V2 Chapter 192

When Cian was walking back, perhaps they had followed Leona who had felt that the battle was over, the Werebeasts and the Harpies came out one after another, welcoming him. Even Roma, the adorable harpy hurriedly flew over and clung to him while crying.

This girl... isn't she becoming too attach…?

Cian had ‘switched off’ his personality, but even his softer side was having a headache on how to deal with Roma.

However, since there’s no harm done, he just let her be.

“…thank you for the hard work,”

Harley who was surveying the entire surrounding with Cornelia, checking the bodies of the dead Grakilis, muttered.

“Slight effort,”

Cian shrugged his shoulders.

“Slight effort, you say. But, do you know how worried Cornelia and I about you? Though I wanted to say that, we are truly useless. We can fight but I feared we might just become your baggage. Among us, only a handful of people can still fight…that's why, I’m sorry for leaving everything to you, and involving you in this,”

Harley stared at Cian with her sharp and watery eyes.

It seemed that during Cian’s battle, she really broke into a cold sweat.

“Thank you for your concern,”

Cian smiled faintly and said gratefully. He really doesn’t know why he was acting like this… when did he become so soft and full of sympathy towards other people?

Although his original personality was not something you can call bad, especially compared to someone like Aanuel. But rather, it’s more of an indifferent and icy cold personality that seemed to make him appear distant and aloof.

That was also the same feeling that Sheena and the others felt every time they approach him. However, it’s not actually that Cian didn’t have any clue. In fact, he noticed that the moment his mind and heart cleared like a fog has been swept away, he can now finally see a distinction, something like a clear separation between his two personality—Cian and Aanuel’s.

Is this what Mother, Father, and Sister felt whenever they switch to either side of their personality?

A very strange and peculiar feeling of comfortability yet at the same time, strangely unfamiliar feeling of being two people at the same time. Yet there is no sense of separation between the two, only desire and emotions that were different. Like some sort of hormones surging through, and then disappearing when not in use.

Really, really strange...

And for some unknown reason, all his cold and cruel emotions had been integrated within Aanuel’s personality while those naïve and pure emotions like love and care remained in Cian’s personality.

Did I gain the Power of Duality of the Clan now?

It seems like that's the case...

That’s why Cian now calls his alternating two personalities a ‘Switch’. Although he originally has some vague perception of his two personalities, he classifies as the [Light] and [Dark] but that was just a vague awareness of when he acts differently depending on acting out his plans or facing people. Like, you know, acting your own part, whether he needed to act evil, or good. But now, he doesn’t seem to act anymore…

Whenever he ‘Switch’ to either side of him, he naturally becomes one, without even trying.

Just like now, when he returned as Cian, he actually felt affectionate and care to these people he once thought as just new pawns he found. And the feeling of blood lust he was just having disappeared like an illusion. It was a strange and weird feeling…

Cian didn’t know what’s happening anymore…

But for some reason… he felt a familiarity that he cannot explain.

As if, he was always been like this…but how is this possible?

He was completely aware that his brutality, his coldness, cruelness, all he did up until now was just Aanuel’s influence on his hidden killer personality. Making it somewhat stronger, overshadowing his true self, and turning him into a cold puppeteer. However, he did not fight against it, instead, he accepts it.

After all, to adapt and survive in this world, he understands that his modern and original way of thinking was completely out of place, and might even just obstruct his survival in this kind of world.

The personality that sees everything as mere pawns or tools is much more needed than fake hypocrisy. As time passed by, he was slowly able to merge with it, or perhaps have come to terms with it, making him aware that he truly knows what ‘Love’ is despite being a cold-blooded monster, and causing him to see Sibylla, Ruka, and Oriel, these wonderful women as not just mere pawns for him, but also the subjects of his affection and love.

That was normal…since Cian completely reasoned it out with him able to slowly adapt to his circumstances.

However, now seemed to be different…

Though his two personalities don’t seem to have any conflict against each other, rather, they seemed to be one and the same, all while maintaining the separation of his two completely different personalities.

Intriguing... it seems like there's still a lot more to learn of this union between me and him...

Cian mused while looking forward to the future.

“Foolish words! You are our hope and dreams, and also we already placed our fates and lives in your hands. Would I feel better if something really happened to you?” Harley snorted with a wry smile.

Cian shook his head, and chuckled in amusement; “I’m in perfectly good condition right now, so worries are truly unnecessary.”

