Chereads / Technomancy: Rise of the Empires / Chapter 19 - An Unexpected Turn

Chapter 19 - An Unexpected Turn

Kaito walked into the garden where his friends were gathered, engrossed in their conversation. They seemed so preoccupied that they didn't notice him at first, except for Lili, who sensed his presence and ran excitedly towards him.

"Oh my, I guess you guys are more eager than I am. What a surprise, everyone is already here," Kaito remarked with a playful tone, trying to make his entrance noticed.

"Not one bit less than you are," Danish replied, flashing a wide smile. He was clearly delighted to see his friend.

"I told you," Malik chimed in, addressing Danish, "that he would sneak here without visiting us first. Now, that's not all, he'll act like a victim and blame us for not being home when he came to fetch us."

Kaito, feeling a mix of frustration and amusement, interrupted Malik, "Oh, yes. I did go to your places." He shot Malik an annoyed look, as if challenging him.

"Then why so much surprise on seeing us here?" Danish teased, causing everyone to burst into laughter. Kaito couldn't help but join in, realizing the playful banter they were all engaging in.

"Fine, fine," Kaito finally conceded, shaking his head. It was good to be reunited with his friends, and he knew their lighthearted exchanges were all part of their cherished bond.

"We just finished telling them about our sales in the next village," Danish said, eager to share their recent success. "I made a silver, and Malik here made two silvers."

Curious, Leila turned to Kaito and asked, "How much did you make, Kaito?"

Malik grinned mischievously and replied on behalf of Kaito, "Oh, he made three silvers. You know the old fox. Not just that, he even got his hands on a few other things during our transactions yesterday."

"That's exactly what I'm so excited about!" Kaito's eyes sparkled with anticipation as he settled himself more comfortably. "Yesterday, I noticed that the village we visited was facing a scarcity of food. You see, that's the reason our goods sold so fast. Furthermore, there were very few traders from other villages, all of whom had come to buy food from there."

Kaito turned his gaze towards Danish and Malik, his excitement growing. "Do you remember the guy who came with lots of men and bought so many things at once?" he asked, not waiting for their response before continuing. "I found out he was from another village. In fact, I learned that this was happening all over the areas that were attacked by the wolves. So, you see, this presents an opportunity for us to make something here."

He leaned in closer, his voice filled with determination. "I am dead sure that people will soon realize that our village has greater potential to satisfy their needs. They will come here for trade and maybe even consider settling here. With the scarcity of resources in surrounding areas, our village can become a hub for commerce and growth."

Kaito's excitement was contagious, and his friends couldn't help but feel their own anticipation building. The prospect of their village becoming a thriving trading center brought a sense of hope and possibilities for a better future. They knew that seizing this opportunity would require careful planning and hard work.

Kaito's eyes sparkled with excitement as he unveiled the box containing an assortment of seeds. "Behold, my friends! These are just samples of the seeds I acquired yesterday," he exclaimed, a wide grin on his face. "I brought them here with the hopes that Lili could work her magic and make them flourish. Can you imagine the possibilities? With these seeds and Lili's extraordinary abilities, we have the potential to transform our village and thrive like never before."

His friends gathered around, their eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of concern. Danish was the first to find his voice, his brows furrowed with thoughtful contemplation. "Well....that, there is..."

"That may not be possible." Turan responded before Danish could speak any further.

"What to you mean by not possible?" Kaito inquired with a face that said ' OH COME ON, NOW.

"Lili's magic, there seems to be a problem with her, or with it. We don't know yet." Malik interjected.

The friends gathered around Lili, frustration and confusion etched on their faces. Despite their best efforts, they couldn't seem to establish effective communication with her. They had hoped that Lili's unique abilities would bring them closer together, but instead, they found themselves facing an unexpected barrier.

Kaito, in particular, wore a crestfallen expression. He had been the one with the grand vision, the belief that Lili's magic would be the key to their village's prosperity. But now, it seemed like his plan had hit a roadblock. He couldn't understand why Lili was rejecting the use of her magic, and her refusal left him feeling disheartened and defeated.

They made numerous attempts to persuade Lili, urging her to unleash her powers, but each time, she responded with something they couldn't comprehend. Her words were filled with a mixture of determination and apprehension, leaving them at a loss.

Danish, ever the level-headed one, suggested, "Perhaps we're missing something. There must be a reason why Lili is reluctant to use her magic. We need to find a way to understand her perspective."

Malik nodded in agreement. "We can't force her to do something against her will. We have to respect her boundaries and seek a deeper understanding of her concerns. There may be underlying factors that we're unaware of."

Leila, who had been observing Lili closely, gently approached her and attempted to communicate through gestures and expressions. She tried to convey their intentions, assuring Lili that they only wished to help and support her. Though Lili's response remained cryptic, Leila could sense a flicker of trust and gratitude in her eyes.

Turan, the pragmatic one, spoke up. "Let's not lose hope just yet. We've faced challenges before, and we've always found a way to overcome them. It may take time, but we'll find a solution. We owe it to Lili and ourselves to persevere."

With renewed determination, the friends resolved to delve deeper into understanding Lili's unique language and finding alternative means of communication.

With a sense of acceptance and understanding, the friends realized that finding an immediate solution to their communication challenge with Lili might not be possible. Instead, they decided to take a patient and gradual approach, allowing time and personal connection to pave the way for deeper understanding.

Malik and Leila volunteered to stay behind, offering their support and companionship to Lili. They believed that by immersing themselves in Lili's world and patiently building trust, they would eventually find a way to communicate effectively.

Meanwhile, Danish, Kaito, and Turan bid their farewells and set off towards the village to attend to their daily chores. They understood the importance of maintaining their village's livelihood and attending to necessary tasks.

As they ventured through the familiar paths, the friends shared lighthearted banter and laughter, easing the residual tension from their previous conversation. The village buzzed with activity as merchants set up their stalls, farmers tended to their crops, and villagers greeted each other with warmth and familiarity.

Each friend embarked on their respective tasks, embracing the sense of community that surrounded them. Danish helped with the construction of new homes, ensuring that the rebuilding efforts continued steadily. Turan assisted in overseeing the livestock, ensuring they were well cared for and providing guidance to the villagers on sustainable farming practices.

Kaito, being the charismatic one, engaged in lively conversations with the villagers. He listened attentively to their concerns, hopes, and aspirations, gathering insights into their needs and desires. He made mental notes of potential trade opportunities, keeping his entrepreneurial spirit alive even in the face of the communication challenge with Lili.

Throughout the day, their thoughts wandered back to Lili and the possibilities that lay ahead. They were determined to find a way to bridge the gap and tap into her extraordinary abilities. With each passing moment, they grew more convinced that the journey they had embarked on was not just about prosperity for their village but about the bonds they forged and the personal growth they experienced.

Malik and Leila, too, had made progress in their endeavors. They had discovered subtle ways to communicate with Lili, using gestures, expressions, and shared experiences to convey their support and care. Though the road ahead was still uncertain, their determination to connect with Lili remained unwavering.