Tenth author's journal 2: Mikhail

21_A caretaker's vow

Chapter 21: Visiting village

"It's past noon. The sun has passed its prime time. In Saudade, there will be an invasion. It is entirely my fault, and I must- " A knock behind my head, the knock was not strong enough to have a long-term effect, but it was enough to take my mind off the current panic. Andromalius must have used his strength to prevent further damage to my vessel.

"You are a foolish king, Mikhail." But don't worry, I've been in contact with my trusted troops since last night. That you have no ill will toward us, the high noon comment is a rush to bring you back to reality because you are so engrossed in your work." Andromalius teases us as he moves us to the shade. The imps quickly bring some iced water to cool down the heat stroke we have.

"That remark of yours almost gave me a panic attack, Andromalius. However, I apologize for my tardiness in performing my duty." The sun is still shining brightly as we speak, and the lack of sleep has kept me from thinking much; moving us to the shade for talking should help to clear my mind. Those space equations are difficult enough, and yet I am teased at the end of my efforts. Either to learn and avoid future shenanigans or to simply accept them.

"Apologies are not required. A king's posture must be stern and firm; do not allow your expenses to dull your ambition." Andromalius replied gleefully.

"Then shall we go to your village, per yesterday's offer, I wish to install the same for you. Are you interested in the technologies you've seen the agriculture minister use?" I probe cautiously. With his previous aloof behavior, I'm not sure he can see through complicated space equations.

"It's a little embarrassing to admit this, but I don't get any of that. The only thing I know is that it will help with the rationing issue." Andromalius responds truthfully, I am relieved not to be deceived by another demon. It will be difficult to teach him about technology based on his knowledge of the agriculture minister's comment.

"Shall we go then? I have no idea where your village is, so transportation by magic or flight is out of the question." I consider every path they could take. They may have been hostile after the previous afternoon's message, but I'm trying not to overwork myself after dying from it. Defending myself against a whole village of demonic snakes is a difficult task in this state.

"I'll lead the way then, but your body must not have been in good shape." Andromalius swept me off my feet and into his powerful arms. "So, Mikhail, I'll carry you." Why do demons keep carrying me like this? Blood Claw did it when we first escaped; now it's Andromalius' turn.

If this vessel is self-sufficient, I would decline. However, I believe that lack of sleep will cause me to make mistakes and crash into a mountain or obstacle. "Do as you must, I would crash onto a mountain at this point," I reluctantly agree.

"All right, put your hand on me." Andromlius soars through the sky on his wings. His wings have more reptilian features than Blood Claw's general wyvern wings, which makes me wonder what Kryos' wings will be, whether they will be the wyvern of a normal demon or the bat-like incubus from the books.

Looking down, Saudade is a large kingdom to account for; unlike its small capital, the rest of the kingdom is made up of villages separated by imp-guarded gates. Far from the capital, I see Fimbulwinter port in ruins, with cinder blocks burned to a crisp and poisonous still unresolved. The location would be still too dangerous to use as a defense, A new construction should be built to replace the old port.

The scenery in the pine wood where the battle took place is eerie due to all of the dark mana broken from my unholy ground. Despite its appearance, the tree looks better. From above, the earth has softened, and the environment has been taken over by its natural state. In the lines of those pines, bicorns and demonic bears appear, and blood tulips and frenzy daisies grow.

We arrive in the village at dusk, as the sun sets over the distant mountain. The village is enormous, even larger than the capital's market. The cold from the north made it unbearable to live with oil lamps and torches lit up. That is the reason for the increased demand for rations, not the gluttony curse.

The kids are wrapping themselves in animal hide. Shivering and coughing, they are in critical condition if this continues. "I'm hungry, Mother. When are we going to get food?" one of them begged. "I'm not sure, my child. "All I can do is wait until Lord Andromalius returns with tribute." The pitiful state would break even the hardest heart.

"This, child, is one of the tributes I've gathered. Eats up and grows into a warrior who will protect this village." Andromalus pulls out an orange, a sub-space agricultural fruit. Because I mimicked the promise garden's usual list of fruits, the seed wasn't in the regular catalog. Andromalius could simply request that some of them be returned, but his vulnerability would make him appear weak in comparison.

"Thank you very much, Milord." The child grasps the fruit clumsily, while the mother thanks God incessantly for this small merciful act. If this continues, this village will surely perish if another harsh winter arrives without massive hunting success; the children will simply perish, and the men will lose the will to protect themselves after losing everything.

"Are you seeing the harsh reality that we face?" If you were me, you would confront the cowardly contractor like my nephew with a weapon. However, because you have a gentle soul, you can withdraw your offer after seeing this. Without consequences, I promise." He abruptly speaks in a formal tone as he walks back to my side. "I see the skepticism in your eyes." He scoffed sternly as he handed me an animal hide to wear.

