The Abused is The Abuser in Another World

Chapter 27: Tensions on the Horizon

The leaders of the Enclave gathered once again in the central chamber, the weight of their uncertain future pressing down like a heavy cloud. The fields outside lay silent, with no sign of the crops sprouting anytime soon. Days had turned into weeks, and the anticipation of a harvest was beginning to wear thin. Inside the chamber, tension simmered beneath the surface, though Noir stood resolute at the head of the room, his crimson eyes focused intently on the map before him.

The others waited for him to speak, but it was Lyralei who finally broke the silence, her voice soft yet filled with quiet urgency. Her green eyes flickered toward the barren land outside the walls, a mixture of hope and frustration in her gaze. "We need more time," she said, almost to herself. "But I know time is not on our side."

Grid, standing near the wall, his wiry frame leaning casually against the stone, crossed his arms and let out a low, frustrated snort. His yellow eyes gleamed with impatience as he looked toward the others. "No kidding," he muttered, barely able to contain his irritation. "If we wait any longer, we'll be picking our teeth with air. We need food now. Not tomorrow, not next week—now."

The bluntness of Grid's words stirred a ripple of discomfort through the room, but they all knew the truth in what he said. The supplies they had gathered during the last foraging runs were dwindling, and the land around them was becoming more dangerous by the day.

Noir remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the map before him. Though his eyes remained on the parchment, his mind was already ahead, thinking through the risks, the strategies, and the potential solutions. Finally, he lifted his gaze, his voice calm yet commanding, cutting through the tension in the air. "We will continue the foraging efforts." His crimson eyes swept across the gathered leaders. "Grid, Lor—I want you both to lead teams into the surrounding areas. Focus on gathering fruits, edible plants, and if possible, animals for meat. But be cautious. Edric's forces are closer than we'd like."

Grid's eyes lit up at the prospect of action, the corner of his mouth curling into a mischievous grin. He uncrossed his arms, pushing himself off the wall with an air of excitement. "Finally, some real work. I'll take my goblins out there, see what we can find." He flashed his sharp teeth, eager for the thrill of the hunt. "Maybe even surprise Edric's patrols, eh?"

Noir's gaze flicked to Grid, his tone immediately sharpening. "Careful, Grid." The weight of his words hung heavily in the air. "We are not looking for conflict. We cannot afford to draw attention. Focus on bringing food back, nothing more."

Grid's grin faltered slightly, though the mischievous glint remained in his eyes. "Fine, fine. No unnecessary risks. Just a little forage here, a little trap there. You won't even know we're gone."

Lor, ever stoic, stepped forward with a nod of acknowledgment, his towering presence commanding respect without the need for theatrics. His dark eyes met Noir's, his voice a low rumble that carried the weight of the orcish warriors he led. "We will be careful. But if we encounter any threat, we will deal with it swiftly." An unspoken understanding passed between the two leaders. Lor's warriors had grown restless with the waiting, and this mission would at least give them a sense of purpose for now.

Noir's attention shifted to Elion and Shargoth, who stood side by side, a contrast in their demeanor but united in their wisdom. "Elion, Shargoth," Noir said, addressing them with the calm authority of a commander. "I need you to return to the Scalewatch. We've made progress with the crops, but we can't wait for them to grow. Negotiate with the lizardfolk—see if they can help us gather resources from their swamps."