Chapter 47: Arrival at Fandou Village

Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Arrival at Fandou Village

A carriage, laden with household goods, slowly made its way down the road.

A middle-aged man drove the horse from the front, while a middle-aged woman, a young man, and a little girl sat in the carriage. A pet goat trailed behind.

This was the Ferren Family, moving to Fandou Village.

After lunch yesterday, Lake and Mrs. Shaven began packing for the move. Vili and Vilia weren’t allowed to be idle, either, busying themselves alongside them. They worked until evening, at which point they had gotten the bulk of it done. Afterward, showing no signs of fatigue, Lake and Mrs. Shaven made a special point of visiting their close friends in the village to say their goodbyes.

Of course, though they called it saying goodbye, it was also a subtle form of showing off. When the villagers learned that Vili had been granted a village by Baron Kels and recruited into the Personal Guard Team, their eyes betrayed an unconcealable envy. Both of the Ferren Family’s sons had become outstanding young men serving the nobility. Everyone realized that this once-ordinary Ferren Family was on the rise.

The Lake couple reveled in the villagers’ envious gazes; it was the proudest moment of their lives.

Whether it was due to Vili’s rise in status or Lake and Mrs. Shaven’s good reputation in the village, quite a few villagers came to see them off that morning as they moved. Some gave food, others bolts of cloth, and everyone was full of warmth. Aunt Shaven, in particular, lent Vili’s family her husband’s carriage, which saved Lake—who had originally planned to hire one—another expense.

Before Vili left the estate, a guard had already told him the exact location of Fandou Village. So now, following Vili’s directions, Lake was heading toward it.

Lake was in high spirits. Gazing at the wild grass and flowers by the roadside, he realized for the first time just how wonderful life could be. The Ferren Family now possessed immense wealth and a village of their very own. This was a reality he had never dared to even dream of before.

They didn’t have many possessions, so the carriage wasn’t crowded.

Mrs. Shaven looked at her two children before her, an unconscious smile gracing her lips. She suddenly thought of Sopps, still in Diamond Town. ’Now that the family’s circumstances have improved so much, it’s time to find a wife for Sopps.’

"When we get to Fandou Village, will we still be able to eat game?"

Vilia held Wally in her arms. Although Wally was a traitorous little bear, as his nanny, Vilia had already forgiven him.

Vili heard her and replied, "Of course. Fandou Village may be far from Morse Forest, but it’s very close to Bole Forest. Once we’re there, I can go hunting for you in Bole Forest."

He said as much, but Vili knew that once he joined Baron Kels’s Personal Guard Team, he would have very little time at home. Though he was the Village Chief of Fandou Village, he wouldn’t be able to manage it around the clock. He was already mulling over a plan for Fandou Village in his mind: if he was away in the future, he would have to entrust Lake with the authority to manage things on his behalf.

"Is that Fandou Village?"

Lake asked suddenly, gesturing toward the houses and land not far ahead.

Vili followed the direction of Lake’s finger.

It was a cluster of brand-new-looking houses. Beyond them stretched a large expanse of unplanted farmland, where a dozen or so figures were busy tilling the soil.

"This is it."

Vili replied to Lake.

"We’re finally here!"

Vilia exclaimed excitedly. To her, traveling was an incredibly dull journey. If not for Wally’s company, she probably would have gone mad with boredom.

Lake cracked the whip in his hand, urging the horse to quicken its pace.

Seeing Fandou Village just ahead, he grew excited as well. The dozen or so people before him were all his son’s subordinates. This land, granted to Vili by Baron Kels, was the Ferren Family’s private property. He had always been one of the Baron’s subjects, and now, he had his own villagers.

Vili glanced at his father, who was even more excited than he was, and found it completely understandable. Starting a new Chapter in life was an extraordinary experience for a man like Lake, who was over forty.

As Vili drew near Fandou Village, an elderly man holding a hoe suddenly looked up and saw the arriving carriage.

’Is the Village Chief here?’

A flicker of worry appeared in the old man’s eyes.

Just yesterday, Baron Kels had sent Guards to inform the villagers of Fandou Village that from now on, they were Vili Ferren’s people. Vili Ferren was their new master, the Village Chief of Fandou Village.

The others who were tilling the land noticed the old man had stopped his work. They followed his gaze and also saw the Ferren family’s carriage.

Worry about the unknown showed in everyone’s eyes; they couldn’t be sure what kind of person the new Village Chief was. If he was a tyrannical man, then all the villagers would have to endure harsh reprimands and even beatings from their superior. In this world, the common folk had to accept their Lord’s every command. Although Vili was just a Village Chief, he was effectively the Lord they had to obey.

"Don’t stop your work, lest the new Village Chief see you and give you a scolding. I’ll go welcome him."

The old man clearly carried some Reputation among the group. Hearing his words, everyone went back to their work, their hands moving even more diligently than before.

A trace of apprehension appeared on the old man’s face, but he still braced himself and walked forward.

"One of the villagers is coming over."

Lake said, bringing the carriage to a halt.

Vili jumped down from the carriage as well.

"Excuse me, are you Lord Vili?"

The old man glanced at the goods in the carriage and knew they were moving, which immediately confirmed the group’s identity. He saw four people in total: a middle-aged couple and a son and daughter. He had almost subconsciously mistaken Lake for the Village Chief.

"Vili is my son. I’m his father, Lake."

Lake explained to the old man. Though he wasn’t the Village Chief, he was equally proud as the father of one.

A flicker of surprise appeared in the old man’s eyes. He had never imagined the new Village Chief would be so young.

He quickly bowed to Vili in salute, then bowed to Lake and the others as well. Despite his advanced age, he maintained a humble posture. In this place, it wasn’t age that decided social standing, but status.

"Village Chief Vili, welcome."

The old man’s tone was filled with humility.

He breathed an inward sigh of relief. The Village Chief’s family didn’t seem like malicious people. With luck, this meant the villagers of Fandou Village wouldn’t have to live in such constant terror.