Lord of Avalon : Lost in Another World

Before calling it a night, Ardi opened his Quest Rewards Panel to claim his daily rewards.

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[Quest Rewards Collected]

+3 Low Gacha Tickets

+1 Random Item (White Tier): 300 Cotton Seedlings (Used for making fabric and textiles.)

+2 Random Items (Green Tier):150 Pipeweed Tobacco Seedlings (From Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings universe).100 Red Rubber Tree Saplings (Produces flammable sap when liquid and becomes tough when dry).

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After checking his rewards, Ardi closed the panel and sighed.

"Alright, that's it for today," he muttered, stretching.

Yui, floating beside his futon in her fairy form, gave him a teasing smile. "Master, you look so serious even when claiming rewards. Are you that obsessed with loot?"

Ardi smirked as he lay down. "You never know when something important might drop."

Yui giggled and landed softly beside him. As he pulled the blanket over himself, he reached out and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Good night, Yui."

Her wings fluttered slightly, and she nestled closer with a content hum. "Good night, Anata."

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In his dream, Ardi found himself standing beneath a massive tree whose trunk stretched endlessly into the night sky. The air was cool, filled with whispers of ancient secrets.

As he wandered, disoriented, a soft, melodic voice called his name.

"Ardi…"

Startled, he turned toward a glowing light at the base of the colossal tree. It shimmered, swirling between deep green and golden hues, before taking shape—revealing a breathtaking elven woman.

Her eyes held an ageless depth, and her presence radiated warmth and mystery.

"I am Gaia," she spoke gently. "You may call me the Consciousness of this world."

Ardi's heart skipped a beat. He hesitated before asking, "Gaia… do you have a sister? Or a close friend named Alaya?"

Gaia chuckled, her laughter like rustling leaves in a spring breeze. "In this world, I am the only one. There is no Alaya here. And no, this is not the Natsuverse."

Ardi sighed in relief. "Good. The last thing I want is to deal with Counter Guardians or some cosmic disaster."

Gaia tilted her head. "Given your circumstances, such things aren't entirely impossible in the future, Lord of Avalon Archipelago."

Ardi groaned. "I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear that." Then, curiosity got the better of him. "How do you know me? And why do you call this place the Avalon Archipelago instead of just Avalon Island?"

Gaia's golden-green eyes softened. "I know you through Cynthia, the Dimensional Goddess. She has been watching over you for a long time. She asked me to watch over this realm… and to assist you if necessary. And Ardi, whenever my world and I face threats or problems that I can't resolve on my own, Cynthia has entrusted you with the responsibility of solving them for me..

Ardi frowned. "Wait… are you asking me to save the world?"

Gaia smiled, but her gaze held a quiet expectation. "Not yet. But if that time comes, I hope you will answer."

Ardi sighed. "I feel like I just got dragged into something huge…"

Gaia then explained that Avalon wasn't a single island—it was part of a hidden archipelago within a vast, unexplored fourth ocean, untouched by the known civilizations of the world.

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The World's Geography

World Name: Ældoria

The Three Known Continents:

Midgardr: The largest and most advanced continent, home to powerful kingdoms and empires.

Midgardr dominated by Humans, alongside allied races like Gnomes, Dwarves, and Beast-Kin, and Opposed by Orcs, Goblins, Trolls, Minotaurs, and other humanoid monsters, who formed their own coalition.

Vetheris: A continent covered in ancient forests, filled with lost magic and mysterious races.

Vetheris Ruled by Elves, alongside Fairies, Dryads, Golems, and other nature spirits. They are Shares the land with Undead—the embodiments of death, bound to the natural cycle of life. While they sometimes clash due to philosophical differences, both races maintain an uneasy balance.

Solmora: A scorching desert wasteland, home to the warring factions of Nether Demons and Abyssal Creatures.

