Cooking with Wild Game (LN) - Volume 12 - Chapter 1.3

3

And so, we returned to the settlement at the forest’s edge.

Unfortunately it seemed the owner of The Westerly Wind hadn’t taken too kindly to me missing out on our agreement, so last night Yumi told me I should give him a few days as a cooling-off period. And regardless of the circumstances involved, I did break my word to him, so I didn’t exactly have any ground to stand on there.

Anyway, we arrived back at the Ruu settlement around when Reina Ruu and the others would be wrapping up business for the day. And when we got there, two totos that weren’t Gilulu, each with a roofless wagon, were awaiting us. They belonged to the Zaza and Sauti clans. The leading clan heads had made it back even sooner than we had, and were currently here at the Ruu settlement.

After a short break to catch my breath, I headed on over to the main Ruu house with Ai Fa and everyone else.

“We’re back, Dad,” Ludo Ruu called out as he opened the door. And I felt even more tense as I stepped into the house and saw just what I expected.

Donda Ruu was there, and so was Jiza Ruu. And Gazraan Rutim, too.

Gulaf Zaza and Dari Sauti were also there with men accompanying each of them.

And lastly, there were the Fou and Beim clan heads, making for nine men in total, all sitting there in a circle wearing serious expressions.

“Hello, Asuta of the Fa clan. I’m just glad to see you doing well,” Dari Sauti called out. He was the youngest of the three leading clan heads and the first to speak up.

His square face, larger than either Jiza Ruu’s or Gazraan Rutim’s, bore a gentle expression. He took a fairly friendly position toward the Fa clan, and had been assertive about trying to obtain bloodletting and cooking techniques for his people.

“It’s been some time. Um, I’m sorry for all the trouble I caused everyone with—”

“Voicing apologies won’t change anything. If you feel responsibility for what happened, then hurry up and sit already,” Gulaf Zaza grumbled, cutting me off.

The Zaza clan head wore a giba cloak with the head still attached, and was a man in the prime of his life. His eyes had the sharp glare of some wild beast, no less ferocious than Donda Ruu’s, and even in a place with so many experienced hunters gathered, he was still the most muscular and intimidating.

Even though he was also a fellow person of the forest’s edge, he stood opposed to the Fa clan’s business dealings, so he wasn’t exactly someone Ai Fa and I could let our guards down around.

In any case, at the direction of the members of the Ruu clan, Ai Fa and I sat down next to the Fou clan head.

Shin Ruu and the four youths on guard duty left at this point, while Ludo Ruu moved to his father’s left-hand side.

“The discussion with Cyclaeus ended safely, at least for now,” Gazraan Rutim announced, speaking for the group. “What sort of punishment the criminals will be met with is to be decided at a later hearing. And the conclusion we reached was that it should be alright to accept that Cyclaeus himself had no personal involvement with this incident with Asuta.”

“I see... So Lefreya is also going to be judged for her crimes, after all?”

“Of course. It was her underlings who actually kidnapped you, though, and they were ultimately the ones who chose to employ such unlawful methods... But she refused when you asked to be allowed to return home, and confined you there in that manor. Melfried attended the meeting as well, and he said in the worst case she may even face imprisonment.”

So she’d be locked up in some sort of jail...?

Even if she was the mastermind, she was still just a young girl of ten or so. I was crushed by an even more oppressive feeling than I had felt when I thought about it before.

“And it seems those criminals Mussel and Sanjura are to be whipped. Cyclaeus begged for a pardon for them, and so they may at least be spared banishment from Genos.”

“It really is ridiculous. We couldn’t see any logic in the idea of begging for a pardon and paying coins to lessen a punishment,” Dari Sauti interjected with a shrug of his shoulders. “And I also can’t accept the idea of the one responsible facing a lesser punishment. If she knew of her underlings’ crimes and permitted them, then there shouldn’t be any difference in how their guilt is weighed.”

