The farmer diligently harvested the herbs with a small sickle. Slicing off the herb at the root and placing it in a basket, before wading a few steps forward and repeating the process. It was smooth yet slow.
Approaching the farmer Akiol asked, "Need a hand?"
The farmer stood up and looked towards Akiol. Immediately Akiol recognized this farmer as the one who tripped a few days ago. Clearly the farmer recognized Akiol, his expression showed surprise. Wiping some sweat from his forehead the farmer shook his head, "I'll be done before nightfall."
"I simply hold interest in the process.", Akiol smiled.
Just as the farmer was about to decline once again when he spotted his wife and son by the house. Making the connection the farmer's attitude shifted, "You're my son's savior! I can spare some time to show you how I do my work if that's what you'd like."
"I won't take too much of your time.", Akiol smiled.
Slipping off the cloak Akiol placed it on a nearby cart. Approaching the paddy Akiol joined the farmer in crouching near an herb. Pointing to the base of a stalk the farmer explained, "You have to swiftly cut them near the root, else it's medicinal properties will dwindle."
"Why not pull them out entirely?"
"If the root remains in the ground the herb will grow again after some time. Reduces our need to plant them again."
Akiol nodded with interest, "Is there a reason why you don't grow anything else?"
"Planting this herb modifies the soil, normal crops don't grow very well on it. We'd have to flush out the entire paddy and remove all the dirt before it can accept normal crops again."
"Then why are all the paddies growing this herb?."
The farmer hid his embarrassment with a laugh, "Once upon a time these herbs were very profitable. With all of our paddies we made enough to improve the village. However the Resurrectors also learned about this, and now the competition is much higher."
Sensing this was a sensitive topic Akiol instead formed mana into the shape of a sickle. Crouching down he swiftly cut several herbs at once and easily caught them. Handing them to the farmer he asked, "Is this good?"
A flash of surprise hit the farmer as he grabbed the herbs. Inspecting them he nodded, "This is. . . this is perfect yes. Are you really a Swordmaster?"
"Swordmaster? I'm just an adventurer, I'm used to handling sharp things."
The farmer nodded with understanding, "Perhaps with your help I can finish this paddy before sunset."
Akiol chuckled, "Let's get to work then."
The two turned silent as they worked. Silently harvesting the paddy's worth of herbs. With Akiol's help the two were able to finish incredibly quickly before moving to another paddy. The sun shed its light, causing the farmer to sweat heavily along with the hard work. Yet before the sun touched the treetops the two finished harvesting the second paddy.
With a smile the farmer looked at their work, "Incredible. The work is finished hours earlier than usual. You've been a massive help."
"I am thankful you allowed me to participate. It's good to stretch my muscles.", Akiol thanked while surveying the work.
'You don't have any. It's all slime!' -Stars
"I must invite you for dinner at the very least. You've been a huge help.", the farmer took off his straw steeple hat in fear of being rude, "I do ask you don't turn me down."
"I. . .", Akiol was unsure if he should mention he didn't really need to eat, "Very well, I shall accept your generosity."
"Thank you. Let us get some water."
Returning to the farmer's house Akiol was gifted a seat while the farmer pulled his wife to the side to speak. Sitting down Akiol found the boy, Samuel, on the other side of the table staring at Akiol with wonder in his eyes.
Wrapping the cloak in his arms Akiol set it on his lap and asked, "Is there something?"
"You are a Swordsmaster right?"
"Swordsmaster?", Akiol repeated.
Samuel stumbled as he ran to a room. Shortly after he returned with a worn book. Placing it onto the table he flipped through the pages. Akiol noticed the edges of the book were worn, but one page was more worn than the rest.
On it was a small figure standing on a cliff, a traveler's cloak on their bodies flapping in the wind. Their face obscured by a straw steeple hat. A blade on their hip with a palm resting on the pommel.
The words on the page read, "He was a traveling Swordmaster, his blade capable of felling any foe. With a might that could rend the very skies."
Pointing at Stars the boy asked with undying curiosity, "You're one aren't you? A Swordsmaster!"
Akiol faintly smiled and pushed a finger to his lips, "Can you keep it a secret?"
The boy nodded enthusiastically and took back his book. Akiol caught him occasionally looking at the drawing and back to Akiol, a sparkle in his eyes. When the two parents entered the home the boy scampered to the room to put the book away.
With a faint smile the mother thanked Akiol, "You've saved my foolish husband from overworking today. I plan to make a simple stew tonight, although it may not be much I still hope you stay."
"I feel it would be rude to constantly deny your goodwill.", Akiol accepted the invite.
