Chapter 30

    A Border Village with Over a Hundred Soldiers Guarding It

    The unification of the three villages brought about several sudden changes.

    The term ‘unification’ in this case did not refer to merging into a single new village, but rather to a solution proposed by those in power to ensure everyone's smooth survival through the crisis. Whether the villagers would formally integrate into a single community in the future was a discussion for another time.

    Redwood Village, situated at the center of this area, now saw constant traffic of people coming and going. Most of the activities revolved around resource exchanges or working in exchange for food. During this period, Kit learned more about the neighboring villages through the frequent visits of Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Mary.

    Sunwood was a village located on the northeastern border of the vast Foris Forest. Its forestry resources were just as abundant as those of Redwood Village. Most of the residents were lumberjacks and foragers, while skilled craftsmen produced high-quality wood for household utensils and food storage containers. What caught Kit's interest the most, however, was their local crops. Besides wheat and peas, they also cultivated pumpkins and large butternut squashes. Although only a few households grew them at the beginning of the year, Kit was more than happy to trade sweet potatoes and grains from the church for these crops at a fair exchange rate.

    The fruits and seeds of these golden-fleshed vines were quickly stored away. In Kit’s mind, he was already envisioning a dish of honey-roasted pumpkin, something that might just pass as a dessert worthy of offering to the beautiful goddess.

    Blackwood Village lay southwest of Redwood. The vast Foris Forest extended beyond imagination, and within its depths grew the most durable hardwood in the kingdom. Though expensive, harvesting and processing it was exceedingly difficult.

    Blackwood's staple food sources were Job’s tears and salmon. The village had multiple streams running through it, serving as spawning grounds for a massive number of fish each year. Their preserved food consisted of delicacies such as dried fish and fish cured with animal fat and herbs… The Redwood Church was eager to trade supplies with Blackwood as well.

    With increasing interactions among the villagers, the priests and nuns of the Foris Church in Sunwood and the Landbruh Church in Blackwood also started visiting more frequently. Kit and the other children had the opportunity to meet children from different churches who came along to learn agricultural techniques. Although it was not yet the planting season, acquiring knowledge in advance was never a bad thing.

    The village became even livelier when a fast courier from Russel arrived, bearing a green emerald flag embroidered with a white tree. The village gatekeepers swiftly opened the entrance to welcome the visitor, and Mr. Jonathan was urgently summoned.

    “Apologies for the sudden news, Village Chief.” A young officer quickly handed over an important letter before smiling with satisfaction upon seeing how much the village had advanced once again.

    “This… this is—is this real?” Jonathan's eyes widened as he read the contents thoroughly, not once but twice.

    “It is absolutely true, sir. In seven days, two hundred soldiers will arrive to guard this village. They will also serve as laborers to assist in various tasks as needed…” The young soldier paused for a moment before making a slightly uneasy request. “All we ask is temporary lodging for the troops—just a place to sleep. Even an open space outside the village walls would suffice…”

    His gaze swept across the bustling settlement… It was clear that every available space inside the village had already been claimed. It might be inconvenient, but even settling right by the outer walls was better than nothing.

    “That won’t do. We’re not that heartless. We will discuss and quickly arrange a proper place for them, along with constructing shelters. You must be tired from your journey—come, rest and have something to eat.”

    “Can I…can I stay at the church?!” The young soldier in light armor asked, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. Jonathan couldn’t help but chuckle before nodding in agreement.

    (Sweet potatoes and rabbit stew… I’m coming for youuu.) The young soldier shouted in his heart as he urged his horse toward the mountain path at full speed. This was the true destination that had driven him to endure an exhausting two-day journey.

    The nearly six-acre stretch of land running along the village wall remained unclaimed… Such a narrow plot was not suitable for farming, so no villagers in the past had taken interest in settling there. It had mostly been used for outdoor wood storage. Thus, the request for land allocation for the Russel soldiers was officially approved, utilizing this very space. With an excess supply of unsold lumber, the cost of constructing accommodations for the two hundred soldiers remained low. Additionally, the laborers from Sunwood and Blackwood were compensated with food rations instead of silver coins.

    As a result, the central funds of both the village and the church remained largely untouched.

    Nearly two hundred workers transported debris, leveled the ground, dug foundation pits, and erected simple walls with sturdy wooden roofs in record time. Within just three days… the large barracks for the two hundred territorial guards were completed. The only tasks remaining were digging farmland plots, setting up a cooking area, and excavating a well for water supply.

    A portion of the village’s central food reserves was distributed among the workers, who returned home with bright smiles. Their daily wages consisted of grains or sweet potatoes—enough to provide a full meal for two days per person. In addition, meals were provided while they worked. No employer in this difficult season could match such generosity.

    The officer who had arrived ahead of the main force was stunned by how swiftly the request had been fulfilled in three days. Even during the handover inspection, he stood there in disbelief, mouth agape in astonishment. He recalled his father’s words: ‘With money, anything is possible.’ But now, he felt an overwhelming urge to correct that statement.

    With delicious food, anything is possible! … Of course, such a saying was only applicable during times of crisis.

    The high-quality wooden beds—crafted from both local timber and wood purchased from Sunwood—had already been delivered before the soldiers arrived. While they only had dried straw to stuff into rough cloth-covered mattresses, the temporary military camp was still in excellent condition.

