Our visitors returned home and the work on our train continued. Life was oddly peaceful, for a while. We started modernising the homes in Petunia and added my version of electrical sockets. Our crops were watered with magical water from our naiad irrigation system. It led to fast growing plants which contained a bit of magic.

  I made sure that all our products were rated for safety. While magic in food was generally good it could lead to unhealthy components being amplified as well. While powerful individuals craved magical booze it could be toxic for normal people. The same applied to some spice levels.

  All of those improvements attracted visitors but also settlers. I would have to seriously consider expanding out town but there was a problem: The wall.

  So I found myself in a meeting.

  "We have two options." Sarah said, while holding up a finger. "First, we can tear down a part of it and expand." Sarah held up two fingers: "Second, we can build an additional wall connected to the old one."

  "Are there any downsides to just building an additional wall?" I wondered.

  "The old wall would be useless and just take up some space, unless you want to section off a district. Big cities often have a noble district with an additional gate to ensure not everyone can enter." Sarah replied. "Having a wall sectioning off a part of the city often leads to a more luxurious district forming, even if you don't intend it to."

  I shook my head. "I don't want that. People should be able to travel everywhere in town, see the sights, go shopping…"

  "If we keep the old wall it would be safer. We are next to the Black Forest." Iris pointed out. "We don't want any monsters sneaking through."

  "True. But we could demolish the old wall once the new is ready." Sarah replied.

  "If we keep the old wall we should add a few more gates to connect the two parts of the city." Minerva suggested.

  "How big should the expansion be?" I asked.

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  Sarah pulled out a map and placed it on the conference table. "We don't want to go into our farmlands. Our best option is to build towards the forest. It might be dangerous but the range of our dryads has expanded. I think we can protect the area easily. Of course, a few more dryads would not hurt."

  "Generally more maid knights would not hurt. Our regular troops are fine, especially since we have started upgrading their gear, but I would like more elites for emergencies." Iris looked at her hand. "Although thanks to your snacks we are getting frighteningly powerful."

  "The grove's roots extend about this far." Ash pointed at the map. "I can ensure that no monsters emerge from the ground and protect the town. However, about three more dryads would be good."

  "How do dryads reproduce? Without an Amaya ritual." Minerva wondered.

  Ash smiled. "Dryads occur naturally in areas with a large amount of magic. Trees can absorb mana through the environment and evolve in time. It does not happen often because it might take hundreds of years and those areas are filled with monsters. But back to your actual question: We reproduce by growing a special seed. Dryads need to reach a certain level of power, then they can start forming a magical seed. Once planted it will grow into a new tree within a year and a dryad will emerge."

  "A year? Hm. Can one of you grow such a seed?" Then I noticed what I was asking and blushed. "Um, if you're willing, of course."

  "I can grow a seed. Thanks to your recent snack it should not be a problem. Further, the new tree might grow a bit faster because our grove is powerful and we have access to magical water. If you use your aura to enhance the rain it would be helpful as well." Ash replied.

  "Ok, so what if we expand the town in a half circle around the current wall in the west. We can add the new dryad in the centre. Maybe we can create a large plaza around her?" Sarah suggested.

  "Once she grows she can protect the new part of the town. In time I would like two more, near the new wall. Maybe we can prepare a place for them to grow?" Ash asked.

  "Are there other dryads ready to grow a seed?" I asked.

  "Perhaps soon. I shall talk to my sisters." Ash replied.

  Sarah studied the map. "I think we should focus the new section on crafting. It will be very close to the forest. Maybe we can put the adventurers there."

  "I have no idea about city planning." I admitted. "I leave it to you to know what is best. But we should ensure that all of our buildings have certain standards. We have started upgrading some existing buildings. In time I want everyone to have proper heating, bathrooms, sturdy walls and so on."

  Sarah nodded. "I can ensure that. You still have plenty of funds left and we are going to see significant profits from our farms, distillery and the forest. Your maid knights have already started procuring spider silk, although it is mostly used for maid knight armours. The vault you have brought back from Ashmedai's palace still has considerable resources as well."

  "Splendid!" I said.

  "We still need to get the stone for the new wall. Earth mages can fuse them together but we want a good base material. Then it will need enchantments." Iris added.

  "I can provide the spell slots but I am not an expert in enchanting." I said.

  "I think we can find some good ones in the Dominion." Sarah replied.

  "Or in hell." Lily added.

  I shrugged. "I am fine with both options."

  We talked some more and soon the meeting was over. Petunia was growing! Things were looking good, except for the ancient demon lords and their plots. I had a feeling this peace would not last much longer.