Ch.13Chapter 13

Skadi was more enthusiastic than anyone while Wendigo was absorbing the source.

She cared for people’s health, helped those in need, and offered warm words to those who were mentally struggling.

People’s wariness melted away instantly at her benevolent appearance.

“To think a Summoner like Lady Skadi exists in this world. I’ve never met someone so kind in my life.”

“Not only is she kind-hearted, but look at her appearance. She may be a bit exotic, but none of the village maidens can compare to Lady Skadi.”

“The Djin that serves such a person must surely be an extraordinary one, don’t you think?”

In a world where good Summoners were rare.

Skadi had everything people could love.

Her exotic appearance wasn’t a big issue for those living in the forest. The forest they lived in left no room for such complaints.

The forest was a place teeming with beasts, poisonous plants, monsters, and evil spirits.

Creating discord with others in the forest was foolish. Who had time for that when dealing with immediate problems was already overwhelming?

Naturally, people valued cooperation over discrimination, and most considered discrimination a useless waste of time.

When people judged and accepted Skadi for her essence rather than her appearance, something she had been hiding inside began to stir!

“If you set up supports for this crop and plant these around it, it will grow healthier.”

“When butchering deer, you should focus on this area to get fresher meat~”

“Now, when you’re sick, find herbs that look like this in the forest, boil them well, and there’s nothing better!”

It was her desire for recognition.

Like a fish in water, she went everywhere, eager to show off her knowledge.

During Skadi’s particularly difficult childhood.

No matter what she did, she never received praise. The villagers were quick to hurl insults beginning with “She sold her soul to evil spirits!” whenever she excelled at something.

Of course, Skadi had been praised before. At least her mother recognized Skadi’s talents and treated her with affection, as was natural.

But Skadi’s desire couldn’t be satisfied with just her mother’s praise.

More praise, more attention, even more recognition!

“Lady Skadi, my mother injured her finger. What herbs should we use?”

“Come on, deal with a little finger injury yourself. Lady Skadi, there’s a maiden I like, but I don’t know how to win her heart… oof!?”

“Fix your face first, then ask. Lady Skadi! Answer my question first!”

“Lady Skadi! Lady Skadi!!”

‘Ah, I’m truly fortunate to have met Lord Wendigo!’

When Skadi began to fully express her desire, it took less than a month for people to treat her as the village sage.

Outsiders might wonder how this could happen, but think about it carefully.

A young lady suddenly appears and drives away the evil spirit that had been tormenting the village (strictly speaking, it was a Djin, and Wendigo was the one who drove it away).

She bestows precious herbs and knowledge upon the people, comforting their bodies and minds (they weren’t precious herbs, and most of the knowledge was trivial).

And she’s even beautiful?

Unless one’s eyes were knotholes, it was only natural to regard Skadi as extraordinary.

The only people who viewed her rationally were Geron and Hegilson…

“Chief, were our villagers always this foolish?”

“Well, Lady Skadi is happy, and the people are happy, so it’s fine. And she is a good person, after all.”

“Yes, well… that’s true.”

Even they decided to let things be, and Skadi’s presence grew steadily.

The decisive factor was when Wendigo’s new mystery made the farmland fertile and kept the crops healthy.

For those whose survival depended on that year’s harvest, Wendigo and Skadi’s existence was more than worthy of fanatical respect!

“—That’s what happened!”

“Hmm, I see.”

Inside the dwelling built for Wendigo and Skadi.

Skadi sat facing Wendigo, telling him about everything that had happened. Wendigo nodded glumly as he read her emotions.

Skadi tried to hide it, but Wendigo, whose senses had become more sensitive after absorbing the source, could clearly read her emotions.

Who would have thought she’d work this hard while he was unconscious?

Wendigo felt ambivalent about her actions, which were both touching and burdensome.

‘I can’t really be angry, but it’s difficult to be pleased either.’

She hadn’t done anything wrong. But he hadn’t wanted her to do this well either.

How could he have known that Skadi had such talent for persuasion, or rather, guidance?

Wendigo gently stroked Skadi’s hair. When Skadi smiled with her eyes, Wendigo resigned himself.

‘Fine. What’s done is done. If I had explained things better in the first place, this wouldn’t have happened.’

‘Lord Wendigo praised me. So this is what Lord Wendigo wanted all along!’

Wendigo spent the day unaware that he was encouraging her misunderstanding.

* * *

Wendigo and Skadi decided to stay in the village. Though they hadn’t had their mansion for long, a dwelling had been prepared for him in the village, and her influence had grown too strong to leave.

After gathering necessary items and placing mysteries to protect the grave, the two began living in the village.

While Skadi was busy holding gatherings and performing magic, Wendigo didn’t have much to do.

At most, he sat on a large wooden throne and mediated conflicts.

‘I don’t like the rumor that I devour souls when people commit crimes.’

But what could he do when he looked like someone who would do such things? Wendigo just accepted it.

With Wendigo heavily maintaining his position without causing trouble, and Skadi solving people’s problems, the village quickly found stability.

