Divine Lord's Wisdom, Entering the Dungeon

Arthur's brow furrowed with concern. He found himself lost in memories of his previous life, reminiscing about a friendly Divine Lord he had met long ago. The Divine Lord, who had survived for thousands of years in the Main Plane and had ruled over a small Divine Empire that also had beginning as a Village, he had shared some of his experiences with Arthur.

...

They were sitting in a cozy chamber within the Divine Lord's palace, sipping tea and chatting like old friends. The Divine Lord had a warm and approachable demeanor, making Arthur feel at ease as they exchanged experiences.

"Arthur, my friend, you probably won't understand this, since you're a Traveler. But would you like to hear a story?" The Divine Lord took a sip of tea before continuing. "I also wish to tell you about my journey, just like how you told me your journey."

Arthur curiously said, "Sure, Your Majesty, I would also love to hear your story."

"I remember when my Divine Empire was still a small Village," the Divine Lord began with a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "I made some mistakes back then..."

...

Arthur sat in the Village Hall, reflecting on the stories he had heard from his friend from his previous life, the Divine Lord who had survived for thousands of years in Main Plane. Although his understanding was not as deep as his friend's, he still retained some valuable insights that might help Dawn Light Village thrive.

"I do have some insight about this," Arthur began, as he put his gaze at Elara, "However, the key to a successful village is to focus on the essentials before expanding further. We must build a solid foundation that can support our growth in the future."

Elara nodded in agreement, intrigued by the wisdom of his Lord. "That's right, my Lord. As the Village develops, we need to be prudent in our decisions and allocate our resources wisely. What are your plans for the future of the village, my lord?"

...

Arthur reminiscing about his friend's story.

"First is about my village's defense," the Divine Lord chuckled, "I built the walls too big and tall. As our territory expanded and reached Town level, I had to dismantle them because they took up so much space. It was another mistake that cost us resources and time."

...

Arthur continued, answering Elara's question "First, in terms of defense, we should construct a sturdy wall around the village to provide protection. Not an extravagant one, just enough to safeguard us from potential threats. We don't want to waste valuable resources on unnecessary fortifications."

The wall would be an important asset for defending against the [Monster Feast] later, so Arthur had to finish off the wall before that happened.

Mor'kith, the General, chimed in, "Agreed, my Lord. A strategic wall is essential to establish our territory's borders and protect our subjects."

...

Arthur reminiscing again about his friend's story.

"Argh... I should've been more practical back then," the Divine Lord continued, shaking his head. "Instead of investing heavily in those specialized buildings, I should have focused on the basics. More houses and better infrastructure were what we really needed. Our population was growing, and we needed to accommodate them properly to reach the required number for a territory upgrade."

The Lord sighed, remembering the challenges they faced during that period. "Our growth stagnated for a while, and I regretted not realizing the importance of basic housing and infrastructure sooner. It was a costly lesson and a waste of resources."

"I see," Arthur nodded, absorbing the lessons being shared. "So, in the Village level, the three main focuses should be walls with sufficient protection, infrastructure for growth and development, and resource stability."

The Divine Lord smiled, pleased that Arthur understood. "Exactly. As a Lord, you must prioritize wisely, especially in the early stages of your territory's development. It's all about balance and making sound decisions that benefit the growth of your people and your domain."

...

"Next, we need to pay close attention to our village's infrastructure," Arthur added. "We must ensure that the buildings are arranged in a way that allows for easy movement and accessibility. Leaving spaces for roads and walkways will not only make the village more organized but also ensure smooth traffic flow for future development."

Everyone within the Village Hall nodded in understanding, appreciating the significance of a well-designed infrastructure.

Elara, the Advisor, added, "That's true, Lord Arthur. Properly planned infrastructure will make our village more appealing to newcomers."

As the conversation flowed, Arthur's confidence grew. He shared what he remembered from his friend's stories, offering guidance on how to make the best use of their resources.

