Journey from Overlord

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There are religions, theocrats, and religious conflicts, Aya pondered the situation.

"So, other villages will not accept us. Now, there's no way to maintain farming. The only place we can go is the city." The old woman said, a lonely expression in her eyes.

No one wants to leave their hometown, especially when the city is not a paradise. The city has luxurious nobles, decent workers, downtrodden beggars, poor people, and prostitutes. It's easy to imagine what kind of people these villagers might become when they enter the city.

What's more, since this is the border, it probably won't be very close to the city.

Aya didn't want them to leave. These villagers had already learned about her. If possible, she still hoped to control them. Of course, there must have been some selfish motives behind that desire.

A village on the edge of a forest provided Aya with many conveniences. Flour and vegetables could be easily obtained through this channel, which was particularly convenient for Aya, who was somewhat resistant to eating food made by magic.

Aya certainly understood why the old woman was considering leaving. The large-scale loss of qualified labor was one reason, but the fact that the village couldn't provide security was also important.

Aya thought hard for a solution. A bold idea came to her.

"Money doesn't attract me much. As a reward, just give me the arable land in this village." Inspiration flashed in her mind, and Aya smiled as she put forth the proposal.

"Farmland? Ah, if we leave the village, these farmlands will naturally be ownerless."

"If it were my land, I would provide shelter." Aya said, interrupting the old woman.

"Shelter..." The old woman was stunned by these words.

"For me, protecting a place like this shouldn't be too difficult. Of course, I can also provide oxen, and Grems for guarding. Additionally, I have magic to increase soil fertility and output." Aya added.

"If such land is available for rent, and the rent is paid with a small portion of the land's output, would you be interested?" Unconsciously, Aya's eyes glinted with a smile.

It turns out Mother wants to be the ruler of the world's economy more than God! Camilla, who had been silently observing, was swept up in excitement and praised in her heart, "She is worthy of being Mother." Aya was still unaware of this.

"Thank you for your kindness, Master Magician, but this kind of decision isn't something I can make alone. Please allow me to discuss it with the other villagers." The old woman said apologetically.

She was very tempted by Aya's proposal. She had come to the village of Ester early and watched it develop step by step. If she had to leave, she would be the one most heartbroken.

"Of course." Aya showed no dissatisfaction with the request and entered a business negotiation mindset.

In this kind of negotiation, showing magnanimity is useful to gain the other party's favor.

"Well, Master Magician, if it's alright." The old woman wasn't in a hurry to leave.

"What's wrong?" Aya asked.

"Although this is indeed a bit much." The old woman lowered her head.

"If possible, I hope you can treat the injured."

"Treatment?" It wasn't that Aya couldn't do it—in fact, healing was one of her specialties. But she was hesitant, not wanting to reveal too much about herself.

"No, I dare not trouble you with those who are slightly injured, but I hope you can help save the lives of those who are seriously injured." The old woman knelt before Aya without hesitation.

This time, Aya didn't rush to pull her up. While she felt reluctant to see an elderly person kneeling before her, being too polite might undermine her position as the one receiving the request.

"I will pay the corresponding compensation. Although we have no money now, please allow me to pay in installments. If you don't mind, you can also take my house and land." The old woman pleaded.

"Your daughter is among those seriously injured." Aya said softly, revealing the old woman's thoughts.

The room fell silent for a moment, before a choking voice was heard.

"Yes."

"Stand up, old woman." Aya shook her head"I understand how you feel. I will do my best. You don't need to offer any reward."

After all, as the "Pope," she should occasionally do something to save sentient beings.

"Mother." Camilla looked at Aya with a gentle expression, "Mother is so kind."

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"Where is this?" Maria woke up from her coma.

In her last memory, she was weaving at home when she heard a scream outside. She rushed out and saw her father lying in a pool of blood, a hoe in his hand.

Next to him stood a werewolf, its mouth covered in blood, holding a half-eaten heart.

Almost falling to the ground in fear, Maria froze as the werewolf noticed her and lunged toward her.

"Ah!!" The girl screamed, clutching her head. The woman beside her immediately embraced her.

"Maria, Maria, don't be afraid, it's all right, it's all right."

"Aunt Susan?" Maria looked up. The woman beside her was Susan, the village chief's eldest daughter. She had been widowed at thirty and never remarried. Maria hugged Susan tightly.

The girl wanted to cry, but couldn't. She noticed that Susan's left calf was missing, yet Susan still forced a smile to comfort her.

Tears streamed from Maria's eyes as the horrific events replayed in her mind. She screamed again. Susan struggled to comfort her, but to no avail. Maria even scratched her with her nails, leaving a bloody mark.

A white hand rested on Maria's head.

[Mental Calmness]

As the magic activated, the fear and confusion that had overwhelmed Maria were lifted, allowing her to regain her rationality, though tears still lingered in her eyes.

"Your name is Maria, right?" Slender fingers stroked Maria's hair, providing warmth and comfort.

"Yes, who are you?" Maria looked up, her eyes blurred by tears, barely able to see the figure before her—a shining silhouette.

"What a poor child." Aya said softly, continuing to stroke Maria's head.

There were five seriously injured people needing treatment, including Susan, the old woman's daughter, and the worst was Maria, the girl before her.

Maria's house had been the closest to the forest and the first to be attacked by werewolves. Her parents died tragically, and when the villagers found Maria, her body was covered with bloody claw marks—not to kill, but for sport.

Aya couldn't help but frown when she saw the girl's condition, especially the torn lower body and the empty eye socket.

While Aya followed the principle of moderation when healing, she couldn't bear to leave Maria in such a state and used the high-level magic [Crystal Healing] to restore her eye injury. Fortunately, no one had noticed her eyes before.

Once the scars disappeared, Maria's face revealed a surprising beauty. Aya couldn't help but think as she smoothed Maria's golden hair and gazed into her sea-blue eyes.