Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

After spending an evening together, the settlement's residents no longer felt as resistant to the newly arrived family of five. Later, when Sura suggested taking them in again, Guy remained silent.

With the addition of new members, the settlement in this mountain nook became noticeably livelier, especially with a few children running around playing and occasionally helping the adults with small tasks.

That morning, Tilan went to check on the boss moose deep within the cave. Although she wasn't yet an official member of the settlement, she had already earned the trust of the people there, even the usually quiet Marula would greet her.

Upon inspecting the wound, Tilan found that the boss moose's injury had finally stabilized without further deterioration. From now on, with gradual care, it would heal over time.

Seeing this result pleased her quite a bit. After all, during this time they had all grown familiar with one another, and it's always comforting to see a friend out of danger.

After drawing water for the boss moose's room, Tilan came out with an empty bucket. Her current attire was simple and efficient, and without familiarity, one might not recognize her.

In the afternoon, after lunch, a few people gathered at the cave entrance to discuss matters.

"Autumn has arrived, and it's getting colder. Should we prepare some firewood?" the stout man asked.

"It's about time to prepare." Guy glanced at the slightly ominous sky. Even on a clear day, the sky wasn't as blue as in summer, with a grayer hue.

After a round of discussions, the stout man eagerly volunteered to go outside to gather firewood.

"Let's go together. I'm familiar with this area," Guy decided after some thought.

So, for the next two days, they went out together to gather trees and the gradually wilting shrubs, transporting them back for storage. Occasionally, a few children would tag along.

"I think it's about done." That afternoon, Flan casually mentioned his situation while chatting with a young girl.

"The gunshot wound has mostly healed. If I stay much longer, it will be winter, and I won't be able to leave by then." He noted that he would likely leave in 2-3 days.

"I need to prepare some dried food and things for a journey. Could I trouble Miss Hexia to help me?"

"How can I help you?" Lately, Hexia hadn't been too busy, and much of her free time was spent teaching Ores some basic knowledge and life skills.

"I need a backpack, about five days' worth of dried food, and some herbs."

"I saw Miss Hexia making clothes before; I'm sure she can stitch a backpack."

"This isn't too difficult, but what does Mr. Flan intend to offer as payment?" Tilan slightly tilted her head. She wasn't short on money but didn't want to agree plainly without any return.

"Well..." Flan didn't have much to trade. He was certainly unwilling to part with his gun, and the other items were useful too.

"I heard Miss Hexia wants to go to a big city to seek her origins. How about I draw a map of the nearby terrain and power distributions for you in exchange?" He was quite good at gathering information, remembering even the occasional things mentioned by the young girl.

"Sounds good, deal." Tilan nodded.

"Good~" Flan whistled.

At night, the settlement's people gathered around the bonfire again. Marula was cooking today. Although his legs and feet weren't convenient, as long as he was helped to the stove, he and the newly joined woman could manage.

The meal was still barley porridge, though there were notably fewer vegetables, as they weren't stored in large quantities.

After dinner, everyone chatted around the fire. Tilan sat quietly sewing a backpack by the firelight. Her concentration and nimble fingers caught Ores' interest as she observed curiously, not blinking.

"Tilan, amazing, looks good," Ores said with genuine simplicity.

"Oh, Miss Hexia truly has dexterous fingers," the Blue Skin Species woman complimented with a grin. Their species, similar to humans when young, became much sturdier upon adulthood. Even their slimmest pinky was as thick as Tilan's two fingers, making delicate tasks like needlework and writing impossible.

It's said that the 'Blue Skin Species' have always lived in a tribal manner because their thick skin makes them less sensitive, hindering fine crafting and writing skills, which slows the transmission of knowledge and skills.

Sura occasionally glanced over from the lively conversation with others and, seeing Tilan sewing the backpack by the fire, also raised a thumb in praise.

"Miss Hexia is the ace of our settlement~"

As the night deepened and the flames dwindled, everyone gradually dispersed, each returning to their rooms to sleep. As everyone became more familiar, the night watch was no longer solely up to Guy and Sura; the Blue Skin Species couple also took turns, rotating among four people.

This arrangement finally allowed Guy and Sura, the settlement's mainstays, to get some well-deserved rest.

In the dead of night.

Hexia and Ores slept in their room, their beds made with clean double-layered thick cloths with grass mats underneath—a bed that in this land was reserved for middle-upper-class individuals.

Since it was just early autumn, the weather wasn't too cold yet, and they only covered themselves with a thin layer of cloth. Ores lay on her side next to Tilan, her gentle breathing falling on Tilan's arm. Initially, she was unaccustomed to this, but over the past few days, she gradually acclimated, especially if tonight went like any other.

Unaware of the exact time in the dead of night, a shadowy figure crept silently along the passage of the cave. He tried to go deeper inside, but was blocked by the locked door. The key to get through was only with Guy and Sura, yet occasionally, Sura would let Tilan use it.