"Firstly, we should clear a suitable site and then gather the materials required to build the shelter. Since we only have a few hours before nightfall, we don’t need to focus on building a proper home just yet. We simply need something safe enough to protect us through the night. Once we’ve survived our first night here, we can think about building a proper structure," Eren said.
"That’s right, my Lord. If we focus on building a proper cottage today, we won’t finish before sunset. We would risk spending our first night without an enclosed shelter," Marcus, the Builder, replied with a nod.
Eren nodded in agreement.
"However, even when building a temporary shelter, we must choose a suitable location. We need somewhere that offers some protection from the wind and possible monster attacks. If we build in an open area like this, we might regret it when the night winds arrive," Marcus added.
Eren rubbed his chin and let out a sigh.
"So, what do we do?" he asked.
"We should move over there."
Marcus pointed toward the line of trees on their right. Beyond them stretched what appeared to be a forest of almost completely dried-up trees.
"Those trees might not have enough leaves to provide much cover, but they should offer better protection from the wind than this open area."
Eren studied the location for a moment before voicing a concern.
"The trees are drying up, which means they’re dying because of the lack of rainfall over the years. That also means some of them might have become weak enough to fall at any time."
He turned toward Marcus.
"What if one of them falls during the night and crashes into our shelter?"
Rather than being caught off guard by the question, Marcus smiled confidently and explained his reasoning.
"That’s precisely why we’ll cut down the trees closest to our chosen site, my Lord. We’ll make sure the remaining trees are far enough away that even if one falls, it won’t reach our shelter. We can also use the trees we cut down as building materials."
Eren found considerable sense in Marcus’s explanation. As their Builder, he naturally knew more about construction than the rest of them. Eren saw no reason to reject a reasonable suggestion from someone who understood the work better than he did.
"All right, Marcus. Let’s proceed with your plan," Eren commanded.
The summons nodded and turned toward the area Marcus had indicated. It was about twenty metres away, so they headed there together, with Aldric, Kael, and Lyra carrying the supplies their master had received upon arrival.
When they reached the site, Eren began considering how to divide the work. With Marcus overseeing the construction, he needed to ensure that everyone else had a specific responsibility.
There were thirteen of them, which should be more than enough manpower to get the job done before sunset. However, they needed to organize themselves properly if they wanted to make the most of their time.
Eren noticed that Marcus wasn’t carrying a suitable cutting tool, so he turned toward Kael Draven, the Swordsman.
"Kael, you’ll be responsible for cutting down the trees. Use your longsword, but choose the ones you can cut through efficiently."
Kael nodded.
"Aldric, Garrick, and Rowan, you’ll gather the wood and bring it to the construction site. Darius and Roland, assist Marcus with the work and follow his instructions."
The three men acknowledged their assignments.
"As for Elias and Lyra, I want you to watch our surroundings and remain alert for any potential danger. Miriam will be available if anyone gets injured, though I’d prefer that nobody gives her a reason to work."
Miriam smiled faintly at his remark, while a few of the others exchanged glances.
With their instructions given, everyone moved to their assigned tasks.
However, just as Eren was about to follow them, Vaelzara approached him with a displeased expression.
"So, what do you want me to do, Master? Am I supposed to stand here and watch everyone else work?"
Eren turned toward her.
Before he could respond, Hela approached and placed a hand against her chest.
"Master, it frustrates me to stand idle when there is work to be done. However, I can assure you that I can keep this entire territory safe and deal with any monster that attempts to trespass."
She glanced toward the surrounding wilderness.
"If you allow me to join the watch team, I’ll be glad to help."
’She wants to join the watch team?’ Eren thought.
He had expected an SSS-Rank warrior to prefer fighting powerful monsters rather than watching over a camp, but Hela appeared perfectly willing to do whatever was necessary.
Besides, having someone as powerful as her watching over the territory would certainly make him feel more secure.
After considering it for a moment, he nodded.
"Very well, Hela. You can go ahead and join them."
"Thank you, Master!"
Hela immediately strode toward the outer area, her wings flapping slightly as she went.
Eren watched her leave, unable to hide his amazement at how willing she was to serve. It was almost as though she would have been genuinely offended if he had given her nothing to do. Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping.com.
"Master."
Elena approached him next.
"I can join the others in gathering wood and help them make faster progress. If I remain idle while everyone else works, I won’t see much purpose in having been summoned here."
"Oh, here we go again," Eren muttered with a sigh.
He looked at her and smiled.
"Of course, Elena. I’m sure Marcus will appreciate your help."
"Thank you, Master."
Elena immediately headed toward the construction site, rubbing her hands together as she approached the others.
The workers flinched slightly when they noticed her coming. Her presence alone was enough to make them uneasy, especially considering the identity of the woman who had just joined their ranks.
Elena noticed their reactions and offered them a gentle smile.
"Don’t worry. I’m here to help."
The workers exchanged glances before gradually returning to their tasks.