    When the two hundred soldiers arrived, they were filled with excitement. Most of them had never set foot in Redwood Village before, but after hearing the astonishing tales that had spread far and wide—especially regarding the incredible food—they were eager to experience it for themselves, even if it came with a degree of risk.

    In the end, what should have been a grueling deployment to the rural frontier felt more like a vacation. A grand, sturdy barracks had been dedicated to their lodging. Had it not been for John personally confirming that this was a newly built structure, they might not have believed it. After formally reporting to the village chief, the two military companies orderly claimed their quarters.

    Following a well-earned rest, they began utilizing their manpower to dig a well and construct a stable for the forty warhorses they had brought along. A representative was also dispatched to the village blacksmith to discuss weapon maintenance for the troops.

    Master Hugh Smith found himself busier than ever. Yet, he was delighted that his skills could be of great use to others while earning him a considerable profit. After delivering a batch of Sunwood-made wooden fermentation barrels to the church, he planned to shift his focus to repairing the soldiers’ weapons.

    The arrival of the troops also sparked significant changes in the village’s social and economic landscape. With an influx of money into the community and an increase in food demand, the once-dormant village market suddenly thrived. Even Kit was amazed by the creativity of the merchants and vendors, who continuously introduced new delicious dishes.

    (Mm… everything is falling into place. It's time to prepare the offerings.)

    The well-known boy of Redwood Village carefully selected a large quantity of ingredients for his mission. His coin pouch still held ample funds, and although market prices were high due to the current circumstances, the supplies were essential for his crucial mission.

    The entire stock of large honey jars, filled with the floral essence of spring, was purchased outright. The merchant from Sunwood, who had supplied them, could barely contain his joy, his grin stretching ear to ear. Kit even hired him to deliver the goods to Redwood Church, to which the merchant eagerly agreed—free of charge.

    Then, the young man walked toward the mead stall, where a rich, warm aroma filled the air. As soon as he arrived, the familiar vendor hurried into his house to retrieve a cloth bag. Inside, it was packed full of fragrant, bitter-tasting herbs that Kit had ordered in advance. The price of these herbs was even cheaper than food. And although the vendor wished to give them away for free, Kit still casually stuffed several silver coins into his hand.

    Trade must be fair and honest… He still remembered Aunt Mathilda’s teachings.

    His final destination was the renowned blacksmith shop of Master Hugh. Kit spotted the man, drenched in sweat, looking exhausted yet oddly content (?). He was working diligently as always. Today, Kit had come to collect a smooth iron pot with a matching lid and ladle… This essential set of equipment would be used to prepare a dessert offering for the great Forest God. He also planned to present a newly crafted liquor for the other gods to taste.

    The young man had no idea how this offering would unfold. Would it be like lighting incense and speaking to the empty sky, as he once did to the sacred entities of his previous world…?

    The distilled liquor, aged in Sunwood barrels, was finally opened. A deep, woody fragrance mingled perfectly with the herbal infusion. Its transparent hue had a slight greenish-brown tint, carrying the distinct aroma of sweet potatoes. It was a potent liquor, one that no one had ever tasted before. Kit intended for the gods to be the first to savor it in their honor.

    The dessert… was honey-roasted pumpkin, beautifully arranged with a glossy surface that glistened under the sunlight. A fresh mint leaf adorned the top, adding a refreshing fragrance that stimulated the appetite in the sweltering heat of the season.

    People had already gathered… Important figures from the churches of the three villages, along with all the village chiefs and soldiers, stood waiting in front of the grand church. An intricately carved wooden altar stood prominently before them. Everyone only knew that the Redwood Church was about to hold a food-offering ritual to honor the gods who had blessed them. They had never heard of such a ceremony before… and had come to witness it with their own eyes.

    The three high priests stood ready to conduct the formal rites, while Kit methodically placed the offerings onto the altar. The aroma of honey-roasted pumpkin, served on a beautifully engraved wooden plate, and the mysterious clear liquid poured into an elegant wooden goblet, made every onlooker swallow hard.

    During this time… a gentle breeze swept through intermittently, gradually cooling the sweltering heat.

    The moment the hymn of praise to the gods was sung, the murmuring crowd fell silent. They gave thanks to Gaiel, the great lord of the earth, who upheld all things, and then honored the gods of water, wind, and flame. Next, they spoke of the generosity of Goddess Foris and Lord Landbruh. They also gave thanks to the God of Craftsmanship and the other deities who had bestowed their precious blessings upon the village.

    The young man, burdened with an important duty, fixed his gaze on the food before him. As the melodious prayer concluded, the three priests turned to Kit.

    Their part of the ritual was done… They, too, were curious about how an offering to the gods would be received. With countless eyes watching him, Kit felt the pressure mount and decided to speak.

    "Uh… Lady Foris, may I trouble you to summon the gods to receive their sweets and drinks…?" The gathered priests and villagers widened their eyes in shock. This boy was calling upon the gods to take the offering?! How?!

    Before any protests could erupt over his seemingly irreverent words, a brilliant white light—characteristic of Lord White Wings—descended upon the altar, followed by the radiance of the other gods. The crowd was left utterly speechless, unable to believe their eyes… Then, they all fell to their knees in reverence.

    In the blink of an eye, all the offerings vanished, leaving behind only the exquisite vessels that once held them.

    Only a faint voice echoed through the wind—clear and unmistakable to everyone present… The gentle breeze tousled Kit’s hair into a wild mess.

    "Thank you."