'Rank 4 meat is a strategic resource. While I can use it to feed my people it is a waste for those who don't fight or are too lazy to practice their magic. It's better to keep it as a special reward, an incentive to motivate citizens to put more effort into Last Saint's development.' Ikaris pondered thoughtfully. 'As for fruits, grains and vegetables, I've almost finished the Welcome Pack, but I still have a lot of Rank 1 and Rank 2 Demonic Boar meat. Though, it won't last. I also have an abundance of Rank 1 Chestnut but eating the same thing over and over won't cut it in the long run...'
The most obvious solution was to form a hunting squad to explore the forest, but given the Hellhound Pack's degree of starvation he had underestimated the hazard of this venture. He had probably lucked out when he hunted a Demonic Boar and its cubs on his first outing in the forest.
Since even an Alpha Werewolf like Liam struggled to maintain his body weight, it was an illusion to assume he could do any better. At least not at his current level.
Deep in thought, his gaze fell on Plume, who was currently chatting with Malia and Danchun, recovering her energy after tending to Connor and Kayden. A Nature Fae did not have a fantastic fleshly body. Although she was indeed a Sorceress, her stamina had taken a hit.
Feeling Ikaris' stare she looked up at him and arched an eyebrow in confusion.
"My Lord? Is there something on my face?"
"I was thinking about how to feed Last Saint's population without hindering its development." He admitted honestly. "You who have lived on Cutthroat Island your whole life how do you and your people feed yourselves?"
"Faes are a subspecies of Faerie. A high level Fae can subsist on the Mana of her Element. At birth, our Element is not fixed, but it stabilizes after a few months although it can change under certain circumstances. I am far from being at this level, but my appetite is reduced by half when I am in an environment with abundant vegetation as it is the case in the Emerald Fields. This flower-filled meadow is not too bad either."
"That doesn't really answer my question..." The teenager muttered impatiently.
" Hold on, I'm getting to that. " Plume clicked her tongue. "Since Nature Faes like me depend on nature, we obviously live on what we farm or gather. Cutthroat Island is a dangerous place, but if you know where to look there is everything you need to found a thriving civilization."
"Would it be possible to contact your hometown to forge an alliance between our two nations?" Ikaris tentatively suggested, thinking it was a good idea.
Plume stiffened, but she made sure to seriously consider his request and then explained,
"I don't think it's a good idea. Laepadu has survived all this time by keeping its location secret. Despite our precautions, the number of Nature Fae has continued to dwindle over the years, while the number of Death and Dark Fae has steadily increased due to the Black Fog. Death and Dark Faes need matching Mana to subsist and that's why they cut down all the trees in my hometown. Their personality has also become twisted and they no longer value the pacifism that has allowed us to exist in peace until now. Until recently, many powerful and respected Nature Faes maintained the balance of power, but a recent raid by the Onyxcrest Pride resulted in their deaths and those of many other innocent Faes. This set off a chain reaction. The reluctant Nature Faes renounced their original element and accepted the embrace of the Black Fog instead.
"Death and Dark Faes are much more belligerent with an innate aversion to the living for the former and a wicked and merciless temperament for the latter. Driven by their thirst for vengeance, they have vowed to eradicate the Onyxcrest Pride or perish in the attempt.
"Laepadu has almost no Nature Faes left now and it's just a wasteland. Not wanting to fight I decided to run away. I don't intend to go back."
Ikaris, Malia and Danchun remained silent for a long time after listening to her story. The first important point was the mention of Mana. Because magic came from the Divine Spark, he had not initially considered the existence of other energy sources.
He had grown suspicious after using Appraisal on the deceased Krold. By spamming his Campfire Spell, the latter had granted him a 1% Fire Affinity and Resistance.
More recently, upon becoming a Nephilim of Faulch, he obtained the Death and Dark Element Affinity and Resistance. From that moment on, his outlook began to change.
The other valuable information was the impact of the different Elements on the personality of their users. Upon becoming a Nephilim, he too had been afflicted with an innate aversion to the living, but he had thought it was a consequence of his bloodline. Perhaps it also had something to do with his two new affinities.
These two points raised a third important question: Where did these different Manas come from? Why did they awaken affinities and resistances as they evolved their Secondary Sparks? Was it possible to cultivate these energies as intended by Danchun and become a great Sorcerer without relying on his Divine Spark?
Alas, even Magnus had few answers to offer. Though he was an old Vampire Emperor and an Archmagus, his only affinity was for Blood. He had never felt the need to study and all his knowledge came from his vast experience and the insights of his ancestors.
'There are a bunch of theories about it but I've never been interested in this topic so I don't know much about it.' The Vampire yawned dismissively in his head. 'You'd have to ask the Confederation. They have a whole study group researching it.'
Pushing his questions to the back of his mind, Ikaris ignored the jaded spirit muttering in his head and refocused on Plume.
"How many Fae are we talking about?" He then asked.
"A few thousand. A few dozen as far as Nature Faes are concerned." Plume answered after a short pause, but she cut him off right away. "I know what you're thinking, but Laepadu is too far from here. I know of a few other Fae settlements and I was on my way to another one when I was captured by the Hellhound Pack. It will be easier to contact that one."
"If we can find it." Danchun objected. "If the location of Laepadu has remained under wraps for so long, I doubt we'll be able to find these Faes easily. On top of that, we don't know their numbers or their strength. Until Last Saint has a few thousand people and a real army of its own, I don't think we should attempt to meet them."
Ikaris nodded in agreement.
"Danchun is right. A Nature Fae is better than nothing." He smoothly said. " Plume do you know how to grow the edible plants on this island? "
The young Fae then put on a beaming smile.
"That's my specialty. I am not actually a Healer but a Farmer Sorceress. I was in charge of several orchards on Laepadu.
"Perfect."
Ikaris then asked Plume to make a list of all the edible plants growing on this island that she knew of with descriptions or drawings of what they were supposed to look like. This assignment alone would be enough to keep her busy for a day or two.
He then visited Xuk, the Desert Orc who had joined Last Saint this morning and after a quick conversation he agreed to let him join the future squad of hunters that would most likely be supervised by Liam and Ezrog. The Warlock was also an herbalist and apothecary in his spare time and was interested in exploring the forest.
Because of their small population, the warriors in the village were simultaneously lumberjacks, masons, hunters, and laborers, but as the Last Saint situation moved out of the early critical phase, the roles and occupations of each would become more defined.
Once all the tasks were assigned, Malia came back to him with a wooden sword in her hand, her intention clear. Yet this time he refused.
The boy did intend to train, but not in sword fighting. His goal was to finish assimilating the two bloodlines as quickly as possible.
