The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'-Chapter 441 - Reporting In To A Swordswoman, A Servant’s Effort

A/N: Apologies for the extra late Chapter... again.

(I know, I could and should just post it and not bother self-admonishing~)

One recent life stress has been *kinda* relieved, but it was instantly replaced by dozens of others that has made it hard to sit in one place and write~

I’m not *burned out*, but simply can’t find *time* to burn...

- - - - -

A month had passed around the former competition venue and the number of new tents and constructions showed no signs of shrinking to a lull. Permanent foundations were being laid for full shop-residences at key places in the central area. As well as for the core administrative buildings, though she had insisted that other needs came first.

Surveying what had rapidly become her responsibility, Qatrand gil Yecine stood atop one of the three towers remaining from the competition. Pigeon blues tracked the movement of workers reinforcing the outer defensive walls, guarding the sections that had once been separated and served different Guilds during the tournament... which were now evolving into their own neighborhoods.

Roads were being refined and mostly expanded closer to the rail line, which served as the backbone of a settlement that seemed determined to exist whether she guided it or not. Taking a breath, she walked toward the lift and took the safe way down - as the climb up had proved that her attempted practice of Adhesion was far from perfect. Slipping four times, even with ledges under her for safety, meant that she was simply not ready.

Once she was down and strolling into the Warden Patrician’s office that served as the territory’s temporary ’total management’ location, Qatrand tried to get her head back on track. Stacks of documentation, settlement maps, and correspondence from neighboring powers about potential for aid. And seated across from where she strolled to sit, at a sturdy table designed to support the weight of ledgers and land surveys, Klaytei worked.

Organizing her monthly summary with the same methodical nature she’d once applied to copying and memorizing Goltbred estate records. The woman had been trustworthy and invaluable to the young leader, especially because she willingly shared her practices to others who wanted to learn. Though the ink stains on her fingers spoke to the weeks of intensive scribe work for a mortal.

"The population count stands at four-hundred and forty-one permanent residents as of yesterday evening. That includes sixty-three families at an average of four people, seventy-eight individual mortal homesteaders that qualified the terms, forty-seven craftsmen or merchants who are trying to establish workshops in the central district, and finally fifty-nine cultivators - with the final eighty-three being divided among the ones who actually have staff and other dependents."

Raven hair shifted as Qat nodded, reviewing the hand-drawn settlement map spread between them. Blue showed ongoing construction, orange - after red ink scrawled over - marked complete constructions, and green outlined planned expansions that had yet to begin. The frantic and escalating nature of rapid development was becoming clearer with each weekly update.

"Housing situation?"

"Manageable, but barely. You have enough tents and beds in the temporary barracks, but not enough workers... even with those looking to live here pitching in. Eighteen permanent residences and twelve workshop buildings have been officially approved as habitable by registered construction Guilds."

Klaytei’s tone was neutral, but the teenager could hear the underlying strain. Agreeing to help out with this meant ’abandoning’ her duties - with approval - at the Coiled Serpent branch. But even Dima’s *understanding* and *support* through weekly letters was taking its toll!

"And of course, most of the farm homesteaders are working on their own during daylight hours. Which requires occasional patrol by willing and paid cultivators to make sure no one bites off more than they can chew. Especially when one of them decides to camp that night without coming back or telling anyone, because they overworked themselves."

Consent had primarily been given for the nearest parts of the plains, when it came to those wanting to get a start on working the land for agriculture. So the patrols did not have to travel too far most times... but any addition to existing schedules or having to ’deputize’ a free and visiting newcomer was extra hassle on long days.

"The Silversky merchant group delivered the agricultural equipment three days ago after the final estimate of plot division, along with detailed instruction scrolls that should work for even the illiterate. I’ve scheduled the implementation demonstrations for next week, but you’ll still need to coordinate with the farming families about irrigation planning once the final water survey tests are done for the well locations."

The mention of Elua’s intended innovations brought out a familiar pang of longing, quickly suppressed. Having the book of detailed notes and a concrete plan for reunion had made them less frequent, if not less powerful. Qat had read through the entire thing four times, marveling at the thoroughness of her spouse’s preparation.

