Cooking with Wild Game (LN) - Volume 18 - Chapter 5.2

2

Six years had passed since that night. By this point, Tei Suun was already thirty-seven years old, and there was a good bit of white starting to mix into his hair. He was the head of a Suun branch house, but his blood ties to the main house had grown rather thin, and at present his family consisted of only his wife and daughter. You could say that his was the weakest house of all within the Suun settlement.

However, Tei Suun served as the leading clan head Zattsu Suun’s closest aide. He was simply the most skilled hunter after Zattsu and Migi Suun, and though he had a rather strict and persistently logical nature, the ways that they differed might have been precisely what earned him the leading clan head’s favor.

I’ve never been displeased with that fact before, and yet... Tei Suun thought, offering a prayer in the empty ritual hall.

The unbelievably massive giba skull there was silently staring down on him. It had come from a beast the former clan head had hunted down when the settlement was moved here.

It had been over fifty years now since the former leading clan, the Gaaze, had fallen. Out of their subordinate clans, only the Suun and Ruu possessed the strength needed to take their place.

Since the Ruu only had women in their main house at the time, they readily stepped down and yielded the post to the Suun clan. After that, the Suun and Ruu split off to the north and south respectively and carried out their duty as hunters. This was the story Tei Suun had heard from his father.

So just when exactly had things grown so tense between them?

Naturally, after that reprehensible incident six years ago with Migi Suun and that Muufa woman, the Suun and Ruu clans had started to avoid one another. Relations had deteriorated to the point that it would be difficult for them to ever recover.

I’d imagine the greatest reason was Zattsu Suun growing more and more on guard against the Ruu clan as they keep becoming more powerful...even though they would surely never go against the leading clan without reason. Just where exactly did we go wrong, I wonder?

Perhaps the quarreling was a result of Zattsu Suun having been born with such overwhelming strength. The leading clan head was incredibly strong. He might not have been all that large, but even if Tei and Migi Suun came at him together, they surely still wouldn’t be able to make his back touch the ground.

That strength granted Zattsu Suun the ability to dominate the spirits of others. Even the wild hunters of the Zaza and Dom couldn’t help but bow their heads when faced with him. However, there were also those who didn’t submit to Zattsu Suun. One such example was the nobles of Genos, and another was the Ruu clan.

With Zattsu Suun, it may not be about right or wrong at all, but rather that he just can’t stand anyone who won’t yield to him.

The man’s feelings in regards to the nobles of Genos and the Ruu clan seemed to have passed into the realm of pure hatred.

If he opposed the nobles of Genos, the land where the people of the forest’s edge lived would be taken away.

And if he crossed blades with the Ruu clan, it could very well lead the settlement at the forest’s edge to ruin.

And yet in spite of that, Zattsu Suun seemed as if he was always sharpening his fangs in order to rip out their throats at any moment. Or at least, that was how it seemed to Tei Suun.

Mother forest, please let the Suun clan’s future be a peaceful one...

As he prayed, a young voice called out from the entrance to the ritual hall.

“So this is where you were, Tei Suun? The leading clan head was looking for you.”

Tei Suun turned around with a start. Standing there was a young girl with a pretty face and chilly blackish eyes: the eldest daughter of the main Suun house, Yamiru Suun.

Feeling a strange unease for some reason, Tei Suun rose and faced her. “Zattsu Suun is looking for me? It’s almost time for dinner. I wonder, what could he want?”

“I don’t know. He didn’t say why.”

Yamiru Suun was a girl who never smiled.

Though she had only just turned seven years old, she had a look in her eyes that made it seem as if she could see into people’s hearts and minds. Tei Suun had trouble dealing with her.

“I see. Well then, I suppose I’ll have to ask the leading clan head in person.”

With that, Tei Suun ducked his head and exited the ritual hall. Even outside, the lighting was still dim as the sun was sinking in the west, dying the sky an eerie shade of purple.

And as he moved toward the main house, Yamiru Suun followed along right beside him.

“Something has seemed sort of strange about the leading clan head all day,” Yamiru Suun stated in a flat tone lacking warmth. “I wonder if he’s finally made the decision to destroy the Ruu clan. What should those of us who can’t even hold a blade do, though?”

“The leading clan head would never take up arms without reason, Yamiru Suun. You shouldn’t speak of such violent matters lightly.”

