Cooking with Wild Game (LN) - Volume 11 - Chapter SS1.4

4

Three days later, at night...

Yumi, Gazraan Rutim, and a great crowd of others had gathered together in front of the castle gates, all awaiting Asuta’s return.

Both people of the forest’s edge and townsfolk were there, all wearing tense expressions. Was Asuta really alright, and would he truly be safely returned to them...? All they could do was keep on earnestly praying for it to be so, despite their doubts.

“It’s alright. If that Jeeda boy’s words were true, we should absolutely be able to rescue him,” Gazraan Rutim whispered from beside Yumi, sounding as if he was trying to persuade himself.

Asuta was in the castle town. The one who had him abducted was the daughter of a noble named Cyclaeus, and she was forcing Asuta to cook for her. That was the message that had been delivered this morning.

It was still unknown if that was even true. But the people of the forest’s edge trusted that it was, and put together a plan. Currently, that Ai Fa woman who was Asuta’s family had infiltrated Cyclaeus’s manor along with some noble.

“We intend to await their return outside the castle gates. Would you mind joining us, Yumi...?” Gazraan Rutim had come and asked her.

“Of course. I’ve got no reason to object. But... why?”

“We wish to make Cyclaeus and his ilk aware that the truth has already spread outside of the walls of the castle town. Otherwise, it’s possible that he will try to cover up this entire incident.”

Though she didn’t really get it, Yumi complied with his request. Over the past several days, she had become painfully aware of the fact that he was at least as smart as anybody from around town, if not more so.

And Yumi had reached out to other townsfolk in turn, leading to the huge crowd gathered now. There were a number of fearful guards surrounding them, but that wasn’t enough to scare off even a single person from the group.

By this point, the sun had already completely set. Right in front of the group stood the white stone walls, atop which a number of flames flickered away in the darkness.

The drawbridge was up, and the gates were shut. On top of that, there was a deep moat in front of the walls, placing the crowd at a distance. It was far enough that you couldn’t even hit it by throwing a rock. And Asuta was being held captive on the other side of those sturdy walls.

“Yumi...” a voice called out as a small figure approached. It was Tara, the daughter of that vegetable seller. She had met the girl numerous times back at Asuta’s stalls. “Is Asuta alright? He’s definitely coming back, isn’t he?”

“It’ll be okay. It’ll take more than this to get rid of him, you know,” Yumi said, kneeling on the ground and giving a firm nod.

With tears in her eyes, Tara nodded back, “Yeah,” and then went running back over to her father.

“There’s no need to worry. Since we asked that Polarth noble for his assistance, they shouldn’t be able to take any extreme actions, either,” Gazraan Rutim stated as Yumi stood back up. All the while, though, his gaze remained fixed on the gates.

“Guess you need a noble to punish a noble in the end, huh? Even though we worked pretty damn hard...”

“Even now, you’re helping us further. We need the assistance of everyone here in order to continue down the proper path forward. To begin with, if we hadn’t caused such a commotion throughout town first, I doubt we would have moved that Polarth noble enough to take action,” Gazraan Rutim said, gently smiling while still facing the gates. “People of the forest’s edge, townsfolk, and nobles of the castle town... It is precisely because all those various groups have come together in their thoughts and actions that we find ourselves here in these current circumstances. Thinking about it, this may just be further proof of the bonds Asuta has formed.”

“Hehe. I wonder if Asuta’ll treat us to some delicious food for making us worry?” Yumi said, putting on a brave front, only for a sound like an animal in its death throes to fill the night air.

The drawbridge had begun lowering.

Without even thinking, Yumi leaned forwards.

With a heavy creeeeeak the drawbridge steadily approached the ground. The guards were all nervously brandishing their spears, looking around to see if anyone present was going to make any trouble.

Then, there was a thump and a rumble as the drawbridge fully lowered.

At the same time, the massive gates swung open.

It was like some huge monster’s gaping maw had suddenly yawned widely before them, revealing pitch black darkness inside.

And from those shadows, a single vehicle steadily emerged: a big box carriage pulled by two totos. And it was surrounded by totos riders on either side, too.

Someone seemed to gulp.

And then, everyone fell dead silent. The crowd was holding its breath, watching and wondering whether or not Asuta was okay. Suddenly, Yumi realized that her knees were trembling.

“It’s alright...” Gazraan Rutim quietly whispered.

The totos-drawn wagon stopped before fully crossing the bridge.

Then, it turned around and headed back toward the gates... Leaving two shadowy figures standing there.

Instantly, there was an explosion of cheers.

One of them was undoubtedly Asuta.

Yumi closed her eyes and gave a prayer of thanks to the western god. It might well have been the most earnest prayer she had ever said in her whole life.

From beyond the jubilation, there was another heavy sound ringing out. Opening her eyes, Yumi saw that Asuta and his companion had already stepped off the bridge, and so it was once more rising up.

There was already a large crowd of people around Asuta, shifting constantly as one person after another pushed forward to see him. Some were hugging him, and some were even sobbing.

“Oh forest, I thank you for the kindness you have shown...” Yumi heard Gazraan Rutim say. When she turned and looked, she found he had closed his eyes and was offering a prayer of his own. “Now then, you should go see Asuta too, Yumi.”

“You want to run straight at him too, don’t you?”

“I’ll take my time later... Sad as it is to admit, I find my legs shaking a bit.”

“What a coincidence. It’s the same for me,” Yumi replied, and Gazraan Rutim smiled back. Only this time, rather than his usual gentle grin, it looked closer to that of a bashful child.

“Yumi, you’ve truly been a great help. Now that Asuta is back safely, I can finally say it...”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Three days ago, when I was looking for Asuta with you and Morun, it felt sort of like I was a kid again. It was honestly a bit... fun.”

Yumi shot him back a puzzled stare. But then, she answered his embarrassed smile with one of her own.

“This really is a coincidence! I feel the same way.”

With that, Yumi took off running toward Asuta.

The boy looked like he was laughing and crying at the same time.

Still unsure just what she should ultimately say to him, Yumi simply worked up her resolve and shot him a smile.

And so, Yumi and Gazraan Rutim at last had their precious, irreplaceable friend returned to them.