Reinhard noticed the item name’s color was green.

“Hm, this one’s different too. I wonder what the rarity hierarchy is…”

[SYSTEM]

[Common] → [Uncommon] → [Rare] → [Epic] → [Legendary] → [Mythical] → [Ancient]

“So I have an ancient-tier material and a mythical-tier passive skill… I never liked those shows where the main character was incredibly OP from the start but this is nice.”

“By the way… Who’s the Lake Queen?”

He asked Fraenis as he returns the bow to her.

“Oh she’s a water sprite that resides at Lake Nymue further west. She’s not really the queen of that place though. People just gave that title to her because she’d help lost travelers as long as they don’t have evil intentions.”

“When did the Lake Queen enchanted that bow and why?”

“She enchanted it back when Garden became the last home of the Dryads. As for why, well, Tylla and the Lake Queen are long-time friends.”

“…”

“That reminds me… We should inform her of Tylla’s passing. I don’t know if she already knows but we should still go sometime.”

“Sure. I’d want to meet her too.”

“I wonder how she was able to enchant… Maybe I could just learn it from her instead of using my skill points or grinding my arcane artificer to level 10.”

Fraenis leered at him.

“Ooh? And why would you want to meet her?”

“Hm? Well I was thinking how she was able to enchant Tylla’s bow. She must be a pretty high level enchanter with that quality of enchantment…”

“Mm, is that so…”

She continues leering at Reinhard.

“W-what?”

He asked after noticing her.

“Oh, nothing.”

Then she looked away. The rest of their walk was an awkward silence, with Ddraig occasionally hissing and Reinhard replying briefly.

After walking for a while, they finally came across the hut and naturally, the Garden’s barrier not too far behind it. It looked like the knights on guard duty have shifted.

The three of them walked towards the barrier, however, when they came out of the trees before even reaching the hut, the knights that looked in their direction to see what the movement was immediately widened their eyes.

“M-my Lord! Behind you!”

One knight shouts as he carries his sword while running towards them.

Reinhard, realizing the situation, instantly sprang into action.

“No! Wait, calm down!”

To which the knight, and the one behind him following, stopped.

“This is Ddraig, he’s my follower.”

Reinhard explained as he pats Ddraig’s ventral scales, his underside.

“See?”

He added in an attempt to quell the knight’s alarms.

Ddraig on the other hand hissed and lets out a small puff of fire into the air.

“F-follower? You tamed it, my Lord?”

The second knight on the back asked.

“Tamed? Mmmm, no, I don’t think that’s the word for it…”

Reinhard went into his “deep-thought mode” once again.

“Ah, well, basically I challenged him into a duel. If I win, he’ll serve me.”

He finally replied after giving up on thinking what the most fitting explanation is.

“A duel… How did he accept?”

“That’s a great question… How did you accepted it, Ddraig?”

He asked as he turns towards Ddraig.

*Hisssss*

“Ahh, I see. Well, he said that the fact that we fought was a sign of acceptance. Otherwise he could’ve just run away after receiving my challenge if he didn’t want to participate.”

“Still, I thought there would be some interface that popped up asking if he accepts or not… Does that mean I’m the only one in this world using the game system?”

“Ahem. Well, now that that’s settled, can we all calm down now?”

Fraenis suddenly said to interrupt the staring contest between the knights and Ddraig.

The two knights, having their senses seemingly brought back by Fraenis’ comments, sheathed their swords and saluted to Reinhard. It seems that they were already informed about it. Reinhard saluted in response before continuing to the village.

Inside, he, or rather Ddraig, was continuously met with both startled and unbelieving eyes by the people as they walk along Garden towards Reinhard’s house. Many didn’t even greet him as they were too preoccupied by the towering red basilisk following Reinhard. He was fine with it though, as he’s not really a man of formality.

After arriving at his house, Reinhard was met with yet another conundrum. Where would he put Ddraig? He’s too big to fit inside the door, and although he may just barely fit in the living room if he really coiled himself, Reinhard could imagine how uncomfortable that would be, and there’s also the matter of punching a huge hole in the wall. He stood in front of his house, thinking of this problem.

*Hisss*

Ddraig hissed at him, breaking Reinhard’s concentration.

“Eh? Are you sure?”

*Hisss*

Then, Ddraig start climbing up the huge tree trunk of the house, ultimately resting himself along the equally huge branches.

There was now a huge snake hanging itself on the branches of his house. This sight reminded Reinhard of a Christmas light hanged on a Christmas tree, as Ddraig’s bright red scales reflects a great deal of light by itself.

“Well… If you’re okay with there, then sure.”

He said, still undecided if it’s really fine. What Freanis said helped him come to terms with it though.

“Basilisks that are outcast from the nest, which I imagine Ddraig is being of a different element and color, often take residence on top of big trees like these and underground holes that can fit them. Don’t worry, I assure you he feels perfectly fine on being up there. In fact, I’d say he feels too fine about it.”

Reinhard looked back up and saw that Ddraig has now gone into a deep sleep, coiling himself into a circle while the thick branches support him from beneath.

“I sure hope he doesn’t sneeze flames while sleeping…”

Reinhard was about to step inside his house when Fraenis stopped him.

“Hey, Rein.”

“Rein? When did she start calling me that?”

“Uh, yeah? Something the matter?”

“Well, no, I just… Don’t do that again.”

Reinhard immediately began thinking of the things that he may have done wrong to her.

“Do what?”

He asked after giving up as the silence has already became awkward.

“Risk your life. Not picking your battles… You know what I mean!”

She raised her voice, seemingly unware that she just did.

“I see. She must have been so worried.”

“Alright. I won’t. Again, I’m sorry…”

“Hmm, hmm.”

With that, Reinhard’s one day of freedom came to an extremely satisfactory end. He went to sleep, bracing himself for what’s going to happen tomorrow, because tomorrow would be the start of him implementing his plans for the village.

The next day, he was woken up by the familiar chirping of the birds. He had recalled that he’s experienced this before but he was still half-asleep and paid no mind to it. After fully coming to his senses, he got everything ready, wearing his replacement clothes and exited his room where he found Fraenis standing on the side of the door as usual.

“Did you even get enough sleep? I appreciate you standing guard here but you shouldn’t push yourself.”

He said as soon as he sees Fraenis.

Fraenis, in response, looked at him and smiled.

“Don’t worry, sleep is the second thing that I enjoy the most.”

“And what’s the first?”

He asked while walking towards the living room.

“Take a guess.”

She said as she gives a smile that’s saying “I bet you can’t guess it.”

“Hmm, hunting?”

Fraenis furrowed her eyebrows.

“No…”

“Really? I thought you really loved hunting. Well, anyway, can you please call Lem, Phyllos, Metha and Sir Velram here? Thank you.”

He told Fraenis as soon as they reached the living room. Fraenis replied yes and immediately set out for the door.

Meanwhile, while waiting, Reinhard sat on one of the chairs closest to the window. There, he began to rack his brains, formulating everything and making sure that things are set before he presents his plans of the village to the five. It took about three minutes of him intensely staring at nothing while in deep-thought before the door finally opened and the four, along with Fraenis came in.

“You called for us, my Lord?”

Sir Velram spoke first after entering.

“Ah yes. Please take a sit. You too, Fraenis.”

The five, upon hearing this, began to sit on the remaining chairs in anticipation and curiosity. And then they all looked towards Reinhard, waiting for what he’s about to say.

“Well… How should I put this…”

“…”

“Is anyone here aware of what departments are?”

He asked. The five looked at each other, looking if anyone knows what Reinhard had just asked, but no one spoke out.

“I see. Well, no matter. Basically, departments are a division of a government tasked with the responsibility of a specific thing.”

He looked at the five, seeing how they would react. No reaction, either they were following with him, or they’re just waiting for additional things that he would say.

“Ah, you know what? I guess it’d be much simpler if I show it this way…”

He then began to breathe in heavily, assembling his thoughts and plans carefully and concisely.

“Metha… You’re a herbalist, yes?”

She asked Metha sitting at the far right chair, next to Fraenis who’s sitting right of him, and Sir Velram sitting in front of him.

“Uh, I, yes…”

“Then I name you the head of the department of… let’s see… food and agriculture.”

“Uhhh…”

Metha mumbled, unsure of what those words meant and what sort of reaction she should give.

“You must be wondering what the department of food and agriculture do, yes? Well, in short, you will be the one in charge of dealing with problems that arises regarding food, farming and really, anything that involves plants. For example, if by some stroke of bad luck, our one and only farm suffered from blight, instead of going to me to give approval to resolve the issue, you have the power to do that. I’m basically giving you a portion of my power as the Chief, or Lord of Garden, but only anything regarding food and agriculture. Are you following?”

“I-isn’t that a very high position then??”

She asked flustered.

“It is, but I’m giving this position to you because I’m not knowledgeable about these things unlike you. And besides, it lessens my responsibilities so I could deal with the more pressing matters.”

“…”

“Well, do you accept this position?”

“I, uh, I do, but I’m going to need further clarifications, Chief.”

“Sure, I’ll answer all your questions later. For now, let’s move on.”

“…”

He looked towards the man right of Metha, Sir Velram.

“Sir Velram. You are in charge of the department of defense. You have the power to decide everything regarding… well, defense of Garden. If there are minor problems in the Garden’s defense, you are free to solve them by yourself without having to consult me. Do you accept?”

“Yes, my Lord. But like Ms. Metha, I’d like to ask a few questions later too.”

“Very well. Next is Lem. You’d be in charge of the department of construction. If you think that we’re lacking some infrastructures, you can take the initiative and inform me. If I agree about that project, then you have the power to supervise the entire process of construction. Naturally, if there are problems concerning our structures, they would go through you first to see if you can resolve them yourself. How about it?”

“Yeah, I’d take on that.”

“Glad to hear that. Then Phyllos. Unlike the three of them you won’t be heading a department. Instead, you’d be my secretary as well as my advisor. These past few days, I’ve seen how you approach things as logically as possible, and that is why I’m giving this position to you. You’d be in charge of advising me as my advisor, but only when I ask for it. As my secretary though, you’d be filtering the requests and problems that people would like to present to me. You are to determine if they’re major enough to warrant my ultimate decision as head of the Garden.”

“Sounds like a lot of work, but I accept nonetheless. I’m curious about this system.”

“Don’t worry, there’s not that much work.”

*Ping!*

[SYSTEM]

[Deception 4] leveled up to [Deception 5]

“Shhh!”

“As for you Fraenis, I suppose you just want to keep doing what you’ve been doing?”

“Hmm, hmm!”

She nodded, seemingly relieved that her job wouldn’t be changed.

“Now… I know what you might be wondering… ‘Why? Why do all these, what’s the point?’ Am I correct? Well, I’ll tell you my plans… I’m planning to expand Garden.”

Everyone’s eyes widened, further catching their already caught attention.