“Of course... At any rate, according to the laws of Genos, the criminals will be facing such punishments.”

I had absolute trust that Melfried would uphold the law if nothing else, so if he said as much then we just had to accept it as true.

Still, while a resident of the castle town like Mussel was one thing, it seemed everyone was still on edge at the thought of an elusive man like Sanjura being released sooner or later.

“So, um... Did you also touch on the thing about Sanjura being Cyclaeus’s son?”

“Yes. However, Cyclaeus denied it. According to him, Sanjura was nothing but a man he hired to investigate the state of the post town and outside of Genos. And he also said he only had the man keep an eye on your stalls because the reputation you had gained sparked his curiosity.”

“I see...”

Silence fell over the room for a bit.

However, Gulaf Zaza soon spoke up as if he had been just waiting for that.

“So, what do you intend to do from here on out, Fa clan head and chef?”

Ai Fa was seated cross-legged with one knee up like everyone else, and turned to face him with an intense light shining in her eyes.

“Naturally, assuming we have the permission of the three leading clan heads, we would like to continue with business as we have up until now. Do you not think that is the proper path forward for we people of the forest’s edge, not just to live more prosperous lives, but also to forge bonds with the people of the post town?”

“I am in agreement with Ai Fa. This incident only made it all the more clear that we should treat the post and castle towns as entirely different from one another,” Gazraan Rutim chimed in, lending support to my clan head. “It seems that just like us, the people of the post town cannot set foot in the castle town without passes. And considering it is the nobles of the castle town who rule over Genos... Isn’t it only natural to think that the townsfolk are closer to us than to them?”

“You say the townsfolk are similar to us...?”

“Yes. Perhaps it would be easier to understand if I instead say they are in a position close to our own. I just can’t believe the way we people of the forest’s edge and the townsfolk avoid one another is the way things should be. As I have gone to town and interacted with them again and again over the past several days, those thoughts only grew stronger in me.” Though Gazraan Rutim was just as calm as always, the look in his eyes was every bit as intense as the one in Ai Fa’s. “Also, we ended up earning the hatred of the townsfolk by failing to pass judgment on the crimes of the former leading clan head, Zattsu Suun. Our relationship had grown twisted in that way, but I believe Ai Fa, Asuta, and those helping them have been setting it straight. And that is why I believe the Fa clan should continue doing business in the post town as they have up till now.”

“But don’t go forgetting that the Ruu clan can only go providing bodyguards for a few more days...” Jiza Ruu interjected from beside his father.

He had just as many doubts about the Fa clan as Gulaf Zaza, if not more. And so, I naturally held my breath.

“As of today, it has been exactly half a month since the Ruu and our related clans entered a break period. The fruits of the forest have not yet fully recovered, but there will be starving giba around soon. At the very least, we cannot remove ourselves from guard duty until the 15th day of the white month, but we cannot keep putting our work as hunters second any longer.”

“Of course not. Everybody who has their hands free is going to start preparing to hunt again tomorrow, right?” Ludo Ruu chimed in, and Jiza Ruu nodded.

“If the leading clan heads acknowledge the Fa clan’s actions as proper, then I shall abide by that decision. But I cannot go so far as to neglect my work as a hunter in order to assist. What exactly do you have to say on that matter?”

“That’s... It’s of course just as you say, Jiza Ruu. If we do not expose that Cyclaeus man’s true nature by the meeting on the 15th day... It will likely be difficult to continue on with business as we have so far,” Ai Fa replied, sounding a bit pained.

Jiza Ruu obviously had a sound argument in this case.

When we were preparing for an attack by Zattsu and Tei Suun, Cyclaeus had ordered us to continue doing business, so they had no choice but to give priority to acting as bodyguards over their work as hunters.

But now, we were continuing to do business of our own volition. And so, we couldn’t exactly go relying on the Ruu clan any further once their break period was over.

