Cooking with Wild Game (LN) - Volume 11 - Chapter Ep

Epilogue: Confession

“Huh?! There were that many people of the forest’s edge in town searching for me every day?!” I asked Ai Fa as we sat in the spare house at the Ruu settlement.

Having changed into her usual attire from the forest’s edge, she replied, “Yes,” with a nod as she let down her long blonde hair.

This was after I had finished reporting on the past five days at the main Ruu house. Ai Fa had very much wanted to return home, but Donda Ruu firmly insisted we stay here for the night at least to guard against the nobles attempting to get revenge.

Aside from Darmu Ruu who was away at the moment, all the members of the main house had gathered and been awake despite how late it was, Granny Jiba included. And since Rimee Ruu had been too young to participate in the search, she clung to my side the whole time, crying and smiling away.

As for the members of the branch houses, they visited in turns and then reluctantly left. Even Dan Rutim came barging in, and so for a while it was as lively as a banquet.

“My apologies. My father Dan really was worried about you, Asuta... He was quite resentful that I wouldn’t yield my duty of heading to the post town to him,” Gazraan Rutim informed me later on. Apparently Dan Rutim had remained at the forest’s edge along with Jiza Ruu, where they were put in charge of all the clans under the Ruu.

“Of course, over half of the Ruu-aligned clan members were heading to town every day, so those who remained had to work quite hard.”

The Ruu men were currently on a break from work. But it was judged to be careless to have them all head out into the post town, so the search party was composed of 30 men and women each. The remaining men, meanwhile, guarded against an enemy attack while the women did their daily work.

Apparently they also decided to deploy that way because they figured leaving the search entirely up to such intense-looking men could prove troublesome. After all, investigating my whereabouts and the identities of the kidnappers meant talking to the townsfolk and guards. So in order to not scare the townsfolk too much while also protecting themselves, they split up into pairs of one man with one woman.

Perhaps it was obvious, but the one to come up with that plan had been Gazraan Rutim. And under Donda Ruu’s banner as leading clan head, he himself had taken to the front lines and run about the post town.

“I really can’t thank you all enough...” I whispered with a flood of emotions.

“What are you saying?” Ai Fa curtly shot back. “It’s only natural for us to expend all our efforts when one of our own faces such a crisis. You’re not saying you would hold back if another of our comrades met the same fate, are you, Asuta?”

“Of course not. I mean, there’s no way.”

“Then you should see that it’s nothing to worry yourself over. Just feel gratitude instead.”

Ai Fa’s face was incredibly calm as she brushed her hair that was now hanging down.

Still, I found it sort of hard to picture 60 people of the forest’s edge scurrying about the post town from morning till night. Did that really not cause too much friction with the guards and townsfolk?

“It was nothing serious. Our goal to start with was solely to find the locations of you and the kidnappers without disturbing order in the town. At first the guards shouted at us to return to the forest’s edge, but then Donda Ruu roared back asking if they could find you in that case. After that, we heard no more such complaints.”

“Hmm, I see...”

“Also, the Ruu are in the midst of a break period. It’s just as Gazraan Rutim explained. Though there were members of many other clans worrying about you, they needed to continue with their hunting work despite the frustration they felt. We were shouldering their thoughts too while heading into the post town, so I would like you to understand that fact as well,” Ai Fa stated, and then she gave a little sigh. “Among them, I was the only one to place my hunting work second. Fortunately, though, no one criticized me for that fact.”

“Yeah, so I’m really—”

“Stop that. There’s no reason for you to apologize. And also, the townsfolk other than the guards calmed down quite a bit once two days had passed. Reina Ruu and the others continuing to do business in their own way certainly had a positive impact.”

“Ah, so they managed to get the stalls running on the final day?”

“No, they did so from the day you were abducted up until today. Since they weren’t as skilled at handling myamuu as you are, they apparently solely sold giba burgers.”

My contract for the stalls was supposed to end three days ago. They must have managed to form a new contract with Milano Mas and kept on selling giba burgers all on their own.

Even more shockingly, they negotiated with Nail and Naudis and provided their inns with meals. But once again they couldn’t recreate the dishes I had made, so Reina Ruu offered the giba soup with tau oil that had become her specialty.