In Solmora Continent  Nether Demons control the land, forming their own brutal hierarchy. Abyssal Creatures, monstrous beings from the depths, dominate the sea and small islands. The two factions are in constant warfare, seeking to control what little land remains.

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The Three Great Oceans:

Morrithian Sea: A dangerous sea separating Midgardr and Vetheris, filled with sea monsters and violent storms.

Nethrazar Gulf: A tropical ocean near Solmora, filled with pirates and nomadic traders.

Vaelstrum Waters: A freezing sea to the north, rumored to hold the remains of an ancient dragon civilization.

The Hidden Fourth Ocean:

Aetherial Abyss: A secret, uncharted ocean where the Avalon Archipelago is located, shielded by mystical fog and natural barriers.

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The Avalon Archipelago's Five Islands:

Avalon Island: The largest island, where Minori Village is located.

Ysvaris Isle: A wild, untamed island with magical beasts and ancient ruins.

Dainfel Ridge: A mountainous island rich in rare minerals, but Underground Civilization.

Mirithal Atoll: A small island with pure mana wells, possibly linked to a lost civilization.

Varundra Isle: A frozen land, once believed to be home to ancient giants.

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Gaia's golden-green eyes met his. "You've come far, Lord of Avalon… but your journey is only beginning."

Ardi frowned. "You're making it sound like something big is coming."

Gaia's expression remained calm, but the weight in her gaze was undeniable. "For now, all I can say is… be prepared. The world doesn't know you yet, but you're already becoming a part of its future."

Silence filled the space between them.

Ardi clenched his fists slightly, then relaxed. "...I guess I'll just keep moving forward."

Gaia smiled. "That is all I ask."

Her golden-green light began to swirl around her again.

"We will meet again, Ardi…"

Then, everything faded to white.

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Ardi's eyes snapped open. The first thing he saw—

Yui's face, just inches from his.

"WAH—!"

Yui giggled, her fairy wings fluttering. "Good morning, Master~ You were mumbling in your sleep. Did you dream about another woman?"

Ardi groaned, rubbing his temple. "Technically… yes, but—"

Yui gasped dramatically, puffing her cheeks. "Unfaithful! Anata, how could you?!"

Floating above his futon, she crossed her arms, her blue eyes filled with playful accusation.

Ardi sighed. "Yui… I was literally dreaming about Gaia, the consciousness of this world. Not some random woman."

Yui pouted. "Hmph. First Cynthia, now Gaia. How many goddesses are you planning to flirt with?"

Ardi smirked and suddenly pulled Yui into his arms. She let out a tiny gasp as he cupped her cheek and kissed her lips.

For a moment, she froze—then melted into the embrace.

When Ardi pulled away, he gently ran his fingers through her silver hair. "You're the only one I'll ever be this close to."

Yui's wings fluttered wildly, her cheeks flushed. "M-Mou… You can't just do that whenever I tease you, Anata."

Ardi chuckled. "I absolutely can. And I will."

Yui buried her face against his chest, mumbling something too soft to hear.

After a peaceful moment, Ardi's expression turned serious. "I need to tell you something important."

Yui looked up, sensing the change in atmosphere. "Is this about your dream?"

Ardi nodded. "Yeah. Gaia told me about this world… and it's way bigger than I expected."

As they sat together, Ardi explained everything about Ældoria and the Avalon Archipelago.

Yui's eyes widened. "So… our island isn't just isolated. It's part of a completely unknown region."

Ardi nodded. "And one day, the world will notice us."

Yui took a deep breath. "That's… a lot to take in, Anata."

Ardi squeezed her hand gently. "I know. But I'm not alone in this."

Yui blinked before smiling softly. "No, you're not."

Ardi smirked. "And yes, Gaia was pretty."

Yui groaned. "You're impossible."

After a refreshing morning bath and a hearty breakfast by Megumi—rice, fresh vegetables, and two savory protein dishes—Ardi and Yui sat together in the warm Lord's Office. Their earlier conversation had been light and playful, but soon Ardi's tone grew serious.

