Chapter 14: The Wells of Hope
"I will discuss this problem with Aurielle after returning."
I gave the soldiers one last look before turning and walking away.
The moment Luke crossed the gate of the lord’s mansion, Roland Ashenford, who had been laughing with several Bronze Knights, suddenly paused.
His smile slowly disappeared.
His fingers tapped lightly against the hilt of his sword.
Then his gaze landed on Luke’s departing figure.
A dangerous glint appeared in his eyes.
"Go."
His voice was calm.
The nearby Bronze Knights immediately stopped talking.
Roland’s lips curled into a cold smile.
"That bastard dared to touch my lioness."
"Break both his hands."
He paused.
Then his smile widened.
"And make sure to castrate him so, he never able to drink about any woman again."
Five Iron Knights immediately stepped forward and bowed.
"As you command, Young Master."
Without hesitation, they quietly followed after Luke.
One of the Bronze Knights frowned.
"Is this really alright?"
Roland merely chuckled.
"It will be."
His eyes remained fixed on Luke’s back.
"You will know soon enough."
He said nothing more.
Soon the group returned to discussing women and drinking as though nothing had happened.
---
The moment I left the lord’s mansion grounds, that familiar foul smell entered my nose again.
I frowned but endured it.
Then I began observing the territory carefully.
The deeper I walked into Blackstone Highlands, the heavier my mood became.
The roads were cracked.
Several houses had damaged roofs patched together using old wooden boards.
Children ran barefoot through muddy streets.
Some adults looked exhausted despite it still being midday.
Yet what surprised me most wasn’t the poverty.
It was the silence.
Nobody complained.
Nobody protested.
They simply endured.
As though suffering had become normal.
After several hours of walking and asking questions, I discovered something surprising.
Despite being poor, Blackstone Highlands possessed quite a few important facilities.
Blacksmith shops.
Alchemy stores.
Merchant associations.
Adventurer Guilds.
Mercenary Guilds.
At first, I couldn’t understand why.
This territory looked nearly bankrupt.
But after asking around, I finally learned the reason.
Blackstone Highlands connected directly to the Ashveil Trade Route.
One of the major roads connecting frontier territories and nearby kingdoms.
Although dangerous due to monsters and bandits, merchants still traveled through it constantly.
Why?
Because crossing through Blackstone Highlands reduced travel time by weeks compared to going around the mountains.
But that wasn’t the only reason.
"Stormhowl Mountains."
I looked toward the massive mountain range visible in the distance.
Towering peaks stretched endlessly toward the clouds.
Ancient forests covered their slopes.
Powerful monster roars occasionally echoed from deep within.
The mountains acted like a natural wall that prevented demon armies from easily advancing into nearby territories.
At the same time, they contained countless resources.
Monster materials.
Medicinal herbs.
Rare ores.
Hidden caves.
Ancient ruins.
Naturally, adventurers and traders were drawn here like moths to a flame.
"Aurielle is literally sitting on a gold mine."
I muttered.
Unfortunately, she didn’t seem to have the manpower needed to properly exploit it.
As I continued walking toward the farming district, I suddenly spotted a familiar face.
The black-haired young man who had delivered Aurielle’s message before.
"Hello."
I greeted him.
The young man immediately stopped.
The moment he recognized me, his posture straightened.
"Young Master."
He bowed respectfully.
Only then did I realize something.
I had never asked for his name.
"What’s your name?"
"Noah, Young Master."
He replied politely.
Noah was an orphan taken in years ago by Lady Isabella Valmont, Aurielle’s mother.
Since then, he had grown up inside the manor and become one of the most trusted attendants of the household.
I nodded.
Then immediately asked about the territory’s water situation.
The moment I brought up the topic, Noah’s expression darkened.
"Young Master..."
"The main water source comes from a river in the east."
He paused.
Then clenched his fists.
"But Baron Cedric’s territory is located upstream."
A trace of anger appeared in his eyes.
"He often blocks the river using dams."
"Sometimes..."
His voice trembled slightly.
"He pollutes it as well."
My expression darkened.
Noah lowered his head.
"Last winter, dozens of villagers became sick."
"Three children died after drinking contaminated water."
His fists tightened.
"But nobody could do anything."
"Lady Aurielle sent complaints several times."
"He ignored all of them."
Silence followed.
The more I listened, the worse my mood became.
"What about wells and ponds?"
I finally asked.
Noah nodded.
"There is a large rainwater pond."
"Lady Aurielle allows everyone to use it freely."
Then his expression became awkward.
"But..."
I already knew I wasn’t going to like what came next.
"The caretaker charges people anyway."
My eyes narrowed.
"What?"
Noah lowered his head.
"Everyone knows."
"Nobody dares report him."
A territory couldn’t develop without water.
Charging people for basic water was practically strangling them.
"Take me there."
My voice became noticeably colder.
Noah immediately nodded.
"Yes, Young Master."
---
After traveling for ten minutes, we finally arrived at the pond area.
The pond was enormous.
Stone tiles surrounded its edges.
Dozens of villagers stood in line holding wooden buckets and clay containers.
Some had clearly been waiting for a long time.
Beneath a large tree sat Garrick.
The caretaker.
A fat middle-aged man with thinning black hair and greedy little eyes.
Several cheap rings decorated his fingers.
His large belly strained against his brown tunic as he lazily counted copper coins.
Beside him stood two guards carrying spears.
Every villager who approached was forced to hand over money before receiving water.
My expression immediately darkened.
I walked directly toward him.
"Halt."
One of the guards stepped forward.
The caretaker lazily looked up.
His greedy eyes scanned my clothes from head to toe.