“‘Asuta will absolutely return. And so, we have to do what we can to maintain the bonds he formed in the post town.’ That is apparently what Reina Ruu said. And of course, they also helped out with the search after they wrapped up business each day.”

“Really...?”

“With their skills, they were the only ones who could handle that task... Though Reina Ruu may look childish, she has such strength hidden inside of her,” Ai Fa pensively stated, one arm resting atop her raised knee and propping up her cheek. “At any rate, we searched all of Genos aside from the castle town. Gazraan Rutim’s opinion had been that if they insisted they would not allow us inside the castle walls, our only option was to thrust back in their faces the fact that those kidnappers were not hiding out in the post town, fields, or Turan land.”

“That sure is something. 60 people is a lot, but Genos is also huge, right?”

“Indeed. But we knew what those fiends looked like, and they had rather distinctive appearances at that. And it didn’t seem the guards were slacking at their jobs either, so we were able to finish our search by last night. With that, we were able to state with certainty that the villains were either within the castle town, or otherwise outside of Genos entirely.”

When she said that, Ai Fa cast her gaze downwards, as if to hide what she was feeling.

That must have been involuntary. But at any rate, her clenched fists also started to lightly tremble as she recalled her frustration.

“As Gazraan Rutim said, no matter how suspicious Cyclaeus may be, without proof we had no choice but to take that roundabout route. After all, the opinion had also been voiced that this was a plot by the people of the forest’s edge to trample all over the laws of Genos. And also that it could be a trap by someone like Jeeda with a grudge against either side to form a rift between us and Cyclaeus.”

In the end, it turned out to be a whim of Cyclaeus’s own daughter, Lefreya.

Nobody had been able to anticipate that little tyrant’s actions. Perhaps it could be said that they were so shortsighted and reckless that nobody could imagine anyone doing something that foolish.

“At any rate, for today the plan had been to have half our forces head outside of Genos while the remainder went into the castle town. We would have refused to budge until the guards allowed us through the gate.”

But then, Jeeda appeared.

Apparently he had waited along the path connecting the forest’s edge and the post town in order to deliver my message to Donda Ruu’s group.

With that, people split into the opinions that they should force their way into the castle town now that they knew where I was, or that they ultimately had to respect the law. As they were in the midst of debating the matter, Zasshuma showed up for his regular check in.

“And then that Polarth noble guy came into the picture, huh? Who is he, exactly?”

“Yes, well... That Zasshuma man referred to using him as the ‘last resort.’ Kamyua Yoshu left instructions to rely on him when Melfried absolutely could not be of assistance.”

“Eh? So he’s a different collaborator, unrelated to Melfried?”

“Indeed. That Zasshuma man seemed rather reluctant to use him. But since it resulted in getting you back safely, it was clearly the correct choice,” Ai Fa said, and then she made a face like she was a bit lost in thought. “And I believe he used a word I wasn’t all too familiar with to refer to Polarth, but what was it...?”

“Wait, that sounds pretty important, so can you remember?”

“Ah, I’ve got it,” Ai Fa said, clapping her hands together in a way that was quite unlike her. “That Zasshuma man said, ‘He’s calculating, that one.’ Calculating means that one is often thinking of their own benefit, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah. And I’d say it usually refers to a greedy obsession with money.”

Still, that word just didn’t feel like it fit that innocent-looking young man all that well.

Besides, would a noble really go seeking money and goods from the people of the forest’s edge? The kind of sum we could prepare certainly wouldn’t be enough to justify picking a fight with Cyclaeus. Seriously, just what was that man after?

“Coins, is it? They certainly are precious, but they cannot buy back a person’s life. And that goes even more so for the life of a precious comrade,” Ai Fa said, sidling up next to me. “That should be all that I wished to tell you. Was it enough to satisfy you?”

“Yeah. There’s still plenty I want to know, but I can wait till tomorrow to ask.”

Ai Fa stopped before my eyes and tilted her head.

“Tomorrow? Exactly what is it that you intend to do tomorrow, Asuta?”

“Hmm, Cyclaeus said he’d be offering an explanation around when the sun hits its peak, right? I can’t go running about doing my normal business before hearing the results from that, but first of all, I’d at least like to apologize to the inn owners again.”

