Beorn's clan settled in

[The trees in the Noldor Elves' forest were far too dense. Even an Elves Horse could barely run through them, let alone an ordinary horse.]

[You entered the forest a day ago without arousing anyone's suspicions. Now, after a full day of trekking through it with your horses in tow, Freya told you that this already counted as Elves territory, and you might encounter an Elves patrol soon.]

[The little girl's words seemed almost prophetic. No sooner had she finished speaking than an arrow struck the ground at your feet. You knew it was a warning, which surprised you. In your memories, they had never been this courteous. They attacked outright, without even giving you a chance to flee. You suspected this was because of Freya and the other two girls behind you.]

[They soon emerged from cover. It was a small scouting party, consisting of an Elves noble leading several Elves Rangers and a dozen or so Elves Warriors. Their equipment was extremely easy to recognize, with stark differences between ranks.]

[Freya and the other two girls rushed over happily. You stood off to the side with bows trained on you, helplessly raising both hands as you watched them catch up. Soon, the Elves noble approached you, and all the bows aimed at you were lowered.]

[You thought they would simply let you leave, or perhaps make you surrender your Elves items before sending you away. But they did neither. The noble told you that she was inviting you to their castle. Their lord wanted to see you.]

[You saw Freya give you a discreet wink, as though saying, See? I can keep you safe. You began to wonder who Freya really was.]

[You traveled in silence, apart from the girls' excited chatter. Soon, even they grew tired, and silence settled over the entire party.]

[You trekked through the forest for about a week. Apart from encountering several Elves patrols, nothing else happened. Curious, you asked why the patrols needed to range so far. The Elves noble explained-oh, her name was Arandia, and she was a knight of Israndil, a noblewoman.]

[She was courteous to you, exceptionally so. She told you they needed to preserve the forest's integrity. Without their patrols, certain greedy humans would soon cut the forest down, leaving them nowhere to hide and exposing them directly to human eyes.]

[Considering the Elves' long lives, you agreed that the forest really would be cut down "soon."]

[You continued traveling through the forest until, one day, you saw a great lake. Beside it stood a city that glowed faintly. That was Elaraclay.]

[This simulation has ended. Progress saved.]

[Your identity as the child of prophecy on the Pendor Continent has been retained. "Yet one day, the people of the Pendor Continent shall live beneath a single banner once more. The continent shall know neither war nor racial division, and Pendor shall welcome a new possibility."]

[You have obtained an Elves Horse, a Noldor Composite Bow, and half a quiver of Noldor Arrows. Please note: redeeming an item will put the simulator on cooldown, and the item will be lost within the simulation.]

[Rewards obtained: 1 honor, 30 renown, 3,000 Denars.]

[Continue the simulation? Yes/No?]

[No]

Utterly exhausted, Allen fell into a deep sleep in his bed.

By the time Allen woke, it was already the following evening. He had slept for over eighteen hours.

Jeremus had visited once as both his doctor and his friend. But upon hearing his steady, strong snores, he turned to those waiting outside the door and told them Allen was simply exhausted. More sleep would fix it; there was nothing wrong with his body.

That evening, despite having slept for so long, Allen still felt mentally drained when he woke.

Allen suspected the simulator was to blame. He had forced himself to run a simulation when he was already in a terrible mental state, which must have left him mentally overdrawn.

His head pounding as though it would split, Allen lay in bed looking at the sky outside his window, then endured the discomfort and climbed out.

He instructed Alayen, who was waiting outside the door, to summon Firentis, Ymira, and Jeremus for a meeting.

Soon, Allen's key subordinates arrived in the meeting room.

Frowning, Allen sipped the medicinal broth Ymira had personally prepared for him while asking about the wounded.

Seated in a chair, Jeremus said, "They're doing well. They were lucky not to suffer any fatal injuries. With my treatment, they'll recover soon. Have faith in my medical skills, old friend. Right now, I'm more worried about you. Are you sure you're all right?"

Allen nodded and set down his still-full bowl. "I'm fine. Don't worry. I just need to catch up on sleep."

Jeremus nodded without saying anything.

Firentis spoke up. "Allen, word of what you did has already spread among the villagers. I believe you'll soon earn a reputation for kindness and mercy. That's a good thing. I've always worried that you might change as the burden on your shoulders grew heavier. It seems I worried too much. You'll make a fine lord. It's just a shame I didn't take part in this battle."