He touched Roma’s hair affectionately.

To this girl who was sniffing at him while rubbing her face on his chest, acting like a spoiled kid, Cian felt that it actually doesn’t seem bad at all. It’s as if, he had gotten a spoiled little sister…

Cian turned towards the Manticore.

“Leona, go to Amadea and tell her what happens here, and also, ask her to come here. I wanted to ask something from her,”

Understanding his words, the Manticore immediately turned around and started running towards Amadea’s direction.

“What are you going to do next?”

Cornelia asked.

Cian stared at her, then as if considering something he thought for a while before letting a sigh; “Well, for now, let’s fix this place up,”

“Eh?”

Harley and Cornelia stared at Cian, confused.

However, they will understand later what he meant.

… …

“The house needs to be reinforced.”

While thinking as such, Cian cut down trees and started rebuilding the poor house he had received from Harley and Cornelia, upgrading the old hut into a new and polished log cabin. Then, he once again cut several trees and built a barrier around the log cabin.

Although he is not an Architect Student, he still has some experience blowing dozens, and all kinds of buildings and houses, that he had already acquired some of the knowledge that only a professional Architect and Engineers had. Therefore, there was no problem building simple buildings with his own hand. Just like they say, before one can build, one must know how to destroy something first.

The cut-down trees were bound tightly with rope and the ends sharpened. It was simple and ordinary, but it will do for now.

Harley who was helping him dug pits in the ground and sprinkled pieces of iron.

“Is it hard?”

Cian asked with a faint smile.

“No, it is interesting. I've built several houses before, but not the way you did it.”

Harley was surprisingly enjoying it. She was now able to smile thanks to him and her tears had melted the pain in her chest. She was always happy to be with him. Cornelia as well as she started giggling while hovering above, bringing dried leaves and polished woods.

"...and doing this kind of thing, seemed extremely satisfying. Like everything was a dream, and everything was finally back on track...that sort kind of thing,"

"Back on track...well, I think it's too early to say that. We will need to rebuild everything first, in order to make the first step you're talking about."

"Nevertheless, I'm already happy with how things are going. And all of these are because of you...once again, I'm truly grateful for everything you have done,"

Harley said with a bashful smile, but her expression was certainly softer and brighter than before. It seems like she really had found the hope she was longing for from him.

"There are many interesting things in this world, especially the so-called Happiness. One didn't need to make an effort to find them. Sometimes, it's just right by your side, you just didn't know it. Or it will come to you, yourself. You just need to know how to find them,"

Cian muttered with a faint smile as he grabbed an almost over ten-meter tall log, and has the width of almost five meters like it's nothing. It's an ancient tree that was harder than even ordinary metals. It's an incredibly good house material that can only be seen or found in the Black Lands.

Cian reckoned that this kind of tree are those treasures only found in enchanted forests, and could fetch a very high price in the Mainland when sold. It's not only a material for a sturdy house, but also for weapons, and items such as bow, arrow, staff, or wands.

If he can bring even one tree with him, he would surely reap an incredible amount of profit. It would be auctioned, and many people would be dying to have it. It's a material that can only be considered very high in demand, but very low in supply. With it, Cian felt that he can raise [Adam's Company] once again by another realm. Who has the capability of collecting precious woods that can only be seen deep within forbidden lands?

Only he has that ability!

This Black Lands is really a Treasure Mountain. Unfortunately, the Haaravar Empire, and even his Elder Sister, who was living within the Mountains four countless years already, didn't know about it. It's truly just like what he said, happiness, sometimes is just beside you, but you just didn't know about it. If either of the two could make use of this land, they would surely develop themselves higher than one can imagine.

But now, he would be the one to make use of them!

"And you are that happiness we have been looking for, right Cian?"

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Harley grinned, but her cheeks flushed as she looks at him.

Although she was taller than him, Cian's overall height barely reaching till her elbow, still looking at her acting bashful like an innocent maiden, even she would look incredibly adorable. Cian felt his groin twitched, and his lust surging. Still, he held himself well.

"Well, I see myself as a harbinger of death type, so perhaps that's still an early assumption for you. You might regret this,"

"Perhaps, it might come to that time. However, regret would perhaps be a bit too much. No matter what happens, we would never regret choosing you. At least, not me. Whatever future you bring to us, I will accept it with open arms." Harley said with a prideful expression.

