Ball of Nothing

Zero took a look around the cave. As usual, Zoe's food tasted fantastic! Even if Coux, Qin Yun and Amaraline were good cooks, nobody could win Zoe... maybe except for Lovina when it came to desserts. The Zashikiwarashi was blushing at the compliments everyone gave her that evening. Grandma Moppo announced that there would be a mandatory feast for all the villagers and nobody refused the invitation. Ruth and Schaf were also invited along with Hua Tuo and Zero- the main guest of the evening.

Everybody knew why there was such a grand feast. If Zero was still here by the end of the day, Grandma Moppo must have gotten her way. The feast is merely a formality to welcome Zero back into the village so nobody was expecting for Zero to stand up and give a speech while toasting juice.

"Good evening! Can I get everyone's attention for five minutes?"

The crowd settled down into a curious silence. Many had questions about the sudden growth spurt Zero went through but nobody dared approach the young doctor just yet. Grandma Moppo hasn't spoken a single word the entire evening and without her consent, Zero was not yet accepted as a member of the village. He still had the special guest treatment.

Lowis was surprised when the head of the village didn't look up from her cup of ale. Zero smiled and continued without paying heed to Grandma Moppo.

"Thank you for all gathering tonight. I have an announcement to make as the new leader of the Half Moon Village."

As expected, the cave burst into loud murmurs. The half-dwarf looked slightly annoyed at some of the whispers and glared at the room, levelling it to silence with her snapping.

"What's so surprising about it? It just happened sooner rather than later. Besides, I still want to enjoy my retirement life while I'm still in good condition!"

Mitchnew observed as Vrald bristled in what looked like a protest. She was ready to put the fool down if he dared to lay a finger on Zero. she'd heard some things from her husband who was still in the abyss. Although he didn't share everything in full detail, Mitchnew more than most of the villagers present with the exception of Qin Yun. Vrald had no right to judge Zero, the young doctor hadn't had it easy. While the village was complacently idling with its repairs after Carrabas' attack and waiting for the next attack, Zero was making grand plans to change the living quality in the abyss. Kerberos, Schaf and Ruth's appearance were part of Zero's grand plans. With Wiser, Coux, Amaraline and her husband still in the abyss, Mitchnew knew that Half Moon Village would somehow be involved in the operation of Zero's grand plan. They were quite the odd group living together so having demons accepted into their kind isn't that much of a deal.

"Thank you," Zero nodded at the curious villagers. "As you know how it happened, Baal brought me to Hell while I was unconscious. However, a lot of things have happened while I was in Hell after I recovered. I'll keep it as brief as possible because it isn't possible to tell everything there is to tell about what I've been through over the last few months in the abyss. In short, we have new guests from the abyss as some of you may know them. Schaf here is Mammon's closest student and he would have been a successor if not for the unfortunate turn of events that involved Kerberos. There was a powerful force trying to manipulate demons to opening the gate to Earth forcefully. Their plot to take over Earth and use its resources to have revenge against Heaven was foiled by me. After that, Bell and I were busy making arrangements to improve life in Hell so that history will not repeat itself. To improve the lives of demons in the abyss, an established trade route for better materials must be established. Coux is helping me with that at the moment and Schaf will assist her from the village. As many of you have guessed it, Half Moon Village will become the contact point for trade between the abyss and Earth. Our village will definitely prosper but there is one problem..."

"Security... more people like Count Carrabas will attack us if they knew that we're doing well..." Lowis growled.

The air turned suffocating with the anger from every villager. Zero nodded. He didn't have to explain much now that everyone understood where he was coming from.

"I wouldn't be able to always be in the village. As the person who suggested this grand plan, I need to travel all over the place. I have faith in everyone's combat prowess in this village. However, we will face the same difficulties against numbers so I brought in reinforcements of my own. Kerberos is currently guarding Sleepy Cave at the foot of Endow Hill. He will be your backup, a one-dog army. Lovina will help to maintain the teleportation circle that I will create in the village central tomorrow. Also, this is Ruth my magic combat teacher and also the last survivor of the Roth Vampires. He will be a part of Half Moon Village and he is very strong. I believe that with these two guardians, Half Moon Village can take down ten times the size and power of Count Carrabas' army. However, if the situation exceeds this level of attack, there is an emergency portal set up in the village that goes straight to Bell's castle. Bell has already declared that Half Moon Village is under his protection. Queen Lilith, Queen Shittomi, Lord Mammon and Lord Beelzebub are also claiming their protection over the village. I believe that although it is unspoken, Lord Lucifer and Lord Amon will also lend their power should the situation requires it."

