V3 Chapter 62

Rain spent time freely and peacefully inside the village.

He didn’t go out even a bit outside the tribe for a while, and instead accompanied Lafetti or Zarda wherever and whatever they do. Then, his life eventually returned to normal, spending his time training, practicing, doing Alchemy and Blacksmithing like usual. Though with the added task of trying to increase the level of the [Territory Building System] he found in his new Grimoire. An incredible power that improves and develops the village, along with the lifestyle of the people living within it.

Since Rain had introduced the power of the Grimoire: [The Territory Building System] and did his first mission, the entire tribe has been filled with excitement and anticipation for the future using it.

Not only the entire village had undergone major improvements and makeover—houses and the buildings built within, becoming much better in appearance and form, while the crop fields had also been magically enhanced, which caused crops and plants planted in a specific field—fields which had been improved by the [TBS] had the speed of their growth increased significantly.

Though, just enhancing a 10 m2 field, increasing its level by 1 cost quite a lot amount of Gold and Resources. Hence, it was pretty difficult to decide if he wanted to use up most of his resources and wealth just for farming since he also needed to improve other aspects of the village.

Every increased level can magically make the crop planted in that particular field grow faster than normal. However, it would only work for a single field that had a dimension of 10 m2. If he wanted another field, he needed to buy one—or in reality, improve another 10 m2 of farm field by one level.

The Village already has several dozen meters squared in size. And this became one of the bases of the farm system within the [TBS]. But as long as Rain didn’t raise a single farm field into Lv1, then that farm field will remain a simple plant field, with a normal maturity rate for crops and plants.

For a better example, a part of the field which had been leveled into one would have a much faster maturity rate for crops and plants, compared to the other Lv0 fields.

The Lamians can still plant on it, but the growth rate of the crops planted will remain at their normal standard.

As proof of how incredibly mysterious and incredible the Lv1 Farm fields were, unlike the crops that can be found in the Lv0 Field which still needed a few months to harvest, the crops that were planted long before in them, and still have a few months before harvest is now almost ripe for collection, with only a few weeks left to wait. And even those that were planted a few weeks ago had already blossomed. Some had even already grown a foot or two taller.

The difference between the maturity speed of the crops planted between a lv1 and Lv0 Field was astonishingly clear.

Just by looking at it, all Lamians who were tending the farm fields were beyond ecstatic.

What does this difference in maturity speed mean?

Even a fool would understand.

They would be able to harvest food much sooner and faster than normal. And the worries of having a lack of food have all but disappeared.

It can even be said that the small village had become a self-sufficient village now, with no worries of having no food for everyone in the tribe one day. Even without hunting, just the crops alone could provide the village with more even left to spare.

It was truly incredible.

One that can even be said to be a miracle of God—perhaps, a miracle that can rival the Goddess of Fertility and Harvest in legends. So, how could the Lamians not feel the blinding hope in their future?

And all of this is thanks to him.

Rain Revert.

The Treasure of their Tribe, and the holder of the mysterious Grimoire that seemed to have the power to change destiny.

Because of that, the Lamians have an incredible adoration and worship for the Godly Grimoire. In fact, they were also surprised about the Grimoire’s ability to build, repair, fixed, and even improved houses, or any kind of buildings in the village.

With just simple movements of his fingers over the shiny part of the small, thin black box that he holds with much care, (which he called Smart Phone)—a magical device he had before and had now seemed to have merged and upgraded by the Grimoire, causing it to transform into a new kind of Magical Grimoire, the Lamians would feel something strange and they would then start working around the said area or building.

They would even receive a strange, unknown but foreign knowledge out of nowhere—like how to do something, how to make it, what form should it take, and anything. In fact, it’s as if they have become puppets, with their limbs attached to invisible strings and being controlled.

Truthfully, if something like this occurred to you, it would surely be unpleasant.

