Gift from Sravati

Mia, under the influence of Cien's terror, explained her arrival to Death Valley.

Princess Sravati who is currently occupied with the restoration of Blackwinter City, encountered a new issue: the migration of people.

Initially, the Third Princess was relieved as this migration would fill the nearly empty city. However, as days went by, more and more people arrived.

Upon investigation, it was discovered that not only residents from Moontear had come, but also people from villages surrounding Moontear and Blackwinter.

These villagers had also fallen victim to the demons from the Abyss.

The residents from the villages near Blackwinter had been hiding in the forests and mountains around Death Valley.

They didn't dare to seek refuge in Huntara because it required passing through Blackwinter, which was under enemy control.

The same situation occurred around Marina City, where they were outright rejected at the city gates.

Fortunately, their hiding didn't last long as Huntara successfully took over Blackwinter City. They listened to Princess Sravati's plan to repopulate the city.

Therefore, the surviving residents from dozens of villages flocked to Blackwinter in search of shelter and a new life.

However, this was only the survivors from villages near Blackwinter, in addition to those from Marina City and its surrounding villages. The number of migrating people exceeded expectations, leading to unavoidable chaos.

For the next few days, Princess Sravati and her followers were overwhelmed trying to organize all the citizens and provide them with suitable housing.

Although in the end, there were some houses that had to accommodate one to three families at once.

But for now, it was enough. After the repairs of Blackwinter were completed, the Princess could expand the Blackwinter territory.

When everything seemed to be settled, a problem arose.

Those from the villages surrounding Blackwinter and the residents of Moontear committed heinous acts against the surviving citizens of the city of Blackwinter.

At present, the native residents of Blackwinter had become the minority. And considering that all the crises originated from the coalition of Blackwinter's leaders with the Abyss, these migrating residents felt that the surviving citizens of Blackwinter should bear the same guilt.

The Third Princess tried to mediate, but the hatred had taken root too deeply. Everything she said fell on deaf ears.

Although she had implemented rules prohibiting violence against the native residents of Blackwinter, the city guards couldn't monitor continuously for twenty-four hours.

While no lives had been taken, the violence against the native residents continued to escalate.

The Third Princess grew increasingly worried and contemplated moving them to another city in Huntara. However, one of her advisors said that the same incident would only repeat itself.

Sravati bit her finger in frustration. Not only were there still many native residents of Blackwinter who had mental disturbances, but even the healthy ones were now in danger.

What was even more distressing was that they were threatened by people from the same Kingdom, not by enemies like demons!

It was at this moment that a letter from Legia arrived.

The letter was sent to the Huntress or Commander Kataleya, who was currently being treated in Blackwinter under the direct orders of the Third Princess.

For the Third Princess, Kirana was one of her saviors. Not only did she helped Sravati to reach Huntara, but the Commander also assisted Huntara in winning the war.

Legia, unaware that Kirana was a Huntress, had gone to Farnodt. There, she met one of her comrades waiting at the Marina. The comrade was instructed by Kirana to watch over Mia.

After the war, Mia went straight to Blackwinter, leaving one Ethyrian soldier behind at the Marina.

Upon hearing that her superior had gone to Blackwinter, Legia sent a letter to Kirana, along with a separate letter entrusted to the Third Princess.

Princess Sravati opened the sealed wax letter from Legia. Inside the letter, there was important information that made the Third Princess break into a happy smile.

Legia mentioned in her letter that Lord Millard would welcome those who had no purpose or home under his protection.

The letter seemed like an awaited solution for the Third Princess. Moreover, the solution was provided by Lord Millard, whom she greatly respected.

And why wouldn't she? Cien's weapons played a significant role in ending the war.

For Sravati, Cien had become a special figure. And now that figure was once again assisting her in times of trouble.

Princess Sravati wasted no time. She immediately instructed her aide, Mia, to summon a representative from the native residents of Blackwinter.

She explained her plan to relocate the people of Blackwinter to Death Valley, which naturally received strong opposition from the representative.

Death Valley? Did the Princess intend to abandon them?

That was the first thought that came to mind. Even though Sravati tried to convince the representative that Cien's place was safe. Would they believe it just like that? Of course not.

Not to mention the representative, even Mia, who overheard the conversation from behind Sravati, felt that her Princess was starting to go mad because of the situation.

Realizing that she couldn't convince the representative of the residents, the Third Princess gave up, but she ordered to convey her wishes to the other Blackwinter residents.

Who knows, maybe there are still some who want to move.

The next day, out of the remaining four hundred Blackwinter residents, twenty-one people came to the Third Princess's residence. They accepted Sravati's proposal to move to Death Valley.

Sravati was happy, while Mia shook her head.

The Aide assumed that the Princess and the residents had become desperate to the point of having to go to Death Valley.

But Sravati's next decision actually made Mia want to scream. Sravati asked Mia to go as her representative to meet Cien in Death Valley.

