Reinventing Magic: An Inventor's Tale-Chapter 62: The State of Bryndis

Kael, now Baron Bryndis, sat in his study within the keep of Bryndis, his desk cluttered with stacks of parchment. The room was dimly lit by the glow of a solitary enchanted crystal, casting long shadows across the stone walls. His fingers traced the lines of the reports sent by Harold, detailing the state of the territory. As his eyes scanned the documents, the gravity of the situation became strikingly clear.

Bryndis, the largest land under Gregor’s domain, had once been managed by a viscount who had been executed after the war. While its fertile lands made it an agricultural hub, the conflict had ravaged its supplies. Not only had the war effort drained their reserves, but Kael himself had inadvertently worsened the crisis by destroying Gregor’s supply depot during his previous campaign. What little remained was barely enough to sustain the population through the coming winter.

The infrastructure was in an abysmal state. There were no proper roads to facilitate trade, and worse, no bridge to connect the domain to a neighboring region separated by a large river. Any trade required an arduous detour, significantly hampering economic prospects. The lack of roads also meant slow movement of goods and troops, a dire concern for both security and development.

The water supply situation was equally dire. Every day, weary citizens trudged miles to reach the deep wells or the distant river, their parched throats and aching limbs a constant reminder of the struggle for survival. The reports detailed horrifying statistics—thousands had died from waterborne illnesses the previous year alone. The absence of proper sanitation had turned clean water into a luxury, making disease a constant threat.

As Kael turned to the final pages, a heavy sigh escaped his lips. The total population stood at a mere ten thousand. For a land as vast as Bryndis, the number was shockingly low. The war had not only claimed lives but had also driven people away, leaving entire villages abandoned and fields untended.

A knock on the door broke his contemplation. "Enter," he said, rubbing his temples.

Victor Dalmont strode in, his expression grim. "We have another problem, Young Lord. I did a headcount of our available forces. We have a total of 381 troops. Only 26 are 1st-class knights (knights with only one mana core), 6 are 2nd-class magicians, and the rest are regular soldiers."

Kael leaned back in his chair, exhaling sharply. "So, we lack both manpower and proper infrastructure. Wonderful."

Victor gave a wry smile. "That’s putting it lightly, Young Lord. We might face something worse than just a food shortage. We don’t have the men to defend against potential incursions."

Kael closed his eyes briefly, the weight of responsibility pressing down like a physical burden. He could almost feel the hopes and fears of Bryndis’s people resting on his shoulders. The golem project would have to wait. There were too many urgent matters to address first. He grabbed a fresh piece of parchment and began listing his immediate priorities.

1. Food Security

- Short-Term: Secure immediate food supplies to avoid a crisis. This can be achieved by negotiating trade agreements with nearby regions.

- Long-Term: Revitalize agriculture by providing seeds, tools, and modern farming techniques to increase food production.

2. Infrastructure Development

- Construct proper roads and build a bridge to improve trade and connectivity.

- Establish a clean and reliable water supply system with wells, reservoirs, and purification facilities.

3. Healthcare and Sanitation

- Build medical centers and hire more healers to combat waterborne diseases.

- Implement sanitation facilities, including proper waste disposal and latrines.

4. Population Growth

- Encourage settlement by offering land and livelihood opportunities.

- Strengthen community bonds through cultural events and incentives for families to stay.

5. Military and Security

- Train and recruit additional soldiers to bolster defenses.

- Construct fortifications, watchtowers, and establish regular patrols to secure the domain.

6. Economic Development

- Establish markets and encourage local craftsmanship.

- Efficiently manage resources such as the spirit crystal mine to generate revenue.

He placed the quill down and looked at Victor. "First priority is food security. Winter is coming, and if we don’t act now, people will starve."

Victor nodded. "I’ll take care of it."

Kael retrieved a small, ornate ring from his desk and handed it to him. "Take this. It’s an infinite storage ring—the same one I sold to the Duke. You’ll need it to transport large amounts of food safely. Choose the best men to help you with the job." free𝑤ebnovel.com

Victor grinned, pocketing the ring. "Leave it to me. I’ll make sure we don’t go hungry."

As Victor left, Kael slumped back into his chair, exhaling slowly. The challenges ahead were immense, but failure was not an option. If Bryndis was to survive, it needed a leader who could rebuild it from the ashes.

And Kael Valtieri was determined to be that leader.

