My guess if the villagers didn't attack me right away seemed right. I saw that many of them had gathered at the village gate from the young to the old. Standing at the very front was an old man who stood with the help of a cane. While behind him stood a shirtless, muscular man.
Without being told I understood that the old man was the village chief while the man standing behind him was his personal guard or maybe this village warrior.
When we were very close and a few meters apart. The old man asked me in a calm voice but there was a hint of anxiety in his tone.
"What can we do to welcome you sir summoner?"
"If I may ask what is your purpose for coming to our poor village?"
It seems they thought something bad because of my arrival even though I had no bad intentions at all. Does this show how high a summoner's status in the eyes of the people of this village?
To relieve their anxiety I replied, "Calm down. I didn't mean bad by coming to this village. I just ran out of food and drink supplies so I want to fill my stomach and stock up on food and drink for my next trip."
Hearing my answer they all looked relieved. Even so it seemed my arrival made me the center of attention. Although I have explained the purpose of my arrival, it seems that this has not reduced the number of villagers who want to see me, on the contrary, their number is increasing. Especially among the children.
Noticing that I was a little bothered by the crowds, their village chief started to clear the way assisted by other adults who understood how important my arrival was for their survival.
I, who are still unfamiliar with this village, chose to follow the village chief who apparently took me to his residence.
As the chief of the village, the old man has a much bigger house than the other villagers. As a form of respect it seems that the village chief's house is often used as a place for important meetings.
When he led me into his residence, I saw two scantily clad beautiful and sexy girls appear to greet him.
"Welcome home, chief daddy." Said those two at the same time.
In my heart I can only say one thing.
"Damn you perverted old man!"
Of course my facial expressions didn't change even though my eyes were glued to the bodies of the two girls in front of me.
"You two immediately tell the others to prepare a banquet for the summoner's arrival!"
Finished ordering his maids, the chief turned his attention back to me.
"We hope the banquet we prepared can satisfy you, sir summoner."
"I see you are interested in my two maids just now. I have a dozen more in the house. After the banquet is over you can choose some to spend the night with you, sir." He said as he winked at me.
If he said it while I was eating or drinking, I would definitely choke. I didn't expect that even though he had been assisted with a cane while walking, he was still very excited about the bed affairs like the youths.
"I don't think it's needed. You need to know I have exhausted all my savings. Right now I have no money at all."
I don't want to take advantage of others unless those other people are my enemies. That's why I came clean about my condition to the village chief.
But its seems I still underestimate the status of a summoner in this world. Even though I told the truth but the old man in front of me didn't mind at all.
"It's ok sir. I understand that the task of a summoner is not easy. You must protect our beloved country, the Kingdom of Vermillia from various threats. Consider this as our return for your valuable service."
Now I feel bad. I still haven't done anything and they have already repaid me. But from what he said, I now gleaned some important information.
The first piece of information was none other than the duties and responsibilities of a summoner.
The second information is regarding the region where I am currently. It seems that I am in a kingdom called Vermillia.
I have to get more information. But before that I must repay their kindness with my services. If I didn't I would feel very guilty.
"Say, Chief. Do you have a problem that is difficult to overcome lately?"
"Why do you ask that sir?"
Looking for excuses, I replied, "When I walk past the people, I see a gleam of hope on their eyes. As if they saw me as a savior."
I saw the chief take a deep breath and start to tell the problems his village was experiencing.
Due to their location being in the outermost area of the Vermillia Kingdom plus the area where their village was located between the grassland and the wasteland. It was very rare for a summoner from the kingdom to come on patrol near their village.
Especially the last three months where not a single summoner had appeared near their village until my arrival. Now I understand why they welcomed me so warmly to their village even though they looked scared at first.
The chief told me that in the last 2 months there have been lots of robberies against traders that have made them afraid to come to their village. Consequently it has been a week since the last outsider traders came to buy and sell in their village.
"Do you know who did the robbery? I'm sure there is an organization of those bandits near this area. That's why there have been so many robberies in the last 2 months. From your information this area is an ideal area for them to make a base. Afterall there is no summoners from the kingdom come to visit this area for the last 3 months."
"I don't know about the organization but I know one of the bandits who did the robbery. He is very famous in this area. His name is Jean Sowing and his nickname is the cutter. He always does his stunts alone so I don't know if he is part of a robber organization."
"Do you know where he usually ambushes his prey?"
"Last time was 9 days ago in the northern part of this village. Right in the grassland area. You ask me this don't say you want to?!"
Looking at him seriously I said, "You give me food and water then I will give you peace."