Allen was taken aback. He had never expected the earnest-looking Firentis to harbor such concerns. Looking at him, Allen said, "Firentis, if I do change, I hope you'll remind me promptly, just as you have today, so I don't do something I'll regret for the rest of my life."

At that moment, Ymira looked at the still-full bowl and knitted her delicate brows. "My lord, I think you should pay more attention to your health. You keep falling into these long sleeps, and it's terribly worrying. You should rest properly for a while and stop going out. And you need to finish your medicine."

Allen hurriedly lifted the bowl in front of him and took a great mouthful. It tasted awful.

Still, he swallowed it with a smile, showing through his actions that he understood.

Seeing this, Ymira relaxed her brows and began discussing the matters under her care.

"The injured villagers need some compensation. They're lying in the hospital now, which disrupts their normal lives. We need to take care of these consequences."

"No problem."

Allen promised, "I'll cover their food and basic needs while they're hospitalized."

"All right."

Ymira nodded at his answer, indicating that she had nothing more to raise.

They had nothing else to discuss, but Allen did. He knew that taking the captives back from Bolg meant he had offended the Half-orcs of Moria again. They needed to be on guard.

"Firentis, tell Deshavi to take her people farther south on their patrols. We may have stirred up another hornet's nest."

"Understood. I'll arrange it when I leave."

Once he had dealt with everything weighing on his mind, Allen drained the medicinal broth in one go and waved to his friends, ending the meeting.

Early the next morning, Allen sat up in bed, feeling a little more refreshed.

He decided to rest for a while and refrain from running any simulations during that time.

He could use the opportunity to grow closer to Beorn and handle a few other matters.

Sitting at his table, Allen also silently reminded himself that it was better not to run simulations when important matters needed his attention, lest they interfere with reality.

Having settled his thoughts, Allen got ready and went outside, only to run straight into Beorn, who had come looking for him. The two set off together toward the oak grove Allen had mentioned.

Although the oak grove was said to be close to Wilderness Village, getting there actually took quite a while. Nor was the route entirely flat; steep hills rose everywhere.

After laboriously climbing a hill, they had to descend into a sweltering valley and then climb out again. It took them nearly half a day to travel from Wilderness Village to the oak grove Allen remembered.

Although Allen had been near Carl Rock for over a month, he had never visited this area.

For one thing, a Maiar lived in this direction. That was a lesser deity, and Allen had yet to decide how to face him.

For another, Allen had a touch-no, a great deal-of homebody in him. Otherwise, how could he have spent every day at home watching movies and playing Mount & Blade? He did not particularly like traveling far.

Since arriving in this world, threats to his survival had kept pushing Allen onward. Besides being a homebody, he also harbored a little ambition to help the world at large, a common failing among homebodies. That was what had driven all his past actions.

Beorn was extremely pleased with this oak grove. He and his clan had already arrived here yesterday.

The oak grove was some distance from Allen's Wilderness Village, though not particularly far. The route between them was difficult for ordinary humans, but it posed no real problem for his clan.

Once they opened up a road, the ride would take only an hour or two. Visiting Allen would then be very easy, which Beorn considered essential to maintaining their friendship.

A broad stretch of level ground adjoined the outer edge of the oak grove. Flowers and grasses grew there, with wild bees and butterflies flitting among the blossoms. Beorn was delighted to see these busy little creatures. He knew there must be several wild hives nearby. The forest itself was packed with tall, ancient oaks, dense and flourishing, making it easier for his clan to establish a home.

Beorn had fallen in love with this peaceful land at first sight.

He felt it suited his clan perfectly, which only deepened his gratitude toward Allen.

He could never have imagined that, in another possible course of events, this would have been his own territory, with even the land occupied by Wilderness Village falling under his authority.

Allen chatted with Beorn while admiring the scenery. He could not reveal that he had never actually been here before, since he had supposedly recommended it as Beorn's new home.

At that moment, the members of Beorn's clan were hard at work. Their bodies had recovered considerably under Jeremus's care.

But more of the credit probably belonged to their constitution or their magic. That was a secret of the Skin-changer clan, and Allen had no desire to pry into it.

