Cooking with Wild Game (LN) - Volume 28 - Chapter 4.8

3

The following day, the fifth of the brown month, was another wonderfully fulfilling one for Shumiral, despite how restricted he was. His body was steadily recovering. He still needed help to stand and walk around, but as long as he took it easy, he was no longer getting hit with bouts of intense pain. And as of last night, he had completely stopped taking the pain-numbing romu leaves. But still, all of his time was spent either sleeping or sitting around, and he wasn’t able to help out with work around the house. It was painful, having to rest all day with nothing to do while the men were out hunting giba. And since it was the rainy season, the lighting inside the house was dim and it was quite cold, making everything feel rather gloomy. And yet, Shumiral still felt fulfilled, thanks to the fact that Vina Ruu was there by his side.

Vina Ruu remained close to him at all times, even when Uru Lea Ririn stepped away. That was why she was at the Ririn house, after all. Of course, even if they were a subordinate clan, it was still far from normal for someone to stay at another family’s house for several days in a row here at the forest’s edge.

But Vina Ruu had volunteered to do so willingly, and Donda Ruu had accepted her request. Though the people of the forest’s edge followed strict laws and customs, they apparently found it important to consider what was reasonable and what compassion demanded at times like these. That was exactly why Shumiral had found himself so drawn to them. And above all else, Shumiral was overjoyed that Vina Ruu had gone out of her way to make such a request.

Shumiral had pushed for his acceptance into the forest’s edge essentially by himself. He adored Vina Ruu from the bottom of his heart and had given up his god and homeland because of that, but he had just been following his own desires when he did, so his actions hadn’t been particularly praiseworthy or anything. On top of that, since Shumiral had been born in Sym, letting his emotions show felt shameful to him. He had discarded that custom alongside his homeland and was trying his best to become more emotionally open, but he was still rather maladroit at it. That made it quite difficult to convey how he felt to Vina Ruu.

In spite of all that, Vina Ruu was still staying here at the Ririn settlement for his sake. The fact that she was willing to take such a step was enough to fill Shumiral’s heart with boundless joy. For the past month he had wanted to see her so badly he could hardly stand it, and now she was by his side from when he woke up in the morning to when he went to sleep at night. So yes, of course he was happy.

But that happiness was blown away shortly after the sun hit its peak. That was when the Ruu clan delivered the news that Asuta was suffering from Amusehorn’s Breath.

“Asuta has caught Amusehorn’s Breath? But isn’t that illness only supposed to affect young children?” Uru Lea Ririn asked Lala Ruu, who had rushed over to Ririn settlement to deliver the news. The clan head’s wife, Vina Ruu, and Shumiral had been together in the main Ririn house as usual when Lala Ruu had arrived.

“Yeah, but Asuta wasn’t born on this continent, remember? So Granny Jiba said yesterday that he might still catch it even though he isn’t a kid.” Lala Ruu was standing in the entranceway, her rain gear dripping wet and an angry look on her face. It was probably taking everything she had for her to contain her fears and worries. “We had medicine prepared for him and were able to provide aid after he collapsed. Ai Fa is looking after him at the Fa house now. Things have been hectic this morning, though, so we haven’t been able to send anyone to spread the news to our subordinate clans until now.” After brushing off a raindrop running down her face that seemed to be annoying her, Lala Ruu added, “I’m heading around to the Muufa and Maam in a wagon after this. If anybody wants to go to the Fa house, be ready to go by the time I make it back, okay?”

“Can we be of help to the Fa clan as well?”

“Well, the clans that live near them are assisting in any way they can right now, so we probably won’t have anything to do. But I know a lot of people won’t be able to stop worrying until they at least check in on him, yeah?” In all likelihood, she was one such person herself. But even so, Lala Ruu had a resolute light in her eyes, as strong as any man’s would’ve been, despite how she was trembling with anxiety. “Anyway, that’s what’s going on! See you later, Vina!”

As Lala Ruu rushed out the front door, Uru Lea Ririn gave a deep sigh. “To think that Asuta would catch Amusehorn’s Breath. I never imagined such a thing would be possible. Our elder certainly is wise.”

The other two remained silent.

“You two have a close bond with Asuta, so you must be terribly concerned, right? I’m sure he will overcome this trial, but even so, I can’t help but worry.”

Naturally, the news had hit Shumiral hard enough to leave him feeling a little dizzy. Amusehorn’s Breath was a trial that every person on the continent needed to overcome. Only those who did so were able to live as citizens of this land. Children who weren’t strong enough had their souls returned to the gods then and there. It was a merciless form of selection from the gods that no one could escape, no matter which country they were born into. Shumiral himself had overcome it at the age of three.

I can’t believe this is happening. So even one not born of this continent, a starless one, must still face Amusehorn’s judgment? Shumiral bit his lip to stop himself from letting out an anguished wail. He was trying to show more emotion, but expressing that much pain and worry in front of others still felt wrong to him.

“Shumiral is still in no state to ride in a wagon, but what do you want to do, Vina Ruu?”

The Ruu girl slowly turned toward Uru Lea Ririn in response to the older woman’s question. However, she didn’t say anything.

“Only one of us needs to remain with Shumiral. You can leave his care to me so you can go see Asuta.”

Vina Ruu still did not speak.

“It won’t take all that long to check on him. So please, don’t feel like you need to—”

“No,” Vina Ruu finally replied, cutting Uru Lea Ririn off. “I’ll remain here. You can go if you’d like.”

