The light near dusk was far gentler than the harsh blaze of noon.
Anri bent down, her head lowered as she carefully pushed aside wheat straw. She stepped over the soft earth and used both hands to pull out the weeds that grew thick among the golden wheat.
Sweat rolled down her cheeks and neck, soaking into her simple clothes.
Seeing the growing pile of green weeds at the edge of the field, Anri straightened up, wiping her forehead with the back of her relatively clean arm. She exhaled softly, a sound halfway between fatigue and satisfaction.
The sweat sticking her clothes to her skin and the weary ache of her body tempted her to seek some cool shade to rest.But—
"No being lazy."
Anri muttered to herself, gazing out across the wheat fields.
Golden waves shimmered under the setting sun, with faint touches of green where weeds still clung stubbornly.The soft, almost invisible scent of ripening wheat filled the air, lifting her spirits a little and easing her fatigue.
"In half a month, it'll be harvest season."
"And the tax collector will come," she added, her voice low and tinged with faint resentment. "Always so punctual, that one."
Though her face was weary, her expression was bright. She had the vitality of youth.
—
"Anri? Are you out here alone?"
A familiar voice called from the wheat field's path.
It was Aunt Aimee, accompanied by several other village women carrying bundles of weeds in their baskets.
"Auntie."
Anri quickly bowed her head politely."My father and Uncle Larchmont went to the forest to gather herbs. Mother's taking care of my little sister, so I came to weed by myself."
"It's just weeding. I can handle it."
She spoke shyly, her cheeks slightly flushed.
The women chuckled warmly, praising her maturity and diligence.
"If you need help, just call for us!"
"It's tough doing it alone."
"The tax collector's coming soon, isn't he?"
"Mm, and there's been a lot of strangers in the village lately."
"Adventurers, mostly," one woman said darkly. "Rough sorts, most of them."
"Not all adventurers are bad," another laughed. "Remember that black-haired young man from a month ago? The one the village chief talked about? Paid his debts properly before he left. Quite handsome too."
"Oho! Thinking about men even at your age?"
"Bah, what's wrong with a little thinking?" the woman huffed. "You know, I heard that in the big cities, every wealthy lady keeps a few handsome lads around..."
The laughter faded as the women walked ahead.
—
Anri, left standing alone, blushed fiercely.The black-haired young man…
She remembered, faintly.
The village was small. Whenever a stranger arrived, news spread fast.She hadn't seen his face clearly—only a silhouette against the setting sun—but she remembered a dark figure standing silently by the gate.
Adventurers must be amazing people, she thought, then quickly shook her head.
No good. Different worlds.
Finishing her work, Anri bundled the weeds together, tied them with rough rope, and lifted the heavy load onto her back.
The pile was so large it blocked her vision entirely.But she didn't need to see. She knew every step of the road home.
The wheat field lay right beside the village. It wasn't far.
—
"You can't see the road like that."
"Need help?"
A voice called out ahead.
Gentle, unfamiliar.
"I-I can manage," Anri blurted instinctively, staggering under her load.
But the next moment, a low growl—rough, beast-like—rumbled through the air.
Anri froze.
Weeds still blocked her sight. The sound made her stomach clench in fear.
She tried to straighten, but the weeds shifted, dragging her backward.
"Ah!"
She yelped.
The pile toppled, and she fell backward onto it with a soft thud.
Luckily, the weeds cushioned the fall, sparing her injury.
There was a thunk!—followed by a small yelp, as though something had been kicked.
"Careful. Don't panic," the same gentle voice said.
Anri rubbed her aching shoulders and looked up—
There stood a young man in a simple black robe.
Black hair, just brushing his shoulders.
He wasn't smiling, but there was a certain softness in his eyes—a kind of apology.
For an instant, Anri's shoulders trembled.
A chill ran up the back of her neck, as if some invisible threat brushed against her skin——and then it vanished, like a dream.
Next to the man, standing calmly, was a beast.
A monstrous hound, its body lean and powerful, black bone-like chains coiled around its frame.
A monster.
Anri's blood drained from her face.
Even if she had never seen a demonic beast before, instinct screamed the truth.
"Don't be afraid. It won't harm you," the black-haired young man said.
His voice was calm, without mockery or menace.
Slowly, Anri realized the hound wasn't attacking. It simply stood by its master's side, watching her curiously.
Her heartbeat slowed a little.
"S-Sorry..."
Anri scrambled to her feet, flustered and embarrassed.
Now that she was standing closer, she recognized the young man——the traveler from a month ago.
She hadn't seen his face then, but the voice was unmistakable.
Remembering the teasing words of the village women made her cheeks burn.
"I should be the one apologizing for startling you," the young man said.
He turned toward the monster and gave a small gesture.
"Xiao Hei," he called.
The demonic hound barked once—then its black chains twisted outward like living snakes.
They coiled around the bundle of weeds, tightened, and lifted the heavy mass easily onto the creature's back.
"That's... amazing," Anri breathed.
"T-That's not necessary!" she added quickly, waving her hands. "It might crush it!"
The bundle of weeds was larger than the dog itself—completely hiding its body.
"It's fine. Think of it as an apology," the man said simply."Don't underestimate it. A magical beast's endurance is far beyond what it seems."
He spoke casually, already moving forward toward the village.
Anri hesitated, nervously pulling at the rough fabric of her skirt.
But after a moment, she hurried after him, following a few steps behind.
She dared not walk beside him.
Just quietly, head bowed.
—
Minori glanced back slightly, feeling Anri's presence.
Anri Emmot.
Last time he passed through Carne Village, he had camped only one night and left at dawn.He hadn't interacted with her.
Seeing her now—
So young, so innocent.
It was strange to think that in a few years' time, this simple village girl would become a figure of incredible influence.
An Overlord in her own right.
A General.
The first time she used the Goblin General's Horn, she had summoned only a small unit.But the second time—the true hidden effect had triggered.
An army of five thousand goblins.Eight organized legions.Elite commanders, each one a heroic-class being at level 29 or higher.The Royal Guard—thirteen "Red Hat" warriors at level 43.
A strategist commanding the entire force at level 51.
If Anri wished, she could conquer minor kingdoms with such strength.
Even Minori felt a pang of envy.Such an army—gained without grinding, without bloodshed, simply by destiny.
Moreover, Anri's natural growth had only just begun.She would eventually walk the path of "General" and "Commander" classes by her own merit.
She had true talent.
—
Minori narrowed his eyes slightly, deep in thought.
Four years.
Not long, not short.
Enough time to prepare.
He had come to the New World to build a kingdom—but perhaps, forging relationships would be just as vital as raising his level.
Before, he had been too weak.
Now—
Only mithril-class adventurers or those like Warrior Captain Gazef Stronoff could threaten him.
But when it came to the heroic-class beings lurking in this world...
It was not enough.
Not yet.