NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Chapter: Explorer of the Small Village
Chapter: Explorer of the Small Village
Although the village of Braut wasn't particularly large in terms of population, its expansive size made up for it. Only 250 people called Braut home, yet the village itself was big enough to comfortably house ten times that number.
Its sprawling layout was due to its strategic location. Braut sat nestled between Eryuentiu, the country established by the legendary Eight Greed Kings, and the elven nation governed by a godkin—a descendant of one of those same Greed Kings.
Despite its small population, Braut was a tight-knit community where everyone knew everyone and nearly everyone was related in some way, even if distantly. This strong sense of camaraderie shaped the village into something unique. There were no homeless or orphans here. If someone needed work, they only had to ask, and they'd be given a job. In the rare case of a child being left without parents, the entire village came together to raise them.
This collective care was why my mom, a Tier-3 mage, chose to live here despite her ability to secure a high-paying job anywhere in the world. She had been orphaned here as a child, and the village raised her as one of its own. For her, this place wasn't just a home; it was family.
Today, I had been "encouraged" by my mom to explore the village, so I decided to visit the farm area. This part of the village was vast, tended by a cooperative of farmers who worked together to cultivate crops. These weren't just for the village's sustenance—they also served as trade goods for the merchants who occasionally passed through Braut.
Trading in Braut was unique. With the village being so small, its economy didn't heavily rely on coins for outside transactions. Instead, they bartered crops and handmade items with visiting merchants. Inside the village, however, coins were used to avoid the haggling that often came with bartering. After all, not everyone values goods the same way; one person might consider a pair of shoes worth five apples, while another might think it worth ten.
As I made my way toward the fields, all I saw were rows of crops. Most of them were familiar, thanks to the knowledge of an agronomist gifted to me when I was brought into this world (see Chapter One). However, one plant stood out—a cabbage-like vegetable with blue leaves that emitted a faint blue mist from its top.
I paused to admire the fields, vibrant with vegetables and fruits, before heading back to the heart of the village. This area was the hub of activity where merchants came to trade their goods.
As I arrived, the first thing I noticed was an elf trailing behind a carriage loaded with metals—mostly iron and bronze, from the looks of it. She seemed exhausted, her movements slow and her frame gaunt, as though she hadn't eaten in weeks.
Concerned, I approached her. "Are you alright? You don't seem to be doing well."
She turned to me, offering a faint smile. "Thank you for your concern, child, but I am fine."
"You don't look fine," I pressed.
With a small sigh, she explained, "It's just that I've come from a difficult place. When I saw this merchant, I decided to follow him, knowing he'd eventually stop in a village or city where I could find help. But I assure you, I am fine."
"Okay," I replied, though her weary appearance still worried me. "But you should get yourself checked out, just in case you're sick."
"I will," she said. "Do you know where I could find a healer in this village?"
"Sure, follow me," I offered.
Leading her through the village streets, I realized I hadn't even asked her name. "Oh, I forgot to ask—what's your name?"
"My name is Batoshel," she answered with a soft voice.
"Welcome to the village of Braut, Batoshel," I said warmly. "My name is Avid."
With that, I guided her to my mom's clinic—known by the villagers as "the place of healing."
"Mom, I'm back!" I called out as I entered the house.
"I thought I told you not to come back until you made a friend!" she yelled from the kitchen, where I could hear the sounds of something being prepared.
I walked into the kitchen to find her busy drying some plants.
"I did make a friend—her name's Batoshel," I said, smiling proudly.
Mom looked at me with an expression that said I had completely missed the point. "I told you to make friends with kids your age, not grown adults."
"Oh? I guess I forgot that part. Oh well," I said, making a sheepish face. "But anyway, could you look out for her? She asked me to bring her to a healer."
Mom gave me an exasperated look but then turned her attention to Batoshel. "Sorry for my son's rudeness. Avid, take her to the back, and I'll be right there in a few minutes."
I nodded and led Batoshel to the clinic in the back of the house. We waited for a few minutes while my mom finished up with the plants.
When she finally opened the door and entered the clinic, she asked, "Alright, what can I help you with, Batoshel?"
She took a seat on a rolling chair that I had made for myself but which she often claimed for her own, calling it "her material" or something like that.
Batoshel hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Umm, I just need a check-up and a small healing. Where I came from wasn't easy to escape, and I think I might have been harmed internally. I still have this bruise."
She pulled a small part of her shirt up to reveal a large, purple wound on her side that looked pretty serious.
Mom inspected the bruise carefully. "Alright, I think I get the gist of things," she said before standing up. She muttered something under her breath and cast {Inspect Body}. I recognized it as a second-tier spell that helped her analyze someone's physical condition.
Mom's eyes narrowed as she looked at the results. "It's not just the bruise; you've got fractured bones in the area as well, and it looks like you've got a fever—probably from a cold. So, to heal all of that, it'll be 25 silver coins. Normally it would be 40, but since my son bothered you, I'm giving you a discount."
"Hey! I didn't bother her; I just talked to her," I said, defending myself.
"Keep telling yourself that," she replied dryly.
"So, 25 silver coins?" Mom repeated, looking at Batoshel.
"Yes," Batoshel agreed.
"Do you mind if the payment is in Elf Kingdom currency?" Mom asked.
"No, not at all. There are plenty of elves who trade here," Batoshel responded.
Batoshel then reached into her bag and pulled out two gold coins and five silver coins, handing them over to my mom.
Mom took the money, placing it in her pouch. "Thank you for your patronage," she said before casting {Cure Disease} and {Middle Cure Wounds}.
After a moment, she finished and looked at Batoshel. "Alright, that should do it. By the way, would you like to join us for lunch?"
Batoshel smiled warmly. "Sure, I'd like that."
Character Sheet: Batoshel
Name: BatoshelAge: 122Height: 6'2"Eyes: Heterochromia (one brown, one blue)Hair: Short, messy dark brown hair with slight natural waves.
Class Levels:
Fighter (10)Ranger (10)Master Fighter (10)Greater Ranger (3)