"You know hiding this place from her won't be easy," Vicente stated.
"I know, but once things are stable here I'll reach out. Valan mentioned your people need some help. Feel free to grab whatever you need from storage." Zack said while waving at the kids.
"You have a lot of people depending on you too. Not right to leave your people short for our problems." Vicente replied.
"We have more than enough food, and those artifacts in the auction were made here. Knowing that does it change your answer?" Zack asked.
Vicente recalled the prices for the weapons, and if what Zack said was true they could easily make more. His people were indeed struggling, and the guild was taking a hit as well. Owning dungeons only works if you're strong enough to keep them. If Vicente took the supplies he can bolster their numbers, and upgrade their gear instead of laying off members.
"If you're helping us the least we can do is get the place defendable. Think of the supplies as the cost of labor." Vicent replied extending his hand.
"Deal." Zack shook his hand.
Vicente left to deliver the supplies, and pass on Valan's message. Zack was on his way back to the forge. When he walked in the armor they were forging was almost finished, and Rolen was taking a break waiting for Thea to return. Zack handed him a controller as they began making alterations to the forge.
The first thing they did was expand the size of the shop, and add a second floor for Rolen to sleep. Zack wanted everything expanded to fit more workers, and the living space above fit for two. With the second floor finished Zack brought out furniture for Rolen to choose from. With everything set up, they went back downstairs to the forge.
"Can you work on new weapons to test with the dolls?" Zack asked.
"I'll start in the morning," Rolen replied
Zack left to patrol the city looking at potential market locations. Once marking a few potential places he decided to wait for the other's input. Zack went searching for Athlan to give him supplies from Blackhaven.
While walking by the garden Zack could see the kids playing. Sitting at the picnic tables were Athlan and Kaya. When seeing Zack she averted her gaze. Zack sat down in front of them retrieving some of the rings from the market.
"There's enough for everyone to have one. Should make hunting, and gathering a lot easier now." Zack told them while handing out rings.
"How's the recovery going?" Zack asked Athlan.
"Moving is easier now, and that bath does wonders for my recovery. Was heading there now actually." Athlan replied glancing at his daughter.
"Did you want something?" Kaya asked shooing her father away.
Zack raised his hand retrieving her bow. When it landed on the table she recognized it right away. The day they were testing it she was captivated by it, but she also knew how valuable it was. Earlier she visited Rolen and saw the fortune in the room.
"I thought you sold it. Why are you showing it to me for?" She asked.
"You use a bow don't you?" Zack smiled.
"Did Lilith tell you already? Because I d-didn't agree to something like that!" Kaya shouted before taking off with the bow.
'Everyone is acting suspiciously since this morning. No surprise Lilith would be the culprit.'
Zack decided to find a spot to cultivate, and the garden was empty so he sat in front of the divine tree. A few of the kids saw Zack enter and followed him quietly. After seeing him mediating they barraged him with questions about his actions. After a brief description, most of them ran off to play.
Only two children stayed behind. One of them was a demon child named Crowley, and the other was Ashleigh. When hearing it could help control their essence or magic they sat immediately copying his pose. He guided them through the breathing process as silence resumed.
Zack thought they were just curious and expected them to run away like the others soon, but they stayed with him for the next two hours. By then it was time for dinner as everyone gathered at the pavilion. Zack sat with Lilith, Yuki, and Cynthia at the end of the table.
"I won't apologize for being hostile, but we do owe you greatly," Cynthia told Zack while watching the kids eating, and smiling.
"You don't need to. Surviving in the city with so many must've been rough, and if you know anyone else there struggling let us know. The next trip won't be till next month, and by then we should have some space for more. Unless there's something urgent." Zack replied as he grabbed Lilith's thigh.
"Do you need anything?" Lilith smirked.
"What did you talk about this morning?" Zack investigated.
"Not sure what you mean. I hear you're leaving tomorrow, and you can't fight at full strength so we're going together." Lilith insisted.
"I understand. I wanna move the kids into the big house tonight. There's plenty of room for any new children, and they can have more space. Is that something you two are okay with?" Zack asked grabbing Yuki's hand.
"You sure it's okay?" Cynthia asked.
"I assume you applied the same barrier as the bath?" Lilith teased.
"Yes to both," Zack replied as he slid his hand up her thigh squeezing.
"I'll let the kids know right away." Yuki smiled clinging to him.
Cynthia observed their behavior closely. She thought they all stayed with him last night due to an emergency, but now she knew they were all romantically involved. With this new information, Cynthia was still trying to assess his intentions with her. Did Zack want her in the same way?
This was something Cynthia pondered over quietly during dinner. Glancing at the way Zack talked with the kids she knew one thing for sure. He was trying to help them, and that was enough for now.
When dinner finished Cynthia gathered the kids searching for a room to use. They still wanted to sleep together for now, but the thought of having a nice room to themselves excited them. After the room was found the kids raced to the bath except the two sisters.
"That lady made you some clothes. Wanna try them on?" Ashleigh asked while grabbing a pink dress.
"I wouldn't look right in something like that. This place seems safe for now, but always remember our escape plan." Cynthia replied while covering her stomach.
"I think it will be okay. Doesn't the dress look pretty though?" Ashleigh asked while twirling with it.
--
It was early in the morning, and the group loaded into the wagon getting on the road. The group consisted of Lilith, Ren, Yu, and Zack. They were traveling west to a farming settlement. As they approached one could see fields full of colossal boars roaming together, and another filled with cattle grazing. They had pens of chicken, sheep, and goats alongside the houses.
As they continued through the village the chief's hut was coming into view. It was at the center of the village protected by palisades, and armed centaurs. As they entered the village the chief was waving at Zack.
The chief was an old satyr named Julius, and alongside him stood two minotaurs wielding battleaxes. From the hips down the minotaurs had light brown fur, hooved feet, and small horns protruding from their heads. They both had large frames and closely resembled a human.
Even with their armor, you could see they were endowed. For the first time, Ren thought her breast weren't big enough. As they got out of the wagon Yu ran off after some turkeys running down the road.