"That's right, Cian," a gust of strong wind came over, and Cornelia slowly descended from the sky.

"Our lives had already been forfeited long ago. You are the one who had saved us from it. So we will accept whatever you gave to us- even if it's death."

"You both said it as if you're proposing to me,"

Cian chuckled in amusement.

"You can also say that, after all, we would not dare refuse even if it's us that you desired," Cornelia said with a mischievous smile.

Cian cocked his eyebrow, and turned towards Harley. But seeing her expression and her lack of reply, it seems like she didn't have anything to say against it. He smiled; "Well, let's wait to see what you can really give me. I'll consider it at that time,"

While talking, Cian, Harley, and Cornelia worked to rebuild and fortify the house that he was going to use. The monsters didn’t appear until the evening so their work proceeded comfortably. And finally, it was night.

Awoooo! Awoooo! Rooooar! Awoooo!

The sound of monsters howling could be heard from a distant place.

“Well, here comes new materials and ingredients. Besides, their leather should be soft….”

Cian grinned as he watched the monsters, most were wolf-type magical beast started appearing one after another in front of him.

Monsters attacked the slowly rebuilding village but the result was already decided. The next morning, the monster’s fur and leathers were folded and stacked on top of each other. At the same time, Cian nodded with a satisfied smile as he looks at his new house. It was immediately built in just half a day, and it was better than expected.

His newly acquired ability [Machine Intuition] helps him greatly. And for some strange reason, he found out that the new ability was not just a simple ability where he can understand and build simple devises and tools like crossbows or axes, as the ability seemed to have been affected by memories of his, especially about modern gadgets and devices, causing the ability to become even more incredible than it already was.

He was now able to recreate simple tools and machinery, which was common in the previous world but not in this world.

Even still…

The village was really pitiful…

There’s nothing that could be found that can still be used. Even the tools such as farming and hunting tools were broken and almost unusable that he wanted to curse out loud. This village being on its last breath is really not an exaggeration.

Sighing helplessly, Cian can only help do manual work with his power, and even withdraw several sharp weapons from his storage ring as a substitute for cutting tools. In the first place, he has too many things in his Storage Rings due to the fact that he had just plundered an entire ruins.

Although most of them are tattered and Cian had planned to melt them into materials before, still for the villagers, they are already considered precious treasures.

At least, they are not unarmed anymore, right?

Armors, weapons, and even clothes— aside from those he had found in the ruins, even those that were set aside for his own use, he donated them all to the village. Along with still useable furniture and tools. As expected, a player’s mindset is never been wrong.

As long as they're something that is still useable, it’s worthy to collect them, even a grain of salt. Even the things that the Grakilis dropped, he turned over to them, making the entire village worshipped him as if he was a God.

Your village has obtained [Weapon-Staff] Battle Staves.

Your village has obtained [Protection-Shield] Iron Round Shields.

Your village has obtained [Protection-Armor] Damaged Breastplates.

Your village has obtained [Weapon-Sword] Iron Estocs.

Your village has obtained [Weapon-Sword] Tattered Steel Swords.

Your village has obtained [Weapon-Dagger] Bowie Knives.

Your village has obtained [Weapon-Axe] Iron Battle-Axes.

Your village has obtained [Weapon-Ranged] Crossbows and arrows.

If this was a building sim, there would be many of those notifications appearing in one go.

Now in terms of combat ability, the villagers were upgraded in the second level. And even the way of life and health of the villagers leveled up as well, due to the constant food appearing on their tables. The malnourished children had apparently regained their vigor and healthy complexions. Now, one can even say that the villagers finally graduated from wooden clubs and fur, and become proper elite villagers.

The next problem was the issue of shelters and buildings.

What he wanted was to rebuild the village, and to do that, they needed to rebuild the houses for it to at least be something like what they are used to be—shelter from the sun and rain.

With a wry smile, Cian led the reformation, cutting down nearby trees and piled them up, before the other beastmen and harpies started carrying them towards the Village. He might have some know-how on rebuilding things, but he is still a single man. He can't accommodate all simultaneously, and the progress appeared slower than he had expected.

Fortunately, though, Harley and the others have some useful skills and were able to repair and rebuilt the houses within the small village with ease. Hence, it's still better than normal. Perhaps, this was because of the differences in circumstances.

