Fantasy Family Simulator (FFS)

Rhett immersed his thoughts in his mind and opened the system.

"Would you like to start the text simulation? Each year of simulation costs 5 Fate Points."

"Yes, simulate one year."

[Year 474 of the Kingdom of Gillon, June 6th: Relay and Crina's wedding was officially held at Deep Rock Castle. From this day on, they became husband and wife—congratulations.]

[June 12th: Taylors visited Maplewood Town with Shirin as his escort, further deepening their relationship. That night, passions ignited, and the two explored the mysteries of life together.]

[June 24th: Colton brought his trade caravan to your territory, delivering 40 three-eyed fire-patterned fish, 80 giant-toothed scallops, 60 blue-backed crayfish, and 50 frost-shell crabs. You traded all of your ice crystal seeds in exchange for these aquatic magic beasts you've been yearning for.]

[July 1st: The stable hand, George, assisted in the birth of Blacky's triplets—a joyous event worth celebrating.]

[July 9th: The deputy commander of the Canyon Defense Line, Sir Ambiru, accompanied by Count Nilo, arrived at your territory to conduct the ceremony to elevate your title. From this day forth, you became a Viscount of the Kingdom of Gillon, and your territory expanded threefold.]

[July 13th: Considering the anticipated population growth in your territory, you decided to develop the fire-patterned mine. You led the territory's blacksmiths to survey the mine, estimating its reserves to be between 20,000 and 50,000 tons—a small vein.]

[July 16th: The lord of Maplewood Town visited to discuss the marriage between Taylors and Mina.]

[July 27th: Due to the spread of news about your elimination of the evil alchemy organization, some people who had been persecuted by the organization and whose hometowns were destroyed came to seek refuge in Eagle Town.]

[July 29th: Your hard work paid off—Crina became pregnant.]

[August 3rd: Viscount Bolton of Goldrush Town visited Eagle Town to discuss a partnership concerning the fire-patterned mine. During their visit, Rellis flirted with Taylors at the knight training ground, earning Mina's furious scolding. Angered, Rellis challenged Mina, but Tuck intervened just in time. After an intense duel, Tuck, having just glimpsed the second layer of Phantom Recoil, narrowly won. Viscount Bolton noticed Tuck's extraordinary skills and proposed a trade, which you coldly rejected.]

[August 5th: A second-level mage arrived, claiming to have alchemy knowledge passed down through his family. He stated that three years ago, his family was slaughtered by the evil alchemy organization, leaving him as the sole survivor. Having heard of your revenge, he expressed deep gratitude and pledged his loyalty.]

[August 6th: More hard work bore fruit—Mina became pregnant with twins.]

[August 8th: The wedding of Taylors and Mina was officially held at Deep Rock Castle. From this day on, they became husband and wife—congratulations.]

[August 15th: You set out for the Darkwing Eagle Mountain Range with Tuck, Relay, and Taylors. On the way, you encountered a third-level bloodhoof boar. After a thrilling battle, you managed to kill it.]

[August 16th: You encountered a pack of 19 first-level wind wolves led by a second-level wind wolf. You easily defeated them all.]

[August 20th: You and your sons began hunting on the outskirts of the Darkwing Eagle Mountain Range.]

[September 3rd: Relay, who had been heavily using Moonlight Elixir, reached the peak of a first-level mage. The awakening of the Snow Elf pushed him to the second level.]

[October 29th: You noticed that the number of beasts on the outskirts of the Darkwing Eagle Mountain Range had significantly decreased, suggesting that you may have cleared most of them. To ensure sustainable hunting, you decided to stop. By this point, you had killed 11 third-level beasts, 115 second-level beasts, and 349 first-level beasts—a bountiful harvest!]

[November 25th: Taylors advanced to an apprentice mage.]

[December 20th: As you continued to use fire essence to incubate your magic beast egg, it caused quite a commotion. Your patience paid off—the fire feather eagle chick hatched and imprinted on you as the first thing it saw.]

[December 21st: With the population of your territory steadily increasing over the past six months, you decided to improve Eagle Town's population registration system. You conducted a census, registering families and individuals, while also screening for spies or malicious individuals. Additionally, you tested all commoners over the age of 12 for talent.]

[December 23rd: After two days of testing, six individuals with knight talents and one with a mage talent were identified and recruited into the guard reserves.]

[December 24th: During the census, a man named Zoran was found to have falsified his background. After being exposed by a villager from the same village, he was interrogated, revealing that he was a spy from Windmill Town, sent by Dusty.]

[December 25th: Two homeless first-level knights sought refuge with you.]

[December 28th: Tadder, who had been stuck at the peak of a first-level knight, found a breakthrough and advanced to the second level that day.]

[Year 475 of the Kingdom of Gillon, February 16th: Under the guidance of a second-level alchemist, Relay became an apprentice alchemist.]

[March 19th: Under the same guidance, Taylors also became an apprentice alchemist.]

[April 15th: Relay's wind-patterned tiger pet, Whitey, advanced to a sub-level magic beast.]

[April 21st: News from the Canyon Defense Line mentioned a massive increase in demand for ores of all types, indicating a critical shortage. Realizing the profit potential, you made a long-term supply agreement with the military procurement officer.]

[April 27th: A traveling bard arrived in your territory. You met them at a tavern in town and took the opportunity to inquire about deep-sea fishmen and related treasures. The bard, surprised, admitted to knowing little but mentioned a friend living on the Eastern Blue Coast who had researched such legends. You expressed your interest and paid the bard 10 gold coins to pass along the invitation, promising an additional tenfold reward if successful. The bard eagerly agreed and left the same day.]