"You're wrong, sir Andromalius," I respond to his dubious claim, claiming that these issues should be attributed to a lack of civil experience rather than a lack of leadership. I see myself as empathetic once more, being blamed for something that is beyond one's ability. My heart simply cannot accept this difficulty as being too difficult to resolve.

"I beg your pardon, Mikhail?" Andromalius inquires once more, wanting to be certain before deciding whether to believe what I am about to say. A sliver of conscience remains on the northern lord.

"I don't feel doubt, but I do feel responsibility." Give me an hour or two to complete a basic village renovation. However, when the work is completed, please gather your most trusted ally." I was about to give instructions to those he trusted the most in order to gain their trust. As the kingdom and the village gradually gain control of this whimsical alliance, they will become both great allies and helpful supporters.

"I can keep the distrust at bay." You have already gained trust in your work following the dawn demonstration. Please contact me whenever you require." Andromalius departs to consult with the remainder of his troops. This is the point at which my work begins.

Because the heating issue is the most pressing, it was prioritized first. A heat resistance rune ‘ϱ’ is enough to keep the villagers warm for each house, regardless of material. However, things were not so easy with the rundown ones. Those who refused to move out for another build were so hostile that they cursed me as "Enchantress" and "Angelic monster." While ignoring those insults, the process is being significantly delayed.

With the warm water and food issues, it would be both too late and too early to create a sub-space, as it would raise suspicion as spying spells. The most basic solution would be to create a clean water fountain with a ‘ΔΔΔ’ rune, which should last until my next yearly visit. Food should include cold-weather vegetables such as tomatoes and potatoes. These should be handled by those who are capable of doing so.

Some of the villagers are terrified of me because they were involved in the previous battle. Those who are skeptical believe that enemies should not be treated so harshly unless for an unjustified reason, such as revenge. The children, on the other hand, like me; even as demons, naivety is present in every child. They messed around and took the fruits I had given them from the sub-space. My heart warms as I see how happy they are.

Night has already fallen as the stars have risen in place of the moon, with the half-crescent moon waxing in the starry sky. Those kids have gone to bed, and I need to get to the small get-together I promised.

Inside the most glorious house in the village, the decoration of demonic beasts' skulls is normally a declaration of Andromalius's strength. Truly “The northern lord” is suited for him even without the official classification. However, I do prefer “Saudade’s protector” even when it was built on deceit.

The table consists of only other three demons, each having a decent amount of scars to be called an honorable warrior. My tiredness has made me find it difficult to distinguish one from another.

“Greeting great enchantress”

“Isn’t it suppose to be king Mikhail?”

“…”

Each of them speaks differently however they are all different to Andromalius as his noticeable. “Are you done with your renovation as proposed?” Andromalius speaks firmly as a leader supposes to.

“The heating problem has been temporary fix the heat resistance rune, there are a few rundown houses I am not able to put up with,” I say without reserve, for once the tiredness has gone to the point where I just can’t pass the formality check for now.

“Those are difficult to persuade.”

“Heat ressistance rune? I am able to comfortably rest in my house now.”

“…”

“The clean water problem is fixed by having a water fountain. The water rune is acting not only as the water supplier and the water purifier. The water fountain will act as a healing from now on.” I continue

“It will also solve the lack of healers in the village.”

“And I get to make something to drink rather than snow.”

“…efficient”

“The food problem I regret to inform you that I haven’t got enough material and time to do something largely affect the life improvement of this village. I only have these cold weather seeds to plant…and” I fall asleep on the table without knowing further. My head is so heavy that I can’t move my body, I guess my fate is at their mercy.

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Didn't they do it again, the little king? They worked themselves to the bone and shocked their subjects. A king, Mikhail, should be the one leading their subjects, not the one running around and caring about every mistake that occurs. Despite my repeated warnings, they continue to disregard my instruction. Nonetheless, Saudade is fortunate to have this kind soul as its ruler, as opposed to that irresponsible one.

“Milord, great enchantress has fallen asleep” Akan speaks as he is the one with the most rational in here. I am surprised that he has given up on examing that pouch of seeds.

“Haha, what he said last dusk has caught my attention. Speaking so bold and having no bite. Shin was going to cut them down after receiving the message.” Bikan is still joking about this, how different one other brother is.

“…I was so flustered” A whisper from Shin

“What did you say, Shin” I hardly ever heard him talk so much.

"I was so agitated, Milord, that I mistook the king." They are beautiful and charitable, and the children have expressed their gratitude toward the king's blessing. Milord, I want to die for almost chopping down a goddess like that." … Mikhail, I'm speechless; do you want to be the mother of this village or something?

Nonetheless, I must transport your body once more. This time around, your heart is still warm. I mean, this time I wasn't killing you... I am so relieved that my tears are falling simply from holding your still body.

“Andromalius, swear on myself as an Ars Goetia will become Mikhail’s caretaker until my last breath is drawn.”

The end

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A night can be heavenly to those who have worked.

But for those awake, it is hellish.

The debate to follow nature course or pathing a way.

All but nightly roundabout between consciousness.