That sentence shook the core of every single person present. "...train and become strong to get rid of the men who threaten my life and my pet's."
The idea is mind-boggling. Why go against people you can't defeat for something as insignificant as a pet? But, is a pet really insignificant?
A pet stays with you through your hardest of times. A pet helps you to overcome grief over insurmountable despair. A pet protects you even if it's the last thing they do. A pet will be there for you when no one else can. A pet isn't insignificant. They're just as significant as the relatives that died on that day. The relatives that stayed with them through their hardest of times. They were there when they were overcome with grief. They protected their home and village and that was the last thing they did.
Sobs and sniffing began to echo from the refugees. They felt sorrowful because of the death of their families, but they're powerless to do anything because the people who did that have the authority to command the tribes of the forest. But, what if they could? What if they can fight and take revenge for their loved ones?
What if they have power?
Within their eyes, a new flame surged, not from anger, but from determination. The determination to live and become strong. Even if they wouldn't be able to fight against the Horbid, they at least want to see the day that it falls. They believe they can do that with this man in front of them.
With that in mind, everyone began moving from their positions, startling Alexis. Altogether, they knelt down, "Lord Alexis, benefactor, you have enlightened us in what to do for our kin. Please allow us to serve you in order for us to see the day for our fallen kin!"
Ruze, the kid from earlier, looked up at him, and said, "Lord Alexis, I do not know how or what I can do, but please allow me to be of service to you. Train me so that I can be of benefit to you!"
Alexis' head darted from side to side, with eyes widened and voice stuttering, "W-What do you mean?" He asked in confusion whilst waving his hands frantically. In addition, a notification sounded from the system.
[Notification! 40 people wish to be your subjects. Do you wish to accept them? Y/N?]
"E-Eh?" Alexis was totally flabbergasted. But, with that in mind, he already had thoughts of letting them live with him. What's the point of delaying? With that in mind, Alexis returned to calm and replied, "Well, if that is what you wish, you better not disappoint me!"
[40 people have become your subjects. Activating System Function… Congratulations! Your Dwelling has become a Level 4 Settlement! The Host has received awards!]
[Settlement Pillar x1, Soil Upgrade (50 sqm) x1, Basic Military Training Manual x1, Basic Agriculture Manual x1, Basic Weaponcraft Manual x1!]
[Notification! The Star's Favor has been activated! The people of your settlement are granted an increased strength for magic affinities!]
As that notification echoed in his mind, the sun's rays mystically maneuvered through the canopy of leaves and descended upon them. When it did, a soothing calmness manifested within them. "W-What's happening?" The startled refugees suddenly became restless as they felt it.
"I can feel it!" Leisandra beside him gasped, eyes watering as she stammered, "It's the grace of the Goddess of The Northern Light!" Upon hearing that, the restless refugees became even more fervent. They praised and celebrated, knowing that the grace of a Goddess is bestowed upon them. Alexis, although shocked, wasn't shocked to a great degree.
The Star's Favor was one of the additional rewards that was given to him after rescuing Leisandra. It was understandable that the Star's Favor came from her Goddess of The Northern Light.
"Do you want to establish a shrine for the Goddess here?" Without thinking too much about it, Alexis turned to Leisandra and asked. When Leisandra heard it, her eyes widened. With her hands covering her mouth, she spoke, "W-What did you say? Did I hear correctly that you're asking me if I want to make a shrine here?" In response to her question, Alexis nodded. With that, finally, tears once again streamed down her eyes.
"Y-Yes. Yes, I do!" She cheerfully and tearfully replied.
[Wife Satisfaction Rate: 70% - 90%.]
Oh, he forgot about that. Throughout the months they were together, Leisandra's opinion about him seemed to reflect inside the System. Every 10% increase seemed to give him rewards, but after the wedding, it doesn't seem to rise anymore. Even his speech about loving herillicited no reaction. Now, just mentioning building a shrine for her Goddess, she got so satisfied that her rating about him skyrocketed to 20%? No matter. Now, Alexis wonders what reward he will get.
