Benji ultimately chose a spot a few hundred meters east away of the mansion to create two fields. After going through the options he chose soybeans and oats to serve as the base of their future foods. Both species were able somewhat fast growing and were versatile when used in cooking. Each field took up about an acre of space each which should bring in a few thousand pounds of food each at harvest time.

A utility shed served as the center of the farming area. It wasn't a large building but it was big enough for Benji to dump a majority of the shovels and buckets that they bought from the survival store. He used stone from far below to build a stone well near the shed to provide fresh water for workers and a way to water crops that were dependent on moisture.

Finally Benji placed three orchards; apple, orange, and lemon. They would need more detailed care than the two fields since they were still young trees and wouldn't bear fruit for some time.

As Benji was looking through options for possible future crops he heard the clink of plate armor in the distance. He closed the screens and turned to see Miami walking towards him. The bearded man moved quickly despite the heavy armor he wore. He raised a hand in salute as he approached his master.

"It seems you have something of a green thumb, sire."

Benji chuckled. "It's not like I planted them row by row. All I did was make a choice and they appeared."

"Still, you work hard to provide for your subjects. You should feel proud of your efforts."

"It's the least I could do." Benji narrowed his eyes as he looked at Miami. "Tell me, why are you really out here?"

"Lady Isabel wished to know if your anger had passed and sent me in her stead."

Benji pulled his GSP from his pocket and checked the time. It had been a little over an hour since he began his work and was nearly 4pm.

"How is Zoe doing?"

"The young Miss was able to settle her nerves with a cup of tea and is now resting comfortably."

Benji regretted not going to her as soon as he saw her crying. He wished he was able to do more to get her to her father but he couldn't risk an all out battle against the military. Maybe Fitt could have gotten them inside had he not flown so close to the safezone.

"What would you have done, Miami? Would you have forced your way through to get Zoe to her father?"

The knight thought for a moment. "If this was my world I would have cut down the arrogant bastards who thought it wise to attack you, sire. But this world, this culture, is different. Attacks here have far reaching consequences."

"So I made the right choice then, though it doesn't feel that way."

"Sire, from my understanding the weapons that were used against you are in somewhat limited supply. Any commander worth his salt would push a soldier that used precious resources with no results to show for it."

It was a hollow victory but it would have to do. Benji took one last look over his fields and budding orchards before turning back towards the mansion. Along the way Benji walked over near the barracks where the corpses of two white birds and three large gray squirrels sat in a very large pile. Once finished Benji walked across towards the mansion. Miami stopped as Benji walked onto the steps leading up to the front door.

"With your permission, sire, I would rejoin Duncan's squad of knights in their patrol of the walls."

"Of course. Please bring any carcasses between here so I can store them later."

Miami saluted and took off at a jog towards the northern wall.

Inside Benji saw Zoe sitting on a couch talking to Isabel while Duncan and Alex were drawing at the dining table. At the far side of the room Lu Bu sat on the floor with his eyes closed while Fitt slowly walked around him. Benji smiled and walked over to the strange pair.

"What's going on here, Fitt?" Benji couldn't help smiling at the boy.

"Trying to teach this one to access his mana."

"You're trying to teach Lu Bu magic?" It was hard to imagine the battle hardened warrior using anything other than his halberd and bow.

Lu Bu let out a frustrated grunt and opened his eyes. "Sorry little one but this isn't working."

Fitt pointed causing a small arc of lighting to streak through the air striking Lu Bu's left shoulder. "No talking. Focus and try again."

"Well, it looks like he's in good hands. Carry on, Fitt."

Fitt bowed towards Benji before resuming his slow walk around the warlord. Benji left the common room and walked over to the dining table. He took a seat across from his two friends and took out a candy bar and a soda from his backpack. As Benji sat back he took a small sip of his soda before placing the bottle on the table. He brought up the kingdom metrics screen to check the progress so far.

Kingdom Metrics

Area

2.5 square kilometers

Natural Resources

Miscellaneous stone, mineral and ore deposits

Fresh water

Hotsprings

Nearby supply of timber

2 Fields (oats, soybeans)

3 Orchards (Orange, Apple, Lemon)

Defensive Structures

10 meter high wall

Steel portcullis

740 ballista (automatic, 4 seconds per shot)

1 Gatling Laser (automatic, 0.25 seconds per shot)

1 Net Launcher (manual/automatic, 8 seconds per shot)

Subjects

1 heir

3 commoners

Military

4 Knights (on loan from Duncan)

3 Royal Guard (Lu Bu, Miami, Fitt)

Income

1300 experience generated from military efforts

0 experience as taxes of subjects

0 experience from donations in the last eight hours

0 experience spent in the last eight hours

1300 experience stored in total

Lu Bu and Miami had gained him five hundred experience during the time he spent at Raven City. It wasn't a lot in the grand scheme of things but it would allow him to hire and pay one worker for the next nine weeks.

Those workers would be useful about now unless you plan on being knee deep in fields each day.

"No kidding. Where have you been this whole time?"

Watching. You did just fine by yourself so I kicked back, figuratively speaking, and enjoyed the show.

"Great to know. So how does the employment process work?"

You simply fill out the form, set the terms of employment and hit search.

"What form?"

Thank you for choosing the Bob Employment Service. We thank you for forsaking your race to hire a different one. Please fill in the form completely before searching as it will yield better results.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Class Desired:

Magic Desired:

Gender Desired:

Form Desired:

Job Description:

Duration of Contract:

"Form desired?"

Since only a fraction of beings look like humans you can specify if you want them to look humanoid or not. Leaving that part blank will pull results from a greater pool of applicants.

Benji thought about what the perfect worker would need to tend his fields as he stared at the screen. Obviously they had to obey his commands. They would also need to be self-sufficient. Benji thought of the wood elemental at the gardening store causing an idea to come to mind.

Thank you for choosing the Bob Employment Service. We thank you for forsaking your race to hire a different one. Please fill in the form completely before searching as it will yield better results.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Class Desired: Any class that is able to boost and promote the growth of plants.

Magic Desired: Any magic that is able to boost and promote the growth of plants.

Gender Desired:

Form Desired: Any form able to draw sustenance from a yellow dwarf star.

Job Description: You will be tasked with watching over and tending two large fields, three orchards, and all future additional crops. Work hours begin at dawn of each day and last until all crops have been tended. Once tasks have been completed for the day you are free to do as you wish within the confines of the kingdom. You must obey Benji Ferrell, Isabel Ferrell, and any other beings designated by them. You cannot bring harm to any subjects of Benji Ferrell or their property through direct or indirect means.

Duration of Contract: Long term but Benji Ferrell reserves the right to cancel the contract at any time.

Benji read over the search parameters one last time before hitting search.

Thank you for choosing the Bob Employment Service. Please wait a moment while we match your terms against our universal database.