Caretaker Shani raised a brow at the Village Chieftess's words.
"I don't understand what you mean, Chieftess. Are you suggesting that I need someone's permission before deciding to take a break to mourn the death of my husband?" she asked, a frown suddenly appearing on her face.
Although the person talking to her was the Village Chieftess, she was also a Caretaker, one of the key figures. It wasn't right for the Village Chieftess to express such blatant disrespect towards her when she had shown her nothing but absolute respect.
The Village Chieftess quickly understood her mistake and shook her head tiredly.
"I'm sorry I didn't phrase my words correctly. I meant to say, can you show me your palms and allow me to use my gift on you?" The Village Chieftess said.
Caretaker Shani furrowed her brows, initially hesitating as she understood the implications of the Village Chieftess's request. She knew the Village Chieftess's gift and why she wanted to see her palms.
At first, Caretaker Shani considered refusing, but observing the determination in the Village Chieftess's expression, she shook those thoughts out of her head and released a sigh. She couldn't deny her own curiosity about what the future held, and since the Village Chieftess had suggested using her gift, Caretaker Shani found no reason to refuse.
She nodded in understanding, held Rick with one hand and stretched out her other hand.
The Village Chieftess inwardly exhaled, relieved that Caretaker Shani agreed to let her use her gift. After their previous conversation, she knew that forcing it on Caretaker Shani would not be an option, especially considering Caretaker Shani's status as a key figure herself.
The Village Chieftess extended her hand, gently grabbing Caretaker Shani's hand and holding it between her palms as she activated her gift.
Suddenly, a soothing milky white light spread out from her palms, covering Caretaker Shani's hand before pulsing softly.
After a few minutes, the Village Chieftess withdrew her hands, holding her chest as she breathed heavily.
"What did you see, Chieftess?" Caretaker Shani asked with curiosity, realizing that she hadn't seen anything this time.
The Village Chieftess gazed at Caretaker Shani, stabilizing her breath and quickly regaining her composure. Like Orion, her husband, and everyone around him, their future was shrouded in a thick veil of darkness, rendering it indescribable.
However, no matter how she wanted to phrase it, how could she tell Caretaker Shani that her gift was now useless and unable to read the future.
"I wasn't able to show you anything properly because I am currently tired; all I can advise you is that you need to rest and not overwhelm yourself with work," the Village Chieftess responded, choosing to play it safe.
'Maybe it's time I stop relying on my gift and listen to my husband,' the Village Chieftess thought.
The stronger Orion's influence became, the less potent her gift grew, slowly rendering it useless. It could only work on those who had never communicated with Orion or had only been near him for a very short time.
Taking the Village Chieftess's advice seriously, Caretaker Shani nodded earnestly. "Okay, Chieftess, I'll make sure to rest and take care of my health," she responded.
After hearing the Village Chieftess's words, the urge to thoroughly check everything on the farm before returning to her hut disappeared. She understood that compromising her health would only lead to more harm, and there was no need to subject herself to such a terrible situation.
The Village Chieftess nodded in response, watching as Caretaker Shani turned around and called for a nearby farmer, giving him a few instructions. She then turned and began to walk back towards her hut.
After Caretaker Shani had left, the Village Chieftess suddenly shook her head and sighed tiredly. She turned around and began to stroll around the farm, wanting to confirm whether Saria's arrival had quelled the tree nymphs' violent behaviour.
Along the way, her mind was slightly occupied as she pondered a way to judge a person's nature without relying on her gift, which she had been dependent on since awakening it during her awakening ceremony.
'Even if it's difficult, I should start working on it,' the Village Chieftess muttered to herself. She nodded at the farmers and workers who had paused their activities, their heads bowed respectfully in greeting.
….....
"Are you sure this is what you want me to make?" Gorg said, looking at the three strange tulgas before him with a raised brow.
"Yes, they are perfect," Orion responded, nodding his head.
As he observed the three attires, he couldn't help but nod in approval. While he would have liked to get more materials for Gorg to make additional pieces, their hut lacked sufficient materials, and he couldn't approach his partners to request the materials they acquired at the Village Square today.
There was no need to burden them with such a request, especially since he had gotten it for them.
Gorg nodded in response, sighing tiredly. Although it took several trials and errors to successfully make one, and the other two still posed a bit of difficulty, if Orion said it was perfect, Gorg was content that his gift had helped him.
"The sky is already beginning to set, and I have to get home, or else my parents and sister will start looking for me," Gorg mentioned, his gaze focused on the darkening sky.
Orion nodded, saying, "Hold on, let me put this inside, and I'll escort you out of the farm."
However, he noticed a sudden change in Gorg's behaviour.
"What is it?" Orion asked, raising a brow.
Gorg cleared his throat and replied, "Ahem! I want to take this opportunity to see someone before leaving the farm."
As Gorg uttered those words, a sudden shyness overcame him, and Orion instantly understood the meaning behind his words; it was obvious.
Nonetheless, instead of addressing it directly, Orion feigned ignorance, "Who is it that you want to meet?" Orion asked with a tinge of curiosity in his voice.
Gorg appeared hesitant before responding, "It's actually a girl I met on my way back from the forest once after training."
