I Build a Modern Shelter in Fantasy World

***

The next day.

Rockvalley Village.

According to the trade agreement between Kitsune Village and Rockvalley Village, a convoy of five wagons arrived from the south, carrying goods to be exchanged for food.

The goods came from Kitsune Village.

Gideon stepped outside, accompanied by Viviene and Lena. Their attention was fixed on the three wagons lined up neatly in front of the Baron's residence.

A man of the Kitsune race led the convoy, and Aina was sitting beside him. She waved slowly when her eyes met Lena's.

"Sir Gideon. This is the list of goods sent from Kitsune Village," the man said, stepping down from the wagon and walking toward Gideon.

Gideon took the paper and unfolded it slowly. It was not only herbal plants they sent, but also money and some iron ore.

Everything was well packed in different sacks, though the sacks of herbal plants were far more numerous.

Gideon nodded, handed the paper to Lena, and ordered Viviene to go to the back to prepare the food for the exchange.

Since last night, he had already told some soldiers to prepare sacks of bread enough to fill five wagons.

One wagon could carry about 10 to 15 sacks of bread. With five wagons total, Gideon was sending at least 70 to 75 sacks of bread for the people of Kitsune Village.

Because it had been prepared earlier, it did not take long for the Baron's soldiers to bring out the food wagons.

The Kitsune envoy's eyes widened, surprised by the amount of food Gideon was giving them.

"Sir Gideon… isn't this too much?"

"Consider the rest as a gift. Your people often helped us in the past, especially with the problems we had with the wolf race," Gideon replied, patting the man's shoulder.

"Tell Lady Mitsuko if she needs anything, she can come visit here," Gideon added.

The envoy could not hide his joy. They already knew Gideon had risen in rank to become a Baron.

The man thought Gideon's personality might have changed with the luxury and status he had gained. But after this meeting, his view was different.

He was still the same as before. The wealth, power, and status of a Baron did not seem to affect Gideon much.

"Alright. I will deliver your message to Lady Mitsuko."

Gideon cleared his throat and ordered the soldiers of the Baron's residence to help load the 75 sacks of bread into the Kitsune wagons.

The man nodded and joined in, placing the sacks into his wagons.

Once everything was loaded, he bid farewell to Gideon. Aina also said goodbye to Gideon and Lena. The convoy of wagons then departed south, heading back to their home.

"Has Lyra returned yet?" Gideon asked Lena.

"I think she's on her way home, Capt."

"I understand."

Gideon turned forward and ordered one of the Baron's soldiers to call Luke. There was something Gideon had to do, and it was related to the wolf race.

Before long, Luke arrived with the soldier. He stopped in the courtyard, looking at Gideon and Lena who had been waiting there.

"Did something happen?" Luke asked, his breath visible in the cold air.

"This is about the wolf prisoners."

"We are going to the Wolf Village to take them all back," Gideon replied.

"Really? Are we going to negotiate with them?" Luke asked.

"If there is something we need from them, then negotiation will be necessary. If not, we just need to drive them out."

"Drive them out?" Luke asked, glancing reflexively at Lena.

Lena nodded. Before Gideon explained this to Luke, he had already spoken to her about it. She had no objections, since she thought driving the wolf race out was the best thing they could do.

Still, she hoped the wolves might have something to offer Gideon in exchange, so they could avoid being driven away.

"The wolves always go mad every winter. Lady Mitsuko confirmed this," Gideon explained.

"Compared to humans, the wolves' strength is terrifying. A single wolf can kill at least three civilians or two human soldiers. Their endurance is also incredibly dangerous," Gideon said.

"Are you afraid of them, Capt?"

"They are still alive right now, with bullet wounds covered only by cloth, staying in filthy places filled with bacteria during the freezing winter. Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Luke?" Gideon asked.

"Yes."

"Their endurance is extraordinary."

Gideon went on to explain that yesterday's wolf attack had been his mistake, underestimating the mythical races as not being real threats.

But he was wrong. Mythical races were still animals, and animals always relied on their survival instincts in the wild.

Wolves were one of them. They could turn vicious, cruel, and selfish when their lives were threatened. A shortage of food led to hunger, and hunger meant death.

"We'll wait for Lyra to come back from Nemora, then we'll get ready," Gideon said.

Luke and Lena agreed. Luke suggested they prepare earlier, so by the time Lyra arrived, they would already be ready and only waiting for her.

"Alright. Get ready."

They nodded, and the three of them went into the Baron's residence and up to the second floor. Gideon and the others began putting on their tactical uniforms, complete with vests and helmets.

Their M4A1s were fully loaded, with spare mags prepared. Their SIG M17s were secured in belt holsters, with spare mags ready. Everything was set after about fifteen minutes.

Gideon and the others stepped out of the Baron's residence, but there was still no sign of Lyra returning from Nemora.

This made Gideon suspicious, since the distance between Nemora and Rockvalley was only about an hour's wagon ride.

"Why hasn't Lyra come back yet?" Luke asked.

"Something might have happened to her. She didn't bring any comms gear," Gideon answered.

He stepped to the front of the residence, standing in his black-green camo uniform, black vest, and helmet. Gideon kept his eyes fixed on the southern gate, hoping Lyra would arrive soon.

He waited there for a long time, but there was still no sign of her return. Gideon grew restless, anxious, and worried.

The southern route passed near the Wolf Village, and after yesterday's battle, the relationship between Rockvalley and the wolves had worsened.

Just as Gideon was about to go back inside, his steps halted when he saw a wagon arriving, carrying Lyra. Gideon smiled in relief, his worries vanishing.

Luke and Lena reacted the same way, stepping forward toward the wagon as it stopped.

Gideon narrowed his eyes. The curtains on the wagon windows were closed, with claw marks scratched across parts of the wooden frame. The driver sat in silence, not reacting at all.

"Lyra… we were already—"

He suddenly pulled Lena back, away from the wagon door. Lena was shocked, staring at Gideon in confusion, but she could clearly see the serious look on his face.

He pulled out a flashbang, pulled the pin, and hurled it through the wagon's window. A deafening blast rang out, though without the blinding flash of light.

A loud scream came from inside the wagon. It was not Lyra's voice. Gideon knew what kind of voices those were.

The wagon door burst open, and five wolves charged at Gideon. Luke and Lena froze for a moment, then raised their rifles and fired at the wolves rushing toward them.

But one wolf's sharp claws raked Gideon's right upper arm, cutting him badly.

"Soldiers, gather!" Luke shouted.

The Baron's soldiers came, aiming their iron spears forward. Luke took command, ordering them to attack the wolves.

He fired his rifle as well, forcing the wolves back for a moment.

Lena stepped back, looking at Gideon's wound. She had to act quickly to prevent an infection, even rabies, from the claw strike.

"Lyra!"

"Lyra… was kidnapped by the wolves," Gideon said firmly.

"Tonight!"

"We destroy them!"