While also wrestling with implementing systems she only partially understood. Delegation was a key leadership factor she had acquired a greater handle on during her strikeforce command. But explaining why she wanted some things done a certain way and not other, more common ones to professionals in the field...

’I’ve gotten more *looks* and had to rebuke more people that did not follow what I said to the letter than I ever did in the war. But at least most of them finally understand that I am never not serious when giving an order.’

"Is that the communication from the team working on the border surveys?"

After pointing out an already opened seal on a missive from the Ironclad Order, the personal servant of her wife briefly explained its contents while handing it over for review.

"Helace sent word that he identified three potential sites for defensive positions if you decide to expand in that direction. There’s also evidence of old trade route markers to the north, though any road is expected to be well buried under the ground."

"May be of interest to historians or treasure seekers."

As they talked more, a man approached the pavilion entrance... serving as mount and protector with his child’s voice saying a name repeatedly. Qat smiled as Onya’s loud energy preceded her into the administrative space. Demanding to be let down, she waddled over - with Ondua carrying what looked like another set of the construction plans people kept handing to him.

The reddish blonde child scrambled toward an empty chair beside the table and a hand shot out to lift her before she ran headlong into it. Standing on Qatrand’s lap, brown eyes peered at the maps with curiosity - like they tickled a small memory of a sister showing off an illusory city that looked like this one was turning out - while Ondua settled across from them with a slight grimace.

The month of territorial development while staying close had been educational for the Goltbred patriarch as well, watching his daughter-in-law navigate challenges with a different sort of energy than he had back when he won his own holdings. Her hard lines and stances had led to many trying to get to her through him. But it was all the waiting for news on other fronts that was really wearing him down.

"The foundation work for the central hall is progressing well. The stonemasons hired through the Valmenf arrived this morning and began reviewing the site preparations. And you have another of these proposals that want you to ignore the current rules in favor of an immediate... treasury payment."

"He means a bribe."

Klaytei corrected her main employer while grabbing the plans from him. Unlike the more abstract human challenges of governance and diplomacy, construction projects followed familiar patterns of planning and execution... and the expected human elements of self-importance and the assurance of greed.

"Any issues with their submitted design other than that?"

"Minor adjustments still need to pass your strict adherence levels. The local stone composition you are requiring of those seeking to build anything here are stringent, they say, and they’d like to bring some other kind with a specific color grain for the interior."

"But nothing that changes the overall structure. They were impressed enough with the provided architectural permits on offer - asked who made them."

The brunette said this with a smirk after Klaytei gave the rundown, knowing that the building plans were another of Elua’s gifts. Meticulously designed to account for what could be quarried locally - to attract workers and limit early expansion periods all at once. Ideas like that, the heiress looked into the moment that the venue had been decided.

Klaytei cleared her throat diplomatically, drawing attention back to her remaining reports. The woman had become adept at recognizing when discussions of Elua’s contributions threatened to spiral into a proud father and proud daughter-in-law grinning at each other like idiots.

"Nysoi has requested a meeting about the Valmenf permanent market space. They’re still willing to invest in more local construction, beyond the new caravan trail and railway, if you guarantee them long-term access rights and reasonable taxation structures."

Qat nodded at the reminder to that plan. The practical concerns of people building their lives around her decisions weighed heavily, at times. These weren’t abstract political maneuvers that existed in a vacuum of theory - they were families and businesses betting their futures and that of other on her ability to make the right calls.

A yip from nearby made Onya squeal and try to free herself from Qatrand’s hold - for the fox had wondered in, demanding attention and treats if available. The personal servant grumbled and pulled a bag of nuts from her pouch while chucking them just barely short of ’violently’ on the floor. Because bringing it along had not enticed Dima to visit once!

Of course, it would not have been possible without her Lady’s husband-wife allowing that. But the swordswoman, now kneeling and allowing the girl to carefully run her chubby hand along the russet furred beast, had no reason to refuse that request. For the Avatar had already injected itself as energy into the new and improved illusory training tool... and now the creature was just a fox.

A fox that still had a strong predisposition for females (and was barely tolerant of Qat). A beast that still had a certain fair intelligence that made it like being in semi-captivity with plentiful good food. A creature that was really more like near-total pet than a wild beast.