A week later, just as Kael had begun to sift through the next set of reports he received during the day, a sharp knock interrupted his focus. He frowned, setting the parchment aside. Few disturbed him while he was working, and those who did had good reason.

"Enter," he called.

The heavy wooden door creaked open, revealing Harold, his ever-reliable steward. The older man gave a respectful bow before stepping inside, his expression one of barely concealed excitement.

"My Lord, the Aetherwing Skiff has arrived. It is currently outside your workshop."

Kael’s brows rose in mild surprise. He recalled his conversation with Duke Marveil back in Valtieri. The Duke had promised to send his best scholars and engineers to assist with Project Golem, yet with the dire state of Bryndis, Kael knew the project would have to wait. First, he needed to stabilize his domain. Still, curiosity piqued, he stood from his desk.

"I wasn’t aware of its arrival. How long has it been here?"

"Just a few moments, my Lord. It made almost no noise upon landing, and with your study being soundproof, it is understandable that you didn’t notice."

Kael nodded. Unlike traditional airships that relied on massive propulsion systems, the Aetherwing Skiff functioned through refined mana channels and anti-gravity arrays, making it nearly silent. Without further delay, he strode out of his study, Harold following close behind.

Stepping outside, Kael’s eyes immediately found the sleek form of the Aetherwing Skiff. Its silver hull gleamed under the sunlight, intricate runes pulsing faintly along its surface. It was smaller than most airships, designed for quick travel rather than cargo transport. As he approached, the boarding ramp lowered smoothly, and a well-dressed figure descended first.

Pietro and Duke Marveil’s chamberlain Gideon, greeted him with a deep bow. "Baron Bryndis, it is an honor. I bring a message from His Grace."

Kael inclined his head. "You may rise. What does the Duke wish to convey?"

The chamberlain straightened, his voice calm yet assured. "His Grace anticipated that you would face staffing difficulties in managing your domain. As such, he has sent eight of his finest scholars to assist you. Given the Skiff’s limited capacity, only these eight could be sent for now. However, another group of engineers will arrive within six days."

Kael absorbed the information swiftly. Skilled personnel were a rare commodity, and receiving such aid was invaluable. Though the Project Golem was a secret for now, these scholars could still contribute to Bryndis in numerous ways. He turned his attention to the group of individuals eagerly stepping down from the Skiff.

They were a diverse bunch, dressed in varying degrees of scholarly and practical attire, their eyes alight with excitement. As they approached, each introduced themselves in turn.

"I am Lucien Varnis, expert in rune inscription and artifact enhancement. It is an absolute honor to meet you, Baron Bryndis!"

"Mariel Fontaine, alchemist and enchantment specialist. Your work... The Aetherwing Skiff is legendary!"

"Cedric Orlan, engineer and construct theorist. I’ve studied the Aetherwing Skiff’s enchantments and they are out of this world!"

"Isolde Ravenshire, historian and arcane researcher. The Aetherwing Skiff is a masterpiece! I wanted to learn from you!"

"Gareth Lindholm, artificer specializing in mana-channeling circuits. Your work with the Aetherwing Skiff is awe-inspiring!"

"Sylvaine Mercer, geomancer and infrastructure specialist. I look forward to assisting with your domain’s development!"

"Felix Dorne, specialist in magical constructs and magical reinforcement techniques. It is a dream come true to be here!"

"Leona Vexis, war-mage and magical strategist. I believe my expertise can contribute to both research and defense."

Kael blinked, mildly overwhelmed by their enthusiasm. Their eyes practically glowed with admiration, as if they were meeting an idol rather than a noble. It was clear that Duke Marveil had not told them about Project Golem, likely to maintain secrecy. For now, they would focus on helping Bryndis recover.

"Welcome to Bryndis," Kael said, offering a small but sincere smile. "Your skills will be invaluable in rebuilding this land. For now, Harold will see to your accommodations. We will discuss your roles in greater detail soon."

The scholars nodded eagerly, their excitement barely contained. As they were led away, Kael exchanged a look with Gideon.

"The Duke has my gratitude," he said. "Please convey my thanks."

Gideon inclined his head. "Of course, my lord. His Grace believes in your vision for Bryndis. We shall support you however we can."

As the chamberlain returned to the Skiff, Kael exhaled, gazing at the vast land that now belonged to him. The road ahead was long and arduous, but with the right minds by his side, he might just be able to turn Bryndis into something greater than anyone had imagined.

The rebuilding had begun.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