Time fast-forwarded until it was around 24 hours since the elves went away.
The elves came back to the campsite where Christian and the rest were waiting for them. Durlan, Haldir, Elara, and the two other female elves all looked nervous as they came to settle around the campfire. It was now time for the decision.
"Please relax," Christian said as everybody listened intently to him. "We have come to a decision, and I am sure you all will be happy with it. We have decided to let you all reside here as long as you all would like to do so. All we would like in return is for you to follow the rules, have basic respect for each other, and contribute to the development of this area in some way or form. Please help us look after the wolves as well since their numbers are increasing."
The elves all looked relieved as they got up and thanked Christian profusely.
"Thank you, Christian! You have no idea how much this means to all of us. We have a good feeling about this, and I have been around this world for many years and resided in many settlements," Durlan exclaimed with a smile. "We would be happy to contribute to the development of this settlement and be under your leadership!"
Haldir and Elara walked up to Christian.
Haldir shook Christian's hand with a slight bow. He then stood up fully again. "Thank you so much, Christian, for allowing us to stay here. We have been worried about not being able to find a permanent residence for a while now. We always knew the other places we stayed at would be temporary. It is hard to trust who would decide to turn us into the Demon Lord Empire for a reward."
"We also have a surprise," Elara chimed in. "We didn't want to tell you while you were making your decision, but I am recently pregnant. My husband Haldir and I were worried about finding a place to raise our child in peace. Is it still okay if we do so here? In the least expected place?"
Seraphina rushed over to congratulate Elara while the others looked happy they could stay.
"That is no worry at all! Yes, you can raise him here. You will be well protected here. I have some amazing friends here who will protect us. I do not know much about the politics of this world or the conflicts, but I will do my best to protect our peace here. That is all I have ever wanted—a peaceful place to live in. Even if conflict is unavoidable, I will defend what we have built to the ground," Christian responded.
The elves, the Archangels, the vampire girl Rhea, and Christian all celebrated the arrival of these new residents. After they all ate, they got to work on building a home for the elves, which they happily said they would do themselves.
The elves quickly built a log cabin on the other corner opposite where the Archangels had their house. The elves' log cabin was quite large with four rooms. One room for Haldir and Elara. One room for Dustin. The other two female elves named Yavanna and Arwen got their own rooms as well.
They built their own restroom as well. Once it was complete, they celebrated with a nice dinner. Christian figured that since their population increased by five overnight, they would need more crops to sustain them food-wise and to be able to create enough for storage when winter eventually came. The four extra crops Christian had built on the right side of the campsite, surrounded by wooden fences and magic, were still doing well.
Christian then built the same exact model on the left side of the campsite. By using the help of the elves and Archangels, he built four more extra crops with wooden walls and magic to protect them from the creatures of the Forest of Hellfire. That should do for now. He set down his divine tool and smiled as he watched the sun go down.
Rhea walked over next to him. "You doing okay? You've been working very hard today. I know it's a lot to take in with these new people moving in here. Just know you will have me here to support you and of course the Archangels. It is amazing what you accomplished on your own. You can accomplish even more with us here. I had no idea I would want to stay here long term either, but I truly don't want to leave. I feel like I can be my true self here."
"Thanks for saying that, Rhea," he said as he smiled gently at her. "Let's head back to our house. It's getting late and a bit chilly."
Flaro walked up to Christian, wagging his tail.
"Let's go to bed, Flaro," he said as he patted his head while they all walked to the log cabin in the middle. It was another peaceful day for Christian and his group. He had no idea that these new residents were only the first of many and that the peaceful atmosphere was going to be tested greatly in the future. It was only a matter of time before their oasis would be exposed to greater influences.
The night was peaceful with the sound of the night insects buzzing in the air and grass.
Christian got out of bed the next morning with a yawn. The warmth of Flaro curled up next to him felt nice compared to the coldness of the previous evening. Flaro woke up himself, stood up, and jumped off his bed. They both walked out of the house as Christian grabbed his divine tool to prepare for any work during the day.
He was pleasantly surprised to find the elves already hard at work in the crops. They were plucking the food from the crops and storing it in the wooden barrels. Rhea was already awake as well, showing the elves what to do. Meanwhile, the Archangels were talking with each other from afar while walking around the campsite, checking their defenses.
Christian walked over to the elves and thanked them for their work and said to them that they did not have to do any more work, but the elves insisted they did. Durlan mentioned to Christian how they enjoyed agriculture work and that it made them feel productive. Haldir walked over and asked Christian if he could speak to him later about an idea. Christian agreed.
They then took a break for breakfast and continued working after the meal.
Christian was taking a sip of water by the well when Castiel walked over with a serious expression on his face.
"We need to talk," he said while walking up to him.
"We are not as safe as you think we are here."