Cooking with Wild Game (LN) - Volume 18 - Chapter 2.1

Chapter 2: The Suffering of the Sauti Clan

1

Now, though the day had already been quite impactful and hectic with the opening of the outdoor restaurant and the discussion regarding karon meat with Polarth, something even more shocking awaited us upon our return to the Ruu settlement. And this time, the surprise was a completely negative one.

“Hmm? What in the world is going on?”

When we pulled the wagon into the settlement, I could sense a disturbance. Normally, people would be working away chopping firewood, drying out pico leaves, and weaving grass around this time of day, but instead everyone was gathered in front of the main house. There was a clear feeling of unrest that swirled in the air, and I could spy a totos’s long neck sticking up beyond the crowd.

“Could it be that someone from the Dom clan came to lodge a complaint about Lem Dom?” Toor Deen asked while leaning forward in the wagon, sounding obviously concerned.

Lately, Lem Dom had been entering the forest in the morning along with Bartha and Jeeda to learn how to hide her presence and handle a bow. Since she was hunting wild birds rather than giba, it just barely avoided going against the customs of the forest’s edge, but it was still a fact that she was learning how to be a hunter. It wouldn’t be strange at all for that to earn her Deek Dom’s wrath.

“No, I’m pretty sure the totos from the northern settlement is more black. That really yellow one is definitely from the Sauti clan,” I replied as I stopped the wagon before reaching the crowd.

The sun was still high in the sky, so it was just women and children gathered there. When they noticed us, they quickly parted to make way as the commotion carried on...and that was when we saw something truly unexpected.

“Dari Sauti! What happened to you?!”

“Ah, Asuta, I’m glad to see you looking well.”

This was my first time seeing Dari Sauti since the welcome banquet for Welhide. However, with the way the young leading clan head looked now, I couldn’t help but be worried.

He had gray bandages wrapped around his head, blotted with red blood. His left arm was suspended in a sling, like Ai Fa’s had once been. What had changed most of all, though, was his face. His gentle square face was coated in stubble and had grown so emaciated that he looked like a different person, while his eyes were burning bright with uncharacteristic anger and regret.

“Perfect timing, since I wanted to let you know as well... Still, I suppose the Fa clan head Ai Fa is out chasing giba right now.”

“Y-Yes, I believe so, but more importantly, what happened to you, Dari Sauti?”

“Allow me to explain in detail,” a hoarse voice called out from behind Dari Sauti’s huge figure. A skinny old man with a beard as white as snow appeared.

“You’re...Moga Sauti, aren’t you?”

“Ah, so you remembered the name of an old bag of bones such as myself? That makes me glad to hear, Asuta of the Fa clan.”

Since there weren’t many older folks at the forest’s edge to begin with, there was no chance of me mistaking him for anyone else. We had only met once, way back at the clan head meeting, but I recalled that he was the elder of the Sauti clan, Moga Sauti. And just as I remembered from before, he was again wearing a calm, gentle smile.

“We came to seek the Ruu clan’s aid... A lord of the forest has appeared for the first time in several decades.”

“A-A lord of the forest?”

“Indeed. It is an unbelievably huge giba. From what I hear, it is even more massive than the lord I saw in my youth, and it has inflicted terrible injuries on the hunters of the Sauti clan.”

“Seven of our hunters have suffered serious injuries, myself included. Of them, two now straddle the line between life and death, and even if their lives are spared, they will never again be able to hunt,” Dari Sauti stated, mustering all his strength to continue on. “As the head of the Sauti clan, I cannot imagine anything more devastating. And the lord is still prowling about the area surrounding our settlement, not having lost any strength at all. At this rate, the Sauti clan’s destruction is only a matter of time.”

“That is why we came to seek the aid of the Ruu...and the Fa clan as well,” Moga Sauti added, looking at me with a terribly calm gaze. “Please, lend us your strength. We require assistance from each of you, Asuta of the Fa clan.”

◇

Apparently, a massive giba known as a lord of the forest had appeared near the Sauti clan five days ago.

At first, it was just one hunter who had seen it at a distance, so it was written off as some sort of mistake on his part. After all, the beast was just that abnormally massive.

But the following day, a number of hunters encountered the huge giba. And when they did, three of them suffered serious injuries.

