Year 2, Fall, Third Month, First Week
Reiner almost choked at the mans question, everyone working around them stopped and discretely (visibly) waited for her answer. For the Origin, she had been corned by the polite blacksmith and now she would have to answer him or risk confirming his suspicions without any kind of explanation.
Were humble people Mister Arnold, but werent stupid, we wouldnt throw away our lives fighting against the Kingdom However, were done living under their oppression, giving up our children as slaves and dying to support their luxuries. Before the month ends, we will be leaving the Kingdom.
But thats just being nave
Why? Do you see anyone out there watching us? Weve been doing all sorts of things here for almost two years, yet nobody stopped us. We already live at the borders of the Kingdom, a few kiloters east and even the Kingdom wouldnt dare following us
Arnold was about to explain how much she was wrong and how nave they were being, but the words didnt appear. She wasnt wrong, nobody was here to prevent them from leaving. They clearly could face the beasts, their daily at als were enough to prove that. Then, he rembered the magic barrier, if they could keep beasts and people out of their village All the questions about the beasts, the Kingdom, the magic poisoning started to die before they could be voiced. He realized that everything happening in the village was a preparation for it, they had a real chance to escape from the Kingdom. Should he leave with them?
Ahen Im sorry for questioning your decisions mam. I was just a little nervous about being away from my forge for so long I know it concerns your plans but if I followed you, would I be able to return later? Keller seed to think I could, hes planning to do more deals with the village, but now
I understand your concern If you decide to go with us, you would have at least another opportunity to leave after winter Its your choice, but I hope you decide to co with us Let tell you so of our ideas related to blacksmithing
After talking with Reiner for almost an hour, Arnold decided to follow the villagers, he was ready to risk his life and everything he had for a chance to be part of their glorious future.
***
Kanin entered the Council pavilion still cleaning the sweat out off his forehead, after pouring himself a cup of water-infused tea he sat and they finally started the eting. He took a sip from the tea and felt his body relaxing, but was then interrupted by Oro, who annoyingly chose him to start the reports, probably so kind of silent punishnt for delaying the eting.
Ah Im sorry for being late, I was supervising the harvest and transportation of the last crops Which brings to my report, as for now, we officially finished the harvest. Aside from a few green vegetables and so roots that can last for two weeks, everything was moved to the camp. Yesterday, I traveled there and confird that the crops are being handled correctly, everything is gonna be properly stored, and a good amount of seeds was separated from both the common and magic fields. We could use a few more Grain separators to finish processing the wheat in a week, otherwise, we would need two weeks Either way, I cant free the farrs until we finished processing everything. We could delay the processing for a few weeks, but that would make transportation more difficult
This ti, Kanins speech was much more calm and fluid. Finishing his tasks helped to improve his mood and confidence. Also, when he talked about the crops, the amazing scene of hundreds of healthy plants being carried by the happy villagers resurfaced from his mories, making him feel hopeful for the future.
A quick account around the present mbers was enough to decide to move the farrs to other departnts. Once, the farming departnt was the most affected by magic poisoning because they worked outside the village the entire day without any special protection like the hunters had. However, the situation started to change when other departnts had to be sent to the camp and even to the outpost. The initial suffering also helped the farrs to build a strong resistance, so they would be a welco reinforcent to the other departnts. Next to talk was Katlyn. Kanin didnt miss the tiredness on her face, even the energetic and practical woman would suffer if pushed too far.
The Hunting Departnt is going through a difficult ti We already lost six mbers, which is offsetting our achievents and lowering morale among the hunters. Diana couldnt even co back for the eting. The only thing keeping them from losing it is her presence But even so, were still doing our job. However, we cant keep up with trips between the village, the camp and the outpost, two tis a day is already stretching our numbers too much. I think we need to anticipate our schedule and move all the villagers by the end of the week, otherwise, we would need to use other villagers for security
After Katlyn dumped her ultimatum, the mbers beca restless. This was the most important and delicate ti for the village, their actions would decide if they lived or perished.
If they placed untrained villagers in the hunting teams, the deaths would probably grow exponentially, but what could they do to relieve the pressure on the hunters? Until Keller sent the last delivery with the materials needed to build the magic barrier, moving the elders was out of the question. So, the only possible solution was to decrease the trips, which also ant putting more strain on the health of the villagers.
The trips purpose wasnt just moving resources, actually, most of the resources had already been moved to camp. So, they continued with the trips to take the workers where they needed and help the villagers get used to the high levels of energy. Even though getting used to the energy levels might appear secondary, it was essential to avoid deaths and sickness in the future. Once they decided on the solution, Old Bill stepped forward to talk.
Since Alfeur is dealing with the construction at the outpost, Ill be handling the matters of the Crafting Departnt. Our last report was two days ago, were a little behind the schedule because of the lack of workers in the outpost. We planned for 200 workers, but our numbers dropped to 90. However, were only two days behind. If we could use so farrs, sothing around 150, the delay could be solved in a week
Mary also stepped forward before the Council decided to give all the free farrs to the Crafting Departnt. After almost a year leading the Health Departnt, she was much more forthcoming and quick-witted.
Our departnt could also use more people. If we want to keep the deaths to a minimum we need more people going around and checking on the villagers health, 50 more would be enough
Fortunately, the Farming Departnt could spare 200 hundred villagers, which would be distributed imdiately after the eting. Finally, it was ti for Reiner to make her report.
The Alchemy Departnt is also facing a lot of problems to keep up with the schedule. We didnt expect so many tools would need to be crafted, pressure from the other villagers also doesnt help But even so, well be ready when the ti cos. Karl has been testing and improving the barriers design as much as he can without the rest of the resources, we can only hope Keller delivers them on ti
***
Two days after the Council eting, a caravan appeared on the horizon and moved with hasty towards Caiset. The delivery was finally here!
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