The next morning, Umeko returned with three others. Drego, a burly man with a black cloak and a scythe on his back. Fumiyo, a one-eyed woman with flaming blue hair. And Keith, a cold-faced man with an icy aura.
"Yomiru!!" Umeko exclaimed as she saw Yomiru lifting a sack of rocks for the irrigation project.
The four of them hugged Yomiru tightly, then let go.
"Ah, you're here too." Yomiru put the sack down. "You look alive."
Fumiyo laughed, tears streaming down her face. "You too. I heard you became human? Oh, poor thing."
"Can still kill you in three seconds, Fumi," Yomiru replied flatly.
Drego grinned. "Then let's fight."
Keith stared at Yomiru expressionlessly. "You look stronger now."
"Maybe it's because of this form," Yomiru replied.
Umeko stood between them. "We don't have time for jokes. The southern region has fallen into the hands of a dark wizard named Vordel. He was a former subordinate of Scarlet who defected after her death."
"Vordel?" Yomiru gripped the stone beside her. The stone cracked. "He's still alive?"
"And he also leads the demon slavery movement. If we don't act, all the minor races will be wiped out."
Yomiru stood up straight. Her gaze hardened. "Give me some time. I will fully recover my strength. Then, we will kill Vordel."
All eyes were on Yomiru. No one objected.
Drego laughed heartily. "That's it! This is the Yomiru I know!"
---
That night, Yomiru stood alone on a hill, looking out over the village in the distance. The night wind whipped through her hair. In her hand was a small pendant—Scarlet's possession.
"I will fix this world. Not for me. But for you," she whispered softly.
---
That morning, the village air was filled with the aroma of smoked fish and fresh dew. Children ran along the riverbank, laughing happily. The small village that had been gloomy was now starting to show signs of life.
In the middle of a small field that had been cleared, Yomiru stood side by side with Blis. In front of her, a fairly large empty plot of land stretched out. The wild grass was still tall, the ground was still uneven, but to Yomiru, this was the beginning of a kingdom.
"Over there," Yomiru said, pointing firmly, "We'll build the center of the village. A main hall, a meeting room, and a place to store magic or something."
Blis followed her finger. "But we don't have an architect or builders. The people here... well, none of them have ever held a hammer except to crack coconuts."
"I know." Yomiru crossed her arms. "That's why I'm going to look for it in the neighboring country."
Blis looked at her doubtfully. "Alone? You know how bad your sense of direction is, right?"
Yomiru sighed. "I can make a map."
"You'll make a map, then drop it in the river, then blame the river for getting lost."
"...That's only happened twice," Yomiru argued softly.
Blis chuckled. "You need a companion, whether you like it or not."
Yomiru nodded slowly. She knew it was true. That's why, a moment later, she stepped up to Drego, who was lifting a sack of wheat while helping the villagers level the ground.
"Drego," Yomiru called.
The big, muscular man turned around. "Yo, weather-controlling magic. What's up?"
"You used to live in the neighboring country, right? Are there any builders there?"
Drego nodded firmly. "Yes. His name is Mirco. Half human, half dwarf. Crazy about structures. He once built a castle out of tree roots in the middle of a swamp. Solid as a rock."
"Can you accompany me there? I don't want to get lost just because the road turns right, and I keep going."
Drego laughed out loud. "Of course, boss! But you have to buy me dinner."
"Two kilos of roast beef. Deal?"
"Deal!"
Meanwhile, not far away, Fumiyo was sitting by a large stove, busily stirring a pan full of fish seasoned with village spices.
"The first fish in ten years should be given honor," she muttered as she sprinkled fragrant leaves.
Umeko sat casually next to her—not helping, not talking, just silently with one hand already stealing a piece of fish.
"Hey!" Fumiyo glared. "It's not cooked, you sea leech!"
Umeko chewed slowly. "But it tastes cooked. A little burnt, though."
"I swear your stomach will hurt for three days!"
"I have two stomachs. Take it easy."
On the other side of the field, Keith was quietly helping the villagers build a water channel. Though he didn't say much, his every action was efficient and precise. He gestured with his hands, placed rocks, positioned logs—and the villagers, though initially fearful, began to follow him with respect.
Blis watched them from afar. "See? They're all starting to feel like they're part of something."
Yomiru just nodded.
In the afternoon, Yomiru and Drego prepared to set off.
"I'm leaving this village in your care, Blis," Yomiru said seriously. "If anything suspicious happens, use the magic circle I drew last night. It can protect a radius of two kilometers."
Blis nodded. "And don't stray from the main road too often. And don't talk to the stone statues. They don't respond."
"I know. I'm not that weird."
Drego laughed. "Actually, you're weirder than that."
Before they left, Fumiyo approached them, handing them a bag of salted fish and hard bread.
"These are for supplies. Don't fight before you eat," she said.
Umeko came too, munching on an apple. "If you die, I'll take over. Deal?"
Yomiru just raised an eyebrow. "If I die, the world burns."
They walked toward the village gate, which still had no door.
Their footsteps kicked up dust. The sky was turning orange. The wind carried the scent of wet earth and hope.
"I can't wait to see Mirco's face when you talk about building a city in the middle of the forest without a map," Drego said.
Yomiru smiled slightly. "This time I brought something more important than a map."
"What is it?"
"A goal."