Although they were not really that good compared to professionals, even still, they were able to create a better shelter for themselves than he had expected. Though, with [Machineries Intuition] that he had plundered from the Grakilis Leader, he was able to create better tools for work and even made several useful inputs during the rebuilding.

Just like this, he had spent several days busily.

… …

When Cian told them that the village has some needs of fixing, at first, they were bewildered by his sudden words. However, when he told them what he meant, their expressions immediately beamed in excitement.

Whether they were excited because they can now rebuild their village, which they cannot really do before due to hunger, security, and also lacking in tools, or the fact that Cian had conveyed the willingness to lead them with his action.

Thinking as such, they immediately started work with great passion that even startled Cian.

Are these the people who appeared extremely malnourished just a few hours ago?

They look as strong as a bull as they carry and drag logs and rocks one by one. Well, as long as they are useful, Cian wouldn’t care about anything trivial. In any case, this was to build their village, after all. If they wouldn’t do anything or work, he would perhaps give up on them.

Looking around, Cian could only see tall grass and weeds without end. The grasses were yellow, perhaps it was the dry season. The skies were gloomy and cloud low, kind of cool and clammy. The frontier region was never a paradise; death was the eternal theme here.

In the distance, mountains rose up, rolling into the distance like a great sleeping dragon. The base of the mountains was girt in a cloak of trees, but the tops were naturally cold and lifeless.

Living in this place is like living at the center of a hungry wolf pack. Still, the people here have no other options but to grit their teeth and continue living.

As Cian watched the people busy he looks at several children who were rushing here and there, carrying some sacks of what could be seen as fruits. It seems like there were still several fruit trees near the village. So the problem for food was somewhat alleviated, even without his help.

Without worrying about the Grakilis who had been sent packing by Cian, they can finally pick up some fruits here and there. Even still, Life dependent on the fruits of the forest is rather uncertain. Cian sigh as he decided that he needed to teach them crop farming sooner rather than later.

Although they should have some knowledge about farming… but since most of them are women and children, and a small number of elderlies, it would best not to hope for something good from them.

Furthermore, since I want them to cultivate crops, it’s only natural to prepare a developed plot of land and a place for them to live, isn’t it?

Cian wonders.

He turned towards the right side of the village. There should be both, fields and paddy fields here. After all, hunting is not a good way to depend on living for these beastmen. They should have, at least even one farm field. They had lived in this place for a very long time, after all. Farming knowledge should have been instilled in them- at the very least, the basic farming knowledge.

As for the matter of whether it’s possible to cultivate those or not again after the destruction occurred, Amadea can do that when she gets here. As a Dryad, she has the necessary power that can solve the pressing issue.

“…It’s really wide, huh?”

“It is…”

Cian muttered as he looks around, while Cornelia smiled wryly in response. Clinging on his arm was the always clinging Roma. Immense was the best word to describe it. Cian once again marveled at the immensity of the forest that seemed to be never-ending.

“Cian, where are you going?”

Roma asked.

“To understand the terrain…is what I want to say, though. However, for now, I want to see what the nearby surroundings can give to us,” he answered.

“I don’t understand. But, well, there is nothing really good in here.”

Roma replied in high spirits. Recently, her tone had become considerably less formal and had a more intimate feeling.

“That’s because you have been here for a very long time. That’s why perhaps in your eyes, it’s just as usual… but to me, it’s quite incredible. Just the sight of the magnificent forest, the feeling of the fresh air, and also the comfort that these ancient humongous trees gave me, was satisfying. Like the saying, you will never know how precious it is before you lose it. Although I was also surrounded by nature since I was a child, still that forest was quite sparse and tiny compared to this one…”

Of course, Cian was not talking about this world, but the previous world, his Original World. There, Nature had been quite affected due to the advancement of humanity in terms of technology. And besides, the forest of that world completely gives off a different feeling compared to this world—like between an ordinary one and an enchanted one. Just walking here gives his heart a peaceful and tranquil feeling.

However, to the listener, confusion and suspicion appeared in their faces. Especially, Cornelia, as she looks at Cian with doubt coloring her face.

“Cian, what do you mean by those words? The Black Lands is always the same wherever you go… or perhaps, you came from the Snowy Domain or Black Ogres Tempest Valley…?”

Never would she think that Cian actually came from the outside world.

Cian just smiled at her, leaving her with question marks above her head. There’s only one person who can somewhat understand what he meant and that was the small snake. The small snake had already known that Cian was not from this land, and instead from the outside world.