Additionally, either Cyclaeus would have to fall from power or we would need to find out this was all a mistake on our part before we could keep doing business without bodyguards. If the meeting on the 15th of the white month didn’t settle things and everything was pushed further down the road again, we wouldn’t have any means to keep on working in the post town.

Jiza Ruu’s narrowed eyes that always looked like they were smiling glanced at me and Ai Fa, seeming satisfied. And then, the Fou clan head spoke up from beside us.

“In that case, why not have hunters from other clans lend you their aid when they’re on their break? In another month, the Fou, Ran, and Sudra should be entering such a period, so you would just have to wait till then.”

Taken completely off guard, I turned to face the man. The Fou clan head looked a bit overly skinny compared to the other fierce warriors present, but he stared back at me with a firm gaze.

“Currently, you’re having six men in the morning and six more in the afternoon act as bodyguards, right? The Fou, Ran, and Sudra should be able to gather up that many.”

“B-But... Sorry if this is rude, but the Fou and Ran shouldn’t have as many people they can spare as the Ruu, right? Even without hunting work, won’t you need to help out the women in your clans?”

“The remaining men can handle that. We were unable to respond to your request when you asked to have help from our women. So nothing could make us happier than being able to assist you now.”

“Is it really alright to go making such promises before checking with the Ran and Sudra clan heads...?” the Beim clan head interjected.

Comparatively, this man was actually short but firmly built, and looked to be in his prime. He was here at this gathering as representative for the small clans opposed to the actions of the Fa.

“That is no issue. The Ran fall under the Fou, while the Sudra want even more than we do to be of help to the Fa clan. And once enough time passes, the Gaaz and Ratsu will also enter their break period. By passing off bodyguard duties in that way, we could make certain the Fa clan can continue on with its business, just needing short breaks in between.”

“So Asuta and his team need to keep on bringing bodyguards with them forever while doing business? I respect your spirit there, but I can’t quite accept that,” Ludo Ruu cheerfully chimed in. The boy had looked so serious all day, but now he wore a lively smile again for the first time in a while. “I wanna take that corrupt noble Cyclaeus down in the next meeting instead. And then, even if you’ll be losing your shot at helping out the Fa clan, in exchange they won’t be in danger anymore, so that’s what’s best, right?”

“Of course. Nothing would be better than for the danger to pass.”

“However, there is no proof so far that Cyclaeus committed any crimes. As long as Kamyua Yoshu and the others fail to get a hold of that evidence, we cannot take the man to task as a criminal,” Gazraan Rutim cautiously stated.

No matter how much his bonds to the Fa clan deepened, he always felt impartial and just.

“And regardless of that Cyclaeus noble’s true nature, we still need to decide on how to deal with the members of the Suun clan,” Gulaf Zaza stated in a grave tone. “Until we have an answer for that, we have no room to worry about business or the town. And we’re not gonna settle things by just droning on and on... So why not firmly decide here and now to handle things with the Suun like we discussed earlier?”

“Huh? You already decided what to do with them?” I asked in my shock without thinking, earning me a glare from Gulaf Zaza.

The one to reply wasn’t him, though, but rather Dari Sauti, who was seated across from him.

“Unsurprisingly, our conclusion remains unchanged. Diga and Doddo are one matter since they committed the additional crime of running away, but Mida, Yamiru, Oura, and Tsuvai have already had their clan names taken from them, so no further punishment should be necessary.”

“I see. In that case...”

“But if the lord of Genos were to seek punishment on top of that, we couldn’t make light of his orders. Therefore, during the next meeting we intend to bring along not only Zuuro Suun, but all seven members of the former main Suun house, and have them explain themselves personally.”

“Huh...? You’re going to bring Mida and Yamiru Lea and everyone along? Isn’t that far too dangerous? If Cyclaeus decides to try to take them by force...”

