[System][Vilge – Level 1 → Level 2][More loyal subjects]

  Kai felt a slight pressure in his chest, the feeling of having achieved tangible progress. He looked around once again. The catgirls were working and the group was beginning to consolidate thanks to Katherine.

  “Master, I think you should check Mira’s home… well, Mira’s former pce, your new house,” Sira said with a smile that seemed to carry an intention beyond simply inspecting it.

  The group moved slowly among the new constructions of the vilge. Some catgirls lifted their gaze when they saw Kai passing by, slightly bowing their heads before returning to their work. The tallest structure of the group stood near the edge of the clearing. Ivark’s new house. The raised roof stood above the other huts like a rustic tower made of logs and woven leaves.

  Kai slowed his steps while observing the construction carefully, crossing his arms for a moment as he evaluated the wooden joints. The doorway was wider and the roof had a pronounced incline to prevent Ivark from having to crouch.

  Ivark quickened his pace until he reached the entrance. The orc straightened completely and rested one hand on the doorframe while letting out a small breath of relief.

  “Master Kai… this house is incredible,” Ivark said while running one hand across the wooden wall with surprise, as if he still could not fully believe it belonged to him.

  Kai tilted his head slightly while observing the structure again.

  “Is it comfortable?” Kai asked while pcing a hand on his hip and studying the orc’s reaction.

  Ivark nodded energetically, puffing out his chest.

  “Much better than the dungeon cave,” Ivark replied while pointing inside with a rge calloused hand. “Here I can stand without hitting the ceiling.”

  Katherine let out a small ugh while csping her hands behind her back. “That is a big improvement,” Katherine commented while tilting her head with a soft smile.

  Sira watched the scene while resting her weight on one leg and crossing her arms. “Of course it is,” Sira said while raising an eyebrow with a faint amused smile. “If you lived in one of our houses it would be almost impossible for you to be comfortable. I hope you will be useful, orc.”

  Ivark let out a deep ugh while scratching the back of his neck. Kai observed the scene for a moment longer. The orc seemed genuinely satisfied. That was important.

  “Rest a little,” Kai said while slightly turning his body to continue walking. “The vilge will still need your strength soon.” Ivark nodded firmly while bringing a fist to his chest. “Always ready, Master.”

  Kai resumed walking while the others followed.

  The path between the houses was narrow, formed by compact dirt that was already beginning to show marks from the constant movement of the vilge catgirls. The sun slowly descended through the trees, filtering golden light that fell over the leaf roofs. Kai walked calmly while observing the general progress of the pce.

  At his side, Katherine walked a little slower than before. Kai noticed. She lifted one hand and rubbed her shoulder slightly while letting out a long sigh, as if only at that moment her body remembered the effort of the day.

  “Kai… I’m very tired,” Katherine said while lowering her ears slightly and looking at him with a tired smile. Kai turned his head toward her while slightly frowning. “Using magic for the first time must be exhausting,” Kai commented while observing her posture.

  Katherine nodded slowly while intertwining her hands in front of her chest. “I think so…,” Katherine replied while closing her eyes for a moment and breathing deeply. “I’ve never felt something like this in my body before.”

  Sira let out a small snort from a few steps ahead while slightly turning her head. “That happens when you do something useful for the first time,” Sira commented while raising an eyebrow with a mocking tone.

  Katherine shot her an annoyed look while puffing her cheeks slightly. “I’m not useless,” Katherine replied while crossing her arms and flicking her tail irritably.

  Kai raised a hand calmly, cutting the tension before it could grow. “That’s enough,” Kai said while directing a firm look toward both of them. Katherine lowered her gaze slightly and sighed again. “I’m going to rest at my house,” she finally said while pointing toward one of the nearby huts with a gentle gesture.

  Kai nodded. “Do it,” he replied while watching her walk toward the door. Katherine stopped for a second before entering and slightly turned her head toward Kai. “I’ll wait for you ter,” Katherine said while resting a hand on the doorframe and looking at him with a small tired smile.

  Kai slightly inclined his head. “Rest first.” Katherine nodded and disappeared inside the house. Silence returned for a moment. Only Kai and Sira remained walking between the vilge structures.

  Sira slowed her pace slightly as the path guided them toward one of the rgest constructions in the center of the vilge. Mira’s former house. The structure had details different from the others. More trophies hung at the entrance, polished bones and pieces of cured hide decorating the exterior wall.

  Kai lifted his gaze toward the door as he stopped in front of it. Sira pced a hand on the wood and slowly pushed the door open, letting it creak softly. “Welcome to the house of the former leader,” Sira said while stepping inside first and looking around with a hint of nostalgia.

  Kai entered behind her while observing the pce carefully. The walls were covered with objects. Large fangs, skulls of unknown creatures, and improvised weapons that had been kept as trophies.

  Sira walked slowly among them while lifting one of the pieces. “Mira hunted many things,” Sira commented while running her fingers along the edge of a huge fang while observing it with a faint smile.

  Kai approached a low table where several objects were stacked. As he extended his hand to examine one of them, his elbow accidentally knocked a small trophy. The object fell to the ground with a dull sound. Kai immediately crouched to pick it up. “Oops,” he muttered while reaching down to lift it.

  At that moment he felt a body behind him. Sira leaned from behind, slowly wrapping her arms around him while her chest pressed against Kai’s back. “Be careful, Master…,” Sira whispered near his ear while lightly resting her chin on his shoulder. Kai remained still for a second.

  The warmth of Sira’s body could be clearly felt against his back. She smiled while her fingers slowly slid along Kai’s forearm. “This house holds many memories,” Sira said in a lower voice while slightly bringing her face closer to his ear. Kai pced the trophy back on the table as he began to stand up.

  Sira did not move away. Her chest pressed softly against him again while her lips curved into a mischievous smile. “And now that we are alone…,” Sira murmured while narrowing her eyes and looking at him from the side.

  Her fingers rested gently on Kai’s chest. “I would like to do many things right now, Master…,” she said in a seductive voice while her tail slowly moved behind her. The silence filled the room. The trophies of the former leader watched the scene from the walls.