While talking, Cian was led by Cornelia into the place he wanted.

And that is;

“This is our source of water…”

“It’s indeed large…”

The lake spread out before their eyes; it might have been the size of Lake Biwa of Japan. Since waves were rolling along its shore, Cian was certain that if someone looked down at their feet while standing there, it would look just like the sea.

“I see, as you said, it’s quite large. This is indeed a good place for livelihood. As long as there’s no threat from monsters here, this can be a damn good place to form a reliable City.”

And it’s just less than 2 miles from the village at that.

Once we can create a road that leads to here, everything should work out…

“Yeah, but sadly, this place is dangerous, especially when the God of Light sat on his throne. Every monster, powerful and not, would gather in this place to rest and drink,”

God of Light sat on his Throne… if I’m not mistaken, that should be noontime.

Cian nodded his head and crouched down, using his {Night’s Eye] to the fullest, he surveyed the entire surrounding and his lips curled upwards.

“Oh? This is quite a find…there are traces of iron, copper, as well as some other minerals and metals…and even gold and perhaps even silver could be seen… It’s surely a mountain of treasure.”

Perhaps there's even a gold vein and other earth resources nearby. As expected, it was an environment blessed with abundance. If the races outside this Land knew of this place, whether they be humans or demons, they would never give this place up and would surely do everything they can to conquer it. People always have this insatiable greed for new resources.

Cian wanted to build a city in this immediately but he understands that it would be impossible for the time being. What he needed right now was to fix the Beastmen village and elevate the current condition. If not, it would be like trying to run before knowing how to walk.

Step by step…he should do it slowly to avoid making mistakes.

“…this place is good, but if I’m not mistaken, this was part of the Serpent Empress territory. Why did the empress not secure this place?” he suddenly thought of this question, feeling somewhat confused.

“Well, even if you say that this was the Serpent Empress territory, it was not actually like what you think it is. There’s no country or nation existing in this part of the Black Lands. Hence, the Serpent Empress didn’t actually own this place. However, if there’s someone who tried to own it without her permission, she would surely rage and kill whoever they are. That's why no one dared to trespass here from the outside world.”

“So, it’s like having a large backyard but actually not trying to use it or govern it… should I say, that Serpent Empress is an idiot?”

The small snake’s gaze suddenly sharpened after hearing Cian’s honest opinion. She gritted her teeth and suddenly tightened her body, coiling around his neck, then biting him.

Cian frowned.

“What are you getting angry for? Do you really like that whatever Snake Empress that much?”

He grasped the small snake’s body indifferently. Although the snake constantly bit him, there was actually no pain, nor poison on it. It’s just like it was biting him playfully.

“I think I’m a better master than that woman, though,”

Cian smiled as he stared at its small eyes glaring at him. This small snake is really cute…

The small snake glared at him hatefully, then it rolled her eyes and decided not to pay attention to him anymore. Although she claims this territory as hers, she was never one that likes to govern. All she wanted was to leave this place for a wider and better world as soon as possible. That is outside this Black Lands. That is the vast world she had always dreamed of.

In fact, she had a small Castle at the center of this forest; [The Serpentine Castle], which was offered as a tribute by those who inhabited this forest as a sign of respect for her. However, trying to govern this entire Forest was not something she likes.

Why would she care about those fools' well-being?

Every month they would offer a sacrifice and tributes to continue living in this place, and those who wouldn’t will be ransacked by her minions.

Trying to make a City in this place… that’s just asking for headaches.

And besides, when she found a weak part on the barrier by accident one day, the one in the ruins, the Serpent Empress had focused all her attention on expanding that hole, until it became as big as it is currently. If she didn’t constantly try to make it bigger, would this idiot really think that he can enter this Black Lands by himself?

Actually, the Serpent Empress was not the blame for this. Humans created Societies, Cities, and Kingdoms, all because they wanted to fill the lack of power they had. They know that they lack something; hence they formed groups in order to survive and advance. However, the Serpent Empress, no matter how intelligent she was, she is still a Monster.

The instinct of a beast is not the same as humans.

The relationship between the people and the Serpent Empress in her territory is like those of a Landlord and a Tenant. As long as they pay their tribute, they can live how they like within it. The Serpent Empress didn’t find any reason or purpose for trying to gather people under her banner.