There was no way of measuring precisely how big it was, but it was around as tall as a human, and its length and breadth were proportional with that. A giba bigger than a karon. Despite its massive size, it could still move just as nimbly as any other giba, and it was even more ferocious than most.

The day after that, they carefully laid out traps and planned to use the full might of the Sauti and all their subordinate clans to take it down. However, the lord easily broke through their traps and incapacitated another four hunters.

“I’m certain that my sword struck it in the neck. However, the blade snapped and I ended up taking the brunt of the lord’s charge, which is how I ended up like this,” Dari Sauti recollected, his voice dripping with regret. Apparently, he had broken a bone in his left forearm, the one now hanging in a sling. “No matter how much we drove our blades into it and showered it with arrows, the lord showed no signs of weakening. Even the name ‘lord of the forest’ feels insufficient for it. That thing... It’s a god of calamity.”

“Lords such as this appear at the forest’s edge only once every several decades. Maybe it has been hiding deep in the forest until now, or perhaps it was simply born large to begin with... At any rate, it is several times larger than an ordinary giba and also exceptionally aggressive.” Moga Sauti continued the explanation.

“Before long, it will easily eat through the blessings of the forest surrounding our settlement. If it simply heads east back into the forest after that, then it would be no issue, but if it moves north, then clans smaller than us Sauti will be forced to deal with that monster. And if it heads west or south...it will exit the forest and go after the fields of Genos.”

“If even we can’t stop the lord, the townsfolk will certainly be helpless against it. And if things go poorly, the threat could go beyond just the fields and even reach into the town proper.”

“We must take that monster down here at the forest’s edge.” And so Dari Sauti had stamped down all his shame and regret in order to come ask for the assistance of the Ruu clan, which had no relation to his.

Between the Sauti and their five subordinate clans, they had twenty-three hunters in total. Out of that number, seven had been seriously injured, and half of those remaining were also hurt. At this point, the Sauti no longer possessed the strength needed to take down the lord of the forest. Dari Sauti was pleading for the aid of the Ruu clan in order to save all of the people of the forest’s edge and the citizens of Genos.

◇

“I see... I think I get the gist of what is going on,” Ai Fa calmly replied after hearing all that.

The sun had set and it was currently dinnertime. I had invited Moga Sauti to the Fa house, and he was dining alongside us. Meanwhile, Dari Sauti and the other hunter who had accompanied him were meeting face-to-face with Donda Ruu back in the Ruu settlement.

“I can understand your request for the Ruu clan’s aid, but why in the world are you seeking the help of the Fa clan?”

“Fa clan head Ai Fa, I have heard tell that you are skilled at the use of giba summoning fruit. We would like you to lend us your skills in that regard,” Moga Sauti replied in a voice every bit as calm as Ai Fa’s. “Thanks to the dangers associated with using giba summoning fruit, those techniques have been lost to the passage of time. At this point, only a few hunters of the forest’s edge still know how to use them... But if we use your experience along with the techniques for handling giba warding fruit known by the Sauti, we should be able to better direct the giba’s path.”

“Ah... So that’s why.”

“And from what I hear, you are also a skilled enough hunter to have made it into the final eight at the Ruu clan’s festival of the hunt. I am asking you, please use that strength to bring peace to the forest’s edge and Genos.”

“As one who makes a living as a hunter, it is a true honor to receive such a request...” Ai Fa replied, but there was a piercing glare in her blue eyes. “However, what is this about you wishing to welcome not only myself but Asuta to the Sauti settlement? A chef’s help shouldn’t be needed in taking down the lord of the forest, should it?”

“There are three reasons for that. The first is to bring relief to the injured hunters. Secondly, to give life back to the members of the Sauti clan teetering on the brink of despair. And finally, to grant the hunters who will be facing the lord of the forest as much strength as possible. It will surely take a considerable amount of time to defeat the beast,” Moga Sauti said, and then he broke out in a gentle smile. “You have told us that delicious cooking will bring the people of the forest’s edge great strength, did you not? And now is precisely the time that we need such strength, Ai Fa and Asuta of the Fa clan.”

My clan head just silently stared as she listened.

