Manor Lord of the Elf World

Chapter 8 Building a Wooden House

The candlelight illuminated the entire tent.

Raven sat at the table, savoring the fish soup served by the maid.

The miniature dragon curled up to one side, happily devouring the fish.

The fish soup in the bowl was steaming hot. The soup was delicious and the fish meat was tender. One sip and your whole body felt warm.

Raven quickly filled his stomach.

He looked at the parchment scroll in front of him that depicted a map of the Unova region, and tried his best to guess his current location.

Based on Eindook's location and the route provided by the old butler Eriff, they are currently most likely located in the northeastern part of the Unova region.

But Raven didn't know the exact location.

He sat at the table with his arms crossed, quietly pondering as he reviewed the detailed information of the people in his territory.

"Your Highness Raven, the acting Grand Master of the Knights, Ryan, requests an audience!" The maid's voice interrupted Raven's thoughts.

Raven snapped out of his daze and said, "Let him in."

Ryan, that silly boy, quickly ran in from outside.

"Your Highness Raven, we have completed our investigation of the area surrounding the camp!"

“Go on,” Raven nodded.

Ryan: "The Knights have discovered traces of many small magical beasts in the nearby forest. So far, those small magical beasts pose no threat to us. However, for some reason, we haven't encountered a single large magical beast in the past two days..."

"Perhaps they are just hibernating?" Old Butler Elif couldn't help but speculate. As far as he knew, some large magical beasts had the habit of hibernating.

Hibernation? A circled bear? Raven seemed to be thinking.

“Then I don’t know.” Ryan paused, then added, “We’ll continue our investigation deeper into the forest tomorrow when it’s light.”

If they discover traces of a large magical beast, they need to prepare in advance.

Raven nodded, looking at the burning charcoal in the brazier, and asked, "Erif, how much charcoal is left?"

Elif: "We've used up a lot of charcoal along the way, and the current amount is only enough for us to use for another month. Some civilians have started to go into the forest on their own to find dry branches and wood to make fires for warmth."

"A month?" Raven frowned. If this continued, those civilians would probably be in danger.

His tent was made of fine leather, which could provide some protection against wind, snow, and cold air.

But the civilian tents were different.

It's not the coldest time yet; in another month, the temperature will drop to its lowest point.

If there is no wood available for burning for warmth, many people in the territory will inevitably freeze to death.

What should I do?
Raven frowned. At that moment, he suddenly realized that any decision he made would affect the fate of these seventy-eight people.

After a moment of contemplation, Raven suddenly remembered the attendants with special skills that the old king had arranged for him.

"Elif, have the carpenter come over here."

"Okay, Your Highness."

Elif got up and left, returning to the tent shortly after with a burly middle-aged man. Looking at the imposing man before him, Raven asked:
"If you have enough manpower and tools, how long would it take you to build a log cabin?"

This territory is adjacent to a vast forest with abundant timber resources.

Carpenter Tucker honestly replied, "From collecting materials to cutting them into planks and then building the house, it would take me about a month by myself. This is just for the most basic log cabin. If it's a large log cabin, it will take even longer."

"More than a month?" Raven thought for a moment, then asked, "What if everyone in the entire territory helps?"

“Then it will probably take a few days to complete a small cabin!” Tucker said.

“In that case, I’ll leave it to you.” Raven looked at the group: “Ryan, we’ll temporarily halt reconnaissance tomorrow. You’ll lead everyone to help Uncle Tucker cut down timber.”

“Yes!” Ryan knew the importance of the matter and immediately agreed.

Raven: "Elif, give the order that starting tomorrow, everyone in the camp except the wounded must go out to work—fishing, gathering berries, helping to collect wood. Tell everyone that as long as we get through this winter, everything will be alright!"

“Understood, Your Highness Raven.” Elif nodded gently.

Raven paused, then said, "Also, Ryan, I have a favor to ask of you. When you're cutting down trees, I'd like you to search the area for any fire-breathing magical beasts...

"A fire-breathing monster?" Ryan was stunned.

Raven nodded. Wood is a consumable resource; if used as fuel, it will eventually burn out.

But Fire-type Pokémon are different. As long as they are provided with food, they can mobilize the energy in their bodies to use moves like Flamethrower to start a fire and keep warm.

Pokémon like Charmander, Rapidash, Magmar, and Lavabug can use their flames and high temperatures to keep humans warm, even without needing wood.

More importantly, the power of Fire-type Pokémon can be used to fire cement and bricks, thereby building stronger and safer houses.

Looking at Raven's expression, Ryan suddenly had an unbelievable guess. Recalling what he had seen during the day, he couldn't help but ask:
"Your Highness Raven, do you intend to use those fire-breathing magical beasts?!"

"To be precise, it's by borrowing the power of [Warcraft]."

"Using the power of magical beasts?" Everyone was stunned.

Raven turned his gaze to the Dratini and said slowly, "From what I've observed, magical beasts are not uncontrollable. They are intelligent, possess wisdom, and can even understand human language—Dratini, come over here."

Having just drunk a bowl of fish soup, the Mini Dragon heard Raven's call and, to everyone's surprise, happily flew into his arms.

Okay, okay!

"Your Highness Raven, are you perhaps referring to forcibly enslaving them?" Tucker asked, looking at the mini-dragons.

As far as he knew, there were many people in the royal city who specialized in capturing weak magical beasts, putting them in shackles, and using whips to coerce them into working.

If the monsters disobey, they will be met with a severe beating.

“No, it’s not enslavement, but a more intimate relationship.” Raven shook his head: “Like this magical beast called Mini Dragon, well, or to give you another example that you can understand better.”

Raven paused, then continued, "Just like my father and Bictini."

Everyone in Eindooc knows that their king, in his youth, used the power of a magical beast called Victini to defeat an enemy kingdom and establish the Kingdom of Eindooc.

And that Bictini still lives with the king in the royal city to this day.

(End of this chapter)