Aric began his ambitious project to rebuild Ashwick. Aric was alone for the first two weeks besides Evelyn, Seraphina and Penelope helping out. Aric would manifest the materials and teach Seraphina how to wire things as a way to delegate tasks and secretly spend time with her.
Aric made a factory that is powered by solar and water energy to process silk in a more efficient manner. He also manifested multiple generator, installed power grids and stabilisers with Seraphina's help while Evelyn when back to the Arkwright estate to get some special help.
Penelope was thriving in her new role, organizing supplies in the makeshift warehouse and coordinating food distribution for Ashwick's residents.
But today, it was just him and Seraphina.
Seraphina crouched over a wiring panel inside what would soon become Ashwick's first bakery since Vayne's mismanagement. She glanced up at Aric briefly before returning her focus to the task at hand.
"Pretty sure you could've done this twice as fast." she muttered under her breath,
"Why are you even bothering me with this?"
Aric gave her a sheepish grin, scratching the back of his neck.
"Ehh, I mean…I'm kind of sloppy when I rush."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, "Sloppy? You wired Callista's entire estate single-handedly, didn't you?"
Aric slapped on his best poker face, "Ahh, look at that!" he said, pointing dramatically toward the far corner of the room where they'd stacked tools and materials earlier that morning.
"I need to carve new pathways for those sockets over there. Would you mind helping me finish wiring these ones first?"
She stared at him for a moment, clearly unimpressed by his deflection.
"Fine. Whatever keeps your 'sloppy' self from electrocuting anyone."
Aric chuckled nervously, relieved that she hadn't pressed further,
"So, uh… how's it going?"
"It's going fine." she replied dryly.
Seraphina looked over to Aric who was busy manipulating the walls for a new pathway,
Hmmmm, I think Vay- I mean, Aric, is trying to make conversation here. For the last two weeks ever since that day, I tried detaching myself in fear of Vayne taking over back but it looks like Aric is still here judging from his awkward self.
I already put two and two together on how Aric can make these inventions. It is most likely from this place called Earth. Was he some super genius or something?
I read his blueprints thoroughly and while it is super easy to understand...it bothers me on how he did it.
"Aric." she called out.
"Yeah?" he replied instantly while tilting his head slightly like a curious puppy.
"How are you able to make all these blueprints?" The words came out bluntly, I mean… I've read them. They're detailed, easy to follow, and yet…" She stopped, searching for the right phrasing.
"…they bother me."
Aric blinked, clearly taken aback by the sudden question,
Why are you asking me this now after two weeks!? Was she holding back this entire time? Was she always this curious?
"Bother you? What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean." Seraphina shot back,
"These aren't just ordinary plans. You didn't just 'think them up.' These are engineering marvels, Aric. Fridges, air conditioners, solar panels—they're things we barely understand here, let alone have access to. So tell me: where did you learn this stuff?"
Aric swallowed hard, Okay this is a code red. No way I can explain my hyperthymesia without sounding insane. I need a believable lie.
Something plausible enough to satisfy her curiosity without revealing too much.
"Well, uh…" he began, stalling for time as he pieced together his story.
"Back on Earth, I wasn't exactly just a philosopher or a soldier like everyone assumes. See, before everything went south, I used to tinker around with machines and gadgets in my spare time. My dad was kind of a handyman you know? Taught me a lot about fixing things and well...I guess some of it stuck."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
"Tinkering? That's your explanation? You expect me to believe you picked up advanced engineering skills from tinkering in your free time?"
"It's true!" Aric insisted, throwing his hands up defensively.
"Okay, maybe I exaggerated a bit but the full truth is, I spent most of my time reading books and manuals about mechanics and electronics. There's a lot you can learn if you're willing to put in the effort. Plus…"
He trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck again.
"…I might've had a knack for memorizing things. Like, really good at remembering details. It helped me piece together ideas fast enough."
Close call. he thought, exhaling silently in relief.
That should be believable enough.
But Seraphina wasn't convinced.
I noticed something about Aric...He always rubs his neck or scratches his hand whenever he gives a sub-par answer or straight up lying.
I mean, Vayne had no habit of scratching or whatever, that piece of shit was flawless in that regard...
I guess even he has secrets huh? I'll just let him off the hook for now.
She narrowed her eyes,
"So, what you're telling me you were some self-taught genius engineer hiding behind the philosopher that became soldier?"
Aric chuckled awkwardly, shrugging nonchalantly.
"Hey, don't knock on philosophers. Some of us actually think pretty hard. But yeah, I mostly kept to myself and focused on learning practical skills. Guess you could say I'm more of a hands-on guy."
She stared at him for a long moment and finally let out a soft sigh,
"Fine. I'll believe you for now."
"My lady." a voice came from behind.
Aric and Seraphina turned to see Evelyn standing there, arms crossed with a triumphant smile. She'd returned to Ashwick after visiting the Arkwright estate, bringing reinforcements with her.
- 5 days ago -
Evelyn had arrived at the Arkwright estate late one evening.
She remembered Aric's face. How determined he looked despite the weight of what he carried. How gentle he was with everyone, even those who mistrusted him.
And how utterly exhausted he seemed after days of nonstop work.