“Oh? But the Ruu are the bitter enemies of our clan, aren’t they? So I can’t see how holding my tongue would change anything.”

Just why had Yamiru Suun grown up to be such a child? Though she lost her mother at a young age, she shouldn’t have wanted for anything in her upbringing as the eldest child of the main house, but somehow this girl seemed to be lacking something important.

It really is hard to believe that she’s Zuuro Suun’s child... But since that means she inherited Zattsu Suun’s blood as well, perhaps it isn’t so strange after all.

Zattsu Suun seemed most proud of Yamiru Suun out of his four grandchildren who had been born so far. In fact, he had lamented, “If only she had been a boy...” countless times.

“Hmm...? What’s that sound?”

As they approached the main house, the wailing of a child came into earshot. It didn’t sound like it was coming from the youngest son who had only just been born, though, but rather a boy who was a bit older.

“Migi Suun?! What in the world is going on here?!”

“Ah, Tei Suun, eh? You certainly are late getting here.”

Migi Suun was standing there in front of the main house.

In his hand he held a stick meant for firewood...and at his feet were two young crying boys. They were Zuuro Suun’s children, Diga and Doddo Suun. The boys were crouched down on the ground and clutching their heads as they sobbed. When he noticed the numerous blue bruises along their arms and necks, Tei Suun was left at a loss for words.

“Ah, this? I’ve been training them as hunters. If they don’t at least end up better hunters than their father, they’ll never be able to have any pride as men of the main house.”

“That’s ridiculous... How could there be a need to train such young children as hunters?!”

Diga Suun was still only five years old, and Doddo Suun was a year younger than that. It was utterly insane to be beating such young children with a stick. But Tei Suun’s shouting seemed to only scare the boys more, as they shrieked, “Waah!” and ran away.

“Oh, Yamiru Suun. Your younger brothers sure are weak, aren’t they? They’d be fine hunters if only their spirits were as strong as yours, so it really is a shame.”

After shooting a chilly glare at Migi Suun’s smile, Yamiru Suun abruptly turned and left. And as he watched her go, Tei Suun pressed Migi Suun.

“Explain yourself. What were you thinking, Migi Suun?”

Migi Suun was now twenty-one years old, his large frame brimming with even greater strength and his face having grown ever more beastly. However, at times like this, Tei Suun couldn’t falter.

“There’s no need to get yourself in such a huff. It’s not like I’d go about just hitting kids on a whim. But it’s something that’s necessary for the sake of the Suun clan, and the forest’s edge as a whole.”

“Necessary?! How can you say tormenting those boys is necessary for the sake of the forest’s edge?!”

“Come on, stop shouting... The forest’s edge needs a new leading clan head to inherit Zattsu Suun’s will. And if those boys lack the capability, then it’s important to show them their weakness now, right?”

Tei Suun couldn’t understand what he was saying at all.

If Zattsu Suun stepped down as leading clan head then he would be succeeded by his only child, Zuuro Suun, and eventually the post would pass to the oldest son, Diga Suun, in turn. No matter what Migi Suun might be plotting, that custom surely couldn’t be ignored.

“Zuuro Suun isn’t capable of serving as the leading clan head, not in the least. In which case, we should just insist he’s ill or something and have him live in seclusion. I’m sure that weakling would gladly step down if it meant he didn’t have to head out into the forest as a hunter.”

“Even so, the position of leading clan head would simply fall to Diga Suun. Nobody else could steal it, so...”

“But the Suun main house has a fine eldest daughter who comes before that, right? Her weak younger brothers can just marry into some other houses, and then her husband would be qualified to become leading clan head.”

There was a greasy, brazen shine in Migi Suun’s eyes, and it made an icy chill run down Tei Suun’s back.

Did this man truly want the seat of leading clan head that badly?

“B-But Yamiru Suun is still just seven years old. It will be quite some time before she’s old enough to marry...”

“In eight years she can take a husband. Zattsu Suun is surely healthy enough to last that long, and if push comes to shove, Zuuro Suun can hold the post for a short while. My wife was attacked by a giba and passed away, so it isn’t any inconvenience on my end.”

“But you and Yamiru Suun are too closely related by blood! She’s the granddaughter of your mother’s younger brother!”

