Hi everyone, this chapter was a bit longer than usual.

Thank you for reading my fiction. Enjoy

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Chief Pai was standing on top of a platform, not far from the entrance of the village. This platform was built for the archers, in preparation for the incoming attack from the centaurs. They already attacked this morning but failed to achieve anything. So the village was preparing for another attack, presumably from a far bigger forces.

His gaze was wandering across the forest, looking for any sign of movement. He already doing this for several hours. If the enemies came, he wanted to be the first one to notice it. In all 15 years he lead the village, this was definitely the biggest crisis he ever faced. Although his face look calm, his hands was sweating. That’s why was doing his best. On his shoulders, a lot of people depends on it.

“Husband, come here and sit for a while. I brought you some snack and tea”, he heard a lovely voice that he never bored hearing it. Maybe for others, it was a voice of grandma, but for him, it always a voice of an angel. It came at the right time and always helped him to ease some burden in his heart.

“My beautiful wife, why do you bring this here by yourself. Just ask someone to bring it to me. Its dangerous here, I’m afraid you get hurt”, he said with a worried tone.

His wife smiled and then look around across the forest behind him. Then she opened her mouth and said, “I don’t see anything dangerous around here. Even if danger is here, I know you will protect me”.

“My wife, I will protect you with all my life”, he smiled while looking deeply into her eyes. “Alright, no more talking. I’m already here, just eat”, she said hurriedly. “Hahahaha, I love your shy face. Ouch, don’t pinch me”. The couple continued joking with each other while been ignored by other hunters on the platform. Looks like they already used with this couple.

“Chief, look. Something was moving fast towards the village”, one of the hunters suddenly spoke while his finger pointed out toward the forest.

Chief Pai turned his head and spotted the movement mentioned. Then he quickly grabbed the shoulder of the hunter closest to him.

“Ah Ming, take my wife back to main building. Please protect her as far as you can. On your way back here, notify the elders about the attack”, he said. Although he still didn’t see the ‘enemy’, at this point, he couldn’t think about anything else other than ‘enemy’ that will attack the village.

“Sound the alarm, archers on platform!!!”, he stood up and gave a loud shout. Instantly, the sound of gong ringing throughout the village, notified everyone about the incoming attack. The archers from every corner of the village quickly climbed the platform, with a bow and a quiver full of arrow. Everyone were rushing to their designated station. Melee fighter behind the entrance and the helpers consisted of non combatant villagers were line up not far from the defence line. The latter’s job was to replenish the arrows and tend the injured. After the battle this morning, Chief Pai briefed everyone about the situation and all the villagers were determined to help.

In less than 5 minutes, everything was ready. Chief Pai and the elders were observing the situation from an elevated platform not far from the entrance. The ‘creature’ have long stopped before it reached the border of the forest. Looks like it sensed that the village was battle ready.

At the forest border, not far from the clearing in front of Orca Village entrance, Acma was on alert when he heard a sound of gong reverberated from the village. He recognized the pattern and the tempo, he suspected that the village was getting ready for battle. He unsummoned his Sawa and lowered his body, facing the village, making it look as small as possible. He took out several drones and gave an order to Alice.

“Alice, survey the village and then tell me what is going on” “Yes, Master”

Alice turned itself invisible and lead the drones toward the village. Meanwhile, Acma was contemplating to pick the best choice on how to approach the village.

After several minutes, Alice returned.

“The village is battle ready. Almost everyone is carrying a weapon and they focused their attention at this location”, Alice reported.

“Thank you, Alice. Continue your surveillance and wait for my order” “Yes, Master”

“What is actually happen to the Orca Village? Their manoeuvre began as soon as I approaching the clearance and they actually complete it in less than 5 minutes. Looks like they were expecting an attack on their village”, he thought. Acma knew he had to approach the village carefully or he would become a dead porcupine.

“Alice, have one of the drones slowly approach the highest platform behind the entrance and then project my hologram. I want to speak with the elders. Don’t get shot” “It will be done, Master”

Acma watched his drone flew slowly over the entrance to the highest platform. He assumed that the elders will be there to oversee the battle. He was nervous.

High on the platform, Chief Pai was patiently waiting for the ‘enemy’ to emerge from the forest. Next to him, Elder Ma stood valiantly, ready to give orders. The other elders also present. Actually, it wasn’t wise for all the elders to congregate at one place like this, but most likely that the elders were eager to see the ‘enemy’. Although he could understand their eagerness, Chief Pai issued an order that all the elders except Elder Ma and him, must dispersed and waited far behind the defence line as soon as the ‘enemy’ emerged.

After waiting for several minutes, the ‘enemy’ still didn’t come out. Chief Pai tried to calm down and he was thinking that this ‘enemy’ was so mysterious. Or was it already retreated? He saw several sphere drones flew out of forest and hovering high above the village, but he couldn’t figure out their purpose. Numerous questions circling inside his head as he gripped his bow harder. Next to him, Elder Ma was calm observing the sphere drones.

“What do you think about that drones, Brother Ma?” Chief Pai asked. “It was a surveillance drones. A highly sophisticated one. Looks like this ‘enemy’ wasn’t the enemy we’re waiting for since this morning. Ah, look, one of the drones is approaching”.

The drone stopped several metres in front of the elders. Soon after, a blue hologram was projected from the drone, revealing a youth with one knee on the ground. The youth was donning a full body armour without a helmet and he look majestic.

“Greetings, honourable elders of Orca Village. My parents, the Mad Couple always spoke highly about all of you. My name is Acma Heart and I sincerely apologize for approaching the honourable elders like this. I came in peace and I sincerely wish that the village will allow me to come out from the forest”, the youth said.

All the elders on the platform was stunned for a second before Chief Pai responded with a shout.

“You damn kid! It have been 10 years since your last visit and this is how you called us? Elder!! I’m not that old yet you know. Come here at this second or I will give you a beatings!!”

The youth smiled wryly and replied, “I’m sorry Uncle Pai. I will go there immediately. Please don’t shoot me”.

“Alright everyone, stand down. Its not an enemy, its a reinforcement”, Elder Ma gave the order to stand down. “All guards on duty will continue their duty while the others can go back and rest. Open the gate!!!”

The hunters were hush hushing after they heard the orders to stand down. The gate was opened and the hunters move closer to it. Although the got the permission to disperse, they were curious about the reinforcement, so they waited.

Acma retrieved all the drones before stepped out into the clearings. He walked with a uniformed pace toward the village’s entrance. He was nervous. Like Chief Pai said, this was the first time he visit the village after 10 years. Last time he came here was with his parents to learn the art of hunting from the villagers.

When he reached the entrance, Chief Pai and the elders were waiting. When he was closed enough, Acma lowered his head and politely bowing to the elders. Then he awkwardly wave his right hand with a nervous smile plastered on his face, he said,

“Hi Uncle Pai, Uncle Ma, Uncle Daquan, Uncle Fai, long time no see”

Chief Pai’s face twitched a little. Then he step forward and gave Acma a bear hug. If not because of his armour, Acma was surely been squeezed to death by that hug.

“This is how you greet people after 10 years not meeting them. Go, greet your uncles”, said Chief Pai with a wide smile on his face. One after another, the elders gave a squeezing hug, followed by a thunderous slap on his back. The elders was quite fond of this youth although they only been together for several month. After exchanging greetings, Chief Pai dragged the battered Acma to the main building.

Acma was touched by the way the elders welcomed him. He was here at this village for just a few months only, but these elders already treated him like their own son. No wonder his parents also viewed these elders highly.

You have entered a lord less village

As a lord, you can claim ownership over territories, either by forces or negotiations. If you wish to claim ownership over this village, have the villagers to recognize you as their lord

A notification panel appeared on his sight as soon as he crossed the main gate. Without even thinking about it, Acma immediately dismissed the panel.

In the meeting room inside the main building, Acma was welcomed with a pinch on both of his cheeks from Madam Pai. Pinching his cheeks was her favourite. Madam Pai was his mother whenever his parents left for missions during his stay for training at this village. So he was really closed to her. When the village was preparing for battle earlier, all women, elderly and children were sheltered in the main building because it was the safest place in the entire Orca Village.

“Aaah, no more chubby cheeks. Look at you, you’re taller than me now. You grow too fast. Little Acma, after you’re finish with those smelly old man, make sure you come to auntie’s house. Auntie will cook your favourite dishes. Aahh, I’m so happy today”, she said. “Alright auntie, I will surely pay a visit later. I’m start missing your cook already”. Madam Pai was smiling brightly. She only left after she gave another heartful pinch on his cheeks.

