"A pleasure doing business with you."
In truth, this was a risky decision for Vili. Although the four adventurers seemed powerful, there was no guarantee he would make it out of the beast-filled Morse Forest unscathed.
But in the end, Vili still chose to enter Morse Forest. These five Gold Rums could change his older brother Sopps’s fate and improve his entire family’s circumstances. Now that he had a new identity, Vili planned to do his best to fit into this new life.
Of course, he hadn’t made the decision lightly.
Thanks to the knowledge granted by his Basic-level Gatherer profession, Vili had mastered the properties of many plants and their habitats. In Morse Forest, he could avoid poisonous flora and use certain plants to determine if dangerous animals were nearby. This would go a long way in ensuring his safety.
"Could you pay me my fee upfront?"
Vili added, "After all, Morse Forest is full of dangers. I can’t guarantee I’ll make it back out alive."
Vincent was quick to agree. "No problem."
With that, he pulled five coins glinting with a golden light from a pouch at his waist and handed them to Vili.
Five Gold Rums. It was a fortune.
Vili could feel the envy and fervor in the villagers’ gazes. But mixed in with that envy was a hint of pity, as if they thought taking such a risk wasn’t worth it.
Morse Forest in midsummer was when the beasts were most active.
After taking the five Gold Rums, Vili turned and walked over to Aunt Shana.
"Aunt Shana, could you please deliver these five Gold Rums to my parents?" Vili said. "Tell them I’ll definitely come back safely, so they shouldn’t worry."
Aunt Shana frowned and asked earnestly, "Child, are you really going to take such a risk?"
Vili couldn’t tell her that Sopps needed the Gold Rums for his Junior Knight’s Squire affair, so he just nodded firmly.
"Vilia, you don’t have to gather Sweet Fruits today. Go with Aunt Shana and find Father and Mother."
Vili instructed a dazed-looking Vilia before placing the Gold Rums in Aunt Shana’s hand.
With so many villagers watching, Aunt Shana wouldn’t dare entertain any funny ideas. Otherwise, she would face a lifetime of scorn and condemnation.
"Let’s go."
Vili handed his basket to Vilia, then turned and spoke to Vincent.
Vincent smiled. He had a good impression of the young man’s swiftness and resolve.
"Mount up."
Vincent and the other three vaulted onto their horses.
He pointed to the space behind his saddle, motioning for Vili to get on.
"Ride with me!"
Just as Vili was about to mount, one of the young women called out to him.
She looked to be around twenty, with short golden hair and a tall, curvy figure. The Light Armor she wore did little to hide her stunning physique.
She was now watching Vili with great interest, a smile on her face as she extended the invitation.
Vili glanced at Vincent.
Vincent gave a slight nod, indicating that Vili could choose for himself.
Vili chose the young woman’s horse without hesitation. ’Sit behind a beautiful young woman or a middle-aged man? It’s not even a choice.’
As Vili mounted, the young woman extended an arm and pulled him up onto the horse.
"I’m Vilin."
The young woman smiled and said in a low voice, without a trace of the shyness one might expect from a girl.
"Vili."
Vili introduced himself simply.
Once Vili was seated securely, Vincent gave the signal to depart.
"I hope this turns out well."
Vili heard Vilin mutter to herself.
Under the watchful eyes of the villagers, Vili and the four strangers galloped away.
「In the wheat fields.」
Lake and Shaven were harvesting wheat, their heads bowed in silence.
Most of the villagers grew wheat. The local variety was similar to spring wheat on Earth—sown in the winter and harvested between summer and autumn.
The sun had just risen, and the temperature wasn’t yet too high. It was the most comfortable time of day to work, and they needed to be as efficient as possible.
Lake and Shaven worked without a word, each lost in their own troubled thoughts.
"Father, Mother!"
Suddenly, Vilia’s voice called out from the distance.
Lake and Shaven looked up instinctively, only to see Aunt Shana leading Vilia toward them.
The couple exchanged a look, both seeing the confusion in the other’s eyes.
’Didn’t Vilia go with Vili to gather Sweet Fruits? Why is she here with Shana?’
"Lake, Shaven..."
Aunt Shana walked up to the couple. She uncurled her tightly clenched fist and placed five Gold Rums into the palm of a bewildered Shaven.
"Shana, what is this?"
Shaven stared for a moment before it registered.
These were Gold Rums—five whole Gold Rums!
"Vili asked me to give these to you."
Aunt Shana then explained in detail what had happened.
"You’re saying Vili went to Morse Forest with four strangers?!"
When Lake and Shaven heard the reason, they both cried out in alarm.
Especially Lake.
That was Morse Forest—Morse Forest in the middle of summer!
It was a forbidden land for Humans!
’And his own son had gone there!’
"Yes."
Aunt Shana gave the couple a pitying look.
"I’m going to find him and bring him back!"
Lake threw down his tool and made to run toward Morse Forest.
"They’ve already left on horseback. You’ll never catch them."
Aunt Shana grabbed Lake. "Vili will come back safely."
After saying her piece, Aunt Shana patted Vilia on the head and turned to leave.
In the wheat field, Lake and Shaven stared at each other, speechless.
"You shouldn’t have told Vili about Sopps," Lake suddenly sighed.
"I didn’t know he would..."
Shaven’s worry was even deeper, tinged with a hint of guilt.
She never would have imagined that the normally quiet and honest Vili would make such a reckless decision.
They both knew full well that Vili was taking this risk for his older brother, Sopps, and for their family.
Although the couple was proud of Sopps, it didn’t mean they were willing to trade Vili’s safety for Sopps’s advancement and the family’s betterment.
Vili was their beloved son, too.
Shaven clutched the five Gold Rums.
The couple now had no desire to work. They just sat on the ground, helpless.
Vilia stood to the side, not quite understanding what was happening. She only knew that Vili had gone deep into Morse Forest, and that it was a very dangerous place.
’Vili, you have to come back safely.’
Vilia prayed fervently in her heart.