The Red Lands

You can't judge a book by its cover

You can't judge a book by its cover

Chu retreated from the growing circle of bodies surrounding Rugol and Toll. Making his way to the Trading Post, he gained a meeting with the current leader. The old man ushered him to the usual vacant corner of the shop.

"Master Chu, our caravan came in today from Karst. I have a letter for you from a member of the Merchant Guild."

Receiving the letter, he broke the seal to skim through the contents.

"I have a question. How fast can I send a reply to a merchant in Frost City? The last letter I sent to the city probably took a month."

He asked. Given the timeframe and uncertainty, he had no idea if his companions in Limerock or Frost City received his letters.

Stroking his long beard, the man answered after a period of thinking.

"There are a few scouts residing in the barracks since reinforcements arrived. Commander Joss should be able to help you requisition one of their falcons. Within a week, your merchant friend should receive your reply."

"Sounds good. What is the status of gathering workers for my project?"

"A letter has already been delivered to Karst and forwarded by a falcon to Limerock City and Haven. By the end of Spring, at least one hundred workers should be delivered. There is also the possibility that traders may actually visit the village in the hopes you might purchase replacements."

Chu twisted his lip at the news. Similar to history, some held the mentality that a slave occupied a position lower than an animal. Burn out their life and then purchase another. His plans, however, never included the wasting of precious human resources. By harnessing the potential of a person, he hoped to capitalize on the side.

"I have a few gemstones here. Give me a good price. Since you might not have enough coins, open an account for me as John did."

The old man called over an assistant to grade the gemstones.

"Master Chu, you might probably gain more coins if you sold these to a jeweler."

"No need, I know you won't try to rob me. The purpose of this account is to pay for materials and supplies to rebuild the village. When my people begin to arrive, I want them to settle properly. I'll have the Village Chief liaise with you on this."

It didn't take long for Chu to negotiate a bargain for a couple of gemstones. Considering the price he received from the jeweler in Karst, this was pure luck. Then again, nobody wanted to cross the Tower. He knew enough high-ranking individuals at the Academy to get away with this fraud.

Leaving the Trading Post, Chu walked to the village center. In the open courtyard, a few old and young women stood waiting to draw water from the communal well. Resting his eyes on the sight, Chu realized that for the village that birthed gears and cogs to the world, they lived in ignorance.

Shaking his head, he headed over to help the struggling women lift the water bucket.

'Some inventor I am. Like a true capitalist, I didn't even help the masses close to me...'

'But then again, I never received any money from inventing gears... Griz must truly be living a good life. Wait for me, you bastard!'

Pulling a page from Ming's book, he joined in the gossip. He ended up walking with a pail of water while chatting with a mother-daughter pair. The older woman bore a lifetime of callused hands and the beginnings of a hunched back.

The daughter appeared to be in her early twenties with a figure between the mature body of Shine and the round, motherly one of Stavia.

Then again, in this world, both women and men aged under a harsh lifestyle. When he recruited Jim and his wife May, their withered frames placed them around the seventies in age. Only later did he understand the couple was in their early forties.

"Did you hear? The Demon Slayer is in town. Hopefully, he might come up on this side of the village."

The young lady chimed

"Why are your eyes sparkling? Do you think someone of his skill has time to dillydally in this little village?"

Snorted the old woman.

"Master Rugol is not like those visiting guards from the town, mother. He moves among the common folk as if at home. Anna down the lane said she's never seen a man more courteous. From what I saw during winter, the residents on Mr. Thomas's farm live a harsh but happy life."

"Great men are born from hardship. Didn't your father say those young men on the farm guzzled down that thin gruel without care? A farming life is a harsh life, my little bonny. Hopefully, with the Military sending brave soldiers, you will catch one of their eyes."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

The old woman mused. Someday this daughter of hers will occupy a home in Karst or, with heaven's blessing, a City.

Rolling his eyes on hearing more about the famous demon beast slayer, Chu spotted Commander Joss. Bidding farewell to his gossiping source, he greeted the man. It didn't take long for a written message to be strapped and sent flying away while secured to the foot of the falcon.

The letter from the Trading Post came from none other than the Windit House. As the sellers of Chu's waterproof clothing, the merchant family had made a killing and wanted to reopen the trading route as soon as possible. Chu naturally sent a message informing them he would prepare the barrels of his secret mixture.

Naturally, he also added that he required a generous supply of coals from the northern mountains for his forge.

The last stop on the journey placed him at the home of Chief Drey. After the customary greetings, he delved into business.

"There is an open credit at the Trading Post. You can use it to purchase materials to rebuild and repair the vacant homes in the village. Employ the villagers so that they can earn a few coppers. When the slaves arrive, I will need you to settle them in the village."

"Thank you, Master Chu. We have many villagers presently struggling to survive, so this gesture comes like one from heaven. Don't worry, Commander Joss and I have already laid out plans to welcome your workers."

"Great, but don't forget to liaise with the merchants in the village. They should prepare for a boost in sales since the village numbers will also swell."