“Donda Ruu has agreed to lend us the aid of not only his hunters but his chefs as well. The women who do business in the post town will come and stay at the Sauti settlement. During the day, they will carry out their work in the post town, and then they will prepare dinner at our settlement afterward... We wish to add Asuta’s strength to theirs, but is that perhaps too much to ask?”

“Well...I cannot say I’m fond of the thought of leaving my clan member on his own while I’m at the Sauti settlement... Still, he wouldn’t be in any danger?”

“Of course he wouldn’t. Even the lord of the forest wouldn’t charge into the settlement. And just to be safe, we are using giba warding fruit in order to protect the settlement as well,” Moga Sauti said as he set down the plate he had been holding. “After learning bloodletting and cooking techniques, our clan has grown capable of making delicious food, but the strength provided by your cooking is on an entirely different level, Asuta. If they eat it, it’s possible the women and children of the Sauti might start to smile once again... That is what our clan head Dari Sauti said. And here tonight, I have personally seen that those words are absolutely, undoubtedly true. So please, we would like the both of you to lend us your aid.”

At that, Ai Fa glanced my way, and I gave her a big nod back.

Then, after closing her eyes for a moment, she replied, “Very well. If it is for the peace of the forest’s edge and Genos, then we can do no less. I pledge that Asuta and I shall lend you all the aid we can in order to avert the disaster closing in on the Sauti.”

“You have my thanks. I shall never forget my gratitude to you, Ai Fa and Asuta of the Fa clan,” Moga Sauti said, placing both fists on the floor and deeply bowing his head.

Ai Fa frowned as she watched the old man, then her gaze turned toward the front door. As soon as she did, there was a knock.

“My apologies for bothering you so late, but I am a member of the Sauti clan sent by the leading clan heads Dari Sauti and Donda Ruu. There is a matter I must inform the Fa clan and our elder, Moga Sauti, of.”

I went to stand up, only for Ai Fa to hold me back and go greet him herself. After she took the young hunter’s sword and led him into the room, he sat down beside Moga Sauti.

“The Ruu clan’s hunters will head to the Sauti settlement tomorrow before the sun hits its peak and lend us their aid. If you are to accompany us, clan head of the Fa, we ask that you head to the Ruu settlement by the upper sixth hour.”

“Understood. By the way, how many hunters will the Ruu clan be sending?”

“Ten in total from the Ruu, Rutim, and Lea. They decided on that number because there wouldn’t be any point in bringing along hunters who lack sufficient strength, and furthermore, if their small subordinate clans sent their skilled hunters, it would place those clans in peril. If you wish to know their names, I can tell you that as well.”

“In that case, please do.”

“Very well. The Ruu clan is sending Donda Ruu, Darmu Ruu, Ludo Ruu, Mida, and their guests Bartha and Jeeda. Then there are Gazraan, Dan, and Raa Rutim from the Rutim clan, as well as Rau Lea from the Lea clan, bringing the total to ten.”

The list included six of the names that had made the top eight in the Ruu clan’s contest of strength. It was quite the lineup.

However, there were some names mixed in there that definitely piqued my curiosity. Ai Fa must have felt the same way, since she knitted her brow doubtfully and commented, “They are all certainly skilled hunters. But it’s rather unexpected to hear the guests Bartha and Jeeda included in the count. And Raa Rutim is the Rutim elder, is he not?”

“Apparently, Bartha and Jeeda were asked to participate for their excellent skills with a bow. And Raa Rutim will be working alongside Dan Rutim to sniff out giba. After all, Dan Rutim still lacks the strength needed to run around in the forest.”

That explanation was enough to satisfy me. And Jiza Ruu must have been the only one from the top eight left out because according to custom, in times of emergency either the clan head or their heir needed to remain at home. But since Dan Rutim had already stepped down as clan head, both he and Gazraan Rutim were able to head out together.

Still, it was a surprise to hear that the heads of the main houses belonging to the strongest clans under the Ruu—in other words, the Ruu themselves, the Rutim, and the Lea—would all be participating. It really was a selection of the top picks from their clans.

Donda Ruu was apparently preparing to face the lord of the forest with the strongest lineup possible. That thought was enough to send a tingle down the spine of even someone like me, who wasn’t even a hunter.

