Aric began his ambitious project to rebuild Ashwick. Aric was alone for the first two weeks besides Evelyn, Seraphina and Penelope helping out. Aric would manifest the materials and teach Seraphina how to wire things as a way to delegate tasks and secretly spend ti with her.
Aric made a factory that is powered by solar and water energy to process silk in a more efficient manner. He also manifested multiple generator, installed power grids and stabilisers with Seraphina's help while Evelyn when back to the Arkwright estate to get so special help.
Penelope was thriving in her new role, organizing supplies in the makeshift warehouse and coordinating food distribution for Ashwick's residents.
But today, it was just him and Seraphina.
Seraphina crouched over a wiring panel inside what would soon beco Ashwick's first bakery since Vayne's mismanagent. She glanced up at Aric briefly before returning her focus to the task at hand.
"Pretty sure you could've done this twice as fast." she muttered under her breath,
"Why are you even bothering with this?"
Aric gave her a sheepish grin, scratching the back of his neck.
"Ehh, I an…I'm kind of sloppy when I rush."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, "Sloppy? You wired Callista's entire estate single-handedly, didn't you?"
Aric slapped on his best poker face, "Ahh, look at that!" he said, pointing dramatically toward the far corner of the room where they'd stacked tools and materials earlier that morning.
"I need to carve new pathways for those sockets over there. Would you mind helping finish wiring these ones first?"
She stared at him for a mont, clearly unimpressed by his deflection.
"Fine. Whatever keeps your 'sloppy' self from electrocuting anyone."
Aric chuckled nervously, relieved that she hadn't pressed further,
"So, uh… how's it going?"
"It's going fine." she replied dryly.
Seraphina looked over to Aric who was busy manipulating the walls for a new pathway,
Hmmmm, I think Vay- I an, Aric, is trying to make conversation here. For the last two weeks ever since that day, I tried detaching myself in fear of Vayne taking over back but it looks like Aric is still here judging from his awkward self.
I already put two and two together on how Aric can make these inventions. It is most likely from this place called Earth. Was he so super genius or sothing?
I read his blueprints thoroughly and while it is super easy to understand...it bothers on how he did it.
"Aric." she called out.
"Yeah?" he replied instantly while tilting his head slightly like a curious puppy.
"How are you able to make all these blueprints?" The words ca out bluntly, ''I an… I've read them. They're detailed, easy to follow, and yet…" She stopped, searching for the right phrasing.
"…they bother ."
Aric blinked, clearly taken aback by the sudden question,
Why are you asking this now after two weeks!? Was she holding back this entire ti? Was she always this curious?
"Bother you? What do you an?"
"You know what I an." Seraphina shot back,
"These aren't just ordinary plans. You didn't just 'think them up.' These are engineering marvels, Aric. Fridges, air conditioners, solar panels—they're things we barely understand here, let alone have access to. So tell : where did you learn this stuff?"
Aric swallowed hard, Okay this is a code red. No way I can explain my hyperthysia without sounding insane. I need a believable lie.
Sothing plausible enough to satisfy her curiosity without revealing too much.
"Well, uh…" he began, stalling for ti as he pieced together his story.
"Back on Earth, I wasn't exactly just a philosopher or a soldier like everyone assus. See, before everything went south, I used to tinker around with machines and gadgets in my spare ti. My dad was kind of a handyman you know? Taught a lot about fixing things and well...I guess so of it stuck."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
"Tinkering? That's your explanation? You expect to believe you picked up advanced engineering skills from tinkering in your free ti?"
"It's true!" Aric insisted, throwing his hands up defensively.
"Okay, maybe I exaggerated a bit but the full truth is, I spent most of my ti reading books and manuals about chanics and electronics. There's a lot you can learn if you're willing to put in the effort. Plus…"
He trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck again.
"…I might've had a knack for morizing things. Like, really good at rembering details. It helped piece together ideas fast enough."
Close call. he thought, exhaling silently in relief.
That should be believable enough.
But Seraphina wasn't convinced.
I noticed sothing about Aric...He always rubs his neck or scratches his hand whenever he gives a sub-par answer or straight up lying.
I an, Vayne had no habit of scratching or whatever, that piece of shit was flawless in that regard...
I guess even he has secrets huh? I'll let him off the hook for now.
She narrowed her eyes,
"So, what you're telling you were so self-taught genius engineer hiding behind the philosopher that beca soldier?"
Aric chuckled awkwardly, shrugging nonchalantly.
"Hey, don't knock on philosophers. So of us actually think pretty hard. But yeah, I mostly kept to myself and focused on learning practical skills. Guess you could say I'm more of a hands-on guy."
She stared at him for a long mont and finally let out a soft sigh,
"Fine. I'll believe you for now."
"My lady." a voice ca from behind.
Aric and Seraphina turned to see Evelyn standing there, arms crossed with a triumphant smile. She'd returned to Ashwick after visiting the Arkwright estate, bringing reinforcents with her.
- 5 days ago -
Evelyn had arrived at the Arkwright estate late one evening.
She rembered Aric's face. How determined he looked despite the weight of what he carried. How gentle he was with everyone, even those who mistrusted him.
And how utterly exhausted he seed after days of nonstop work.
