Caretaker Ivor shook his head at Stronghold Leader Zogar with a tired sigh escaping his lips, "Don't worry, it's not what you think," he said, "In fact, it's something else entirely, one which I am sure that you haven't yet thought of."
Stronghold Leader Zogar's face fell into a frown. If something had indeed happened with the newborns, then it might be bad news. However, he considered the possibility that he might be wrong, so he patiently waited for Caretaker Ivor to finish explaining.
Caretaker Ivor began by telling Stronghold Leader Zagor about Orion, though he was already aware of the young man's impressive feat of awakening a six-star potential for inner strength. Then, Caretaker Ivor delved into the changes in the village, including the secret of Orion's extreme fertility, which was now being kept under wraps to avoid causing an uproar.
As Caretaker Ivor watched, Stronghold Leader Zogar's expression shifted from a frown to one of shock as he absorbed the information. Continuing, Caretaker Ivor explained Orion's proposition for constructing a new village, including the method he intended to use to reunite the remaining newborns with their families without causing a negative uproar.
And when Caretaker Ivor had finished his explanation, detailing everything there was to know about the current state of the village, the whole room fell silent for a moment.
"So, you're saying he came up with all of this in just a few days? Solving the problem that has plagued our village for over a century?" Stronghold Leader Zogar asked, seeking confirmation of his thoughts and processing all he had just heard.
"Yes," Caretaker Ivor affirmed, "And trust me, we were all just as surprised as you are now."
Taking his time to digest the words, Stronghold Leader Zogar exhaled deeply, allowing his mind to settle afterwards. Tapping his fingers on the table, he seemed lost in deep thought before he finally spoke, "I think I could use a break back at the farm before I return to the stronghold to continue my work," his eyes fixed intently on Caretaker Ivor.
Caretaker Ivor had expected this response, knowing that anyone would want to meet Orion after hearing such outstanding news. However, he replied, "Feel free to do as you wish. As the stronghold leader, it's not my place to control you. But perhaps you should send someone to discuss with Orion first and then make time to speak with him, considering all the work you constantly have to deal with."
"Nonsense," Stronghold Leader Zogar retorted, "who said I am too busy to meet him right now? I can easily arrive at the farm in a few minutes, talk to him, and find out for myself what this young man is like before returning to the stronghold to prepare for another wave of Vylkr vine attacks." He scoffed at Caretaker Ivor's suggestion, and then his eyes shifted to the weathered silver chain around his neck.
He grabbed a small round metal object hanging from it, wiping the cloudy crystal surface with his fingers, revealing the complex details of the metal's design, including two slender serpentine hands fashioned from polished steel delicately sweeping across the weathered white surface, each pointing towards a number.
"I believe it would take less than a few minutes to head to the farm, speak with him, and return to work, all of which should take less than an hour, or an hour and a half," he continued, his eyes fixed on the unique timepiece.
Caretaker Ivor narrowed his eyes at the metal object in Stronghold Leader Zogar's hand. He had noticed it hanging around Zogar's neck from the moment he entered the room, but he had assumed it was just a decorative piece, given how well it complemented Zogar's appearance as it rested against his chest.
Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, he pointed at the metal and asked, "What is that? .... Did you perhaps get it from the caravan?"
Stronghold Leader Zogar's smile widened as he nodded, explaining, "Well, while the table was easily constructed here at the stronghold after taking a look at the Village Chief's own, this....." He paused for a moment, trying to recall the name correctly, "Ah yes, Mr Kaelen called it a wash... I mean a pocket watch. It might not be as large as the sundial in the Village Chief's compound, but with this, I can easily read and tell the time perfectly."
He held the pocket watch up for a moment before gently letting it fall back against his chest. "Although it might have cost me some wealth, it was worth the trade since I can easily track the time of the day with this."
Once Caretaker Ivor listened to Stronghold Leader Zogar's explanation, he nodded with deep understanding, considering if he should also try to get a similar metal object once the Caravans arrived.
Apart from the beautiful paintings he enjoyed staring at, having something like that would be useful in his daily life.
"Alright then, do as you wish," Caretaker Ivor said, noticing Stronghold Leader Zogar's eagerness to meet Orion at the farm. "I just came to inform you about the situation so that you would be aware of it. Now, I need to head over to the Rightward Stronghold and inform Stronghold Leader Zaarak of the same thing before I return to the farm, as there is now a pile of tasks that I need to take care of."
Hearing his associate's name, Stronghold Leader Zogar frowned a bit in displeasure, observing as Caretaker Ivor stood up from the carpet. "....So please, while you are at the farm, also make sure to find out if there is any material or help that you can provide to the boy so that he could easily progress with his third plan," Caretaker Ivor urged, "Because the way I see it, if he does make such a thing possible, then it would benefit you and your warriors the most."
As Caretaker Ivor turned his head from side to side, his bones popped along with the ones in his arms and legs.
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