Lord of Reclamation: I Can Unlock Abilities By Building Civilizations
Chapter 37: Green Eyes

Chapter 37: Green Eyes

Thane didn’t mind snake meat, but hunting parties usually polished off such small critters for lunch rather than hauling them back.

Martha’s mouth twitched as she held back laughter. "The snake was brought back by the slaves, along with five buckets of loaches."

Martha then told the whole tale, making Thane burst out laughing.

Avril kept her head down, trying her best not to laugh out loud.

"Is he all right?" Thane asked casually.

This was one man’s concern for another.

"I heard he’s fine since the rat snake wasn’t poisonous, so it was put aside for cooking."

"Oh, that’s good. Send him extra loaches to eat for getting better."

Thane pulled himself together and asked, "How many loaches did we end up with?"

"I heard over two hundred pounds, all good-sized ones. If you’d like some, I can fix them up right now," Martha said.

"No need. Please tell Kralfard to handle those loaches properly and dry them for keeping."

Nobles originally wouldn’t touch loaches, considering them creatures that lived in filthy mud—dirty and beneath them.

Until legend had it that an earl took sick, all kinds of doctors couldn’t help him, then a farmer cured the earl with special loach soup.

From then on, loaches slowly worked their way into noble circles.

Of course, many nobles found loaches’ looks unappetizing, so they preferred eating dried loach powder instead.

Especially older noble gentlemen would take it daily, in soups or with wine.

"Yes, sir."

Martha replied and left.

Thane cut a piece of venison for Avril and put it on her plate, making a welcoming gesture.

"Let’s dig in."

"Thank you."

Avril slowly cut a small piece of venison with her knife and put it in her mouth to chew carefully.

Thane didn’t have such patience—he cut big chunks and stuffed them in his mouth.

"Mm!"

Avril suddenly made a surprised sound.

"Hm?" Thane looked over.

Avril swallowed the venison with some effort and said,

"Congratulations, Baron Thane! You now have nine seasoned veterans!"

...

...

The setting sun painted twilight colors across the wilderness.

Spring wind blew gently, carrying the mixed scent of earth and new grass across Eliric’s weathered face.

Usually cheerful, he was now quiet, his brow clouded with rare seriousness.

"Sorry, chief."

The tall veteran stumbled over his words, his eyes flickering with guilt.

"I can’t stick with you like the others. I’ve got to go back and keep my promise to Katie, give her a home."

"Chief, my folks in Flower Town are still waiting for me..." another soldier said with his head down.

"I probably can’t keep going either..."

Before he could finish, Eliric’s hearty laughter cut through the heavy mood.

"All right, all right, acting like a bunch of old hens, so much fuss!"

Eliric said with forced lightness. "You don’t need to tiptoe around me. We know you all have families—what’s shameful about that?"

He smoothly untied the money pouch from his waist. Silver coins gleamed softly in the setting sun.

He divided the money into four parts and handed them to each brother who was leaving.

"Chief, what’s this for..."

The tall veteran looked puzzled.

"Don’t read too much into it, Doron. I’m just giving you four your share from this job."

"The five staying behind will get separate rewards from the lord. Silver coins aren’t much use here."

Eliric joked, "I’m giving you the money now, so you can’t sneak off before dawn!"

"Of course not!"

Veteran Doron relaxed, and the other three soldiers quickly nodded.

"All right, find a spot to camp and get some rest. We’ve still got work tomorrow."

Eliric smiled and waved for them to go.

Only after they left did he quietly sigh.

Though he’d seen this coming, thinking about splitting up from his brothers still sat heavy with Eliric.

This left Eliric, worn out from a day’s travel, without much appetite.

He who could normally put away seven or eight pounds of venison only managed four pounds that evening.

Then he volunteered for watch duty, sitting alone on the hillside.

"What’s eating you? A few men leaving bruised your pride?"

Vivian leaned against a big tree, arms crossed, looking at Eliric sitting by himself in the corner.

Eliric opened his mouth to say something, thought better of it, and just sighed.

He didn’t dislike this spirited little girl, just didn’t know what to say.

"Oh come on, it’ll be fine! You’ll find more brothers down the road!"

Vivian tried to cheer him up. "Besides, didn’t the baron say he doesn’t expect you to keep everyone? You’ve done great already."

"This has nothing to do with the lord. You don’t get it, little one."

Not knowing Vivian’s real identity, Eliric naturally spoke without much ceremony.

"After we joined the border garrison, we’ve been together for eleven years now. These fellows are like blood to me."

"Oh, but even blood sometimes has to go separate ways!"

Vivian tilted her head, still trying to console him. "Don’t be down in the dumps! I noticed you didn’t even eat your fill tonight."

"If you waste away from not eating, it’ll just make the baron fret."

Eliric turned to look at Vivian and thought for a moment.

"Fine, I’ll go get some more grub."

Eliric got up and brushed dirt off his pants.

Just as he was about to turn around, he suddenly stopped and drew his battle axe.

—In the dim distance ahead, pairs of green glowing eyes appeared.

"What’s wrong?" Vivian asked curiously.

"Bit of trouble."

Eliric stretched his neck and called back without turning,

"Go find Ryan!"

"Right!"

Vivian didn’t hesitate, turned and ran back to Ryan’s side to take cover.

"Eliric spotted danger!"

Though Vivian had a playful streak, she clearly knew when to get serious.

The soldiers quickly scrambled to their feet, and Ryan swiftly jumped up the slope to meet Eliric as he fell back.

"It’s a wolf pack!"

"Looks like thirty or forty!"

"That many?"

Ryan’s eyes went wide. In all his years hunting, he’d never run into such a big pack.

Normal wolf packs ran around ten, with large ones having fifteen to twenty. A pack of thirty to forty was unheard of!

"No problem—however many show up, we’ll send them all to hell!"

As soon as Eliric finished speaking, the wolf pack closed in fast, surrounding them in a fan shape!

Dozens of pairs of eerie green eyes flickered in the night, sharp fangs gleaming with cold light.

These prairie wolves were clearly bigger, fixing their gaze on Eliric and the others as they crept forward step by step, low growls rumbling from their throats, ready to spring at any moment.

"Something’s not right. You fellows hold the campfire position, I’ll circle around to take down the alpha!"

Ryan glanced at Vivian beside him. "Keep her safe..."

"Don’t worry about me—I’m the most useless one here. You staying alive is what matters most!"

Vivian showed no fear, answering excitedly, "Go kill that leader!"

"Right!"

Ryan crouched low and slowly backed off, climbing over the hill to circle around behind the wolf pack.

"Brothers, keep these beasts pinned down and buy Ryan time!"

Eliric gripped his axe and stood before the campfire as the others spread out in a fan formation facing the wolves.

Vivian hid behind a tree, not only unafraid but even a little thrilled.

The two sides faced off, neither daring to make the first move, until a fierce roar echoed from the darkness behind them!

ROAR—

The wolf pack instantly attacked, surging forward like a flood!

The lead prairie wolf looked vicious as sin, opening its bloody maw and charging at Eliric with a foul stench!

"Kill!"

Eliric roared and charged forward, clashing with the savage wolf!

The others followed right behind, meeting the wolves attacking from every direction!

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