The group of merchants Dant had mentioned arrived just as Philia and the others departed.
“There really is a village out here in the wilderness?!”
“The rumors weren’t wrong...”
“What’s that building over there?”
They stared at me with wide eyes.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I called out. “I’m Luke Arvale, the mayor.”
“I’m Brookley, the leader of this group of merchants,” said a short man in his mid-thirties. “And I have to say, I’m amazed! I’d started thinking this village wasn’t real until I saw it with my own eyes...”
Brookley came from the family who’d founded the Kane Trading Company, one of the largest merchant guilds of the North. He was already serving as vice president at his young age.
But why would someone like him come all the way out here?
They’d mostly brought supplies our village lacked, such as clothing, household goods, crop seeds, medicinal herbs, and spices. All we had to offer in return were our crops. The orc meat would have sold for a high price, but the villagers had begged me not to part with it. I guess they really loved the stuff.
It is really delicious...
As it turned out, those crops were just what the merchants needed at the moment.
“Those are the biggest vegetables I’ve ever seen!”
“Oh, want to try a sample?” I asked.
“Are you sure?” The merchants all eagerly gathered around.
“Hrm, there’s no sign of insect damage. They look like they’re in perfect condition!” one said.
“Growing big vegetables isn’t that difficult, but usually they don’t taste very good.”
“Are they even edible?”
The merchants eyed the giant vegetables suspiciously. Regardless of the fact that they’d been sent by the governor, they were determined to carefully assess the products with the discerning eye of a true merchant.
Then they tried a taste.
“Th-This is delicious!”
“They’re so juicy and sweet!”
“These are supposed to be out of season, right?”
I was pretty happy to hear them praising our village’s crops so openly.
“They’re huge and the taste rivals even the finest produce. To think they were grown out here in the wasteland...”
“Well?” I said.
“I didn’t expect them to be this good. We’d be happy to buy them from you,” Brookley said.
After a brief negotiation, we settled on a price much better than I’d hoped. That meant I could afford to buy everything they’d brought over.
“I’m not sure if we need all of it, but I’d like to buy everything you brought, including the special products,” I said.
“What?! Really?” Brookley exclaimed.
“Yes. I’ve heard that many villages are struggling with food shortages, so I’d like to help however I can. And if they’re still having trouble after our trade, please let them know about this village. We’re always happy to welcome new residents,” I said.
Brookley stared at me.
“Is something wrong?” I asked, puzzled.
“No, I was just thinking... If all nobles were like you, Lord Luke, then the commoners would have much better lives. O-Oh, I’m sorry! I don’t mean to speak badly of the marquess...” he said.
“Ha ha. Please don’t worry about it. I’m not very fond of my father’s way of doing things either.”
Brookley gave me a thoughtful look.
“But I’m just a village mayor. I have no interest in becoming the lord of some big domain,” I said.
With our first trade concluded, the merchants promptly left. They had other goods to sell and needed to get moving right away.
Incidentally, I’d bought more than just supplies.
“Mooo...”
“Meh eh eh...”
“Bawk bawk bawk!”
I’d purchased cattle, goats, and chickens so we could have milk and eggs.
“Come on. I’ll show you to your new home,” I said, leading them toward the barn.
✦ ✦ ✦
Livestock Barn
>>A barn designed to house livestock. Boosts growth, health, and reproduction.
I’d built it with my Gift, of course. I just hoped they’d like it...
“Moo, moo, moo!”
“Meh eh eh!”
“Bawk! Bawk! Bawk!”
“Huh?! What’s going on?!”
The moment the animals entered the barn, they started running around excitedly.
“It looks like they really like their barn!” a girl standing nearby said.
“Oh, you’re—.”
“Yes, I’m Nerulu! My Gift is Wildheart!”
Nerulu was a year older than me and could understand the emotions of animals.
“Do you think you can take care of these guys for me?” I asked her.
“Sure! I’ll make sure they breed and produce plenty of milk and eggs for us!”
We already had plenty of orc meat, so I had no plans of butchering these animals for food.
✦ ✦ ✦
Deep in the forest, a great crisis was breaking out in the elven village. Screams and chaos filled the air.
“Argh! No! We can’t hold them off!”
“If they break into the village, it’s all over!”
A herd of massive, pig-headed monsters was pushing the village’s stone walls to their breaking point.
“We can’t hold them off much longer... We have to run while we still can!”
“Run?! But where to?! The hungry ones will just chase us until they eat us all alive!”
“Then what do you suggest we do, huh?! Just let them break in and kill us all?!”
Normally, the elves were a calm people, but now they shouted at each other in a frenzy as the reality of the situation set in.
However, one elf raised her voice above the others to speak in a commanding tone: “We must escape immediately! Head south! There are fewer of them there! Warriors, take point and break through!”
It was Philia, the captain of the village’s warriors. Elves scattered at her command, racing toward the southern exit. They’d already made it to the south gate by the time the orc horde broke through the walls. Just as she expected, the orcs had spread their forces thin on that side, and the vanguard was able to achieve a breakthrough.
“I’ll cover the rear! Just keep running!” Philia shouted as she landed a headshot on one of the orcs.
But most of the elves, being highly intelligent beings, knew there was no hope ahead. The number of orcs chasing them was overwhelming, and it was clear they’d eventually be run down and overpowered.
Since they were a long-lived race, there were few children. Although they could withstand old age better than humans, even their elders slowed them down. Nevertheless, leaving their comrades behind was not an option for the noble elves.
No, there is hope! If we can reach the frontier, we’ll be safe!
Philia suddenly thought of the village she’d visited recently. Despite having only been built six months ago, it was so comfortable and safe that it almost seemed unbelievable.
Elves typically didn’t have the best opinion of humans, but Philia was certain after just one visit that the villagers were kind, gentle, and trustworthy. But above all else, what had captured her heart wasn’t the bidet toilet, but the young village mayor.
I hate to say it, but we have no choice but to ask him for help!
Philia quickly turned to one of the elves who’d visited the village with her and gave the command.
“Lute! Hurry ahead to the village and tell them about the situation!” she said.
“Understood!” Lute instantly bolted off at full speed.
Philia watched him for a moment, then nocked a new arrow, aimed for the throat of an approaching orc, and released it without hesitation.