Chapter 243 - 243. Getting punished for his stray eyes

He stopped as he saw their eyes on his face. ''Why did she do that? Don't her people need food as well?''

Taro shook his head. ''They made their own garden in spring. I am considering doing the same down the hill. Growing our own food would not be a bad idea. We will need to feed more people in town and the pressure on that sect will lessen. For now, they are providing everyone with vegetables as no one is so successful in finding plants as their sect.''

Everyone went silent for a while until one of his people spoke. ''Chief, can we not send more people. We can use the next few days to gather food. Then those that got the food can prepare it for winter. I mean does that make any sense?''

But taro denied his request. ''I am trying to sue as many warm days to finish the quest. If we do that, Taskmaster will help us with one request. I wanted to ask him to give us more food before this but now I think that request is not valid anymore. What else can we ask him?''

Claro chuckled. ''Windows? Didn't Kendra plan to turn the twoer in sleeping quarters? If we have glass windows, the winter will be not that harsh. Without windows, we will or freeze when we open windows for light or we will suffocate. What do the girls have on windows?''

Taro sighed. ''Seethrough cloth that Grounding Fairy Sect is producing. It is not as good as windows but it's good enough not to be too cold in the wintertime. They really have some ideas.''

''Seethrough cloth?'' Claro was somehow certain that such a strange idea could come only form that kid. ''Probably Kendra's idea?'' Actually he just murmured but Taro heard him.

''Actually, that idea came not from her guild, then from girls from warrior guild. As seethrough material s made an only a bit lighter than normal material they felt its kind of too embarrassing to wear it on the body so they put it on windows in their village. It kept those flying monsters entering their rooms and giving them enough light and air to breathe doing hot months.'' Taro explained.

But what Taro didn't know is that it was actually Kendra's idea. The first batch of gray cloth was not thick enough and it looked really seethrough. So the girls in warrior guild felt it would be uncomfortable to wear. So she gave them a suggestion to add it to windows as protection.

Actually, Kendra produced glass long ago. Not as clear as in her past world but at least it stopped the coldness and brought enough light inside rooms. And about curtains, everyone in the village chose to use it on windows. Not for the reason fo insects... they had none. Just for visual feeling.

As they spoke Claro just went deep in thought. His sister gave her life to save their world and she deserves to be happy. If he could put the two people together, maybe he would have a chance...? From one side his sister's happiness and from his own selfishness, combining both things wouldn't be a problem, right? But then thinking about those two people his heart started aching. He didn't want to hurt them.

He liked that old man and the little girl was something he would never have expected it. But why does he feel like its all wrong? His selfishness might destroy their budding love. He was completely clear about that man's strength. But he chose to put it aside. 

There is time to think more about it later. Much later...

But things couldn't be wronger. As he fell asleep Taskmaster appeared near his body and sighed. ''You have so many worries. But still, have time to eye the wrong person. If I do not let you have a lesson today, I  will get harmed tomorrow.''

The next morning Claro woke up feeling heavy. His head hurt and everyone looked ta him with big eyes. Taro on end came to him slowly and patted his shoulder. ''It seems you made Taskmaster upset, hm?''

Claro just dazedly blinked at him. ''I haven't why do you say that?''

Taro brought him to waterpot and when he lowered his head he understood their strange glances at him. Actually, Claro was a very handsome man, even in a cultivator world, he could be considered as one of the most handsome people. 

But looking at his face now, he almost jumped away in fear. His nose was enlarged with hair sticking out of it. His eyes became small and his beard was looking like it would swallow his whole face. That is not the worst. Pair of small dark horns sprouted out his forehead making him look even more ridiculous.

His face became red as he understood what actually happened. But then paled the next moment. Does that mean he looked at him the whole time?

''I thought he was your best friend, but I guess I was wrong.'' A young voice made a point as small steps could be heard coming closer.

He suddenly turned as he wanted to scare her, but she just stared at him calmly and not missing the step or stopping. 

To his surprise, he murmured. ''Arent you disgusted, me being like this?''

She calmly looked at him from up to down and shrugged it. ''You are clean. As long that person didn't put any squirming creatures into the mess I am fine. But I do not think he would dare do that to me. I won't forgive such atrocity. So don't worry about it.''

Clear, so clear the eyes were that stared at him. ''You really don't mind?''

She snorted. ''I never look at people with eyes of a commoner. I am a cultivator. To me, cultivation is something important. How you look is not what you are. As long as you have some decency and sanitary discipline, I am fine with talking to anyone.''

Somehow her words hurt him a bit, but why. She said, anyone...

''Can you handle the long walk?'' She looked at his long legs and nodded without even waiting for his affirmation, making him speechless again. ''Good. We will need to travel there for up to one day. We will sleep there and then day back. I hope you can handle it.''

Actually she spoke to the whole group of people buts somehow he felt like she was talking only to him. Everyone almosts simultaneously nodded.

''We need to start walking now. Its a long and arduous walk. But that place is filled with food. As most of your people are needed to build the tower as soon as possible, few of my people will come to help. Few men from warrior guild will come as well and from a fishing village three men that Laura sent.'' She introduced a dozen more people that will come as well and they brought more carriages.

Taro was surprised as he stared at everyone. Then his eyes turned towards Kendra that chuckled. ''Of course, they are doing it for free. While ago we started helping each other in need. When your people are done with tower, you will need to help out sometimes others as well. This world is amazing in case of working for a large group. We might have no dangerous enemies, but daily life is dangerous enough, why making it even harder if we can help each other finish tasks on time and then relax.''

Her guild people just chuckled and nodded while everyone looked at them strangely. Relax? Is that even a thing?

Claro looked at the silent agreement between her and her guild members and was somehow annoyed. How can they be so close to her, but he couldn't?

My old friend... This child is interesting, seriously. No matter how he looked at this ridiculous situation he knew he shouldn't be thinking about her. This visage of his was clearly a warning. He chuckled as his eyes searched surroundings, but soon he gave up. That person is not a normal human, he can hide in specs of light, shadows of darkness and he wouldn't even notice him even if he stood in front of his face.

Looking at her straight back that walked confidently he smiled unconsciously. She is really something else. No wonder that his friend got interested in her. But what about his sister? She seriously was in love with him. How can he make this situation into something both sides could be happy with?

If he chose my sister in just one second of his life I will take the chance to get Kendra, But will she want me? I am neither as powerful or handsome as him? Wait, didn't she say she doesn't care about the way someone looks? Do I have a chance? Can I bee selfish, only this one time. 

His eyes clouded as he let her go further away. Can I be selfish, please?