My Farming Domain Is Broken

Carlos used another expansion token.

The territory grew to 1,800 square meters.

He selected the Bearkin Guardian Hall and placed it between the conquest portal and the fields.

[Wood x300 consumed]

[Stone x250 consumed]

[Iron Ore x40 consumed]

[Processed Leather x20 consumed]

The ground shook harder than it had for any previous barrack.

Thick stone pillars rose from the soil. Heavy logs formed walls around them, creating a wide hall with an open entrance. A bear’s head had been carved above the doorway.

--

Bearkin Guardian Hall

Level 1

Rare Grade

Daily Summon: 1/1

--

Carlos stood in front of it.

"Summon."

The inside of the hall became dark.

Heavy footsteps came from within.

A figure stepped through the entrance. The silhouette was almost eight feet tall.

When it came out, brown fur covered a body wider than the Hobgoblin Captain. Thick leather armor protected its chest, and an enormous wooden hammer rested over one shoulder.

The Bearkin looked at Carlos.

Then it looked at the fields behind him.

--

Bearkin Guardian

Level 3

Rare Grade

Abilities:

Heavy Strike (Level 1)

Defensive Stance (Level 1)

Threatening Roar (Level 1)

Favorability: 5/100

--

Its favorability was even lower than Rowan’s had been.

The Bearkin placed the head of its hammer against the ground that made a heavy sound.

"I was promised a territory worthy of my protection," it spoke.

Its eyes moved over the small hut, unfinished fields and single Blue Water Slime.

"This is not what I expected."

Carlos looked up at the Bearkin.

The Guardian was almost two feet taller than him and carried a hammer large enough to break the Lord’s hut with one swing.

"What did you expect?"

"Walls. Warriors. Weapons."

The Bearkin pointed toward the Common Farmland with one claw.

"This is a farm."

"The wheat paid for your hall by the way." Carlos tried to joke but the Bearkin wasn’t in the mood for it.

The Bearkin released a low growl.

"Wheat is not a wall."

"No. But a raid is coming, and I need you to help defend it."

The Guardian struck its hammer against the ground.

"Bearkin protect war lands. Not farmers."

"This is my territory. That makes the fields part of what we protect."

The Bearkin looked away as if the answer did not satisfy it.

Carlos opened his Conquest record and flipped it over toward the Bearkin who side eyed it all.

--

Conquest Level 2

Difficulty: Hell

Result: Complete

Surviving Participants:

Lord Carlos Goldwin

Blue Water Slime One

--

The Bearkin’s eyes stopped on the Hobgoblin Captain that was mentioned later.

"You killed this?"

"One helped."

The Guardian looked at Carlos’s wounds again.

It sniffed once, as if it could still smell the blood from the battle.

[Bearkin Guardian Favorability increased by 10]

--

Favorability: 15/100

--

"You fight," the Bearkin spoke. "But this is still a farm."

"Is that enough for you to protect it?"

The Guardian looked toward the empty territory edge.

"I fight in the raid. Then I judge."

Carlos moved his hand forward.

"Carlos."

The Guardian looked at the offered hand.

Its enormous paw closed around Carlos’s fingers carefully.

"Brann."

"Welcome to the territory, Brann."

Brann released him and looked toward the kitchen.

"You promised five meals every day."

Carlos’s smile weakened.

"You work quickly."

"I am hungry."

Carlos used wheat, Wild Berries and one portion of Goblin rations to prepare enough food for the Bearkin.

Brann ate all of it in less than five minutes.

"Five meals," Carlos muttered while watching the empty bowls. "That description was serious."

His private chat flashed.

--

[Cosmic Merchant]- I found your cook.

[Carlos Goldwin]- A worker?

[Cosmic Merchant]- A production barrack. Uncommon grade.

[Carlos Goldwin]- Price?

[Cosmic Merchant]- The seller wants one Random Rare Equipment Chest.

--

Carlos had received two from Hell difficulty.

He had not opened either one.

--

[Carlos Goldwin]- An Uncommon blueprint for a Rare chest is not equal.

[Cosmic Merchant]- I already told her that. She will include construction resources.

[Carlos Goldwin]- Send the description.

--

--

Hearthkeeper Lodge

Uncommon Grade

Summons Hearthkeepers trained to prepare food, manage kitchens and preserve ingredients.

Hearthkeepers receive basic self-defense training but are not dedicated combat troops.

Possible Abilities:

Cooking

Ingredient Preparation

Food Preservation

Dagger Combat

Daily Summon: 1 Hearthkeeper

Building Requirements:

Wood x150

Stone x100

Iron Ore x20

--

Carlos read it carefully.

The lodge would not give him another powerful warrior for the raid. But it would solve the kitchen’s worker requirement and increase food production every day after that.

Its members could also defend themselves if something reached the buildings.

--

[Carlos Goldwin]- What resources are included?

[Cosmic Merchant]- Wood x100, Stone x75 and Iron Ore x10.

[Carlos Goldwin]- Ask for twenty iron.

[Cosmic Merchant]- She said fifteen is final.

[Carlos Goldwin]- Accept.

--

[Trade completed]

[Random Rare Equipment Chest x1 exchanged for Hearthkeeper Lodge Blueprint x1, Wood x100, Stone x75 and Iron Ore x15]

Carlos looked at the remaining Rare Equipment Chest.

He could have opened the first and received a strong weapon or armor.

Or he could have received something useless for his current situation.

The Hearthkeeper Lodge was guaranteed progress.

He preferred that.

Carlos used the construction materials and added what remained from his inventory.

[Wood x150 consumed]

[Stone x100 consumed]

[Iron Ore x20 consumed]

The new lodge formed beside the Basic Kitchen.

It looked like a small two-story house with a stone chimney and a crossed knife and spoon carved above the door.

Warm light appeared behind its windows.

--

Hearthkeeper Lodge

Level 1

Uncommon Grade

Daily Summon: 1/1

--

Carlos selected Summon.

The door opened.

A young woman stepped out carrying a long kitchen knife in one hand and a wooden spoon in the other.

She appeared close to Carlos’s age. Dark red hair had been tied behind her head, though several loose strands framed a confident face. A fitted brown coat covered a white shirt, and two more knives rested at her waist.

Her green eyes moved across the territory.

They stopped on Brann.

Then on One.

Finally, they settled on Carlos and his blood-covered clothes. Her cheerful expression changed to concern.

"Hello! I am Mira. Which one of you is the Lord?" she asked.

Carlos raised one hand.

Mira hurried toward him.

"You are injured. Should you be standing?"

"I am recovering."

Mira looked relieved.

"I am Carlos. And I welcome you to this territory."