“If he tries to do such a thing without proper reason, then there is no way we could ever obey him, Asuta of the Fa clan,” Dari Sauti replied in a perfectly calm voice. “However, the lord of this land who rules over us is Duke Genos, and Cyclaeus is acting as his proxy. If that man insists the Suun clan must face a heavier punishment, then all we can do is have him listen to their words and judge the weight of their crimes.”

“B-But that’s just Cyclaeus’s outward stance. It could just as easily be a ploy to put the Suun clan back in charge of the forest’s edge, right?”

“That’s nothing but a guess on Yamiru Lea’s part. We have no path left to us but to determine the true intentions of the lord of Genos and Cyclaeus. But if we judge those intentions to be in conflict with our own, we have no intention of just obeying.”

Even though Dari Sauti was already large, he somehow looked even bigger than usual. Actually, it wasn’t just him. Nearly everyone present was giving off the bloodlust of a hunter facing their long-time enemy.

“Asuta of the Fa clan. We may be fast approaching our limit.”

“Y-Your limit?”

“Yeah, that’s right. I just can’t see how that Cyclaeus noble is a proper ruler. I believe I said as much here in this Ruu settlement before, but those feelings have not softened, only grown stronger day by day. At this rate, I will be utterly unable to bear that man acting as representative for the lord of Genos.”

Even so, Dari Sauti’s expression remained perfectly calm.

“And word of Cyclaeus’s actions must have reached Duke Marstein’s ears by way of that Melfried man. But if the lord of the land will not make a move even so, does it not mean that he accepts what Cyclaeus has done?”

“Y-Yeah... Whether or not he accepts Cyclaeus’s actions as proper, he’s at least fine with leaving everything up to the man.”

“In that case, we must determine Duke Genos’s true feelings in regards to Cyclaeus’s actions. And if Cyclaeus tries to take Zuuro Suun and the others unjustly, then I suppose we’ll have to take up blades against him.”

“You’ll turn your blades on Genos...?”

“If Duke Genos determines Cyclaeus is still in the right even so, then that will be the result,” Dari Sauti said with a relaxed nod. “We have lived here at the Morga forest’s edge for eighty years now. To those of us who do not remember our time in the black forest of the south, this is our one and only home. But we cannot respect and serve a lord who we feel is unqualified for the title... Fortunately, we all agree on that point if nothing else.”

“I see...”

Before, Gulaf Zaza had been saying they would have to abandon Genos while Dari Sauti rebuked him. Only a mere ten days had passed since then, but in that time the leading clan heads had met twice with Cyclaeus. And in the last meeting in particular, Cyclaeus had attacked them while acting all evasive, which seemingly left them with a firm distrust of the man.

“Of course, it’s not as if we wish to abandon our home, Asuta. But if we don’t show at least this much resolve, we won’t ever be able to determine Cyclaeus’s true intentions,” Gazraan Rutim calmly stated. “How will Cyclaeus react when we bring along the former members of the main Suun house and have them speak? Just what will he say? And how will Melfried, a man so married to the laws of Genos, act in turn? We have decided we will determine our path forward after seeing all that through. But as long as Cyclaeus does not have blades drawn on us, ours shall also remain sheathed.”

“But won’t your blades be taken from you before you enter the meeting place?”

“Yes. Which is why we’ll have dozens of men standing by outside of the manor. If they hear our grass whistle signal, they are to charge inside.”

So they had already hashed out the details that far?

Without even thinking, I gulped.

“The mere act of us bringing along that many men should show our resolve clearly to Cyclaeus. And so, they won’t be able to draw their blades lightly. And we don’t wish to shed blood unnecessarily, either.”

“Right...”

“And though we haven’t come to a decision on this point yet, I believe we should spread word of these happenings throughout the post town.”

“Huh? The post town?”

“Yes. Asuta, I believe you’ve already opened up to inn owners from town in regards to our confrontation concerning the handling of the Suun clan. And we suspect Zattsu and Tei Suun committed countless crimes under Cyclaeus, which is also information that should be openly spread in the post town.”

