By the time Draven reached Rurik's stone hut, a tangy, appetizing mushroom aroma was already drifting from inside. He had assumed Martha would be resting by now—after all, her leg had only just healed.

  To his surprise, she was there, crouching by the table and helping tear mushrooms apart. Her movements were fairly nimble, though she paused now and then, as if still getting used to it.

  Seeing the chieftain enter, Martha quickly stood up. Her hands were still stained with mushroom juice, and she looked a bit embarrassed.

  "My leg's really much better," she said, trying to sound relaxed."I figured I'd help Angelica and the others prepare dinner—better than just sitting around doing nothing."

  Draven gave a small nod, his eyes falling on the herbal bandage wrapped around her calf. He reminded her not to push herself too hard. Though beastfolk healed faster and were stronger than humans, he was used to offering such concern.

  Especially since Liliana's healing magic, infused with the power of life, really did work wonders—but it wasn't something to take lightly.

  Martha gave him a smile and returned to the chopping board.

  Draven walked over and interrupted Angelica's lesson to Liliana about how to attract customers. He also called over Katia, who was busy mixing sauces nearby. The two bunny girls put down their tasks and looked at him in confusion.

  From his storage ring, Draven produced three sheets of beast-hide parchment. On them were his hand-drawn three-view diagrams of an octagonal lantern. He pointed to the structure as he began a simple explanation.

  "This is a kind of decorative lantern I remember. A frame of wooden strips, sheathed with sheepskin, then dyed and adorned a bit. Once lit with an oil lamp inside, it looks really beautiful."

  The bunny girls' eyes sparkled at first, clearly drawn to the design. But after hearing his explanation, their expressions turned awkward.

  "Chief, didn't you know? The lanterns in the tavern were all made by Rurik," Angelica whispered, blushing slightly.

  "We've tried crafting things too," Katia added with a shrug,"but we're just not good at it."

  Draven sighed and rubbed his face in frustration. The design seemed simple enough on paper, but when he tried building it himself, the skeleton ended up looking like a mess. That's why he came to ask for help.

  "Forget it. Maybe I'll ask Edric, the dwarf. They can make all kinds of fancy weapons—surely a lantern's no problem for them."

  Just as he turned to leave, Martha suddenly spoke up from the corner."Chief... maybe I can give it a try."

  The entire room fell silent, and all eyes turned to her. Draven looked at her in surprise too.

  Martha didn't flinch. She pointed at the drawing."I've done woodworking before. Back in the village, when houses broke or doorframes cracked, my father and I fixed them. As long as the diagram's correct, I'm confident I can make it."

  Draven didn't hesitate long. He'd always trusted his instincts, and Martha's expression held no hint of exaggeration or doubt. He nodded, handed her the diagrams and materials, and told Rurik to assist her.

  Rolling up her sleeves, Martha knelt by the table and began fitting the slender wooden strips together. She first measured lengths on the sheepskin, checked for symmetry, then carefully began inserting and securing each piece. Her movements weren't flashy, but they were confident and precise.

  Draven watched, slack-jawed. The same wooden strips that refused to behave for him now obediently formed neat lines under Martha's hands.

  Soon, the skeletal frame of an octagonal lantern took shape before everyone's eyes. Katia whispered in awe,"She's even better than Rurik!"

  Draven chuckled and clapped Martha on the shoulder."Nice work!"

  He sent Rurik to fetch some beast pelts to cut into thin tassels, then found some simple dyes to color the sheepskin a bright red. The whole process wasn't as refined or intricate as human noble craftsmanship, but it was full of heart.

  Finally, the lantern was done.

  Sheepskin stretched across the wooden frame, edged with soft beast-hide tassels. The wick was made of animal fat, and once lit, a warm red glow filled the stone hut. The light had a soft, fuzzy warmth to it, the kind that made you want to lean in closer.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  For a few seconds, the room went quiet. Even the usually hyperactive Liliana said nothing. She stared wide-eyed at the octagonal lantern, as if seeing a treasure.

  Seeing how awestruck they were, Draven felt a quiet sense of pride. He had only meant to win Selene's favor, but unexpectedly, he'd enchanted all the girls here first.

  Just as he was about to pack the lantern away after the flame went out, Liliana darted forward and hugged it tightly.

  "I don't care! This one's mine!" she declared, clutching it with fierce determination.

  Draven sighed in exasperation but didn't get angry. Of course, Liliana had never seen something like this before. He turned to Martha and sighed,"Sorry, looks like you'll have to make another one."

  "No problem!" Martha grinned, brimming with confidence.

  Liliana, meanwhile, was practically floating as she hugged the lantern close. She muttered under her breath,"When I bring this back, those little brats in Black Flag Territory are gonna be so jealous."

  "I'm the brightest one of all!"

