She Who Became Immortal

According to my knowledge from my past life, kobolds were supposed to be ugly fairies or spirits from Medieval Europe, but in this world, they were beastmen resembling small dogs.

They stood about a meter tall, shorter than human children of the same height, with slightly oversized heads. Their appearances varied, but the kobolds that arrived at Sutin Village resembled Chihuahuas or a similar dog breed, exhibiting more animalistic traits than Zamba. It was almost as if they were wearing costumes.

"The werewolf tribe attacked our home. We managed to escape somehow, but we're the only survivors. The rest of the Polo tribe members are probably dead. Please, we need your help," Iota Polo, the representative of the Polo tribe, said with a heavy heart.

It appeared that they had been ambushed by the werewolf tribe. While the adults in the village fought them off, the children fled, not toward the central part of the beastmen territory, but further towards the outskirts – the borderlands.

Along the way, they sought refuge in other beastmen villages, but none were willing to accept the displaced Polo tribe members without a homeland.

Understandably so.

Beastmen tended to stick together and form communities with their own kind. Even Zamba's alliance army seemed more like a coalition of different races than a truly integrated force. There weren't mixed squads comprising various races like the werewolf tribe, the goat tribe, and the hyena tribe. Coexistence among different races was virtually nonexistent.

"Alright, we'll help you. But in exchange, you must assist us too. Surely, there are tasks you can perform, right?" I proposed.

And indeed, they had skills to offer.

The Polo tribe members were adept with their hands, diligent, sociable, and reasonably intelligent. Their addition smoothed interactions in the village, complementing the straightforward orcs and the reserved Yunofeliza tribe led by Junos.

Some stayed in Sutin Village, while others ventured into the borderlands for development.

To my surprise, they crafted clothes for me from plant fibers, unlike the native style but still practical. Moreover, they dyed them with natural hues.

Finally, the awkward tension with Junos whenever I sat cross-legged dissipated.

Of course, the fox spirit Serena lent her aid too.

Aside from Kirina's attachment to me, Serena had a duty to uphold as the guardian of the borderlands. Even if Kirina were kidnapped, Serena had to prioritize her role. She knew that well.

I learned about the location of a rock salt bed, and some were dispatched to collect it. Meanwhile, in the borderlands, logging and hunting were underway. The rock salt obtained was crucial for preserving meat.

Though winter was distant, securing food was paramount for now.

We didn't know the extent of the Beastmen Alliance's actions, but depending on circumstances, food shortage loomed. The arrival of the Polo tribe likely foreshadowed such challenges.

"Lady Euphemia! This meat is delicious! This place is amazing!" exclaimed Iota, elated by the savory meal.

As everyone enjoyed the meat, Iota's joy was palpable. The Polo tribe members happily wagged their tails while devouring the food, spreading warmth not only to me but also to the orc tribe and Junos's people.

"Yes, it's wonderful. But, Iota, this is just the beginning. There will be more remarkable things to come. Good and bad. Definitely," I reassured.

Of course, I couldn't predict the future, so my words were somewhat vague. However, it's a safe bet to say that challenges and opportunities await. Only those already too late will tread the path of decline.

Well, perhaps we're already too late – that's beyond my knowledge.

But enough of that.

A week later, the situation began to shift.