Fear and anxiety, feeling as if your own will have been shackled by an unknown force or thing you don't even know, or understand. And although you were conscious at all, it’s as if your soul separated from your body, somewhat becoming foreign from themselves. And all they could do was watch as their physical body moves weirdly, but with much precision and speed.

That’s how the Lamians have felt whenever the [Territory Building System] had controlled their bodies to do something, or build something the first time as well.

Although they were told how the Grimoire works, when it had really happened, it was incredibly shocking, and even somewhat worrying.

As time passed by, the discomfort gradually disappeared, however.

The Lamians had even started to feel that everything was normal.

When something needs to be done, they will know it instinctively. And they would do it without hesitation and questions asked. Now, they wouldn’t even mind if, when they were resting, they would suddenly think—ahh, I still need to do that. Build that. Or whatever it is that is needed to do something and immediately work on it.

There’s no discomfort either, which is quite unexpected.

They just have a feeling that there is something they needed to do, and they would do it.

That’s all there is to it.

It fitted in their usual lifestyle that there’s nothing that seemed out of place.

Furthermore, there were even some Lamians that started to enjoy this kind of feeling, obtaining foreign but incredible knowledge about things and professions that they didn’t normally understand, or encountered before. And some were happy to be of use, especially knowing that the one who was making them do this was none other than Rain, himself.

Being of use to him, for them, was also a kind of happiness. One that they would do so without any hesitation. It didn’t even matter, despite knowing that with their controlled selves, it would be like placing their lives on his hands.

If he so wishes it, Rain could control them to die. Though, whether the Grimoire has such function is yet unknown. But it was clear that it’s completely impossible.

The [Territory Building System] follows how it was named, to build and manage the user’s territory. But it would not completely control its people.

Putting aside the function of the Grimoire’s System, no matter how powerful an item is, there would always be a limitation. Simultaneously being able to control a large number of people in an instant and without any catalyst is nigh impossible. And in fact, according to Rain, only around four to five people he could control through the [Territory Building System]. And if he wanted to increase the number, he needed to level up the System first.

One to two people in every increased level. Still, the Grimoire’s power that was able to influence people's minds and actions, despite their number as well as power levels simultaneously, is already beyond something a Magical Item could do.

Even Sylphy had affirmed that the Grimoire’s ability is already out of this world.

It’s just like the Godly Powers of creating a Game-like Dungeon—its true capability is to alter reality and its law.

It has its limitations, however, and would not be able to control one’s mind completely—if it did, the Lamians would not be able to doubt or feel anything when they are under the influence of the Grimoire’s power. But it’s not as if there are no changes brought by the influence of the Grimoire as well.

It’s not a direct change in their hearts or their minds, but a feeling of acceptance and adoration towards Rain had, for some reason, increased even more, as they look at him with much, more affection and adoration compared to before. Like they were completely charmed or enslaved by some kind of power to obey him.

The power of the Grimoire, to alter Reality, had enabled the user to grasp everything in his territory, and hold them in control. However, it’s not omnipotent. As it only affects territory-related things, and cannot defy the law of nature. Though it had some control over a bit of law in time and space aspects, it's not absolute and only minor and basic aspects of those laws are he able to control.

Nevertheless, it might be able to influence the heart and mind of the people who were staying within.

After all, with the Game-like System of the Grimoire, it worked with almost absolute control. It's like having NPC's generated by the system to manage the entire area. Though, since creating existence out of nothing is already in God's domain, and nigh impossible for a mortal, the Grimoire used an alternative method. And that is through the already existing people- The residence of the territory.

It took Rain quite a long time to notice these changes, as he focused his attention on attentively examining the [Territory Building System] for anything new, and building as well as improving houses, building water wells, improving farm fields, making a smooth road, and many more, to liven up and improve the lives of the people living within the village.

However, no matter how dull he is, he would still, one way or another, perceive that something had gone wrong.

Well, he didn’t actually notice anything wrong, physically, and mentally. The Lamians were acting just like usual. However, he only noticed that something had indeed gone wrong when Sylphy unintentionally mentioned about; ‘Lamians not being surprised anymore as they moved and worked fast in accordance with the TB System’s functions.'