“Huh? But... I certainly respect Asuta. However, I’ve only spoken with him a handful of times. Wouldn’t it make a lot more sense for you to go?”

“You are the wife of the Ririn clan head, so I believe it is better for you to go. Giran Ririn is fairly close to Asuta as well, so I’m sure he will want to know how he is doing.”

“Still...”

“Of course, it’s up to you whether you go or not. But I will remain here either way.” Vina Ruu was hanging her head, so it was impossible to see the expression on her face.

“I see,” Uru Lea Ririn said, her brow furrowed with worry. “In that case, I will be the one to head to the Fa house. But are you certain that you’re okay with this?”

“Yes. I’m sure there will be more than a few members of the Ruu clan going there, so I won’t be needed.”

A quarter hour later, Lala Ruu returned to the Ririn house. When she heard that Uru Lea Ririn would be coming along rather than Vina Ruu, a doubtful look crossed her face, but she didn’t question her older sister about it.

“Got it. In that case, hop into the wagon. We’ll be going to the Rutim settlement next before we head over to the Fa house,” Lala Ruu said.

“Understood. Vina Ruu, please take care of Shumiral in the meantime.”

And so, Shumiral and Vina Ruu were left alone together in the main hall. Vina Ruu was childishly cradling her knees and seemed to be trying not to look at him. After a few moments of weighty silence, though, Shumiral felt the need to say something.

“Vina Ruu, why didn’t, you go to, the Fa house?”

He didn’t get a response from her.

“You don’t need, to worry, about me. There is no reason, for you, to remain here.”

“Just stop... I’m free to do what I please, aren’t I?” Vina Ruu muttered in an emotionless tone. This was the first time he had ever heard her talk like that.

“But I am worried, about Asuta. And I’m sure, you must be, even more worried, than I am. It is very possible, to lose one’s life, to Amusehorn’s Breath.”

“I said to stop. Is it really such a hassle having me here?”

“No. That is not what—”

“Then I’ll just leave. Do whatever you want all on your own.” Vina Ruu rose to her feet, swaying a bit as she did, and headed toward the entrance.

It was raining outside, and she didn’t have any rain gear on. Despite the pain he felt in his chest, Shumiral got up too, but Vina Ruu exited the house before he could stop her.

“Vina Ruu, please wait.”

Shumiral didn’t hesitate in the least. He also stepped outside and glanced all around. Vina Ruu was under a tree a short distance away, her back leaning up against it. Though he was barefoot, Shumiral approached her. The rain was fairly light, but it was still enough to soak his long-sleeved overcoat in no time at all.

“Vina Ruu, are you, all right?” Shumiral asked, causing her to turn toward him with a look of surprise.

“You dummy. Why did you come outside too? You’re injured, you know.”

“But I couldn’t, simply leave you be.”

Vina Ruu was also soaked. Her pale hair had lost its volume and was now clinging to her face and shoulders. The expression on her face was like that of a young child trying and failing to keep herself from sobbing.

“I apologize, for angering you, Vina Ruu. Please return, to the house.”

“You don’t have anything to apologize for.”

Perhaps Vina Ruu was crying already. Because of the rain falling on her face, it was difficult to tell. Before long, though, she seemed to lose the will to hold herself back from clinging to Shumiral. Her trembling fingers grasped his shoulder, and she gently pressed her cheek against his injured chest.

“I really am terrible... No matter what I try to do, I keep upsetting the people around me.”

“I do not, believe that.”

“It’s true... I never have any clue what the proper path forward is. And even when I think I’m doing what’s right, it still causes issues. I’m sure I must have angered the mother forest.”

“I do not, agree,” Shumiral said, working up his resolve and placing his hands on Vina Ruu’s shoulders.

Since it was the rainy season, she was also wearing a long-sleeved overcoat, but he could still feel her warmth through it.

“The forest of Morga, will never abandon, her children, as long as, they try to live, proper lives. If it were otherwise, I never would have, wished to become, one myself. If you are suffering, Vina Ruu, then I am sure, you are properly atoning.”

“If I can overcome this heartache, will my sins be forgiven?”

“I do not know. But the forest, of Morga, will never abandon you.”

Vina Ruu’s fingers on Shumiral’s shoulder clenched tighter. However, the sensation of her cheek on his chest remained quite gentle, showing that she was still being mindful of his wounds.

“I’m sorry. It isn’t fair of me to unload all of my regrets on you like this.”

“No. It makes me, feel happy.”

Shumiral could feel her shoulders trembling weakly as he grasped them, but she didn’t collapse, and didn’t start weeping. Instead, she simply stepped back from him. Their hands remained on one another’s shoulders, and they stared at each other up close.

“Even so, this isn’t right. I have to overcome my sins on my own.”

“Do you?”

“Yes... Otherwise, I... I’m sure I’ll be abandoned by the forest too. And also...I won’t be able to forgive myself either.”

Though her eyes were wet with tears, Vina Ruu broke out in a smile. It was the most beautiful expression Shumiral had ever seen.

“I’m sorry. Let’s head back to the house. It would be awful if you got sick. We need to hurry and warm you up.”

“Right,” Shumiral nodded, releasing Vina Ruu’s shoulders. She did the same a moment later, lowering her hand to grasp Shumiral’s arm instead.

“Let’s go. Take care not to trip, okay?”

“I will.”

And so, the two of them returned to the house as the rain continued to fall around them.