Return of the General's Daughter
Chapter 185: Starting Her Plans

Chapter 185: Starting Her Plans

While the political landscape in Calma shifted under Prince Alaric’s strong presence—whose sweeping reforms left both allies and opponents reeling—Lara was quietly but resolutely orchestrating a different kind of revolution—one not born of noble decrees or battlefield glory but of ambition, foresight, and the will to carve an empire for herself.

She wanted to bring to fruition what she had planned since she awakened in this archaic, unfamiliar world. While others were caught up in the political drama, she was focused on building something tangible, something hers.

She confided her plans to Samuel and Jethru, men she regarded not only as elders but as invaluable sources of insight into this foreign time. Though they did not always understand her, they respected her determination—and that was enough.

She asked a portion of the estate’s backyard to be allocated to her. She enlisted the help of one of Alaric’s soldiers, who knew carpentry, to help hire carpenters to build row houses at the far end of the backyard following her design.

From there, things moved quickly. Together with Yando, they began constructing the first phase of her vision: six modest but well-designed row houses that would house the broken vases that she vowed she would help.

Each dwelling measured just 20 square meters, raised a full meter above ground to guard against the floods of the rainy season. The bamboo walls stood tall and clean, while slatted bamboo formed springy, breathable floors. A narrow flight of six steps led up to a small front balcony—a simple but thoughtful detail—welcoming guests before they entered the living space.

Inside, the layout was deceptively efficient. The living room, cozy yet functional, could seat four with comfort. To the left, a door opened into a bedroom large enough to fit double bunk beds, allowing up to four people to sleep within. Despite its size, the room was cleverly designed to mirror the combined space of the living and dining areas. At the rear, a slim doorway led into a compact kitchen and utility area. There was also a ladder that led to the loft that could be used as a sleeping or storage area.

The roofing was made from bundles of sun-dried cogon grass, tightly woven and reinforced with sturdy bamboo frames, promised durability through storms and sun alike.

There was no flushing toilet at that time no matter how Lara was disgusted about it. She could only build two outhouses a safe distance away, along with two enclosed sheds where women could bathe in relative privacy.

The estate’s old stone well remained functional, but she had grander ideas: a deep and wide rain-fed pond, to store water for drier months.

Lara decided to make only six units. The house was small, so it did not take a long time to build. When it was done, Lara allowed herself a rare moment of satisfaction. They looked almost quaint and charming—like something a city dweller in her old life might rent for a pricey "staycation." Yet here, she had six at once and could build more anytime.

She also asked the carpenters to construct an open hall with just the roof supported by sturdy posts, which she designated as the working area.

While construction buzzed in one corner, another group followed her more curious instructions: the framing of a vertical garden. Wooden shelves stacked high like ladders, braced for rows of clay pots. The concept was foreign to many—especially to Jethru, who examined the drawings with undisguised skepticism.

"This is foolish," he muttered, brow furrowed. "The land is vast. Our backyard alone stretches like a plain. Why bother with this toy-sized setup? Plants need earth—real soil. This will stunt their growth."

"These herbs don’t need much soil," Lara explained calmly, used to resistance. "And this way, we save space, manage water better, and harvest with ease."

Jethru grumbled, unimpressed. "You’re being stingy."

"Call it efficient," she said with a small smile. "Let them laugh if they want. They won’t be laughing at harvest time."

Jethru muttered under his breath but waved her off. "As you will, girl. Just don’t expect me to defend you when people start talking."

"Let them laugh, Grandpa. The moment we do the harvest, let us see who had the last laugh."

...

Every day, her three brothers came and helped with whatever they could, although their help was tinged with confusion.

"Sis, why are you doing all this?" Bener asked one afternoon, wiping sweat from his brow. "Father is rich, and your brothers have more money than we need. You don’t have to work like this."

Lara handed each of them a glass of fruit juice. Their surprise was immediate—the drink was chilled, a small miracle in a time without refrigeration.

"Is this... cold?" Gideon asked, peering into his cup as if magic lay inside.

But they pushed it to the back of their minds. They just thought that they used chilled water stored in the big jar, as January was a relatively a cool month.

Lara just smiled. She had long discovered potassium nitrate (saltpeter) in the many caves of Mount Ourea and Roca. A year ago, she found a way to extract it and quietly perfected a rudimentary method of making ice. Cold drinks in the summer? Luxury, reinvented.

"But it is not about the money, Bothers. I wanted to prove myself without relying on others." Lara said honestly.

Her brothers fell silent. The words stung more than she’d intended. Did she mean they weren’t dependable? That their love and loyalty weren’t enough?

When Lara saw her brother’s expressions, she realized that her words might have inadvertently hurt them.

Realizing her misstep, Lara softened. "Uhmm, I did not mean I don’t want to depend on my family. Of course, I would need a lot of support, and I hope you could do that. I need connections and a strong backer, especially when I start selling what we make."

They perked up at that, curiosity piqued.

"Selling?" Percival echoed, brows knitting.

Lara nodded. "Yes. I’ll be producing goods soon—things people want. I need your help to get them into the right hands in the capital."

The idea was new to them, but they listened.

"Wait here," she said, and disappeared into the house.

The three brothers enjoyed their cold drinks while they watched the laborers working diligently in the distance.

When Lara returned, she carried three bags—sturdy backpacks, much like the one she had taken to the war in Hainai. Each was slightly different in color, but crafted with the same care and design.

"These are for you," she said, smiling. "Gifts. But soon, they’ll be products. Once we make enough, I want to start selling them. And I’ll need your help finding trusted partners in the capital."

Bener ran a hand over the thick fabric, impressed. "These are... really well made."

"They’re just the beginning," Lara said. "And we’re just getting started."