Chapter 396: Lies. My waist is killing me.

Oryn was already down there with Fenric, his massive bear-beastman frame making the space look small. Did I make a stop on the way?

How did they get there so fast?

Oh, right, I had to wear something nice since I would be going out, so I went back to the rooms to change. That’s why.

When Oryn saw me, he gave a deep bow that made his joints creak.

"Queen, you are back," he rumbled. He looked proud, but I noticed he looked a little tired too.

"Oryn, how have you been?" I asked, and he nodded his head.

"Well, Queen." He simply said, but said nothing about the dark circles under his tanned eyelids.

"Then, show me," I said, trying to keep my excitement in check and act regal like a queen. I’m failing at that, by the way.

He pulled back a heavy hide covering a row of wooden crates that the beavers had put together.

I’m telling you, the beavers are like my lifeline in this construction process.

My jaw nearly hit the floor. The crates were stuffed with that heavy, dark ore. It wasn’t just a few rocks; it was a mountain of potential. Even in the dim light, I could see that bronzed-gold glint.

"The beavers are fast, Arinya," Damar said, his voice quiet.

Oryn nodded and added, "They don’t just dig. They tunnel like it’s their only purpose in life. They’ve been working in shifts since the moment we found the vein."

"It’s incredible," I whispered, reaching out to touch one of the rocks. It was cold and heavy. This was the start of everything.

But then Oryn cleared his throat, and the pride in his face dipped into something more somber.

"It was fast work, Queen, but the ground near the cliff is tricky. It shifts when we pull the ’heavy slate’ out. Two of my kin... they got hurt yesterday."

My heart sank at the mention of that.

The excitement I felt just a second ago vanished, replaced by a cold knot of guilt. "Hurt? How bad?"

"A ledge gave way on one," Oryn said, scratching his thick neck. "His leg is crushed. The other took a tumble down the shaft. They’re alive, but they won’t be digging for a long time."

I looked at the crates of ore again. Suddenly, they didn’t look like a jackpot anymore. They looked like a cost. I’m the one who told them to dig. I’m the one who wanted the ’treasure pipe.’

And yet they... 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"I shouldn’t have rushed you guys," I muttered, feeling a sting in my eyes. "No rock is worth a life or a limb. Oryn, I’m so sorry."

"It is the way of the world, Arinya," Thalor said softly, placing a cool hand on my shoulder. "Work has risks. They knew that."

"I don’t care about the ’way of the world,’" I snapped, though not at him. "We’re supposed to be building something better. Once I’m back on my feet properly, we’re going to sit down and figure out how to prop up those tunnels. We need rules. Safety protocols. No one goes into a deep shaft without support beams. Understood?"

Oryn looked surprised, then he gave a slow, respectful nod. "Support beams. I will tell the builders."

"I want to see the injured," I said, turning to head back up the stairs. "And I’m not going empty-handed. Damar, get some of the best smoked meat from the stores. Thalor, I want some of those sweet fruits the sheep tribe brought in. And Fenric," I called, and though I had been silent this whole time, I gave him a small smile and said, "Will you be a darling and carry me?"

Thalor and Damar flinched. I bet both wanted to be the one to carry me, but I don’t want to have to endure their side eyes and gloating, so it was better for a third party to do it.

"Are you tired already?" Fenric asked, a bit concerned since I was planning to go out like this, and I waved it off.

"Nah, it’s nothing like that. I just want to conserve my strength for the outing, that’s all."

Lies. My waist is killing me.

After going down the stairs, I realized I wasn’t as invincible as I had bragged about up at the dining table. My waist was throbbing and my legs were starting to give out. I have to rest them for a bit.

And also, climbing a flight of stairs up is one way to destroy the waist I am currently managing.

"Anyway, let’s get moving. Those bears that got into an accident, I’ll make sure they receive great compensation. If they can’t work, the least I can do is make sure they’re eating like kings."

We left the cellar and the palace and headed toward the housing area where the healers were. Walking outside was a total trip. The last time I was out here, the stone houses were mostly empty shells. Now? It was all occupied.

As I walked, leaning just a little on Fenric’s arm, I saw smoke coming from chimneys. The limestone houses looked sturdy and warm. Beast folks were actually living their lives here.

"Land Mother! You’re awake!" a woman from the sheep tribe called out, running over to hand me a small basket of berries.

"Oh, uh..." I nervously accepted it but before I could say thank you, another voice rang out.

"Blessings to the Queen!" a wolf scout yelled, pounding his chest.

I felt a little overwhelmed. I was just a girl from another world who was a nobody, but to them, I was the one who gave them a proper roof over their heads and a road.

I thanked them all, my heart feeling a bit lighter with every smile I saw.

When we finally reached the marketplace, my jaw dropped again.

The circle formation was perfect. Oryn’s crew had finished the stone foundations, and you could see exactly where the shops would go. It looked like a real city square... In just how many days?

How are they so fast with work?

Is it because they are beasts that they have more stamina than humans, who need rest every few hours?

Gosh, I’m so impressed that I’m speechless.