Zach finally arrived at the construction site, his eyes widening in awe as he took in the scale of the project. The rhythmic pounding of hammers, the grinding of stone, and the shouts of workers filled the air, blending into a symphony of progress. The once empty land near the lake had transformed into a bustling work zone, with wooden frameworks and stone foundations outlining what would soon become the new market district.
Soldiers stood stationed at various points, their presence ensuring order and security. The construction was well underway, months of planning and preparation culminating into tangible results. He had known that many processes were involved before the project could even begin, but seeing it firsthand made him appreciate the effort even more.
The refugees, the same ones who had once blocked the roads in desperation, were now the backbone of the workforce. Every single one of them had chosen to help build the new market, driven by the promise of citizenship. Hard work and perseverance had replaced despair.
He saw men lifting heavy beams, carrying stone, and mixing mortar, their muscles taut with exertion. Women assisted them, some preparing materials while others worked in logistics, ensuring supplies were where they needed to be. Even the children had their roles. The younger ones were tasked with managing the distribution of rations, carrying baskets of food that had been sent by House Ravennest to sustain the workers. It was an organized effort, each person playing their part, contributing what they could.
Zach's heart tightened at the sight. He had learned from Rendon and his mother that the weakest among the refugees had not survived the arduous journey to Ravennest. The people before him were the ones strong enough to endure, carrying the will of those who had fallen along the way. The thought weighed heavily on him.
Yet, despite the sorrowful past, the atmosphere here was not one of grief. There was determination, resilience, and even joy. The workers laughed, encouraged each other, and moved with purpose. They had found something more than survival they had found hope.
Zach took a deep breath and let the thought go. This wasn't a time for mourning. It was a time to look forward, just as these people were doing. He clenched his fists and nodded to himself.
Zach walked through the construction site with wide eyes, taking in the sight of workers scattered across the area. Everywhere he looked, people were moving with purpose men hauling heavy beams, women assisting in carrying supplies, and children diligently distributing food to the laborers. The sound of hammering and the murmur of conversations filled the air, a lively atmosphere of progress and determination.
Beside him, Rendon walked in silence, his gaze fixed on Zach with an unreadable expression. Though the knight hadn't said a word since their arrival, Zach couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being observed too closely. The pressure was enough to make Zach subtly wipe his palms on his coat, trying to ignore the tension.
As he moved deeper into the site, he spotted a man giving out commands to the refugees. The town planner. His clothes were covered in dust, and his sleeves were rolled up as if he had been working alongside the laborers. His tired eyes brightened upon noticing Zach's approach, and he quickly straightened his posture before offering a respectful bow.
"Young Master Zach," the town planner greeted, wiping sweat from his brow. "I wasn't expecting your visit today."
Zach gave a small nod, adjusting his posture to appear more composed despite the weight of Rendon's unrelenting stare. "I wanted to see the progress of the construction myself. How is the work going today? Any issues so far?"
The town planner let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "If anything, we have the opposite of an issue there are too many workers. In every large-scale construction I've been part of, manpower shortages are the usual problem. But here? I don't even know how to assign work properly. The refugees are eager to contribute, and they outnumber the experienced workers several times over. It's both a blessing and a challenge."
Zach crossed his arms, contemplating. "I assume you're using the experienced ones to guide the others?"
"Yes," the planner confirmed. "That was the best solution I could come up with. The skilled laborers lead smaller teams, training the inexperienced ones as they go. It's speeding up construction, but I have concerns about quality. We're moving fast, but ensuring everything is done correctly is another matter."
Zach followed the planner's gaze, watching the workers. He could see it some had a steady hand, their movements practiced and sure, while others hesitated, their inexperience apparent. Mistakes were inevitable, but the effort was unmistakable.
"Many of women assist with carrying lighter materials, organizing supplies, and even tending to injuries. Some have picked up basic construction tasks quickly. They're more adaptable than I expected," the planner admitted.
Zach turned his attention to the children. Small groups of them moved efficiently, carrying baskets filled with food and water, handing them out to the workers. Despite their young age, their expressions were bright, as if they had finally found a sense of belonging and purpose.
"They seem happy," Zach noted. "Even if child labor is permitted here, it's still unusual to see them working with such enthusiasm."
The planner followed his gaze. "It's not just work to them, Young Master. It's survival."
Zach remained silent for a moment, absorbing the words. These people had lost everything. But instead of falling into despair, they were pushing forward, using every ounce of strength they had to carve out a place for themselves. It was a stark contrast to what he had known in his past life, where large-scale projects were handled by professionals, and disaster management was a structured process. Here, everything was uncertain, but at the same time, the resilience of these people was undeniable.
Meanwhile, Mara was busy handing out supplies to the workers, ensuring they had enough materials and tools for their tasks. As she was finishing up, a young child ran up to her, tugging on her sleeve.
"Big sis Mara! The young master is here!"
Mara's eyes widened. "Young master? Now? Where?"
The child pointed toward a section of the construction site, where Zach was engaged in a discussion with the town planner. She immediately quickened her pace, finishing up her task so she could properly greet him.
After ensuring everything was in order, Mara rushed toward Zach's location. From a distance, she saw him standing with the town planner, his expression serious as he listened intently. Her gaze shifted slightly to the man beside him Rendon, the guard captain. Mara almost flinched at the sight of him. He looked like he hadn't slept for days, his sharp eyes scanning everything around them with a deep frown. Just what had happened to him?
As soon as Zach finished his discussion, Mara stepped forward. She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and spoke. "Young master, welcome!"
Zach turned at the sound of her voice, his usual composed expression softening into a warm smile. "Mara, it's been a while. How have you been?"
Mara felt momentarily stunned. There was something about the way Zach spoke that always made people feel as though he was much older than he actually was. This wasn't just her own thought many had whispered about how the education in the Ravennest household must be leagues beyond what common people could ever imagine. Some of the older citizens even recalled that Lord Vincent had been the same way in his youth.
Gathering herself, Mara returned his smile and nodded. "Everything is good, young master. We're all working hard."
She then turned and gestured to a small group of children who had been watching from a distance. "These are some of the kids helping with the construction. They're mainly handling smaller tasks, like distributing rations and carrying messages. They wanted to meet you."
The children hesitated at first, but after some encouragement from Mara, they stepped forward one by one. "Young master, thank you for helping us!"
"Yes! Please tell Lady Vivian that we will work as hard as we can!"
"If we had gone to another town, we might have turned into criminals or even bandits to survive! But because of Ravennest, we have hope!"
Zach felt a heavy weight settle in his chest. He had expected gratitude, but the way they phrased it made him uncomfortable. In his past life, if someone worked without proper pay and then thanked their employer, it would come across as mockery. The very idea of people thanking someone for merely giving them a chance to work felt strange to him. But he had to remind himself this was a different world with different values.
Forcing himself to stay composed, Zach nodded. "I will let my mother know," he said, though his voice lacked its usual confidence.
The workers cheered in response; their spirits high.
As Zach stood amidst them, he realized just how different this world truly was. And how much he still had to learn.