33 Behind A War

Compelled to follow Cien's desire, Jamie reluctantly sat next to the Shop Owner and listened to the instructions from the seasoned man.

Cien planned to build a wooden house, but due to the insufficient number of nails he currently possessed, Cien had to resort to alternative methods to construct his lodging.

As someone who had once lived in the modern era on Earth, Cien recalled a documentary series showcasing the Japanese technique of building wooden houses without nails. The Kigumi technique, where they created joints and intersections in each wooden beam.

Well, basically Cien is just going to make a house like a game of blocks. The most important thing here was to ensure that each joint fit perfectly and precisely with one another.

Having never done this before, Cien could only rely on trial and error to master this technique.

Jamie, now in a position to assist him, was instructed by Cien to hammer in large wooden beams into the ground as the foundation of the structure.

The area of the building Cien intended to create was 120 square meters, with a length of twelve meters and a width of ten meters.

Within the building, there would be six rooms, each measuring 5 x 3 meters. Three rooms would be located on the right side of the structure, and the other three on the left, separated by a two-meter-wide hallway.

Then, Cien planned to construct a separate bathroom outside the main building.

As novices, Cien and Jamie faced each passing day filled with various failures. Even after a week had gone by, the building was only half-finished.

During that week, their daily routine consisted of sleeping, eating, and working. With plenty of meat in the storage room, Cien didn't have to worry about food shortage for the time being.

However, building the inn was somewhat frustrating for him.

Initially, Cien thought that constructing the inn wouldn't be difficult. You could even say, Cien underestimated it too much.

But in reality, for the past week, he had to constantly rack his brain. Without nails, he had to measure precisely.

Even when he measured correctly, sometimes Cien would forget to make a connection to a previous beam, forcing him to start over.

Jamie next to him wasn't good at measuring accurately. So there wasn't much help to be expected from him.

After a week, at least Cien began to understand and get used to it. However, he still didn't anticipate it would take a long time.

"At this rate, it might take another two weeks to finish. Ugh, this is annoying."

"Just be patient, Mr. Millard. Besides, no one will visit this place anyway."

"Hah?!"

Cien felt offended by Jamie's words and gave him a sarcastic look, as the man was just freeloading.

Jamie felt the hairs on his neck stand up at that look. He could only force a stiff smile, then turned his face away, cursing himself for not thinking before speaking.

"I know not many people will visit."

"Hm?"

"Even this inn could become an abandoned building for years. But, before that happens, you will be the first person to use this building. And your friend, oh! Your boss, who will come to pick you up later, will also rest here first. At least that's what's on my mind right now."

"..."

Jamie, who was listening, fell silent, thinking before finally realizing one thing.

"Umm... does Mr. Millard hates me sleeping inside the shop?"

Without much thought, Cien immediately nodded in agreement. With a wide smile, he said,

"Yup! I really want to eliminate the snoring sound that makes people want to choke you to dead at night."

"..."

Jamie speechless, he could only remain silent and then noticed the bags under the Shop Owner's eyes.

"Is it that bad?"

Cien smiled even wider, but his eyes didn't reflect the smile.

"Hehehe, it's so bad that what was once just a 'want to' might become an actual action."

"Gulp, let's speed up the construction, Mr. Millard."

Jamie said, grabbing the newly finished wooden beam made by Cien and rushing to connect it with the already arranged beams.

Cien shook his head at Jamie's actions. Although that person's snoring did annoy him every night, Cien's lack of sleep was not because of Jamie but rather because he studied recipes every night to make weapons and other objects from his phone.

The main reason Cien decided to establish an inn was because it was something he had to do.

He couldn't let his guests always stay inside the shop. And Cien was certain that Jamie and Legia wouldn't be the last guests to visit.

For ten years, Cien had been alone in Death Valley. But in the past few weeks, that has changed drastically.

At least after he came back to life and remembered his past life, Cien became aware of the changes around him.

Then he heard stories about the increased demonic activities in the Abyss and possible conspiracies in every kingdom.

Cien believed that the time of chaos and turmoil on the Kastia Continent was drawing near.

Remembering the mission given to him by his phone, Cien let out a long sigh.

"Sigh... somehow, I feel like staying here doesn't guarantee that I won't be involved in future chaos."