She clenched her fists, He shouldn't have to do this alone. He and Lady Seraphina even offered salaries to the people and yet they haven't taken up a single tool yet.
I get that Vayne is insufferable but surely you have so humanity no? Sothing is wrong in Ashwick but I need to give Vayne the reinforcent he needs first.
I'll investigate afterwards.
And so, she sought out Borin Stonefist, the in-house dwarf for the Arkwright. She explained the situation to him on how Aric was single-handedly trying to restore Ashwick and Borin was angry but in a good way,
"Bah!" Borin bellowed, stroking his thick beard thoughtfully.
"This lad be carryin' the world on his shoulders, eh? No matter. We'll help 'im lift it."
So Borin gathered his team, leaving Grumlin in charge of the house project and they departed to Ashwick.
Back in the present, Borin's booming voice cut through the air.
"Lad! Get yer arse over here!"
He erged behind Evelyn, his dwarven craftsn fanning out like a well-oiled machine.
"Bah! This place be in ruins! But worry not, lad. We'll fix this ss up proper. Just tell us where t' start."
For a mont, Aric just stared. Then he stepped forward, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth and extended his hand.
"You ca."
Borin clasped it in both of his, his grip as firm and calloused as ever.
"'Course I did, ya twig. Thought I'd let ya drown in beams and bad lumber without ?"
Aric chuckled "It's good to see you again, Borin."
"Aye. Now quit bein' sentintal. We've got a town t' rebuild."
With the arrival of Borin and his skilled team, the painstaking effort of rebuilding hos one by one suddenly shifted. It was developing at an absurd rate, thanks to dwarven craftsmanship.
Word spread quickly among the villagers who had returned to inspect the ruins of their lives. They watched him warily, unsure whether this was so twisted trick orchestrated by Vayne.
But when Aric approached them directly, speaking softly and offering assistance without asking for anything in return, skepticism gave way to cautious gratitude and eventually, picking up contracts.
A week later, Borin and Evelyn stood in front of a new flower shop.
Borin let out a grumble, "Bah. Took 'em long enough, didn't it?"
Evelyn glanced over. "What do you an?"
He jerked a thumb toward the villagers working in the distance,
"These folk. Why the hell are they only just now helpin' my boy? My boy been breakin' his back, fixin' this gods-forsaken place with nothin' but grit and kindness. Can't they see he ain't like that black-hearted Vayne?"
Evelyn sighed, "They do see it now. But fear's not sothing you shake off overnight."
Borin scoffed.
"I'm serious.," she continued. "Old Vayne burned down houses just because. Half of these people spent years terrified to even speak freely. He's different now but after what they've been through… it'll take ti for them to believe kindness isn't a trap."
Still doesn't explain why Mayor Sebastian has not offered help or even encouraged the people of Ashwick to help.
I'll need to check him out.
Borin snorted again, "Aye. Maybe. Still doesn't an I have to like it."
Now, the once-ruined town buzzed with activity after three weeks. Streets were filled with the rhythmic pounding of hamrs striking nails, the shrill whine of saws cutting wood, and the occasional bursts of laughter echoing through newly constructed buildings. Children chased each other around piles of lumber, while adults worked side by side, sharing stories and songs to pass the ti.
It wasn't just a reconstruction—it was a rebirth.
Penelope proved herself a natural leader in overseeing supply distribution. Her ticulous organization kept resources flowing smoothly between construction sites, earning her respect even from the gruffest of people.
Aric leaned back against a wooden railing of the makeshift warehouse balcony. Despite her height barely reaching 148 cm, she commanded their attention with an ease that bordered on absurd.
She wasn't shouting or waving her hands dramatically like so of the other overseers might have done. Instead, she stood there, calm and composed but she always left subtle threats that sohow got everyone scrambling to do exactly what she wanted.
[Huh.] Ivy's voice disturbing Aric's thought,
[It's impressive how much authority she projects for soone who used to be… well, let's say less empowered.]
Aric snorted, covering his mouth to stifle a laugh.
Less empowered? That's one way to put it. A month ago, she was literally Callista's plaything. Now look at her!
Bossing around n twice her size without breaking a sweat.
Ivy tilted her head, [Do you think they realize how terrifying she could actually be if provoked?]
Aric raised an eyebrow. Terrifying? Penelope? The girl who can't even step on an ant without apologizing?
[Exactly. She doesn't need brute force or loud words. Hear this.] She enhanced the voice of the scene where Penelope had just intercepted two workers arguing over crates of nails. One of them muttered sothing under his breath about "just following orders" only for Penelope to respond,
"Oh dear. Are we having trouble understanding each other? Because I'd hate to think anyone would struggle with such simple instructions. Perhaps I should assign both of you to inventory counting instead? You know, the kind that takes all night…"
The two n imdiately shut up, nodding vigorously before rushing off to finish their tasks.
Aric blinked, just realising how scary she is,
Oh. Yeah she's scary. Why am I surrounded by powerful won? My wife is the strongest in the world, Evelyn could punch through a stone wall and not blink and Penelope sounds like Callista without the body count.
[Pffft—] Ivy tried to stifle a laugh, but it ca through anyway,
[Well… at least none of them hate you anymore.]
Aric sighed, "That's… fair."
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