“Have you done flirting with my wife? Come here right now, you damn kid or I give you a heartful beatings”, said Chief Pai. A thunderous laughter erupted in the room.

Acma don’t know how to react and just smiled awkwardly. “Okay Uncle Pai”, he replied as he proceed and sat next to Chief Pai.

“So, how are Mad Couple now? Are there still doing missions?”, Chief Pai began the ‘interrogation’. “They’re doing just fine. Last time I talked with father, he still at his office in Shanghai while mother was at her lab. They got things to do”

“Looks like they’re still going strong. So, what is your story? You’re living alone in that villa right?”, Chief Pai asked again.

“I’m doing great”, Acma gave a short reply.

“Hmph, you’re really taking your mother’s side. Shy, antisocial, a few word. Brothers, you definitely have to tie down your daughters. This kid is definitely a lady killer. Did you see how he flirt with my wife earlier?” said Chief Pai with a gloomy face while looking at the elders around him. A louder laughter erupted in the room.

“I won’t dare. Uncles don’t have to worry. So, what happen to the village? Why everyone is carrying a weapons?” Acma quickly change the subject. He definitely didn’t want to talk much about himself.

“Hahahaha, brother Pai, you’re killing me”, Elder Ma was wiping his tears and then continued, “Little Acma, we’re preparing for battle. In fact, we almost dispatch our hunters to your villa, seeking your help”.

“The village is preparing for battle? With who?”, Acma quickly asked.

“Centaurs. They came here this morning with a clear hostility. We manage to route their forces and capture the leader, but we afraid they will come with a larger forces. If only we can understand their language, maybe we can force something out of the leader’s mouth”, Elder Ma replied.

“Centaurs? Another mythical creature”, he thought. He never expected that Orca Village already facing an attack from the new world natives. With this revelation, Acma also did not need to ask about the appearance of blue panel earlier this morning although that was his main purpose coming to this village initially.

“Centaurs? How about the villagers? Is there any casualties among the villagers?”, Acma’s face turned serious. To him, all battle is a serious matter although he like to do his battle leisurely. Battle and battling had to be treated differently.

“Relax kid, no casualties among the villagers”, Elder Daquan suddenly spoke. Then he looked toward Chief Pai and said, “Brother, looks like this kid’s temperament haven’t change a bit. He still like his young self, whenever he heard about battle, his face turn serious. Brother, you worry too much”.

“Hahahaha. Brother, I was just joking earlier”, Chief Pai answered and then look toward Acma. “Kid, since you’re already here, I have a favour to ask you for”, he said.

Acma was listening attentively, “Any kind of favour, Uncle. I will help to fulfil it if it still within my capabilities”.

“Its good to hear that. The thing is, like Elder Ma said earlier, we might be facing a larger enemy forces. Although this village have some weapons to defend itself, but I’m afraid its not enough. The favour I am asking for is ...”, before he could finished his word, he was interrupted.

A little girl whose age around 6 or 7 years old with a cloth doll in her right hand suddenly barged into the meeting room and ran directly to Chief Pai.

“Little Mei, you can’t barge into the room just like that. Grandpa still in an important meeting right now”, said Chief Pai while his fingers lightly pinch the little girl’s nose. The little girl wasn’t actually his granddaughter, but he doted her like his own. The girl’s family live next to his house, that’s why they were close. The little girl was like a shining sun in his life. Chief Pai lost his only son when the latter was doing his college in Tianjin City several years ago. That time, his world turn dark but luckily, this little girl entered his and his wife’s life.

Little Mei puffed her chest and said loudly, “Grandma give Little Mei an utmost important mission. Grandma said, ‘Dear husband, get home right now and bring Little Acma along. That’s all, roger and out”. After completed her delivery, the little girl turned around and swiftly ran out of the room.

Everyone was stunned.

“Hahahaha, looks like Brother Pai have been summoned”, one of the elders said and a small laughter came out of his mouth.

Chief Pai looked at everyone inside and said, “I’m sorry everyone, looks like I have to go. My chief have issued a summon. Come with me kid, lets go home”.

Everyone dispersed and the sun sets sail.