An expression that seemed quite unusual. It’s not as if it’s their own free will when they worked according to the command of the system. Despite all this, they acted like nothing.

And that’s when Rain realized faintly that it’s indeed something weird.

He tried asking the Grimoire about it. Unfortunately, the Grimoire’s answer was vague. ‘The Grimoire didn’t have any direct power that can control and manipulate a person’s mind’ and ‘Everything’s working as it intended,’ and so on, simple replies that don’t clearly state out the direct answer he was looking for, and it somewhat pisses him off.

However, with the Grimoire’s mechanical voice and computer-like attitude, Rain felt as if he was just kicking his foot against a rock wall. In the end, he could only give up.

He turned toward Sylphy for help and answers. But unfortunately, with the current level of [Sylphy Systema] even Sylphy didn’t have any access to the information about Legendary and Mythical level skills, abilities, and artifacts. This includes the Arch Grimoire, which is known as a Fragment of the Akashic Library. The Library of All-knowledge in existence.

As a Legendary-Grade Artifact; Arch Grimoire is still something beyond Sylphy’s knowledge.

However, what she’s certain of is that the Grimoire truly possesses the power to influence the minds and hearts of other people, especially with the Game-like function [Territory Building System] that involves a lot of people as a direct workforce.

If this is a Game, the Lamians would be treated as NPC’s, which has the purpose of following the rules and law of the [Territory Building System]. Therefore, it could be said that, rather than the people, the Grimoire affected the Macro-world- the law of the world, not the people themselves.

As for the Grimoire being unable to answer clearly, it must be because it couldn’t understand the true problem.

To the Grimoire itself, it was just doing what should be done—like a program that was doing what it was intended, not knowing nor questioning the purpose or reason. Though Rain somewhat understands her point, he’s still somewhat left dissatisfied. It was to the point that Rain was thinking of abandoning or sealing the [Territory Building System] despite its incredible use.

When Rain talks about it to Zarda, he learned that it seems like, something really did happen.

Zarda and the others realized that something had indeed affected their minds and heart, influencing their thoughts. Because of this, he was upset. Completely upset, and was very disappointed.

Even if the Legendary Grimoire is extremely powerful, if it means taking the freedom away from the Lamians, then he better not have it.

He loved the Lamians like his own family. He never wanted them to become servants or slaves. He would never want to take anything from them, especially freedom. If this Grimoire can invade their hearts and influence them, making him adore him or something, then in the future, he would never know what’s real or not.

He didn’t want a false love, or a fraud family, where the bond is as fragile as treading on thin ice.

“Perhaps,”

-however, Zarda and the others' reaction to it was unexpected.

Rain did not expect this sort of reaction. They look at him, who’s frowning and guilty with faint, gentle smiles, like adults watching their children doing silly mistakes.

There’s not an ounce of worry or anxieties in their faces, only amusement, and well... love.

“What you said might be true. That the Grimoire has been influencing our thoughts, or perhaps, even our hearts. However, did you actually think we would care of such little trifles?” she said.

“…??”

“Rain, whatever happens, whatever you do, in the past, the present, or even in the future... do always remember, we, the Amani Lamian Tribe, will always be with you” then she pulled him towards her bosom, and embrace him tightly.

Rain calmed down when she did it. Her scent and the sound of her heartbeat had always been able to make him relax. It has never failed to give him peace of mind- a comfort whenever he wanted it.

“We might have already been influenced, but does it change anything? Our hearts and thoughts had always been the same…we know ourselves more than anyone else, or anything in this world. We would know even the slightest change in ourselves, as well—don’t underestimate us, Lamians. Rain. We are not considered Unique Monsters for a show, you know.” she teased.

“Who knows if you really mean it.” Rain grumbled. However, he was already reassured with Zarda’s words and his lips regained their playful smile.

