The village is having a full makeover.
From a distance, the settlement still looked delightfully chaotic. Ghastlies continued stealing unattended bread with military precision. Jemina still solved approximately ninety percent of village problems through confidence, enthusiasm, and relentless talking.
But beneath the chaos,
structure had begun to emerge.
People had roles now.
Responsibilities.
Purpose.
And somehow,
against all logic,
the village hidden deep within the Null Forest was beginning to resemble a real community.
It started with apples.
Specifically,
the horrifyingly hard apples Jemina had discovered entirely by accident while searching for Lucas. She kept it in her room as a souvenir and took it out when she finally decided what to make use of it.
"They're hard enough to kill someone," Jemina complained, casually tossing one into the air.
Milena caught it immediately.
Then froze.
"...Where did you find this?"
Jemina blinked.
"Somewhere deep in the forest. I was planning to use them for my tomato execution."
"Pardon?"
"My tomato execution."
Milena decided not to ask.
Instead, she focused on the fruit.
The apple's bright blue skin shimmered beneath the sunlight with subtle streaks of gold. It looked less like fruit and more like a polished gemstone.
Even its scent was unusually rich.
Milena's eyes widened.
"This is a Royal Velvet Apple."
"I'm sorry. A royal what?"
Genuine alarm crossed Milena's face.
"These are incredibly rare. Noble families serve them during winter celebrations because they can be stored for months without spoiling."
Jemina stared suspiciously at the apple.
"...Can I still use it to kill tomatoes?"
"How about using some round rocks instead?"
"Hmm. Yes. Rocks should work."
Milena sighed in relief.
That afternoon, she decided on preparing the apples herself.
Everyone gathered inside the manor kitchen.
Well,
Most gathered curiously.
Lucas watched with the exhausted expression of a man who already sensed future problems approaching.
Milena carefully peeled the apples before steaming them slowly with cream, honey, and crushed forest spices collected by the lamias.
The aroma transformed the entire house.
Warm.
Sweet.
Comforting.
Even several monsters gathered outside the windows to investigate.
Eventually, Milena served the softened fruit in small wooden bowls.
The flesh had transformed completely.
Smooth as custard.
Soft enough to melt on the tongue.
Jemina took one bite.
Then froze.
Silence filled the room.
Lucas immediately looked concerned.
"...Is it poisoned?"
Jemina slowly lowered her spoon.
Her eyes looked distant.
Almost emotional.
"No dessert in the empire," she whispered solemnly, "can compete with this apple."
Milena laughed softly.
"It's because most people prepare them incorrectly. They become sweeter the longer they're cooked."
Jemina immediately pointed at her.
"You."
Milena blinked.
"You are now our official Fruitmancer."
"Our what?" Lucas asked.
"The Fruitmancer!" Jemina declared proudly, gesturing like a magician unveiling her greatest trick.
Raisa rubbed her temples.
"Can you stop assigning jobs like an excited child founding a kingdom?"
"I am absolutely killing it!"
Unfortunately,
Jemina's ridiculous instincts proved correct once again.
The moment Milena explained the market value of the apples, everyone became alarmingly attentive.
"These would sell for absurd prices in noble territories," Milena explained. "Especially during winter."
"And that," Jemina announced while climbing onto a chair for absolutely no reason, "means money."
Raisa stared at her.
"I am glad you've finally remembered that villages require money."
"Then I am glad I made you glad."
Raisa facepalmed.
"Fine. We need to discuss trade routes, storage, inventory, and future profits."
"Do you need me for that?"
"Actually, no. Not right now. You can go out and play. We will call you when we have decided. "
"Excellent."
Jemina picked up her bowl and immediately left.
Lucas watched her go.
"...She's totally killing it with being a kid."
Rosaline smiled.
"Jemina doesn't care about money. She never has."
"As long as the rest of us do," Raisa added.
"Fair enough."
"Now let's begin the meeting."
The apples weren't their only source of wealth.
There were also the mudwolves.
Apparently, the massive creatures regularly hunted enormous underground insects beneath the forest.
