Vol 2 Chapter 1 (2/2)

“Another one, salt mining rights. The salt we brought is the only salt we came with. Even so, it’s not enough to forgive the inconvenience. We will show you the rock salt mining area protected by our ancestors and allow you to mine there.”

It is a very attractive proposition for the Elf village. To say that salt is a needed article that would be fussed over is not exactly something true. That stability though, even at the best of times would be wonderful.

“Finally, our lives. If we become people of this country, we will work, and go out to battle. However, our utmost condition is that you treat us humanely.”

Flame attribute magic using Firefox’s battle power, and thinking of the village specialty goods I have in mind; the point of needing people with the ability and talent to use fire magic, and having the people on hand to start new things is a G.o.dsend.

“All right. With just that compensation, I will accept.”

“Wait! Village Chief Cyril!”

Even after declaring Elucie as a country, Roreu, as always, calls me Village Chief.

“What is it, are there complaints?”

“The food, also there is no place for fifty people to live. We don’t like it, to put those Firefoxes in houses, as it is we’re dividing a small amount of food. Even so these guys’s conditions, we are not needing magic stones, and about the salt, the empire a.s.saulted their village. Close by is bound to be dangerous, even so going there to take salt, if they selfishly go around their village and are found… And the labor, we alone are enough we don’t need more. As for battle power, with just elves alone we won the battle before. Was it not only with us?” (tl: his vernacular is kinda on the stupid side) (ed: Much like mine.)

Roreu was arguing desperately.

Thinking conceptually, it makes sense that the elves living as they are now, wouldn’t accept another race at such a time. Even though there are various things that look good in my head, it still isn’t a claim I can accept…

“The place they will live is the suburbs of the village in my workshop temporarily. The elves won’t be troubled by them.”

Being 30 meters by 30 meters, moreover made from brick so it’s warm. Privacy issues are ok and as long as they just close their eyes, it’s a very good place to live in.

Also, originally since we have the already-made winter clothing that was suppose to be used for rock salt trade with the Firefoxes, with those it will make the cold bearable. There is not enough for everyone, but if one in two or three people can use them it will be okay.

“About food, it has already been distributed to everyone nothing was said about returning it. I will somehow make it work.”

The winter food distribution was already done. If that is not collected, the elve’s won’t show their dissatisfaction for now.

‘”Going to somehow… What are you doing to do?!”

” About the one month of food, from now on I will hunt wild boar. We also have the produce that Lucie and I made so we’ll be fine. During that month, we’ll buy some additional supplies from the commercial city Ellis.”

900Kg of potatoes, and if we get wild boar meat, somehow we can endure one month. If I seriously go at it until the snow falls, I can get a lot of wild boar.

“We are going to use the village money for the Firefoxes?!”

“Yes we are. However, before winter ends, we should be able to make Elucie specialty products. To make those we do need fire magic. That job can be given to the Firefoxes. If we do that, the used money can be doubled several times from the original amount. Certainly, there is no work in winter. Though, my job is to enrich this village by making jobs.”

I declare strongly.

I was intending to accomplish it alone, but doing this amount would have no importance. But, if fifty Firefoxes are here, a significant amount of funds can be prepared. (tl: another author incomplete idea)

“And, I originally intended to go to the commercial city to buy a goat, you know? It just so happens I can buy food while I’m there. I will entrust the care of the goat(s) to the Firefoxes.

With the Firefox’s involvement in the manufacturing of specialty products and taking care of the goat(s), it won’t be just us elves rotating working hands.”

With fifty gold coins on hand and, if we are able to obtain the ransoms, buying the goat, and buying food is still bound to leave us with cash leftover.

“I get it but, why are you so intent on having the Firefoxes here in the village? You’re strange, Chief Cyril.”

For the time being Roreu reluctantly nodded, there is still displeasure in his voice.

“Certainly, I want the Firefoxes to be apart of the village, you know? Roreu, all of the elves, we won against the five hundred soldiers in the battle before.”

The abrupt lead in I started with my story, caused everyone to look around in a panic.

“The opponent could number in the thousand and we would still win, right”

I continue talking.

“If the opponent was in the two thousands, while taking casualties we can somehow win.”

