The road of coconut bushes abruptly ended on the shoreline. As a result of the river was so extensive, it was laborious to inform the place the river ended, and the ocean started.

The place the bottom was eroded backward, bushes that had as soon as stood on the muddy banks now sat on the water itself, and their aching roots had been uncovered to the recent, humid air.

Underneath their shadows, colourful fish darted out of the way in which of predatory lizards and turtles. Above them, the branches had been heavy with mosses, ferns, and squabbling birds.

This space was clear, and the gold sand happy my eyes. The seashore was lengthy and shallow throughout low tide, and the sand stretched as much as a mile extensive. Nonetheless, this lovely shallow water would flip into offended waves of nightmares each excessive tide and an evening’s rain.

I knew about it as a result of that was the supply of my dilemma.

Coastal areas had been at all times subjected to saltwater, altering tides, and harsh climate. All vegetation that had been capable of develop right here had been adaptable sufficient to climate storms, take root in advanced terrain, and deal with saline waters.

However there was an exception — vegetation that grew in Everlasting Soil or Sand. I used to be fairly positive about that as a result of the proof was proper the place I stood. Flowers bloomed round the place I used to be.

Relying on my LCK, I would or won’t get that [Eternal Sand] I used to be searching for. I had foraged on this space earlier than, however I had by no means come throughout one thing like that.

My LCK was now greater. It must be excessive sufficient to let me purchase what I would like.

Bless me, particularly since I solely had three tries to forage in the identical spot in a day. If I received nothing now, I might have to attend till tomorrow to attempt once more.

<Good Luck, Host.>

Squatting down, I foraged the piles of grass and located . . .

[ACQUIRED!

❶ Broken Glass x2

❷ Driftwood x4

❸ Seashells x2

❹ Corals x4

❺ Black Bryony x2

❻ Oak x2

❼ 10 oz. of Eternal Sand]

Oh! Fortunate! I received it on the primary attempt!

ǁ E T E R N A L S A N D ǁ

● A uncommon sand that incorporates everlasting vitamins for every type of vegetation to develop.

● This soil can develop any crop, whether or not it is the season of spring, summer season, fall, or winter!

● Want not less than 4 liters of Everlasting Sand for each single plant or crop.

● Want not less than a cubic meter of Everlasting Sand for each hundred sq. meters of crops.

ǁ E N D ǁ

I launched a blast over the heavens.

After all, it wasn’t going to be straightforward. However at this price, I would not have the ability to plant something till a yr later with this minuscule quantity of sand in my hand.

Furthermore, this was the one foraging spot that contained any such soil.

<You continue to have two tries, Host>

And I did use them each.

Sadly, once I completed my three tries, it turned out that just one attempt gave me [Eternal Sand].

Properly . . . this sucks. I cursed.

After which an thought popped into my head.

That is proper!

I will have Ulysses have a look at it and see if he can replicate the sand.

<Good considering, Host! Ulysses is an S-grade Token and doubtless the best Alchemist alive immediately!>

You appear extra excited than me.

<Thrilled! You are slowly constructing your Evil Kingdom, Host! You are one step into turning into an Evil Overlord, the best villain there’s!>

First issues first, we’ll return to Haven and see what we will do in the mean time.

“My Lord!” Florin shouted the second I returned to the wagon.

She regarded ecstatic to see me once more. “You’ve got gone so lengthy that Florin misses you a lot!”

“I used to be solely gone for ten minutes,” I responded with a flat voice and deadpan face.

Florin pointed a finger over her chin and smiled coquettishly. “A second of not seeing My Lord makes Florin anxious.”

I threw myself again into the coachman’s seat and resumed the journey to my territory. “Don’t fret. As I stated, I will not go away you behind. I will offer you shelter, meals, issues, and safety so long as you do your job and keep loyal to me. You may drop the act now. You do not have to lick my boots on a regular basis.”

Florin sweetly smiled and nodded her head. “As you say, my lord.”

Minion 0 steadily walked behind the carriage as quietly because it may, and I could not assist however want that Florin was as obedient and silent.

The journey again to my lair was as peaceable because it may get, with the occasional racketing of the wagon’s wheels.

I am guessing that anytime now, it could give approach and break. Sadly, I used to be proper. That was exactly what occurred once we reached the primary signal of the gates.

My temper lightened once I noticed the gates made from lumbers. It regarded thick and durable, and it was half-finished round my home. It even had archer towers.

Would there even be archers stationed there?

Inside, my territory was slowly coming collectively. The huts remained untouched, however there was a newly constructed constructing made from stone bricks. It had two large chimneys that caught out on its blue-tiled roofs.

The brand new constructing was the biggest out of the present buildings — about twenty by ten meters, and I knew that it should be Ulysses’ lab.

A paved path stroll was already on the muddy floor, connecting all of the buildings and vital options of my territory.

Hmm . . . superb.

“My Lord.” Athena greeted me with out an inch of emotion on her pretty face. “You have got returned.”

It was secure to imagine that she wasn’t thrilled to see me once more. She did not even ask how I used to be doing or how my journey was.

Not that I cared.

“How are issues continuing?” I requested Athena.

“As scheduled. However the breakwater hasn’t began development.”

“It is high quality.”

I known as everybody and launched Florin to the group.

As I did the introduction, all Florin may do was stare at Athena with a thunderstruck expression.

I already defined the Tokens I needed to Florin, ensuring to maintain their grade a secret for security functions. I nonetheless did not belief her sufficient to let her know these sorts of vital info.

“She’s. . . she’s too lovely,” Florin exclaimed whereas exaggeratingly protecting her eyes as if she was blinded by Athena’s magnificence.

Athena solely stared at Florin lifeless within the eyes and stated with a flat voice, “Thrilled.”

I nearly laughed out loud once I heard her response.

Athena had no malice or unfavourable intentions. It was simply she had an air round her that informed everybody that nothing may faze her. It was due to this that the extra anxious somebody was round her, the extra they discovered it laborious to relax.

“Ignore her. She had a tough childhood.” I then addressed Daedalus. “I’ve all of the Tokens that you simply want. However contemplate making a shed for the animals first, a subject for the crops, in addition to Florin’s hut.”

“Egh?” Florin cocked her head to the facet. “We aren’t going to reside in the identical home?”

I flicked Florin’s brow. “No.”