BXBX NOVEL Chapter 816 815: Table Talk
Chapter 816 815: Table Talk
Meanwhile, the meat I had so \'difficultly\' hunted and prepared was devoured until there was little left, with two dozen pounds resting inside the ice chests - a rough estimate, anyways - as well as a few large bones, meaning that hunting parties needed to be sent out to acquire some more food for the people.
Something that got the Demons excited as they returned to that giant table in the back of the hall, where all the various maps of the nearby area resided as well as a fresh map that I had crudely drawn up to display the ideal routes, which had been cross referenced and evaluated by the others before being confirmed.
Those were the routes that we would follow for the next few days with little divergence, since those were leading towards areas that were apparently rich in monster appearances, which weren\'t something the humans were thrilled about, completely opposite of the Demons who were itching to get going.
Another difference that was made obvious between the two races, with the various hunters and adventurers that the humans had showing reluctance to head out; that difference was doubly obvious when Mary informed us of the number of humans willing to head out to hunt anyways.
Of the one hundred some odd humans, only a dozen were willing to go hunting, with another dozen remaining back as guards and a handful traveling to the nearby villages to harvest the crops before coming back.
Roughly a quarter of the people here were willing to contribute to their continued survival, with Mary even telling us that another quarter refused to do much of anything, whilst the third quarter was comprised of the elderly and children - a group that could do little of aid anyways.
That left another quarter to maintain the hall around us and create a hospitable atmosphere, something that all of us had snorted and shook our heads at; Satanya had made it clear she wanted to see that quarter of people who refused to be of any aid to tell them to either pull their own weight or face some consequences.
All in all, it only became more apparent the longer we were here that even when something as disastrous as a city ending event happened, humans were still rather divided people, not wanting to do anything that was best for the collective and instead focus on themselves even when cooperation was paramount.
Though, that was a trait every sentient being had, so we weren\'t the most surprised or angry at that revelation... only disappointed that they put that trait on display so readily.
At the table, Satanya and Mary were looking over the maps and chatting quietly, before they both looked up when Jahi and I joined them, the two women raising a brow as Jahi decided her best course of action at the moment was to drape herself over my back and hug me close, the Demoness uncaring of where we were as she dozed off above me, all while I was reminded of our intimacy not too long ago as something rubbed against me down below.
Thankfully I was able to contain my slight embarrassment as she did that, even as Anput and Leone joined us as well, the two glancing our way with small smiles before pointing towards the maps, both of them too accustomed to Jahi\'s actions to care.
"How do you want to do this, Satanya? Organize groups and send them out in shifts to keep a constant presence up in the surrounding area? Maybe... teams of five - three Demons, two humans - and send out two teams for two hours, before sending out another two teams to hit a different area? One hunting, one resource gathering?"
The rapid fire questions from Anput didn\'t do much besides confuse Mary as she looked over towards Satanya next, who nodded as she tapped two specific maps.
"Something like that, yeah. We need to clear a path to the Grottos anyways, but now that the people of Custodia are under the banner of the Empire we need to ensure their prolonged survival and begin rebuilding Custodia. That means resources of any kind. Introducing trades to these people and teaching them how to better care for their home, whilst also ensuring they have what they need. We\'ll require safe paths here, here, and here. The forest for wood, fruits, herbs and hunting, this quarry for stone and ores, and this path leading up to the Grottos."
Mary blinked a few times as she observed what was going on, the Demoness beside her tapping certain parts of the maps and marking them as points of interest, all while her people were being treated not as just hers, but as the Empire\'s.
"W-Wait. The forest here is safer and closer; why should we switch focuses from the smaller, yet safer Parvus Forest and instead head towards Magna Forest? As for the quarry, don\'t you have Earth Magicians in your employ? Why waste the manpower there instead of just having them use their magic?"
Satanya smirked as she looked towards Mary, answering her questions calmly even as her fingers continued to tap on the maps, amplifying her reasoning.
"This... \'Parvus Forest\' is small. New trees can be grown, yes, but dealing more damage to this forest would do harm not only to its ecosystem, but also to Custodia. So, we\'re switching our attention to Magna Forest instead so that we can ensure we\'ll still have two forests nearby, instead of just one. As for the Earth Magicians, well... We won\'t always be here, and we won\'t always be working for free. Currently, we\'re settling an honor debt to the Scion of Asmodia, and that makes our services free. After that debt is settled, unless you have the coin, you need to start working to solve your own problems."
"Our own..."
Muttering to herself, Mary\'s eyes widened as she saw Satanya\'s smirk widen, the Demoness adding "You do plan on remaining in Custodia, correct? Your home? If so, you need to have some ability to manage your infrastructure and the like. Someone here will have a knack for masonry, for carpentry, for farming and for organizing. People always have something they\'re good at, it\'s just a matter of finding that talent. If not, you can teach people to a certain level, and those skills will eventually develop into something adequate."
"You\'re... You\'re trying to have us become self sufficient enough for the future? But... why?"
"Because, Custodian Mary, you and your people are apart of the Empire now. For a while you might be exempt from taxes and the like, but eventually you\'ll need to contribute. And eventually people will be moving here to garrison the border of the Labyrinthian. We need you to begin running this city properly, and we can teach you how to do so. You are a member of the Empire, and unless you give us a good reason to take you away from the leadership role of this city, you are the perfect bridge between your people and ours. That is why we are trying to impart trades, knowledge and skills to you and your people."
All of us nodded at Satanya\'s words, before I added "There might only be a hundred of you, but if there is something that is certain about humans, it\'s your ability to reproduce. This hundred will soon grow to larger heights, and with new citizens coming eventually, well, you need to be able to create a society and maintain it. And currently, you are being reasonable speaking to those that aren\'t human, and still have the respect of your fellow humans. Meaning..."
"I... You want me to be the person that helps integrate both populations together, to work and live together inside of Custodia?"
We all nodded again, watching as Mary set her jaw and stared at the table, the realization of her position settling onto her shoulders, but thankfully she nodded too and looked back up, her eyes filled with understanding and confidence as she said "I\'ll try my best. For all of us..."