Yes, not using【Reincarnation Recall】in that situation would increase the possibility of that happening.

“But, the moment it is three thousand people, there is nothing that can be done we would be overrun. If the empire is serious, they can gather ten thousand soldiers. There is no future for just Elf.”

My words cause the Elves faces to distort.

It was the first time I said such negative words.

“But, there is no place where an Elf has to fight alone. There are things I want you to see.”

I stand next to Kuu while saying so.

And then, I whispered so that only Kuu could hear me.

“Long ago, that thing we played; Do you remember? We are going to do that, but give me full power from your right hand.”

“…… Cyril-san. Okay, I got it over there, right?.”

Kuu just a little bit showed me an innocent smile from the time we were children.

Kuu closed her eyes and concentrated, the surrounding fire mana was being summoned.

And with tremendous energy, the mana gathered.

Firefoxes have the highest affinity for fire, it being 100, something they can be proud of.

“【Fox Fire】”

At the time of those words a pillar of fire rises from Kuu’s right hand..

It started to slowly continue in the direction of the empire on the road. Over there, there is n.o.body and nothing to burn.

The flames reach 40 meters away.

In front of my left hand I gently projected my magic causing wind mana to gather.

And then, to enclose Kuu’s 【Fox Fire】, I spring forth wind.

“【Gust】”

Instead of the flames bursting, with it being enclosed in air the energy increased. Riding upon the wind the range doubled reaching 80 meters.

If this is on the battlefield, we can instantly burn away the empire soldiers from the severe roar of the flames.

“This is the power of flames and wind becoming one. The elve’s weakness is getting cornered, and the Firefoxes weakness is their short range. If Elf and Firefoxes cooperate, we can negate long range attacks from the enemy with wind, and attack 300 meters with crossbows. If we get cornered, anything within 80 meters we can just instantly burn them away. Even if the Empire soldiers try to interfere with the wind magic, we can do something about that.”

I finished up what I say, and with my gaze I sent to Kuu, she stopped her flames.

With Kuu and I as Firefox and Elf representatives showing our two magic’s, everyone started to raise their voices in admiration from its display.

“All of the elves, we became strong. Even so, alone, we are useless. And, to say something emotional, I don’t want to abandon those who are suffering because of the empire. If we do not lend a hand to the Firefoxes, they will surely die or be captured by the empire. I want everyone to think. If we really get into trouble, I want to request help from around. If we abandon our Firefoxes colleagues, who can we count on to lend us a hand?”

Eventually the empire will be affected and I will need to call out to other villages add to our war potential.

I want the achievement of saving our troubled friends.

“Firefoxes. I will accept you guys, But, I don’t want you to misunderstand. I will not be entertaining you as guests. I will be accepting you as comrades. You will accept the rules of this country, and also carefully instruct and protect the rules.”

They, if they don’t accept…

The Firefoxes would have customs and rules as well. but, in the end it’s according to this country’s rules. If we don’t follow them, order cannot be protected.

“If we are able to accept, I, the Firefox family head Kuu will acknowledge it.”

“I understand, Are all the elves ok with this?”

Finally, I want to confirm it.

I apply some pressure(slightly force the issue), if I don’t obtain everyone’s agreement in some form or another this won’t go through.

“If the distributed food does not get affected….”

“Yah(in agreement). Since the Chief has prepared a good place for them to live.”

“If Chief closely monitors them then I have no problem.”

The elves were pa.s.sively saying favorable points.

Now, it should be fine, right? However, in the future I want the Firefoxes to properly merge into the village.

To uselessly push would only invite resistance, for a little while I will allow them to build a livelihood in the workshop outside the village, so they don’t have to interact with elves; but little by little I want them to get accustomed.

“Thank you everyone. That being the case, let us disband. I will let everyone return to their own work.”

I clap and all the elves return to their own job/positions.

“And so, the Firefox people. The first thing that you will do.”

From those words, the Firefoxes become tense.

They all still seemed to be vigilant toward me.

“You are all tired from your long journey so above all, you all must be hungry right? I will guide you to your house and I will prepare a warm meal.”

I say so while putting on a smile.

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