Among Monsters (Tensura)

Chap 24.

James stretched as he awoke in his Sovereign's Amphitheater, the faint glow of his sanctuary casting gentle shadows along the stone walls. He sighed, his eyes catching on the assortment of resources he had gathered from Veldora's Sealed Cave: bundles of Hipokute Grass, clusters of glimmering Cave Crystals, and dense chunks of Magic Ore. His mind was already racing with thoughts of what he could create with these resources. With his food supplies running low, he took a moment to think how long he'd been sustained by the rejuvenating waters of the Eternal Lake, which had slowed his need for food drastically.

He carefully organized the materials into one of the empty rooms within the amphitheater. 'Better to keep these safe here,' he thought, glancing around at the array of resources. His stomach grumbled lightly, reminding him that his ration stores weren't going to last forever. He'd have to move on soon.

After spending a few minutes preparing, he set out to find his horse, which had been freely wandering his Sovereign's forest. His steps crunched softly on the forest floor, the damp earth springy beneath his boots. "Now, where'd you run off to?" he murmured to himself, keeping an eye out for the familiar shape of his horse grazing somewhere among the trees.

Soon enough, he spotted it—a dark silhouette against the morning mist, contentedly munching on some undergrowth. The sight made him smile as he approached, giving the horse a gentle pat on its neck before guiding it back to the amphitheater. With practiced ease, he saddled up and climbed onto its back. Taking a deep breath, James activated Sovereign's Sanctuary, feeling the familiar pulse of energy flow through him. A cool, blue circle appeared under them, humming softly before swallowing them whole in a flash.

In the blink of an eye, they were back in the Jura Forest. James pulled out his map, orienting himself before guiding his horse forward. The forest was quiet around him, the only sounds being the soft rustling of leaves and the steady beat of hooves on the dirt trail. After three hours of steady riding, a familiar sight came into view—the small, struggling lizardmen tribe he had encountered before heading to Veldora's Cave.

The village was as humble as he remembered, a scattering of modest huts barely standing on patches of dry, barren land. James couldn't help but notice how rough their living conditions looked now that he'd seen more of the Jura Forest. 'No wonder they struggle out here,' he thought, taking in the cracked earth and sparse vegetation. This was hardly ideal land for any kind of thriving community.

Some of the lizardmen spotted him from a distance, and soon enough, the tribe gathered to welcome him. Among the crowd were the familiar faces of his two lizardmen friends—the male warrior and the female huntress—who greeted him with grins and friendly nods.

A day passed, and James found himself deep in thought. He was beginning to feel a strange pull to help this struggling tribe. Though he had initially intended to pass through, something about their earnestness and the kindness they had shown him lingered in his mind. He considered what he could offer—an escape, a chance at a better life. But would it be right? Would they even agree to leave their home behind?

After much contemplation, James decided to approach the tribe's chief. The elder lizardman listened intently as James shared his plan, his face thoughtful as James spoke of his Sovereign's Sanctuary and the possibilities it could hold for them. When James finally finished, he could see uncertainty in the chief's eyes.

The chief called the tribe together, and James addressed them, his voice carrying both authority and understanding. "I know this may sound strange," he began, feeling the weight of their attention on him. "But I've been given a unique skill, Sovereign's Sanctuary. I can offer you a place that's safe, with fresh water, space for shelter, and land fertile enough to grow food. A place where you don't have to worry about the barren ground or harsh conditions."

Some lizardmen exchanged skeptical glances, their faces betraying a mix of hope and hesitation. James noticed their wary expressions but continued, hoping his sincerity would reach them. He glanced toward his two lizardmen friends, who nodded encouragingly. The chief too, seemed to be weighing his words, finally nodding in reluctant agreement.

Seeing the nod, James raised his hands, gathering the tribe of around 600 lizardmen in a loose circle. "Stay close, and stay calm," he instructed, taking a deep breath as he activated Sovereign's Sanctuary once more. A massive blue circle appeared under them, the air charged with anticipation and curiosity. The lizardmen murmured in surprise as the light enveloped them, and then, with a flash, they were gone from the Jura Forest.

They reappeared in the amphitheater of his sanctuary. The lizardmen blinked, visibly taken aback by the vast, open space and the lush environment surrounding them. Some stared in awe at the stone architecture, while others peered curiously at the trees and distant shimmering waters.

"Welcome to your new home," James announced, his voice warm but firm. He raised a hand to quiet the murmurs of surprise. "This is Sovereign's Sanctuary. As long as you respect this place and care for it, it will provide for you. I've created this space to be a safe haven, a place where you can grow and flourish."

He led the tribe through a short tour, pointing out the Eternal Lake's healing properties and the vast plains near the forest edge. "The water here isn't only pure; it can heal minor injuries and replenish energy. Use it wisely. You're also free to use the forest trees to build your homes, and with a bit of magic, I can regrow them if needed."

Over the next two days, James helped the lizardmen begin the process of setting up their new village near the forest's edge, not far from the lake and plains. He worked alongside them, assisting in carrying supplies, sharing his limited food rations, and answering their questions about this mysterious new world they found themselves in.

One morning, while helping lift logs for a new hut, the huntress friend approached him with a hesitant smile. "You… you didn't have to do all this," she said, her voice soft. "But… thank you, James. Our people owe you a great debt."

James shook his head, brushing off the praise. "You've all been kind to me since the beginning. It felt right to return the favor. Besides, I might need allies in the future."

The lizardman warrior clapped him on the shoulder with a chuckle. "Then you have us, without question."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the Eternal Lake in hues of gold and orange, James felt a deep sense of fulfillment. In some way, he had found a place for himself here—a purpose beyond mere survival. He set a few ground rules for the lizardmen, reminding them that if they wished to leave Sovereign's Sanctuary, they would need to seek his permission to teleport out.

With the tribe settled, James prepared himself to continue his journey. Early the next morning, he saddled his horse, took one last look at the new village growing within his sanctuary, and set off once again, his thoughts turning toward Dwargon and the unknown adventures that lay ahead.

End if chap.