It was springtime.
The villagers were sowing grains, cereals, and vegetables according to the season.
With Annasi's population significantly increasing this year, more farmland was required to sustain them. Under the leadership of Eric, the deputy village chief, the nearby barren mountains were cleared and cultivated for crops and vegetables.
For lands too infertile to support planting, fruit trees were grown instead.
This arduous task was made much easier due to the presence of numerous Awakeners.
After all, with their mastery over elemental forces, they could rapidly clear land, burning unwanted vegetation, which in turn became natural fertilizer.
"Thomas, I have compiled a detailed report. The village now has a total of 1,992 residents, with 106 children under the age of five."
"There are nine tier-2 Awakeners and sixty-eight tier-1 Awakeners."
Eric stood before Thomas, holding a booklet, meticulously reporting the figures.
Thomas nodded. The village had almost reached two thousand residents, nearly the size of a small town.
His gaze shifted toward the
Rich Soil
beside the temple, and he spoke slowly:
"Summon Camilla here, and select a few meticulous women from the tier-1 Awakeners."
The
Rich Soil
had already been planted with
Prismatic Succulent
, and the rich elemental energy flowing within it was palpable. Compared to when they were planted yesterday, the succulents had grown visibly, and the elemental essence within them seemed to have become even more potent.
Truly worthy of the
Rich Soil!
And it was
level-2 Rich Soil
, superior to Black Iron's
level-1 Rich Soil!
Herbs were slow to grow under normal conditions, but with the blessing of
Rich Soil
, their progress could be observed with the naked eye daily!
These medicinal plants were crucial for Annasi. With their increasing population and number of Awakeners, they needed these resources to grow stronger.
They could not afford any damage!
Not long after, eleven women arrived, their faces full of curiosity. Upon seeing Thomas, they immediately bowed respectfully.
"Thomas."
"You summoned us?"
Leading them was a middle-aged woman named
Camilla
, a well-known expert in vegetable cultivation within the village.
Since the
Rich Soil
was of immense importance, it had to be entrusted to the right people.
Behind Camilla stood several women who had only recently become Awakeners.
Since awakening, their status in the village had risen dramatically, transforming them into the backbone of their households.
After all, as Awakeners, their combat strength had grown significantly.
"Camilla, you are one of the best farmers in the village. From today onward, this
'Rich Soil' bestowed by Deus Initium
is entrusted to you and your team."
"Put aside all other work and focus solely on tending to these medicinal plants. Once they mature, they will be invaluable in elevating our village's Awakeners to new heights. You must not neglect this duty!"
Hearing Thomas's solemn tone, Camilla and the others were visibly stunned, their faces flashing with unease.
"Thomas, this responsibility is far too great. We have only ever grown vegetables; we have no experience cultivating medicinal plants, let alone on such precious
Rich Soil
..."
Camilla and the others knew full well the importance of this
Rich Soil
bestowed by Deus Initium. It was critical to their village's future.
The responsibility was immense, and they feared making mistakes that would turn them into sinners in the eyes of the village, guilty of defiling the divine gift of Deus Initium.
Though they had experience with farming, cultivating medicinal plants was an entirely different challenge, one for which they had no expertise.
"You are all meticulous individuals. I believe you will be able to care for these plants."
Thomas reassured them.
"You are all blessed by Deus Initium. You will succeed!"
Then, sweeping his gaze across the group behind Camilla, he continued:
"You must follow Camilla's instructions without question. If any mistakes occur, I will not be lenient."
Thomas's expression was severe.
The ten female Awakeners had never seen him so stern before and quickly nodded:
"Understood, Thomas. We will strictly follow Camilla's orders!"
Life in the village had become safe and prosperous, with ample food and security for their families, free from the dangers of the outside world.
None of them wished to jeopardize this life by making mistakes.
Outside the village were nothing but
spellbeasts
, and survival was never guaranteed.
"I have procured these books from an herbal merchant in Black Iron. Study them well and tend carefully to the plants."
Thomas took out several books from his robes and handed them to Camilla and the others.
Camilla received them with both hands, took a deep breath, and nodded seriously:
"Rest assured, Thomas. We will not disappoint you or Deus Initium!"
Time passed quickly.
Half a month went by in the blink of an eye.
That night, as Thomas rested in the temple, his eyes suddenly snapped open, darting toward the outskirts of the village.
"Such dense spellbeast energy!"
As vigilance filled his heart, deafening roars of
spellbeasts
rumbled from beyond the village, shaking the very ground.
The entire village trembled slightly.
The moment the roars erupted, Thomas had already arrived at the village outskirts.
Under the bright moonlight, he saw three massive
spellbeasts
advancing toward the village.
"
Fallen Lands' spellbeasts!
"
Thomas's eyes widened.
There were many spellbeasts in
Fallen Lands
, but their levels were generally not high, typically between
tier-2
and
tier-3 beginner
.
Yet these three
spellbeasts
had reached
tier-3 mid!
They were stronger than the
Vampire Baron
he had previously slain by an entire tier!
He had even heard that deep within
Fallen Lands
, a spellbeast powerful enough to construct
Fallen Lands
itself existed—a creature rumored to have reached the legendary
tier-4!
The presence of these
tier-3 mid
spellbeasts was most likely tied to his prior expedition into
Fallen Lands
.
He had led a team deep into
Fallen Lands
in search of
devotees
, slaughtering many spellbeasts along the way.
Their fury was unsurprising.
But he was utterly unshaken.
This village was under the protection of a
deity
,
Deus Initium
.
He still vividly remembered the scene where Deus Initium had obliterated the
Vampire Baron
with a single strike!
These three spellbeasts were only a single tier stronger than the
Vampire Baron
.
Before
Deus Initium
, they were nothing.
At that moment, villagers stirred from their homes, drawn by the monstrous roars.
Many of them had already become warriors, and under the moonlight, they clearly saw the three enormous, terrifying spellbeasts.
In the past, such a sight would have sent them into paralyzing fear.
But now, they merely showed brief surprise before their expressions turned to contempt and scorn.
Their village was under
Deus Initium's
protection.
These spellbeasts dared to act recklessly here?
They were courting death!
A massive
serpent
, its size akin to a train, slithered forward, its razor-sharp scales slicing through trees like paper.
Staring at the village ahead, its scarlet tongue flickered as it hissed:
"Who killed my subordinate spellbeast? Come out and face death!"
Beside it, a towering
black-furred ape
radiated an oppressive presence, its body bulging with steel-like muscles.
"Who killed my nephew?! Come out and take my punch, or I will raze this village to the ground!"