I Build a Modern Shelter in Fantasy World

Getting a new task made Viviene excited, but she could not ignore the state of her body. Working extra without rest would eat away at her strength, damaging her cells and making it hard for them to regenerate.

Gideon realized Viviene's duties were piling up. He told her to continue her work tomorrow, when her body was refreshed and her mind focused. Viviene nodded, admitting she was quite exhausted.

Finished with Viviene, Gideon stepped outside to enjoy the snowy night. Luke and Lyra returned from the well excavation site. They met Gideon and told him what was going on.

"They'll speed up the digging. I want the well finished and water flowing in two days," Luke said.

"After the well is done, the workers will take a break because of the weather," Lyra added.

"Alright. Make sure to take good care of their health for the next two days," Gideon reminded them.

"Of course, Captain, you don't have to worry," Luke answered.

The three of them left the Baron's front gate and headed south, where the sound of noise carried all the way out of the tavern. Villagers seemed to have gathered inside to relax for a while.

Gideon entered and was welcomed by many people, as were Luke and Lyra. The three ordered food and drinks from Lena the tavern waitress, who already knew their favorite beer and meals by heart.

"When winter comes, the river will freeze. What about the people in Dergon?" Luke asked.

He shook his head, leaning back on the wooden chair. He didn't know how the villagers of Dergon were faring, but Gideon still had the duty to send them food supplies until their problems were solved.

"With food, I think they'll be alright," Gideon replied.

Lena the waitress came with a tray of snacks and beer for Gideon's team. The doctor Lena was not there, and Gideon explained she would arrive late.

Sure enough! When he asked about the doctor, she arrived at the tavern wearing a blue coat.

What shocked him more was that she came with Aina, the kitsune girl Gideon had freed from a slave trader in Mischo.

They entered while ordering drinks, beer for Lena and milk for Aina. Both of them stepped forward until they stood at the team's usual table. Luke looked surprised to see Aina appear so unexpectedly.

"Aina? How are you?" Luke asked.

"I'm fine. Thank you, Sir Luke."

Gideon looked at Aina's face, her cheeks and nose a little red from the dropping temperature. He turned his eyes toward Lena.

"What is it?" Gideon asked.

"Aina came because she's part of the kitsune traders. She has a reason to meet me," Lena answered.

"The Kitsune Village is running out of food," Lena explained.

"Really?"

"Yes, Sir Gideon. Since not many of the kitsune men have gone hunting, the food reserves have dropped sharply," Aina said.

"How much do you know about the shortage?" Gideon asked.

"About half," Aina replied.

"So when will your food reserves be completely gone?" Gideon asked.

Aina explained that their food would run out in two to three weeks with normal rations. If they cut the rations in half, maybe they could last five to six weeks.

From Viviene's explanation, Gideon knew there were three different seasonal zones: north, center, and south. Each had their own climate and different lengths of time.

The north had no spring, summer, or fall, only endless winter. That was why people called it the white land.

The center, where all the kingdoms stood, had four seasons of equal length. The difference was only in the location, whether it was closer to the north or farther south.

The further north, the longer the winter and the shorter the summer. The further south, the longer the summer and the shorter the winter.

Rockvalley was located in the southern part of the central zone. That made their winters shorter, lasting only ten to twelve weeks.

Gideon realized the Kitsune Village had it hard, struggling to find the right food for themselves.

Still, since Mitsuko had helped him before, Gideon had no objection to repaying her kindness.

Even so, Gideon knew he had to carefully calculate how much money was needed to help the kitsune. There were many villages that needed his help now.

"Alright. Tell Lady Mitsuko not to cut the rations in half. I'll find a way to help you," Gideon said firmly.

"Thank you… thank you so much, Sir Gideon."

Aina and Lena sat at the tavern table, talking lightly to strengthen their bond. Aina smiled happily; it was her first time drinking at the same table with someone as important as Gideon.

To her, Gideon was a great man: strong, wise, and full of authority. A figure much needed for his capable leadership. Rockvalley was as good and happy as it was thanks to Gideon's steady hands.

After their time at the tavern, Gideon invited the others back to the Baron's residence. Aina refused, saying she needed to return right away to inform Lady Mitsuko. But Gideon disagreed.

"It's already night, and bad people are out there. I'm worried something could happen to you," Gideon replied.

"B-but I'm a kitsune. Am I allowed to—"

"Think of yourself as my friend. You can stay with Lena," Gideon said, cutting her off gently while patting her shoulder.

Lena smiled and waved at Aina. Aina agreed. If Gideon didn't refuse her presence, she couldn't refuse his either.

They went together to the Baron's residence for dinner prepared by the maids. That night, the air was calm without conflict or quarrels.

Gideon hoped the village's future would be like tonight. But it would not be.

***

The next day.

Rockvalley Village.

Gideon hurried out of the Baron's residence, his eyes fixed forward at the many unexpected things that had happened this morning.

Wagons without roofs stood in neat rows, loaded with flour, eggs, and milk. One red-armored soldier came before Gideon, followed by two others.

"I am Zach, commander of the Rockvalley food escort squad. We came to deliver food supplies for the southern border, sent by Her Majesty, Queen Anastasya," Zach explained.

Gideon looked shocked, then stepped forward to count the exact number of wagons lined up in front of the residence.

There were about one hundred fifty wagons, meaning countless sacks of flour, eggs, and milk for the people of the four villages in the southern border region.

What is her real reason for sending this food? Does it have to do with her desire to use my weapons?

"Her Majesty hopes this aid can lighten the burden of the villagers in facing the frightening winter," Zach said.

Lena and the others came forward, standing right beside Gideon. Curious who had sent so much food, Gideon told them everything.

"Queen Anastasya? This is a bribe."

"Clever. Playing with needs while pushing her own desires. Queen Anastasya is truly clever," Lena praised.

"For now, let's keep it. If she means to give, I'll accept. If not, I'll return it," Gideon answered.

"Viviene, Lena, Luke, Lyra; count each type of food brought here. Calculate the prices and prepare the money."

"We have to be ready in case she ever asks for something in return for her kindness."