One Week Later
The camp had grown significantly, now featuring two small shelters and a tiny workshop.
Each member of the group had their own responsibilities:
- Kaiandthebearcubs ventured to the edges of the mountains to gather materials like iron ore and limestone.
- Vix managed the workshop, crafting bricks, steel, and weapons, with the help of his daughters.
- Rose took care of the crops, ensuring they had a steady supply of food.
So far, everything was running smoothly.
It was midday when Kai returned to the workshop, carrying the materials he had gathered.
Vix was focused on crafting a sword, his hands steady and precise.
"Hey, Vix, you look busy. Where are your daughters?" Kai asked, setting down the materials.
Vix paused his work, showing respect to Kai by stopping what he was doing.
"Yeah, I need to practice. Look over there,"
Vix pointing to an area filled with unfinished and imperfect swords.
"I'm not gifted like you, so I need to work hard and make it perfect. I don't want to fall behind."
Kai nodded, understanding Vix's determination.
"You're doing great, Vix. It's not about being gifted—it's about putting in the effort. And you're doing just that."
Vix smiled, feeling encouraged by Kai's words.
"It's hard to take care of everyone while we're building this village. None of us have the knowledge you do,"
Kai shook his head.
"Don't worry about that. My sister will handle the rest once the village is built. She'll also will lead our army in the future."
Vix was surprised. It was the first time he'd heard that Rose would take on such a big responsibility.
"Are you sure you'll let her handle everything? She's not gifted like you, right?"
Kai took a sip of juice, savoring its natural sweetness even without sugar.
"Haha, she might seem that way, but in my world, I had to work and drop out of school to earn money. Meanwhile, she used all my earnings to invest and make profits far beyond what I could earn from my job.
She's even rich and loves strategy games and war tactics. I've tried beating her in games, even chess, but my win count is zero, and hers is 99.
She joins board game tournaments and wins every time, making money from it.
She has a talent for playing the fool and making people underestimate her, only to counter them brilliantly."
Vix listened, impressed.
"So, she's smarter than she looks?"
Kai nodded. "Exactly. Don't let her playful attitude fool you. She's got a sharp mind and a knack for strategy. She'll handle things just fine."
Vix feeling reassured. "Alright, I'll trust your judgment. If she's as capable as you say, then we're in good hands."
----
At the edge of the forest, not far from the village, five figures stood hidden among the trees. Three men and two women, their ears slightly elongated and cloaked in dark robes, watched the activities of the villagers.
One of them whispered, "Queen, isn't that girl planting crops over there? She looks like the princess."
"Why does she resemble your father's sister?"
The four of them stared intently at Rose, their eyes sharp and calculating.
Not long after, Kai emerged from the workshop and walked over to Rose. The two of them chatted and worked together, planting crops side by side.
The five observers were shocked.
"Isn't that... that...?"
They were stunned to see Kai, as if they recognized him.
The woman referred to as the queen felt a surge of anger as she watched Kai. It seemed like something about him deeply upset her.
Her eyes narrowed, and her fists clenched.
"That man... how dare he..."
Suddenly, the queen disappeared from sight. The other four exchanged worried glances.
They tapped their foreheads, realizing the gravity of the situation.
"This is going to be a problem..."
The sunlight that had been shining on Rose and Kai suddenly dimmed, as if something had blocked it.
Kai and Rose, noticing the change, looked up. Someone was flying toward them at high speed, fist aimed directly at them.
Rose, confused, asked, "Is that a bird?"
Kai, realizing the danger, quickly pulled Rose aside just as the figure in the cloak landed with a powerful punch.
The punch missed them but struck the ground with such force that the earth shattered, sending debris flying in all directions.
Kai shielded Rose, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation.
The figure in the cloak stood up, dusting off their hands, their face hidden but their presence menacing.
"Who are you, and what do you want?"
The figure rushed toward Kai again, but before landing, a voice cried out:
"Daddy...!!!!!"
The figure hugged Kai tightly, catching him completely off guard. Kai stood frozen, unsure of how to react to a stranger suddenly embracing him.
Rose, watching the scene, narrowed her eyes and mouthed silently to Kai,
"Who the hell is she?"
Kai, in a slow voice:
"How would I know who this woman is? Do you think I would get someone pregnant and then leave them?"
Rose nodded her head.
"Yeah, you would."
Rose then walked toward the woman. They could tell she looked like an elf because of her ears.
"Hello, maybe you've got the wrong person..."
That girl then turned and this time, she stared at Rose.
"Aunty!!! It's been a long time since we last met."
Kai, who heard the girl call Rose "Aunty," tried to hold back his laughter, but his face turned red because it was really funny.
Rose showed her middle finger at Kai and gently pushed the girl away.
"We are not your family. Maybe you've mistaken us for someone else?"
The girl shook her head.
"Nope, you two are really my family. That man was my mother's husband, and you are his sister—the Emperor's most beloved little sister."
Rose pointed her finger at herself and then at Kai repeatedly, trying to make sure that what the girl said wasn't a mistake.
And the result was still the same—the girl nodded her head in confirmation.