Chapter 7: Setting Out for Xiko Village

‘Damn, a woman’s heart is as inscrutable as a needle at the bottom of the sea. Haven’t I been attentive to your needs? Why the sudden sadness?’ Draxel agonized, trying to fathom what he might have done wrong.

Despite his limited experience with romance during his school days, he knew an apology was never the wrong move.

‘Women… they need to be pampered,’ he reflected inwardly.

“Safiya, if there’s anything I’ve done to upset you, I’m truly sorry. Please feel free to tell me,” he offered earnestly.

“It’s nothing. We should keep moving,” she replied with a stoic expression, leaving Draxel with a lump in his throat, silent for a long moment.

Having dealt with the forest bandits, the group spent considerable time navigating their way out of the Abyssal Mountains.

The Eastern Abyssal Mountains lay adjacent to the Khergit Khanate, which was currently at peace with the Kingdom of Swadia.

The Khergit Khanate, whose emblem was the prairie wolf, had migrated across the grasslands to settle in Calradia. This contrasted with Swadia’s symbol, the regal lion, known for its heavy cavalry.

The Khergit people excelled at mounted combat and archery. They had no traditional foot soldiers or archers, only mounted archers who combined the traits of both. Clad in nomadic robes atop their sleek prairie white horses, they were renowned for their swift, agile maneuvers on the battlefield.

Beyond their basic recruits, every Khergit was a horseman with a quality steed at their disposal, adept at using their mobility and ranged attacks to evade and overcome infantry.

Now, Draxel’s group found themselves within close distance of the Khergit village of Xiko.

“We should make for Xiko first to procure supplies and refill our water,” Draxel proposed. “Owens, Safiya, any objections?”

“Under your command, my lord,” Owens replied, his tone devoid of any personal sentiment, echoing the boss’s words without a hint of disagreement.

“Well then, Xiko might just have the fresh fruit I’m craving. I’d love some grapes,” Safiya mused thoughtfully.

“Off to Xiko it is. Owens, you handle the water and supplies. I’ll assist Safiya in her quest for grapes, and who knows, I might come across some olives or mangoes. You’d enjoy that, wouldn’t you?” Draxel said with a smile.

“Just make sure you keep your promise, Count,” Safiya responded with a playful warning.

“Your wishes are my commands, my lady.”

[Your rapport with Safiya has increased by +1, current friendliness stands at 41.]

[Observation: You have a knack for lifting a lady’s spirits, Count.]

Draxel inwardly groaned, ‘Damn, I lost points by the tens, and I only gain 1 point? It seems I must treat Safiya with even more seriousness and caution in the future. After all, her attributes are higher than mine, and if she gets riled up, she could truly put an arrow through me.’

Eventually, the travelers reached Xiko Village. Owens promptly set off to fulfill his tasks, and Safiya settled herself comfortably to relax. Draxel, meanwhile, approached the largest dwelling in the village, the likely residence of the village chief.

Sure enough, an elderly man exuding relative wealth to the surroundings and authority emerged from the grand room. He approached Draxel, saying, “Sir, you look unfamiliar. May I help you with something?”

“I am Count Draxel, a lord of the Kingdom of Swadia,” Draxel introduced himself.

“Lord Count, please forgive me for not recognizing you. Welcome to Xiko Village, part of the Khergit Khanate.”

‘It seems my reputation and honor aren’t exactly impressive,’ Draxel mused to himself, lamenting the lackluster state of his fame.

He then addressed the village chief, “I’m looking to purchase some fruits, like grapes and mangoes. Would you have any to sell?”

The village chief sighed, “Lord Count, there was a time when our vineyards flourished, and grapes were plentiful. But now, fearsome beasts have claimed our lands, leaving us in dire straits.”

Intrigued by the challenge, Draxel proposed, “What if I were to rid you of these beasts? Could we then strike a deal for the grapes?”

“Certainly, Lord Count,” the chief replied with a glimmer of hope. “I’d gladly offer you a reward for your troubles. We’ve sought many a mercenary’s aid before, but alas…”

Draxel’s intuition filled in the gaps before the chief could finish. “They never returned, did they? Fear not, for I am unlike those who came before. Just point me to these vineyards.”

“Across that ridge,” the chief gestured, his voice carrying a mix of desperation and gratitude.

[Temporary Quest]

[Assist the villagers in vanquishing the beasts.]

[Rewards: Grapes, beast meat, 500 Denars, and a 5-point increase in village favorability.]

Guided by the system’s interface, Draxel located the vineyard without delay. However, the sight that greeted him halted him in his tracks.

“Holy shit,” he cursed under his breath, “These aren’t mere beasts; they’re behemoths!”

The prairie wolves before him were of a scale he hadn’t anticipated, their formidable size rivaled that of grown brown bears, and their teeth jutted out menacing, sharp as the tusks of a mammoth.

A quick query to the system revealed their stats:

[Prairie Wolves]

[Level 5, Strength 10, Agility 12, Wisdom 3, Charm 3.]

“Looks can be deceiving,” Draxel said with a smirk.

With newfound confidence, he drew his Germanic longsword and charged with a battle cry. The wolves responded in kind, a mass of fur and fangs barreling towards him.

Draxel smirked as the prairie wolves encircled him.

“Do these simple-minded beasts really think they stand a chance?” he mused, just as one leaped toward him. With a swift movement, he thrust his boot forward, striking the wolf’s snout. The wolf collapsed in a heap, its life extinguished with startling ease. 

[You have gained 50 experience points.]

“That was it? Taken down by a single blow,” Draxel noted, just before another wolf sprang into action. With a deft backhand, he met the wolf’s advance, his hand clapping against its face with a resounding smack.

[You have gained 50 experience points.]

Witnessing their kin’s swift defeat, the remaining wolves fled in a panic.

[Quest Complete]

[You have…]

The system began to chime in, but Draxel promptly silenced it with an impatient flick of his wrist, “I don’t need a rundown for every little thing. I’m well aware of my rewards, coins, grapes, some measure of affection. The constant stream of updates is more pestering than helpful.’

[Charm -1.]

[I trust you’ll learn to show some respect, or I’ll keep chipping away at your points.]

A sudden fatigue washed over him, a reminder that even he wasn’t immune to the system’s whims. He scoffed at the thought of being penalized into politeness, resolving to keep his future complaints to himself.

[I’m privy to every silent grievance. Continue playing “healthily,” and remember, secret insults are beneath you.]

“Great, just great,” Draxel muttered, sarcasm lacing his tone.

Soon after, he returned to the village chief, wolf heads in tow, to collect his due reward.

“By the gods, what valor. Thank you, brave warrior,” exclaimed the chief.

Draxel waved off the praise with a nonchalant gesture. “Just the grapes will suffice, you can keep your coin. Hard times fall on all.”

The chief’s respect for Draxel grew.  “Your generosity won’t be forgotten, noble sir. Some of our young men wish to repay your bravery by serving in your ranks, free of charge.”

[You have recruited 2 Khergit tribesmen, and your honorable actions have granted you +1 to your honor.]

[Current reputation: 25, honor: 2.]

[Note: While your actions are commendable, a reminder is due. You’re still a pauper.]

‘Does it cost you to offer a word of praise?’ Draxel seethed internally, berating the system’s lack of tact.