Bringing the Payment

"Yes" Elihim leaned on the wall.

"Sea level rises and the Shoreland will have its temporary evacuation after a decade again. Not just humans but even animals. Migration. However, in this world, animals are the main enemies."

'In this world?' Merim found it weird.

"Animals migrate in groups. Within groups, there's a leader. The animal kings. As the rule of nature - eat or be eaten, the strongest always rules."

Merim nodded and continued Elihim's words.

"That is why the flood is dangerous. It is not the flood itself but from the pack of animals fleeing from it. Furthermore, the Shorepeople needs settlement. A large people of them will go to Green Belt's communities and having an overpopulation. While packs of predators hunt the food outside, the overpopulated communities found it scarce. There are a lot more effects of the flood but, overall, it's one of the most dangerous nature will offer to living beings."

Merim then shook his shoulders.

"But, Elihim, look in front of you. It's the Death Palace. Your town and Hramm City are at the edge of the Green Belt. Although there are fewer rivers and lakes, this is the safest place in Reland. The worst that could happen is if the Shorepeople find themselves here and temporarily settles in."

"... let's see."

...

After that, Merim came back to the Enova household. He told them about Elihim and the agreements.

'The agreement only says that I should keep this secret to other people and surely the Enova Family is not other people. How can I provide them meals without a reason? They might suspect me of poisoning them.'

Heron and Lyssa almost jumped out of joy when they learned that Elihim can self-sustain.

"But I wish I could speak to him myself." Heron whispered to himself, "And didn't he say anything about coming back home, Sir Merim?"

Lyssa listened attentively too.

However, Merim only shook his head, leaving the two in disappointment.

"However, he didn't say anything about you coming there either. I'm actually excited to hear his answers so I'm going to bring the payment today and you can come along to know the path to it."

Heron jerked forward and hugged Merim.

"What are you-!"

His hug tightened as Heron sobbed, "Thank you very much, Sir Merim! We thought we would never see Elihim again."

"Hm... get away from me." Merim slightly pushed Heron away.

"Hahaha, sorry, sorry. Got my emotions ahead of me."

"I hope there wouldn't be next time." Merim gallantly dusted his front.

"Hehehe..." Heron awkwardly laughed.

"Well then, I'll go back later. Expect me sometime in the evening."

As Merim left, Heron and Lyssa said their gratitude again and they waved their goodbye.

While riding his horse away, Merim smiled.

"What a weird family."

Back to the house, Heron and Lyssa came back to see Ellie wanting to ask.

"Ellie, want to go meet your big brother later?"

Hearing this, Ellie's sad expression shifted to a huge smile with shining eyes.

"When are we going!? Where is Elihi!?" she bounced up and down.

Her parents were relieved to see that their daughter was back to her usual self.

"Hehehe... this evening!"

Thus, evening came and Merim came back with sack beside his waist. Meeting Heron, he gave the sack.

"In there is money enough to feed the three of you luxurious meals four times for two months straight."

Heron took the sack and didn't expect it to be heavy.

Opening it, his eyes shone.

"Gold!?"

Merim nodded and continued, "However, that deal is still not enough. I have already prepared some people who will provide you meals in exchange for the gold there. One gold coin for one week, these people will deliver the ingredients or cooked meals, if you want to, to your doorstep."

Both Heron and Lyssa's eyes were shining just from staring at the eight gold coins inside the sack.

'Isn't gold too much? Just how luxurious are the meals?' even Lyssa, who came from a noble family, was intimidated by the money Merim easily presented.

'Ugh! So this is how rich Imagis are. Now I'm regretting that I didn't awaken back then again!' Heron's face twitched.

"Now, I hope you're ready. Although it is not that far, it would still take an hour on foot. So I hope to get there before sunset."

Merim urged which the couple immediately responded.

"We're ready!"

Calling Ellie, the four left the house. After entering the swampy area of the forest, Heron carried Ellie and supported Lyssa while Merim simply hardened the ground as he stepped over it.

'Amazing...' the three of them thought. They then just used the path Merim created. They, fortunately, avoided getting dirty.

They arrived in less than an hour. Earlier, Merim had to take time searching for Elihim first so he miscalculated.

"Huh? Are there stairs here before?" Heron asked and didn't remember the soil staircase they were about to use.

"No" Merim simply answered.

'So he just made it, huh... probably like what he did to the swamp.' Heron carried Ellie up since she was already tired.

Heron is a strong man. But in front of Merim, he's as weak as the others.

Encircling the mountain, they finally arrived at the cliff.

"There's... nothing here."

Heron placed Ellie down as he looked around. This was the first time he saw this place.

"I didn't know that we are that near the Death Palace... it's a little scary."

"Mommy, what the Death Palace?" Ellie pulled.

"Later, I'll tell you, honey."

Before they could ask where Elihim is, Merim stood in front of the stone wall and knocked.

"Elihim, I'm here."

"There?" Heron muttered.

After a moment, Merim frowned before knocking again. When Heron and Lyssa were about to get doubtfully, the circular slab of the wall was pushed out and rolled.

However, this time, it only left a gap.

Elihim peeked through it and angrily stared at Merim.

"Why did you bring them here!?" he whispered as he tried not to look at any of the three's eyes.

"That's not part of the agreement so-"

"Elihi!"