by ForestRage
The Red Lands
Book II.I
By ForestRage
The Story thus far…
A solid foundation creates a strong home
The young manager Bai Feng has squashed any thoughts of returning to earth.
Trapped in the body of the twelve year old Chu, he has decided to explore the strange world to quell a sense of adventure and curiosity. Probably, somewhere hidden in this magical continent, lies a portal to other worlds.
First, however, he must seek to establish a firm foothold, a foundation managed by a child of his age. In a medieval civilization where a person depends on his own two hands for survival, he must learn the art of the sword.
With the wolf demon dead, and Lucy being the sole recipient of its unfamiliar abilities, a trainer must be found to educate them the ways of the Empire before they step out from the frontier village.
Join Chu as the journey continues...
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Introducing Mr Thomas, ex awakened.
Chapter 2
A typical job interview
Chapter 3
Rebuilding
Chapter 4
Great! Just Great!
Chapter 5
Is this a Farm or an Orphanage.
Chapter 6
Bloody Hell!
Chapter 7
Forming Goals
Chapter 8
A Summer of Hardships
Chapter 9
The build up to Summer
Chapter 10
Best Summer Ever!
Chapter 11
Knowledge from both worlds(1)
Chapter 12
Knowledge from both worlds(2)
Chapter 13
Attack on the Corn
Chapter 14
Pests
Chapter 15
A well oiled team
Chapter 16
Best Summer Ever!
Chapter 17
A childish scuffle
Chapter 18
Revenge and a beating
Chapter 19
Fight Club Anyone?
Chapter 20
Do the crime, pay the time.
Chapter 21
Bringing in new older members.
Chapter 22
Fated Circles...
Chapter 23
A Great Gift
Chapter 24
The Ballad of Assistant Manager John
Chapter 25
New Training
AFTERWORD
Chapter 1
Introducing Mr Thomas, ex awakened
The horse picked its way across the banks of snow, a stark reminder to the terrible blizzard which signified the end of winter. The frozen earth, bound with frost eased the difficulty for the rider.
Within a few weeks, this very road would turn into a swampy bog under the spring sun. Those who had no choice to travel then faced a terrible ordeal of cold slush and mud. Experienced travelers and merchants usually waited until half of the spring season to face the northern roads. By that time, the dried surface became suitable for heavy transportation.
Traffic coincided with the resumption of logging as the lumberjacks amassed their first quotas for the year. When the wagons arrived at the villages next to the forest, a full load waited to journey across the Empire.
An experienced merchant required a firm grasp of the weather and familiar routes. A skilled decision meant the difference between being bogged on the roads or speeding across the county.
The rider tugged at the reigns while gazing at the small, frontier village looming in the distance. He pulled his cloak stained with mud and snow closer as both rider and horse made a collective sigh together. He clicked the horse forward, his mind deep in thought.
Entering the village, the dismounted horseman followed the directions from the gate guards and halted at the Trading Post. Producing a partially soaked letter, he handed it over to a clerk. Soon the Master of the establishment greeted him with an average teen in tow.
"Mr. Thomas, how do you do. I am the Master of the Trading Post here in the village. This young lad will attend to you. Please excuse me for now, since as the youngest Master of this position I am swamped with work."
"Hey, I'm Ming. Simon did say you had a more burly figure. Come on let's go, the sooner we get this over the sooner I can head over to the house for food."
The boy stated while walking. The elder man frowned and then followed. His young escort looked like an average teen with a short crop of messy black hair and piercing black eyes. The oval face contained the beginnings of stubble and could easily be lost in a crowd.
As a man who worked his way up the Military, Mr. Thomas possessed a formidable aura. Even though he lost an arm, his blood lust remained just as formidable. He also maintained the presence of a leader, drilled from countless skirmishes in the north.
The guards obviously noticed it, and even the clerk showed him a level of respect. But these two young individuals didn’t give a hoot.
A blind man could see that the Trading Post master only cared about propagating his status while the teen seemed lost in thinking about food. The boy even chatted as if they were equals as common friends of Simon.
"This is it. Knock and wait for the instructions. I like you, so I’ll share some advice. When you enter, try and check that leaking blood lust of yours. The guy inside abhors people who try to intimidate him. Good Luck!”
“Huh?”
