With all the enchanted tools, artifacts, and magical farming implements securely stored within his pocket dimension, Vincent steps into an empty alley and returns to his world. A heartbeat later, he is back in his room.
He sits on his bed, exhaling softly before opening the portal once more. Stepping inside, he surveys the vast collection of goods stacked neatly within his pocket dimension. He can see them stack neatly and nod his head in satisfaction.
His mind sorts through the tasks ahead.
He decides to start with the lake. He needs a proper water source before doing the others.
Taking a few Aqua Vein Crystals from the storage, Vincent leaves the pocket dimension and heads toward the new farm he established. As he walks, he notices the workers working diligently, tending to the crops with quiet efficiency.
Many of them pause when they see him, offering respectful nods, and some even bows. He returns the gesture and gives a wave, though his pace does not slow. His destination is clear—the dry, empty lake that sits near the farmland.
The workers exchange confused glances as they watch Vincent step onto the cracked earth of the lakebed. He walks to the middle of the lake, making the other even more confused.
Without a word, he raises a hand, channeling magic through his fingertips. The ground trembles as a deep hole forms in the center of the lake.
From his pocket dimension, Vincent retrieves the three Aqua Vein Crystals, their pale blue glow pulsing faintly in his palm. He plants them carefully into the newly formed well, burying them beneath the soil before pressing his hand against the ground.
A small pulse of mana flows from his palm into the buried crystals.
For a moment, nothing happens.
Then—a quiet gurgle.
Water bursts forth, rising from the depths of the earth in a slow, steady flow, filling the dry lakebed.
A hush falls over the farm as the workers watch, wide-eyed.
Some gasp, others whisper among themselves—but none can deny the miracle unfolding before them.
The water is clear and pure, a life-giving force, unlike anything they have ever seen.
Where they had once viewed Vincent as merely a magician with useful tricks, now they saw something greater—a powerful mage, one capable of turning this barren land into paradise.
Vincent steps away from the slowly filling lake, watching the crystals continue their work. With a nod of satisfaction, he turns to the others.
"You can use this as a drinking source," he announces. "The water is clean and safe. It will continue to refill until the lake reaches its full capacity, and once it does, the flow will stop automatically. You do not have to worry about it overflowing."
The silence breaks.
A cheer erupts among the workers—loud, jubilant, relieved.
Their worries—the fear of starvation, of thirst, of survival in this harsh land—had just vanished.
They had food. They had water.
Their future was no longer uncertain.
Vincent lets them celebrate and walks toward Alfred, who still stands frozen, staring at the lake with utter disbelief.
Only when Vincent reaches his side does the older man snap out of his daze.
"Alfred."
"Yes, my lord?"
"Does anyone here know how to design a water canal? We'll need one for the next farm expansion."
Alfred frowns, considering. "As far as I know, no one here has that knowledge, my lord. But I will ask around. If we have no one capable, we could… request help from another territory."
Vincent is silent for a moment.
He doesn't like the idea.
As much as expansion is necessary, he is not yet ready to reveal to outsiders what he has done here. He needs time—to build, establish control, and secure his foothold before drawing unwanted attention.
For now, it is better to hold back.
"…Forget the expansion for now," Vincent decides. "But increase the current farm's production. Have the workers fill every available water container. Also, tell the guards to go hunting."
Alfred raises a brow. "A hunt, my lord?"
"I believe it's time for a celebration."
Alfred smiles. "Understood. I shall have the men gather food for a feast."
"Make sure they don't wander too far," Vincent adds. "We don't need monsters finding our location."
"Of course, my lord."
"Good. I'll be in my room."
Alfred hesitates. "Would you like me to prepare a bath for you?"
Vincent hums in thought before nodding. "That would be appreciated."
Alfred bows his head. "It will be ready in a few minutes, my lord."
Vincent gives him a brief nod before heading toward the mansion.
Alfred watches him go, his mind still reeling from everything he has just witnessed.
He had volunteered to follow Vincent because he wanted to quit serving the royal family—nothing more. His plan had always been to fade into the background, to live quietly before dying of old age.
But now…
Now, things were different.
He had once served a great king, but the current one? A failure.
A man who threw away his own son as if he were nothing more than a broken tool is not a good ruler.
But Vincent was not broken.
The young man had no arrogance, no cruelty, no delusions of grandeur like his family.
He was kind, but not weak. Intelligent, yet practical. A leader who commanded respect, not through fear, but through action.
Vincent had assumed Alfred was here as a spy, and he did not blame him.
After all, Vincent does not know that he has volunteered, unlike the others—they had simply been discarded by the king. They are the beggars and poor people in the capital who the king does not like.
His original plan had been to fake his death and disappear alongside the others. To start anew in another city, far from this kingdom and its tyrant ruler.
But now?
His plans had changed.
The miracle he had witnessed today had shaken something deep inside him.
This young lord—this exiled prince—was far more than he appeared.
And Alfred would watch him grow.
Would he become a ruler worth following? A true lord of the people?
Or would the seeds of his lineage corrupt him, turning him into a tyrant like his father?
Alfred did not know.
But one thing was certain.
He would be there to guide him.
To shape him.
To ensure he walked the right path.
And as he turned to head back to the mansion, a small smile appeared on his lips.
"The path will be rocky and dangerous," he muttered under his breath. "But I am eager to see where it leads. Will you prove yourself worthy, Lord Vincent? Or will you prove me wrong?"
With a new purpose, Alfred walked forward.
And so, the future of the exiled prince was set in motion.