LordArchduke

I get that feeling. I felt the same while trying to watch an anime named Eminence in Shadow or something similar. I quit without even watching the 1st episode completely but don't worry. This will change verrrrry soon and you'll definitely love that.

To be fair, this is his life on the line. Imagine he trusts her and she brings some strong native being to attack his territory. She could make a deal like the native gets Power Stones & Magic Crystals, and she gets the blueprints & castle supplies. He's weak now and things will change once he gets stronger.

They found water which means there was some source nearby. Also this is a magical world with an instant trade service available. He can buy water from other castle lords, who might have lakes nearby, selling water on the trading channel.

He's literally in a forest...

Is this some sort of code like the morse code?

The Empire will come next after the Kingdom. It's like after upgrading from a town it becomes a city so upgrading from a Kingdom becomes an Empire.

I'll definitely add this one in the next poll :)

I'll definitely include this in the next poll :)