AN: ---

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After finishing my selection, I launch the summoning. Once again, I feel my energy being drained, but it's a lot less than when I summoned the Command Center. The knowledge I got about my ability makes me understand that the Command Center borrow mana from the mana vein within the ground to summon them. The candidates also have to be near a mana vein. And finally, the place I am now has a mana vein just underneath. Truly a good place to build my fundations.

Because the summoning isn't instantaneous, I have the time to leave my study and go to the reception room. Light particles are gathering at 8 differents places, taking the shape of 8 individuals. After a minute, the 8 people finish materialising, and look around confused.

They all have below average looks, if not slightly ugly. They are wearing clothes so poor they're almost rags. They are also clearly malnourished. However, they all have a very small tatoo in the middle of their foreheads, something I understand is my mark, the sign that they belong to me and are linked to my ability. When I think about it, it is a form of slavery, but they're voluntary slaves with nothing to lose.

Their gazes quickly gather on me, who is standing straight in front of them. Then, with various speeds, they all bow their heads.

“Y-you must be the m-master that summoned us” says the blue skinned were-kin with cat-like ears and black hairs, with a bass voice. He has an ugly scar across his face. “I-I'm really grateful th-that someone like you would be willing to, to take failures like me as your servant. You can order me anything, I will do my best complete any task you have for me.”

“M-master. Thank you very much for accepting me as your servant, for giving me another chance at life” says the woman I choose to be a servant, with tears in her eyes. “I'm willing to do anything you will wish from me. I... I will do my best not to disappoint you!” she add while sobbing.

The other people were about to speak as well but I started to talk before them. I can understand them. They were probably reaching their limits when I summoned them. But I don't want to bother with the emotional stuff, I'm not good with that.

“My name is Kain Nova. You will call me lord Kain or master Kain.”

Of course, it isn't my real name. When I met the god with the others and he told us we had died, I already understood that my old life was over. I have no intention to keep the name I got in that life, especially since I didn't do anything noteworthy. I have no reason to remain attached to that old name. I've kept the same body, but only in looks, as the original one was burned and torn in pieces. New life, new body, new goal, new name.

“Do not expect your life to become easy because you have joined me. We are starting from scratch and I will have you work hard to improve our situation. Be silent and follow me.”

I lead them to the 2 servants room in the ground floor.

“These will be your living quarters for the time being. The first floor is my private zone and you are forbidden to enter.”

Then I led them outside. They look around curiously as we go at the back of the building.

“Behind those doors lies the storage room. Anything, from food to raw materials can be safely stored inside. Food won't rot inside, so you won't have to worry about conservation. You also don't have to worry about the amount of things placed inside, there will always be some room. It's all part of my special ability.”

The 8 people are visibly impressed by by the capabilities of the building.

“Like I said earlier, we are starting from scratch. The place we are right now is an abandonned village from a ruined country of Grandia. There is no food here, so you will have to gather food by hunting and fishing. The old buildings from the village will have to be dismantled to make new and better buildings. You are going to rebuild a village here. And with time, it will turn into a town, then a city.”

I wait for a few seconds to let the informations sink in their minds.

“There is only around 2 hours of daylight left, and we will use them. There is a river near, south from here. You will make a fishing cabin there. You will find the materials and tools in the storage room. Get to work now, an don't rush it and make mistakes.”

“Y-yes master. We won't disappoint you” says the demon man.

The 8 people hastly go to work. The place I have selected to construct the building is magically cleared and marked. The Command Center provide them with the blueprints and instructions thanks to the mark on their foreheads. The materials and tools are prepared as well. In fact, when materials are put in the storage room, the Command Center process them to be ready for usage. The planks and beams are already prepared, there are threads and ropes made of plants fibers. Old metalic pieces from the abandonned buildings, even rusted ones, are restored and turned into nails and other components.

The river is beyond my territory, but the cabin is one of those buildings that can be made beyond the territory. The 8 servants make several trips to bring the materials to the riverside, then they start to build the cabin. While they are working, I prepare some torchs because I want them to keep working for 2 more hours after sunset.

“Now that I think about it, I do have some food for today, but they do not. I guess I should try to get them a few fishes...”

I go to a place of the river away from the others, with tools taken from the storage room, a wooden spear and a basic fishing rod. I managed to dig some worms on the way, and even use a bit of the dried meat from my rations as bait. I have never gone fishing before and never had an interest in it so I am quite ignorant about what to do.

The river is around 70m wide and the current isn't strong. I can see a lot of fishes in the water, thus I relax. I stick the fishing rod in place after putting a worm on the hook and throwing the line in the water. I take my distance from that spot and go to another spot to use the wooden spear. I tie a thread on it to retrieve after each throw. I want to fish by throwing it, I don't have the confidence to get close to the fishes without them fleeing.

“Ok, they say fishing is all about patience. The water distort the light, tricking us about the real position of the fish. Finally, fishes always move forward when they run away, not backward, not sideway, they can only dodge by advancing, yes, they can change direction after the initial movement, but that initial movement will always be forward...”

I take a throwing position and wait, checking the differents targets and waiting for a good chance to attack. I also keep the fishing rod in my sight just in case something get caught. Every few minutes, I throw the spear at a target, and miss. But each time I get closer to the goal, and when I finally get my first fish, half-an-hour has already gone by, and there is only an hour of sunlight left. But it is enough for me to catch 17 well sized fishes before nightfall.

When the sun disappears beyond the horizon, the cabin is around 25% done. I let my minions continue to work while I bring the fishes to the kitchen. I cook one for myself to eat with my rations and leave the other 16 for the workers. After another hour, I go get them. The cabin is around 40% done, and I'm sure it will be done by noon the next day.

“Those fishes, I want you to eat them all tonight” I tell them as we reach the kitchen. “You guys are malnourished, and you need to eat well to have the energy to work. Eat well, because tomorrow you will work all day long.”

After they express their thanks, I leave and go to my own floor. I've worked a lot in the day, a lot of physical work compared to spending the day in front of a computer. I'm wasted and go to bed after a quick cleaning of my body with a towel, soap and a bucket of cold water.

The next day, early in the morning, while the workers go to finish the cabin, I go to fish on the same spot as the day before. On the way, I have a better look at the surrounding of the village. Even though there is a river nearby, full of fishes, the land seems rather poor. I have to search a lot to find my worms. There aren't many insects either. I didn't notice it the day before, but after a good night of rest, my head is clearer. Something must have happened here before, maybe an epidemic. I'm not sure.

Before noon, when the workers finish the cabin, I have caught 22 fishes. As for how I know that the cabin is done, it's because I heard a notification in my head, so I go to meet my minions.

“I see that you've finished the cabin. Good work. Take these fishes and go prepare them” I say while handing them the buckets full of fishes. “Once you're done eating there will be more work to do.”

“Yes master” they answer while bowing and smiling.

They already understand I don't like excess thanks or praise, and it makes things easier for me. After eating, I assermble them to give them their new tasks.

“Now that the fishing cabin is done, you guys will build another cabin. But this one will be in the woods. A hunting cabin. While the men will be building it, you girls will work in the fishing cabin, and catch as many fishes as you can each day. We have to increase the food stock before calling in more workers. Take an hour to rest, the afternoon will be busy!”

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AN:---