Peaceful Life System: I only need to live peacefully-Chapter 51: Oakwood

System, show me the Proto-Crafting Package options, he thought.

Instantly, his internal vision filled with a dazzling array of blueprints and schematics, far more extensive than he had imagined. [Displaying Available Proto-Crafting Packages...]

[Blueprint: Automated Sewing Machine (Manual Crank & Basic Rune Power Compatible) - Includes all gears, needles, casing components. Cost: 150 Goodwill Points]

[Blueprint: Pressurized Coffee Infuser (Heat Rune Required) - Includes filter assembly, pressure chamber, serving carafe components. Cost: 120 Goodwill Points]

[Blueprint: Ambient Air Cooling Unit (Small Room) - Includes fan assembly, basic cooling rune matrix, insulated casing components. Cost: 200 Goodwill Points]

[Blueprint: Radiant Heat Emitter (Small Room) - Includes heating coil components, safety casing, basic heat rune matrix. Cost: 180 Goodwill Points]

[Blueprint: Advanced Water Mill (Increased Efficiency) - Includes gear assembly, reinforced paddles, sluice gate components. Cost: 350 Goodwill Points]

[Blueprint: Multi-Stage Water Purifier (Charcoal & Sand Filtration) - Includes all chambers, pipes, and filter bed components. Cost: 250 Goodwill Points]

Riku’s eyes widened slightly. A sewing machine? Coffee maker? Even an air conditioner and heater? The possibilities for improving life in Elowen were immense. The water mill and purifier would be game-changers for the village’s long-term sustainability. He was already mentally calculating costs and benefits, prioritizing what to unlock first upon their return.

Just as he was about to delve deeper into the schematics for the generator he’d previously unlocked the blueprint for, a different, more somber notification overlaid the others.

Ding!

[System Advisory: Host Trajectory Analysis Complete.]

[Warning: Current trajectory indicates increasing deviation from Primary Mandate: "Establish and Maintain a Peaceful Existence." Host’s involvement in large-scale conflicts, political intrigues, and widespread crisis mitigation is escalating.]

[Recommendation: Prioritize the consolidation of Elowen’s stability. Direct intervention in external affairs carries significant risk to the Primary Mandate and may attract undesirable systemic attention. The path of least resistance often leads to the longest peace.]

Riku’s internal smile faded. He read the message again, a familiar sense of unease settling in. The system had nudged him a few times before, but this was different. This was a direct warning, a caution against the very path he was currently on. Undesirable systemic attention? What did that even mean?

He looked at Lila, sleeping peacefully beside him, then thought of Elowen, hidden behind its illusion. He thought of the Crimson Creep, and Thalen’s smug face. Peace wasn’t something that just happened; sometimes, it had to be fought for, or at least, actively protected.

You want me to just stay in Elowen while a curse potentially spreads and the capital prepares to march on us? Riku thought, addressing the silent system. That doesn’t sound very peaceful in the long run.

The system offered no reply, its advisory notice simply hanging in his vision for another moment before fading. Riku remained silent, the system’s words a disquieting counterpoint to the otherwise calm journey.

-----------------------

Two days later, the gentle hills gave way to a wider, more cultivated valley. In the distance, they saw the signs of a larger settlement: smoke from numerous chimneys, the faint sound of dogs barking, and the sprawling outline of a village much larger than Elowen. This was Oakhaven, the first significant stop on their route to Luxia.

As they entered the village proper, Riku noted the atmosphere was tense. While Oakhaven appeared more prosperous than Elowen had been initially – with sturdier buildings and wider paths – there was an undercurrent of fear. Windows were shuttered on some homes, and people hurried along the streets, casting nervous glances at strangers.

"Something’s wrong here too," Lila murmured, now awake and observing their surroundings.

Riku nodded. "Let’s find an inn, then see what we can learn."

They secured modest rooms at a slightly run-down but clean establishment called "The Acorn & Flagon." After settling in, Riku ventured out, telling Lila to rest. He headed towards the inn’s common room, hoping to gather some local gossip.

The common room was sparsely populated. A few grim-faced men nursed ales in a corner. Riku ordered a simple drink and tried to strike up a conversation with the weary-looking bartender.

"Passing through?" the bartender asked, wiping down the counter with a damp cloth.

"Just so," Riku replied. "Headed towards Luxia. Though, the mood in your village seems a bit... heavy."

The bartender sighed, his gaze flicking around the room. "Heavy’s one word for it. Been a strange few days, traveler. Best keep to yourself and move on quickly."

"Strange how?" Riku pressed gently.

The bartender leaned in, lowering his voice. "Whispers of sickness. Animals found dead in the woods, marked by some... red blight. And now..." He hesitated.

"The Chief’s called an assembly for later today. Says he’s got something to announce. Something about the curse, and what’s to be done. Wouldn’t miss it, if I were you. But wouldn’t get too close, neither."

Riku thanked him and finished his drink, his unease growing. Red blight... a curse... It sounded familiar to what he had seen near Elowen earlier.

"Should we take a look?" Lila asked in a soft voice.

"Yeah, there might be some clues to the curse there."

----------------------

Later that afternoon, a village crier walked the streets, his voice ringing out, "All assemble! All assemble in the main square! Chief Thorin speaks at the sun’s peak!"

"All assemble! All assemble in the main square! Chief Thorin speaks at the sun’s peak!"

Riku and Lila joined the growing crowd heading towards the village center.

A makeshift podium had been erected. Standing upon it was a burly, grim-faced man Riku assumed was Chief Thorin. Beside him, held roughly by two stout men who looked like village guards, was a young woman, no older than twenty.

Her clothes were slightly torn, and her face pale and streaked with dirt and tears, but what drew Riku’s horrified gaze were the vivid crimson patches blooming on her exposed hands and creeping up her neck. She was bound with thick ropes to a sturdy post set just behind the podium.

Chief Thorin raised his hands for silence, his face a grim mask.

"People of Oakhaven!" his voice boomed, echoing across the tense square. "For days, a shadow has fallen upon us! Our animals die in the woods, marked by the red sickness! Our own kin begin to falter! Sickness whispers at our doors!" He paused, letting the fear settle amongst the crowd.

"Today, we have identified the source!"