The Gate Traveler-Chapter 43B5 - : Battle Plan

After dinner, we settled around the table, an open notebook between us, ready to figure out the best way to help. Mahya leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, her expression sharp with determination. She raised a hand and started ticking off the conditions on her fingers.

“Nothing that will take years to accomplish,” she started, voice firm. “I’m not giving them any cores, and I’m definitely not teaching kids like Al.” She shot him a look. “I don’t have the patience.”

Al sniffed, entirely unbothered by the jab. He straightened his posture, folding his hands neatly in front of him. “I will teach Alchemy,” he stated, his tone even, “and, should the need arise, sword fighting. I have no qualms overseeing projects or offering guidance.” His gaze flicked between us, making it clear he had thought about this. “However, I will not engage in menial labor.” He adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves, as if the mere thought of physical exertion required tidying himself. “I have no interest in digging ditches or hauling supplies like a common worker.”

Mahya snorted. “Shocking.”

I smirked but didn’t comment. Instead, I turned a page in the notebook. “So, short-term projects, no cores, no kids, no back-breaking labor for our resident noble.” I tapped the paper with my pen. “Anything else?”

Mahya crossed her arms. “Yeah. I’m not getting roped into fixing every problem they throw at us. We help with the big stuff—things that actually make a difference. But if they start acting like we’re some magical fix-it crew for every minor inconvenience, I’m out.”

Al nodded approvingly. “Agreed. We should set clear boundaries from the start.”

I jotted it down, glancing between them. “Alright. Anything else before we start making a plan?”

They both exchanged looks but said nothing. I took that as a no.

I clicked my pen. “Then let’s get to work.”

“As I said,” Al began, his voice composed. “I will teach Alchemy, and I am even willing to use my own supply of herbs. If others are interested in learning and pursuing the class, I can take up to five apprentices. More than that would be impractical.” He folded his hands neatly on the table. “I am also willing to establish a sword training regimen—the very same one used by the royal guards of my family. It would significantly advance their proficiency.”

Mahya arched a brow and turned to me. “Shouldn’t John train them?”

I blinked. “Me? Why me?”

She gestured vaguely at me. “Because you have that new skill from your wizard class—the one that enhances training.”

“Hm.” I tapped the pen against the notebook, considering. “Yeah, you have a point, but I’d rather focus on training healers. The skill might enhance training, sure, but I’m no expert. Back on Earth, I took some staff and archery classes, and Lis trained me in swords and knives, but that’s about it.” I nodded toward Al. “He actually knows a standardized method. I think he’s the better choice for this.”

Mahya glanced between us and shrugged. “I can teach them wood artistry and Magitech, but they’ll have to supply the cores. Beyond that, I’ve got no clue.”

I tapped my fingers against the notebook, an idea forming. “How about we teach them how to make hot-air balloons? You could train them to pilot them.”

She frowned. “We fed all the spare fabric to my balloon.”

Al waved a hand dismissively. “That is not a problem. We can use different fabrics, and I can create a solution to make them airtight.”

Mahya crossed her arms. “And what about the lift?”

I leaned back, nodding toward the storage hall. “We still have all the gas we brought from Earth, plus the burners. Not much use for them now.”

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She fell silent, her fingers drumming against the table as she stared off in thought. A couple of minutes passed before she let out a long breath. “Fiiine.”

She dragged the word out, making it clear she wasn’t exactly thrilled. But she wasn’t arguing, so I had no intention to poke the bear.

Al turned to me. “What about you?”

I leaned back, rolling my shoulders. “Like I said, healing’s my main focus. That’s priority number one. Besides that, we’ve got a shit ton of stuff from Earth—tools, equipment from DIY stores, all kinds of useful crap. I’m sure some of it will come in handy.” I tapped the notebook, thinking. “Oh, and I’ve still got all those building spells I picked up from that idiot in Lumis. Pretty sure those alone will make a tremendous difference.”

I glanced between them. “Other than that? I think we should meet with the settlement leader and see what they actually need before we start throwing solutions at them.”