"Now, regarding resources," Arthur explained, "at the moment, we have sufficient means to sustain our village. We can anticipate further needs by utilizing the resources we gain from our raids on other Bandit Camps. However, we should be cautious not to overextend ourselves and rely on the stability of these resources."

Elara, the Advisor, interjected, "Indeed, my Lord. It's crucial to maintain a steady supply of resources, both from within our territory and through external means."

Arthur then voiced the topic Elara mentioned earlier, "While industry, education, healthcare, and workshops are essential in the long run, we still lack talented people to fully utilize them, so they might not be in our immediate focus. As our territory evolves and expands in the right way, these aspects will naturally be resolved with time. For now, we should concentrate on securing our foundations."

As they delved deeper into their discussion, Arthur and his subordinates began to recognize the importance of focusing on the essentials. They understood that while it was tempting to delve into industries, education, healthcare, and workshops, it was essential to prioritize what the village needed.

Later, Elara asked another question, about Arthur's speech in front of the villagers earlier. "My Lord," she began, "About earlier speech, would you elaborate more about how to emphasize unity in diversity among our people."

Arthur smiled warmly at her words. "I believe that building a strong sense of unity among our subjects, regardless of their races, is crucial to the prosperity of our village."

...

Arthur reminiscing again about his friend's story.

~sigh

The Divine Lord sighed softly, a hint of regret in his eyes. "In those early days, I was overly focused on expanding my territory and acquiring more resources. I neglected to pay enough attention to the well-being of my people."

He continued, "As a Lord, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of power and influence. But what truly matters is the happiness and prosperity of the people you govern. If your citizens are thriving and content, your territory will naturally flourish."

Arthur nodded thoughtfully. "So, it's essential to prioritize the well-being of the people above all else," he summarized.

"Indeed," the Divine Lord affirmed. "A strong and united community will be the foundation of your territory's growth."

...

Elara nodded in agreement at Arthur's response. "Indeed, my Lord. In a territory with diverse races, maintaining harmony can be challenging. Your emphasis on unity will help prevent any internal discord among our people."

Arthur's expression turned serious as he continued, "As our village grows, so will the diversity of our population. We must be prepared to handle any potential tensions that may arise due to these differences. It's important to foster an environment where everyone feels valued and respected."

Elara's admiration for her Lord grew as she saw the care he took in considering the well-being of his subjects. "You are right, my Lord. I will take this matter seriously and ensure that we create a space where everyone feels welcome and included."

Arthur nodded approvingly. "I have faith in you, Advisor Elara. Your guidance and support are invaluable to me and to our village."

Elara who was listening intently, her mind filled with various thoughts. She couldn't help but feel satisfied with how her lord had handled the discussion about the village's future.

`Maybe with him, I have a chance,` Elara mused to herself happily. `With guidance and experience, he'll make an excellent leader.`

They stood together, contemplating the future of Dawn Light Village. It was a daunting task, but with Arthur's leadership, Elara felt confident that she could build a thriving community where all races could coexist harmoniously.

While the meeting was still going on, the next to speak was the General, Mor'kith. He reported about everything that had happened during the last battle. However, Arthur who already knew about it chose to leave the Village Hall and trusted his subordinates to plan ahead on how to deal with Moon Frost City.

Although he may look impolite, but right now he has other important things to do before tomorrow.

As he arrived outside the Village Hall, Arthur reached into his pocket and took out an item.

[Icemoor Dungeon Stone (White-Grade)]

[Item Information: Could open the gate of Icemoor Region Dungeon. Attempt (1/1)]

[Reset: 3 Hours 32 Minutes, to reset Attempt]

Arthur hadn't had time to attempt the dungeon yet after going through so much today, and in order not to waste today's dungeon attempt, he had to attempt it now before today's attempt was wasted.

~ding

[Number Participant: 1/1000]

[Attempt Icemoor Dungeon? (Y/N)]

"Yes"

[Please Select Difficulty (Easy/Medium/Hard)]

"Hell!" Arthur said without hesitation.

[Transporting...]