“Would it be possible for me to accompany you as well?” a woman’s voice suddenly chimed in out of nowhere, causing everyone but Ai Fa to glance around.

There were blackish eyes gleaming beyond the lattice in the window. The Sauti hunter went to stand despite having handed over his blade, but Ai Fa indicated for him to stop and said, “Hold on. That is simply the foolish woman who was driven from the Dom clan, Lem Dom. Lem Dom, it goes against the customs of the forest’s edge to eavesdrop on someone’s conversation from outside the window...”

“Oh? But you realized I was there from the start, so I wouldn’t say it really counts as eavesdropping. I was just waiting this whole time for you to invite me inside.”

“There was no reason to invite you in. You’ve already received your dinner. Hurry back home and get to sleep.”

“Before that, I would like to hear the answer to my question from before. Would it be possible for me to accompany you to the Sauti settlement?”

It was dark out, so I couldn’t see her expression, but her voice sounded dead serious.

As Ai Fa shot a glare that way out of the corner of her eye, she emotionlessly replied, “Bartha and Jeeda may be heading to the Sauti settlement, but there won’t be any time for them to deal with you. Just behave yourself and wait for them to return.”

“Even I know perfectly well that I shouldn’t trouble the two of them at a time like this. I want to head to the Sauti settlement, regardless of my training as a hunter.”

“For what purpose?” Ai Fa harshly asked back.

To that, Lem Dom almost whispered in response, “They have a lot of seriously injured hunters there, don’t they? I want to help treat them. To drive into my heart how dangerous and yet worthy of pride it truly is to be a hunter...”

Ai Fa kept on silently staring at the eyes beyond the window.

And in the face of that gaze, Lem Dom let out a small chuckle. “Besides, I have no way to get dinner other than helping Asuta with his work. I was able to earn a bit of food by helping out the Sudra and Fou while you were away at Dabagg, but this time you don’t even know how many days you’ll be gone for, right? So I’d like to come along to help with Asuta’s work too.”

“I do not have the right to decide that...” Ai Fa stated, calmly turning toward Moga Sauti.

As he stroked his pure white beard, the Sauti elder gently smiled back. “I heard tell of you from the people of the Ruu clan, Lem Dom of the Dom clan... I hesitate to ask for help from the Dom or Zaza clans, but there would be no harm in having you assist the injured men. I’ll discuss the matter with our clan head Dari Sauti.”

“Thank you. You have my appreciation, Sauti elder Moga Sauti.”

Just like that, it seemed it had been decided that Lem Dom would be accompanying us as well.

“Now then,” Moga Sauti said, adjusting his sitting posture, “All that remains are the Deen and Sudra women. I believe I’ll go talk to their clan heads after this to see whether or not they would be allowed to come into the care of the Sauti settlement alongside you, Asuta. I am truly, truly in your debt, Ai Fa and Asuta of the Fa clan...”

After all our guests departed, Ai Fa and I were left alone for the night.

Having let her blonde hair down, Ai Fa called out, “Asuta.”

“Yeah, I know. I won’t do anything dangerous at the Sauti settlement. But this time, it makes more sense to be worried about you, right...?”

“I shall simply carry out my work, the same as always. No matter how large the giba may be, that hasn’t changed in the least.”

“But this giba is so massive that even twenty hunters from the Sauti clan weren’t able to take it down. The thing is practically a kaiju, isn’t it?”

“Kaiju?”

“Ah, it means a big monster.”

“No matter how huge and vicious it is, it’s still a giba. It isn’t a monster, just another child of the forest. And it is up to the forest to decide which of its children survive...”

As a hunter, Ai Fa wasn’t about to rethink her life now. After all, she had to build up a firm resolve to look death in the face each and every day she set foot in the forest. That was what it meant to be a hunter of the forest’s edge.

“Still, let me say just one thing, Ai Fa,” I said, scooting my knees a bit closer to my clan head as she leaned against the wall. “I’ll be waiting for you, trusting all the while that you’ll safely return.”

“Those words will grant me more strength than anything else ever could...” Ai Fa replied, her eyes narrowing as she gifted me with a very gentle smile. “I will return to you. So just like yesterday and today, have a delicious meal waiting there for me. That’s all that I want.”