A while later...
Arvel stood before a group of gathered citizens in the heart of the capital's rural lands. These were not farmers, but ordinary laborers now tasked with a responsibility:
To cultivate the land and provide sustenance for themselves and the empire. Their faces were weary, their expressions practically giving away their doubt and confusion.
Years of war, famine, and mismanagement had left the people skeptical of grand promises and noble intentions. Although it was true that the emperor apologized and made them the grand promise of making the Empire great again, not all would simply believe.
They were suffering people, after all. People in their state, although wishing for hope, tended to easily believe that only more negative things awaited them.
To them, this new initiative was just another decree from the palace... another burden placed on their shoulders with little regard for their struggles. Although the Emperor had shared some food resources earlier, that was far from enough to fully calm their worries. And the arrival of a strange mage like Sylvana only deepened their unease.
"Why are we here?" a man murmured to his neighbor, frowning.
"I've never tilled a field in my life."
"Neither have I."
"They're expecting us to grow food like seasoned farmers. This is madness."
A young woman near the front crossed her arms. "How are we supposed to do this without training? We're craftsmen, not field hands."
"Who is she supposed to be?" someone muttered, eyeing her uneasily. "Another mage from the court, here to dazzle us with magic and leave us to fend for ourselves?"
Arvel raised a hand, silencing them as he stepped forward. Adjusting his monocle, he spoke.
"People of the empire, I understand your fears. You are here because His Majesty, Emperor Arkanos, has entrusted you with a critical task... one that will contribute to the survival and prosperity of our great nation."
"But rest assured, you will not face this challenge alone. Allow me to introduce one who will guide you."
He gestured toward Sylvana, who stepped forward gracefully. The crowd murmured again, this time in awe and confusion.
"Who is she?"
"Look at her tattoos... They're glowing."
"She doesn't look like a farmer either."
Sylvana's glowing vine-like tattoos pulsed faintly as she surveyed the crowd. Raising a hand, she addressed them.
"People of the empire..."
"I am Sylvana. Your Emperor has called upon me, not only as a protector but as a guide to ensure that his people thrive."
"To do so, I must teach you to cultivate this land, to turn the earth beneath your feet into a source of abundance."
Some in the crowd remained skeptical, their doubts stemming from past disappointments.
"Teach us? We're no farmers," a man muttered.
"How can she promise anything? They always promise, and we're left to suffer," another said quietly.
Sylvana could sense their unease, their fear, their distrust, but she did not worry. She was well-versed in the art of giving hope and comforting others.
Sylvana raised her staff and gently tapped its tip against the dry soil. The glowing crystal at its head shimmered softly, and before their eyes, a small green sprout emerged from the earth.
Gasps echoed through the crowd as the sprout rapidly grew into a lush berry plant, also leaving Arvel intrigued, its ripe fruit glistening under the sunlight.
"What... what is this?" a woman whispered, her eyes wide.
Sylvana knelt, plucking a ripe berry from the plant. Holding it delicately, she walked toward the crowd, stopping before a young woman who clutched her child protectively. Sylvana placed the berry into the woman's hand, curling her fingers around it.
"This, I promise you," Sylvana said, with a warm smile and a kind voice.
"As long as you allow me to guide and teach you, none among you shall ever go hungry again."
The young woman stared at the berry in her hand, tears welling in her eyes. Around her, the crowd began murmuring once more.
"She made that from nothing..."
"Maybe she can really help us."
"This could change everything."
Sylvana stood tall again, her emerald eyes meeting theirs.
"Will you accept my guidance?"
"Teach us!"
"Please, show us how!"
A faint smile touched Sylvana's lips as she lifted her staff once more.
"Very well," she said. "Let us begin."
She stepped back and tapped her staff against the ground again, this time with more force. The earth beneath her shimmered as a massive magic circle appeared. The crowd gasped in awe as a towering silver wolf emerged, its fur shimmering and its glowing emerald eyes radiating its green mana.
"This is Fenris, Guardian of the Wilds," Sylvana announced as she gracefully stepped onto the wolf's back.
Grahhhhh.
The beast let out a deep growl that seemed to vibrate through the very ground.
"Follow me," Sylvana said, her voice strong and assured.
"We will start by learning the roles each of you must play. Together, we will bring life back to this land."
Fenris began to move, Sylvana perched atop his back like a queen of the wilderness. The people followed in awe, their doubts slowly turning into hope. Sylvana began assigning tasks as they walked.
"You there," she said, pointing to a bulky man, "You will help clear the fields. You have quite the muscle, so your strength will be your greatest tool."
"And you," she addressed a group of women, "Will gather water and care for the seeds. Nurturing life requires patience and diligence."
"As for the rest."
"Prepare to learn the ways of planting and tending crops. I will show you the methods of my people."
As Fenris strode ahead, Arvel simply gazed with a touch of awe as he then said to himself, "Father... I am starting to think... Perhaps you were wrong. And perhaps, my lord will not be the one who leads this empire to ruin."
"And perhaps instead... He could be the one to make it soar to new heights."
Arvel suddenly chuckled as he said, "Seems I started rambling again... I should return to His Majesty's side and perform my duties."
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