“I’m still not convinced on that idea. What purpose is there to doing something like that?” Gulaf Zaza retorted, sounding quite doubtful.

Gazraan Rutim, meanwhile, just calmly turned his way.

“There are two reasons for doing so. Firstly, I believe the townsfolk have a right to know. And secondly, I don’t believe we should turn our blades on Genos before doing so.”

“I heard you say all that before. But I’m asking why you think that.”

“Right. Well, for the first reason, many of the townsfolk suffered directly under the tyranny of the Suun clan, so they have the right to know those facts. Especially considering there are those who lost family as a result, that much should be obvious, right?”

Milano Mas and Leito immediately came to mind.

They should have both already heard the truth of the matter by way of Kamyua Yoshu. However, Zattsu Suun and his associates murdered a whole merchant caravan of around thirty people. And their families all had a right to know everything.

“And in regards to my other point, even if we end up facing off with Cyclaeus as enemies, I believe those details should be properly conveyed to the people of Genos. Then, they can decide whether we people of the forest’s edge or that wicked noble are in the right... And if they choose Cyclaeus, then there will truly be no place left for us here in this land, correct?”

“Shouldn’t we just continue down the path we think is right, no matter what anyone else thinks...?”

“Is that truly the case, though? Even we are citizens of Genos living here in this land. We risk our lives to hunt giba, and purchase the produce grown in the fields we protect in order to fill our stomachs. This lifestyle of ours requires the people of the forest’s edge and the townsfolk both. So even though our bloodlines may differ, wouldn’t you say that all of us living here in Genos are most definitely comrades?”

Gulaf Zaza didn’t respond.

“However, we have spent eighty years now avoiding one another. Even if we were utterly incompatible, we would still have to live without interfering with each other, and yet for these past ten years our relationships have only worsened, and that is undoubtedly due to Zattsu Suun and his ilk. In order to determine if we truly are incompatible, though, we must first clear up any discord and misunderstandings remaining from that period, wouldn’t you say?”

I understood Gazraan Rutim’s assertion so much it almost hurt.

From very early on, I had thought the people of the forest’s edge were far too indifferent to what others thought of them and the misconceptions they might hold. Still, just how many of those present got what he was saying? From what I could figure, only two of them understood the gist: Dari Sauti and Ai Fa.

“Well, at the very least, I see no reason to strongly oppose Gazraan Rutim’s opinion there. Even if Cyclaeus turns out to be completely guiltless, all that would happen is we’d be seen as fools who were suspicious of an innocent man. And my suspicions of him run deep, so I don’t fear that in the least. Rather, if it turns out I’m mistaken, I’d prefer to be called a fool and repent instead of simply letting that fact go unknown,” Dari Sauti stated.

“This is making my head hurt. More importantly, wouldn’t this all go smoother with allies among the townsfolk? I mean, we opened up about our plan to them just yesterday, right?” Ludo Ruu piped up.

Hearing that, Gazraan Rutim smiled and replied, “Naturally, I think so as well.”

“Then I’m in agreement with Gazraan Rutim. There’s nothing wrong with having more allies.”

“Will the people of the post town really ally themselves with us? Regardless of who was behind it, the ones actually doing harm about town were the members of the Suun clan,” the Fou clan head said with a doubtful look.

However, Ludo Ruu just grinned and said, “That’s why we should tell them absolutely everything, that part included, right? It’s not enough to have just the lord of Genos determine whether or not it’s Cyclaeus or us who are in the right. The folks from the post town are the ones who actually suffered, so they have a right to judge that too.”

“Hmm...”

“As long as it’s fair, what’s the issue? Besides, it’s a fact that we left Zattsu Suun and his followers to do as they please. It seems like that Jeeda guy’s dropped his grudge against the people of the forest’s edge, but there may be other folks out there who think like him. And some of them may keep on hating us even so. I figure we’d have a better time accepting their decisions if they at least knew everything before coming to that conclusion.”