That was a lot to process and some, like Vrald, gave up on thinking altogether. Zero didn't know how to take the silence. He thought that such a great plan with so much consideration should at least warrant some smiles or applause but to be greeted with eerie silence? It was unexpected.

Nervous that he'd gone too far, Zero turned around to give his teacher a pleading look. Grandma Moppo was calm on the outside and that made Zero feel more discouraged. He must have made the wrong decision to introduce so much change at once. He should've learnt from Venn's experience about ruling with an iron fist... it never worked out. He should've been more diplomatic like what Lucifer suggested... he should've-

"Argh! Who cares what that means. We're under the protection of the most powerful people and given the chance to prosper without having to worry about being wanted. isn't is great! It's better than a dream come true!"

Nobody was quite expecting the outburst to come from the village's biggest fool.

Gerald smiled at his friend. Although Vrald wasn't the brightest person in the village, this was why he was once hailed a hero. He always came through when it mattered most.

"That's right!" Leon nodded vigorously. "I don't know what everything means but it's good that nobody will be coming to burn down our home, right? Also, we will be able to have more money to buy more things. It's good, no?"

Rima sighed at her friend's simplicity. By more things, Leon was probably referring to sweets. However, the spirit propagator couldn't find a flaw in that logic. One by one, the villagers begin to make up their minds and eventually everyone supported their new leader's decision even if some had their reservations about it.

"Zero, I don't want to sound disapproving but how do you know if we can trust these demons? They're not known to be the kindest species..." Soon pointed out.

Crudgel also voiced out his concerns with the lack of ability to contribute towards the business trade route that Zero talked about.

"About that," Zero smiled. "It's not a problem. You don't have to be literate or good with business like Coux to help. Wiser came up with this plan for everyone to use their best talents and contribute towards transforming Half Moon Village into a trading central with incredible security."

This made everyone curious including Hua Tuo, Zenobia and Grandma Moppo. Zero grinned and told everyone that he will explain the plan in detail tomorrow.

"For now, let us celebrate and welcome our new village members!"

Everyone raised their glasses and cheered. Ruth had a drink shoved into his hand and Shcaf was already rosy from the effects of alcohol. Someone tried to offer Zero a drink but Ruth was quick to stop them. According to Baal, Zero and alcohol should stay as far away from each other. Zero didn't seem too happy but when Leon offered him fruit punch, the teenager quickly forgot about it and joined in the rowdy tradition or boisterous eating and singing. There was a wonderful magic performance by Hyelin and a firestar demonstration by Raj. Jacqueline danced and had Qin Yun join in. Zero smiled as he watched the fox spirit enjoy herself. The letter in his inventory weighed heavily. The foxes had a message to pass her and Zero didn't want to delay it but now wasn't the time.

At the height of the feast, Zero decided that it would be the best time to let them know the rough ideas of his plans. The official meeting will happen in a few days once Zero has settled down some of the miscellaneous matters requiring his immediate attention as the new leader. Zenobia did mention that the repair works weren't going very smoothly and Lovina still wasn't able to find the right formula to help Wiser with his research for miasma convertor machines.

"Alright, I've decided. We are going to divide the duties a little differently now. We have the agriculture in charge - Cleo. Instead of just tending to the fields, we will require more help with the magic herbs, some hybrid plant experiments for medical research and mana flower growing. Latitia. Chowkah, Manny and Peter will be helping Cleo with this. Any questions?"

The two zombies exchanged looks with Soon and blinked. "Zero, we're undead by nature. Going anywhere near living things will corrupt them."

