HBWnovel Chapter 14: New Settlement
Chapter 14: New Settlement
The two of them were baffled, trying to grasp what Aeden meant.
"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,
“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 home.
In the distance, Völun was still talking to Soru about their plan to provide the villagers with a new home when he noticed the entire group had started moving. He stopped mid-sentence and immediately stood up.
Soru, seeing the villagers on the move, turned to him.
“They’re leaving… So that means 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. Moments 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 me 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 moment 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 same time, Aeden hesitated.
A surname? Is he a noble like Miss Reika?
They shook hands formally before continuing down the path toward the new settlement.
As they walked, something nagged at Aeden’s thoughts.
Both of them have surnames… but only nobles possess them. Does that mean…?
After some hesitation, she spoke up.
“Miss Reika, Mister Soru, may I ask you something?”
Both turned to her.
“What is it?” Reika asked.
“Since both of you have surnames, I assume you hold some noble status. May I ask which kingdom you hail from?”
Reika fell silent for a moment before answering.
“We’re not nobles, nor do we come from a kingdom. We’re from a country where surnames are common and have nothing to do with status.”
Aeden frowned in confusion.
“A country where surnames 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 settlement 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 homes—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 settlement, 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 time settling in. Some chose their houses and moved their belongings inside, while others, whose homes were still unfinished, pitched in to complete the work. Children roamed 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 settlement, 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 settlement.
“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 time 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 settlement. 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 something 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 home. Reika returned the gesture with a small smile before walking toward Soru.
As the woman stepped inside, she paused for a moment and glanced back, watching as Reika approached Soru and struck up a conversation.
Hmm… I wonder what their relationship is…