“You certainly are chatty there, Ludo...” Donda Ruu chimed in, finally speaking up for the first time.

Ludo Ruu turned his way and grinned again.

“And you’ve been awful quiet, Dad. I thought for sure you were taking a nap or something.”

“Quiet, you. At any rate, we’re walking the path forward that we believe in. And I’ve got no intention of concealing that from anyone. If this is what Gazraan Rutim wants to do, then why not let him?”

“I’m fine with that,” Dari Sauti added, while Gulaf Zaza remained silent, effectively giving his begrudging approval in the process.

The one to ultimately raise a slight doubt was instead the Beim clan head. “But it’s still possible that Cyclaeus noble is innocent, isn’t it? Even though I don’t trust that mundt of a man in the slightest.”

Donda Ruu grunted, “Hmph, everyone here feels the same. On the off chance it’s proven that man didn’t commit a single crime... Then I suppose it’ll mean we’re not qualified to lead our people, right, Gulaf Zaza, Dari Sauti?”

“Yes. After all, here we are thinking it may be unavoidable to cross blades with the lord of this land. If we have led our people down the wrong path, then we should take responsibility for that by stepping down from our posts as leading clan heads... Of course, depending on the circumstances we may have to offer up our necks to Genos for the great crime of treason,” Dari Sauti readily admitted.

The Beim clan head’s eyes narrowed with doubt. “I definitely believe such a fate isn’t awaiting us, but still... If we lose all of you, then who would we even have serve as the leading clan heads? You’re of course not saying we should reinstate the Suun clan, are you?”

“That can be decided at the clan head meeting. Actually, you or the Fou clan head here could be chosen, you know.”

“Th-That’s completely ridi—”

“We were chosen because we were the strongest clans after the Suun. However, there’s nothing to say that’s absolutely the right way of doing things. It’s your job to drag us down from this post like we did Zuuro Suun if I, Dari Sauti, or Gulaf Zaza stray from the proper path,” Donda Ruu interjected, breaking out in a wild, beastly grin for the first time in a while. “If we don’t have at least enough resolve to do that, we people of the forest’s edge will go repeating the same mistakes over and over again. It’s the job of each and every one of our people to determine whether or not their leading clan heads are qualified.”

“That’s absolutely right. As we failed to stop the Suun clan’s tyranny, we must embrace that failure and keep walking onwards,” Dari Sauti said as he corrected his posture. “Well then, shall we bring this discussion to a conclusion? If possible, I would like to inform the clans under me of our decisions while it’s still bright out.”

“Ah, there’s one more thing I’d like to say first. That Polarth noble visited me again today.”

With that, I gave the drawn-out explanation, and the reaction didn’t look especially favorable.

Was it just not clicking for these hunters of the forest’s edge why anyone would care about poitan cooking methods? Regardless, the only one of the group leaning forward with interest was, unsurprisingly, Gazraan Rutim.

“So Kamyua Yoshu had a scheme like that in mind, did he? He really is an unfathomable man, isn’t he?”

“I still don’t get it at all, but you’re pretty much saying the source of Cyclaeus’s strength is his fortune, so we’ll weaken him if we can take that from him?” Dari Sauti asked while scratching his head.

“That’s right,” I replied.

“At any rate, it would have been difficult to save you without the assistance of that Polarth noble, so why not let him do as he pleases? As long as it’s nothing against the laws of the forest’s edge, then I have no objections.”

Donda Ruu and Gulaf Zaza both seemed to be in agreement with Dari Sauti on that front.

“Alright, now we’ll finally bring this talk to a close. We’ll leave informing the other clans to the Fou and Beim as we have so—” Dari Sauti started to say, only for there to be a knock on the door.

“Who is it?” Donda Ruu questioned.

