Chapter 44

With his father Count Aaron’s full backing secured, Rian’s progress was unstoppable. From the next day, a small but great wind of change began to blow through the Aster estate.

Rian first summoned the estate’s blacksmiths and carpenters. The taciturn craftsmen, who had spent decades hammering and sawing, were bewildered that a thirteen-year-old young master had called for them.

“I know you’re all busy; I’m sorry to have called you here.”

Rian bowed politely before the gathered craftsmen. His humble demeanor eased their wariness somewhat. He unfolded the blueprint of a ‘pump’ he had drawn himself before them.

“This is a device called a ‘pump.’ Using pressure differences, it can lift water from deep down with very little force. I need your skills.”

The craftsmen tilted their heads at the strange drawing they’d never seen before. Some scoffed that it looked like a child’s doodle. Then the estate’s most stubborn old blacksmith, “One-eyed Barun,” stepped forward.

“Young master, I’ve worked metal my whole life, but I’ve never seen such a bizarre contraption. Do you really think this is possible for us?”

“A single result is more convincing than a hundred explanations.”

Rian did not lose his smile.

“Mr. Barun, trust me and give me just three days. I’ll provide all the materials and support. If we fail, I’ll generously compensate you for your lost time.”

The craftsmen, half doubtful but reassured by the young man’s confident manner and the count’s backing behind him, finally took up their hammers. Rian holed up in the workshops for days, carving metal and planing wood with them. He did more than give orders; he explained and demonstrated the principles and assembly of each part himself, drawing on knowledge from his previous life. The craftsmen’s doubts gradually turned into awe at his deep knowledge and precise calculations.

At last, three days later, beside the village’s old well a strange metal contraption—the first manual pump—was installed. The estate residents who had heard the rumor gathered and buzzed at the curious device.

“What on earth does that thing do?”
“I heard the second young master saw it in a book and made it…”

Rian stepped forward before the many onlookers and took Lily’s hand, pulling her forward.

“Lily, would you grab that handle and press it down once?”
“Okay, big brother!”

Without knowing anything, Lily gripped the long pump handle with her small hand and pressed down. Then a wondrous sight unfolded before everyone’s eyes. Cool water gushed from the pump’s spout with a rush. There was no need to heave up the heavy bucket as before. With the little strength of a ten-year-old girl, the well water flowed endlessly.

“Wow! Water! Water’s coming out!”

Lily shouted in delight, and the estate folk watching let out incredulous exclamations. An old man cautiously approached and pressed the handle himself. Tears of joy welled in his eyes at the effortless stream of water.

“Oh, gods… Magic! This is Magic!”

That day, the Aster estate was swept up in a festive mood. The residents no longer saw the second young master as a frail bookworm. He had brought a miracle to the estate, a wise and benevolent figure.

The pump’s success became the catalyst for other reforms. Under Rian’s direction, a systematic water and sewage system began to be built across the estate, and farmers lined up to learn the newly distributed plows and fertilizer methods. The estate regained vitality day by day.

Rian quietly watched the bustling estate from his study window. Beside him his personal maid Elise set down freshly baked cookies and warm tea.

“Young master, aren’t you overdoing it lately? You don’t look well again. If you collapse like this…”

Elise’s nagging was the same as ever, but her voice carried deep respect.

“I’m fine, Elise. It’s actually enjoyable.”

Rian said, picking up a cookie.

“There’s nothing more delightful than planting a seed, watching it sprout, and finally seeing the forest it becomes.”

His gaze was fixed beyond the estate, toward the dark and vast monster forest.

The ‘Ashen Worm cult.’ No matter how powerful a plague they spread, a forest with strong roots and the power to purify itself never dies. The Aster estate was now training itself, in its own way, to confront the invisible threat.