The fire burned for a full half-hour.

Finally, after all the fuel had turned to ashes, the last wisp of flame was swallowed by the Giant Dragon.

"Burp!"

Valentina let out a satisfied burp and transformed back into her dragon-human form, approaching Herbert with a fawning demeanor.

Only to have her cheeks pinched.

"Uh-uh!"

"Did you have fun with that?"

"Uh, just so-so?"

Valentina blinked, her excitement unabated even with her cheeks being tugged, and boasted, "It's just that the place you mentioned was too small. Otherwise, I could have burned more... uh-uh!"

"Small, small, small, I think it's you that's small!"

Herbert helplessly gave a little tug and then let go, unsure of what else to say.

All right, on Miss Hungry Dragon's part, 'big chest, small brain' is indeed a very accurate description.

Herbert looked at the patch of scorched earth before him and shook his head slightly.

Anyone who's finished second grade would know just how deeply structured this is!

Doubling the diameter results in an area four times the original!

This isn't just a mistake like 'building a tunnel from both sides of the mountain and not meeting in the middle.'

It's like turning a water well into a water tower by holding the blueprints upside down!

However absurd it may be, it didn't significantly impact the overall base planning, so Herbert simply gave Miss Hungry Dragon a light scolding and let it go.

One might say, although the pioneering was inevitable, it did happen a tad early.

Herbert moved to the center of the village and inserted a long wooden stake, smoothed and charred on the surface, into the ground.

"From this moment on, this is my territory."

No insignia of the Duke Silver Wing family was engraved on the stake, only Herbert's personal mark—a white dove spreading its wings in flight.

Though the title carries some teasing connotations, Herbert himself feels no aversion towards it.

After all, in his mind, the white dove represents peace.

And he, at his core, has always been someone who values peace.

He so longs for that peaceful, farming life!

Of course, if someone doesn't want him to have peace... then he helps them find peace once and for all.

Whoever prevents him from farming will end up being farmed into the ground!

"It all starts from here."

Herbert caressed the mark on the stake and then nodded slightly.

He established a safe and feasible route, selected the location, and cleared an area.

As of now, the siting's first step is thoroughly and completely in place.

"Next, after observing for a while longer, we can find some laborers... uh, residents."

"The home must be built through their own diligent efforts. I can offer assistance, but I cannot do everything for them!"

"I'm not actually a construction foreman!"

Land, I have it.

Identification, I have it as well.

Now, as a manor lord, it's time for me to find black... illegal workers.

But the problem is, where exactly does one find those willing to come when we're starting from scratch, to build a better home for the future together?

Should I search for some struggling, homeless hybrids in the Frost Crystal Kingdom?

Or... should I really buy some slaves?

If it's slaves, I'll have to deal with the slave merchants. With a lot of their noble patrons gone, they must be eager to find new customers, right?

Herbert thought about it, and his gaze fell on Valentina, his eyes lighting up.

Hey!

"Valentina."

"Huh?"

Miss Hungry Dragon rubbed her unhurt cheeks, her ears twitching as she squinted at Herbert warily.

Inner defense activated!

Defense initiated!

She felt like this guy was about to start saying all sorts of nonsense to bamboozle her again!

This made Valentina annoyed.

But what annoyed her more was herself...

Although she could sense it every time, unfortunately, she still willingly fell for it each time.

Curse it!

Herbert didn't care about her wariness, pulling her into an embrace, wrapping an arm around her slender waist, and pointed towards a scorched patch of land, saying:

"Look!"

"Do you see this? This is our achievement!"

"Imagine, this will be our future home!"

Herbert painted the picture he had in mind for her.

Here is where the priests will live; here is the main house where I, the City Lord, will reside; here you can build your nest; here is where the new residents will stay, and here is...

Even without a PowerPoint presentation, Herbert spoke vividly and animatedly!

And, in addition to his natural oratory skills, he subtly applied some persuasive and influencing abilities.

While he couldn't fully control Valentina with this, it surely had some effect.

Even for Valentina, who had no concept of these things, she became engrossed in the tale, her eyes gradually brightening.

"In the future, after you leave the Monastery, we can always live here together!"

"No outsiders will be able to find us, nor could any Divine Spirit set their sights here."

"We will be the freest!"

In the face of destiny, not even the gods are free; they are guided by fate too.

Yet Herbert claimed that they would be freer than the gods!

This, of course, is an exaggeration, but why not?

Isn't this how grand visions are woven?

After passionately narrating for half the day, as the sky turned completely dark, Herbert finally, though reluctantly, concluded his speech.

He looked at Valentina and softly said:

"So... let's do it for me, for you, for us! Let's work hard together to build!"

"Okay!"

Already fully immersed in the mood, Valentina immediately nodded.

"We'll build together... huh?"

Miss Hungry Dragon sensed a whiff of conspiracy, warily furrowing her brows and suspiciously asked, "Wait, are you trying to trick me again?"

"Ahahaha, what are you talking about? When have I ever tricked you?"

Herbert laughed, releasing her from the embrace, letting the Holy Mark dispel the fog, and taking her hand to walk towards the sea.

"Rest assured, I will definitely work hard with you."

Valentina lagged a step behind, following Herbert, gazing at his profile, snorting as she nodded:

"...Hmph, fine, I'll believe you one more time!"

Although still harboring some suspicion, she ultimately chose to believe.

Because she indeed had a strong interest in the idea of building a home together with Herbert.

Nesting!

And with a partner, they would build their own nest.

For a female adult Giant Dragon, this has a rather special significance.

When the nest is completed, awaiting the right moment.

She can then...

Lay eggs!

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