The possibility never went away no matter how many times I thought it over.
I finally had my long-awaited curry at last, but I was so distracted I couldn't even recall the taste afterwards. At first, Rolf was complaining 'is this even food?' but he came back with a clean plate in the end.
That thought kept troubling me all night long.
Of course, the next day was no different, except for the fact that I lost sleep. After taking five minutes to water the medicinal plants, Lily said her goodbyes and went outside.
I felt a little guilty when everyone else was working up a sweat while I was taking it easy in the shade. I didn't want to sit still, but every time I tried to get up Lily would send a glare towards me. I'm sorry for being so useless.
About eight people were tending to the plants except for Lily. Most of them kept snatching a glance at me from time to time. There was no malicious intent within their gaze, only anxiousness. Whenever our eyes met, however, they would furrow their brows and break contact. Are they all tsunderes? Does being tsun-tsun run in their genes or something?
So they still bothered to be worried for me, this Kua clan.
There were still many that flat-out refused to talk to an outsider, but I've never been mistreated since I stepped foot inside the village. They were truly kind people.
Despite being attacked by thieves countless times, their kindness never went away.
A refreshing wind gently stroked my cheeks.
As my eyes drooped in serenity, I looked at those who were taking care of the herbs.
If I hit the jackpot on yesterday's hypothesis, I wonder what I could do for them?
Do I request for aid from the outside?
Or do I take them outside myself?
Either way, it's impossible.
If they don't decide this by themselves then there's no meaning to it. My words would turn into malice rather than goodwill.
On top of that, even Wolf's words had no effect on them, and he was the future chief. Would I be able to convince them otherwise? Though I didn't want to admit it, persuading them would be impossible.
*Guru Guru*
That's the sound of me thinking round and round in circles. No progress was made at all since last night.
No, on the contrary, I had been slipping backwards since I came to Flamme. I knew I was indecisive, and I was flustered at that fact.
So pathetic…
As I leaned on the thick tree trunk and gazed at the sky, radiant sun beams brightly shone through and struck my eyes.
"Come to think of it…"
Come to think of it, I still haven't found any clues regarding the bark medicine I came here for.
I observed the tree I was leaning on. The trunk was too thick, and it had different leaves from the picture so I could rule this one out. Maybe there were more trees in the back of the village?
I wanna go check it out. But even if I did find it, I'd just turn into a thief for stealing their stuff.
Besides, the ingredients for the medicine weren't just the bark alone.
And above all else, I didn't want to go before helping the clan out first.
*Kthunk!*
"Ouch!"
Something fell on my forehead and broke my train of thought.
The source of my pain fell onto my lap: a small tree nut. Eh? This is weird. Did this tree ever have something like this?
Looking up, a small black bird was staring back at me with its head slightly tilted. Despite the bird acting innocent, it still reminded me the face of a certain horrible someone.
'If you wanna flee with a tail stuck between your legs, call for me any time.'
My memory of the letter on my first day in this village popped up in my mind.
Why does he mock me so much? More memories of the days I had to put up with him came up, but I shook my head, sending those thoughts away. He's so irritating!
"…"
I took a deep breath and calmed down.
Then finally, I stared back at the bird.
Well, what do you want from me? How would I read a letter in the middle of all these people without being seen?
The bird would probably come down to me if I raise my hand, but there was no doubt it would draw attention. Rejected. What if I hide behind the back of the tree… also rejected. Lily would yell at me the moment I move from my spot.
While I was running out of options, the bird gently flew down from the tree branch and quietly landed next to me.
What a clever guy!
I blindly reached out for the letter, changed the position of my legs to create a cover, and somehow removed the letter from the bird.
Pushing the letter into a gap in my shoes, I quickly glanced where Lily was working. Good, it seemed she didn't notice.
A sigh of relief escaped me.
I sat like that for the rest of their working shift, but I couldn't stop thinking about the letter. I usually get these in the night, so when the letter came in broad daylight, it might be important.
As soon as they stopped paying attention to me, I whipped out the letter and opened it up.
The content was very concise. But because it was so straight to the point, it made me wake up from the calm of this village, and returned my mind to reality.
That night, as if responding to my wishes, the door to my room creaked slightly.
"Who's… Eh?"
The person that stood there was rather unexpected.
Looking at how surprised I was, the man gave a laugh as he raised his hands slightly.
"It's been a while. Have you been doing well?"
"Wolf!"
'Have you been doing well?' That's what I should be asking you!
But I held back my retort. He was being imprisoned by his people in his own birthplace. Of course, there was no way he was alright.
However, despite my poker-face, the fact that I was worried for him had shown through. He changed his elegant smile into a wry one and lightly flicked my forehead.
"Don't you go thinking of something strange now."
"…Okay."
I held the place he hit and silently nodded. Wolf then answered with "good" and opened the door wide.
"Someone asked for you. Would you mind walking with me for a bit?"
"I understand."
I nodded promptly this time.
He didn't mention who this 'someone' was, but I looked forward to it.
Upon leaving the room, I noticed there were no longer guards sitting by the door. Perhaps the time has finally come. With that thought, I resolved myself.
"The chief is calling for me, isn't he?"
Instead of giving an answer, Wolf narrowed his eyes delightfully.
TN: I had some project to do IRL and just came back. Enjoy this chapter of the princess and the loli-camp.
EN: Reeeeeeeee. Join the dungeon people today in discord. Also, image below is all I remember of this chapter.
Discord: