CHAPTER 428: CHAPTER 306: TEMPORARY SUPERVISOR OF THE VILLAGE

"You came at the right time. I just received notification and was about to send someone to find you."

"Is there something you need me to do?" Siris asked anxiously.

"Today, the Agricultural Department will be sending a team to measure the fields around the village. You need to inform all the villagers not to interfere with their work. Also, they will require a lot of wooden stakes for the measurements, but they didn’t bring enough. We hope you can lead the villagers to help make some, as helping them measure the fields sooner will also allow you to receive the land sooner."

Siris became excited and eagerly asked, "What kind of wooden stakes are needed?"

"Any type of wood will do, as long as it’s sturdy," Stags gestured with his hands, "At least this long and this thick."

"How many are needed?"

"The more, the better."

"I’ll go inform the tribesmen right away. Rest assured, once they know of this, they’ll surely help," said Siris, turning to leave.

"Don’t rush, there’s more," Starks called out to Siris. He stuffed the last bit of bread into his mouth, took a sip of water, and then said, "The Medical Department is also sending a Medical Team, which will arrive soon... for a medical check-up, to help treat afflicted tribesmen in the village. When they arrive, gather those who need help so they can be examined. And remember your right leg, make sure they take a good look at it too. Maybe they can heal it."

"Alright, I’ll remember. I’ll notify the ailing tribesmen to come over," Siris promised, although he didn’t hold much hope in his heart. He had been injured for over a year, even seeking treatment from the Priest in the Main Camp without a permanent cure, long giving up hope.

"Just now, my subordinate informed me that, so far, no one has come to register. You know, people were already queuing up the past two days. Do you think those remaining seventy-five households have decided not to join our Nix Tribe?" Stags asked.

Siris thought for a moment before responding, "It’s possible. Each of those seventy-five households has a man. When I tried persuading them yesterday, most of them wouldn’t relent."

Not only did they refuse, but some even insulted Siris as a traitor and wanted to fight him... Siris didn’t mention this, fearing it would anger the Nix people and put them at a disadvantage, especially after living together as tribesmen for over a decade.

Stags looked at him, asking in a deep voice, "What do you think makes them so adamant?"

"I think it’s possible they find it hard to accept joining the... enemy of their not completely extinct tribe," replied Siris with a calm expression.

He hadn’t fully disclosed the truth. According to his persuasion visits yesterday, most people shared the same beliefs as the previously injured young tribesman - except the young one used this notion as a cover for joining the Nix, while they firmly believed the Pannonian Tribe Alliance’s reinforcements would quickly return to drive out the Nix people.

"Oh, so that’s it," Stags couldn’t help but mock, "These people think too much and will live a very stressful life."

"Should I try persuading them again today?" Siris asked proactively.

"No need. If they don’t join, they don’t join. By the end of today, they will be Foreign Auxiliary of the tribe, freeing up space for newly relocated tribesmen," Stags remarked indifferently, "They will regret it after a while, but joining the tribe then won’t be easy."

Siris sighed inwardly.

He then busied himself mobilizing tribesmen who had already joined the Nix Tribe to manufacture wooden stakes.

The progress was very smooth, not only because Siris had prestige and influence but also because the tribesmen knew that making stakes was for measuring land, which would lead to their land allocation. Thus, everyone was very enthusiastic, even dismantling the wooden fences outside their courtyards due to insufficient materials.

In the morning, the team dispatched by the Agricultural Department arrived. More than forty people, after meeting with Stags, quickly went to the outskirts of the village to begin measurement work, guarded by dozens of soldiers sent by Stags.

Although many in this team were young, they worked systematically, with each child assigned specific tasks, all focused and attentive.

Villagers also gathered near the working team. Remembering Siris’s instructions, they didn’t interfere but watching the field measurements filled them with excitement, prompting them to manufacture stakes nearby, which increased the efficiency of the team considerably.

These Segestica citizens had previously seen two teenagers registering them at the main house, and now saw many young people measuring, calculating, and recording in the fields, giving them a huge shock.

In their old belief, only Priests with high status and vast knowledge could do such tasks, but it seemed all Nix youths were literate and numerate, which made them more hopeful about their future life in the Nix Tribe. They also nurtured a strong desire: to send their children to that school and become as remarkable as Priests!

On the fourth morning, Starks led his 70 soldiers, escorting over a hundred Foreign Auxiliary to the eastern end of the village.

"Maiotias, no need to see us off any further, head back," Stags instructed his subordinate sternly, "Even though I’ve taken these people away, leaving only tribesmen who joined the tribe in the village, do not let your guard down. Until you receive orders to leave, maintain order in the village, so our efforts these days won’t be in vain!"

"Rest assured, captain, I will keep watch here," Maiangtias solemnly promised, also reminded, "But captain, please send someone to inform us as soon as possible."

Stags nodded, then instructed two other centurions to obey Maiangtias’s arrangements.

Finally, he genuinely said to the temporary village manager who came to see him off, "Siris, I’m glad to have met you in this village, you’ve helped us tremendously! Thank you!"

"I’m also glad to have met you. It makes me feel that joining the Nix isn’t such a... bad thing," Siris said reservedly.

Stags laughed heartily, "It’s not just not bad, for you, it’s an extremely good thing! Because you are capable, and capable people won’t be overlooked in our tribe. But you need to continue taking care of your tribesmen, assist Maiangtias in maintaining village order, and keep demonstrating your abilities to the tribe. I believe you won’t just be a temporary village manager."

Stags’s words hit home for Siris, though he didn’t show it directly, just slightly nodding before turning to look at the tribesmen being forced out of the village by Nix Soldiers, and asked worriedly, "Will they... be okay?"

"Although they didn’t want to join the tribe, by decree, they have become Foreign Auxiliary of the tribe. We will send them to your Main Camp, and as long as they don’t cause trouble and work diligently, they will live well. Perhaps in half a year or a year, they will join the tribe and all come back."

"I hope so."

"We must set off now, see you later," Stags said, extending his right hand.

"Goodbye!" Siris also extended his hand, the two shaking firmly.

Watching Stags’s group go far away, a sense of loss rose in Siris’s heart. Although he only worked with Stags for three days, perhaps due to a congenial bond, he felt somewhat empty.

He stood with Maiangtias and the three centurions at the spot until the entire team disappeared from view, then turned to walk back.

As they approached the main house, Maimai Angelias’s voice came from behind, "Siris, I feel your leg is better, isn’t it?"

Instinctively reaching for the injury, Siris felt the thick layer of linen and remembered the Nix doctors that Stags insisted on having examine him yesterday, reluctantly agreeing.

The Nix doctor, after examining him, suggested thoroughly removing the skin around his repeatedly festering wounds, applying herbs, and he should heal.

With Stags’s strong insistence, he reluctantly agreed to try. He could endure the pain of cutting, bear with the post-treatment burning sensation, but the intermittent itchiness at night made it hard to sleep well. In the morning, focused on seeing off Stags, he forgot about his leg, only now, reminded by Maiangtias, he realized the wound wasn’t itchy and stepping on his right leg wasn’t as painful, even making it easier to exert some strength.

Siris felt immediately better, thought in his heart: The Nix people’s medical skills are indeed great! When the doctors come for rounds tomorrow, I must seek them out and have the medicine reapplied.

..........................................

Pulikas, with Andres’s son, Ankasus, boarded a prepared boat, fleeing the already breached Segestica East Camp. The group sat on the boat, drifting southward along the winding Sava River.

His men, out of danger, several times suggested stopping the boat and finding a nearby tribe, to fill their stomachs before discussing what to do next.

All suggestions were refused.

In the afternoon, the river ahead suddenly widened. On the right bank, large expanses of reed beds stretched out of sight, concealing narrow channels danced by the river breeze. Occasionally, a fisherman could be seen paddling between them... The gentle sunlight shone on the golden reeds, with pairs of egrets soaring in the sky, flocks of wild ducks frolicking in the river...