Wraithwood Botanist-Chapter 209 - 155 - Leadership

"Leaders do nothing but make decisions and make sure people are doing what they say, and they get all the credit for the results. That's something you have to accept if you want to be a good leader."

That was the first thing that Lithco said after I bought a Diamond leadership skill. I thought it was a joke.

"The second thing you have to accept is that you're going to get blamed for everything. If a biblical drought hits your farmland, or a plague kills off half your people, it's one hundred percent your fault."

This is making more sense, I thought.

"The last thing you have to realize is that people will always complain, whether you succeed or fail, and you should never go against common sense to appease people."

I sighed. "This is the reason that I never wanted to be a leader. I wanted to set up a botanical garden this year, but I guess not."

Lithco leaned against a tree and watched the villagers milling about. "I think you're failing to understand the true value of people. As of now, your people follow your will. If you want farmland, they'll create farmland. If you want to create a botanical garden, you can have the alchemists do it. They're used to tending alchemic gardens."

"Yeah, but I want to make the garden."

"Then make your garden. You're surrounded by people who are, in most ways, more capable than you are in just about every regard. You just need to know who and what, and that's where your Diamond skill comes in.

"Every person here has committed themselves to following you. The Oracle recognizes that, and thus gives you tools. Look at that man over there."

I looked at a man Lithco pointed at. Despite his white hair, he looked strong and lean.

"Okay…?" I asked.

New novel 𝓬hapters are published on ƒreewebɳovel.com.

"Ask for his status," Litcho said.

I did, and my eyes widened. I got an extravagant amount of information on the person.

"Name: Trigan Easan Reita Lore

Age: 187

Skill field: City Management

Short: Trigan helped run the city planning of Theovale for fifty years before building up dozens of nearby cities. He is a political titan, but after Kal Melhan publicly crippled his son's mana core following a spat, Trigan refused to work for Reasan, and only remained a figurehead to prevent political strife, loss of trust, and economic turmoil. Since then, he has welcomed the opportunity to build Wraithwood Village.

Desires: Trigan's primary motivation for joining you is his family. He prays that your access to an alchemy god and Areswood Forest's unique resources will allow you to make a cure for his son's core, and that you will help his family move in. If you help him, he will aid you loyally for decades unless you harm his family."

Wraithwood Achievements: None

Wraithwood Reputation: Neutral

[More Information]"

"I feel… creepy knowing all this," I said. "Isn't this information private?"

"That depends," Lithco said. "Your skill replaces the need for background checks and research on the people that work for you. So anything that has been made relatively public is right here, and you shouldn't feel bad about reading it. These are your people, and a leader should always research those who follow them.

"Beyond that, the more individuals dedicate themselves to you, the more information you'll be able to discern about them. This includes intimate desires. For example, the information on Trigan's son. This is information that he actually wants you to know, but wouldn't say. That's why it's there."

"Yeah… but still," I said.

"Mira. This isn't Earth. Most legacy families possess this skill, at least to a platinum grade, as well as comprehensive dossiers on their personnel. And the families use this to coerce, manipulate, and control people.

"Mira. Aside from the Hellara, no one would voluntarily come to Areswood Forest unless their lives were terrible on the outside. These people are praying that you see their desires. Look."

I looked from person to person, and the desire lists were illuminating and horrifying.

"Hopes you will make him strong so he can take revenge on the Holland Family."

"Satisfied as long as she's not in a position to be abused."

"Hoping he will make enough money to buy his children out of indentured contracts."

Some were refreshingly light; some were far darker, and their backstories were bleak. Thankfully, no one had intimate trauma or required special accommodations. Judging by the achievements of the individuals present, they didn't just unload people who hated them—they gave me key players to leave a good impression. I had a feeling we could get a lot of great people who were less capable, but equally dissatisfied or unwilling to work.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"See?" Lithco said. "The social, economic, and political control systems in the First Domain are beyond anything you grew up with. If you were to provide for these people and give them the taste of your freedoms, they will follow you to the end."

I nodded. "So… what now?"

"Make a speech, get people settled in, and then get your equipment. Once they see the Eldiron Ward and feel safe, you'll establish your leadership."

Anxiety bungled up in my stomach as I thought about addressing my new villagers, but I forced myself to walk forward. "Okay."

Those who saw me approaching fell silent; those who didn't fell silent because other people fell silent. Soon, I found myself awkwardly walking past everyone to get to the other end of the village. It was a mess, so I simply spread my wings and flew into the air under the surprised gazes of everyone present. I was invisible when I first flew above them—now it was happening in broad daylight, and the sight sparked chaos in the villagers' ranks.

I waited for them to calm down and said:

"My name is Mira Hill—I'm your new leader."

People clapped awkwardly.

"Ummm… yeah. So, anyway. I live here, and as you can see, I'm not alone. We have powerful lurvines that hunt for us, and will be your tour guides through the forest. With them here, you won't need to worry about stepping on something that'll rot your foot off, and even if you do, I have powerful medicines for you. So if you were worried about hunting gigantic beasts and surviving the winter, you shouldn't be. This year, most of you are just going to work in this area, and it'll be free of poisonous plants and protected by entities that fought back a literal fucking dragon. So I think you'll be alright."

