---

Choose a Path:

1⟩ Increase the size of the fortress to 100 metres.

2⟩ Create a semi-dome over the fortress, blocking any attacks from above.

3⟩ Decrease the consumption of Nightmare Stones.

---

Edgar stared at the three options.

For a moment, silence descended over the fortress.

Even Andrew and Oswald could tell something important was happening.

’One hundred metres?’

Edgar thought about it for a while before rejecting the option.

’Even if I have a large area under my control, I can’t utilise it completely as of yet.’

He could put Agricultural Land or warehouses outside of the fortress wall, but the chances of a Nightmare horde destroying them were very high.

The second option was tempting.

A semi-dome capable of blocking attacks from above would have been invaluable against the lizard’s flaming projectiles.

’But I don’t know if the dome can actually stop that Nightmare’s attacks.’

After thinking about it for a few moments, Edgar’s eyes drifted toward the third option.

⟨Decrease the consumption of Nightmare Stones.⟩

"..."

In the last upgrade, Edgar had this option as well, but he didn’t choose it.

Back then, the only thing in his fortress was a Watch Tower, but now things were different.

No matter how powerful a structure was, it required Nightmare Stones to function, and reducing consumption meant indirectly strengthening every structure he owned.

After taking in a deep breath, Edgar chose the third option.

The moment he made his decision, the prompt shattered into countless fragments of light.

The remaining one hundred and eighty-eight Nightmare Stones trembled.

Fifty of them immediately floated into the air, and cracks spread across their surfaces.

The familiar milky-white liquid surged outward.

The liquid spread all over the fortress, from the warehouse to the Fortress Wall.

Everything absorbed a portion of the liquid, but most of it was given to the ’Unbroken Fire.’

The gentle light that was covering a total area of thirty metres bloomed outward.

In just a matter of seconds, the range of the fire had reached fifty metres.

A new notification appeared.

---

⟨Fortress Upgrade Complete⟩

⟨Fortress Level: 3⟩

⟨Passive Effect Unlocked: Efficient Consumption⟩

⟨All Fortress Structures consume 25% fewer Nightmare Stones.⟩

⟨All Fortress Structures gain a minor durability enhancement.⟩

---

Edgar let himself smile as he nodded his head in satisfaction.

With 25% less consumption, he could recover his investment in a matter of days.

After completing the task, Edgar walked towards the chicken coop and observed them.

The chickens had already laid a few eggs that Viera had collected earlier.

Old man Oswald slowly walked behind him and stood silently.

Sensing his hesitation, Edgar asked,

"What is it?"

"...Banjo and Michi." He began. "They were quite astonished by the progress of the fortress."

"Is that a problem?"

"...I fear that the Yamhad Clan might take your sudden rise as a threat." Old man Oswald spoke his concern. "They might very well attack our fortress."

"..."

The rivalry between the Yamhad Clan and Atreus Clan was a well-known fact.

In the southern region, these two clans had a passive-aggressive relationship. Conflict between them had always been common.

Edgar wouldn’t be surprised if the Yamhad Clan thought that his sudden rise was a ploy by the Atreus Clan to control the entire South.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

The clucking of chickens echoed from inside the coop.

Edgar picked up one of the eggs and rolled it in his hand.

"Tell me, Uncle," he asked calmly. "If the Yamhad Clan wanted to attack us, how many soldiers could they send?"

Old man Oswald frowned.

"Not many."

The knowledge he had gained from all his years beside a great leader was showing itself.

"The southern region is too dangerous. Most fortresses barely have enough people to defend themselves."

"Then why would they attack?" Edgar asked.

"Fear." Oswald answered immediately.

The old man looked toward the expanded fortress.

"People fear things they don’t understand, young master."

Edgar couldn’t deny that.

If he were in their position, he would probably be suspicious as well.

The things that he had achieved would be enough to start a war just to kill him. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

’People who are comfortable with their current lives fear change the most.’

"Still..." Oswald hesitated. "I don’t think they will act immediately."

"Why?"

"Because they’re scared too."

Edgar looked at him.

"The Nightmare attacks?"

The old man nodded his head.

"If they’re smart enough, their focus should be on the Nightmare Tide that is destroying their fortresses."

Edgar rubbed his temples and said softly,

"Then we only need to make sure they don’t see us as an enemy."

Old man Oswald looked surprised.

"Young master?"

Edgar smiled.

"I don’t intend to fight the Yamhad Clan."

It would be idiotic of him to pick a fight with neighbours who were far stronger.

’However... if they attack us first, that is a different story.’

Edgar stretched his body and walked away towards the kitchen.

He was starving for something good to eat.

After asking Viera for a meal, he picked up his things and climbed the staircase leading to the fortress wall’s patrol path.

The expanded territory gave him a much better view of the surrounding wilderness.

The fog-covered plains stretched endlessly into the distance.

Edgar leaned forward and looked at the vultures perched on a dead tree.

’...How are they not affected by the Eternal Night?’

He wondered, staring at them in deep thought.

Edgar clearly remembered the words Hera had mentioned.

’Why are birds not affected by whatever is making the Nightmares?’

It was such a simple question, yet he still couldn’t think of an answer.

Letting out a sigh, Edgar sat down on the patrol path and took out the half-drawn diagram of a weapon.

It was the same diagram he had been trying to complete before he fell asleep.

Tapping the quill to remove the excess ink, Edgar wondered,

’Can I make it portable?’

It was quite possible, and that would make the weapon even more deadly.

’If I ever fight a human, perhaps this will save my life.’

Edgar licked his lips and began to perfect his prototype drawing.