A buzz of excitement crackled through Dawn City like wildfire. The arrival of the Holy Light Vampires, initially met with wary whispers and clutched crucifixes, had taken an unexpected turn. The "security team," their silver salaries almost unheard of in these austere times, didn't spend their first days draining necks as everyone feared. Instead, they were out on the barren wasteland south of the city, wielding strange tools and marking the land with meticulous precision.
Every ten acres, carved like a giant chessboard, became a potential plot. Ditches, barely a sword's width deep, sliced across the dusty expanse, serving as makeshift borders. The vampires, ever pragmatic, even hired fifty residents, offering three silver pieces each for their labor. The meager sum didn't matter; the chance to be part of something, anything, after years of fear and stagnation, proved an irresistible lure.
Within hours, the fifty slots were filled, a swarm of eager hands replacing idle despair. Hope, a fragile seedling once trampled by fear, began to sprout in hearts long hardened. "They are really doing it," murmurs rippled through the crowds, fueled by the image of their measured land and the promise etched in the vampires' actions: land for every adult.
The news was too good to be true, yet here it was, tangible and undeniable. It was the best news they had heard in years, a melody sweeter than any sung by the bards of old. The free food, once begrudgingly accepted, now tasted like a symbol of a new dawn. Volunteers materialized, their labor fueled by the dream of claiming their plot of land even a day earlier, a day closer to self-sufficiency, dignity, and life beyond mere survival.
After receiving Harrison's summons, Recker ventured to the wasteland outside the South District.
As he gazed upon the rich black soil hidden beneath the sparse grass, an inexplicable wave of emotion washed over Recker, threatening to bring tears to his eyes.
He made a silent vow to the Goddess of Life, affirming that this land was indeed fertile—an abundance not typically found, even in the small town of Eric where land plots did not exceed twenty acres.
For Recker, land symbolized hope and the promise of a better future.
Soon, he would lay claim to his own ten-acre plot, ample enough to provide for his family and perhaps even attract a potential wife, bidding farewell to the instability of his past.
To the civilians, landownership meant security and stability—a safeguard against the looming specter of starvation. Morgen's land distribution plan had undoubtedly struck at the very core of their aspirations.
"Recker, as the captain of the logistics team, you bear the responsibility of organizing the land surveying operation," Harrison declared, standing beneath the towering tree in his white mage robe. His demeanor remained composed, his tone gentle. Behind him stood two vampires, slightly disheveled in the harsh light of day.
Given the unfriendliness of daytime to vampires, the task of measuring the land was left solely to humans.
"Yes, my lord," Recker acknowledged with a respectful nod.
Recker found that most of his initial apprehension towards vampires had dissipated after interacting with the Holy Light vampires.
These vampires shattered the stereotypes of old legends; they were courteous and refined, each possessing a striking allure that quickly endeared them to others.
Had they not been vampires, Recker believed they would have seamlessly integrated into life in Dawn City long ago.
Yet, despite their vampiric nature, they remained steadfast in their resolve to settle within the city.
The allure of their proposition was irresistible, leaving none able to decline.
They generously offered land, established schools and magical towers, meticulously addressing every aspect of survival and development. With their worries alleviated, a hopeful future beckoned.
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This newfound sense of hope was a novel experience for the civilians accustomed to turmoil on the border.
Consequently, their sense of belonging to Dawn City burgeoned far quicker than Morgen had anticipated, achieving his objective before he could implement additional strategies.
However, Morgen, preoccupied with supply procurement in Green City, remained oblivious to the transformation unfolding among the residents.
The following day marked the third day.
On the fourth day of measuring the land, with the participation of hundreds of people, the land measurement that was originally planned to be completed in a week was completed half the time.
And just when all the civilians were preparing to draw lots to receive their own land, the City of Dawn ushered in the second batch of residents.
Otis was very happy because the two operations on the border were perfect and did not encounter those damn orcs.