Mr. Thomas fumbled a reply on being caught off-guard. Since their meeting, the brat never once displayed any jitters and fear of his aura.
“Work hard old man, you won’t regret it. I really hope Sue keeps a nice meaty bone of me…”
The boy skipped out to the entrance of the lodge. Mr. Thomas saw the guards wave and chat with him until he bounced out with a laugh. Experience from his days adventuring told him the kid was a born natural in gaining companions.
He turned to the door in front of him. Subconsciously he fiddled with his appearance and cloak. It reminded him of the first time he had to face the bench of Commanders for his promotion. Coughing and clearing his throat, he then knocked on the door.
"Good day, This is Mr. Thomas reporting?"
A short and curt reply came from within.
"Enter."
◆◆◆
Less than a month earlier...
At the end of winter, Simon arrived at his farm. As brothers bonded through adventuring, Thomas shared his sorrows with his former companion. After another poor harvest, Thomas decided to sell his remaining cow in the town market. Pride kept him from accepting handouts, but this time Simon visited with an opportunity.
“Thomas, you and I both know you’re not a farmer. Even Beth can testify to this.”
“Did you visit all the way out here to tell me this? Compared to our days in the Military and adventuring, nothing beats a peaceful life.”
“U-huh, but that’s only if you’re surviving and making money.”
Simon said while receiving a mug of hot tea from Mrs. Thomas. He sipped a little before ruffling the golden locks of the girl next to him. He continued when Mrs. Thomas seated herself at the crooked round table.
“I know you don’t want any handouts, and that you won’t return to adventuring. I will be living in Karst for some time as my employer has struck a lucky star. How about it, want to share in our opportunity?”
On seeing the puzzled look from Thomas, Simon proceeded to share the story of meeting the young boy and their interactions since then.
“The kid seeks to begin farming similar to you. He has asked for help but included some qualifications not found in regular farmhands. The boy owns a farm way out near the forest, ideal for your si
tuation. Why not give him a try?”
After selling the story, Simon took his leave, but not before securing a positive answer from his friend.
Thomas doubted Simon to the end but the attraction proved too great. The struggling farmer led his family to Karst and settled his debt. He then spent the extra money on lodgings for his wife and daughter at an inn.
After making sure they were safe, curiosity got the better of him and he came to this village. Maybe the young man Simon talked about could really help him out. He was at the end of his rope already. Only his pride prevented him from asking his friends for aid.
Just as a person can climb the tough ladder in society, so to can one be forced to descend. Thomas was one of those unfortunate folks who had both tasted the good life of raising his lifestyle and being forced to face the terrible cost of losing it and falling back down.
As an adventurer, Thomas was no stranger to a life of hardship, but such a life no sane man would wish on his wife and daughter. The comforting smiles from them, ripped open his heart every night.
◆◆◆
Mr. Thomas stood currently rooted at the half-open door. Simon had repeatedly said the employer was a boy, but the child sitting before the desk surprised him.
He blinked his eyes one more time.
More correctly it should be said there was a small child sitting across from him. If Simon did not inform him of what to expect, he would have already broken out in anger. His current situation prevented him from taking this as a joke.
He looked around a little confused as if he failed to notice any other person in the room. Though retired, his years on the battlefield did not forsake him, however.
Only a child sat in the room when he entered.
For a minute he thought he entered the wrong room in the lodge. But a clear and commanding voice shattered his thinking and cleared his mind.
"Mr. Thomas I presume. Please enter and close the door behind you. Let’s not burn the logs on the fire in vain."
Thomas quickly closed the door and adjusted himself to the candlelit room.
"There is a coat rack on the side. Please make yourself comfortable and have a seat. We have a lot of things to discuss in very little time."
The Military training sprung to life. He quickly removed his coat and folded it on the rack. Taking a deep breath he made his way to the desk. The child stood up and extended his hand.
"My name is Chu. I am the one who asked Mr. Simon to recommend someone trustworthy. I am guessing you are Mr. Thomas mentioned by Mr. Simon in his letter?"
His hands unconsciously reached out to greet the other in a quick handshake.
"Ahem, yes my name is Thomas, my friend Simon from the Trading Post referred me here."
"Good, good. Mr. Simon is an honest man, I have high expectations for his friends. Please have a seat."
