The side passages indeed led into the other burrows and Aidens group ran into a team of Guardians fighting a battle against about a hundred of what looked like female Ratling’s. Aiden had no qualms about killing them. Male or female they were monster and the aggressors in this conflict. If they didn’t take them all out now, with the quick pace these things reproduced they would become another problem down the line.

His group charged into the rear of the Ratling’s, catching them off guard and allowing both group’s to clear the area that much quicker. The two groups then split up and went on to explore the rest of the burrows, finding a couple more stragglers along the way and quickly dispatching them. Half an hour later, Aiden received a quest completion message letting him know that they were done.

With a weary Aiden and his group headed outside to rejoin the others. The seven leaders of Hardwick led the way back with the rest of the citizens following close behind. The were smiling and chatting excitedly. Looking even more exhausted then they had before, but exuding such relief that it made him smile. The people of Hardwick that would chose to remain behind would now be safe again and the leaders could breath easy.

There was a small funeral pyre built for the dead, and a small ceremony was held outside the town walls. Everyone attended and payed their respects. Some Aiden noticed looked ashamed. Most likely because they chose to remain behind and not participate in the battle. From the story they all heard from William, they must have realized that these people would most likely still be alive if more had volunteered.

He couldn’t really blame them however, they were all exhausted and worn down from the last four days of fighting. Most of these people still hadn’t accepted up until a few days ago their changed reality, it being difficult to get used to. He hope that a lot of them would wake up a bit after this ordeal and stop hiding behind other people and the city walls. From the look of those around him, this would be true for the majority.

A huge celebration followed afterwards, with all the Guardians treated to food and drink by the relieved and happy townspeople. Aiden got into the festive mood himself and danced a bit with Victoria, then took Cassandra for a spin as well. It was a good way to put the past few hours behind him and his Guardians and the last few days for the townspeople. He sat down a bit later and asked where they got the alcohol.

Isabella (one of the Hardwick leaders) told him that they had someone who knew how to make it, and with the help of a few others were using a downed but still intact water tower to brew it. Aiden hoped the man would be one of those that came with them to Eden, so he could select the brewer class for himself and start making booze for the town. When the party eventually wound down the Guardians all took shelter in the keep for the night.

After lunch the next day Aiden met with a slightly less tired looking William and they discussed the particulars of what would happen now. William would be left in charge of Hardwick and the 384 people who chose to remain behind, 91 of them being chosen other then William and Mark who would also remain behind and help his friend.

60 of them were selected by William to serve under him as the town guard, who created another organization to lead them. He promised that all of them would be going out to the woods and fighting monsters from now on to get stronger. Hopefully next time be able to protect the town by themselves.

The remainder of the town chose to head back with the Order. A total of 1,392 people would slowly be escorted by the Guardians to Eden over the next two to three days in groups of one to two hundred at a time.

Aiden Purchased a communication’s crystal that cost 50,000 credits for Hardwick, that would be placed inside the Palace meeting room. He would place another inside his Mansion's meeting room so the two towns could communicate with each other in case there was trouble. They were simple touch devices that you would place your hand on and speak the name of the place you wanted to connect to.

The other crystal would then make a noise and start to flash until someone did the same on the other end. The crystal would then allow voice communication between the two individuals touching their respective crystals. He had no clue how they actually functioned, but in a world where he could shoot ice from his hands and jump nearly ten feet in the air, he wasn’t going to destroy his brain cells thinking about it.

Baron Winters also authorized William to access the building function for the town with a maximum budget of 100,000 credits per week should he need it. With less then 400 people staying in the town it should be more then sufficient for now.

William immediately spent 90,000 credits on two rows of residences so the Palace could be emptied out. The palace would be used as a town hall and the city guards headquarters for now. It had 25 bedrooms in it, which would be enough for about half the guard to stay in, with the rest taking the keep. They would swap out occasionally to keep it fair, as the palace bedrooms were a lot nicer and more comfortable.