  Draven simply took out some sinew and cork strips and made a handle for Liliana, so she could carry the bright red lantern around and show it off everywhere.

  Just as he finished tying the handle, the little girl immediately planted a loud kiss on him. It was a bit sudden, but seeing how happily she smiled, he figured it was well worth it.

  The lantern was handed over to Martha to work on, and Draven took the opportunity to head to Edric the dwarf's smithy to pick up some goods. The iron pots and farming tools he had custom ordered last time should be ready by now.

  Besides, yesterday's trip to Selene City was too rushed, and he hadn't even glanced properly at the shelves in the Succubus Trading Company—he still didn't know what good stuff was available there.

  As soon as Liliana heard he was going out, her restless little mind started stirring again. She first looked up at Draven with pleading eyes, her small hands clutching the lantern tightly, unwilling to let go.

  Before Draven could say anything, Liliana tugged on his sleeve and began to act coquettishly.

  "I want to go too! I promise I won't run off, won't buy anything, and won't spend money!" Her eyes sparkled as she said this.

  "You're really good at talking," Draven shook his head,"but when have you ever kept your promises?"

  Though he said this, he didn't refuse at all. Liliana knew he was all talk but soft at heart, so she snorted, shoved her precious lantern into Draven's storage ring, and immediately smiled like she had already won.

  Once they stepped outside, they saw the Nightmare Horse standing by the door. The jet-black steed stood as still as a sculpture, but its mane fluttered slightly, clearly sensing its master's presence.

  Liliana's eyes lit up, and she immediately tugged Draven's arm again."Can we ride the horse? Just for a little while!"

  "What are you thinking, riding a Nightmare Horse on the streets of Selene City? Wouldn't that just announce to everyone how rich and powerful we are?" Draven said, squatting down and suddenly lifting her up to his back.

  "Horseback ride!" he called out with a laugh, deliberately wiggling his body.

  Liliana laughed so hard she almost fell backward, her small hands clutching his neck tightly, her laughter trailing out and drawing the attention of passersby.

  Martha stood at the doorway, watching the chief and Liliana laughing and chatting as they walked away, but her mind flashed back to the extremely embarrassing sentence from last night:

  "He is my man!"

  She frowned unconsciously and muttered to herself,"So the chief really likes those little kids who haven't grown up yet."

  Just as she was about to get back to work, she suddenly felt two burning gazes fixed on her. Turning her head, she saw Angelica and Katia staring at her with mischievous grins.

  "Were you spacing out just now?" Katia raised an eyebrow.

  "What were you thinking about?" Angelica leaned in closer.

  Martha blushed and said shyly,"Nothing."

  But soon, the three girls were like a powder keg ignited, chattering away. While decorating the lantern, they secretly discussed Draven's unusual preferences.

  "Do you think he likes those who are young and slender?"

  "I think the chief prefers gentle ones, like Sister Viola..."

  Listening to their increasingly ridiculous chatter, Rurik finally couldn't hold back and cleared his throat loudly to interrupt.

  "You girls are too much, talking casually about the chief like that?"

  Hands on hips, he said seriously,"Let me tell you, the chief doesn't only like Liliana. He takes good care of Viola too—gentle, capable, and good with accounts."

  "And... well, just don't make wild guesses."

  Meanwhile, Draven was carrying Liliana easily through the neighborhood. The two of them joked and played all the way.

  When they arrived at Edric's smithy, Liliana obediently jumped down from Draven's back. The old dwarf was busy fixing a hammer but greeted them cheerfully when he saw them.

  "You're just in time, everything's ready for you!" he said, bringing out the iron pots, hoes, and plowshares.

  Life in Black Flag Territory was gradually changing, and Draven wanted to improve everyone's lives by updating their tools.

  Though pottery was cheap, it broke easily; iron pots saved time and cooked food more evenly. He planned to distribute them to a few pilot families first, then gradually promote them.

  As for the plowshares, he had drawn the designs based on memories from his previous life and instructed Edric to make them. He was already planning to try assembling the plow once back to see how it worked.

  After handing over the goods and exchanging a few words with Edric, Draven took Liliana and headed toward the Succubus Trading Company.

  "Remember, once inside, don't say you like everything you see. Money doesn't grow on trees," he warned without turning back.

  "I have my own money!" Liliana pouted in reply.

  But she soon remembered that Draven had already taken her little purse away!

  "Give me back my money!" She patted her tiny pouch angrily.

  Draven blinked and played dumb.

  "What money?"

  "I don't know~"

  "I'm going to bite you!" Liliana lunged forward and grabbed his collar.

  They bickered all the way to the shop entrance. Draven's clothes were rumpled from her grabbing, and the little girl proudly held her purse back.

  Once inside, she immediately strode to the front like the boss of the whole shop, chest out and steps confident and firm.