By the time Chu dragged Toll and Rugol away, it was late evening. Leaving the two men counting a pouch of coppers and offloading the wagon filled with meager but heartfelt gifts, he considered the day a success.

***

Behind his large desk, Chu sipped a cup of warm water while scribbling down a few notes. The meeting after dinner went smoothly, considering the lack of technology. Since Halter had his hands full in designing and assisting his son, Pine, in managing the project, Chu nominated Marie as the supply manager.

The waist-length, chestnut-haired girl possessed a tall and thin frame with a hawk-like face resembling a firm and no-nonsense secretary. More importantly, she managed the reading and counting classes in the absence of Sakura. Tomorrow, he would run her through the basics of procurement and inventory management.

All he wanted was for someone to order supplies beforehand and keep the storerooms full until the snail-paced transport network delivered his goods. He sat nibbling the top of his wooden ink pen while recalling the number of days required to send and deliver goods from Karst. It was then that Lucy joined him.

"Hey, how come I haven't seen you around? Were you patrolling the forest?"

He inquired. Come to think of it, he didn't spot her at lunch nor dinner.

"Since yesterday, I have spent time with Ishara in the study."

"Ah, good thinking, Lucy. I take it you've been working her hard in translating those books? You should take her when Marie runs the reading and writing classes. That way, we'll have her printing translations in no time."

Chu suggested and then ended with a shallow laugh. Ever so often, the Hakkim would remind him of her request.

The kind-hearted soul within him listened to her plight. The black-hearted merchant brain said, No frigging way.

If she found aid from humans or goblins alike, he would wish them good luck. Not for hell, would he want to face a lumbering party of Kurat in unknown territory. Unfortunately, the Hakkim didn't realize his subtle hints to leave. What he found strange, however, was her willingness to stay.

If his home caught fire, wouldn't he want to rush back to save as much as possible?

"I have been placing notes in the books she read so we know of their contents. The process is slow, however, since we speak through writing."

"That's ok because we can't help it. Little by little, the common words will become easier to figure out for both parties involved."

Chu sighed. While jotting down a brief note, he glanced up at the pair of sparkling blue eyes. Exhaling, he leaned back on the chair and placed the pen in the holder.

"Alright, I know you well enough, so don't have me in suspense. Out with it."

Lucy moved one of the chairs closer to him before sitting.

"Chu, did you know the Hakkim counts the days in a similar fashion to us?"

Twitching his mouth, Chu raised his hands and then tapped his fingers together.

"Hmm... does she count the months and seasons like us? I can't say I'm overly surprised, however. With the information we gleaned from her, I suspect the Tower Mages discovered the present yearly calendar from the ruins left behind. There are too many things our Empire has assimilated from the lost civilization."

"I realized that also, Chu. Did you know our number system was derived from ancient books? Some of the symbols also look strikingly similar."

Lucy informed him.

Chu stretched his hand and rested it on the desk while tapping his fingers.

The discoveries painted a picture of how the Empire managed to coagulate from wandering tribes to a budding civilization. As he suspected, by absorbing discovered knowledge, it had solidified its position. Sure, scrolls spoke about internal wars, conflict with neighboring kingdoms, and the usual hiccups, but like his past world, the empire stood firm.

Well, nobody in their right mind would want a war to the death, knowing that the demon beasts from the north didn't differentiate between kingdoms. Smiling at her discovery, he nodded.

"Good work, Lucy. This is one for our records since it adds to our knowledge about the historical timeline. It is always good to have a firm grasp on history since it has a habit of rolling around."

Lucy smiled while nodding in agreement. Leaning in towards him, she whispered.

"I admit the find helps us in learning about the past, but that's not all."

Looking at the puzzled face, she brushed a strand of hair over her ear.

"I told you the Hakkim uses the same calendar as us, right?"

Chu nodded his head for her to continue.

"Knowing this, aren't you curious?"

"Curious about what?"

Lucy leaned forward.

"How old do you think Ishara is?"

Chu frowned at the question. Thinking about it, he never followed this road.

"If I had to guess, I would place her in the early twenties, around the same age as Amanda."

Lucy shook her head in agreement.

"I think so too. I found out yesterday that Ishara is only fifty-two years old."

"Yes, sounds about right..."

Pfttt!

"Fifty... fifty-two?!"

"Uh-huh, according to her, she recently held her coming of age ceremony. I guess it's similar to what you did for our sixteenth birthday celebrations in Limerock."

"Fifty-two..."

Witnessing his shocked face, Lucy leaned in for the kill.

"Ishara said that when the Hakkim come of age, they can use the Mark of Initiation."

Seeing him blink, she continued,

"The Mark of Initiation is useless since it boosts neither strength nor speed. It does, however, do one thing."

"Which is?"

"Using the sacred recipe requiring special herbs and the Mark of a Demon Beast, the Hakkim can brew the Mark of Initiation potion. A Hakkim can only drink it once during their lifetime."

"Yes, but what does it do?"

Chu asked while knowing the blond girl kept him willingly in suspense.

"It keeps a person looking young for longer..."