The Ability to Shift Anything is Convenient, Even in Another World! Chapter 14: New Settlement

The two of them were baffled, trying to grasp what Aeden ant.

"And the reason you're here is...?" Reika asked.

Aeden cleared her throat before answering.

"Ahem! While we were gathering logs in the forest, we stumbled upon an abandoned structure deep inside."

Silas looked up at the sky, searching his mory. A few seconds later, sothing clicked.

"Oh! That must be the structure I saw when I was young. If I rember right, there were piles of broken bricks scattered around..."

"Yes. At first, we ignored it since the bricks had beco brittle from ti and erosion, but our king, Alguis, had an idea—he suggested using the site to build a settlent instead."

"With his ability, he reshaped large stones into new bricks, making them usable for construction. Then, he ordered us to gather logs and turn them into beams, planks, and slabs to build houses."

Silas’ eyes widened as he finally understood what Aeden was trying to say.

“So that ans…?!”

“Yes. The three of us built houses so these villagers could have a place to live. While they’re free to leave if they manage to find another settlent, they can stay there for now…”

Despite the good news, Silas’ expression darkened. Reika noticed and asked,

“That’s a generous offer, Mister Silas! Why aren’t you happy?”

Silas turned, gazing at what remained of the village—now nothing but rubble.

“It’s just that… all of us were born and raised here. Our ancestors lived and died in this very place. We made mories, celebrated feasts, witnessed marriages… This village was our ho.”

He turned back to Aeden, eting her eyes.

“I appreciate the offer, but it’s not my decision to make.”

"W-We would like to accept it."

Silas turned to see the villagers gathered behind him. They had been listening the whole ti.

“Elder, thank you for your concerns. You’re right—we built our lives here. Our children grew up here. We thrived here.”

“But there cos a ti when we must leave behind even the places we love for the sake of survival. I’m sure our ancestors—even your late mother—would have made the sa choice.”

Silas looked at the villagers.

“But even if I agree, we have to consider that our village is still part of the Kingdom of Ardrom. We are its subjects. Settling in the forest, beyond the kingdom’s land, could bring serious trouble.”

“Who cares about the kingdom?” soone shouted. “They rarely co here, except to bleed us dry with taxes and take our goods!”

“That’s right! Even if we were attacked by monsters, they wouldn’t lift a finger unless it benefited them! We’re nothing but a remote village on the borders!”

“We paid them taxes, gave them crops—promised protection in return! But look at what happened. Did their soldiers co to save us? Did they help rebuild our village? No! Not a single one of them!”

“We’d rather live sowhere the kingdom won’t bother us anymore. Free from their grasp and beco independent. What do you say, my fellow villagers?”

“Yeah!” they roared in unison.

Silas saw the determination in the villagers’ eyes and fell silent. A village woman stepped forward and gently tapped his shoulder.

“Don’t worry, Village Elder. In our new ho, we’ll create new, joyful mories. Besides… I’d rather leave behind the pain of my husband’s death and build a future with my children instead.”

Hearing her words, Silas finally accepted the village’s decision. He stepped forward, facing the crowd.

“Since you’ve all chosen to move to our temporary—no, our new settlent—I have no choice but to accept their offer!”

The villagers erupted into cheers, relieved that their worries about shelter were finally over.

“We’ll also provide protection while you live there, as an apology,” Aeden added. “Since we have nowhere else to settle for now, this is our way of making ands for the destruction we’ve caused.”

The crowd grew even more lively, their cheers ringing through the ruins.

“Hurrah! With their protection, we won’t have to fear those monsters anymore!”

But as the excitent swelled, Silas raised a hand, silencing the villagers.

“Now that our plans had changed, we'll move there imdiately. Have you finished gathering your belongings and completing the tasks I assigned?”

“Yes!” one of the villagers called out. “We finished making pillows and gathered all the remaining wheat, packing it into baskets woven from wheat stalks.”

“Good. Prepare the remaining wagons and get moving! If the wagons are full, carry the rest by hand!”

At his command, the villagers scattered, gathering the three intact wagons in no ti. They loaded the heavy and essential supplies first, while the rest carried lighter items on their backs.

As the villagers worked, Aeden and Reika stood off to the side, watching. After a mont, Aeden spoke.

“The king told he didn’t defeat Agnar alone. Soone created a distraction so he could land the finishing blow.”

She turned to Reika, bowing her head.

“I must thank you for your assistance in defeating Agnar.”

Reika started to protest, but before she could, Aeden straightened and extended her hand.

“I’m Aeden, one of the personal guards of King Alguis Fellad.”

Reika reached out and shook her hand.

“I’m Reika Mitsuha.”

Aeden hesitated for a mont.

A surna? Is she a noblewoman?

They shook hands with formality. anwhile, in the distance, Völun was seen sitting beneath a tree, watching the village’s preparations. Beside him, the boy he had encountered before—Soru—stirred awake.

“So, you’re finally awake…”

Soru blinked and turned, recognizing the dark-skinned man who had fought alongside them in the forest.

“It feels empty, doesn’t it?” Völun muttered, staring at the ruins. “The golden fields are gone… and now, it’s just barren land.”

Soru didn’t reply, only watching in silence. Suddenly, Völun raised his hand and extended it toward him.

“By the way, I’m Völun.”

Soru hesitated before lifting his own hand to shake Völun’s.

“Soru Shin.”

Völun paused, his grip tightening slightly.

A surna? Is he of noble birth?

After a brief mont, they released each other’s hands and turned back to the ruined landscape, letting the silence stretch between them.

“…By the way, Soru. I…”

The two spoke for nearly an hour, unaware of how much ti had passed. anwhile, the villagers finished their preparations, standing ready to depart.

“Now, let’s move out!” Silas commanded.