“Yes, well you will have to run that by the leading clan heads first. In any case, I suppose we should get to sleep in order to be rested for tomorrow. We would have normally long since turned in by now, after all.”

It was true that there was that whole quarrel after the dinner around sunset, and then we returned to the forest’s edge and gave a detailed report at the Ruu house, and things ended up in a banquet-like commotion... By this point, it had to be four or five hours since the sun had set. It really might have been my first time staying up this late since coming to live at the forest’s edge.

“Alright then, let’s sleep. Hey, Ai Fa...”

“What is it? If it’s another apology, then I’ve already heard enough of those,” Ai Fa said with a frown as she tightly hugged my left arm. “It was Shin and Ludo Ruu’s guard to job you. So if anyone failed in that regard, it was them rather than you.”

“Yeah, but I promised to come back home safely, so—”

“And you’re here safe and sound, aren’t you?” she questioned, hugging my arm even tighter. “It’s fine now. Don’t make me speak so much of my emotions. If I let my guard down, I could end up showing you an unseemly sight again...” With that, she leaned up against the wall while still holding my arm, and then furthermore rested her head on my shoulder. “Well then, let’s sleep.”

“L-Like this?”

“At least for tonight, I do not feel like sleeping apart from you. Think of it as a punishment for worrying me.”

“No, but...” I tried to argue in my bewildered state, only for Ai Fa’s eyes to suddenly shoot wide open.

“It seems there’s something we must take care of first, though...”

Ai Fa grabbed hold of her blade and slowly rose, rage and animosity burning brightly in her eyes.

“Wh-What is it? It couldn’t be—”

“We have a visitor. No matter what, do not let your guard down, Asuta.”

In long strides Ai Fa advanced over to the entrance, slipping by Gilulu who was sleeping in a ball, and violently pulled loose the bolt. She seemed far more impatient now than she had been the other day when Jeeda showed up.

“I’m amazed you would so brazenly show yourself before me, you fool,” she harshly called out into the darkness.

I hurriedly followed after Ai Fa, and peered over her shoulder at our visitor.

A tall figure in a hooded cloak was standing there inconspicuously... This was my first time seeing Sanjura in several days.

“It has been some time, Asuta,” he said, pulling back his hood and revealing his long chestnut-colored hair, unusual for someone with the features of an easterner, as well as his reddish-brown eyes. “I’m sure you must be, quite angry. Before I turned myself in to the guard station, I wanted to come, have a word with you.”

“The guard station, you say? So you’ll submit yourself to judgment out of remorse for your crimes?” Ai Fa questioned, her voice extremely full of rage.

Meanwhile, Sanjura faced her with the same gentle smile as always.

“My crimes... My apologies, but there is something more precious to me, than the law. And I simply had to act in accordance with that.”

“Quiet, you fool. You betrayed Asuta’s trust and friendship...” Ai Fa’s quietly responded as she gripped the handle of her blade. “Asuta also shares some blame for trusting a man such as you so lightly. However, that does not make your betrayal any lighter of a crime.”

“I do not mind, if you decide to hate me. But I believe I chose, the best path possible. Mussel would have tried to abduct Asuta, through any means necessary. If I did not lend him my aid, things could have turned out, far worse.”

“Sanjura, are you Cyclaeus’s servant...? Or maybe Lefreya’s?” I asked over Ai Fa’s shoulder as she blocked the doorway.

With the same smile as always, Sanjura gave a little nod.

“Yes. I am Cyclaeus’s servant. But the one who is important to me, is Lefreya.”

“I see... Then you really did get close to me under Cyclaeus’s orders?”

“Yes. I was summoned from Banarm, ten days ago. But since my right arm was injured, I was tasked with keeping an eye on you,” Sanjura replied, holding up his bandaged arm. “If it weren’t for this injury, I would have been given, more violent tasks... That is why I cut it myself.”

“What in the world? Exactly what are you thinking, living a life such as that?” Ai Fa angrily asked.

Still smiling away, Sanjura replied, “I think only of Lefreya. I caused Asuta suffering, solely to grant her wish. And for that, I apologize.”

