After about two days of walking, the group led Aisrin to the poorest looking Village on the edge of a large body of water, that when looked at from a few kilometers away on the only tall hill around, looked to be a fat river sever leagues wide and stretched many more along the horizon.
*Earlier on said Hill*
"So this... Village, is nestled on the edge of a river?" Aisrin had asked when looking out at the river.
"River? What's a river?" Lorenz inquired.
"A long flowing body of water that connects bigger bodies of water together...sometimes. It can also flow from an underground source, but that typically makes it more of a large creek. It can also flow from glaciers or mountains... you have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?" Aisrin noticed the confusion only growing larger on Lorenzs' face. He shook his head in answer.
"Hah. A river is a long water stream in simple terms." Ausrin simplified extremely.
"Okay. What's that?" Flit jumped in. The others were intently looking at Sistin with extreme interest.
"That. You see where your Village is? That water is a river." Aisrin pointed at the river.
"Oh. That's a river? We just call it Home of the Rageful One. No one goes far into it. Any who stray too far get sucked under the water by some mysterious creature. No one has seen the creature, but sometimes we find the bodies washed up further down, horribly disfigured and missing much of their flesh. What's left is swollen with the creatures poison, even perhaps its spawn." Ret explained underwater currents and the effects perfectly.
"I see. Good news. There is no creature. What you explained, is underwater currents. They drag unwary swimmers under the surface of the water... you know what. Nevermind. It's apparent how poor common knowledge has declined." Aisrin muttered the last sentence.
*Present*
The Village was in the worst possible condition. The houses, if they could be called that, were simple mud and grass structures. Those that had sticks, seemed to be for bigger families, possibly those that foraged and hunted.
Smoke hung heavy on the air from the fires. The people, were far worse. Skin and bones would be an improvement from the condition Aisrin was seeing. The stench was impossible to breathe in, which is why as soon as it hit, Aisrin cast a wind spell on his face that filtered the air. A creation against poison gates mostly.
The living area was small compared to the massive fields that surrounded the village.
"This... this is unacceptable! You live in this?" Aisrin turned to Lorenz.
"Uh, yeah. No need to be rude. We are being quite hospitable." Lorenz scoffed.
"Who's in charge?" Aisrin stopped.
"I am." Lorenz stated.
"I see. Let's just get the food out. I'm going to take a gamble. Don't freak out, don't try to chase me out. Then, I will ask a favor of you." Aisrin stated. His mind made up. He was going to take this Village in a better direction. For some reason, he thought it might redeem him.
Aisrin walked to the middle of the village, an area that was easy to see, and where it was spacious enough to do what he needed to.
Nowhere was perfect, but he found a suitable spot. The ragged villagers stared wearily at the stranger that stood in the center of their home. Aisrin pointed at the ground, and all the villagers looked at where he pointed. In a flash, the ground bubbled and then dropped in a perfect circle.
The villagers retreated further back, some letting out scared yelps. Then, a fire rise from the pit and four stone pillers rose around the pit up around two feet high and a slab connected them. On the slab, a giant frog was laid out, perfectly dressed and gutted.
Soon, the aroma of the meat filled the air, and the villagers began to approach.
"What was that?" Lorenz asked Aisrin.
"Magic. Do you know what that is?" Aisrin asked the man.
"Yes. It's the power that monsters, beasts, and demons wield." Lorenz shirked away from Aisrins gaze.
"Remember what I told you when we met? Im 9nly half human, possibly." Aisrin reminded.
"Ah, yes. That's right. My apologies. It's, still terrifying to witness nonetheless. In this Village, only the five of us can use spiritual power, but only barely." Lorenz sighed.
"I will call on the favor soon. First, I'll let you and the villagers eat, then I want every detail of this Village and its purpose presented to me by you." Aisrin walked away from the makeshift fire pit and headed towards the river.
*Later*
The mood of the villagers had vastly improved. With the meat came energy. Kids were now playing happily and adults were more welcoming of Aisrin as he walked back into their midst. He was wet from his bathe in the river.
Lorenz beckoned to Aisrin.
"As requested, I shall now tell you all about our village. Firstly, we are a farming village. We provide for Graycastle. In turn, they allow us to live here. Secondly, we are the defense against any monsters, beasts, and or demons that may attempt to invade. Lastly, we are also used as fillers for the Barons Army should he need us. That's all." Lorenz told Aisrin as if it were a list of demands.
"Now, my favor.... I want you to hand over all authority to me. Before you object, let me tell you what I can offer. First, clean air. This air, is borderline poisonous and definitely unfit for human functionality. Second, I can provide food to last you lifetimes. Proper ways of storage that can last even longer. Third, I can also abolish this slave deal you're in. Fuck Graycastle and their tyranny.
Four, knowledge. With the knowledge I have, your Village can easily surpass Graycastle in superiority. Five, I can fortify, improve and expand your territory. More territory means more room for families. Improvements means houses that down fall apart during heavy rains and warmth for your people. Fortifications equal safety.
Six... why am I numbering shit like you did? Look, I can make this area prosper. You don't need a lengthy list of reasons why you should, because this is more of a demand than a question. Let me save this Village and the people in it." Aisrin stopped part way through and said what he meant to say before the list began.
"Okay. If you can save us, then take it. I hated being in charge of so many lives anyway. Being responsible for so many deaths, takes its toll after a decade of leading." Lorenz easily relinquished the authority he had to Aisrin. Aisrin nodded, and went to work.
The first thing he did, was clear the Air, immediately. When the fresh air entered the vilkagers' lungs, confused looks formed on their faces. Lorenz walked up to the pit Aisrin made earlier and gathered the attention of the villagers.
"Today, has been the most blessed of days. plenty of food and now fresh air. Never had we been lucky enough to recieve either. A of this, was made possible by this man. I know, he is mysterious and a stranger. But, he has more than proved his good intentions. He saved me not once, but twice, from an inevitable death.
He has now offered to help us even further. He-"
"This is not the last blessed day you will receive. Today? This is just a normal day, at least from now on. What Lorenz was trying to get at, is I'm going to be in charge. I don't just spout sweet words, I make promises, and I act on them. I also don't care to hear complaints. You ate my food I provided and now you breath the air I cleared. The way i see it, you have nothing to complain about.
I'll be short. The first week of me being here, will be easy. I'll provide food for you, plenty of it too. I'll even be reinforcing your houses temporarily. But, after that week, you will owe me. So I hope you enjoy the easy week you get, cause afterwards... you'll see." Aisrin cut Lorenz off and made his announcements.
'Now, I'll answer only to myself. No more fucking kings to bow to.'