"This looks much better than the first ti I visited," Adrian murmured as he and Raven walked down the path leading to the plantations.
Their arms were hooked as they moved at an unhurried pace, in no rush at all.
Raven smiled softly. "Not only your artifacts, but your guardians are allowing the managent to regulate the staff far more efficiently. There is no overwork, and there is food for everyone."
The capital had been working a lot better just because they are being fed three als a day. So many things have improved that Querella now could actually take a day off from work once in a while.
Adrian humd as he stopped before one of the plantations, watching the artifacts function exactly as programd, bathing the enclosed space in steady light.
Though he did not want to dampen the mood, he knew he had to bring it up eventually. Letting out a slow breath, he glanced at his wife and asked, "But this still is not enough to feed a nation, let alone the world, is it, Querella?"
The woman glanced at him and replied calmly, "Why should I care about the world?"
Adrian smiled knowingly. "Then look in the eye and tell you do not care about what happens to them."
Raven pouted and looked away. "Well, we are not on very friendly terms with the other two nations, but if there is any surplus, we can surely share it with them."
Adrian chuckled inwardly at her defiant tone, even though he knew better than anyone how deeply she worried about every being in need.
The entire planet was suffering under the curse and the wrath of the heavens’ residents. In such circumstances, they were all the sa, equally punished and equally enduring the pain.
After a mont of thought, Adrian asked, "How long would it take to create a plantation this large?"
Raven humd softly. "I believe the outer structure could be completed within a few days if there is enough raw material, but what truly matters is the soil and the workers."
Adrian nodded. "You arrange the workers, even if you need to bring them from distant regions with the promise of shelter and food. I will provide the soil, the artifacts, and the necessary protections, as much as needed, at least enough to feed this entire nation."
He was a practical person, soone who commits himself to too much and results in nothing. He would rather start from Daven’s imdiate concern and that was her own nation.
And if the other two nations learn about the positive change taking place, it would be far easier to persuade them.
Raven turned toward him, concern filling her eyes. "Adrian, there are more than two hundred towns and cities across the nation. Even if we establish just one plantation in each of them, it would take more than eight hundred of those artifacts. And those golems were obtained from Forgelet as part of a bargain. I cannot have you repaying her for the rest of your life."
"God, such a small head and so many worries," Adrian said dramatically as he wrapped an arm around her waist and swayed slightly. "Why are you getting so concerned over sothing that amounts to manual labor for ?"
Querella looked up at him, her hand resting against his chest. "Dear, you already have so much on your plate. I would drown in guilt if you take this upon yourself as well."
Adrian sighed softly. "Is that really it? Are you treating this as a favor, even after I told you that this nation...these people are my family too?" His voice lowered. "Or are you saying that what we share is nothing more than a fragile physical bond, Querella?"
The disappointnt in his tone and the way his hand slipped from her waist made her panic.
She quickly caught his hand and pressed it back against her side. "I am sorry if it ca out that way. That is not what I ant at all. I am just worried that you will overwork yourself and won’t have ti for Ariana, Ruby, and Bella."
Adrian cupped her cheek and said, "Are you underestimating the greatest runesmith and engineer, dear?"
She smiled, and the tension in his shoulders finally eased.
"Jokes aside," he continued, "I know how to manage things. The fact is, I am close to reaching my limits in runesmithing, so I have been savoring this lull with idle research. I will simply put that ti to better use."
Querella blinked in surprise. "You are about to learn the fifth thread?"
Adrian nodded. "Yes. I recently accomplished sothing that surprised even . Because of that, I can afford to spend ti creating things that will truly help our people."
Querella heaved a sigh. What he said was true. Even if he worked on the artifacts inside the ti chamber, he could still spend ti with his partners and attend to other responsibilities. And knowing how much of a workaholic he was, managing his work and rest was not sothing that needed to be taught to him.
And she knew he must have thought things through, so arguing with him further felt like she would only upset him.
"What about Forgelet?" she asked.
Adrian nodded. "Do not worry about her. We actually talked about this a while ago. She said she would take sothing from , just one thing, surprisingly, and that would be enough to bargain for dozens of her special golems."
Raven leaned back slightly. "That sounds concerning. She does not have so ulterior intent toward my man, does she?"
Adrian laughed, the sound falling like a soft tune against her ears.
She hugged him tightly, pressing her face against his chest.
Adrian rubbed her back gently as he heard her murmur, "Why did you change so much? I once fell for an uncaring and cold man. But now...you being like this makes it hard for my heart to grasp just how far my love for you can go."
Adrian smiled warmly, his finger threading through her soft hair as he replied, "Well, sorry for your heart then since you might never be able to grasp how deep I have feelings for you."
Raven softly chuckled as she remained connected to him.
Adrian exhaled a sigh, and after a brief pause, he said, "Well, it’s about ti."
Raven shut her eyes tight and snuggled closer to him, as if to absorb as much of him as she could.
Adrian faintly smiled and said, "Please don’t be like this or it would be hard for to go."
A part of Querella wanted to say ’then don’t go,’ but then, it wasn’t truly in his hands how long he could stay. And then there was Ariana, too, who needed his presence.
Adrian had already stayed for more than twelve hours in this world, and for safety purposes, so that no other disturbance blocked the transfer, the system was urging him to leave soon.
Separating from her, Adrian cupped his wife’s cheeks and looked into her sad eyes.
"Not our first goodbye yet the pain doesn’t recede, does it?"
Querella shook her head, "When my heart desires to stay by your side till death, how can re half a day be enough?"
Adrian sighed helplessly, "Well, true. However, don’t worry, I will soon do sothing that will prevent any barrier separating us."
"Hmm?" Raven blinked in surprise, "What do you an?"
Adrian places his finger on his lips, "A secret."
His figure was covered in a silvery illumination before he leaned forward and kissed her.
Raven’s words died in her throat.
Her shoulders slumped as she stood there, arms falling to the side.
Soon, the warm sensation vanished, leaving a longing feeling in her chest.
She stood there for a few monts, then, with a smile, she started walking back to the palace.
Long day ahead.
....
Adrian heaved a sigh as his vision shifted, being pushed through a vast distance didn’t disturb him as much as the emptiness in his arms.
He crossed his arms and asked the system, ’You really need to give a way.’
[Host, bringing soone else to your world for a prolonged ti could not only be dangerous to them but to the host as well.]
Adrian wishes to sohow have Querella co to his world for a longer period once he stabilizes the situation back in her world. Ok that way, he could spend ti without everyone equally.
However, again, the unknown presence in the shadows would hinder him from doing such a thing.
Shaking his head, Adrian appeared in his room.
It was early morning so he silently turned to look at his bed, assuming he would see a sleeping Ariana there...but,
"Huh?"
On the bed were three beauties, all of them were frozen with their mouths sared with what appeared to be chocolate and cream.
But what really shocked Adrian was Ariana’s appearance.
Hair tied in twin tails and wearing a night dress that probably made for a child, she looked on verge of bursting in embarrassnt
Adrian’s lips curved in a smile as he said, "Now...this is sothing interesting."
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