The next few hours were spent polishing the initial development plans for Moirai's growth. As the discussions continued, the council exchanged ideas and mapped out priorities. The careful allocation of tasks and resources was essential for fortifying the Nest's defenses, enhancing its infrastructure, and fostering sustainable growth. Richard understood that this was a pivotal stage for the Nest. He knew that the foundation needed to be strong to withstand challenges, both seen and unforeseen. This was why he paid close attention to every detail, assessing each proposal, resource, and strategy.
It was already noon when the first council meeting concluded. Everyone was pleased with the outcome. Now, all that remained was to turn those plans into reality. Food was served to everyone; it was still a fruit salad in a bowl. Zalis had excused himself during the meeting to prepare for lunch. It was a pleasant meal, but Richard found himself craving meat and a variety of meals. He knew he wouldn't be able to endure eating just fruits for the days ahead.
A wave of sadness washed over Richard as he realized that tomorrow would be his last day in Permonium. He had just over an hour left in the real world before needing to return to his home. In reality, an hour translates to three days in the Permonium Sanctuary. The difference was significant, which was an advantage, but he didn't know when he would be able to return to Permonium. He hoped it would be in a month or two—maybe even four months. The thought made his head ache, and he knew he needed to have a plan for when he returned.
"Master," came a familiar, cold voice, breaking his train of thought.
Richard looked at the Fay sitting beside him. "Yes, Vara?"
"Everyone is asking if they can be dismissed," she replied.
Richard blinked, snapping back to the present. "Oh, of course! Meeting is dismissed," he announced. Then, with more enthusiasm, he added, "I wish everyone the best!"
"For the Crown!" Eryndor exclaimed, followed by the others. As their footsteps echoed down the halls, the Throne Room slowly emptied. In moments, it was just Richard and Vara left, the silence embracing them like the silence of how they came.
Richard opened the Nest's stats interface.
Nest Name: Moirai
Nest Rank: Unranked
Nest Status: Small Village
Residents: 132/1,000 (Maximum Population Limit scales with the Nest's Status)
Total Male Residents: 91
Total Female Residents: 38
Total Number of Children: 3
White Grade: 0
Green Grade: 70
Blue Grade: 45
Yellow Grade: 16
Orange Grade: 0
Red Grade: 1
Violet Grade: 0
Human: 1
With the current population, Richard felt confident that Moirai had enough Fays to fill all the jobs outlined during the council meeting. Each department would soon have the personnel needed to fulfill its responsibilities. Starting tomorrow, the Fays would no longer concentrate solely on constructing buildings. They would begin dedicating themselves to the job they chose. This transition marked a pivotal step for Moirai. Richard was looking forward to this.
Something to take note of was the presence of three children in the Nest. Though they could not yet contribute to the workforce, they held undeniable importance for the future. With proper education and training, Richard would be able to influence these children's skills and professions as they grew up. It was similar to the human educational system, where individuals studied to decide on a career path.
At that moment, the children only needed to enjoy themselves and have fun in the Nest, as Richard did not yet have an educator. Additionally, it was not yet the right time to build a school, as the current situation was still unstable and the number of children was low. There would be a right time for this in the future.
The sun hung high in the sky. The village square was filled with Fays who gathered around the announcement board, eagerly reading the newly posted notice. It detailed the recruitment for job vacancies. The air buzzed with chatter, most of it filled with excitement.
Manman was among the crowd, standing right in front of the announcement board. He read the notice for the third time, afraid of missing any detail. Once he was satisfied, he stepped aside to an area with fewer people and took a deep breath.
There were many job vacancies, all paying two tokens every month. This detail made Manman pause in thought. He was unfamiliar with tokens and their purpose. There had been no announcements from the Master or the Queen explaining this. However, he set aside his curiosity, knowing that their use would be clarified in due time.
As a Green Grade Fay, Manman knew he did not possess significant talents to contribute to the Nest. His only skill, Body Hardening, which temporarily boosted his defense by hardening his body, felt almost useless except for using himself as a decoy to be attacked by beasts. With armor available, the utility of his skill seemed limited, mainly helping the Nest save on armor. The most fitting job for him, he thought, was that of a soldier. At the very least, he could offer his life in service to the Crown, his Master, and the Queen.
Manman made his way to the other side of the village square, joining the long line of Fays waiting to register for jobs. After 30 minutes of waiting, it was finally his turn. He approached the table, where a petite Fay sat surrounded by stacks of parchment. He felt a pang of intimidation at her presence but quickly calmed himself when she offered a warm smile. It was the natural reaction of a Green Grade Fay like him toward a Yellow Grade Fay, an instinctive acknowledgment of the inferiority of his bloodline.
"Please write down all your details for the job you've chosen," the female Fay instructed. From the conversation around him, he recognized her as Amisar.