[Congratulations! Because the satisfaction rate rose up twice the increment, your reward is upgraded to Epic Reward!]
[Host is rewarded the following: Northern Light Shrine Blueprint x1, Beacon of Hope (30 days) x1, Barn Blueprint x1, Epic-Class Summoning Ticket x1, Meeting Hall Blueprint x1, Smithy Blueprint x1, Advanced Resource Pack x10, Hall of Remembering Blueprint x1.]
Alexis was amazed by the array of rewards that he got. As soon as he saw the first one, he immediately thought that the Goddess once again meddled in the system reward issuance. After seeing the Summoning Ticket though, Alexis immediately excused himself and went into a private corner. Looking at the golden piece of paper on the palm of his hand, Alexis shook.
Is this the famed Summoning Ticket that can summon powerful and influential people under his control? If it is, then Alexis couldn't wait. He immediately looked at the description of the item and rejoiced.
[Epic-Class Summoning Ticket: Allows the user to transcend space-time and summon an Epic-Class character to help you in your life. A person summoned using this ticket would have absolute loyalty to you. Will not produce Loyalty Points.]
"Use!" Without further ado, Alexis threw the Ticket up in the air. As prompted, the ticket shone with bright golden light. From the ground, faint etches of runes and magical characters began rotating and circulating.
When it dissipated, a lean man with a light stub on his chin came into view. His attire suggested that he seemed to have come from a more civilized society with his pointy shoes, sophisticated tunic and vest, a long gray pantaloon, and a black high hat. With wandering eyes, he looked around, "W-Where am I?"
Adjusting his cool, Alexis replied, "I am Alexis. You are in the middle of the Habascus Forest, near Mount Castaverde and a tributary of River Styis." Hearing him, the man turned and looked towards him. In a mutter, the man said, "Oh, Habascus Forest, that desolate place in the north. Okay, that's quite far, but it doesn't matter."
Looking at Alexis intently, the man opened his mouth, "I sense a deep closeness to you, as if I want to be of service to you through the rest of my life." Hearing that felt weird, but Alexis fully understood.
One of the things that was written back in the description of the ticket was that anyone summoned by the ticket would have absolute loyalty towards him. That meant that what the man was saying correlated to what the description said.
"Oh, look at my manners. I apologize for not introducing myself to you sooner." The man bowed deeply, his hand holding the hat on his chest, before continuing, "My name is Alvert von Millerhausen. My lord can call me Alvert."
"Rise, Alvert." Alexis smiled and waved his hand, "It is nice to have you in our fold."
After thanking, Alexis led the new member of the settlement to the refugees who were still exhilarated with their newfound feeling. Calling out Leisandra, Alexis stepped forward and presented Alvert to her. "W-Who is this? Where did he come from?" Leisandra asked with confusion and a little hint of wariness.
"This is Alvert, he will be joining us here in the settlement." He replied. "Alvert, this is Leisandra, my wife, the mistress of this settlement."
Alvert bowed once more toward Leisandra and greeted, "Greetings, Lady Leisandra. I am honored to be in your presence. Please do not hesitate to call me ifsoever you need assistance."
"Oh, thank you for that. I will keep that in mind." Leisandra, despite her looming suspicion, didn't hesitate to return the greeting.
"Everyone!" Alexis shouted, calling the attention of everyone, which was successful. "We are now in a new chapter in our lives. From living with just the two of us, Leisandra and I now have a new family, every single one of you. From living in a village, you now live with us in a simple land, a blessed land! So let us help each other out to make this place a better settlement for each and every one of us!"
"We will do as you say, My Lord!"
"Your wish shall be done!"
"Go on and tell us what we need to do, Great Lord!"
The fervent shouts of agreement reverberated within the ranks of the refugees. Despite their paltry numbers, their shouts felt as if hundreds were voicing out their thoughts.
With that, the first informal Assembly commenced.