“It’s nothing to go making a fuss over. Haven’t you heard tales of smaller clans turning a blind eye to blood relations being that close?” Migi Suun shot back, a wicked smile remaining fixed to his face. “At any rate, the one to make the final decision will be our leader, Zattsu Suun. Fortunately, he has wanted me to be the next leading clan head for some time now. And if it’s Zattsu Suun’s decision, nobody will complain about it.”

Tei Suun felt as if the ground was slipping out from under him. It was certainly true that Zattsu Suun valued Migi Suun’s strength. The man had said as much, that Migi Suun wouldn’t yield to the Ruu, and could bring prosperity to the Suun...

Tei Suun thought he could hear the sound of something breaking inside of him.

“Well then, shall we get going? We can’t keep the leading clan head waiting forever,” Migi Suun said with a triumphant grin, then he knocked on the door of the main house.

There weren’t any women other than Yamiru Suun belonging to the main house. Therefore, an adult woman from one of the branch houses who had likely come to help man the stove greeted them.

His footsteps heavy, Tei Suun advanced toward Zattsu Suun’s bedroom. When he wanted to discuss something important, the leading clan head would always summon Tei Suun to his personal room so no one could overhear.

“So you’re finally here, Migi and Tei Suun...” Zattsu Suun said in a rumbling voice. The man was already over forty. But even so, his strength didn’t seem to have diminished in the least. His incredible overflowing vitality seemed to fill the room, where there were three men already seated.

“Close the door and sit down. Today I want to discuss a matter of life and death for our clan with all of you.”

Tei Suun was still reeling from the shock Migi Suun had given him, so he just sat down listlessly. Zattsu Suun’s voice mercilessly rang in his ears.

“I have a great deal of concern about the decline our Suun clan has suffered in recent years... Giba have been appearing even at the outermost edge of the forest, and not only men but even numerous women have lost their lives to them. Tei Suun, how many blood relations do we currently have left in the Suun clan?”

“Ah, there are thirty-seven over the age of five in total.”

Children under the age of five weren’t permitted to participate in wedding ceremonies or funerals at the forest’s edge, and they also weren’t counted when totaling up numbers of blood relations.

Zattsu Suun cleared his throat, sounding blatantly irritated. “So we’ve fallen under forty at last... At this rate, some may start mocking us for being a smaller clan than the Ruu.”

“Yes, but when including subordinate clans, the Suun still surpasses them, so we surely don’t fall short of the Ruu in terms of strength...”

“But if we ourselves lack strength, then there’s no meaning to that. If the Zaza, Dom, and Jeen were to betray us, we would lack the ability to fight back, wouldn’t we?” Zattsu Suun wasn’t talking in an especially loud voice, but he was clearly growing angrier and more irritated. “Other clans are growing in number, yet the Suun clan alone is shrinking... It’s a truly grave situation, is it not?”

“Surely that’s because our Suun clan is carrying out our giba hunting duties more diligently than the other clans. They must simply be running away from giba while focusing on making babies,” Migi Suun opined with a repulsive grin.

Zattsu Suun’s blazing black eyes glared at him. “In a way, your words have hit the mark, Migi Suun... As leading clan head, my father built this settlement near the part of the forest where the most giba appeared. Thus it was decided from the very start that we should hunt more giba than any other clan.”

“That’s a matter of pride for us as hunters, isn’t it?”

By this point, Migi Suun was the only one at the settlement who could talk so lightly to Zattsu Suun. The other three men present kept firmly silent and simply listened to what their leading clan head had to say.

“A matter of pride, is it? But the nobles of Genos make light of that pride. We put our lives on the line to protect the fields of Genos, and yet...they just pay us some trifling amount and show us no respect, looking down on us as savages.”

Over the past six years, Zattsu Suun’s distrust toward the nobles had only continued to grow stronger. That little mundt-like man who called himself Count Turan had gone and thrown oil onto the burning rage the leading clan head felt.

“To our front we have the nobles of Genos, and to our backs the Ruu clan...and then we have the giba pressing down on us on top of that. At this rate, the glory of the Suun clan will eventually dwindle away...”

“That’s not true. As long as you are our leading clan head, Zattsu Suun, the glory of the Suun will never die.” Migi Suun’s vulgar grin made it abundantly clear that there was an implicit, “and I will carry on that glory after you’re gone,” in that statement.

“Migi Suun... It’s certainly possible that you could prevent the nobles and Ruu clan from getting the better of you...but if our numbers continue to dwindle, we can’t be sure of that. It’s not as if you can take on the whole Ruu clan by yourself, after all...”