"It is appreciated.", the mother smiled, "Please remain seated, I'll get things ready."
Moving towards the kitchen she pulled out a few ingredients while calling, "Samuel! Come help with dinner."
"Okay!", the boy called.
Hanging the straw steeple hat the farmer sat at the table with a heaving sigh, "So, my son's savior. I feel my manners have been lacking. You've been such a huge help yet I don't even know your name! I am Hastten. My ever caring wife is Quine, and I'm sure you've heard our son Samuel."
"You have a lovely family Hastten. I am Akiol.", Akiol returned the introduction.
"Akiol. . . I will remember that. My wife informed me that she told you how worried we were when our boy didn't return. I had him run an errand but it seems he got lost, I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if something happened to my boy.", Hastten lowered his head, "For that I truly thank you."
"I am relieved I managed to find him unharmed and out of danger. Please raise you head."
"Even after you've saved him you offered a helping hand towards our harvest, you're truly a kind soul."
"I'm always happy to provide a helping hand when needed."
Conversation turned pleasant as the two talked to pass the time. Soon Samuel came with two bowls, a look of concentration on his face as he placed a bowl in front of Akiol. The wooden bowl looked hand carved, in it a thick aromatic stew. It held a creamy white with a number of vegetables floating within it.
Quine brought forth a platter of flat bread and placed it onto the table, "It's not much, but I hope you enjoy it."
"You put a lot of care into this meal.", Akiol complimented.
The stew although creamy, was still slightly bland. The flat bread was stale and easily snapped into two. Dipping the bread into the stew Akiol softened the bread with the creamy stew. Gently eating it he allowed himself the time to slowly consume it.
His body absorbed it as a slime, and he turned it into a miniscule amount of mana. He ate the meal along side the farmer family and listened to their stories. Akiol could tell they splurged a bit for the stew, and thus made it clear he enjoyed their efforts. Even if it lacked in some categories, it more than made up for it with the warmth it provided.
The meal was finished but conversation continued. Dishes were removed from the table and cups of a warm milk were given. Akiol silently sipped it while providing a few stories of his own. As the sun began to set Akiol prepared to set off again, providing a basic excuse to leave.
Shaking Akiol's hand Hastten said, "You're an absolute pleasure to have around my friend Akiol. If you're ever in the area feel free to stop by."
"If the opportunity ever arises.", Akiol did not turn down the offer.
As Akiol was slipping on his leather cloak he spotted Samuel in the corner of his eye. As he adjusted the cloak Akiol smiled and warned, "Try not to go too far deep into the forest okay?"
Samuel nodded but look hesitant. Quine gently pushed Samuel's shoulder as to instill confidence in the boy. Taking a few steps forward Samuel pulled out a straw steeple hat from behind his back. Gently showing it to Akiol he whispered, "You don't have a hat like the Swordsmaster in my book. I-I can't make it like the picture. So I made this instead. . ."
Gently taking the hat Akiol placed it upon his head, "What do you think? Do I fit the look?"
Samuel's eyes shone brightly upon seeing a close rendition of his book's hero coming to life. A joyful tone escaped Samuel as he said, "You're not like the Resurrectors! You're more like us."
Akiol's lip almost twitched as he barely managed to keep his smile from faltering. Instead Akiol provided his thanks, "I like it very much, it will be useful on my travels to keep the sun out of my face."
"Thank you for everything!", Samuel awkwardly finished his own thanks before running away to hid behind Quine.
Exchanging a knowing look with Quine Akiol bade a final farewell and left the farmer's home. As the family watched his fading figure Hastten shook his head, "I never expected such kindness from a Resurrector."
Quine moved to the window to shut it closed, "Perhaps our village just attracts the bad bunch."
"Maybe. . ."
"Uh Dear?", Quine's voice turned befuddled.
Hurrying to his wife's side Hastten asked, "What's the matter. . . ?"
His voice trailed off as he spotted his paddies all completed. The herbs in their respective crates stacked neatly. Within the dirt a few words were carved.
"A final parting gift for the meal, excuse my rudeness about it.", and a signature that spelt Akiol's name.
Holding a hand to his head Hastten doubted what he was seeing, "When did he even have the time. . . ?"
Samuel, who was peeking through the window, felt a surge of excitement. His eyes shining brilliantly. Scampering towards his bed he reached under it and pulled out a book. Flipping to the pages he found his favorite page. Then he silently flipped to the next.
The words read, "With a swiftness that that was unbelievable, cutting down any foe before they could blink."
He silently murmured to himself, "He really is a Swordsmaster!"
Closing the book he put it back underneath the bed and silently swore in his heart to keep the secret.