Apocalypse: Starting With Three Unique Blessings-Chapter 35: Elora.

After leaving the meeting with his commanders, Magnus mentally contacted Kael through their telepathic link. He had tasked Kael with scouting the amassing beast horde. Among his summon, Kael was the most suited for the job due to his superior stealth, speed, and agility.

Once Kael’s briefing was complete, Magnus turned his attention to his other responsibilities. With some time still available, Magnus decided to make a tour of the territory. His first stop was the training grounds for the new recruits of the territorial defense force. Following the previous night’s memorial service, which had significantly boosted morale and inspired a surge of patriotism, hundreds of young people had enlisted, eager to serve their territory.

Magnus found several of his summon already at work, training the new recruits in various combat techniques. The training paused as he entered, and everyone bowed in unison. "Lord Magnus!" they greeted respectfully.

"Carry on, don’t let me interrupt your training," Magnus replied.

"Yes, Lord Magnus!" they chorused before immediately resuming their drills.

Magnus strolled through the grounds, observing the training exercises. Afterward, he conferred with the instructors, primarily composed of his summon to assess the recruits’ progress. Everything appeared to be in order; the recruits were learning quickly. Magnus acknowledged that they wouldn’t be fully prepared before the impending trial, but he wasn’t overly concerned. He felt confident that his current forces were sufficient for the immediate threat.

Even if they proved insufficient, he still had his summon hunting and gathering evolution points in the Silent Forest, as well as Vorax. The celestial worm seemed to have taken a particular liking to the Silent Forest and showed little inclination to return. He was reveling in the abundant hunting opportunities, consuming the corpses of his prey and accumulating energy. The Silent Forest was a veritable treasure trove for him. Magnus could see the constant stream of kill notifications and the influx of evolution points, reassuring him that he could summon reinforcements if necessary.

Satisfied with the training progress, Magnus departed for his next destination: the infirmary. The infirmary was also functioning smoothly. Magnus’s enhancement of Margaret and the other physicians’ apothecary skills had significantly improved the quality of care they provided. Margaret was absent when he arrived. One of the physicians informed him that she hadn’t reported for duty that day. Magnus understood the reason; Margaret was undoubtedly still grappling with her grief. Augustus had likely spoken to her after leaving the dungeon the previous night, and she was probably too overwhelmed to work. Magnus made a mental note to check in with Augustus about her well-being later.

Leaving the infirmary, Magnus walked towards the eastern wall. Upon arrival, the atmosphere was charged; the lingering dust suggested a recent battle. Several men were resting while others disposed of the carcasses of what appeared to be wolf-like beasts. As Magnus approached, they snapped to attention and bowed. "Greetings, Lord Magnus," they greeted in unison.

"Greetings to you all as well. Good work, by the way," Magnus replied with a smile.

"Thank you, Lord Magnus," they responded, beaming.

"Carry on, don’t let me disturb you," Magnus instructed. The men nodded and returned to their tasks.

Magnus then approached a familiar figure standing nearby – Captain Godric. "How are things on this front?" Magnus inquired.

"Nothing to be overly concerned about at the moment, Lord Magnus. However, a large horde of beasts is gathering in the far east. They appear poised to attack at any time," Godric reported.

"Commander Robert already informed me of this development. It must be related to the approaching trial," Magnus responded. "Make sure your men get some rest. We can’t afford to have them injured before the beast horde arrives. Have a fresh contingent relieve them for now," Magnus instructed.

"Of course, Lord Magnus. I’ll see to it immediately," Godric confirmed.

"Excellent," Magnus replied with a smile, clapping Godric on the shoulder. He remained in the area for a while, issuing further instructions. Godric’s men then retreated into the territory, replaced by another group of soldiers. Magnus stayed to ensure a smooth transition before returning to the territory’s interior. He inspected the other walls, confirming that everything was in order, and then proceeded to the main farming district for an inspection.

He arrived at the farming district shortly thereafter. Not much had changed since his last visit, except the plants appeared healthier and more vibrant, likely due to Elora’s influence. The women and children working in the fields also seemed more cheerful. As Magnus approached, they greeted him with beaming smiles, their expressions bordering on reverence. Considering his recent accomplishments since awakening from his coma, their admiration wasn’t entirely surprising.

Further into the fields, Magnus spotted Elena crouched over some plants, instructing a group of women. She finished her lesson and, upon standing, immediately noticed Magnus. A bright smile illuminated her face.

"Lord Magnus!" she exclaimed, hurrying towards him.

"Hello, Elena. I just came to see how things are progressing. Everything seems to be going quite well, from what I can see," Magnus replied with a smile.

"Oh, it’s all thanks to Elora. She’s been an incredible help. She’s an absolute angel. Thank you for sending her," Elena expressed gratefully.

"Of course. Anything for the well-being of my people," Magnus responded.

"You are truly a blessing to this territory, Lord Magnus. I’m sure the people of Lancaster are fortunate to have you as their leader," Elena beamed.

"Thank you for that," Magnus said, smiling. "So, how are the crops doing? I’ve noticed they’re flourishing."

"Yes, it’s remarkable! Ever since Elora arrived, the plants have been thriving. In fact, if this continues, we might have the largest harvest this territory has ever seen," Elena said excitedly.

"That’s wonderful news," Magnus remarked.

"Lord Magnus, you’re here!" a melodious voice called out.

Magnus turned to see a strikingly beautiful woman in a green dress. Her features were delicate, her hair looking seaweed-like, her eyes shimmered like opals, and her skin had an almost magical aquamarine glow. This was Elora.

"Hello," Magnus greeted with a smile. "Elena was just telling me about the excellent work you’ve been doing. It’s truly impressive."

"Oh," Elora blushed, looking endearingly shy. "You praise me too much. I’m just doing my job."

"Don’t be so modest, Elora. Your work is exceptional. I haven’t seen the women this happy before, the crops are thriving, and you’ve achieved all this in just a single day. Given more time, I’m sure you’ll accomplish even greater things," Elena praised.

"Aw, thank you, Elena. You’re so sweet," Elora beamed.

’This kind of interaction isn’t really my forte,’ Magnus thought, excusing himself and leaving the two women to their conversation. He didn’t depart immediately, choosing instead to linger in the area. Elena hadn’t exaggerated; the plants were indeed flourishing. Summoning Elora had been an excellent decision. After a few more minutes, Magnus finally left the farming district.

He continued his inspections, ensuring everything was running smoothly throughout the territory. He returned to his quarters as darkness began to fall. He instructed his maids to prepare a bath. He hadn’t bathed all day, preoccupied with various events, and he could already detect his own body odor. Soon, the bath was ready. Two maids escorted him to the bathing chamber, but as usual, Magnus preferred to bathe himself.

He took his time, enjoying the soothing water. Afterward, he dried himself, dressed, and returned to his room. Dinner was already waiting, its aroma filling the air. Magnus’s stomach rumbled in response. He had forgotten to eat amidst the day’s activities. He sighed; being a territorial leader was demanding. He sat down and savored his meal. Once he finished, the maids cleared the dishes and left him alone in the quiet of his room.

Night had fully descended, cloaking the room in darkness, illuminated only by a single lamp. Magnus sighed, lying back on his bed, gazing at the ceiling, his mind immediately drifting into deep contemplation.