10 – The Chief

I found Ritor doing a handstand when I landed in the hideout of my two generals.

"You're so bored, Ritor?" I went to him. "You're lucky. I have some errands for you."

The minotaur jumped into a standing position, then bowed. "I will do my best, my lord."

"You can read, right?" I handed him a paper. "I've collected several quests. They are all similar to the goblin missions back then. Adventurers are lazy to take them, and the government doesn't want to take over."

The monster's brow furrowed as he received the paper. "Looking for a rare plant to tighten Miss Ashford's butt? Is this really the mission, my lord?"

"Just do it." I chuckled. "The path to the plants is dangerous, and there are many monsters, but no adventurers want to go there. I'm sure you will have a fun experience."

The minotaur scratched his hair. I feel a little sorry for him. The real reason adventurers didn't want to do this quest wasn't because the level of the monsters was too high or anything.

It's just that I heard the path leading to that plant was filled with slime-spitting creatures, like a lot of slimes. What made me take up this quest was the Ashford surname. They were a noble family with a bit of power in that city.

So, being on their side isn't bad at all, is it? I can use their influence to spread my name too.

And at least I've chosen some missions that match his level. The quests will be orange or red if it is beyond Ritor's ability.

Szur came out from behind a tree carrying a fox carcass. He immediately paid his respects to me. "Good evening, my lord."

"Isn't it time for you to visit the village chief, Szur?" I raised an eyebrow.

The little creature giggled. "He hasn't slept because he's afraid of the nightmares, even though Szur has only visited him once. That means his mind is weak. Maybe tomorrow, he will go crazy."

"Well, I can't wait for that to happen." I shrugged, sitting on the ground.

I wanted to return to Phisovia while Szur was on duty. However, now I only had a little time until it was over. I better wait.

"Szur will come to him again after dinner." The monster giggled again.

"I remind you once again. Don't disappoint me, Szur. After this, I will give you some other more interesting targets."

Szur's brow furrowed. "More interesting targets?"

"One is the mayor of a nearby city, and the other is a religious leader."

The creature's eyes lit up. "Religious leaders, your majesty? That's awesome! I want to know what's in the head of this self-proclaimed saint!"

"My lord..." Ritor came up to me scratching his head, maybe still unsure about the missions I gave him. "Maybe I'll just go now."

"Go ahead, Ritor." I started to open my game UI. "I expect a lot from you too. Bye."

When the minotaur had left, and Szur started eating, I activated the fast-forward feature.

Instantly, the sun rose and moved in seconds before finally setting again. Everything returned to normal when Szur approached me.

One day in-game has already passed.

"The village chief's mind is broken, my lord." The little creature chuckled, looking satisfied. "You can continue with your plan."

"Thanks, Szur." My eyes fell into the starry sky while my mouth formed a grin. "I'll wait until tomorrow to do it."

I pressed the fast-forward button again.

***

Using my human form, I walked toward the village chief's house. My ears could hear his hysterical screams, even though I was still far from that building.

"You must be hiding a lot of spiders, right!?"

"What are you talking about, huh!!??" A woman's voice—perhaps the village chief's wife—replied. "How could I hide something like that!!!"

"I have to burn this village for harboring spiders!!!"

Then, the door of the house burst open. The village chief ran out while rubbing two stones against each other, which sparked a fire.

"What happened to you!!!" The man's wife chased him with tears in her eyes. "What you saw was just some dream!!! Those aren't real at all!!!"

I grabbed one of the man's shoulders and pressed him down, forcing him to kneel. "Relax, sir."

The village head was speechless, only looking at me with bulging eyes. Meanwhile, his wife could only freeze while covering her mouth.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you." I put on a warm smile. "I will help you to get out of your misery instead."

"I-is that so? Y-can you help me?"

I didn't detect any suspicion in his expression. He was just a scared and desperate grown man.

"Who are you?" The village chief's wife frowned. "I've never seen you in this village."

"Just call me Vorn." I crouched before the village chief.

"Vorn? Where have I heard that name?" The village chief's eyes opened wider. "Are you the lord Vorn who ordered a monster to save the girls of this village?"

My smile is getting wider. I didn't think it would be this easy. "Looks like my name has been spread around the village. Well, I don't mind helping out again."

"Please, I don't want to be in that nightmare again." The village chief started to cry.

"But, I have one condition."

The wife held her husband's shoulder, then whispered. "We don't know him yet, Richard..."

"He has already helped our village! He will definitely be able to help me too!" The village head snapped, then took my hands. "Please, sir. Help me. I would do anything for you."

This man's desperate tone sounded like a song to my ears. "I'm just asking you to tell the villagers about me, as well as what I've done to you and this village. The whole village should know. And you must keep doing it for as long as possible."

"Huh?" The man tilted his head.

"You are the chief of this village." I rose to my feet, removing his hand from me in a smooth motion. "You must have a lot of influence here. You don't need any effort to do this."

"B-but will my nightmares really go away, sir!?" He stood up too.

"I guarantee you you won't have any more nightmares tonight." I turned around and started walking away, waving my hand. "And keep this in mind. Once you don't do that task again, the nightmares will return."

I kept walking, not looking back at all.