Chapter 46: Maya Village Defense Upgrades
Year 0003, I-III Month: The Imperium
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A New Approach of Work Pace
From a bird's-eye perspective, Maya Village bustled with activity on any given day. Villagers moved purposefully in all directions, attending to various tasks—training, working, or simply enjoying moments of respite in their chosen corners of the settlement. The meticulous preparation for construction sites had been completed; they stood ready for the actual building work to commence.
The community had wisely implemented a period of rest before launching into the next phase of their ambitious project. This brief interlude allowed them to recover both physically and mentally, ensuring they would approach the upcoming construction with renewed vigor and efficiency.
August had undergone a significant transformation in his leadership approach. He had come to recognize that others required proper rest to restore their bodies and spirits—a necessity for maintaining productivity and enthusiasm in their work. This revelation represented a marked departure from his previous management style.
Following the completion of site preparations—from material transportation to plan verification—all activities had ceased for two full days. Furthermore, the new work schedule allocated only five days of labor on the walls, with two days designated for recovery each week.
The children nearly erupted in celebration upon hearing this announcement. If left solely to August's previous inclinations, they would have faced a relentless schedule of nearly twenty-four-hour workdays with merely twelve hours of rest. Their days would have begun in predawn darkness and concluded well after nightfall.
The children who had worked alongside August the longest harbored traumatic memories and dreaded the prospect of another major project under his direction, especially when the housing construction remained incomplete. Erik, who had assisted with wood harvesting, ground preparation, and palisade installation during previous projects, particularly shuddered at the thought of returning to such an exhausting pace.
Despite their naturally robust physiques as new human Cetuurians (Arkanians), their mental resilience had proven more fragile. Psychological fatigue invariably preceded physical exhaustion. Recognizing this vulnerability, they had approached August with their concerns before embarking on new construction endeavors.
When the adults learned of the children's previous hardships under August's leadership, they intervened decisively. August, confronted with their reasoned arguments, conceded defeat with raised hands. The realization that he had overlooked this crucial aspect of workforce management struck him profoundly, and he acknowledged the validity of their perspective.
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Wall Upgrade Completion!
Remarkably, the village defense upgrade required merely two weeks to complete rather than the anticipated months. The wooden wall walkways and watchtowers now stood proudly in place, with access points strategically positioned in all directions to facilitate rapid ascent and effective defensive positioning.
The gateway had undergone comprehensive repairs and now featured an adjoining guard station designed for rest and sustenance. This addition would primarily serve the rotating guards assigned to patrol and secure the village perimeter.
[Upgraded Wooden Gateway: Level 2]
* +150,000 Gate HP (300,000 total HP, doubling the previous level)
* +75,000 Gate Defense (150,000 total Defense, doubling the previous level)
**New Enhancement:** (Guard House Implementation)
* +15% HP and MP regeneration rate for stationed personnel (host and allies)
[Upgraded Defensible Wooden Palisade: Level 2]
The existing wall infrastructure had been enhanced to incorporate a continuous walkway spanning 1.2 kilometers from the western to eastern boundary, effectively securing the entire entrance of the depression nestled between the two mountains.
Though the current ten-foot height might appear insufficient—with adults' hands visibly extending above the barrier—it adequately restricted unauthorized external movement and provided essential defense. Future enhancements to height and fortification remained contingent upon increased manpower availability.
Additionally, six new watchtowers had been erected at 200-meter intervals, bringing the total to seven, with one positioned adjacent to the village entrance. These towers reached 15 feet in height, ensuring comprehensive surveillance of the sloped terrain below.
* +50,000 wall HP (100,000 HP total, doubling the previous level)
* +50,000 wall defense (100,000 defense points total, doubling the previous level)
A/N: These figures represent wall durability exclusively.
* +15% material return rate for subsequent level upgrades
(Explaining the surplus materials available during the Level 1 Wooden Palisade construction by August and Erik)
**New Enhancements:** (Recent Wall Upgrade Benefits)
* +500 attack damage when repelling aggressors (Host and allies)
* +500 defensive capability for defenders (Host and allies)
* +20% visual acuity enhancement when positioned atop towers (Host and allies)
* +15% HP and MP regeneration rate for defensive personnel (Host and allies)
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A Job Well Done
Upon completing this crucial defensive enhancement—designed to ensure the village's safety and security—the community exchanged heartfelt congratulations. They anticipated celebrating their achievement with a feast and had rightfully earned at least a week of recuperation before resuming the expansion and completion of the housing construction.
The transformation extended beyond physical structures. August's evolution as a leader reflected a deeper understanding of human needs and limitations. The balanced approach to work and rest had fostered stronger community bonds and demonstrated that sustainable progress often requires measured pacing rather than relentless exertion.
As the shadows lengthened across the newly fortified perimeter, the villagers regarded their accomplishment with justified pride. The upgraded defenses represented not merely a physical barrier against external threats but a symbol of their collective determination and growing sophistication as a settlement. What had begun as a rudimentary outpost was steadily evolving into a well-organized community with the infrastructure to support long-term prosperity.
The coming feast would honor not only their construction achievement but also commemorate this milestone in their ongoing journey—a moment to reflect on how far they had come and to contemplate the promising future that lay ahead for Maya Village.