Chapter 7

I took Chief Harald and his tribesmen to the eastern part of the island.

It took a long time before we could arrive because, once again, the terrain in the southern part of the island was a real pain.

Not to mention the monsters that constantly attacked while I had to protect them, I was very tired when we finally arrived.

Chief Harald and his people kept thanking me, but I was too tired to listen.

So after saying that I would come back later to discuss something with him, I quickly returned to my base.

In the distance, I could see the shadow I left behind still standing in front of the house, signalling that everything was fine.

I opened the door as quietly as possible so that the girls wouldn't wake up.

"So you're finally home, Master."

I hadn't even opened the door fully, but I already heard Sarah's voice.

I looked at the bed, and I could see Sarah still had her eyes open.

"I thought I told you to go to sleep, Sarah."

"Yes, but did you really think I could go back to sleep in that situation? And I'm pretty sure you said you'd be back soon, Master. Do you think four hours is soon?"

I didn't know I was gone for that long.

"Sorry."

Either way, the damn crocodile monster kept attacking on the way back. So I got no choice.

"Wait, how did you know I was gone for that long?"

"You give the clock from that pirates, remember?"

"Oh, right. I forgot we have that."

Sarah sighed.

"Never mind. Hurry up and get into bed, Master. It will be morning soon, but you have to explain what happened tomorrow, understand?"

"Yes, Mum."

Realising that I was tired, Sarah didn't ask me anything and just told me to go to bed.

Although she nagged a little, she is still as considerate as ever.

"Good night, Master."

"It's already dawn though."

After saying goodnight, we both went back to sleep.

-----

Morning came, and we soon set off to the eastern part of the island. The place where I told Chief Harald and his tribesmen to stay.

It was not far from my base, so it should not take long before we got there.

Halfway through the journey, Sarah who was walking beside me asked while tugging on the end of my sleeve.

"So, Master. Who exactly are they? Are you sure they're really just a tribe?"

She asked worriedly. Sarah was probably worried that they were just pirates in disguise.

I tried to reassure her.

"Don't worry, I'm sure they're not pirates or anything like that. Besides, we need them.. They have a lot of stuff that can improve our living conditions, they even have livestock, you know? Most of them drown in the sea and die on the beach, though. But hey, at least we might be able to eat cake now."

"Uh, really, Master? Do they have sweets too?"

Amy, who was behind us with Adela, responded with shining eyes.

"Maybe, Amy. I'm actually not really sure, we can ask them later. Anyway, Sarah. From now on, our food choices will be more diverse, and we won't have to bother looking for food anymore."

"Eh? Why is that?"

Sarah asked in surprise, I smiled at her and said proudly.

"They agreed to give us tribute while I let them stay on this island. Ah, but it will still be some time before we can eat cake."

Sarah looked like she still wanted to say something, but she stopped, stunned by what was in front of her.

I looked in the direction she was looking, and...

"What in the devil..."

I was pretty sure I left them in the trees, but now, the trees are gone.

They had made a small village.

It looks like they cut down the trees, then made houses and camps, I almost don't recognise this place.

Amy and Adela who were behind us were equally surprised.

"Amazing, I didn't know there was a village here, Master!""

" Yeah, I'm pretty sure there's no village in this place, Amy. Not until this morning at least."

Realising our arrival, Chief Harald came to greet us.

"Lord Abelart, you have come."

Chief Harald looked surprised and charmed when he saw the girls behind me, but he regained his composure quickly.

I guess he didn't just get the position of chief by luck, or he's maybe a married man.

"Yeah, I've come. And Chief Harald, did you guys do this?"

"Yes, my lord. Should we not have done it?"

"No, it's fine."

It took me 2 whole days without sleep to make one house and they can make dozens in just few hours? Most of them are just tents, but it's still amazing.

"My lord, may I know who these ladies are?"

"Oh yeah, right."

I almost forgot to introduce them.

"Chief Harald, this is Sarah, Amy and Adela. Girls, this is Chief Harald, the chief of the... What tribe are you again, Chief Harald."

"Magnoras, my lord."

"Magnoras tribe, say hello to him girls."

"Nice to meet you, Chief Harald."

"...."

"Nice to meet you, ladies."

Sarah and Adela bowed their heads gracefully, while Amy...

Now wait... Where is Amy?

"Hey, where's Amy?"

Adela pointed towards a tent where a group of women could be seen cooking something.

They were cooking brown sugar, i think.

"Amy! What are you doing there!?"

I was planning to go call Amy so she wouldn't interrupt them, but I felt a tug on the hem of my shirt.

I thought it was Sarah, but it was Adela.

"I, will, watch, her."

"Eh? You can talk in imperials already, Adela?"

This was a pleasant surprise.

Sarah did say it would take her a few days to speak fluently, but she didn't say that she could already speak.

"A bit. I, will, go, watch, Amy."

"Ah... Very well, but if we don't come back to pick you up here, return home before sunset, got it?"

Adela nodded and walked towards Amy.

I figured to let them play around, after all that's what they used to do every day.

"Sorry, Chief Harald. It looks like I'll have to trouble your people for a while."

"That's fine, my lord. We're glad to be of help. Especially if they are your wives."

"Wives?"

I looked at Sarah, she gave me a gaze implying "Don't make a silly answer."

"Yes, they're my- Ow..."

Before I could finish my answer, Sarah stomped on my foot.

"Why did you do that?"

"You already know why, Master."

Chief Harald just watched our interaction with an astonished look, seemingly knowing that not interfering would be wise.

"*Cough* My Lord. This is our tribute for today."

Thank you for changing the topic, Chief Harald.

He gave orders to the two men beside him, and before long, they returned carrying a wooden box with many things.

"There is meat that we hunted this morning, and vegetables and livestock products from our supply in the box. It's not much, but it's all we can give you today, I hope you can understand."

Not much my ass, even for four people, I'm sure the food in the box will last until the day of tomorrow.

"No, this is more than enough, Chief Harald. In fact, I think you should reduce it a little. And for now, just focus on replenishing your food supply first, specially the vegetables, just give meat as tribute for the time being."

"Thank you, my Lord."

"Speaking of meat, did you have any trouble hunting this morning?"

"No, my Lord. Our hunters only saw a few Sharptooths wandering around, but they strangely didn't attack and left immediately when they saw us."

Sharptooth? Oh, you mean those tiger monsters, eh? No wonder, I've traumatised most of them.

They even ran away when they saw me now.

"Very well. Then, can you come with me for a moment, Chief Harald? I have something I want to discuss."

I guess it's about time I got into the main topic of why I'm here.

"Of course, my Lord."

Chief Harald signalled his men to leave.

I started walking while Chief Harald followed behind me and Sarah beside me.

"So Chief Harald, what do you know about this island?"

"Pardon, my Lord?"

Chief Harald had a surprised look on his face, he didn't seem to expect my question.

"I want to know everything you know about this island."

When I say everything, I mean everything, including the location and reputation of this island.

I had asked Sarah and the others, but they knew nothing about the island.

But considering that Chief Harald last night mentioned the name of this island, it seems that he knows some things about it.

Even if he doesn't know much, at least he must know about where the island is located.

And that is the only thing I really need.

As we walked, Chief Harald began to explain everything he knew.