The boy casually waved his hands and pointed at the chair.
He didn't know when, but Thomas was now feeling a little uneasy. The little interaction just now had placed him on the back foot, so to speak. He even made sure the boy seated himself before he sat on the chair.
If not for their age difference, he could have sworn he was back in a Military office.
The boy looked down on the desk and seem to be reading over some documents. He then nodded like he was agreeing to something and held up a letter. He passed it to Thomas indicated with his head to receive it.
"Mr. Thomas, please read this letter and confirm that it was exactly as you had stated to Mr. Simon. I want us to be in agreement."
Mr. Thomas had a feeling that this meeting was going to change his life.
Chapter 2
A typical job interview
Thomas reached over carefully and received the letter. He read it and nodded his head.
"I am sorry Mr. Thomas, but could you please tell me if it is correct?"
This was not a chat between friends. It was meant to establish effective communication for an employer to find that 'right person'. Chu had no intention of letting Mr. Thomas settle down.
Thomas jumped a little on the question.
"Y..yes, I mean yes I did agree with Simon to visit the village and meet with you."
"Good, then you did agree to apply for this position as requested?"
Unbeknownst to Thomas, a bead of sweat started to form on his forehead.
"Y... yes he told me you were looking for someone to help with a farm."
'Was this kid some young noble or something?'
Chu looked straight into the eyes of the man across from him.
"Sir, let me give you a brief summary of the position that we are looking to fill."
Chu rattled out the requirements while Mr. Thomas was forced into remaining silent for fear of missing something of importance.
"This position requires a trustworthy person who can train our members to defend themselves. The person must be able to educate our members in the field of both close and ranged combat techniques.
As a farm very close to the forest, it also requires some training in survivability and tracking in woodland areas. The applicant must possess strong skills worthy of being passed on to our members.
During the course of your employment, time to time you may be called upon to provide certain tasks related to your experience as an adventurer or Military officer. You must be willing to freely share such experience with our young workers.
Any, and I mean any form of disobedience, poor work ethic, and dishonesty will be met with a prompt termination of contract and being expelled from the farm. We tolerate no such actions that will cause our employees any harm.
Understood?"
Two beads of sweat now joined the first on Thomas's forehead.
'Heck Simon! This was not a talk, this was a bloody job hiring!'
"Ahmm… yes, I believe I understand what you are seeking. I can fulfill those demands, but I was informed by Simon that this was a meeting for farm work."
The boy waved his hands.
"That is only part of the job application. We have experience farmhands who will impart their knowledge as the years' progress. You do know that successfully landing this job means you will be given a place to live right?"
Thomas was slowly beginning to grasp the idea of what Simon talked about. The courage from the Military started to burst out. He knew exactly what he wanted.
The atmosphere of this room and the questions that came before he had a chance to think, turned his focus onto one thought.
'He must get this job!'
He straightened his back again on the wooden chair before replying.
"I believe that I am the best person for this role. I have training in the Military, whose combat skills are second to none. I am also a skilled marksman with crossbow training. I have years of experience in the field of adventuring, Simon can testify to that aspect.
In the Military, I have experience in both woodlands, mountain and snow combat. I was promoted to temporary Vice Commander due to my skills in mountain terrain combat. I believe all this will be an added bonus to your employees.
I have trained many soldiers under my tenure in the Military, I believe that I can provide the same level of Training for your members.
My reputation and honesty are second to none. They have never been brought into question by anyone. I am a hard worker who will be willing to carry out any extra duties without any form of extra reward.
I have..."
Chu had this meeting turn into a full-fledged interview. Years of experience sitting on both sides of the table was now put to good use. No matter how mighty Mr. Thomas was or how strong his aura.
As a leader in front of a Human Resource Officer, he was relegated to one of many applicants.
Mr. Thomas was the only person Chu was banking the second step of progress on. The boy had no intention of letting the man across the desk be aware of that fact.
'Can a desperate person seeking a lifeline treat an interview for a job as a joke?'
Chu had never seen someone who achieved the requirements to obtain an interview with a company refuse to treat the process with respect. This was after all the last hill to climb before entering the world of employment.
'One day of preparation can lead to years of bliss.'
Chu nodded his head in satisfaction. Mr. Thomas remained smart enough to understand he had to sell his good points for the job.
