Caster reached the edge of the settlement. The people from there rushed towards him, both out of greed and out of concern.
Caster waved at them to stay where they are, but a person didn't listen and got to him out of concern.
"Lord Caster are you injured? The blood on your face... you're doing so much for us! Risking your life for us..."
Caster's eyes widened slightly, before returning to his gentle expression.
'I am your lord now? Already? Heh.'
"Worry not, this is not my blood."
Caster looked around and noticed a tall woman with brown, braided hair with an athletic build.
'That must be Effie.'
Afterwards, he continued in an even tone:
"In fact, I am not injured in the slightest."
Silence encompassed the camp. Hunting down over twenty beasts in a single day without getting injured is not just someone being strong but someone being unprecedentally strong.
Of course, we know that it was not the case, he just healed himself. But to others, he came out as a surviver, a knight that never loses.
The trust among the people in him and his abilities increased seversal fold with just this. Just the fact that someone was willing to take on so many beasts for them, was moving hearts.
Many were grateful, some were suspicious and some were hostile. But soon...
'This is only the beginning. You people will soon be at my beck and call. All of you will.'
After that he cleared his throat, capturing the attention of every one of them.
This time, way more people had gathered. And more were gathering around the bodies, in a circle, a dozen meters away.
"I will reannounce what I said in the morning. I am the Opposer of Miracles, Caster from the Han Li clan. A proud legacy clan. I was sent to this shore, this winter solstice and it has been about one month since I started surviving here. I noticed the cruelty of this place, and saw how the Lord of the Bright Castle, Gunlaug treated you all! He monopolizes soul shards and lives comfortably by exploiting those that work under him and abandoning those who aren't of use."
After a slight pause, he continued.
"But I am here to tell you, a leader does not do that. A leader, a king, must do good for his people. The lord of bright castle can't be over thrown, so I will become a new hope for all of you."
Pointing towards the people to create a dramatic effect, Caster continued.
"I will bring food for all of you. As much food as I can. I will hunt again and again for the people here. For I am a proud legacy of the Han Li clan."
Caster finished his speech. Everyone had listened to it without interrupting it, unlike the one in the morning. They all had begun to trust Caster.
Many were already considering him their lords. In the bitter life of these unfortunate people, Caster's appearance alone was enough to consider him their saviour.
Someone started clapping. Then another. Then more.
Someone shouted praises for Caster. Then another. Then more.
Someone shouted: "Lord Caster is the Lord of miracles."
Someone else shouted: "You idiot! His true name is Opposer of mircales."
The banter between the two continued. Caster could hear that banter, and couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
It alerted the castle guards , which means that Gunlaug would find out eventually.
Exactly what Caster wanted.
"This food I just brought is proof of my cause. I killed twenty one nightmare creatures today. This all must last the entire settlement around one week. Come to my humble, makeshift abode every morning for food. I shall provide you all with it."
Just then an axious voice called out, as loudly as he could:
"But what must we, the recievers of your grace, do?"
"Nothing."
"But that would make you burden all of this alone!"
Others joined in on that.
"Yes, we would happy to help in any way."
Caster looked at the people saying that and smiled gently.
"If you all so wish to help me, then I shall create an order. I'll distribute work."
'Hehehe, all according to keikaku.'
"But before that, all of you come here and take a portion of food that you require for tonight and tomorrow. We'll discuss all that you want to in the morning, on full stomachs. Anyone who wishes to help, meet me right here in the morning, around noon."
Just like that the crowd gathered close to the meat, in a rowdy fashion.
'Gosh, these peeps, don't let hunger get to you!'
"One by one! Form three of four lines! No one will get anything until then."
It took a while but most of the people formed lines and Caster ended up cutting strips of meat for everyone of them and giving them the deserved amount.
The amount wasn't a lot, nor was it too less, just enough for the people. There were a few exceptions, people who literally needed more food than normal to survive, due to whatever reasons, perhaps having flaws like Effie's.
In the end every person was able to get food for themselves and went back to their places after thanking Caster.
The overall vibe of the entire settlement lifted itself. People genuinely looked happy to have someone to lean on and clear one of their biggest problems, food.
Caster looked at the leftover meat. He gave away the unburnt carcasses before the ones that were burnt due to lightning. Since they'd start rotting faster than the burnt ones.
There were seventeen carcasses left.
Huntress Athena, Effie, was watching all this with intrigue. After everyone was gone, she came up to him, crossing her hands.
"Why are you even doing this?"
'Ah, Effie, you're finally here. My bulldozer.'
"Because they'd die otherwise."
"That has nothing to do with you though?"
"No, they do. If they are going to die, they should die for my cause."
Silence loomed the two people. Effie quitely, uncharacteristically so, stared at Caster.
'Of course, I'm lying. I just want you to think that. I'm not going to let so many deaths happen. Like Nephis did.'
After a while she sighed, facepalming.
"Sigh... Another crazy bastard."
"Huntress Athena."
Caster called out to her
"Oh? You know me? Of course you do, I'm famous as hell after all!"
Effie made a tilted peace sign as she said that, afterwards she continued.
"Yeah, yeah, I was just kidding! My bad, you're not a crazy bastard at all."
Caster stared at her in disbelief.
'She apologized? What in the world... was that bothering her?'
Then she said again:
"Your a handsome crazy bastard."
Effie laughed out loud, louder than she should have, as if all this was a joke to her in the first place.
'Ah there we go.'
Not taking offence on it, Caster called out to her again.
"Huntress Athena. I have an offer for you."
Effie stopped laughing but her tone was still lighthearted as she tilted her head rightwards slightly.
"Gee, call me Effie. And let's hear it. What sort of offer do you have for me, schemer? Does it include participating in your 'cause'?"
Chuckling, Caster looks down for a moment before looking back at her.
"Okay, Effie. Got it. And as for your question, yes it includes participating in my cause. But don't worry, it's benficial to you too."
Intrigued Effie leaned her face inwards, only slightly, still a couple meters away from Caster.
Then, Caster continued with a smirk on his face:
"I just want your help with this little thing..."
Instantly his face turned serious, alerting Effie.
"I want your help in killing Gunlaug."
Again, silence loomed the two of them.