“Yes, it’s as you say, but...”

“You needn’t look so uneasy. I simply wish the next leading clan head to inherit the same undiminished glory I did. That’s all.” Zattsu Suun finally broke out in a smile. It was a dreadful grin, like that of some bloodthirsty demon. “For that reason, I’ve devised a plan... But first, I need to know how far your resolve goes, everyone. If it’s for the prosperity of the Suun clan, and our people as a whole in turn, are you willing to violate even the most serious taboos? Can you swear here and now that no matter what happens, you will not doubt my intentions?”

“When you speak of violating taboos, do you mean breaking the laws of the forest’s edge?” Tei Suun questioned, astonished.

The grin on Zattsu Suun’s face remained unchanged. “That’s right... However, we will not be doing this selfishly. Instead, we shall be creating new laws in order to walk the proper path as hunters.”

“Wh-What do you mean?”

“Before I reveal that, I must know... Do you all trust my words?” Zattsu Suun’s raging emotions seemed as if they had become a black blaze, coiling around him. “If any of you betray me, the Suun clan could well be destroyed... And furthermore, this must be kept hidden, even from family, until we have gained enough strength... Are you bold enough to join me in casting aside the old laws and trying to walk a new, more proper path?”

“Of course,” Migi Suun immediately replied. “The leading clan head of the forest’s edge establishing new laws to lead us toward a better future... How could there ever be room for doubt? I, Migi Suun, wish to follow alongside your grand ambition.”

In stiff voices, the three other men also answered, “We will abide.”

Zattsu Suun’s eyes slowly turned toward Tei Suun. Feeling as if that tremendous glare was scorching his very soul, Tei Suun gulped.

“It is...for the sake of our people and their prosperity, and to allow us to follow our proper path as hunters, right?”

“That’s right.”

Tei Suun felt agonizingly conflicted.

It seemed that in order to gain greater strength, Zattsu Suun was prepared to use any method necessary to forge his own path forward and make that ruffian Migi Suun the next leading clan head. Just the thought of it was enough to make Tei Suun tremble.

But then he thought of his wife who had collapsed from illness, and his daughter who was still young. The wife he had chosen had been weak her whole life long. All of their children had passed away young, but their most recent child, Oura, was finally growing up healthy.

If he opposed Zattsu Suun, they would surely be driven from the Suun settlement. They would be unable to rely on the Suun’s subordinate clans, and could end up targeted by members of the Ruu. The Ruu now clearly saw the Suun as enemies...and Tei Suun had long served at Zattsu Suun’s beck and call.

He recalled that hunter, Donda Ruu, who had appeared at the Suun settlement once, six years back. That man would surely never forgive the Suun clan, especially Migi Suun as the killer of that Muufa woman, and Zattsu Suun for permitting the vile deed. There was no way he could stand up against them without Zattsu Suun’s backing. When he had failed to question Migi Suun’s crimes on that night six years ago, Tei Suun’s path had been set in stone.

And so, after what felt like an eternity of agonizing, Tei Suun answered, “I will abide.”

“In that case, allow me to explain... This is the proper path forward that we should take.”

What Zattsu Suun spoke of next left every single person present astounded.

◇

Pillagining the blessings of the Morga forest... To think, he would speak of breaking such a serious taboo...

Tei Suun stepped out of the main house feeling as if he was struggling through a nightmare. The men who exited alongside him looked dumbfounded as they returned to their respective houses.

Filling their bellies with the fruits of the forest...

Only hunting enough giba to eat...

If they kept that up, eventually the giba would run out of food to eat and would leave the area around the settlement. That was the “proper path” Zattsu Suun had spoken of.

“First, we reclaim the Suun clan’s strength. Then we spread these teachings to our subordinate clans such as the Zaza and Dom, and gain the strength needed to crush the Ruu... And finally, we shall make the nobles of Genos submit to us.”

Zattsu Suun’s words wouldn’t leave Tei Suun’s head.

“Once we’ve silenced the Ruu, we’ll have all of our people follow this law. Then the giba will overflow from the forest and pillage the fields of Genos. The nobles will finally see just how much they’ve underestimated our strength... And when that time comes, we shall regain our true pride as hunters.”

Zattsu Suun intended to use the giba as a blade to stand against the nobles.

