Chapter 185: Flood Prep.

The avatar shook its tiny head in absolute disappointment. [What about all those shopping spree hours I gave you? Those were totally free!]

Zyra tsked softly. "Not free. Those were rewards after I nearly worked myself to the bone. This is tit for tat, my friend. Basic transaction."

She paused, setting the comb down as a more practical thought struck her. "Speaking of transactions_ where else can I get my hands on Dew Fruits? The trees planted in the beast dominion are going to take forever to grow unless you have a nutrient potion that escalates the growth of plants."

Beauty tapped her chin, floating in a small circle. [I am not a plant system, don’t compare me to those small systems. Based on my database, Dew Plants usually sprout near hidden waterfalls, around floating islands where clouds heavy with moisture clusters. Also, in frozen regions where they absorb frost dew, or deep within misty forests.]

"Can you pinpoint an exact location of such places on the map for me?" Zyra asked.

[Not really, right now I can only locate the ones in the Frozen Wild Lands because you are dragging your feet at leveling up. You need to bond with stronger beasts and speed up.]𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

Beauty sighed.

Zyra also sighed. "So I have to go hunting blindly."

[Correct! But hey, look on the bright side. Moonfall has both a waterfall and plenty of misty areas. There’s a pretty fat chance you’ll find some ripe Dew Fruits hiding out there. I will scan the area for free and let you know the moment you arrive there.]

"Good enough," Zyra nodded. "And I will work harder to earn more resonance points and energy stones to help you level up faster."

She finished dressing, tied her hair back, and opened her bedroom door. Heading toward the dining hall, she expected a quiet morning. Instead, she walked in to see Achilles sitting at the table, shoveling food into his mouth like a man who hadn’t seen a meal in three lifetimes. He was playing music, and shaking his head in an excited bop. There were other people around, watching him eat with smiles or eye rolls.

Zyra raised an eyebrow, leaning against the door frame. "Is it really a good idea to exert your body like that right after healing?"

Malia looked up from the counter with a gentle smile. "He’s fine, Zyra. The cuts on his back are completely gone now thanks to Tessi and the leeches are out of his body. His organs are in perfect condition."

Achilles paused, pointing a sauce-covered spoon directly at Bianca, who was sitting across from him looking entirely unbothered.

"I still can’t believe it," He said, his mouth half-full. "You sliced into my back like I was a piece of cheap meat! Like a burger patty!"

Bianca rolled her eyes, taking a calm sip of her drink. "You’re welcome. Next time, I’ll just let you freeze out and become the sole heiress of the family fortune."

Achilles growled, though there was no real bite to it. "Thanks a lot," he muttered sarcastically. He swallowed his food and slumped back into his chair, waving a dismissive hand. "And going forward. I’m holding off on any further wild adventures for a while. My poor body can’t take this squad."

Zyra cocked her head, a sly smirk playing on her lips. "Are you really a high-ranking fighter? Because those words sound an awful lot like cowardice to me."

Achilles let out a dry, sarcastic laugh. "Ha-ha. Very funny, Boss lady. Go get sliced up by a lunatic and see if you feel like running into danger the next morning." He had felt every slice!

Malia wiped down the table, her smile fading slightly as she turned to Zyra. "Jokes aside, Divine maiden_ I’ve been hearing whispers from the men today. They’re restless. They’re deeply worried about their families back home, especially with the floods coming. Nobody can estimate how bad its going to be or how long it could last. And we know floods are always followed by food shortages and plagues." In the back of her mind, she thought, a bad time to be a low-born.

Zyra listened, her gaze softening. She understood the weight of family all too well. "I understand why they would be worried. The last flood we saw was five years ago and half of my village was buried under the water. Sixty people were swept away, more were eaten by beasts that attacked in the water. If they want to leave and protect their people, I won’t stop them. As long as they keep their mouths shut about this shelter."

"Hey!" Achilles interjected sharply, slapping a hand on the table. "My men are as loyal as their transport beasts! They wouldn’t spill a word!"

Malia shook her head quickly. "That’s not what I mean, divine maiden. The men don’t want to leave. They love it here. They just_ they want to bring their families here. Hunter gave me the security manual for the shelter and it has flood protection."

Before Zyra could process the request, the link band began to beep_ an incoming video call.

Hunter’s face appeared on the projection. He was sitting comfortably somewhere outdoors, holding a bottle of green plum wine. Without missing a beat, he raised the bottle and tossed at Achilles.

"Glad to see you’re still kicking, buddy," Hunter said with a small grin, taking a sip from the bottle.

Achilles uncapped a water bottle instantly, taking a deep swig. "I don’t die that easily. When you return, bring back a few crates of that stuff, will you? And the brewer too. And the location of the roots."

Bianca snorted.

Zyra glanced closely at Hunter’s image on the screen. His clothes were damp, and sweat was dripping down his forehead. "Why are you sweating so much?"

"Hmmm," Hunter wiped his brow with the back of his hand. "We’ve been helping the local villagers set up flood barriers all morning."

"We were just talking about the floods too." Zyra said.

Malia quickly filled Hunter in on what the men had been asking for. Hunter listened quietly, his dark eyes showing no surprise. When she finished, he looked at Zyra through the screen. "It’s all up to you, wife. Your territory, your call."

[I can expand the houses, that is more money that you owe me.] Beauty danced while rubbing her fingers.

Zyra looked at the hopeful expressions around the room. She leaned back against the wall, crossing her arms. "They already have their houses. Their families are welcome to come."

Malia’s eyes lit up instantly.

"However," Zyra added firmly, "Leaving after they arrive won’t be easy. I need this place to remain a secret from the outside world. Once they come, they stay for good, when they take outside trips and bump into people they know, they have to claim they were visiting sick relatives or something."

"That’s more than fair!" Malia nearly squealed with joy, clasping her hands together. "I know a few people that are in need of a safe place. My in-laws, my family. There is no safer place that here, with our clan."