Chapter 294: After Going Back… |
After exploring the region where the limestone was widespread, we decided to return once to the temporary base where Shuu was located, due to the rising temperature.
Even with my sand barrier and Chris’s water, walking around in this scorching heat was harsh on our health. After all, this was just a survey and there was no need to overexert ourselves.
“So, you’re saying that hole is proof that it rains?”
“Phew, phew… Yes, that’s right.”
On our way back, I asked Lorenz who was riding on Apao, how he concluded that it was raining. According to him, it seems that limestone dissolves easily in water, and the rugged terrain proves that it is raining.
Having been told that it sometimes rains, I inadvertently looked up at the sky. The sky was a cloudless blue, and the air was so dry that Lorenz’s sweat dried instantly. I had no intention of doubting Lorenz’s words, but it seemed unlikely that it would rain today.
After a while, we could see the tent we had set up near the remnants of footing. As expected, Shuu was lying there. However, Shuu was not the only one around the tent.
“Oh?”
“There are quite a few here!”
There were numerous small animals, including cats with unusually large ears, birds with thin and long legs, and squirrels with large tails. However, upon closer inspection, there were several carcasses of snakes and lizards around Shuu. They were beginning to dry out from the desert heat, but what exactly had happened?
The small animals seemed to notice our approach and they stiffened up or hid behind Shuu. They showed no signs of wanting to leave the shade; the animals were apparently quite fond of that spot.
The small animals were frightened, but Shuu was unable to bear it and cried. This seemed to change the atmosphere among the animals; although they remained wary of us, they seemed more curious than scared.
“Shuu, what’s all this?”
“Bumooo. Seems like they’ve taken a liking to me, Bumo.”
Apao, who was closest to Shuu and still carrying Lorenz, asked and received this troubled answer. It turned out that these small animals had fled to Shuu from the nearby snakes and lizards. Then after seeing Shuu as a bigger target, they attacked him, but the latter shifted into his demon form and fought them off without hesitation.
After fending off the predators, Shuu must have appeared to the small animals as an even more terrifying predator. But Shuu did not attack them. Just before, he had eaten some plants near the tents and seemed to be full, so he spared them. The same scenario had happened several times before, leading to the current situation.
Shuu was originally a farming ox, but having become a demon, he could eat meat as well. It was merely good fortune that the small animals were not eaten.
“I’ve grown attached to them since we’ve been waiting together, Bumo. So don’t eat them, Bumo.”
“We wouldn’t do that, you know?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
I agreed with Woodsorrel, who was annoyed by Shuu’s protective attitude. While it would be ideal to procure food locally, it wasn’t a concern since we had brought enough supplies. We were not so desperate for food that we would resort to such cruel acts as killing and eating those Shuu had taken a liking to.
Hearing that they would not be eaten, Shuu clearly seemed relieved. After smiling wryly at Shuu, we began preparing for dinner. By the time we returned here, it was already evening.
Preparing dinner simply meant shaping sand to create a makeshift hearth and boiling the ingredients we had brought in a pot. Chris could create the necessary boiling water with her spiritual art. It’s clear why those skilled in water spiritual arts are so valued everywhere.
“Dinner’s ready!”
“Yay! It’s mealtime!”
Chris stirred the pot and after deciding the food was ready, we began our meal. Throughout this time, the small animals that had grown fond of Shuu stayed close to him, not leaving his side.
“So, what are our plans for tomorrow?”
“We found some limestone to the west today. There was a good yield there. So, we’ll head in a different direction. Let’s go north tomorrow.”
“Climbing mountains might be tough if we’re planning to return the day after.”
While Lorenz and I ate, we discussed our plans for tomorrow. The limestone area was to the west of our current temporary camp. It was therefore advisable to explore in a different direction. Since going north would mean climbing mountains, we wanted to leave as early as possible.
Also, I wanted to make the mountain survey as soon as possible, especially since Woodsorrel who would be our guide might unexpectedly fall ill. For these two reasons we decided to go north, where the mountains were, the next day.
“That’s the plan. I’m counting on you, Woodsorrel.”
“Pue? Whyatch?”
“That’s why you should swallow your food before you answer.”
However, Woodsorrel seemed engrossed in her dinner and hadn’t been listening to our conversation. She turned to us with her cheeks bulging full of soup and tilted her head in confusion. Chris facepalmed and let out a deep sigh.
When I summarized our discussion for her, Woodsorrel puffed out her chest confidently and assured us she could handle it. Perhaps it was because she hailed from the Shumie Mountain Range? Her confident demeanor seemed to have other reasons behind it, though I couldn’t quite grasp them.
“Phew! I’m stuffed! That was delicious… mmm…”
“Yes, well, thank you for the meal… Oh?”
Woodsorrel who was always eager to eat did not eat a lot but ate very quickly. Once she finished her share, she flopped down on the spot and fell asleep instantly. Her ability to fall asleep so quickly was something I envied.
Chris had been making casual replies to the dozing Woodsorrel, but something seemed to be bothering her as she looked in an unusual direction. Following her gaze, we saw the small animals that had been watching our meal intently.
“They look rather hungry.”
“They’ve run away from something, so they probably haven’t eaten anything.”
“Boss, I want to share some, Bumo.”
“We have brought extra food, but it’s not limitless. You understand that, right?”
“Bumo…”
It appeared that the small animals wanted the food we had brought. They had fled predators and had been under Shuu’s protection ever since, likely without a chance to forage for themselves. They were surely hungry.
But sharing our food with them was another matter. Although we had prepared with a certain margin, unpredictable situations could arise. It may seem harsh, but I was against casually sharing our supplies.
“Antares is right. He is right, but…”
“Come on, just a little.”
“If necessary, I can cut back on my meal a bit.”
But the other three had different opinions. Chris told me to share the food out of compassion, Woodsorrel out of optimism, and Lorenz out of intellectual curiosity. And they were all for sharing the food. It almost made me look like the bad guy here.
Reluctantly, I took out some dried sandfish and grains from my bag and placed them in front of the small animals. It was only a portion of our surplus, but our food surplus had diminished. I hoped this wouldn’t have repercussions later on.
Before the food I provided, the small animals did not pounce. It seemed they suspected it was poisoned or something similar. It was an utterly rude assumption, but, living in the wild, it was natural for them to be suspicious. I certainly would not have eaten it without suspicion.
“Bumo. Bururu.”
Seeing their hesitation, Shuu made a noise from his throat and they began to eat cautiously. When they realized it wasn’t poisoned, they began to eat voraciously. The big-eared cat went for the dried fish, while the long-legged bird and the big-tailed squirrel pecked and gnawed at the bread. They were obviously very hungry.
Fortunately for me, these small animals were not gluttonous. It seemed they had become full before they could finish all the food I had provided.
“Nya.”
“Chichi.”
“Kiki.”
“…Isn’t that perfect bait?”
After they had eaten, the small animals began to behave affectionately toward us, as if their previous wariness had been a lie. The cat rubbed against my shins, the bird perched on Chris and Lorenz’s arms, and the squirrel scurried around at the feet of Shiyu and Apao.
However, none of the creatures approached Woodsorrel. Perhaps frustrated by this, she crossed her arms and scowled.
“…Hey, why am I being ignored?”
“Well… you know?”
“After seeing how you were eating?”
“You mean, they think I could eat them?! I wouldn’t do that?!”
It seemed that the small animals regarded Woodsorrel, who had eaten with a vigor to match theirs, as a dangerous predator. Woodsorrel screamed, and her voice startled the small animals, who quickly hid behind us. We couldn’t help but laugh when we saw their reactions.