Chapter 6 Hope

Rotengen had once been a bustling port city, teeming with life and trade. The population had swelled to nearly 50,000 people, making it a vital hub for merchants and sailors from across Obelia and beyond. But now, the city's streets were eerily quiet, and its population had dwindled to a mere 8,000. The once-thriving markets were shadows of their former selves, and the grand ships that once crowded the harbor had been replaced by smaller, more desperate vessels. The city's decline began when bandits seized control, driving out many of its nobles, including Baroness Eveline, who now ruled the region from her ancestral seat, Snowveil Manor. Fearful for their lives and holdings, other nobles followed her lead, abandoning Rotengen to its fate.

In these dark days, Lenny had stepped into the power vacuum, forming a small council with Jhene's help to bring some semblance of order to the city. The council was made up of key figures who had remained in Rotengen despite its hardships, each bringing their own expertise to help restore the city:

Jhene had proven herself invaluable in organizing the city's affairs. She had a keen mind for politics and diplomacy, and as the de facto head of the council, she worked closely with Lenny to draft new policies and manage the city's internal governance. Jhene had heard many rumors about Prince Martin—how, after his uncle had banished him, he had somehow gained strange and terrifying powers. Some whispered that he had made a pact with a devil, while others claimed he had uncovered forbidden magic. The people of Rotengen were anxious and suspicious, wary of the prince and the unknown forces at his command.

Marek– A former captain of the city guard, Marek had lost much during the bandit occupation, but his loyalty to Rotengen remained unshaken. Appointed as the Minister of Defense, he was responsible for maintaining what little remained of the city's defenses and recruiting soldiers. Marek was a seasoned warrior, his face scarred from countless battles, and he had a gruff, no-nonsense demeanor. Under his leadership, the remaining guardsmen were to be retrained, and the city's defenses were fortified.

Elara – A wise and elderly old woman who had lived in Rotengen her entire life, Elara was named Minister of Health and Welfare. She managed the distribution of food and medical supplies and ensured that the city's most vulnerable were cared for. Elara had a calm, soothing presence, with a deep understanding of herbal remedies and she worked tirelessly to prevent disease from spreading in the overcrowded city.

Thorne A shrewd and opportunistic merchant, Thorne was appointed Minister of Trade and Commerce He saw an opportunity to revitalize Rotengen's markets and restore its economy. Though many distrusted him for his past dealings with the bandits, he was an expert in commerce, and his connections with traders and merchants from outside the city proved invaluable. Thorne was eager to reopen trade routes and bring prosperity back to the city.

Lucan– A quiet but brilliant scholar, Lucan served as the Minister of Education and Infrastructure. He had been a teacher at the city's small academy before it had been forced to close. With Lenny's support, Lucan began to rebuild the city's infrastructure, including its roads and schools, and to revive its educational institutions. His knowledge of ancient texts and his ability to read and interpret them made him invaluable, especially as Lenny sought to explore more about his newfound powers.

Edric– A fisherman by trade, Edric was named Minister of Agriculture and Resources. He was a practical man, with a deep understanding of the sea and its rhythms. After the decline of the city's fishing industry, he turned his attention to the land. Under his guidance, the city's agricultural efforts were to be revitalized, thanks in large part to Lenny's magical intervention. Edric worked closely with Lenny to ensure that the newly fertile lands were well-managed and productive.

Amidst the city's uncertainty, Lenny took decisive action to ensure its survival. He found a barren, cold stretch of land near Rotengen, a place once deemed unsuitable for any form of agriculture. With a determined gaze, he began to chant, his voice filled with a powerful resonance that seemed to shake the very earth beneath him. Using earth magic, Lenny manipulated the ground, tilling the hard, unyielding soil and warming the frozen earth beneath his feet. The once-dead land began to soften, becoming rich and fertile, ready to nurture life once more.

But Lenny's magic did not stop there. He lifted his hands to the sky and invoked another spell, pulling dark storm clouds from distant regions. The wind howled, and the sky darkened as rain began to fall, soaking the parched ground. The key to his plan was weather manipulation—it didn't create new water, but instead summoned moisture-laden clouds from elsewhere, redistributing nature's bounty. The arid land drank deeply, transforming into a potential breadbasket for the beleaguered city.

Lenny then scattered grains across the newly fertile fields, his hands glowing with a soft, ethereal light as he whispered incantations. The seeds began to sprout almost immediately, responding to his time manipulation magic. Within a week, the fields were thick with ripening crops, an impossibly quick transformation that seemed like a miracle to the starving people of Rotengen. The fields shimmered with golden wheat, swaying gently in the wind, a beacon of hope amidst the bleakness of the city.

The people didn't care if Lenny was a devil or something else. As long as their bellies were full, they were content. With the grain fully matured in a week! shocking the people, food was distributed to everyone in the city, and Martin—Lenny's assumed identity—became the new beacon of hope. His name was praised in every corner of Rotengen, the whispers of his dark powers drowned out by the joy of the people.

The very next day, Lenny performed yet another feat of magic that left the citizens breathless with awe. Standing at the edge of the city, he began to weave a spell, his fingers tracing intricate patterns in the air. Slowly, a massive wall began to rise from the earth, stone by stone, reaching skyward. The wall grew taller and taller, encircling the entire city with an impenetrable barrier. It was many meters high, a colossal fortification that could now accommodate up to 100,000 people.

The city erupted in celebration. The people cheered, danced, and sang songs in Martin's name. They had food, they had safety, and now they had hope. Lenny watched from atop the wall, his eyes scanning the horizon. He knew the work was far from over, but for the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to believe that maybe, just maybe, Rotengen could be saved.