Zero grinned and waved their concerns off. "Don't worry. You'll be working with the mana lotuses at the Spring of Vitality. They are known to be good for the undead, just check with Ruth. Miasma is what you need to be careful with. In fact, if all goes well, you can cultivate to free your soul from sins at the Garden of Roth. All three of you can definitely redeem yourselves and break free from the curse of this forbidden magic."

Zero's assurance made the cave fall silent. Many of them didn't know what they were hearing anymore. The teenager took no notice and continued.

"Clowis, you're head of defence and security. Your team will be Crudgel, Titor, Camie and Mitchnew. Your job is to defend the village, look out for threats and maintain the peace within."

Lowis and Zenobia were speechless. Did Zero just put both of them out of job? As if sensing their concerns, Zero turned to them. "Lady Zenobia, I would require your assistance to become the village's representative for negotiations. Of course, you won't have to do much of the negotiating, Schaf will assist you. Lowis, you have a special role. I need you to choose people and train them to be mercenaries. Mitchnew, you're going to help out in training the best of the best from Lord Amon's reinforcements and turn them into the best one man armies."

The dark elf looked pleased and Lowis had a small smile. Indeed, this was better than guarding a wall and patrolling perimeters all day.

"For the village's progress, we will require learned people and researchers. Lovina, you're in charge of magic research. Moona, Soon, Yxaan and Xvyal are on team magic research. Although Wiser is not here, we can still contact him regularly. I don't know if I'm still a part of the lab but I hope Raj, you will continue to research on ways to improve the lives of the villagers using tools and equipment instead of destructive weapons. Tambolt, don't worry... you're not out of job. I need you to create devices capable of bridging the gap between magic and non-magic users. I don't know the details but someone will be contacting you very soon about something called mana-metal."

"Qin Yun, Roovan... you have important roles as the information centre of the village. Roovan you're in charge of stealth operations. Qin Yun, Queen Shittomi has decided to support your decision by training your girls to become socialites capable of getting information from any sources. also, this is a letter from them to their beloved leader."

Grandma Moppo was curious as Zero handed the fox spirit a thick letter that was barely sealed properly. Zero certainly matured into a very fine leader. She relaxed a little more and took another swig of her wine as Zero continued to dish out orders for everyone else present including Zoe and the children. Vrald and Gerald were genuinely surprised when Zero told them that they were in charge of travelling and raising the village's reputation by going back to their adventuring ways. the Dragon Descendants looked worried but when Zero told them that they were going to be travelling with a fellow dragon by the name of Olaf, they were stunned to silence.

In Zero's mindscape, Bob couldn't believe it. Why would Olaf decide to finally leave his treasure cave? He'd been hiding it out in Lucifer's library for centuries... that sly lizard was up to something, he just knew it!

"Aside from these changes, I would like to announce that Ruth is going to be part of this village as everyone's basic combat instructor when he isn't sending me flying to the dirt. Everyone is required to know basic self-defence skills. Karris, you will only begin yours after little Seff is born. I hope you don't mind but Ruth here will become Seff's teacher as a fellow vampire. I've already made the promise on your behalf but Ruth will only teach Seff the ways of a vampire until he can fend for himself."

Karris looked at the young doctor with misty eyes. "Thank you, Zero. It means a lot to me... I was always worried about how my little one would cope after he was born... thank you! Thank you..."

Ruth took a look at the pregnant human and felt a small pang of shame at the actions for one of his kind. Even in the Roith village, nobody abandoned their young. The bullying of half breeds was a common thing but they were never abandoned.

"Hmm have I forgotten anything else...?"

After not being able to think of anything else, Zero ended the abrupt announcement with a grin and another toast of sparkling juice. The villagers cheered and Hua Tuo sighed. He didn't know if having such a mature student was a good thing or a bad thing. Zero as a child was already a headache to deal with. Zero as a teen was a lot sneakier and smarter. It wouldn't be as simple to fool him into staying away from certain topics. Hua Tuo just hoped that the kid wouldn't come to him for answers about the more difficult things in life that even Gods didn't have answers for.

"I need more wine," the physician groaned and helped himself to an unattended jug. If he was going to have to put up with a smartmouthed brat for another half a year, he would need a lot more of where this strong alcohol came from.