Chapter 59: Official renaming of three villages

‘You want to argue, huh? Let me tell you, System, I’ve got a casino now, an impressively luxurious one at that. I don’t have to fret over making money anymore. I’ve got all the time in the world to spar with you…’

Just as Draxel was gearing up for a vigorous exchange, the system opted out and went offline.

“Hmm! This way, as a person who values reason, to acknowledge everyone’s hard work thus far, I declare, from today onwards, I’m entrusting the management of my three subordinate villages to you. While I don’t possess the authority to grant titles, you’ll effectively serve as the true managers!”

Draxel paused to reflect, then continued,

“As of today, Ibiran Village will be renamed Yanzi Village, to be managed solely by Little Yanzi. Tahl Village will be renamed Marne Village, under the exclusive management of Marnid. Marnid, you have an additional responsibility to mentor Little M in managing the village.”

“Thank you!” Little Yanzi, Grand Merchant Marnid, and Little M said in unison.

“As for Norma Village, it shall be renamed Feya Village, to be managed by Safiya alone. She’s out hunting and not back yet. I’ll inform her when she returns, but I wanted you to know first.”

Draxel thought to himself that Safiya would be overjoyed upon hearing this, especially since Norma Village is her hometown.

[Lost stewardship of the original 3 villages]

[Acquired Stewardship: Village — Feya]

[Acquired Stewardship: Village — Yanzi]

[Acquired Stewardship: Village — Marne]

Draxel had even considered renaming Uxkhal along with the villages.

But Uxkhal, being one of the Swadian Kingdom’s more prosperous large towns, couldn’t be renamed without causing a stir. Such an act might provoke the kingdom’s nobility or even anger King Harlaus himself. It was safer not to take that risk.

The small villages, on the other hand, wouldn’t cause such concerns…

After sharing this news, everyone was elated. As we were about to gather for breakfast, commotion from outside the lord’s hall drew our attention. Draxel saw that it was Safiya and her group returning.

They were grievously wounded, with not an inch of their skin or flesh unscathed. Safiya was covered in blood, making it impossible to tell whose blood it was, hers or someone else’s.

With her last ounce of strength, she made her way back to the lord’s hall. By the time she caught sight of Draxel from a distance, she had no energy left to cry out and collapsed to the ground.

Lein, behind her, whose wings had recently matured enough for flight, had also suffered significantly, unable to take to the sky for now.

Its legs, claws, belly, and neck showed numerous injuries, limping after Safiya. Just as Safiya was about to hit the hard ground, Lein positioned itself beneath her.

This act prevented Safiya’s face from striking the ground, sparing her from further disfigurement, but the impact of her fall worsened Lein’s injuries.

Of the four 2nd-tier tavern-hired veterans who had set out with them, only two returned.

Though not as critically injured, they looked close to death. These two tavern-hired veterans had advanced to 4th-tier tavern-hired knights, evidently having faced many difficulties on their journey.

The sight that unfolded before him deeply alarmed Draxel. He quickly lifted Safiya and signaled for the others to carry Lein back to their room as well.

Merchant Marnid and Little M, having never witnessed such a violent scene, froze in shock. In contrast, Yanzi sprang into action, hurrying to embrace Lein.

Back in the room, Draxel laid Safiya on the bed, the white linens quickly reddening with blood. Overwhelmed by urgency, he cried out for help:

“Does anyone know first aid? Quick, we need help!”

Yanzi, following with Lein, entered the room. Though visibly concerned, she remained impressively composed. 

She instructed Draxel, “Draxel, I know how. Fetch a basin of hot water, some towels, scissors, pliers, and any medical supplies you can think of.”

“Right… right… Marnid, Little M, summon Old Aubrey and his wife, and Bela too. We need all hands on deck. Hurry!”

As Draxel faced the dire conditions of Safiya and Lein, panic set in. He had already endured the loss of Owens, Xiao Jia, and Awang; he couldn’t stand losing Safiya and Lein as well.

Thankfully, Yanzi’s adept hands were as those of a seasoned and compassionate doctor. She efficiently disinfected, cleaned, stitched, and stemmed the bleeding.

“I’ll need to remove Safiya’s clothes next. Everyone, please wait outside. Having you here will only distract me. Bela, stay and help me.”

Draxel, witnessing this scene, led the others out of the room and waited anxiously outside the door.

Yet, seeing Yanzi’s expertise in action offered Draxel a sliver of calm amidst the chaos. He held onto the belief that Yanzi’s capabilities could turn the tide of the crisis.

Meanwhile, the two who had been promoted to tavern-hired knights, albeit weak, were determined to fully report back. Gasping for breath, they managed to convey:

“Um… my esteemed lord, we encountered land lions. Initially, our hunt was successful… somewhat smooth. Unexpectedly, on our return… the king of the land lions made its appearance…”

Recounting this brought back their fear as if the lion king loomed over them once more, haunting their thoughts. After a moment to collect themselves, they continued:

“It was overwhelmingly powerful; we had no choice but to flee… In their attempt to save us, Safiya and Lein suffered even more grievous injuries. We… we apologize, deeply sorry…”

Having recounted their ordeal, the duo, likely from excessive blood loss or the exertion of their escape, fell into a state of acute shock, beginning to foam at the mouth, their eyes darkening.

“Damn, hang in there! I’ll figure out how to save you!” 

Without any medical skills, Draxel desperately tried to recall any emergency measures from contemporary society, applying chest compressions and artificial respiration, but to no avail.

Tragically, despite his efforts, the lives of the two tavern-hired knights could not be salvaged.