Cien then took out his phone from his pocket. "If this truly comes from God, what is His purpose in giving this to me?"

***

Elsewhere, about ten kilometers from the northern gate of Blackwinter City.

At night, on a tall tree branch in the outskirts of Blackwinter, a man with short hair and a pale complexion observed the distant orange lights. Those flickering orange lights were from the campfires of soldiers who were preparing for the war.

Seeing the numerous campfire lights, the man furrowed his brows. He then leaped down and landed easily in front of two waiting women.

"What's the situation, Ian?" said one of the women, who was none other than Princess Sravati.

"Too far to know for sure. But based on the number of campfires and tents that I can see, it can be said that the Kingdom has sent around four to five thousand people to reclaim Blackwinter," Ian replied, speculating based on what he had just seen.

Sravati seemed to ponder for a moment. "Has the war begun?"

"Probably. But it might have only started one or two days ago. There aren't many war casualties visible in the tents. Or perhaps, it's still unclear. We need to get closer to see more clearly," Ian said.

"Are there any tents for the royal family there?" Sravati asked.

Tents for the royal family like her would be vastly different from the tents of a military general, let alone ordinary soldiers.

Those tents would appear large and luxurious compared to the others, with the royal family crest displayed prominently. If there were such tents in the camp, it meant that one of Sravati's siblings was leading the troops.

Upon hearing the question, Ian shook his head. "No, as far as I could see, there are no tents for royalty at all."

Sravati delved back into her thoughts.

"Then who is leading the army? the General, a lieutenant, or perhaps the Lord of Skaldia City?"

"I think it's the Lord of Skaldia, Earl Frieren," Ian replied.

"If that's true, it means the current troops are not the main force."

Ian nodded. "It seems the higher-up has mobilized a significant number of forces to take over Blackwinter. The General's troops are probably on their way here. We don't know the exact number, but it must be no less than the current force."

Hearing that, Sravati bit her lower lip. She felt that the situation was becoming more absurd as time went on.

If things continued like this, the kingdom would undoubtedly succeed in reclaiming Blackwinter.

However...

What about the fate of the Blackwinter citizens who will endure a full attack from Huntara?

What about the situation in the eastern part of the kingdom if Cien's assumptions are true?

If the General's troops are indeed mobilized, how many soldiers will protect the eastern kingdom?

Sravati truly didn't know what to do at this moment. She instantly remembered Cien's words before leaving Death Valley.

"Princess, war is not as simple as it seems. It's not just two sides clashing weapons. Behind it, there are many other factors that can influence the course of the war. Unseen things that can make one side more advantageous than the other.

"Your plan with Reiss might succeed. But, what if the situation is different from what you imagine? What if the war has already occurred and exceeded expectations? What will you do then?

"Princess, your power is too weak to influence the course of the war. But, you have something else that can make people listen to you. I hope you can think rationally when you arrive on the battlefield. I wish for your safety. Hopefully, we can meet again."

Recalling Cien's words, Sravati took a deep breath. She pondered the current situation she was facing.

"Reiss promised to attack the south of Blackwinter three days from now. Will the main forces arrive before that?" Sravati asked.

"Most likely, yes, Princess."

"That means the current objective is to minimize casualties in Blackwinter and also prepare for the potential situation in the eastern kingdom..." murmured Sravati, her eyes displaying a sharp glimmer.

"Ian, come with me to the camp now," commanded Sravati, who then turned to another woman, Legia, who had been silently listening all this time.

"Lieutenant Legia, thank you for escorting us this far. However, from here on, it's an internal matter of the Kingdom of Huntara. I don't want to inconvenience you by asking you to come with us, so this is farewell. Thank you once again, and hopefully, we can meet again."

Legia didn't say much and only returned the Princess's farewell.

In the dark forest, she watched the silhouette of the Princess recede further, approaching the distant orange lights.

Legia's mission from her superior was simply to safely escort the Princess to the land of Huntara. Now that mission has been accomplished.

However, there was not a single ounce of intention within Legia to leave and go back to retrieve Jamie in Death Valley.

As the two silhouettes disappeared from her view, Legia reached into her armor and took out a letter from within.

She looked at the letter with determination, recalling the words of the Shop Owner who had given her this letter.

"You and I have no business worrying about the situation in Huntara. But... if you intend to help that little princess, deliver my letter to this person."