Inheriting a Lost Bloodline, My First Task is to have heirs?!

Chapter 423: Chapter 423 - Larkspur’s Transformation

After the first day of rebuilding the Larkspur territory, the speed at which the structures were built just became faster and faster as the workers started to find their rhythm. I originally planned to stay in this place for atleast a week but seeing the amount of progress so far, I may only need to stay for a couple more days or so.

Since the workers are doing quite well on their own, I started building other structures that I deemed essential to the territory but were not a part of the original plan during the meeting. Structures such as the trading post, community kitchen and better quality streets and street lights were not mentioned during the meeting since we focused more on the few that the citizens suggested as must-haves.

While the others were doing their finishing touches on the main structures, I took my time in building a trading post so the people here will have an easier time with buying and selling resources. It is also to ensure that they can send and receive urgent correspondences when needed.

Though Larkspur is a fairly small community as of the moment due to the migration of the original inhabitants to other places through these years, I still built a community kitchen so that everybody can cook and eat meals together whenever they feel like it. This should foster camaraderie between the citizens of the territory and their leaders.

As expected, just after two days of rapid construction, there were no traces left of the previously barren lands and dilapidated housing of the residents. In the northern part of the territory, with the mountain and the beautiful waterfalls as its background, a magnificent three floored mansion has been built. The workers also ensured that the mansion is again surrounded by its beautiful gardens filled with colorful flowers and fruit bearing trees. It looked very similar to how the mansion looked like before the calamity struck decades ago.

As for the housing intended for the guards and attendants, a two-story barracks has also been built on the left side of the mansion. It was constructed following a U-shape that opens toward the center of the territory while its left wing has an access to the walls in case of emergencies. The open grounds in the middle was then assigned as the training grounds for the guards and soldiers as well as the new recruits.

To ensure that the structures are stable, both buildings have 2 floors built underneath them that were fortified to withstand harsh conditions. They are primarily meant to be used as storage facilities but can also double as bunkers in times of unrest or calamities. This was the best solution that I could think of after the duke consulted me about some of his worries about the safety of the territory’s resources and its people.

For the rest of the territory, we decided to ensure that we did the best urban planning that we possibly could. As early as now, we have planned where the residential area, workers’ district and the business districts will be placed. We have also decided in advance that the center of the territory will be an open plaza instead of the duke’s mansion.

Once we have identified the middle point of the territory, I started building a round-shaped plaza right on top of it. It wasn’t that big or grand but it had a statue of the goddess of creation, a flag that has the emblem of the Larkspur Marquessate and some flowering plants here and there for aesthetic purposes. As for the areas outside its perimeters, we have decided to divide it properly among some key places.

The northwestern side of the plaza was assigned to the infirmary. This is a separate structure from the infirmary that was built just for the people from the mansion and the barracks. It will be dedicated to providing medical assistance to the public.

The southwestern side of the plaza was assigned to the market area. It will be the place where stores that sell basic necessities and daily items will be placed.

The northeastern side of the plaza was assigned to the community kitchen where the residents as well as visitors are free to cook their food and share it to their companions. It will provide an area with sinks, counters, cooking equipment, utensils, free water and dining areas that can be used by the public. I made sure to place some essential spells to ensure that the place stays clean and the items marked with anti-theft spells.

The southeastern side of the plaza was designated for a simple three-floored government office building. The duke isn’t sure yet what exactly he wants to do with this building but he believes that it will soon have its specific uses. I decided to conveniently place the trading post as part of this building to keep it accessible to everyone that needs to use the services it offers.

As part of the urban planning, we placed water wells in specific places, making sure that it is spaced evenly across the territory. I also went ahead and placed streets that are two-lane wide that connect every single part within the territory.

Since my in-laws’ territory was a marquessate, it has a reputation to uphold in the empire. I have always had this in mind so I thought of some last minute improvements that I can do to make sure this is done.

I decided to change the simple walls into battlements instead, making them thicker and sturdier. I also added some arrow loops, bells for signaling troops, light sources and patrol paths on top of the walls.

I have also secretly given the duke some blueprints for siege weapons such as crossbows, petraries and magic cannons. They were simple ones but with the duke’s intelligence and battle experience, I trust that he could further improve them to fit the demands of the present time.

Before I left, the duke requested for a private conversation with me which I readily obliged. He led me along the corridors of the mansion. I wasn’t paying attention at first but I realized that he was bringing me towards the room assigned to his son, Ioannis.

A smile slowly showed on my face and a helpless sigh escaped my lips. I simply followed him inside the room with no complaints.

Once inside the room, he asked me to sit wherever I wanted. Once we were both seated, with a serious tone, he asked me, ”I know that Larkspur is not part of the list of territories you were supposed to visit for your envoy work. The capital does not know that this place still exists. I also don’t believe in freebies and doing things without expecting anything in return. What is really the reason why you were helping us?”

I smiled again and stared into the duke’s eyes for a prolonged period. I can see curiousity with a bit of hope in his eyes as he waited for what I am about to say. With a serious tone, I greeted him in a more formal manner this time, ”I would like to introduce myself again, Duke of Larkspur. This time, I will honestly tell you who I really am. You would then understand why I want to rebuild this place.”

He looked at me with furrowed brows, obviously confused as to why I am suddenly saying that I have to introduce myself again and what connection that has why I am here. Before he could ask another question, ”My name is Luna Rosenoir. I am the current queen of Eieneos, allied kingdom of Athanoviya empire. I know that you have already realized from the first time I used my mana that I am not exactly human, right?”

His eyes widened and he abruptly stood up but I held on to the duke’s hand and shook my head to tell him that he did not need to bow or go through the pleasantries. I continued, ”It would be inappropriate for you to do that since I have another identity as well. This may come as a surprise but I just want you to know that you are technically my father-in-law so bowing is out of the question.”

His jaw dropped in disbelief after hearing what I said. He then stuttered as he said, ”I- I only have one son. My wife would kill me if she thinks that I have another son from who knows where... That’s just- impos-”

Before he finished his last sentence, tears started to fall from his eyes. I added, ”I know you only have one son, father-in-law. I met him in the Academe of Gnosis while he was working as an attendant. I officially took him into my household less than a year ago. He recently gave birth to our first born children, Iosef and Ianthe.”

He stared at me, extremely dumbfounded as tears continuously fell from his eyes. He seemed to be hyperventilating but he still muttered strength to ask the important questions, ”Where is he right now? Can we see him?”

I nodded my head and responded, ”I will bring him here soon since the territory has been rebuilt. As for your grandchildren, it may be a little complicated for now since they are still very young. They are currently with my parents back in my kingdom so it will not be possible to bring them here immediately.”

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Author’ s Note:

Thank you for all the support that you have given this story. As part of saying my thanks, here’s the code for free FPs!

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