20: It's Not A Goodbye

The following morning, Darius woke up in a great mood. Thanks to Maria's late night visit. Although they hadn't taken their relationship to the next level yet, Maria's gentle touch and kisses alone proved to be very effective to keep Darius cheered up albeit her soon-to-be departure was around the corner.

A moment later, Maria also woke up on his side, letting out a wide yawn while clutching the wool blanket that covered her bare chest.

"Good morning, Darius."

"Morning, my dear." 

They couldn't resist the longing feeling for each other, expressing it through kisses and hugs. Neither of them wanted to leave the bed, opting to cuddle until the sun was high in the sky.

Maria, meanwhile, was looking very content as she rested her head on Darius' chest. The warm Spring weather made her unwilling to leave his side anytime soon. She recalled Darius' words last night.

"If my memory serves me right, Lady Mathilda and her caravan should arrive here by next week, right?"

Darius grumbled; he still disagreed with Maria's decision to leave the village even though he was the one who suggested she should leave the village with Lady Mathilda.

"I want to stay like this forever." Darius said.

Maria chuckled, "And how about the villagers? You silly."

"Speaking of which, I need to check up on the village today." Darius promptly jumped off from the bed as he remembered something.

"Sure, you can go first, I'll catch up later."

After quickly having breakfast and getting dressed, Darius grabbed his Chieftain Staff and walked into the village.

The hill where his house situated was filled with lush and verdant meadow once the Spring was in full swing.

"Hmm, this plot of land would be perfect for pasturing the Highlander Bulls." Darius muttered inwardly.

It's been Darius' little dream to herding some lifestocks when he saw a magnificent, four-legged Magical Beast with a pair of glowing red horns in Lady Mathilda's book.

'Maybe, later, I must prepare myself for the upcoming storm.'

And thus, Darius walked around the village to check up on the project that they are currently working on.

The new Village Hall had shown its grandeur from a distance. Although it was mostly built with wood, the architectural ingenuity of its design was something that even Fredrik had never seen before.

Fredrik admired from afar while supervising the workers.

"The Village Hall turns out pretty well. Isn't that right, Fredrik?"

The middle-aged man startled upon hearing Darius' sudden remark.

"Oh, Chief! Don't prank me like that!"

"Haha, I am sorry. How's things going here?"

"As far as I am concerned, it goes awfully smoothly. However, we have pulled twelve hour shifts per person, and it took a toll on our food stock. Worst case scenario, we need to pause the construction and go to the sea to catch some fish."

Darius pondered for a brief moment. The main reason why the Village Hall was slightly behind the schedule is due to the labor shortage. He needs to recruit more workers to Undine Village.

"Right, I'll talk to Barley on how to get ourselves to the other side of Westcliff."

"Are you looking for Barley, Chief? He is hanging out near the cove this morning, see if he's still there!" Shouted one of Fredrik's subordinates who perched atop the roof.

"Thank you!"

Thus, Darius went to the cove and found the Karvi ship was beautifully done at the boatyard by Fredrik's apprentice, Anderson. Darius was very satisfied with the result.

"Oh?! Good morning chief!" Anderson greeted from atop the deck.

"Morning, Anderson!

"How is she, Chief?"

The young carpenter, although it was his first time building a sizable boat, pride and joy was palpable on his face. The other shipwrights also has the same joyful face as Anderson, they couldn't wait to see her sailing through the high sea, climbing the waves and splitting through the storms.

"She is beautiful. Have you decided on a name for her?"

"A name? The name is Karvi, right?"

Darius was facepalmed, he forgot to tell Anderson that Karvi is the type of a boat, not the boat's birth name.

"Karvi is the type of this boat. As her main builder, you're obliged to give her a birth name!"

"Ah, is that so? Erm, I think I am not worthy enough to decide a name for her. She was designed by you after all." Anderson said.

Darius smiled, his benign and collected eyes saw through Anderson's personality in an instant.

"She was born through your indomitable will and you made her into reality by your resilient hands. If there's someone worthy enough to give her a name, there's no one but you and your crew, Anderson."

Soon enough, one of Anderson's crew brought him a chisel and mallet, urging him to carve the boat's name on both port side and starboard side.

Hearing the commotion at the boatyard, the bald and thick-bearded brewer, Mr. Barley, approach them with a gourd of mead in his hand.

"What is happening here?" Barley said with a slight hiccup, he appeared utterly drunk.

It was his old habit, whenever he was in a bad mood, he would chug a jar of high proof mead in the night and cure his hangover with a light mead in the morning.

"Oh? The boat is done already?! Haha! Can I give her a name?"

Anderson quickly retorted. "Ain't no way we would let a drunkard carve a name on her! Go home, old man!"

"Who do you think you call?! Come here you spineless, piece of shit! Fight me!"

Before Mr. Barley embarrassed himself further, Darius tapped on his shoulder, curing his drunkenness with the Basic Healing Spell.

As the latter sobered up, he was startled, upon realizing who was standing before him.

"C-chief! A-am I screwed again?"

"Well… Almost. Since you are here, there are a lot of things that I want to ask you."

"About the Westcliff passageway, I presume?"

"That's for one, yes."

"Stred Mik!" Barley cursed. "Alright, let's head to the Westcliff, it'll be easier for me to explain."

****