Instead, Allen removed his cumbersome outer coat and joined the Skin-changers in building their home.

As he worked, Allen felt that his body really had changed. By his rough estimate, he was about a third stronger, just as in the simulator.

Time always passed quickly when there was work to do. During a break, Allen and Beorn began chatting.

Allen felt that building a home with only the few members of Beorn's clan would take far too long.

"Beorn, how about I send more people to help you? I guarantee we could build you a beautiful manor within a few days."

Beorn smiled and shook his head. "Allen, our clan believes that a home is more comfortable when we build it with our own hands. Besides, the people of Wilderness Village have already helped us so much. This is only a small matter. There's no need to trouble them."

Seeing Beorn's insistence, Allen realized they genuinely did not need help. He dropped the subject and chatted about other things instead.

Just then, Beorn's wife, Marian, came over to call them to lunch.

The Skin-changer clan were vegetarians. They relied mainly on herding and farming to meet their daily needs; in other words, they did not eat animal flesh or blood.

When it came to food, they were exceptionally skilled at baking and loved making baked goods.

Beorn and his people had only arrived yesterday and had barely had time to do anything, yet they had first built a simple baking oven.

Today, Allen had the good fortune to taste the Beorn clan's renowned honey cake.

Even Allen, who had eaten some fine food in his previous life, could not help praising how delicious it was.

Ever since Allen arrived here, whatever else might have changed, the quality of his food had plummeted.

Although he could purchase every ingredient available in Calradia, Calradia was a culinary wasteland too. Take the salted fish that was a specialty of the Kingdom of the Nords: it was like a rotten rag soaked through with salt. Salty, bitter, and astringent, eating it was pure torment. Allen always felt that eating too much might shorten his life.

Beorn's wife could tell that Allen loved the cake.

She quickly poured him a cup of water and said with a smile, "Have some water. Eating too much cake can make you thirsty."

Wolfing down the cake in front of him, Allen said indistinctly, "Thank you, thank you. You could consider opening a bakery in Wilderness Village. With skills like these, you could make plenty of money."

Beorn and his wife, Marian, exchanged a glance and laughed.

Laughing and slapping his thigh, Beorn said, "What would we do with so much money? Money isn't particularly useful in our way of life. If you like these, Marian can make plenty of other cakes and pastries too. Allen, you're always welcome to visit."

"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm."

Allen nodded as he ate.

After a hearty meal-

"Ahh..."

Having finished his water, Allen patted his belly in satisfaction. He had eaten two large pieces of cake. There was no denying how easily sweets could make a person happy.

Seeing that Allen had eaten his fill, Beorn turned serious. "Allen, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Looking at Beorn's earnest expression, Allen asked in puzzlement, "Hmm? Beorn, whatever it is, just say it. Surely we don't need to be so formal with each other."

Beorn said, "Allen, here's the thing. We'll be settling here from now on. I believe this land is part of your territory too. I understand that living in your territory comes with duties and responsibilities. Though we're friends, our clan never shirks its responsibilities."

Allen thought Beorn was overthinking things. "Beorn, why put it like that? We're simply neighbors. I've never intended to make you my subordinate."

Beorn waved a hand and continued, "Don't refuse so quickly, Allen. I'm not proposing to become your subordinate either. We're friends, aren't we? You and your people have done so much for me and my clan. I doubt we'll be able to repay those kindnesses for a long time. Surely I should do something to express my gratitude?"

As Allen fell into thought, Beorn continued, "Allen, I believe there are ways I can help you. You can leave security to the south to me and my friend Wulf. Besides that, we have many practical skills we can teach your villagers. Allen, for the sake of our friendship, please accept this gesture of repayment."

Hearing these words, Allen did not know what to say. Few people had ever told him so plainly that they were grateful and wanted to do something for him in return. It was a directness he had never experienced.

And everything Beorn offered was something he needed.

He needed the powerful military support of Beorn's clan, as well as their knowledge in other fields.

He had originally intended to raise these matters gradually once they knew each other better. He had never expected Beorn to bring them all up himself now.

After a long while in thought, Allen looked at Beorn and nodded solemnly. "May our friendship endure, my friend."

Seeing Allen accept his goodwill, Beorn smiled. "Allen, our friendship will surely endure."