"Who are you?"
He asked impatiently.
I released the pressure of my Peak Body Tempering Realm.
BOOM.
A powerful aura exploded outward.
Dust scattered.
Several villagers stumbled backward.
The guards’ faces instantly turned pale.
"When my wife never ordered anyone to pay for water..."
My voice echoed across the area.
"Then who gave you permission to extort money from my wife’s citizens?"
The entire area fell silent.
The villagers trembled.
Many immediately lowered their heads.
Years of oppression had taught them to fear nobles.
The two guards struggled under my pressure.
Meanwhile, Garrick merely frowned.
"And who exactly is your wife?"
He asked mockingly.
A vein bulged on my forehead.
BAM!!
My fist slammed directly into his stomach.
His eyes nearly popped out.
The color drained from his face.
CRASH!!
His body flew backward and smashed into the tree.
Leaves rained down.
Several villagers gasped.
Others immediately retreated.
"UGHHHH!"
Garrick coughed blood before staggering to his feet.
Hatred filled his eyes.
"Kill him!"
He pointed at me.
The two guards hesitated.
Then I spoke.
"Aurielle Valmont."
"The Baroness of Blackstone Highlands."
"My wife."
The guards instantly froze.
Their expressions changed.
Especially when they noticed Noah standing behind me.
At that moment, they knew I wasn’t lying.
Garrick’s face turned ugly.
"He is lying!"
"Kill him!"
But his voice lacked confidence now.
I shook my head.
"I thought one punch would knock some sense into you."
"Looks like prison is the better option."
BOOOOM!!
Golden mana erupted around my body.
The First Form of Titan Knight activated.
A heavy aura burst outward.
Dust and fallen leaves were blown away.
The ground cracked beneath my feet.
The villagers stared in shock.
BANG!!
My body disappeared.
CRACK!!
THUD!!
Another punch smashed directly into Garrick’s ribs.
A painful cracking sound echoed.
He collapsed instantly.
Unconscious.
The area became completely silent.
Even the guards looked frightened.
I deactivated the form and looked toward them.
"Take him to prison."
"If anyone questions you..."
"Tell them Luke Voidheart, husband of lord ordered it."
The two guards immediately nodded.
"Y-Yes, Sir."
They quickly dragged Garrick away.
Only after they disappeared did I turn toward the crowd.
The villagers looked terrified.
Some wouldn’t even meet my eyes.
I sighed.
Then took out ten Aqua Spring Crystals.
Blue light illuminated my palms.
"You don’t need to fear me."
Nobody responded.
The silence was heartbreaking.
"This territory belongs to my wife."
"Which means it belongs to me too."
"And all of you are my people."
Slowly, some villagers finally looked up.
Their eyes looked empty.
Hopeless.
Like people who had suffered for far too long.
"From today onward..."
"You will never pay for water again."
Silence.
Then an elderly woman stepped forward.
Tears appeared in her eyes.
"Free...?"
Her voice trembled.
"We don’t have to pay anymore?"
I nodded.
The old woman immediately began crying.
Many others looked equally stunned.
"And that’s not all."
I raised the crystals.
"I’ll refill every well in the territory."
This time, the crowd erupted.
Hope appeared in countless eyes.
For the first time since arriving here, I saw genuine excitement.
---
Noah quickly led the way.
Hundreds of villagers followed behind us.
Some children even ran ahead while shouting excitedly.
After thirty minutes, we finally arrived at the outer residential district.
Rows of mud houses filled the area.
Simple farms stretched across the surrounding land.
The signs of poverty were obvious everywhere.
"This is where most of the farmers live."
Noah explained quietly.
Soon we arrived at the first well.
The well had completely dried up.
"It’s been empty for two years."
Noah said sadly.
Many nearby villagers lowered their heads.
I nodded.
Then activated all ten Aqua Spring Crystals.
WHOOOOOSH!!
A massive stream of clear water erupted from my hands.
The crowd froze.
Children’s eyes widened.
Several mothers covered their mouths.
Elderly villagers stared in disbelief.
Water.
Clean water.
Something they had struggled for years to obtain.
The well rapidly filled.
Within minutes, it overflowed.
A little girl tugged on her mother’s sleeve.
"Mom..."
"Can we drink as much water as we want now?"
Her mother froze.
Then burst into tears.
The same process repeated across the territory.
One well.
Then another.
Then another.
Each time the crowd grew larger.
By the time we reached the final well, nearly half the district had gathered.
When the fifth well finally overflowed—
THUD.
An elderly farmer suddenly knelt.
Then another.
Then another.
Soon hundreds of villagers had fallen to their knees.
Some cried.
Some smiled.
Some simply stared at the flowing water as if afraid it would disappear.
"Thank you, Sir!"
"Thank you!"
"Thank you!"
Their voices echoed throughout the district.
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
Then raised my hand.
"If you want to thank someone..."
I pointed toward the lord’s mansion.
"Thank Lady Aurielle."
"She’s the one who brought me here."
The crowd froze.
Then—
"LONG LIVE LADY AURIELLE!!"
"LONG LIVE THE LORD!!"
"LONG LIVE LADY AURIELLE!!"
The cheers shook the entire district.
A faint smile appeared on my face.
Good.
She deserved this.
Then I waved my hand.
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
Ten large bags appeared one after another.
The crowd immediately fell silent.
Everyone stared curiously.
A smile slowly appeared on my face.
"Now..."
I looked toward the farmers.
"Let’s solve the food problem too."
The villagers froze.
Noah’s eyes widened.
And for the first time in years—
Hope truly returned to Blackstone Highlands.
[Chapter End]