Rue pushed himself up from his beanbag and trotted over to the table, his massive form looming over us. “John no ask Rue!” A wave of indignation rolled off him.

“Sorry, buddy. You’re right,” I said, holding up a hand in surrender. “How do you want to help?”

Rue puffed up, clearly taking the question seriously. “Rue go with people to collect food from far fields.”

I blinked. “You’re gonna pull a cart?” That was a shock.

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Rue’s ears flattened as he shot me a look dripping with pure, unfiltered ire. It was official—my dog had spent way too much time around Mahya. “Rue no horse!” His mental voice practically bristled with indignation. “Rue protect people going to collect food and protect people collecting things from city.”

I barely held back a snort. “Got it. Big, scary guard dog. No carts.”

Rue nodded decisively, the matter clearly settled, then turned and flopped back onto his beanbag with a heavy whump.

I tapped the pen against my notebook, trying to figure out how to bring up my last point.

Mahya caught the movement and arched an eyebrow. “Why are you fidgeting?”

“I have one more thing I want to bring up,” I admitted, shifting in my seat. “And I’m not sure how.”

She rolled her eyes. “Just spit it out. You’re going to tell us anyway.”

I straightened my shoulders and met their gazes head-on. “We should convince Lady Almatai to relocate.”

Both Mahya and Al stared at me like I had sprouted a second head.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I protested, holding up a hand. “Just hear me out.”

I set the pen down and leaned forward. “I’ve talked to the people I treated and heard some awful stories. Right now, the settlement sits less than five kilometers from two cities that hate them. The guy who lost his arm? His scavenger group was attacked—he was the only survivor. Six people from his group, plus four guards who tried to protect them. The bastards who attacked them called them ‘walking levels,’ told them to run, and then hunted them down like prey.”

I turned to Mahya, waving a hand in her direction. “Rima’s husband? Same assholes. The man with the amputated leg? He was trying to protect their wall. Over twenty people died that day, and they still burned down the north side of the wall and half their fields. That was less than six months ago. It’s one of the main reasons they’re struggling for food now.”

Mahya and Al exchanged a look but stayed quiet, letting me continue.

I tapped the table for emphasis. “And their location? Shit. Yeah, sure, they wanted to scavenge the ruined city. But they’re dependent on wells for water, and they have to hike through a snake-infested forest to reach the fields. It’s not sustainable.”

I gestured south. “Less than twenty kilometers from here, there are endless fields, massive herds, a wide river with a thick forest on the other bank, and plenty of buildings they could scavenge for materials. And the best part?” I met their eyes again. “If those murdering bastards still want to come after them, they’ll have to fight their way through the snakes to do it.”

I leaned back, letting my words settle. “So? Still think I’m crazy?”

“That’s going to be a hard sell,” Mahya said, drumming her fingers against the table.

“Not necessarily,” Al countered, his tone measured. He shifted in his seat, straightening his posture with a thoughtful nod. “I am confident that Lady Almatai is already aware of every point John listed.”

He glanced at me. “If you fly out and scout for a suitable location, something defensible with resources nearby, she can be convinced. Especially if you offer them the building spells.” His fingers tapped the table. “That alone would accelerate reconstruction tenfold.”

“You think she’ll just agree to relocate twenty thousand people? This isn’t a few hundred we’re talking about,” Mahya asked, skepticism clear in her voice.

Al shook his head. “I do not believe they have quite that many residents—perhaps fifteen thousand at most. But that is beside the point.” He met her gaze, his expression unwavering. “Yes, relocating and rebuilding for so many people is a monumental task. But watching them slaughtered by monsters who see them as nothing more than level fodder? That is far worse. If I were in her place, I would not hesitate.”

We sat in silence for a few more minutes, each lost in our own thoughts. I tapped my fingers against the notebook, then finally asked, “Anything else?”

Mahya shook her head. Al simply said, “No.”

“Alright. Tomorrow, I’ll go talk to Lady Almatai. Want to join me?”

The two slackers shook their heads way too fast. Figures.

At least I had one loyal friend.

“Rue join John!” came the enthusiastic reply, his tail thumping against the floor like a drum.