The victorious Guardians headed out an hour later with the first group of 150 people being escorted back to Eden. Aiden checked over all the gains from the battle. From this entire expedition he earned over 100,000 essence, including the quest reward. He was now level 26 in his main class and level 10 in his second one. He also now had a total of 238,750 personal credits saved up that he could use to further upgrade his gear if he needed to.

With all the Ratling’s killed by the Guardians and the others, and a % of their credits going into the town coffers, plus the rewards everyone got from the completed quest there was now 996,720 credits to spend after William purchased the residences. He would be needing the funds to purchase homes for the new citizens. He would be doing it as soon as they got back.

Once everyone was inside the walls of Eden, Aiden wasted no time and opened up his construction interface. He first sold all the residences after they were emptied of all belongings, and recouped 20% of their cost adding a further 36,000 to the bank.

He replaced them with upgraded versions that cost 100,000 credits for each row, adding a further 6 rows as well. He placed four of the new residences to the north next to the bathhouse creating a square with a small park in the middle. The other two were placed to the right of the market above the farm.

These new housing units had three floors instead of two and could house 36 people per unit and 180 per row. The apartments were larger and slightly more furnished and now also had a small working shower. The ten residences would be enough for now, able to comfortably house 1,800 people. He would add more once there was enough in the bank.

The crafting hall would have to be upgraded as well, and would be his next purchase. After that the Baron planned to withhold from spending anymore money until he had enough to expand the town. If the population kept increasing this fast he would soon run out of room to build. He knew that finding such large groups of survivors from now on would be unlikely, but he wanted to be prepared just in case they did. With the added influx of citizens adding to the tax, he should have enough in a few weeks time.

The average awakened heading into the wild to fight managed to earn anywhere between 3-20 thousand credits per day depending on the person. The guardians and most of the army earned a little more then the average, actually having a quota that Teresa had set.

Not everyone went out to fight everyday of course, maybe about half of those that could did. With the army alternating days between sending its people out. Then there was what the crafters earned from selling their wares to the system via the market he purchased, which he didn’t even know was possible when he purchased it. This added a further chunk of income to the town as well.

With 10% percent going in the bank, the total earnings per day for Fengaria were now over 950,000. 740,000 of which was used to pay the normal citizens for their work, leaving an income of just over 215,000 system credits per day. It was a respectable sum and would add up quickly.

All the new citizens arrived safely and were housed by the third day of Aiden being back. 412 of them decided to join the Fengarian Army adding to Teresa’s severely lacking manpower manifold. 18 wanted to join Allan on the Donna so they were added to his newly created organization called the Fengarian Navy (again keeping it simple). Yet another organization was also started named ‘Hunters’ and was exactly what it sounded like. The 56 people that joined would be responsible for hunting meat and skins for the town.

The five leaders of Hardwick that came back with him joined the Order of the Guardians and recommended another 36 people that they trusted who joined as well. The rest of the Mana awakened that numbered 328 and who were mostly elderly and children joined as ordinary citizens. Aiden was currently sitting on a bench in one of the two parks perusing the population menu which looked like so.

Current Totals In Eden:

The Order of the Guardians = 93

The Fengarian Army = 422

The Fengarian Navy = 19

Hunters = 56

Mana awakened citizens = 339

Non Mana awaken citizens = 736

Total population = 1,666

Current Totals In Hardwick:

Hardwick Town Guard = 62

Mana awaken citizens = 30

Non Mana awaken citizens = 292

Total population = 384

Current Totals In Fengaria:

The Order of the Guardians = 94

The Fengarian Army = 422

The Fengarian Navy = 19

Hunters = 56

Hardwick Town Guard = 61

Mana awakened citizens=369

Non mana awakened citizens=1028

Total population = 2050

His Earldom had expanded quite a bit in the past week and he needed help running everything. He got off his ass and went to track down the people he wanted to talk to. An hour later inside the Order’s headquarters a meeting was taking place between a few people Aiden got together. Aiden started out the meeting by saying “I need your help.”

