Kael’s face darkened at Elias’ question. His expression grew grim, and his gaze lowered. He let out a slow, heavy breath before finally speaking.
"We were a rchant caravan," he began, his voice low and steady. "We were transporting goods from the southern border, passing through Embergrove Forest. The route was risky, but it was the shortest path to the human city on the other side. Lord Veran here hired and a few of my comrades as guards to protect the caravan. Everything went smoothly for most of the journey... until a few days ago."
His voice dropped slightly as he continued. "It started like any normal day. The guards and I were scouting ahead, keeping an eye out for danger. Then, out of nowhere, without warning, a beast horde appeared."
"Beast horde..." Elias muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing.
He knew exactly what those words ant. In this world, a beast horde was a living nightmare—swarms of wild creatures, either driven by hunger or instinct, or sotis led by a powerful boss beast. Either way, they were extrely dangerous and hard to survive.
Kael nodded with a grim look. "Yes. We didn’t stand a chance. The first wave hit hard. Half the caravan was wiped out in an instant. The carriages were smashed, the goods destroyed, and most of my n were killed before they even had ti to scream."
Elias’ brows furrowed in concern as he listened.
"We ran," Kael said, his voice tightening. "We escaped with what little we had left. But the horde didn’t stop. They chased us, night after night. Every night, another attack. Every morning, fewer of us left. We only got away this ti because so of our people stayed behind to fight them off... they gave their lives to buy us ti."
His voice trembled slightly at the end, and Elias could hear the pain behind it.
Elias gave a slow nod. "A great loss," he said softly. "But you’re safe now. You don’t have to run anymore. I won’t turn you away. Stay here. Rest. Recover. This land may be new, but you’re welco to find peace in it."
He raised his hand, motioning to the open clearing around them. "As you can see, this territory is still in its early stages. I only discovered and claid it a few days ago, so there’s not much here yet. But it will grow... with ti."
Kael bowed slightly, his armored form still steady despite the fatigue on his face. "We wouldn’t dream of asking for more, Lord Elias. Your kindness already puts us in your debt. If there’s anything we can do—labor, protection, anything at all—just say the word. We’ll do our part."
Elias gave a small smile and nodded. Then he turned his dire wolf around. "Co. I’ll show you where you can rest."
---
They walked back slowly, Elias riding atop his dire wolf, while Vael walked quietly beside him. The rest of the group followed in silence, their steps heavy with exhaustion. When they arrived at the area where the shack and newly built two-storey building stood, Elias brought them to a stop.
He turned to them and gestured. "This is my ho. The top floor of the building is mine, but the rest is open for all of you to settle in for now. Make yourselves comfortable. There aren’t many buildings yet, but I plan to build more soon."
Kael nodded. "We understand. This is already more than we expected. Luckily, we managed to save a few tents from the caravan before it was destroyed. They’re damaged, but still usable. So of us will set them up and rest in those for now."
Veran, standing beside him, gave a stiff nod. "No complaints here."
Elias gave a faint smile. "Good. Tomorrow, if you’re feeling up to it, we can start planning new hos together. I’ll provide whatever I can to help build proper shelter for everyone."
The group dispersed quickly after that, eager to finally rest without fear. Elias gave them space and turned toward the two-storey building.
He and Vael climbed the stairs in silence, with Elias in front and Vael trailing behind.
But just as they reached the front of Elias’ room, Vael spoke.
"I don’t trust them," he said quietly, his tone filled with suspicion. "Sothing feels off about that group."
Elias paused, his hand resting on the doorknob. For a mont, he said nothing.
Then he sighed and shook his head. "You worry too much, Vael."
This was going exactly the way the ga’s plot was supposed to go. These people... they were ant to be the first settlers. Back when he played the ga on Earth, nothing bad ever happened involving them.
Vael stayed silent for a few seconds before nodding slowly. "If you say so, Master."
Elias lightly patted his shoulder. "Let them rest. They’re hurt and tired. Don’t scare them off."
With that, he stepped into his room.
Inside, Alia’s soft voice echoed in his mind.
"[Master seems to be in a good mood~]"
Elias smiled faintly as he pulled off his boots. "Of course. We just got our first inhabitants. It’s a big step."
"[They’re not residents yet, though~]"
"I know," Elias murmured, though his eyes were still bright.
They were just visitors for now. But if the ga followed the sa path he rembered, they would stay. He was sure of it.
He stretched out and lay back on the bed. His thoughts drifted to the challenges ahead—developing the territory, securing a water source, building food storage...
anwhile, outside, the camp buzzed with quiet activity.
A young woman with gentle eyes moved among the wounded, her hands glowing with soft green light as she channeled healing energy into their injuries. She wasn’t a high-ranked healer, so she couldn’t fully heal them, but she worked steadily. Slowly, bruises faded, pain eased a little, and the bleeding from serious wounds began to stop.
But while the others rested, two shadows slipped away from the group.
Veran and Kael stood at the far side of the shack, hidden from the glow of the campfire.
"So?" Veran asked with a slight sneer. "You think he believed it?"
Kael’s eyes narrowed, arms folded across his chest. "That kid? Maybe. He’s naïve. But... that guard of his? I’m not so sure. I could feel him watching the whole ti."
"You think he suspects sothing?"
"I’m not sure," Kael muttered. "But it’s possible."
Veran clicked his tongue in frustration. "Then what now? You planning to kill them?"
"Don’t be stupid," Kael snapped. "We’re in no shape to fight. We’re injured, and even if that punk looks easy to deal with, his guard and that wolf aren’t. And who knows how many more of those things he has? He’s a necromancer, after all. For now, we lie low. We recover. If everything goes smoothly, we move forward with the plan. If sothing changes..."
Veran’s eyes flashed with a dangerous light. "Then we adjust."
He turned, muttering under his breath, "That bitch... I’ll gut her for what she did to us."
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