quite troubled.

Annabelle rested her chin on her knee as she muttered, “Sometimes too much closeness is taken for granted. I might have been a nuisance to him…”

Annabelle didn’t know why she said that in front of a near stranger but she just wanted to let it out.

There was a brief pause between them.

Sylvie somehow understands her stand.

And if she understood things right, there was something Annabelle might be misunderstanding

“Professor Adrian…isn’t the type of person who doesn’t know how to draw lines. He only allows someone to get closer to him, when he find them irreplaceable and utterly important.”

Turning toward Annabelle, she added, “I think…you just need to let him take the lead this time.”

Annabelle frowned, “And what if he never approaches me?”

Sylvie chuckled, “As someone who has seen you two together, I know for sure; Professor Adrian wants you in his life. You aren’t just another connection, you are his need. Never forget that.”

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