The first time we brought back more than 700 people, this time we found a refugee group with over a thousand people.
No one could remain calm under the magic bats that covered the sky. A group of civilians who lost their land due to the force of the orcs fell into a rout immediately after seeing the vampires.
If he hadn't been prepared, these thousands of people would have fled in all directions.
There was no resistance, not even one who dared to step forward. The most powerful one among them was a level alpha hunter, who had no ability to resist.
This huge group of refugees, consisting of more than ten villages, was captured by the Vampire Clan.
When the magic bat carrying the crowd arrived in Dawn City late at night, Harrison, who had already received the news, asked Recker to lead the logistics team and the security team to welcome the new residents with the vampires.
...
The quills on Marmo's back bristled with excitement as he joined the Dawn City security team. His imposing stature, once a source of fear in his old life, was now his greatest asset. Tonight, he stood alongside his new comrades, tasked with welcoming the second wave of residents – a swarm of refugees who arrived under the unsettling cloak of magic bats.
Five silver pukes clinked in his pouch, a fortune compared to the meager scraps he used to scrounge. The promised monthly wage of six silver pukes was a dream come true, a security he'd never known. This job, this city, it offered something more than just coin: acceptance.
But the land distribution, that was the real prize. A plot of his own, a place to call home – that was the dream that truly set his heart pounding. With each passing day, the anticipation grew, a potent mix of hope and trepidation. Would this be his chance to finally put down roots, to build a life where his prickly exterior wouldn't be the only thing defining him?
Yet, a shadow of uncertainty lingered. The arrival of the refugees, their fear palpable even in the darkness, was a stark reminder of the city's precarious situation. Were these newcomers allies or pawns? And who, truly, were these enigmatic vampires who held their fate in their hands?
As he stood guard, Marmo's excitement was tinged with a gnawing worry. This new life, this land, this future – it all seemed too good to be true.
The initial knot of fear in his gut had loosened, replaced by a cautious curiosity. Patrolling alongside the vampires of the Holy Light Clan, creatures once shrouded in terrifying legend, had challenged his preconceptions.
They weren't the bloodthirsty monsters he'd imagined. Sure, sunlight sent them scurrying for shade, but their interactions were surprisingly civil. They laughed, they joked, even shared stories of their lives before the transformation.
He still felt a flicker of unease, a primal fear rooted in generations of whispered tales. Yet, the more he interacted with them, the more their humanity shone through. They were individuals, not monsters, with hopes, fears, and even humor.
This realization didn't erase his reservations entirely. The vampires remained shrouded in mystery, their motives unclear. But the fear had morphed into a different kind of tension, a watchful awareness mixed with a grudging respect.
Perhaps, just perhaps, there was more to these vampires than met the eye. Perhaps, just perhaps, they could coexist, even cooperate, in this strange new Dawn City.
"Boss, I caught a pheasant outside yesterday. The stew tasted great. I think you have never tasted it. Come and sit at my house after your work tonight?"
For example, now, Marmo understands the personalities of the two Holy Light vampires in their team. One likes to collect some weird gadgets, such as cups from hundreds of years ago, while the other likes human food.
Sure enough, after hearing this, the vampire next to him swallowed subconsciously, "Is it really delicious?"
The vampires don't actually have a high desire for human food, but they can't help but have some special cases who simply like to taste delicious food like Morgen.
"absolute"
"Well, after tonight's work, I will go to your house to have a taste. The goddess of the night is above me. If you dare to deceive me, I will definitely beat you up."
Marmo chuckled, "Of course not. My wife's craftsmanship is also well-known in Eric Town. Of course, even in our Dawn City, she can still do it."
The vampire's face moved slightly, he took a deep look at the Marmo and nodded.
"Yes, our city of dawn"
This sentence made Marmo slightly stunned for a moment. He didn't know why the other party had to repeat it. Before he could think about it, a burst of cheers from the crowd around the square interrupted his thoughts.