With Aeden leading the way, Reika, Silas, and the villagers followed, stepping onto the path that would take them to their new ho.

In the distance, Völun was still talking to Soru about their plan to provide the villagers with a new ho when he noticed the entire group had started moving. He stopped mid-sentence and imdiately stood up.

Soru, seeing the villagers on the move, turned to him.

“They’re leaving… So that ans they accepted your king’s proposal, right?”

Völun paused briefly before nodding.

“Yeah, looks like it.”

Soru got up and followed Völun as they walked toward the villagers. Monts later, Aeden spotted them, and her expression shifted.

“Well, well, look who finally decided to show up—the slacker himself!”

Up ahead, Völun saw Aeden wearing a cheerful grin. He raised an eyebrow.

Hm… I thought she’d be mad at for leaving her, but she doesn’t seem to care at all…

But just as he let his guard down, Aeden’s expression turned sharp. She marched up to him, grabbed his ear, and pinched it as hard as she could.

“You bastard! We were ordered to inform and guide these villagers, and yet you had the nerve to slack off?!”

“Ow! Ow! Ow! I-I'm sorry! I-I was just introducing myself to the kid over there!”

“Hm?”

Aeden released him the mont she noticed Soru standing beside him.

That’s the kid from before…

She shoved Völun aside and faced Soru. A tense atmosphere settled between them, and the villagers held their breath, watching. Then, suddenly, Aeden extended her hand.

“I’m Aeden. You must be Miss Reika’s companion.”

She glanced to her right, where Reika stood observing. Soru reached out in response, grasping Aeden’s hand.

“Soru Shin.”

Reika’s eyes widened in shock.

Eh? He understands their dialect? How… and when did that happen?

At the sa ti, Aeden hesitated.

A surna? Is he a noble like Miss Reika?

They shook hands formally before continuing down the path toward the new settlent.

As they walked, sothing nagged at Aeden’s thoughts.

Both of them have surnas… but only nobles possess them. Does that an…?

After so hesitation, she spoke up.

“Miss Reika, Mister Soru, may I ask you sothing?”

Both turned to her.

“What is it?” Reika asked.

“Since both of you have surnas, I assu you hold so noble status. May I ask which kingdom you hail from?”

Reika fell silent for a mont before answering.

“We’re not nobles, nor do we co from a kingdom. We’re from a country where surnas are common and have nothing to do with status.”

Aeden frowned in confusion.

“A country where surnas are common? I’ve never heard of such a place…”

“It’s from a continent next to this one,” Reika added.

“Oh…”

Another continent? I’ve never read about that in any history books… Does such a place truly exist?

Aeden realized she had slowed her pace. She quickened her steps to catch up.

Well, whether it exists or not isn’t my concern. First, I need to focus on finishing the task our king entrusted to us!

...

The villagers marched for hours without rest, determined to reach their destination before sunset. Fortunately, the sky was partly cloudy, shielding them from the worst of the sun’s heat.

As they entered the forest, they encountered several monsters, but the dwarves and others dispatched them with ease.

Hours had passed, and at last, they arrived. The sun hung high in the sky—it was already noon.

The new settlent was nestled among lush, young trees, while larger ones were being cut down for construction. In the distance, workers chiseled massive stones, preparing the foundations for more houses.

The villagers scanned the area, taking in the sight of seven completed hos—built by the dwarves. Beyond them, more structures stood half-finished, waiting to be completed.

Up ahead, two large houses stood at the far end of the settlent, still under construction. Atop one of them, Alguis Fellad was securing the roof, placing wooden slabs into position with practiced ease.

The villagers wasted no ti settling in. So chose their houses and moved their belongings inside, while others, whose hos were still unfinished, pitched in to complete the work. Children road the area, exploring their new surroundings while their parents and older siblings busied themselves arranging furniture and supplies.

As Reika took in the sight of the bustling settlent, a child's cry caught her attention.

“Uuu… Mama, I miss Papa…”

Nearby, a young girl clung to her mother’s skirt, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her mother knelt beside her, gently stroking her hair.

“Don’t cry, my child. You know Papa wouldn’t want to see you like this.”

“But still! I want to see Papa again!”

Moved by the scene, Reika stepped forward and knelt beside the girl.

“Hey now, no more tears. I’m sure your papa would be worried if he saw his cute little princess crying…”

The girl sniffled and lifted her gaze to Reika.

“I… I don’t want to worry Papa anymore. I won’t cry... ever again!”

Reika smiled and patted her head.

“That’s the spirit! Now, why don’t you go play with your friends over there?”

She gestured toward a group of children playing at the center of the settlent.

“Mhm!”

Wiping her tears, the girl nodded and ran off, a small smile returning to her face.

Her mother let out a relieved sigh and bowed slightly.

“Thank you, Miss Reika. She was very attached to her father… Ever since he passed, she’s been crying non-stop. This is the first ti she’s smiled in days.”

Reika patted the village woman’s shoulder.

“No problem! Now that she’s feeling better, you don’t have to worry anymore.”

The woman’s eyes sparkled with gratitude.

“Miss Reika…”

As they spoke, Reika caught a glimpse of Soru standing alone at the edge of the settlent. He was silently watching the villagers, his expression unreadable as he observed them go about their work.

Reika turned back to the woman. “Miss, it seems I have sothing to take care of. May I excuse myself?”

Noticing where Reika’s gaze had wandered, the village woman smiled knowingly.

“Of course. I have chores to finish inside anyway. Go ahead, Miss Reika.”

She bowed slightly before heading into her new ho. Reika returned the gesture with a small smile before walking toward Soru.

As the woman stepped inside, she paused for a mont and glanced back, watching as Reika approached Soru and struck up a conversation.

Hmm… I wonder what their relationship is…