He would spread the fear of giba anew throughout Genos, and present his people as the only ones capable of removing the threat... That was how he would get the nobles to acknowledge the strength of the hunters from the forest’s edge.

“Still, first the Suun must accumulate strength. After all, a great many may give in to fear if asked to turn their blades on the lord of Genos... That is why this grand ambition must remain a secret between the six of us alone until we force the Ruu into submission.”

Zuuro Suun was not included in those six. It seemed that Zattsu Suun really did intend to make Migi Suun his successor as leading clan head. He would remain in his position for the next eight years until Yamiru Suun could be married, continuing to reign over his people personally all the while.

Zattsu Suun was forty-three years old. If he stopped hunting giba, his life wouldn’t be at any risk, but then just what sort of future would await them in eight years? Tei Suun found it difficult to even imagine.

“What’s wrong, Papa Tei?” a voice called out from the darkness. When Tei Suun turned to look, he found his daughter Oura standing there. She was holding a large baby in her arms and wore a faint smile.

“Oura... Just what are you doing in a place like this?”

“I finished getting dinner ready, so I came to help take care of Mida Suun over at the main house. Since he cries so loudly, I’ve been soothing him while taking a walk outside.”

Mida Suun was breathing calmly in his sleep. He made for a real armful, to the point that it was difficult to imagine he had only just been born. He looked rather heavy for Oura, who was still only thirteen, but even so, she was still carefully cradling the baby’s huge figure.

“The women from branch houses who have been giving him milk keep complaining that it feels like he’ll suck them dry and there won’t be enough left for their own children. He’s sure to grow up to be bigger than anyone,” she said, looking lovingly down at Mida.

Just seeing Oura like that was enough to make Tei Suun feel as if his heart was being crushed.

Oura will be forced to break the taboo too... And if the members of other clans discover that, we’ll all be scalped.

That was why Zattsu Suun had insisted that they needed to keep this matter completely secret from the other clans until they possessed strength no one could oppose.

Without thinking, Tei Suun had started grinding his molars.

I’ll protect my family, if nothing else...

Even so, if the mother forest didn’t permit their actions, the Suun clan would be destroyed. Was Zattsu Suun correct, or was he mistaken? Only the forest could judge.

“Mida Suun may well end up a stronger hunter than his big brothers...” Tei Suun said, forcing down the storm of emotions he felt inside.

“Right,” Oura said back with a smile.

It was possible that in the next eight years Mida Suun could show signs of being a suitable leading clan head. If that happened, then Zattsu Suun might cast aside his plot to make Migi Suun his successor.

Though Tei Suun had made up his mind to follow Zattsu Suun, he couldn’t help but feel that it was far too dangerous to let Migi Suun become the leading clan head. If the truth of the incident six years ago was as Tei Suun believed...then Migi Suun could end up using his authority solely to satiate his own greed, and that was something that could never be permitted.

“Oh, you still haven’t returned home, Tei Suun?” Migi Suun called out with a chuckle.

Tei Suun slowly turned toward the source of the voice.

Migi Suun was leisurely exiting the main house. He alone had remained in the bedroom, discussing something with Zattsu Suun.

“Hmm? Who is that girl?”

“I’m Tei Suun’s daughter, Oura Suun. I’m helping out with work at the main house,” Oura replied, fearfully averting her gaze. “Papa Tei, you’re heading home, aren’t you? In that case, I’ll go give Mida Suun back. Hold on for just a moment.”

“Yes, very well.”

Oura took off into the house as if fleeing.

As he watched her small figure depart, Migi Suun broke out in a grin. “Your girl certainly is cute. Give her a few years, and I’m sure she’ll become quite the beauty.”

Tei Suun didn’t say anything in response.

“It’s fun forcing a cheeky girl to submit, but plucking a cute little flower isn’t half bad either. If you’re opposed to me marrying Yamiru Suun, why don’t you offer up your girl instead?”

Tei Suun’s vision went pure red. Without thinking, he reached for his hip. However, his blade was still in the house.

“I’m just kidding. I can’t imagine there being a girl alive worth exchanging the post of leading clan head for. Well, guess I’ll head back for dinner... We’ll only be able to eat those vegetables from town for a little while longer, so better get your fill now,” Migi Suun said with an intolerable laugh, and then he vanished into the darkness.

Though he felt such fury that it was blinding, all Tei Suun could do was stand there in silence.