Once they had discussed everything they needed to, Allen had to take his leave.

As their leader, Allen had left the village with Beorn that morning without telling anyone. That alone had been a reckless and improper thing to do.

If he still had not returned before dark, there was no telling how many people would come looking for him.

Beorn understood this too. He escorted Allen to the edge of the meadow, waved goodbye, and returned to his work.

By the time Allen returned to the village, evening was approaching.

In fact, apart from a particularly anxious Alayen, nobody even knew where Allen had gone.

Allen did not usually stay in one place anyway, but wandered all over. Any work-related issues were generally discussed in the lord's longhouse after dinner.

Alayen was different. He was Allen's attendant and also commanded his personal guard.

That morning, Allen had gone out in the brief time Alayen took to visit the privy.

When Alayen returned, he initially assumed Allen was still asleep. At noon, he opened the door to ask whether Allen wanted lunch, only to find that there was nobody inside.

This terrified Alayen on the spot. He dared neither ask about it nor tell anyone.

If word got out, Ymira and Firentis would certainly reprimand him, but that was not even the worst of it.

An attendant, who was also captain of the personal guard, had lost the lord he served and protected. If that became known, he might become Wilderness Village's greatest laughingstock-or its greatest offender.

Sweating with anxiety and unable to think of a better plan, Alayen could only take his men around the village searching for traces of Allen. Those who knew nothing of the situation assumed he was on patrol.

That afternoon, after what felt like an endless wait, Alayen finally spotted Allen in the distance near the village entrance, walking back.

Alayen ran straight toward him. Before he had even caught his breath, he asked, "M-my lord, y-you... where have you been?"

Looking at Alayen's sweat-covered face, Allen felt a little guilty.

But he did not want to show it, so he merely said, "Me? I went to visit Beorn. Has something happened?"

By then, Alayen had finally caught his breath. "My lord, nothing has happened in the village. But if you're going out, could you please remember to tell me next time? I'm your attendant and the captain of your personal guard. You can't just leave me outside your door without a word!"

Allen felt somewhat embarrassed. He knew his behavior today had caused Alayen trouble.

He could only say, "All right, all right. I understand. I'll be sure to tell you next time, okay? Here, take this back and share it with everyone."

As he spoke, Allen handed Alayen the honey cake Marian had prepared for him.

The moment Alayen took it, he caught a rich, sweet aroma, and his mouth involuntarily began watering. "My lord, what is this?"

Allen told him quietly, "It's cake from Beorn's home. I'll be visiting often from now on, and I'll be sure to take you along. Let's leave today's incident at that, all right? Don't tell Ymira and the others."

If Allen did not bring it up, Alayen certainly would not mention it either. After all, it was hardly something to be proud of.

Alayen nodded. "Yes, my lord. We should head back."

That evening, everyone dining in the lord's longhouse had the good fortune to taste the Beorn clan's honey cake.

The sweet treat drew wave after wave of praise.

As a girl, Ymira was the first to ask, "My lord, where did these cakes come from?"

Allen briefly described what he had done that day.

However, he concealed the fact that he had left with Beorn without telling anyone.

He did not want to bring it up. It would easily displease Ymira, Jeremus, and Firentis, who would have plenty of advice and warnings to offer. They would all be acting out of concern, and Allen felt it was better not to worry them.

"We'll be able to enjoy delicious food like this often in the future. Beorn will teach us these valuable skills free of charge. Ymira, I'm sorry for the trouble, but I'll have to leave this to you again. Once Beorn and his people have settled in, arrange for some people to learn from them. If you'd like, you can go too. Also..."

Allen's expression suddenly grew solemn. "Issue a decree in Wilderness Village: without permission, no one may approach the place where Beorn's clan lives, much less hunt there. Anyone who violates this will no longer receive my protection."

"Yes, my lord. I'll arrange it."

Ymira agreed happily. How did that saying go again? Delicious sweets really did make people happy.

Seeing how happy everyone was, Allen took out his gem pouch, selected the finest gem, and gave it to Klethi. Then he picked out several other good-quality gems and gave them to the others as rewards for the battle.

Leaving aside how delighted everyone was to receive the gems, Allen looked at his pouch, now half as full as before, and felt that he might need to find another way to reward people in the future.