Alfred gathered everyone from the village as commanded by Naga. The village head and the mercenary leader are looking forward to the meeting.As requested by Naga as well, the villagers prepared a feast for everyone.
A huge tent was setup and it will serve as the gathering hall of the village officials. There is an elegant wooden table in the middle and the chairs were carved with the design of eagles and owls.
It was already dark when a carriage with the insignia of the House of Iron Crow arrived.
"Iron Crow?!" The people of the village were surprised. They heard a rumor that the man helping the village is a friend of the Iron Crow"s young lord but they didn"t really believe it.
"So it is true that our new boss is related to the great House." The vice leader of the mercenary said.
"He is not just related to it." Cris thought to himself and chuckled.
The people of the village were shocked again when the driver opened the door of the carriage and Naga went out.
"A commoner kid?!" They were shocked. They expected a n.o.ble or a powerful expert and not a commoner kid.
"Whoah!" The village head was astonished. He stood up firmly and saluted.
As a veteran soldier, he felt the presence of a supreme general from Naga.
"This is!" The leader of the mercenary stood up as well and deeply bowed.
He felt the presence of someone who fought tens, no hundreds of war from Naga. He can"t believe it but he doesn"t want to question it either.
The villagers stood up straight after seeing the two men"s reaction.
Naga looked at them and smiled.
"Good." He thought to himself. He intentionally exuded a commanding aura to test them.
"Greetings, Boss. Here"s your seat." While everyone is looking at Naga with different reactions, Alfred greeted him.
"Thank you." Naga said and sat down.
He looked at the people around him and said, "Thank you for waiting."
"N... no. It is fine, sir!" The village head answered.
Naga looked at them and smiled, "Please take your seats."
Everyone followed and watched him closely.
"I believed Alfred did inform you about my intentions." He said and smiled.
"Yes, men of the village agreed." The village head said firmly.
"My men also agreed. We thank you for giving us the chance to retire here." The leader of the mercenary said with grat.i.tude.
"That is good. I want to thank everyone"s cooperation and trust." He said and smiled.
He continued, "I am Naga. I am the boss of the Silver Sparrow Family. I want to know everyone"s name."
"I am Tora." The village head said and bowed.
"Sir, I am Benno." The leader of the mercenary said respectfully.
The mercenary"s vice leader and the men of the village followed through.
After everyone is done, Naga stood up and bowed, "Thank you. I am glad to meet all of you."
Then he sat down and continued, "From now on, all of you will be part of my Silver Sparrow Family."
"Please take care of us!" Everyone bowed and said.
"Good. For now, let"s celebrate! We will continue the meeting tomorrow!" Naga said with a loud voice.
It was a simple ceremony. Foods and Drinks were served. The villagers and the workers had fun all throughout the night.
The following day, the officials of both the village and the mercenary group went to the house built for the Silver Sparrow Family.
"Thank you for letting the villagers and workers have fun last night." An old man wearing a farmer clothes said.
They knew that Naga requested a celebration to lessen the pressure from the villagers. This time only the officials are present.
Naga nodded and smiled at the old man.
He said to everyone, "From now on, this village will be our Silver Sparrow"s head quarter."
He continued after a while, "The mercenaries are now residents of this village and you will be the protectors and enforcers. You will be a.s.signed to guard the magic stone mine, black market shops and the gambling house."
"Got it, Boss. Leave it to us." Benno said.
"Our families moved here. They wanted to help too. We are gathering young men from our families and the village because we are want to train them." The vice leader said.
"Good. Please take care of it." Naga said and smiled.
"Leave it to me, Boss." The vice leader nodded and said.
He looked at the village officials and said, "Those men that will join the training will work at the tavern and market place."
"Yes, Boss." Tora responded.
"You will manage it. Choose people that will help you." He said and smiled.
"Rest a.s.sured, Boss." Tora responded confidently.
He looked at the old man, "I heard that you work for an alchemist before, is it true?"
"Yes, we cultivated medicinal plants and ingredients." The old man proudly said.
"Can you choose people and teach them?" Naga asked.
"Yy... yes! Does it mean?! ..." The old man"s eyes showed excitement.
"Yes, we will cultivate herbs and ingredients for alchemy." Naga said and smiled.
It was requested by Old Samuel. Dilan became excited and asked him too. The two elves listed ingredients they needed and provided funds to use.
Naga also discussed his plan about the mine and he asked a village official to help Nicholas managing it. Nicholas is doing it only for fun so he need someone reliable.
After the meeting, some changes were announced to everyone.
The village head is still Tora. He is also named as the manager of the Owls Tavern.
Benno became captain of the guards. He was surprised when an official letter from the City Lord"s Mansion was given to him by Naga.
The vice leader, Nimer, was named as the martial training instructor of the village.
The old man, Old Phil, became the manager of the farm. He was so happy with the new a.s.signment since this time it is not just simple farming.
The villagers and the families of the mercenary group were surprised when they heard about the plan to cultivate alchemy ingredients. Many of them wanted to join and learn.
Naga stayed for a week. Aside from his training routine, he is visiting the mine and interacting with the villagers. The villagers accepted him more as their new boss and he was glad about it.
He was about to leave the village when the workers and masons approached his carriage.
They bowed down respectfully. He looked at them and opened the door of his carriage.
"Any request?" He asked and smiled.
A small mascular man moved forward and bowed down, "Young sir, please accept us."
Naga looked at them and smiled. "They want to join us."
The man looked at Naga, "Let us live in this village."
"Why?" Naga asked smiling.
"We want to join your Silver Sparrow, Boss. I have a feeling that if we don"t join you now, we won"t be able to do it in the future." The man answered with a firm voice.
Naga was surprised. This man is correct. After this, n.o.body can just join his Silver Sparrow. There will be a process and selection in the future.
He looked at the man and asked, "What is your name?"
"My name is Jadrik. I am a half-dwarf." The man answered and bowed.
Naga looked at him again. A half-dwarf. A commoner at that. Neither the proud dwarves nor the prideful humans wanted them.
"I see. From now on, you will be part of this village." He responded and smiled.
He looked at everyone and continued, "Bring your family over too. Also, be useful."
"Yes! We will make sure to work hard, Boss!" These men answered with excitement.
For the past week, they saw how capable and n.o.ble Naga was. Everyone wanted to serve a good master.
Jadrik approached Naga and gave a scroll, "A recommendation and a gift, Boss."
Naga accepted the scroll and he was surprised when he opened it. "What a plan and blueprint!"
"What do you think, Boss?" Jadrik asked.
"Did you make this?" Naga asked with excitement.
"Yes, Syrus helped me too." He nodded and pointed to a young man with messy hair.
"Genius." Naga exclaimed.
"Great! Execute the plan well. Go to Alfred if more funds are needed." Naga commanded.
"Yes, Boss. We will make a strong fortress for you." Jadrik said with a dignified voice.
A supreme fortress. A secret fortress of his own. Naga was really satisfied with it.
He entered his carriage after talking to the workers and masons. This visit became so meaningful and great.
"Uhm, Young sir." Naga was thinking about the fortress when the driver called him.
"Yes, Ian?" He asked.
"Can... can I join as well?"
Naga was surprised with his driver"s question as well.
"I am not talented and not good at fighting though." He said with a low voice.
"Don"t mind m..." He was interrupted by Naga.
"Look at you! You always drive my carriage. You are a talented driver." Naga said and smiled.
He continued, "You are the driver of the Boss. Be proud of it."
Ian was surprised. He was thankful. "The boss is kind. The boss is great."
"Thank you, Boss!" He answered with a confident voice.