[May 9th: Your old comrade, Widdis, passed through your territory. He revealed that he had retired after losing an eye and was feeling downcast. You comforted him, and after much persuasion, Widdis decided to join your territory. From him, you learned that battles at the Canyon Defense Line had intensified, with orc reinforcements arriving regularly, including the royal bloodline of the Phantom Venom Serpent.]

[May 16th: Relay and Crina returned from their visit to Darmtown. In your conversation with them, you subtly confirmed that Carol hadn't left home for nearly a year following their wedding.]

[May 27th: A first-level flash sparrow wandered into your territory and began bullying the young fire feather eagle. You arrived just in time to save it. The grateful fire feather eagle chirped softly and acknowledged you as its master.]

"End simulation? Continue?"

"No."

Rhett carefully reviewed each event before taking a deep breath. The sheer amount of information from this simulation was overwhelming. He returned to his room, sat on the edge of the bed, and began contemplating the events from the simulation.

First, the trade with Colton for the aquatic magic beasts had gone smoothly—no need to worry about that anymore.

Regarding Gale's wife, Carol, the fact that she hadn't left home in nearly a year ruled out any immediate concerns. While Rhett wasn't entirely convinced, he hoped it was just a coincidence.

Apart from these two matters, there was also some progress regarding the rainbow shell. Rhett had always been familiar with the nature of traveling bards—they were elusive, constantly wandering the world. Due to their extensive travels, many people viewed bards as repositories of diverse knowledge.

"Let's hope that friend from the Eastern Blue Coast can provide some clues," Rhett thought, though he wasn't too optimistic. Even the smallest lead was worth pursuing.

These three matters were deliberate actions Rhett had taken before the simulation. However, other developments from the future and the new insights caught him off guard.

The first surprise was the spy from Windmill Town—Zoran. If Rhett remembered correctly, when he had just returned from the front lines last year, a certain viscount's son had tried to take his Eagle Town territory while Rhett was weakened by the White-Tailed Eagle's poison.

That viscount's son was none other than Dusty from Windmill Town!

Though the laws of the Kingdom of Gillon prohibited direct conflict between nobles, preventing outright territorial grabs, that didn't mean nobles couldn't find underhanded ways to seize land. The schemes some nobles devised to achieve their goals could be shockingly devious.

When Dusty had visited Rhett, he certainly hadn't come out and said, "Give me your land." Not only would Rhett have refused, but such a move would have been illegal.

Instead, Dusty had first proposed a marriage alliance, suggesting that his sister marry into Eagle Town.

If that had been all, Rhett might not have suspected anything. But then Dusty had expressed his wish for his sister to inherit the title…

Ha! Rhett immediately saw through the classic scheme—marriage, followed by the convenient demise of the father-in-law, paving the way for the wife to become the heir, who would then bear a son… and eventually, the wife would also "pass away," allowing Dusty to take control.

Such an obvious ploy was never going to work on Rhett!

He had kept this grudge in his heart. But to think that even after he had become a third-level mage, Dusty still dared to make a move by planting a spy in his territory!

Rhett's frown deepened. Windmill Town was now firmly on his list of future targets for retaliation. But now wasn't the right time.

From the simulation, he had learned that the situation at the Canyon Defense Line might change dramatically next year. The mention of the front lines overpaying for ores of all kinds indicated just how dire the circumstances were.

Moreover, his old comrade had revealed that battles along the Canyon Defense Line were intensifying, with more orc reinforcements arriving, including the royal bloodline of the Phantom Venom Serpent.

As he stared out the dim window, Rhett exhaled deeply. With his experience on the front lines, it was easy for him to see that the war at the Canyon Defense Line was escalating.

But Rhett wasn't afraid. Fear stemmed from the unknown, but with a clear view of the future, he could devise the best strategies and make necessary adjustments.

After half an hour of contemplation, a smile crept onto Rhett's lips as a complete plan for the future formed in his mind.

Calming his thoughts, Rhett began his meditation, working to break through the barrier to becoming a fourth-level mage.

As the moon set and the sun rose, a new day began.

In the first-floor dining hall of Deep Rock Castle, the addition of a beautiful lady to the table was noticeable.

Crina, meticulously dressed, was in high spirits on her first day as part of the household.

When Rhett came downstairs, Crina greeted him politely, "Good morning, Father!"

"Good morning, Crina," Rhett replied with a smile as he took his seat. He added, "If there's anything you're not used to, don't hesitate to speak up and make suggestions. This is your home now."

"Thank you, Father, but everything has been wonderful so far," Crina responded with a warm smile.

Rhett nodded with a smile, taking a sip of milk before turning to Sveta, "By the way, how are those blacksmiths settling in?"

Sveta bowed slightly and replied, "My lord, the blacksmiths were among the first to settle in Eagle Town. They've been living comfortably in wooden houses, and they enjoy fresh milk every day."

Rhett nodded thoughtfully, then said, seemingly offhandedly, "Since our number of blacksmiths has increased, it's time to ensure we have an adequate supply of iron ore."

He turned to Relay, "Relay, I have a task for you."

"Please, Father, what is it?" Relay set down his knife and fork, ready to listen.

"I want you to handle the next trade caravan and focus on purchasing various ores. No matter the type, as long as the price is reasonable, it falls within our scope."

"Understood," Relay nodded, though he couldn't help but ask, "Father, what's the budget for these purchases?"

"Eighty percent of our territory's liquid funds," Rhett answered seriously. "And I'm considering selling that seventh-level dark magic crystal in my possession—use the proceeds to acquire even more ore!"