“I do,” Zarda chuckled. “We are still the same, Rain. We are still the Lamians that loved you, so much we could do anything for you. In fact, a bit of brainwashing could never change what we feel.” She mused with a mischievous smile.

“… Not to mention, feelings of love and adoration for you is what the Grimoire would do to us. It’s something we will take without any hesitation. Like a drug, we would be willing to take, despite knowing its addictiveness. It's beyond cure, this sickness of ours." she grinned playfully.

"... ..."

"So you really don’t need to care about the Grimoire’s side effects. It’s not the Grimoire’s fault that we have easily accepted the situation, much less, the incredible things that are happening right now in our village. We know that all of it was done because you treasured us- treasured this home of ours. The fact that you’re doing this for us, had already made us beyond gratification. How could we say any complaints? Our lives are not in other people’s hands, but yours. We don’t see any problem with it,”

“But…”

“Rain, listen to the Chief,”

Threia said as she stared at him like an elder sister to her silly little brother.

“The Chief is right. And besides, I think you’re misunderstanding something. It’s not that our hearts were controlled." she giggled when he looked at her, confused. Completely not understanding her meaning.

"... Indeed, when you use the Grimoire, our actions were manipulated, doing things we haven’t done before. However, there’s actually a choice being presented before us. Whether we will answer, and follow the command or not, the choice is ours. And of course, we will never refuse whatever it is that you want, and we obeyed. That’s when some strange and foreign knowledge would appear inside our heads, and our bodies take action before we know it. It's like obtaining a reward for the choice we have made. After all, this great knowledge that came unto us, like an inspiration, like a God's Will, it doesn't leave us. It stays with us, and so we profited more, don't you think?"

"... ..."

"...Therefore, it’s not what you are worried about,”

She looks at him, like a big sister looking fondly at his little brother, which was currently doing unnecessary, stupid actions.

“And besides, Rain, if I’m not mistaken, the influence that the Grimoire did to us, is not what you are thinking at all. Rather than being controlled, it should be noted that what the Grimoire did is merely calming our hearts down, and opening our minds so that we can easily accept what was going on. Other than that, there is no effect, like brainwashing, so you can rest assured.”

“Really?”

“Yes… do you trust me?”

“Of course,”

Although he and Threia were not as close as he was with Sarete and the other Lamians, since she is often in seclusion- nevertheless, she is one of the few Lamians he truly trusts without a hint of doubt.

Though she looked usually cold, and indifferent—one that seemed to be sacred, like a priestess of a church, Threia had always treated him very well.

And because of her incredible amount of knowledge, and the fact that she’s quite mature, Rain often visits her for advice. She’s wise and had a gentle disposition, which is quite different from Zarda or Sarete.

If Zarda is a gentle, but somewhat mischievous Elder Sister, Sarete, is also a gentle but reliable Elder Sister that you can confide everything and rely on upon without any worries. On the other hand, Threia is the Mature and wise one that you can depend on many things, and you are certain will surely give you advice, and help you when you're in need.

“... Then, you should know that I have the strongest resistance to any mental attacks. Furthermore, I’m quite sensitive and superior in this kind of area, right?”

“Hm,”

“Then, you should be eased your worries now. Everything is fine,”

Rain's expression finally eased after hearing their words. Though, whether they are true or not, for the moment, he can only place his trust in them.

“That’s right, Rain. So you should feel at ease, and avoid worrying about these little things,”

- It was then followed by the others.

“Hm, you have given us something that we had always been dreaming of, but too difficult to obtain. But because of you, we now have it on our hands…something like this, is not worth mentioning.”

“Being able to help you, is an honor and a desire we would do anything to achieve. So just like what they said, I don’t think there is any problem with it.”

“Rain, you are just overthinking it. The Grimoire might possess an ability to influence our thoughts…but, what we feel has always been the same...I still love you as much as I did before... if there’s a change in our feelings, it would be that because of the Grimoire, I think my feelings of love towards you become a hundred times more than before.”

