Kingdom Building: Civilization Starts with Divinity-Chapter 65: Grapes

|<Notice: Another hour has passed. Draining Divine Power>|

Shortly after the third hour ticked, a young bear came around.

"Is lord Gravana here?" They asked meekly as they walked into the cave.

It was open with no dividers or anything, so the moment she peeked her head in, she knew the answer. A question was asked out of courtesy.

Alchemy found it rather interesting that animals had such customs. It made her wonder if they got their customs from the humans of the world or if they somehow developed similar customs to her old world independently.

"The one and only. Have the details of the task been decided?" Gravana responded.

|<Name: Sora>|

|<Species: Young Ore Dweller(Elite+!)

|<Inclination: Omnivore, Neutral(Lawful), Nervous>

|<Estimated Level: 18>l

|<Highest Stat: CON>|

|<Estimated Danger: B+>|

’Young? Isn’t she way too strong for a child?’ Alchemy hummed, looking at this "Sora’s" status.

The system used age classifications ranging from infant to Young, Adolescent, Young Adult, Adult, and Elder. Adolescence was a relatively rare classification in A.O.A., with Young being even rarer.

Generally speaking, the system was only obtained after reaching adolescence, so younger kids were extremely weak. That should be even more the case in this world, which lacked the system’s blessings, yet this kid supposedly had higher stats than Alchemy.

The meek child nearly jumped when words came from Gravana’s imposing presence.

"Yes! M-mom said that it was the mountain lion’s mint clan. A large number of them have been seen getting closer to the border. Mom said to eliminate them!" Sora answered skillfully, not tumbling over her words.

’Sapphire could learn from this child.’

"To eliminate them? Sevi did? She’d dare to order me around?" Gravana stood up as he asked.

Sora jumped back even further, her body shivering.

"N-no! Th-t-that’s not what I meant! I meant that she requested you t-to... To go defeat the mountain lions nearing our home!"

"Teacher, stop. You’re scaring the poor thing. And Sapphire, too!" Alchemy scoffed as she looked at her adopted daughter.

Standing up, Alchemy walked to Sora, slowly, making sure not to startle the child.

"Mom, huh? Are you the Princess of this settlement?" Alchemy asked, crouching down.

"P-princess? What do you mean?"

"Well, you’re the daughter of that Mrs. Sevi, right? As the clan leader’s daughter, It’s only right to be a princess. And you have the beauty to boot, you know that?"

"E-eh? Me? No, I couldn’t be..." Sora tried to pretend she didn’t like being called a princess, but the facade was evident to everyone who saw it.

"But who are you miss?"

"Me? I’m just a butterfly who travels with my teacher. Nobody significant, your majesty."

"Teacher..." Sora said to herself as she slowly began to realize who Alchemy was.

"Ah! You’re that weirdo who thinks they’re a Goddess!" She blurted out.

She quickly apologized as she realized what she said, but Alchemy stopped her.

"A weirdo. Yup, that’s me. No one significant. As I said." Alchemy smiled.

Grabbing the remaining grapes that no one was eating, Alchemy offered one to Sora.

"It’s a fruit. They’re called grapes. Would you like one?"

Sora was initially hesitant, but seeing Sapphire still munching on a few grapes gave her the courage to try one.

After eating one, her face lit up.

"So good!"

"I’m glad you like them. Please take the rest and share them with the other kids. We’ll go defeat the scary lions that are trying to cause you trouble."

Sora looked at Alchemy with a smile of her own.

"Okay!" She cheered, running off. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Hey! Look what the nice lady gave me!" She shouted playfully, getting her friends’ attention.

Dusting herself off, Alchemy waved at Sora before returning to her group.

|<You have accepted a task!>|

|<Name: For the young princess!>|

|<Goal: Clear out all the rampaging Mint Mountain Lions>|

|<Failure Condition: Death>|

|<Rewards: EXP, and 1 Prospect Skill Shard>|

’Are you mocking me right now?’

"As expected of Mother Goddess and her boundless kindness." Nera nodded as she spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.

"You were so cool, Master Alchemy!" Sapphire cheered.

"It seems your silver tongue even extends to children, Disciple." Gravana chuckled

"What silver tongue?" Alchemy clicked her tongue.

"I’d ask if you have any tact, but I try not to ask redundant questions. Why are you trying to scare the child? What did she do to you?" Alchemy scolded the giant werewolf, and her attitude was almost similar to when they first met.

"If you’re too soft on children, they’ll grow up weak!"

"SO WHAT?!" Alchemy flipped.

"What if she wants to grow up weak? Fighting isn’t the only thing in life, Gravana. A child deserves to be able to live a carefree and weak life if they want! Don’t force your way of life on others. Certainly not children. Do I make myself clear?"

For a moment, just one. In a passing instant, Gravana froze in fear at Alchemy’s gaze.

It felt like countless transcendent, unknowable beings looked at him. Like a being who had all the knowledge in the world had set their crosshair on him, having thousands of ways to kill him with a single thought.

His fur straightened out as he was about to rush Alchemy with his whole force, barely being able to stop himself before it was too late.

But would it have been too late?

’Was that monkey right? There’s something odd about this little girl. She’s far more than what she makes of herself.’

"Ahem... As you wish, disciple." He let out a nervous chuckle.

Letting out a sigh, Alchemy turned away.

"Children are the one line I won’t let anyone cross. Even if that child will grow up and eventually be my undoing, they deserve to live a happy and peaceful life until their sword reaches my heart."

"Now then. Let’s get going. Even if it’s not tight, I’m still on a timer!" She clapped, changing her mood immediately.

Whether her cohorts were following her or not, Alchemy left their accommodation and began walking toward the stained-glass-like border.

Although she saw it from afar, it truly was a marvel up close. If she turned around, she saw a forest as far as the eye could see, but behind the glass in front of her, she saw a vast mountain range.