Geron was the first to notice the village’s changes. As soon as he sensed the change, he acted swiftly.

He came to Wendigo, who was eating roast deer for lunch, and bowed.

“Great Djin. Only you, Lord Wendigo, can care for this village. I wish to resign as village chief!”

Even for Wendigo, who enjoyed eating, he couldn’t enjoy his meal when someone suddenly bowed like this. Moreover, the reason for the visit was significant.

“You’re not one to flatter, so this isn’t nonsense. Don’t you find the position of chief valuable?”

“Not at all. What does it matter if I’m not chief? We have you and Lady Skadi.”

Wendigo read Geron’s emotions. It wasn’t a lie, but he sensed that Geron was expecting something.

If he were a con man, the roast would have gone flying with a shout, but Geron was no con man. Though it hadn’t been long, Wendigo had somewhat figured out what kind of person Geron was.

A man who loved his village, had flexible thinking, but wasn’t a pushover—that was Geron.

“You seem to want something. Tell me. What do you want?”

“Yes. I would like to become the caretaker managing your dwelling.”

Wendigo thought for a moment, then nodded. Thinking from Geron’s perspective, it was quite reasonable.

With Wendigo and Skadi’s appearance, Geron’s influence would inevitably decrease.

In that case, it was beneficial to give what needed to be given and take what could be taken.

The title of caretaker might sound trivial, but not just anyone could do it.

In any organization, caretakers worked hard but also received many perks.

They received things from those above them and could wield the authority of their superiors over those below.

“I knew the forest people were brave, but their wisdom is not to be underestimated.”

“Not at all. My wisdom is insignificant compared to you, the forest’s incarnation who has embraced a thousand years.”

‘I have never lived for a thousand years.’

Wendigo swallowed the words that were about to come out. How could he damage the image Skadi had worked so hard to create with a slip of the tongue?

He moved his mystery, and a sword-shaped tree grew from the ground. The tree carved and twisted itself, transforming into a longsword of appropriate size.

“Take it. Though its essence is wood, it will be harder and sharper than most swords.”

“!”

Geron bowed in awe and carefully approached the sword. When he grasped the handle, the sword adjusted its form to fit his hand perfectly.

Geron drew the sword. And he opened his mouth in amazement at the extraordinary energy he felt from the sword.

‘I can’t claim to have an excellent eye for swords, but I can at least tell this sword is remarkable.’

The copper-colored blade gleamed with a fierce light. Could this really be a wooden sword?

Geron felt the warrior’s spirit within him, dulled with age, burning hot again. He wanted to test this sword right away.

As he stared blankly at the sword, Wendigo laughed softly and said:

“Ask Skadi about your duties as caretaker. I’m not very knowledgeable about such things.”

“I-I’m sorry. I was blinded by the treasure you bestowed upon me.”

“No need. Rather, I felt bad for taking the position of chief from you, but seeing you happy like this makes me feel a bit better.”

Loyalty welled up in Geron’s heart. How could he speak such grateful words?

‘I realized how disrespectful my past doubts were. To bestow such a treasure and yet worry about burdening me instead of giving me concerns. What a merciful being!’

“I need to finish my meal, so you may go now.”

“Yes. Thank you. Thank you!”

As Geron left, expressing his gratitude with deep emotion, Wendigo resumed his meal.

He tore off the deer’s foreleg, slathered it generously with Skadi’s special sauce blend, and was about to take a bite when…

Knock knock knock.

“Great Djin. Hegilson wishes to see you. May I let him in?”

“…Tell him to come in.”

Wendigo sighed and put down the foreleg. Though he didn’t feel hunger, duty came first.

‘If only I could feel hunger, I could at least rationalize it.’

“Oh my. I didn’t know you were eating, Great Djin. If you’ll forgive me, I can report another time—”

“No need. I don’t feel hunger anyway. By the way, Hegilson, it’s been a while.”

Compared to their first meeting, Hegilson looked much more handsome. With muscle and flesh added, and his beard neatly trimmed, he had the look of someone who could make women cry.

“Hahaha. Well, I’ve been running around here and there on Lady Skadi’s orders, so I haven’t had time to show my face in the village.”

“Hmm? Lady Skadi’s orders? Did Skadi ask something of you?”

“What? You didn’t know?”

As Hegilson scratched his cheek and asked back, Wendigo searched his memory. But nothing came to mind.

“I don’t know. What did Skadi order?”

“She told me to travel to villages where I have connections and spread word of your greatness. My, when I told them about the merciful Djin, their faces—”

“Wait. What did Skadi tell you to do?”

Wendigo covered his face with one hand, sinking into confusion. He doubted his own ears.

Hegilson laughed heartily and answered in a loud voice:

“She told me to spread word of your greatness!”

“Ah, damn. I didn’t mishear after all.”

Wendigo lost his composure and ran his hand over his skull. Then he sighed.

‘I’ve raised a tiger!’

Skadi was a more passionate woman than Wendigo had thought.