“Shin Ruu, from the branch houses,” a voice replied. “Some folks from town have come to visit the Ruu settlement. And they say they wish to meet with the leading clan heads about an urgent matter.”

“Someone from town...?”

The crowd in the room started to stir.

“Who exactly is it? Actually, it’ll be quicker to just see them. Ludo, open the door.”

Ludo Ruu nodded, holding his sword as he ran over to the entrance. Everyone not belonging to the Ruu clan had handed over their blades already.

As we were seated farthest from the head of the group, we were naturally positioned close to the door, so Ai Fa cautiously got up on her knees and covered me. And so, I ended up looking at the visitors through the space between Ai Fa’s elegant side and her arm.

One visitor was large, while the other was small. I wasn’t familiar with the bigger one, but the little one was someone I was well acquainted with.

“My apologies for our late return, good people of the forest’s edge.”

“Oh, it’s you, Leito?!” I called out, unthinkingly moving to rise.

His flaxen hair had a soft look to it, and his light brown eyes shone brightly. This smiling young lad, his slender form covered by a traveler’s cloak, was Kamyua Yoshu’s disciple, Leito.

Was the person next to him a bodyguard or something, though? His blackish-brown hair was pulled back, and his face and robust physique looked every bit as intimidating as a hunter of the forest’s edge. Yeah, this big guy looked to be in his prime, and sure seemed strong.

He had on the same sort of traveler’s cloak as Leito, as well as a worn leather breastplate and bracers, plus I could see a crescent-shaped scabbard dangling at his hip.

“Kamyua Yoshu’s follower, huh...? So if you’re here, does that mean he finally accomplished what he was setting out to do?” Donda Ruu questioned.

“Yes,” Leito answered with a nod. He really did have guts, seeing how he still maintained his usual grin even when faced with this many hunters.

Meanwhile, the big man next to him had a cautious and suspicious expression on his lion-like face as he looked over the group.

“So, what about your master? And did those guys from the branch houses make it back safely too?”

“Kamyua and the members of the Ruu clan haven’t returned yet. The militia has set up camp to the north of Genos, and that gave us a serious feeling of danger, so the two of us stealthily took a roundabout path back on our own.”

“Hmph. So that bandit leader’s wife or whatever is still outside of Genos?”

That question was answered with, “No. It’s possible Kamyua and the others may not make it back by the 15th of the white month. And so, we returned on our own. My apologies, but would it be possible to have you shelter this valuable witness until the day of the meeting?”

“A woman from town, here in this settlement? I doubt the woman could bear that.”

“Really? I believe she’d be fine...” Leito responded, still smiling as he looked up at the large man next to him.

“Hmph,” the man snorted. “As if the wife of Goram Redbeard would be that frail. I don’t know anything about the people of the forest’s edge, but I doubt they’re more brutal than a gaaje leopard.”

Gaaje leopards were beasts that lived on Mount Masara, which Goram Redbeard’s son Jeeda hunted. Did that mean Jeeda’s mother hunted them too, just like her son?

Still, that big guy’s voice sure was raspy and weirdly difficult to make out. But it still had plenty of force behind it, and would probably be just as intense as Donda Ruu’s thundering roar if he were to shout.

“Well then, could we make this request of you? I don’t believe Cyclaeus has learned of our return yet, so you shouldn’t need to worry about staying on your guard, and she shouldn’t make trouble for you.”

“Before you go droning on like that, bring that woman here. I’ll give you my response after seeing her.”

“Of course... Then allow me to introduce you,” Leito said with a perfectly innocent smile, gesturing toward the large man next to him. “This is the bandit leader Goram Redbeard’s wife, Bartha of Masara. I ask that you please watch over her for these next five days.”

“Yeah, here’s to us getting along just fine. Ah, should I be bowing my head, too...?” the large man... er, Goram Redbeard’s wife Bartha said in an intimidating, booming voice with a cynical-looking grin.

Naturally, I wasn’t the only one present shocked into silence.