Normally, they ignored the discarded shells.
Then Raisa discovered them.
The shells were beautiful.
Absolutely beautiful.
Dark iridescent surfaces shifted between violet, silver, and sapphire beneath the sunlight.
They looked like gemstones carved by nature itself.
Milena nearly fainted.
"These are worth more than gold in some regions."
Jemina stared thoughtfully at the pile.
Then immediately shoved responsibility elsewhere.
"Raisa."
The lamia narrowed her eyes.
"What?"
"You're in charge of village business."
"I already am."
"Wonderful. Then you're promoted."
Raisa sighed.
"Any objections?"
No one spoke.
One of the lamias raised her hand.
"No complaints. It's the chief's decision."
Jemina blinked.
"Chief?"
Everyone stared at her.
"Oh."
A pause.
"Wait. I'm the chief?"
"Just accept it," Raisa said flatly.
"Oh. Alright."
Jemina nodded seriously.
Then immediately brightened.
"Can I leave now?"
"Please do."
"Wonderful."
She vanished.
One of the younger lamias watched her go.
"...Is Jemina really the chief?"
"No," Lucas answered.
"Yes," Raisa answered simultaneously.
Neither elaborated.
The following months passed quickly.
Raisa organized inventory, trade schedules, storage facilities, and negotiations with the few merchants.
Milena oversaw food production and agriculture.
The lamias expanded herb gardens along the riverbanks.
Fish ponds flourished.
Fields spread steadily beneath the trees.
Meanwhile,
Cyrinne quietly became the village's guardian.
When Jemina is out searching for monsters to tame, she is in charge.
Nobody appointed her.
She simply assumed the role naturally.
As for Lucas,
his responsibilities included accompanying Raisa outside to discuss business with the merchants, transporting supplies, and preventing Ghastlies from stealing underwear off laundry lines.
"It's because you're reliable," Jemina explained cheerfully.
Lucas looked dead inside.
"Years of mercenary training."
"Yes."
"And now I'm a traveling salesman."
"Also an underwear defender."
Lucas laughed miserably.
At that moment, Rosaline approached, carrying a neatly packed lunchbox.
"Lucas."
He turned.
She handed him the container.
"Be careful with the container this time. Make sure it is not exposed to heat too."
The mercenary accepted it like a trained dog.
"...Thank you."
"Be careful out there."
Jemina was already grinning.
Lucas immediately pointed at her.
"Don't."
"Oh, come on. Just one word."
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Just one?"
"No."
"So sweet!"
"That wasn't one word."
Jemina burst into laughter.
Lucas fled before she could continue.
"Rosaline. I adore you"
Rosaline had gradually become responsible for household management and medical care.
Cooking.
Cleaning.
Supplies.
Treating injuries.
And surprisingly,
monsters trusted her.
Even the largest mudwolves patiently lowered themselves whenever she approached with medicine.
Rosaline seemed happier lately.
Softer.
More confident.
Lucas noticed.
Unfortunately for him,
everyone else noticed too.
Especially Jemina.
One afternoon, Lucas carried a stack of lumber through the village while Rosaline followed beside him, carrying several rolls of cloth.
Their hands brushed accidentally.
Both froze.
Rosaline immediately looked away.
Lucas's ears turned bright red.
And from a nearby rooftop,
Jemina gasped dramatically.
"OUR SON IS FALLING IN LOVE!"
"I WILL THROW YOU INTO THE RIVER!"
Lucas shouted.
"Oh, so scary!"
Rosaline burst into laughter.
Lucas looked moments away from exploding.
Even Cyrinne sighed.
"Why are you like this?"
Jemina grinned proudly.
"It makes my heart go thud-thud, flutter-flutter, pshhhh."
"...You should have your heart checked."
Honestly,
despite everything,
life felt strangely good.
Messy.
Chaotic.
Dangerous.
But good.
Deep within the Null Forest,
hidden from kingdoms, nobles, and war,
their little village continued to grow beneath the trees.
Completely unaware,
that two men were already on their way.
And both intended to drag their peaceful lives back into chaos.