Meanwhile, Vaelzara was the only one left standing beside Eren, her arms folded across her chest and a dark expression on her face.
Eren wasn’t particularly intimidated by her displeasure. No matter how much she frowned, she remained a remarkably beautiful woman.
’Tch. To think I could actually find myself attracted to a demon. Damn it!’ he thought, shaking his head.
"What about me, Master? Are you really going to leave me standing here doing nothing?"
Vaelzara’s voice had grown sharper.
Eren, however, remained calm. It wasn’t that he had no intention of giving her something to do. He simply had a different task in mind.
"No, Vaelzara. You’re not going to stand around doing nothing. You and I are going to have a very important conversation."
"An important conversation?" Vaelzara tilted her head slightly. "How important can a conversation between a human and a demon be, Master?"
"Very, very important," Eren replied, looking directly at her. "Especially when the demon in question happens to be the Demon Queen herself."
He placed his hands behind his back and began walking toward a quieter area. Vaelzara followed without hesitation.
Once they were far enough away from the others, Eren stopped.
"The truth is, regardless of the fact that you’re my subordinates, I still don’t trust you. Any of you three."
His gaze briefly shifted toward Elena and Hela before returning to Vaelzara.
Vaelzara lowered her head slightly.
"What must I do to earn your trust, Master?"
Her voice carried a sincerity that Eren found difficult to understand.
’She’s the Demon Queen. She’s the one who nearly destroyed the entire Human Faction.’
’She’s the one who single-handedly slaughtered tens of thousands of soldiers.’
Eren studied her carefully.
’Why would someone like her willingly serve an F-Rank Settler like me? Even if Elena and Hela are sincere about their pledges, Vaelzara is different.’
He remembered the stories he had read about her.
’She’s said to be ambitious and unwilling to bow to anyone. Not even the other Demon Kingdoms within the Demon Faction could bring her under their control.’
His eyes narrowed slightly.
’Does that mean she’s pretending? Is she trying to use me to get revenge?’
"I am waiting for your response, Master," Vaelzara said, raising her voice slightly. "If there’s anything I can do to earn your trust, I will do it!"
She paused briefly before adding with complete seriousness, "Even if it means sucking your dick and scratching your balls, Master."
"Huh???" Eren’s eyes widened.
For a moment, he could only stare at her in disbelief. He had expected her to say many things, but that was certainly not one of them.
"What do you—"
"Never mind."
Taking a moment to collect himself, Eren returned to the matter at hand.
"All right, Vaelzara. First, I want you to advise me on how we can survive here for the next seven days. Just seven days. If we manage that, I might begin to trust you a little more."
"My pleasure, Master."
Vaelzara straightened her posture and began explaining her thoughts.
"After building the temporary shelter, we should establish a perimeter around the area and reinforce the most vulnerable approaches with sharpened wooden stakes. That should make it more difficult for monsters to approach the shelter unnoticed."
She continued without hesitation.
"We’ll also need someone to scout the surrounding region. They should examine the terrain, look for signs of monsters, and identify any useful resources. We might discover something that will help us survive."
Eren listened attentively.
"As for the coming days, we should focus on establishing proper defenses and eventually building a more permanent settlement. We must also manage our resources carefully, especially our food and water supplies."
Eren nodded slowly.
"Good. And what happens if we come under a monster attack?"
"That’s where our defenses come in, Master. Leave the fighting to me. I can deal with any monster that threatens this territory."
Vaelzara spoke with such confidence that Eren found himself momentarily reassured.
"Hmm. That’s... comforting, Vaelzara. Thank you for your advice. I’ll make sure we put it to good use."
"It’s my honour, Master."
Vaelzara bowed slightly before looking up again.
"Now, can I join the others?"
Eren glanced at her, then toward the workers at the construction site.
"No."
Vaelzara’s jaw dropped.
Before she could complain, Eren continued.
"Instead, I want you to speak to the scout over there. Rowan Blackwood, right? Give him my orders. He is to choose a partner and head out to survey the surrounding region."
Eren’s expression grew serious.
"Tell him to return before nightfall. He must not take unnecessary risks or get himself into trouble."
Vaelzara stared at him for a moment, seemingly puzzled by the assignment. However, she chose not to question her master’s decision.
She nodded and immediately headed toward Rowan Blackwood, who had noticed her approaching long before she reached him.
Master Eren gave an order. Says you should pick a partner and go out for scouting. Says you should return right before nightfall," Vaelzara said.
She studied him briefly before asking, "So, who will you choose?"
Rowan looked around, trying to determine which of his companions might be available.
Unfortunately, everyone appeared occupied with their assigned tasks.
He hesitated, visibly struggling to make a decision.
Vaelzara watched him for a moment, an amused expression slowly forming on her face.
"Everyone is busy, as you can see. That should make your choice rather obvious."
Rowan frowned in confusion.
He looked at the others again, then back at her.
"Who?" he muttered.
Vaelzara heard him perfectly well.
She smiled.
"Me."