“Don’t be a shy kid. Come with me.” He said while he was closing the distance between him and Levi. “Oh, I almost forgot, do you remember these two?” He added a question.
Levi, who was nervous at the time, didn’t know who they are “I-I’m sorry, no.”
“How unfortunate, these two were the ones who saved and brought you here. If it weren’t for them, you would die an ugly death there at the hands of those greedy orcs,” Jadis said as if promoting a product.
“This dwarf here on my right is Jeff. He is a skilled hunter and a good merchant, too, although he has difficulty talking to girls. This other one is Garde. He is quite known here in Natura7NaturaThe country which was founded by the Elven-Dwarves alliance. as an outstanding craftsman, smith, woodworker, and anything that can be tinkered with a talent like that, you wouldn’t imagine that he sleep more than being awake.” he added.
Now, Levi’s heart was slightly comforted as he saw no suspicious plan for him when the old man talked. He listened carefully to the old dwarf’s words, but even a hint of ill-intention was non-existent.
“Hello!” Levi greeted the two dwarfs, but he only received a confused reply.
“Hello? What is that word? Is it a curse?” said Jeff, who has a thin scar on his right cheek, wearing a dark green torso and gray pants with a small sword on his back.
“Hello? this is the first time I heard that. No races, I think even humans said those words,” said Garde, the one wearing gray clothe and brown leather boots.
“Whatever, boys, just greet our visitor and tour him on the feast. Tomorrow, Jeff, you will tour him in the whole village.” Jadis, who is also confused with Levi’s greeting, tasked the two dwarfs.
“Valheimis9ValheimisIt is a form of greeting in the land of Ashenborn. It has multiple meanings depending on the context it was used. It can mean good morning, good afternoon, good evening, hi or hello. Mr…” the two didn’t know the young man’s name, so they can’t continue.
“Levi. My name is Levi.” He decided to use this name to avoid future conflicts and maybe help in the future.
“Valheimis, Mr. Levi!” the two greeted in unison.
Levi didn’t know what to do and how to respond. “V-v-valh-heimis Jeff and Garde.”
Both Jeff and Garde just smiled. “I think this is the formal way of greeting here in this world. If only I used Levi’s memories, I would have remembered them now.” he talked to himself.
He didn’t try to remember the real Levi’s memories, or at least it didn’t occur to his mind that he has those memories. Those 4 days of sleep had calmed his mind when he woke up. Now’s the only time he remembered his scream of pain when the memories poured onto his mind a few days ago.
He followed Jeff and Garde as they introduce this young man to their fellow dwarfs and elves in the area. Chat here, introduce yourself there. After two hours of circling the area and introductions, Levi has grown weary. Although the introduction has happened smoothly, the most common question he was asked was,
“Aren’t you afraid of us, dwarves and elves?”
“You do know that we are elves, right?”
These common questions were immediately interrupted by Jeff and Garde. Levi didn’t know the answer, and he didn’t even bother to learn.
While circling the area, primarily focused on observing the people’s lives. Everything here is almost made of wood. Only a few were made of other materials such as stone, iron, or other minerals. The status of living is simple. As long as they can use the thing, then it will be used. Technology-wise, this country was only in the medieval period. Other countries may be the same too, or even better, but he predicts that they are only as high as before the middle ages at best. Although this was not yet confirmed, he can feel it.
The drums started rolling faster and faster, and with a loud bang from a giant gong, everyone turned their attention to the slightly elevated wooden stage in front of the enormous cauldron.
Jadis then walked up the stage and looked at the people around the area. After a few seconds, he coughed. “Valheimis to everyone here in Natura.”
All people replied in unison, “Valheimis Dwarven Master.”
Levi was shocked. He didn’t know that Jadis has a high position in this country. He thought that he’s just an old geezer, and even if he did have the power, it would be just like an elder, but apparently, he’s wrong.
“We are celebrating the foundation of our nation. We are now celebrating the good cooperation of our race. We suffered alongside, we experienced bad times together, and we poured out our joy in happiness. This day marks the day that we shall be and will always be a good friend and family to each other. I would like to take this opportunity to call the Elven Queen, Maris.” he finished his speech and looked at the elf woman.
Maris walked up on stage. “It is true, we have been allies for so long, and we will always be. I’d like to take this opportunity to tell everyone about a problem we have been contemplating. We want each of you to calm down first and not say anything.” Maris stopped for a moment waiting for everyone to quiet down.
“The Orcs and Ogres made an alliance.” hearing this, all the people in the area were shocked and can’t help themselves but to make a loud sound of surprise with their eyes and jaw gaping wide open in disbelief. Remembering Maris’s words earlier, they stopped making a sound. “What you heard is true. Our spies confirmed it as they saw them gathering on the back of Mt. Pantir. Do not panic! Everyone hear my voice. Do you want us to be crushed by those greedy scumbags?”
“NOOOO!!!” Everyone answered in chorus.
“Do you want them to destroy our beloved land?”
“NOOO!!!”
“Do you want to fight them?”
“YEEES!!!”
“Will you protect our land and our family?”
“YESSS!!!” They all shouted in unison. The ember in their hearts is now burning with fervor. They were all inspired and encouraged, now their morale reached its peak.
The stage was back to the Dwarven Master, “I didn’t want to officially start this with that news, but it needs to be done. Everyone, tomorrow we will prepare, all who can be trained to fight, anyone with an aptitude for magic will become Conjurer3ConjurerThey are the people who is at the training process to become a full fledge mage.s, and those who have great marksmanship will be trained to hunt not animals, but enemies… But now, let us celebrate this feast. Bring in the meats!”
Loads of meat were brought, they put it in the giant pot and started cooking it. Everyone was back to dancing and smiling and as though there is no impending war that will happen.
Meanwhile, Levi is just sitting on a corner, profoundly thinking.
“What will I do next? I want to go back to Earth, but I didn’t have any clue how to do so.”
He looked in the happy crowd of people, and he smiled.
“Maybe I need to repay them first.”