Manman scanned the parchments and found the stack labeled "Soldier." He picked up a sheet and began writing down his details, including his skill. It took him less than three minutes to complete. When he handed the parchment to Amisar, she gave him a small wooden stick engraved with the word Soldier and said, "Please report to the training field tomorrow at 5 AM."
Manman nodded, excitement bubbling within him. He could hardly wait to begin his new role as a soldier. He turned and headed back to the residential area to the west of the village square. As he approached, he spotted his friends—all fellow Green Grade Fays—waving at him from inside a newly built house. There were six of them, smiling and calling out to him.
"Which job did you choose?" asked the Fay standing near him.
"Soldier," Manman replied. "What about you, James?" he asked.
"A farmer. It's the job that suits my skill best," James answered.
Manman nodded and glanced at the other five Fays, hoping to satisfy his curiosity. Four of his friends had chosen to be builders, and one had chosen to be a farmer. This realization made Manman feel a bit sad, as none of his friends had chosen to become soldiers like him.
"Don't be sad," James said, patting Manman's shoulder. "We have the whole afternoon to celebrate. It's a good thing the Master decided to give us a break. I'm still exhausted from last night's attack until morning and then having to work afterward. My back is killing me!" he complained as they walked inside their house.
Just then, a loud call echoed from the village square. "Beast attack! Prepare to defend!" The call repeated three times.
Manman and his six friends quickly grabbed their wooden spears, each tipped with a sharp stone. They rushed toward the outskirts of the residential area facing the forest. Manman activated his body hardening skill and took position at the front of his group. Since the previous night, they had been one of three groups assigned to defend the residential area. He had no knowledge of how the other parts of the Nest were being defended, how many beasts there were, or where the attacks were coming from. The best they could do was remain vigilant until they received word that the attack had ended.
The other groups, each comprising nine Fays, were now stationed thirty meters to the right and left of Manman's group. He felt a sense of relief knowing there were 24 Fays defending the residential area, positioned on the western side of the Nest. Among them, there were only three Blue Grade Fays, while the rest were Green Grade. Manman kept an eye out for the Yellow Grade Fay who had been with them the entire previous night.
An hour passed without any call signaling the end of the attack. The south was still filled with movement and noise, while the eastern side was less chaotic. In the residential area, it was eerily quiet; the forest in front of them remained dark and still. Just then, Manman heard a rustling sound, followed by a deep howl that resonated throughout the forest. The low rumble vibrated through the ground, sending shivers down his spine. Fear coursed through him, but he didn't have time to push it aside as the ground began to quake.
Suddenly, ten boars with coarse, dark fur and sharp, silvery-tipped bristles burst from the forest. They were as large as the Fays, with jagged, curved tusks that glistened under the crimson sky. Their big, brown eyes were fixed on the defenders. Manman planted his spear in the ground and pointed it toward the charging boars. His hands and legs trembled, but he held his ground. He took a deep breath as the boars closed in, only a meter away. Then, the wooden spear snapped, and he was thrown four meters into the air.
His instincts told him to look forward, and he did. He spotted a boar locked onto him, and Manman immediately ran to his right. He knew he just had to keep moving; the next step would come later. Just as he dashed to the side, the boar charged into his previous position, and he felt a warm gust of air rush past his body. Still weaponless, he kept running toward the houses, as did most of the other Fays. In his peripheral vision, he saw two Fays engaged in combat with separate boars, each using their skills. One Fay conjured an ice sphere and hurled it at a boar, while another controlled three large rocks, sending them flying at another beast. Manman couldn't see how those fights turned out as he reached the residential area filled with newly built houses.
Another growl echoed through the air, followed by a long screech and the sound of a body slamming into the ground. Manman moved from house to house in search of a weapon, but luck was not on his side. Five other Fays were doing the same, desperately looking for anything that could help them fight. He scanned for his friends but hadn't spotted any of them yet. Memories of the previous night's attack, when a pack of wolves and fifteen waves of beasts had descended upon them, filled his mind. Manman knew this night would be just as long. He had no complaints; he understood their dire situation.
All he could do for now was keep searching for a weapon. Finally, he spotted a wooden spear lying on the ground. He grabbed it and turned back toward the front lines to join the fight. As he rounded a corner, he saw a one-meter-tall wolf dragging a struggling Fay by the feet. Without hesitation, Manman pointed his spear at the wolf and charged. The wolf sensed his presence, released the Fay, growled, and rushed at him.
A few meters away, Manman saw the wolf stop abruptly, its attention shifting from him to something behind him. The wolf issued a low growl and started to turn around when suddenly a vine, as thick as a tree trunk, erupted from the ground and lashed out at the wolf, producing a deafening boom and a tremor that shook the earth. Dust billowed around, clouding Manman's vision, and he coughed several times.
When the dust settled, Manman glanced behind him, but he found no one. However, it was clear to him that the Yellow Grade Fay who had been with them the previous night had arrived.