I Build a Modern Shelter in Fantasy World

Not long after, a horse carriage arrived from the back courtyard of the residence. Gideon nodded, stepping inside together with Lena, ready to leave for the Kitsune village in the south.

Lucas waved his hand to see Gideon and Lena off. For the safety of the village, Gideon entrusted everything fully to Luke and Lucas.

They were the ones Gideon trusted to control the situation in the village after the wolf race attack.

"What exactly happened last night?" Lena asked.

"The wolves couldn't get food from the forest. They were desperate and lost their minds, recklessly attacking Rockvalley village just to get food," Gideon replied.

"If they were still on good terms with you, maybe we could help them," Lena said.

"Bian has no talent for leadership. The destruction of the wolf race is inevitable if he does not act soon," Gideon explained.

"Will you help them if one day Bian comes asking for aid?"

Gideon fell silent at Lena's question, then turned to the side, gazing at the window of the carriage he was riding in.

He and his team had been betrayed twice by the wolves. It was difficult to rebuild trust because of their stubborn nature. Forming a new alliance with the wolves was impossible.

"No."

"I understand."

"Then what will we do with them? The prisoners?" Lena asked.

"In the near future, we'll take them to the wolf village for negotiations."

"Negotiations?" Lena asked.

"I don't know, I thought I might be able to gain something from them during the negotiations."

Gideon had not yet thought about what exactly he wanted when the talks with the wolves began. What crossed his mind was that it would be better to keep the wolves as prisoners, so he could have leverage later.

Lena stayed quiet in confusion, not knowing what Gideon wanted from the future negotiations. For now, it was best that they go to the Kitsune village to pay respect to Lady Mitsuko.

"Sir. The Kitsune village is up ahead."

Gideon turned and opened the front window of the carriage. The driver was right, the Kitsune village was visible ahead, covered in piles of snow.

Still, there were signs of activity among the villagers, though far fewer compared to spring or summer.

The carriage stopped at the village gate, startling two Kitsune men who had been standing guard. The carriage door opened, Gideon stepped out with Lena following behind.

Gideon's arrival surprised the two guards, yet also made them glad. They welcomed him inside and even escorted him all the way to Lady Mitsuko's residence.

"How is the situation in your village?" Gideon asked.

"We're doing fine. But we've had to ration our meals," one of them said.

"You're also short on food?"

"That's right," the man answered, even though Gideon and Lena already knew from Aina.

When they reached the front of Mitsuko's residence, the door opened, revealing the figure of the Kitsune leader.

Lady Mitsuko stepped outside, accompanied by two elders at her side. Lena and Lady Mitsuko embraced tightly, releasing their long-held longing.

"Lady Mitsuko… are you all right?" Lena asked.

"I'm fine. And you?" Mitsuko asked back, and Lena nodded.

Gideon smiled. He felt relieved and happy to see the Kitsune village safe, though their main problem was food shortage.

But unlike the wolves, the Kitsune were not picky. If Gideon gave them bread, they would eat. If he gave them grains, they would also eat. The wolves, however, needed more specific foods like meat and eggs.

Lady Mitsuko turned and smiled, welcoming Gideon's presence. Unexpectedly, she would continue meeting Gideon even though the plan of uniting the mythological races did not directly involve him.

"Welcome to the Kitsune village, Baron Gideon."

"Baron?" the two elders exclaimed in shock, staring sharply at Gideon.

"Just call me Gideon."

"Lena and I came to make sure of your condition," Gideon replied.

"Our condition?"

"Can we talk inside?"

Lady Mitsuko agreed. She stepped inside, and they entered her residence where the cold air could not reach. Once everything felt secure, Gideon felt he needed to explain the situation to Mitsuko.

"The wolves have gone mad."

"They're always like that every winter," Lady Mitsuko replied.

"Wait. You already knew?" Gideon asked.

"Yes. They're greedy, selfish, and arrogant. Their greed makes it difficult for them to endure the winter," Lady Mitsuko answered.

"What happened exactly?" she asked again.

Gideon began explaining the situation to Lady Mitsuko. She listened carefully, reacting with shock when Gideon spoke of the wolf attack on Rockvalley.

"They attacked? They've truly gone insane."

"I came here because I was worried about you. I feared the wolves might attack and steal your food," Gideon explained.

"You don't need to worry. We have our own methods to fend off the wolves, and they work well."

"Is that so? I guess I was just too worried."

Lady Mitsuko nodded. She glanced left and right at the Kitsune elders. Since Gideon happened to be in their village, Lady Mitsuko could directly ask him for help regarding their situation, especially food.

"Sir Gideon. Regarding our condition, I would like to offer a trade agreement with you," Lady Mitsuko said.

"How so?" Lena asked.

Lady Mitsuko turned to Lena and studied her carefully. She offered to provide some of the herbs from their herbal library to Rockvalley as payment for bread and food supplies.

Lena turned to look at Gideon, who responded with a slight nod. It was much better for Lady Mitsuko to propose a fair trade rather than ask for free aid.

That way, trust could be built between both sides without one relying too much on the other.

"All right. Just send some herbs to Rockvalley, and we'll prepare the food you need," Lena replied.

"Thank you so much, Miss Lena, Baron Gideon."

Gideon cleared his throat. They stayed at Mitsuko's home for quite a while, discussing many things.

Lena felt grateful and happy that she could meet Mitsuko again. Mitsuko's kindness and the elders' warmth were still the same as before.

There was not much left to discuss, so Gideon and Lena took their leave. They had to return to the village to prepare the food supplies needed by the Kitsune.

At first, Gideon had planned to give it for free, but since Mitsuko offered trade, that was better.

The two of them returned to the carriage and traveled north until they were back in Rockvalley. There, Gideon saw Luke standing before several strong young men ready to become volunteer soldiers.

Gideon smiled, stepped down from the carriage, and walked toward Luke. Seeing so many young men eager to join the military made Gideon feel glad.

"They will become tough soldiers."

"Of course. They're the finest men in Rockvalley."