I thought it was bizarre that no one was terrified on the trip to Wraithwood, but it turned out they just kept it inside. They shared glances and hugged each other, and many started crying and rubbing their noses.

"I wanted to tell you all this before, but I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea. This forest is dangerous. So just because it'll be easy in Wraithwood doesn't mean it'll be survivable anywhere else."

I paused.

"Oh, Wraithwood's the name of this village. So wear it with pride."

Genuine cheers met my words. It had a nice ring to it.

"You're probably wondering how I'm flying? Well, that's the result of my soul guardian, Kira."

Kira snapped out of my body and caught me in a princess carry as my villagers gasped. "Kira was a reward I earned for… well, surviving this place," I said. "She has independent consciousness, and she's rather sassy. She's not a mark of soulmancy, but even if she were, even if I were a full-blown soulmancer—all of this information, the dragons, the pixies, the soul guardian, and just about everything else you see here is strictly confidential. So when we bring your families and lovers here, limit information with them until they have a silence pact."

Telling people that their families were welcome made many break into waves of streaking tears.

Kira returned to my body, and I continued flying.

"Yeah… I know most people are worried about their families and want better lives for them. I understand that myself." I looked at Tyler and then back. "So I will allow them here, no questions asked. That said, I'm under contract with the Drokai army to regulate my base. So, while there's no conditions to bring anyone's loved ones here, first rights go to those who contribute most. What contributes most is not contingent upon any one thing. Obviously, some people will be more critical in the beginning than others. Some will organize the building of the village; others will simply skin animals and cook them. But in my eyes, both are essential. So just… I don't know. Take initiative, make this place a home for guardians. If you do that, I will give you what you want most. If you want a new life, I'll provide it. If you want to get stronger, I'll give you mana cores, meat, elixirs, and training on levels you cannot even imagine."

Their eyes shone, and that gave me confidence.

"And if you're not a good people person, that's fine. I have a diamond-grade leadership skill that will tell me your contributions and your collective reputation. So even if you don't say a word, I'll know if you're doing great. And even if you're doing great, I'll make sure people are happy with you."

I got mixed responses, so I quickly clarified.

"You shouldn't worry too much about this skill. It doesn't tell me what you do with your lives. It doesn't tell me the things you hate or the unsavory things you've done. It's not a Claustra dossier. And unless there's a criminal trial, I won't use an information request on you.

"No world or nation is perfect, but where I'm from, people have a strong degree of free speech, harassment and abuse are against the laws, and you have the right to religion and beliefs… everything. And in Wraithwood, we'll have these liberties. They're ingrained into my bones. So if your families had beef, or you have some crazy back-and-forth prejudices about this or that, or… whatever… keep it to yourself.

"This isn't Theovale or wherever the hell you people are from. Your cultures and rules and prejudices don't apply here. This is Wraithwood Village—your new home—and the only label you need is Wraith."

Lithco was beside me, invisible to all but me, speaking these words as I followed them with a one-second lag.

"And the Wraiths stick together and help each other survive," I declared. "The Wraiths are going to be the most absurdly powerful group of people in the First Domain. And the Wraiths are going to build the best place to live in tens of thousands of years."

Their eyes lit up, and they expressed prideful grins.

"Starting today, you're a Wraith of Areswood Forest. Wear that title with pride!"

Lithco smirked when the crowd started cheering. I had no idea what was going on, but I was glad that I asked him for speech aid.

After the conversation died down, I started giving orders.

"Trigan, raise your hand."

He raised his hand.

"This is officially the most important person in your life. He is a wildly successful city manager who has built and grown dozens of settlements and merchant routes throughout his illustrious career, which spans more years than most of you have been alive. So if you think you're better at city planning than he is—you're just stupid. So don't admit that in public."

A few people laughed and whistled.

"Tonight," Lithco said.

"Tonight," I repeated, "We are going to discuss my ideas and goals, and he's going to translate that into work orders. Building housing, cooking food, getting Diktyo water—everything. Of course, you'll have sub-leaders. Felio will be in charge of alchemists, Aiden, beast tamers, eccetera. But he's going to assign your groups and get you working on things. His orders are my orders. If I have changes… if I want something different… if I have disagreements with how he's approaching things, I'll relay those things to him. It'll probably take us a few months of trial and error before his experience and my vision align, so bear with the changes and just… I don't know. Do your part. Everyone cool with that?"

I got my ascent in a barrage of affirming statements, clapping, and cheers. Then I descended to the ground, where I shook hands, nodded, and pushed my way through the crowd anxiously.

When I got to the end, Tyler had a huge grin. "Look at you, Sis. You pawned your work off so good that you got a standing ovation for it."

"It's called leadership, Tyler," I said. "The leader gets credit for everything that happens—good and bad. So if Trigan messes it up or pisses everyone off, I'm screwed."

He smirked. "Your guide tell you that?"

"Yes, he did, thank you very much. Now let me go. I have to speak to my 'pawn' and hope he isn't pissed."