The Dreamer's POV

[00 Months: 30 Days: 03 Hours]

As I took my seat in the elegant meeting room, Theo and Drius were already waiting for me, their expressions serious and focused.

I could feel the weight of the moment, a confluence of our minds coming together to assess, plan, and forge a path forward for the Lyma Family.

Drius, having just arrived the previous night from his ten-day-long expedition, looked somewhat weary but no less resolute.

He had been the representative of the Lyma Family, supporting young Theo as the heir, and traversing the various portions of the Lyma Region to further cement his influence.

'Since he acted on my instructions, I should suppose things went relatively well. From our brief talk last night, it doesn't seem there were many issues, but I need details.'

"The situation is surprisingly stable," Drius began, his voice firm and clear. "Our authority is going unchallenged, and the rest of the family are silent as well."

His eyes met mine, and I could see the satisfaction mixed with caution in his gaze.

"It's because we took steps quicker than the other family members could," I retorted, leaning back in my chair.

"They expected us to be broke and powerless, short on cash and influence. But they couldn't have expected a sudden benefactor to help us at such a critical point."

Theo, though only eight, nodded with a wisdom beyond his years. His bright eyes were filled with understanding and determination.

"That's true," he said, his voice small but strong. "They underestimated us, and now we have the advantage."

"We mustn't become complacent," Drius warned, his eyes narrowing. "While things are going relatively well, we need to keep a vigilant eye on the other regions and the remaining family members. They may be biding their time."

I agreed, feeling the weight of his words. "You're right. Our position is solid for now, but we must continue to strengthen our hold on the Lyma Region."

'The capital's reconstruction is well underway, but we couldn't afford to burden the other areas with the funds for reconstruction, so I had to use the excuse of a foreign benefactor as a way to use the funds with me.

Instead of burdening the people, we simply called for more labor, which works in their favor since they'll receive lucrative wages, and a chance to live in the city for lower costs compared to any new resident; all based on their contributions to the construction.'

It took a while to develop a functional framework since I wasn't used to this sort of thing, but I was eventually able to get the hang of it.

Drius detailed his observations from his expedition, describing the state of the various lands and cities within our region.

Most were thriving, while others needed support and investment.

Areas like The Outpost needed to be redeveloped, and a lot of unused land had to be utilized for more important things.

'I plan to use the Wild Lands once the construction here is over. We need to make the Region more prosperous under Theo's rule in order to prove his competence.'

The only problem was the limitation of time. There was only so much we could do with the construction.

'The workers need breaks, and they can't keep going all day. I can only summon a limited amount of Minions as well, so there's that.'

In essence, whether I liked it or not, I was bound by the constraint of time.

'We can't divert attention to too many places at once too. If we take more natives, particularly adventurers, as laborers, it'll thin out the security and productivity in other areas. Since the workforce is finite, we'll have to settle for this for now.'

Considering all of these factors, I had to be careful about where to tread.

"We need to prioritize the areas that require immediate attention," I suggested, feeling the gravity of our responsibility. "Infrastructure, education, security—all must be addressed comprehensively. We're rebuilding not just buildings, but the entire Capital's structure."

Theo's eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and seriousness. "I want to create a region that stands for fairness, progress, and opportunity. I want our family's legacy to be one of benevolence and wisdom."

'Oh? Would you look at that.' I smiled at him.

I really liked this kid.

We spent the next hour immersed in a profound and insightful discourse. We discussed strategies, policies, potential threats, and opportunities.

We debated, questioned, and refined our vision.

As our strategic conversation drew to a close, Drius and Theo turned their eyes to me, and I could sense a deep appreciation welling in them.

"Luke," Drius began, his voice laden with emotion, "I don't think words can express our gratitude for connecting us with your wealthy friend from the Western Republic. Without his sponsorship, I'm not sure where we would be right now."

Theo chimed in, his young face aglow with sincerity. "Thank you, Luke. You've been like a guardian angel to us. You saved our family, and you're doing so much for us."

That's right. They still considered me as Luke, and while I was actually funding the Lyma Family from its own treasury, they didn't need to know that.

For all Drius and Theo knew… I was being a good samaritan.

I reached across the table and placed my hand over Theo's.

"You don't have to thank me," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "I made a vow to Seraphina and the Duke, and I intend to keep it. I will look after you, Theo, until you are able to stand on your own. I see so much potential in you, so much strength and wisdom. I believe in you."

Drius's eyes welled with tears, and he looked away, clearly moved by my words. His body shook with silent sobs, his shoulders rising and falling.

'For such a grown man, he sure is very emotional…'

After a moment, he looked back at me, his eyes red but shining with resolve. "I've seen many things in my life, Luke, but rarely have I witnessed such selflessness and devotion. Your actions speak louder than any words ever could."

Theo's smile was warm and genuine, his eyes reflecting pure gratitude. "I feel safe with you, Luke. I know I can trust you."

'That is the goal.' My thoughts trailed.

We spent the next several hours talking, not just about the future of the Lyma Family and the region but about ourselves, our hopes, dreams, fears, and aspirations.

We shared stories, laughed, and even shed a few more tears. That last part was mostly Drius, though.

Even Theo remained composed. Enjoy new chapters from empire

Over the course of the weeks we had spent together, the bond between us had strengthened considerably.

They say hardships bring people closer together. I had to see that as true.

Our relationship was forged in the crucible of that shared painful experience and our current situation

'They no longer consider me just an ally or acquaintance; I've become family.'

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[A/N]

We'll soon get to the main story, so brace yourselves.

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Thanks for reading.

Cheers!