“But why? Why is a man like you serving under someone like Cyc—”

“I cannot oppose Cyclaeus,” Sanjura answered, a gloomy sorrow in his eyes. “I have thought before, that he is the man I hate most in this world. But I cannot do anything to him. And so I quit hating him, and decided to love Lefreya instead.”

I had no idea whatsoever what he meant.

Sanjura, meanwhile, gave a small shake of his head and pulled his leather hood back up.

“I shall see trial, along with Mussel. However, I do not believe I shall lose my life, at least... However, Cyclaeus must surely be done with me, now that I have caused him this great shame. From here on out, I live only for Lefreya.”

“What the heck? I can’t understand your actions at all! If you hate Cyclaeus, then why not just cut all ties with him?! Leaving Genos should be enough to escape his reach, right?”

It seemed that Sanjura was still smiling under his hood. That same, gentle smile I had been so fond of...

“I’m sure no one would ever believe me, and Cyclaeus himself would certainly never acknowledge it, but I shall tell you. As an apology for the awful things I did to you, Asuta.” At that point, numerous figures suddenly appeared around Sanjura. But rather than looking their way, he quietly stated, “I am Cyclaeus’s son. Though our mothers differ, Lefreya is my younger sister. That is why I cannot sever ties with them...”

“Wha...”

“I will be heading, to the station. I ask that your blades please not be pointed at Lefreya. And I have no intention of fighting with the people of the forest’s edge. After all, I am quite fond of your pure souls.”

“A guy like you being fond of us is nothing but trouble...” one of the figures behind Sanjura chimed in, his voice trembling with rage.

It was Ludo Ruu.

In addition, Shin Ruu and two other young men were also out there in the dark. It was the full set of guards who had been watching over me five days back.

“Come on, how about we have a bit of a rumble rather than you saying you’ll go quietly? I just can’t hold my anger back this time around.”

“I have no intention, of fighting.”

With that, Sanjura pulled out his still sheathed sword and dropped it at Shin Ruu’s feet.

As Shin Ruu picked it up, his eyes were burning even brighter with rage than Ludo Ruu’s.

With a click of his tongue, Ludo Ruu kicked the ground.

“We’re binding both your arms with rope. After bringing you in front of my old man, we’ll be taking you to the station in town... Asuta, Ai Fa, sorry, but could we borrow the wagon again?”

With that, Ludo Ruu and company walked off with Sanjura, disappearing from sight.

Giving a little sigh, Ai Fa banged the door shut.

“What’s with that man? You simply can’t trust him.”

“Yeah, but...”

“Don’t say it. He was one of your kidnappers, which makes him an enemy.” Though the anger burning in her eyes had abated, they were still full of intense emotion. “Don’t go feeling unnecessary pity, Asuta. At least for now, our path and the one walked by that man do not overlap in the least.”

“For now, huh...?”

Did that mean Ai Fa had her own thoughts on the matter, then?

At any rate, she broke out in another serious pout as she tightly hugged my left arm again.

“Worry about things tomorrow! For tonight, it’s well past time to sleep!”

“Gyah!”

Since Ai Fa pulled excessively hard, we ended up tumbling down to the floor.

Even so, she didn’t loosen her grip on my arm at all. And her sweet-smelling blonde hair splayed out wildly atop my chest.

I could feel Ai Fa’s warmth and weight from atop me.

The giba fur beneath my body felt stiff.

My eyes could see the flickering flame from the candle, as well as the exposed wooden beams of the ceiling.

I had finally returned to the forest’s edge... I don’t know how many times that thought had occurred to me by this point, but I was feeling it strongly now.

“Though I lost my beloved father, I’m now here with you, Asuta,” Ai Fa soon whispered, the intense emotion now gone from her voice. “So even if he has a detestable father, as long as he has a sister he loves, then he isn’t so unfortunate after all...” she quietly added, her eyes closing.

And then a voice so faint I wasn’t even sure I was really hearing it whispered, “People need someone they can feel close to... As long as you have that, you can keep on living resolutely, no matter the adversity you may face.”

“Yeah,” I quietly replied.

Unable to hold back the impulse to do so, I patted my hand down atop Ai Fa’s head.

With a pleased sigh from her nose, she nestled her head up against my chest.

And so, these long, long five days at last came to a close.