Zarda said with a mischievous smile, causing Rain to instinctively blush at the Medusa’s sudden declaration of love. Especially in front of other people.

Even though they have been together for a long time, and even already have a very intimate relationship, he just can’t help but still feel affected by her words. Her strong and passionate feelings transmitted directly to him made him weak in heart.

“Then, if you are still worried, let’s do it like this. What about you Rain? Did you notice something different from us? One that you can help but find alarming? If there is, we will give you permission to decide on what to do,”

“…?!”

Rain’s eyes widened in surprise. Now that he thought about it, characters and attitude-wise, indeed there’s no change. It was to the point that he has not even noticed anything wrong up until now.

He was so caught up with the worries and guilt he had for what he had done to the Lamians that he ignored this simple thing.

He had been occupied with his guilt that he had already assumed for the worst.

“Nothing right?”

Zarda said with a confident grin.

“Rain, everyone’s feelings have not changed a bit. There is no need for you to worry over this matter anymore.”

So she said.

Rain nodded his head and think.

As he expected, this is the place where his heart belongs.

A place he could truly call home.

Rain loved the Lamians with all his heart. And he treated them with the greatest respect and affection he could give. He hopes for the very best for them, and if possible gives them everything he could offer.

They are his irreplaceable family.

Because of this, how could he let someone or something possess the power to control them?

Even if that power is in his hand, it doesn’t change anything. It only made him more worried.

The fact that such power existed can mean that a power that is much worse might also exist somewhere in this world.

The kind of power that could manipulate his family, he’d rather throw it away, or better yet seal it forever, never letting anyone find it, much less use it.

Whether it’s for good or evil, it doesn’t matter, as just the thought of something or someone could take control of his family existed made him fearful.

Furthermore, he never wanted anyone to fall in love with him with the use of magic—that wasn’t true love. False love is nothing but an illusion. And if that’s what he only gets out of this, then it’s better to not have any.

But if his assumption was wrong, and that the Grimoire didn’t have such capability to manipulate them, or at least, take direct control of them, then it would be fine.

What the Grimoire did might perhaps be simply strengthening the current existing feelings towards its wielder. And widening their views and perception on the subject, to avoid unnecessary disturbance that may have come in the future.

- For the time being, that's how he sees this issue.

And besides, just like Zarda and the others said, the Grimoire’s capability is something that they currently needed.

With it, the tribe’s life and development became faster than ever. It can even be said that the Grimoire’s Gaming [Territory Building System] is something incredibly important for them, and their future. And if the Lamians wouldn’t mind the effects of the Grimoire, then Rain also wouldn’t have any complaints about using it.

He might as well just think of it as a Game, and the Lamians are treated as NPC’s—though, only in the development of the village would they turn as such. There seemed to be nothing wrong with it. There's no free meal in this world, after all. Great powers, requires big sacrifices.

As long as it didn't involve life and death to his beloved family, he was willing to make sacrifices. That's what he thought.

With that cleared for him, Rain focused all his attention on using the Grimoire and developing the entire village.

It’s unfortunate, however, that everything depended on level, wealth, and resources. Hence, the development of the village is still limited.

There were only a few things that he could do for the time being. Though, he was able to change the road that connects the houses of the village like a branch of a tree. He prioritizes the road since, the original state of the place was rocky, and unlevelled, making it hard for one to walk.

The Lamians didn’t have a problem with it, however, but Rain felt that it would be nice at least, make the road they walk smooth and easy.

He needs to even level up his own home, which seemed to have been seen as his castle to appropriate levels so that he could do more modifications in the village- such as upgrading the Warehouse to store all the resources he obtains.

Though, it still needed a lot of funds such as Gold, and Resources (Wood, Food, and Materials). He even did several requests once it appeared.

Simple requests—most require hunting monsters and magical beasts and planting specific plants and crops on the fields.

As time passed by, the development of the village is like heaven and earth compared to before.