The time it took to reach the Soragon Bazaar was four and a half hours, but the Hayamd clan’s main fortress was an hour away from the bazaar.

Edgar looked outside of the carriage that was being pulled by four horses. Due to the fog, there was barely anything visible outside.

The carriage was luxurious and practical as well; the seats were cushioned with soft animal feathers.

Beside him sat a tense Andrew who was having a hard time getting comfortable; the old man Roland sat in front of them with a warm smile.

’He isn’t as arrogant as I thought...’ Edgar mused, giving the old man a few glances.

Perhaps people of this world were kinder than he had expected, or his occupation as the Builder was keeping the man in check; Edgar was more inclined to believe the latter.

Pulling his thoughts aside Edgar kept on looking outside the window. Finally, he couldn’t help but ask. "How are you sure we are on the right track?"

The old man blinked his eyes in surprise. "You don’t know?"

"Know what?"

Roland thought for a moment and began searching his pocket until he found something.

Taking it out, he said. "It’s because of this"

Curiously Edgar leaned in and looked at the map-like thing which had different markings on it, the map had mountains, rivers, lakes, and more importantly, it had glowing red markings that looked like Fortresses.

A small arrow moved on a path that had a green glow.

’The green arrow represents us?’

"We call it the map of night," the old man explained, noticing the curiosity of both boys. "It is made by a wise builder who makes it public for all."

Edgar looked at the map with fascination, his mind crunching to understand the science behind the map’s working.

’Is it using the magnetic field to mark the places? Does Fortress have its own magnetic field? If true, then how can such a thing catch it?’

Many different questions ran through his mind as Edgar leaned back and asked. "How many nightmare stones does this thing eat in a day?"

The old man smiled, "You are indeed a builder, finding the flaw in the map with a single glance." "So, how much?"

"Two white nightmare stones."

Edgar looked at the map and gave a small nod of acknowledgment. The green arrow was close to a seemingly massive fortress.

’It seemed like nightmare stones were more than just a means of energy and creation; they might be something more powerful.’

Lost in his own thoughts, Edgar didn’t notice when the carriage came to a halt; he only woke up from his stupor when the gate opened up.

A young man in the same bronze armor bowed and said in a deep voice. "I welcome you on behalf of the Yamhad clan, oh great builder."

Edgar nodded his head and walked down from the carriage, and his eyes swiftly turned towards the massive fortress. It was much bigger than his own.

Soldiers walked on the patrol path, holding a variety of weapons from spears to crossbows.

They all bowed when the old elder stepped out of the carriage. Andrew followed just after him.

Roland smiled at him and gestured towards the main gate. "Let me lead you to our leader."

Edgar nodded his head and walked a step after the old man, while Andrew was following just after them.

They crossed the underbridge below the patrol path. The bowing giants resembled a lot of what Edgar saw in the Soragon Bazaar.

’They put a lot of emphasis on the false fact that they slayed the giants once,’ Edgar thought to himself.

Entering inside Edgar found a small city that was much different than the bazaar; it was much more organized with buildings that were heavily guarded, spikes protruding out of them like a porcupine’s back.

’Is this the last line of defiance?’

They kept on walking as Edgar looked around the small city.

The place had everything from shops to artillery.

Walls were painted with different art, and children played around happily.

The beauty of this place made Edgar melancholic. ’...I have a long way to go.’

The old man Roland took them to another fortress wall that looked much bigger and sturdier than the one in the front.

Once inside, Edgar found himself in a castle that was made of fine black rocks and white marble, maids and butlers walked around attending to different work.

Roland took them to a different section until he stopped in front of a room with an engraved design on it.

"Clan leader Theo is waiting for you inside," the old man said with a smile.

Edgar nodded and turned to look at the young boy beside him. "Stay here and wait for me."

"Yes, young master."

Raising his hand, Edgar rapped his knuckles on the door. A mature voice came from inside. "Come in."

Edgar pulled open the door and walked inside. The inside was as lavish as the door, with rows of shelves filled with goat parchments.

Heads of different nightmare monsters hung on the wall.

Edgar hadn’t seen most of them in his entire life.

A table made of oak wood sat in the middle of the room, on the other side of the table sat a middle-aged man with streaks of white in his hair.

Edgar recognized the man in an instant, though his gaze shifted to his side where a girl with pure white hair sat on a chair.

’Hera...’

Her emerald green eyes shifted towards him, devoid of any mischievousness she saw last time.

"Sir Edgar." Theo said in a deep voice as he stood up. "I am honoured to have a builder visit my small clan."

Even though Theo wasn’t informed beforehand, he still acted accordingly, Edgar visiting him was all the information he needed to know he was a builder with credibility.

’So it is my profession that is garnering me all the respect.’

Edgar thought to himself while a smile appeared on his face. "I am honoured as well."

Theo gestured towards the seat opposite to the table. "Please."

Edgar walked closer and sat down on the chair while his gaze shifted towards the girl beside Theo.

"She is my daughter." Theo introduced her. "She is also my adviser in matters related to the fortress."

The young girl politely bowed. "It’s an honour."

While she strengthened her back, she winked at Edgar in a way that her father couldn’t notice.

’Yep, she is still the mischievous girl I saw before.’

Edgar leaned in the chair and asked. "So, how would you like to ’communicate’?"

He emphasized on the word ’communicate’ which was what elder Roland had used as pretext to bring him here.

Theo leaned back as well and asked slowly. "How good of a builder are you?"

Edgar blinked and replied vaguely. "Better than any builder of my age."

Theo remained silent for a while before he asked. "Is it true you build a fortress wall that is of level 3 or 4 in mere days?"

His words made Edgar rather perplexed, ’It’s only level one though.’

Still Edgar didn’t want to say that so he just replied. "Elder Roland saw it, you can ask him."

Theo rapped his fingers on the armrest as he remained silent for a long while.

He was actively trying to gauge Edgar’s value and at the same time he was debating something inwardly as well.

He finally sighed and took out a parchment from the box hidden beside the table. "Have a look at this." he said as he spread the parchment on the table.

Edgar looked at the builder’s blueprint, and his eyes immediately constricted.

---

⟨Blueprint: Breeding Plant.⟩

⟨Grade: Yellow⟩