Mia turned pale. Then her face became darker when she found out that the Viscount Amary's daughter willingly wanted to join them.

Mia gave up. She didn't care anymore. Dazed, Mia could only go to the place that her Princess referred to as the paradise of Death Valley.

Thus, Mia, Veronica, ten personal guards of Princess Sravati including Ian, and twenty-one Blackwinter residents. They all went to Death Valley, hoping to find a new home.

Of course, they didn't go empty-handed. It was in accordance with Cien's request to Legia.

The Lieutenant informed Sravati that Cien was interested in buying many goods from outside or being introduced to merchants who were willing to do business with him.

Unfortunately, no merchants dared to venture into Death Valley.

Therefore, the Third Princess gathered items she deemed useful for Cien and turned them into a thank-you gift. Afterall, Cien involvement in Blackwinter War was instrumental for them to win, even though the man himself did not participate directly.

Not only Sravati. Shiwa Amary also sent a caravan as a token of gratitude.

Shiwa as merchat herself, interested to come and trade with Cien, but because of the war, the Amary Family became busy. So for now she can't go to the Death Valley.

"That's the reason for our arrival, Lord Millard," Mia finished explaining the purpose of their visit. She then leaned back in her chair, feeling relieved.

Cien, upon hearing this, was momentarily stunned.

'Wow... no, no... umm, so what's happening here? Did Legia ask yesterday because she already knew this situation would arise? Hmm... no, that's impossible. So, what should I do here? I can't possibly send them back! Ugh, I didn't think this situation would come so soon!'

Cien let out a long sigh. He had spoken, so there was no more room to retract his words.

Twenty-one people wanted to stay in Death Valley? Okay! Let's do it. Let's create the first village in this cursed place!

Cien finally had to accept it. Because he had accepted it, he wouldn't do it half-heartedly.

"For now, I don't have enough space to accommodate them. We need to create temporary buildings for them. The cave in the back can no longer be used because it has turned into a garden," Cien explained.

"Oh, don't worry, Lord Millard. We have brought military tents used during the war. They will use those temporarily."

"Oh, that's good. In that case, we should prepare the land where they will reside. I also want to meet these people while we're at it."

"Ah, Mia, Vero, if you're tired, go to the inn outside to rest. The bathroom is next to the inn. As for your guards, order them to help me tidy up the forest. We need to finish it as soon as possible, preferably before sunset."

Cien's firm command was immediately accepted by Ian. Mia wanted to say something to Cien, but a tug on her arm from Veronica stopped her. The two women separated and went to the inn.

Cien arrived in front of a group of exiled Blackwinter residents. Seeing their troubled faces, the majority of them looking distressed, Cien could only shake his head slowly.

'It turns out there are indeed people who are crazy enough to go to Death Valley because they lost their homes.'

"Ahem!"

Cien cleared his throat to get the attention of the people in front of him. When all eyes were on him, he began to introduce himself.

"My name is Cien Millard. I am the owner of the shop in front of you. Sravati—or your Lady Princess—has sent you to this place. Here, as much as I can, I will protect you. But! No work, no food. I am willing to protect, but not to feed you. Understood?"

Cien's words were only met with nods from all the residents without a single word. It seemed like they were still adapting to the environment. Maybe.

Cien then called upon a representative from the exiled residents.

A tall, burly man raised his hand. His name was Balmut. He, along with his wife and son, took the risk of coming to Death Valley to escape the turmoil in the new Blackwinter.

At first, he was skeptical. But knowing that this was a proposal from the Third Princess herself, he could only bet that what the Third Princess was talking about was true. That in Death Valley, there was a paradise far from all the conflicts of the kingdom.

Never expected. When arriving in front of the store, it turned out that there were indeed people living in this cursed place.

Before departure, Balmut had been appointed by Mia's Assistant as the leader of the residents who would live in Death Valley.

Balmut raised his hand, introducing himself.

Cien asked about the basic information of the residents who came with Balmut.

He explained that out of twenty-one people, five were family groups.

Balmut's family and two other families each consisted of three members, one family consisted of four members, and one married couple.

The remaining six individuals who were not part of a family were an elderly man, two teenage boys, a woman in her late twenties, a middle-aged widow, and lastly, a middle-aged male adventurer from Blackwinter.

"Hoo~ there's an adventurer... hmm, okay. Have you all eaten?"

"We have, My Lord," Balmut answered.

Cien glanced at Ian, confirming whether Balmut was telling the truth or not.

"We already ate in the morning," Ian answered, meeting Cien's gaze.

Cien pondered for a moment, then briefly entered the shop and returned with some food ingredients such as vegetables and meat stored in a wooden container..

"Yup! Ladies, please cook these ingredients. The menu is up to you. Use the spices and utensils in the caravan. As for the men, come with me. We need to even out the ground for your living area."