When everyone’s attention was on him he elaborated. “I can’t possibly continue to run this place by myself with the expanded population. I know a lot of you here already do some of the work and help out where you can, so thank you for that. I brought you all here today to form an official group that would be helping me to run the Barony of Fengaria. I want to form two councils here today. The first would consist of Bret, Margaret, Cassandra, Dean, Lily, Tess, Alicia, Benjamin, Allan, Teresa and finally Victoria here.” He said motioning to his right where Victoria sat.

“This first council ‘name pending’ will be the official ruling body of Fengaria and will have input on any major decisions going forward. I would look to you for advice and help overseeing specific projects in the future as well. We need a command structure going forward or issues will undoubtedly arise, so from now on we will decide things with a majority vote. I will be able to over rule any decisions if I disagree with you but I wont use the option unless I have strong feelings against something that’s voted on.” He looked at every one and they all nodded seemingly onboard with the Idea.

“The second council, again ‘name pending’ will consist of our new friends from Hardwick if they accept the job. Samuel, Carlos, Tanner, Myra, and Isabella for those of you who haven’t been introduced yet, all have experience in what I would like this second council to do."

"Your roles would be overseeing Eden’s day to day operation’s and be responsible for the citizens general welfare. Addressing their needs as best you can and bringing any issues that might arise before the first council. You would also be responsible for things like finding people to fit certain roles, like teachers for the new school that’s being constructed.” Aiden finished.

They discussed the particulars for a bit until everyone was on the same page, and then suggestions were brought up and voted on for the names. The first council would from then on be called ‘The Circle’ and the second be known as the ‘Executives’.

Aiden chatted a bit and reassured Cassandra who seemed a bit overwhelmed by the responsibility being bestowed upon her, that yes he wanted her as a member of ‘The Circle’ and that he trusted her to not let him down. She eased somewhat at his words and they talked a bit more catching up. He inquired about her overall life and how she was getting along with everyone in the Guardians.

“I’m doing alright, nothing to complain about. Although as one of your advisers, I’m advising you that the town need’s some entertainment. It’s extremely boring when I’m not out fighting monsters or Mining. It’s usually just me and Laura hanging out and talking about random things.” Aiden nodded smiling and replied to her near demand.

“If only it were that easy. Most of what we used to do for entertainment like watching television or listening to music is no longer possible. I guess I could get some people working on building a bowling alley or something, or you know, I could build a bar and have people start brewing drinks but your too young for that.” Aiden said with an amused laugh at her pouting face and rejection of his proclamation that she was too young to drink.

She did remind him abut something that was on his mind before, but it would have to wait until he expanded the town. He would need more room to work with to set up recreational areas, and right now it wasn’t a priority.

He once again took a glance at the Survival quest countdown which he was doing more often these last few days. It had nearly been 30 days since the awakening and a new wave of Mana beasts would soon spawn. The timer read just under 18 hours, which would put the time at tomorrow at noon. Everyone would need to wake up early and prepare the town for a possible attack.

They beast were supposed to be stronger as well, but they system was silent on by just how much. Aiden was worried that they wouldn’t be strong enough to hold them off this time. He was also dreading loosing any people if they were to spawn inside the town. He was hoping that because this was labeled as a safe area by the system that the beasts would spawn outside the walls at least.

Everyone left the meeting and headed their different ways soon after. Aiden went back to his room and was currently soaking in the bath with Victoria curled up on his lap. He was running his fingers through her hair gently eliciting a small shiver and hum of pleasure from her. He kissed the back of her head tenderly then leaned back slightly to rest his head against the tub. “I’m worried about tomorrow” He eventually said.

He received a signed response of ‘we will be ok’. He sighed and accepted her reassurance. They were prepared enough he figured. The last day was spent organizing the town for anything they could think of.

Most of the non combatants would be corralled in one corner of the town with the Guardians and the majority of the army surrounding them in case the beasts spawned inside the walls. Fifty members of the army were sent to Hardwick to bolster the defenses there as well. They even purchased a few traps and Mana bomb’s, and one use area of effect spell scrolls in case they were necessary. He only hoped it would be enough.