"Ren," Ardi called as he sipped his tea, "please tell your fellow shinobi to gather all the villagers in front of Daimyo Manor in one hour. We have important things to discuss."

Ren bowed respectfully. "As you command, My Lord." He and the other shinobi left, and the room fell quiet for a moment.

Ardi changed his clothes from his casual training wear into a formal outfit—a crisp white kimono and hakama with blue accents. He carefully tied his obi, making sure his Steel Katana and the evolving Omniblade were safely tucked in. The new look gave him a dignified, commanding presence, just like a proper lord.

While waiting for the villagers, Ardi reviewed his daily quest panel on his HUD. As usual, his routine included:

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Morning Run (5 laps around the village) Reward – 1 Low Gacha Ticket, +1 Random Item (White).

Kenjutsu Training (60 minutes of sword practice) Reward – 1 Low Gacha Ticket, +1 Random Item (White).

Kyūdō Practice (90 minutes of archery training) Reward – 1 Low Gacha Ticket, +1 Random Item (Green).

But today, two new special quests had appeared:

Humanoid Beast Trace: Reward – 3 Mid-Tier Gacha Tickets and 1 Random Purple Building.

Water Youkai Investigation: Reward – 2 Mid-Tier Gacha Tickets and 1 Random Purple Equipment.

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Ardi's eyes lit up with determination. "These new quests… they might be just the challenge I need."

Yui drifted closer, curious. "Master, you seem excited. What do these quests involve?" she asked softly.

Ardi smiled and adjusted his stance. "The first quest, 'Humanoid Beast Trace,' will have us follow mysterious footprints—evidence of a creature that's part man, part beast. The reward is 3 Mid-Tier Gacha Tickets and a unique purple building to upgrade our village. The second quest, 'Water Youkai Investigation,' will have us search the riverbanks for signs of a water spirit. That reward is 2 Mid-Tier Gacha Tickets and a piece of purple equipment. Both will help not only me but all of Minori Village."

Yui's playful smile softened into one of admiration. "I love how you always see potential in every challenge. It really shows how much you care about our future."

Ardi gently brushed a stray lock of her silver hair away. "I only want to build a stronger home for all of us," he said sincerely.

At that moment, the sound of bustling feet and low murmurs signaled the villagers' arrival. Groups gathered in the courtyard outside Daimyo Manor, speaking with respectful familiarity. A farmer named Kazuo approached with a warm smile, and a craftsman named Takeshi nodded respectfully.

"Good morning, My Lord," Kazuo greeted. "We're ready for your guidance."

Stepping out onto the grand veranda, Ardi addressed the crowd in a calm but firm voice. "Thank you for coming. Today, we move forward together. We have new quests that will challenge us and help us grow stronger as a community. I trust you all to support our expeditions and share any findings."

The villagers murmured their agreement. Takeshi added, "We'll do our best, My Lord. Every detail you taught us will help secure our future."

Ardi smiled warmly. "Excellent. Remember, communication is key. Use the suggestion boxes at the Great Village Hall to report any issues or ideas about our resources and daily work."

Yui whispered, "You really inspire them, Master. I'm proud to stand by your side."

Ardi's eyes softened as he replied, "And I'm forever grateful to have you with me, Yui." Their hands briefly met—a quiet promise of unity and care.

As the meeting ended and the villagers dispersed to their tasks, Ardi stood thoughtfully. The new quests on his panel promised to test him and help improve Minori Village. With his Steel Katana and Omniblade at his side and the trust of his people, he was ready for what lay ahead.

"Let's begin this journey, together," he said softly as morning sunlight shone over Avalon Island.

Ardi, the young lord, stepped out of Daimyo Manor with a determined smile, ready for his daily jog. The village, once quiet and embryonic, had transformed into a bustling community. Villagers could be seen everywhere: carpenters were raising new wooden structures, farmers tended to freshly planted fields, and Ashigarus patrol around Minori Village.