Chapter 31: State of the Village

"Now that we have your schedule out of the way, let’s move on to the affairs of the village."

As a village official, it was now a part of Kanan’s duty to look after the village. This included learning the village’s secrets as well. But that would come at a later date.

"For starters, this year’s harvest has seen fewer gains than the previous years. I’ve already spoken to the Elders about this, but we need to ensure that we have enough food for the winter. Kanan, as I’ve read up on your Role, I heard that you can empower others. Is this true?"

He nodded. "Yes. I have an ability called Spirit Transfer. It allows me to absorb and distribute spirit energy. Doing so will make anyone more powerful for a limited amount of time." He was happy that the conversation moved to the other things his blessing could do.

Pema’s eyes widened. This was something their village desperately needed. The duration of the buff was unknown, but simply being able to empower their people was good enough.

"Good! This is good news! Listen, Kanan. We’re currently in a struggle for survival with the Typhon tribe nearby. They seek to invade our hunting grounds and starve our people. We cannot let this happen."

Kanan agreed. He wasn’t trying to eat scraps for winter. "The Typhon tribe. Those attacks and poison attempts were to weaken us."

"Indeed." Solan nodded. "Since one of the Typhon Tribesmen managed to escape our clutches, I’m sure the elders of the tribe aren’t too happy that their plans failed, which cost them some members."

"I already understand," Kanan said.

"You do?" The chief hadn’t even gotten to his point yet.

"Yes. When our hunters, guards, and warriors are deployed, I shall empower them with my blessing."

Solan and Pema smiled. Kanan was already shaping up to be a great leader.

"Yes, this is something that I wish for you to do. Thank you."

"Not at all. It is my duty to help our people. But if I’m being honest, I already had plans to make our village great."

"You did?"

"Yes. You see, ever since I got struck by lightning and hit my head on that rock three months ago, I’ve been hearing a voice in my head."

Pema was stunned. The chief rose out of his chair, and Omula shifted in Kanan’s lap.

"A voice?" Solan asked. "Could it be..."

"Yes. It is Lord Nemean." He technically wasn’t lying, but this would make it easier to tell them about his plans. "At first, I didn’t understand, but it wasn’t until after the Blessing Ceremony that I finally got it. Lord Nemean was speaking to me, and he gave me a warning."

"A warning? Is something wrong?"

Kanan glanced at his system and looked at the very bottom. He wanted to avoid looking at it since it made his heart rate increase, but he had no choice.

It was a timer that counted down. Three months was the time limit. The time Kanan had to prepare everyone for when the Rival Tribe would attack.

"Once winter is over, we will be attacked."

"What?! Is it by the Typhon Tribe?"

Kanan nodded. "Yes. We have three months to prepare for their assault. It will be difficult, but I believe that Lord Nemean decided to reveal me at this time for a reason. I will help ensure that we not only survive, but get stronger as well. But first, we need to fortify our land."

Currently, there is a small barricade around the village, simple enough to deter smaller animals, but useless against larger and smarter predators, including other people. This is part of the reason why the Guards were so important.

"Do you have an idea of what we should do?" Omula wondered

Replying with a head nod, Kanan explained. "Lord Nemean gave me something else, a gift for being his last descendant. I can basically understand every role. While I won’t be able to perform as well as one who specializes in it, I can offer information that Lord Nemean provides."

"Really? Is this true?!"

Kanan nodded once more.

"Heh, haha! He was watching over us after all! Whatever you need, Kanan, I’ll see to it that it gets done. No one will question you anyway, being a Shaman and all. For now, I will talk to the elders, inform the guards, hunters, and warriors, and make plans for our next step. Once that’s done, I will call for you again, and we shall go over this with the others."

"Understood."

"Good. Omula, please show him to his new hut."

"Okay."

---

Upon leaving the chieftain’s hut, Omula led Kanan to a hut in the area. It was just as grand as the chief’s home, with some parts having better decorations. Inspecting the place further, Kanan recognized the building.

"This is the abandoned hut that no one has lived in for years." He concluded.

"Mhmm. Father said that it belonged to the previous village shaman. Ever since died, the place had been vacant. However, each chief made sure to keep the place clean and replace wood that started to rot. Now that you’re the shaman, it’s yours."

"Wow. I wonder how Aunt Glena is going to react after learning that we’re moving into this place."

"You’re taking her with you?"

"Yes. I wish to watch over her. She has helped me ever since my family lost their lives. So, I shall pay her back."

Omula admired his loyalty. It made her like him more and more. "Will she become your mate?"

"I don’t think so, though I wouldn’t mind. She’s most likely bearing my child, though."

"Already doing your job, huh? Couldn’t wait?" She nudged him.

"No, it’s not that. At first, she was helping me, but then we continued because we wanted to. After becoming a shaman, I could feel that my semen became very potent. So, she’s most likely pregnant right now."

He knew that she was fully pregnant, but he wasn’t going to say that.

"May I ask you something?" Omula wrapped her arm around his own once more.

"Sure."

"After we get to know each other more, can you accept me?"

Kanan didn’t answer right away, but after looking at Omula, he smiled. "I’ll give you my answer once that time comes."