Chapter 221 - Village Leader Zero (2/2)
”About that,” Zero smiled. ”It's not a problem. You don't have to be literate or good with business like Coux to help. Wiser came up with this plan for everyone to use their best talents and contribute towards transforming Half Moon Village into a trading central with incredible security.”
This made everyone curious including Hua Tuo, Zenobia and Grandma Moppo. Zero grinned and told everyone that he will explain the plan in detail tomorrow.
”For now, let us celebrate and welcome our new village members!”
Everyone raised their glasses and cheered. Ruth had a drink shoved into his hand and Shcaf was already rosy from the effects of alcohol. Someone tried to offer Zero a drink but Ruth was quick to stop them. According to Baal, Zero and alcohol should stay as far away from each other. Zero didn't seem too happy but when Leon offered him fruit punch, the teenager quickly forgot about it and joined in the rowdy tradition or boisterous eating and singing. There was a wonderful magic performance by Hyelin and a firestar demonstration by Raj. Jacqueline danced and had Qin Yun join in. Zero smiled as he watched the fox spirit enjoy herself. The letter in his inventory weighed heavily. The foxes had a message to pass her and Zero didn't want to delay it but now wasn't the time.
At the height of the feast, Zero decided that it would be the best time to let them know the rough ideas of his plans. The official meeting will happen in a few days once Zero has settled down some of the miscellaneous matters requiring his immediate attention as the new leader. Zenobia did mention that the repair works weren't going very smoothly and Lovina still wasn't able to find the right formula to help Wiser with his research for miasma convertor machines.
”Alright, I've decided. We are going to divide the duties a little differently now. We have the agriculture in charge - Cleo. Instead of just tending to the fields, we will require more help with the magic herbs, some hybrid plant experiments for medical research and mana flower growing. Latitia. Chowkah, Manny and Peter will be helping Cleo with this. Any questions?”
The two zombies exchanged looks with Soon and blinked. ”Zero, we're undead by nature. Going anywhere near living things will corrupt them.”
Zero grinned and waved their concerns off. ”Don't worry. You'll be working with the mana lotuses at the Spring of Vitality. They are known to be good for the undead, just check with Ruth. Miasma is what you need to be careful with. In fact, if all goes well, you can cultivate to free your soul from sins at the Garden of Roth. All three of you can definitely redeem yourselves and break free from the curse of this forbidden magic.”
Zero's assurance made the cave fall silent. Many of them didn't know what they were hearing anymore. The teenager took no notice and continued.
”Clowis, you're head of defence and security. Your team will be Crudgel, Titor, Camie and Mitchnew. Your job is to defend the village, look out for threats and maintain the peace within.”
Lowis and Zenobia were speechless. Did Zero just put both of them out of job? As if sensing their concerns, Zero turned to them. ”Lady Zenobia, I would require your assistance to become the village's representative for negotiations. Of course, you won't have to do much of the negotiating, Schaf will assist you. Lowis, you have a special role. I need you to choose people and train them to be mercenaries. Mitchnew, you're going to help out in training the best of the best from Lord Amon's reinforcements and turn them into the best one man armies.”
The dark elf looked pleased and Lowis had a small smile. Indeed, this was better than guarding a wall and patrolling perimeters all day.
”For the village's progress, we will require learned people and researchers. Lovina, you're in charge of magic research. Moona, Soon, Yxaan and Xvyal are on team magic research. Although Wiser is not here, we can still contact him regularly. I don't know if I'm still a part of the lab but I hope Raj, you will continue to research on ways to improve the lives of the villagers using tools and equipment instead of destructive weapons. Tambolt, don't worry... you're not out of job. I need you to create devices capable of bridging the gap between magic and non-magic users. I don't know the details but someone will be contacting you very soon about something called mana-metal.”
”Qin Yun, Roovan... you have important roles as the information centre of the village. Roovan you're in charge of stealth operations. Qin Yun, Queen Shittomi has decided to support your decision by training your girls to become socialites capable of getting information from any sources. also, this is a letter from them to their beloved leader.”
Grandma Moppo was curious as Zero handed the fox spirit a thick letter that was barely sealed properly. Zero certainly matured into a very fine leader. She relaxed a little more and took another swig of her wine as Zero continued to dish out orders for everyone else present including Zoe and the children. Vrald and Gerald were genuinely surprised when Zero told them that they were in charge of travelling and raising the village's reputation by going back to their adventuring ways. the Dragon Descendants looked worried but when Zero told them that they were going to be travelling with a fellow dragon by the name of Olaf, they were stunned to silence.
In Zero's mindscape, Bob couldn't believe it. Why would Olaf decide to finally leave his treasure cave? He'd been hiding it out in Lucifer's library for centuries... that sly lizard was up to something, he just knew it!
”Aside from these changes, I would like to announce that Ruth is going to be part of this village as everyone's basic combat instructor when he isn't sending me flying to the dirt. Everyone is required to know basic self-defence skills. Karris, you will only begin yours after little Seff is born. I hope you don't mind but Ruth here will become Seff's teacher as a fellow vampire. I've already made the promise on your behalf but Ruth will only teach Seff the ways of a vampire until he can fend for himself.”
Karris looked at the young doctor with misty eyes. ”Thank you, Zero. It means a lot to me... I was always worried about how my little one would cope after he was born... thank you! Thank you...”
Ruth took a look at the pregnant human and felt a small pang of shame at the actions for one of his kind. Even in the Roith village, nobody abandoned their young. The bullying of half breeds was a common thing but they were never abandoned.
”Hmm have I forgotten anything else...?”
After not being able to think of anything else, Zero ended the abrupt announcement with a grin and another toast of sparkling juice. The villagers cheered and Hua Tuo sighed. He didn't know if having such a mature student was a good thing or a bad thing. Zero as a child was already a headache to deal with. Zero as a teen was a lot sneakier and smarter. It wouldn't be as simple to fool him into staying away from certain topics. Hua Tuo just hoped that the kid wouldn't come to him for answers about the more difficult things in life that even Gods didn't have answers for.
”I need more wine,” the physician groaned and helped himself to an unattended jug. If he was going to have to put up with a smartmouthed brat for another half a year, he would need a lot more of where this strong alcohol came from.