That morning, the air in Goblin's Grove still carried the faint scent of last night's feast.The sun had just risen, yet the goblins were already awake earlier than usual.Full bellies made their steps lighter, and cheerful voices echoed from the direction of the fields.
Lee Jun stood inspecting the land they had planted the day before.The rice, potato, and vegetable seeds were neatly in place.Not far away, Godon approached, holding a rough sketch of the future wall layout.
"All set to continue the construction, Master," he said firmly.
Building the First Layer
Godon quickly led his team to the river to gather stones.Some goblins chiseled and broke the larger rocks into manageable pieces.Others carried the clay mixture that Moji had prepared, enhanced with a special concoction to increase its bonding strength.
The stones were carefully stacked, forming the first layer of the wall around the settlement's core.Sweat dripped freely, and the sounds of hammers and shovels merged into the day's steady rhythm of work.
Moji walked along the wall, placing his hands on the stone-and-clay mixture, channeling a bit of magic."With this, the mixture will harden twice as fast," he explained.
Forest Patrol
Meanwhile, Draksra led a small team into the forest.They moved swiftly, checking animal trails and making sure no threats approached.On one path, they found the remains of a small monster's skull, long dead.
Upon returning, Draksra reported to Jun."The area is safe, but there are plenty of small animals we can hunt for daily meals," he said, showing signs of deer and wild boar tracks.
Training the Troops
After ensuring construction was on track, Godon began training the twenty goblin warrior recruits.The drills started with carrying heavy stones around the Grove, followed by long-distance runs and basic defensive formations.
On the other side, Moji gathered the five goblins with magical potential.He tested them by having them control a small energy sphere, though some struggled to maintain its shape.Jun observed from a distance, taking note of those with the most promise for advanced training.
Closing the Day
By late afternoon, the first layer of the wall finally surrounded the core of the settlement.It wasn't tall yet, but it was enough to give a clear picture of the future defenses.
The goblins gathered, staring at their work with pride.Cheers erupted, accompanied by hearty pats on the back.
Jun stood on one corner of the wall, gazing out toward the forest in the distance.
"This is the first step… we'll make this place unshakable."
The orange glow of the setting sun wrapped Goblin's Grove, marking this historic day.