When Avilan appeared in Chika Village again, nearly a hundred Catfolk swordsmen followed behind him, pushing over twenty large carts. They all wore armor freshly forged by Horned Demon blacksmiths, with full-cover helmets that made it impossible to identify the wearers.
Such a large force naturally drew the attention of Chika Village's residents. Alarm bells immediately rang out, and all the village militia sprang into action. Armed with the few weapons Cameron had left behind, they gathered at the village entrance.
After only a few days apart, tall fences had been erected in many places around Chika Village. It was no longer as easy as before for invaders to enter the village.
When Avilan looked up, he could still see the tall watchtower in the center of the village, capable of effectively monitoring the situation several hundred meters around it. That was also why Avilan's group had been spotted as soon as they emerged from the Messiah Great Forest.
"Teacher, is that you?" Just as Avilan was wondering how to greet them, a familiar voice rang out. A nimble little figure rushed toward him, and when Avilan saw who it was, he could not help but laugh.
It was actually little Anxi. The girl dashed out of the village at an astonishing speed and threw herself straight at Avilan.
The one responsible for escorting the equipment this time was Tiger Fang, another Third-Tier Great Swordsman of the Catfolk. Because he was burly and fierce-looking, more like a tiger than a cat, Avilan had named him Tiger Fang.
Tiger Fang had just been about to move when Avilan subtly stopped him.
Anxi leaped up, jumping a full meter into the air and landing in Avilan's arms. Avilan could not help but marvel that she truly was a little monster with nearly maxed-out growth potential.
"Teacher, it really is you! I missed you so much!" Anxi said affectionately before Avilan, leaving Tiger Fang staring in astonishment.
Was this really still the cold and unapproachable Despair Overlord of Despair Fortress, who never treated anyone kindly?
"All right, get down. It seems you've all changed quite a lot during the little over a week I was gone." After speaking, Avilan surveyed the surroundings with interest.
Chika Village had truly changed a great deal. If the village militia had better equipment and footholds were built atop the wooden fences, it would be no different from a small fortress.
"Light Wolf and Light Tiger pay respects to our lord!" The two Light Spirit Swordsmen arrived a step later than Anxi and promptly bowed to Avilan as well.
"My lord, an envoy from Essin City is currently in the village," Light Tiger said quietly as he watched Avilan's twenty-odd carts being pushed into Chika Village.
As for the villagers, they did not pay it much mind. After all, the village was now utterly destitute, and Avilan had saved their lives before. They all assumed Avilan was conducting trade and merely intended to store his goods in the village for the time being.
"Oh, that's fine. We can talk business with them while we're at it." The moment Avilan heard that an envoy from Essin City was present, his spirits rose. The main purpose of his visit had been to use Chika Village to establish contact with Essin City.
The more than twenty carts entered Chika Village, drawing over even the villagers who had been working in the fields. The envoy sent to Chika Village was no exception.
"What is the purpose of Essin City's envoy coming here?" Avilan greeted the village chief with a smile, then asked Light Tiger beside him.
"I know!" Anxi immediately raised her hand. "Chika Village's former lord died some time ago during the conflict with Bilong City, and his family has no legitimate heir. So City Lord Kalons wants to incorporate Chika Village as an administrative village under Essin City."
Avilan glanced around in surprise, then immediately understood. Compared to other regions, the land surrounding Chika Village was excellent farmland. The wheat fields scattered around the village had dyed the area a brilliant green, swaying in the occasional breeze. As everyone walked along the road, it felt as though they were immersed in a pool of green.
"With such a vast grain-producing region, if I were the lord of Essin City, I would also do everything possible to bring it under my control. Weapons and equipment are weapons for war on the battlefield, while food is the source that sustains soldiers in battle," Avilan said with a smile. Anxi beside him nodded thoughtfully.
"Where's Wellington?"
"Big brother went to work in the fields. Now there's only me and big brother left at home..." Anxi's mood sank as she spoke.
Avilan did not comfort Anxi. Instead, he went directly to meet with Essin City's envoy.
The two were invited to the village chief's home as guests.
"Greetings, Lord Aslan. My name is Mesa Edson, and I am the administrative minister of Essin City." After respectfully bowing, Mesa introduced himself.
Avilan nodded, acknowledging the greeting. As for introductions, there was no need for them at all.
Essin City currently lacked the military strength to take control of Chika Village, likely because of Light Tiger and Light Wolf, the two Fourth-Tier Light Spirit Swordsmen.
After all, the strongest person in all of Essin City was only a Third-Tier Great Swordsman. They might not necessarily lose in a direct war against Fourth-Tier Swordmasters, but if these two infiltrated Essin City and focused solely on assassinations, no one could endure that.
"Tell me your purpose." Avilan sat there casually, while Anxi sat beside him playing with a little toy Avilan had given her—a magical crystal ball.
The glowing magical markings within the crystal ball made it clear that it was a magic-sealed crystal ball.
In Essin City, even the cheapest fifth-level spell would cost dozens of gold coins.
Chika Village's annual taxes amounted to less than twenty gold coins.
"That is the situation. I hope Lord Aslan can make things convenient for us." After Mesa explained Kalons's intentions, he hoped Avilan would agree to have Light Wolf and Light Tiger withdraw from Chika Village so Essin City could take over the village.
"I don't want to concern myself with that. I'm not from Chika Village, after all. I came out this time to sell some local specialties." Avilan directly interrupted Mesa and shifted the subject.
His forceful attitude was displayed without reservation.
Here, he was the strongest. Every topic would be set by him.
Mesa clearly dealt with "strong people" often. He merely shook his head with a bitter smile and followed Avilan's topic. As for his mission regarding Chika Village, he had already given up on completing it.
"That's more like it. I have a batch of weapons, armor, and grain piled up on hand, and I hope to sell them as soon as possible." Avilan folded his hands on the table. The old village chief promptly served two cups of plain water, then tried to pull Anxi away, only for Avilan to stop him.
"Let her stay. It'll be good for her to learn more."
The old village chief immediately understood. As he lowered his head and left, a trace of delight flashed through his eyes.
Anxi gave Mesa a thoughtful look, then went back to playing with the crystal ball on her own.
"Grain and weapons and equipment!" Upon hearing Avilan's words, Mesa's voice unconsciously rose several notches. He had clearly been greatly stirred.
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