She clenched her fists, He shouldn't have to do this alone. He and Lady Seraphina even offered salaries to the people and yet they haven't taken up a single tool yet.
I get that Vayne is insufferable but surely you have some humanity no? Something is wrong in Ashwick but I need to give Vayne the reinforcement he needs first.
I'll investigate afterwards.
And so, she sought out Borin Stonefist, the in-house dwarf for the Arkwright. She explained the situation to him on how Aric was single-handedly trying to restore Ashwick and Borin was angry but in a good way,
"Bah!" Borin bellowed, stroking his thick beard thoughtfully.
"This lad be carryin' the world on his shoulders, eh? No matter. We'll help 'im lift it."
So Borin gathered his team, leaving Grumlin in charge of the house project and they departed to Ashwick.
Back in the present, Borin's booming voice cut through the air.
"Lad! Get yer arse over here!"
He emerged behind Evelyn, his dwarven craftsmen fanning out like a well-oiled machine.
"Bah! This place be in ruins! But worry not, lad. We'll fix this mess up proper. Just tell us where t' start."
For a moment, Aric just stared. Then he stepped forward, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth and extended his hand.
"You came."
Borin clasped it in both of his, his grip as firm and calloused as ever.
"'Course I did, ya twig. Thought I'd let ya drown in beams and bad lumber without me?"
Aric chuckled "It's good to see you again, Borin."
"Aye. Now quit bein' sentimental. We've got a town t' rebuild."
With the arrival of Borin and his skilled team, the painstaking effort of rebuilding homes one by one suddenly shifted. It was developing at an absurd rate, thanks to dwarven craftsmanship.
Word spread quickly among the villagers who had returned to inspect the ruins of their lives. They watched him warily, unsure whether this was some twisted trick orchestrated by Vayne.
But when Aric approached them directly, speaking softly and offering assistance without asking for anything in return, skepticism gave way to cautious gratitude and eventually, picking up contracts.
A week later, Borin and Evelyn stood in front of a new flower shop.
Borin let out a grumble, "Bah. Took 'em long enough, didn't it?"
Evelyn glanced over. "What do you mean?"
He jerked a thumb toward the villagers working in the distance,
"These folk. Why the hell are they only just now helpin' my boy? My boy been breakin' his back, fixin' this gods-forsaken place with nothin' but grit and kindness. Can't they see he ain't like that black-hearted Vayne?"
Evelyn sighed, "They do see it now. But fear's not something you shake off overnight."
Borin scoffed.
"I'm serious.," she continued. "Old Vayne burned down houses just because. Half of these people spent years terrified to even speak freely. He's different now but after what they've been through… it'll take time for them to believe kindness isn't a trap."
Still doesn't explain why Mayor Sebastian has not offered help or even encouraged the people of Ashwick to help.
I'll need to check him out.
Borin snorted again, "Aye. Maybe. Still doesn't mean I have to like it."
Now, the once-ruined town buzzed with activity after three weeks. Streets were filled with the rhythmic pounding of hammers striking nails, the shrill whine of saws cutting wood, and the occasional bursts of laughter echoing through newly constructed buildings. Children chased each other around piles of lumber, while adults worked side by side, sharing stories and songs to pass the time.
It wasn't just a reconstruction—it was a rebirth.
Penelope proved herself a natural leader in overseeing supply distribution. Her meticulous organization kept resources flowing smoothly between construction sites, earning her respect even from the gruffest of people.
Aric leaned back against a wooden railing of the makeshift warehouse balcony. Despite her height barely reaching 148 cm, she commanded their attention with an ease that bordered on absurd.
She wasn't shouting or waving her hands dramatically like some of the other overseers might have done. Instead, she stood there, calm and composed but she always left subtle threats that somehow got everyone scrambling to do exactly what she wanted.
[Huh.] Ivy's voice disturbing Aric's thought,
[It's impressive how much authority she projects for someone who used to be… well, let's say less empowered.]
Aric snorted, covering his mouth to stifle a laugh.
Less empowered? That's one way to put it. A month ago, she was literally Callista's plaything. Now look at her!
Bossing around men twice her size without breaking a sweat.
Ivy tilted her head, [Do you think they realize how terrifying she could actually be if provoked?]
Aric raised an eyebrow. Terrifying? Penelope? The girl who can't even step on an ant without apologizing?
[Exactly. She doesn't need brute force or loud words. Hear this.] She enhanced the voice of the scene where Penelope had just intercepted two workers arguing over crates of nails. One of them muttered something under his breath about "just following orders" only for Penelope to respond,
"Oh dear. Are we having trouble understanding each other? Because I'd hate to think anyone would struggle with such simple instructions. Perhaps I should assign both of you to inventory counting instead? You know, the kind that takes all night…"
The two men immediately shut up, nodding vigorously before rushing off to finish their tasks.
Aric blinked, just realising how scary she is,
Oh. Yeah she's scary. Why am I surrounded by powerful women? My wife is the strongest in the world, Evelyn could punch through a stone wall and not blink and Penelope sounds like Callista without the body count.
[Pffft—] Ivy tried to stifle a laugh, but it came through anyway,
[Well… at least none of them hate you anymore.]
Aric sighed, "That's… fair."