Yojiro can't help but forced out a smile in response that consequently made Pedro burst into laughter. If it was other people, Yojiro might have said a word or two to escape the embarrassment. But... It was no other than Pedro. That is why he had no choice but to remain silent instead.
Seeing Yojiro silent and forcing out a smile had somehow made Pedro calm down from his laughter. He did not know whether Yojiro was just like the typical soldier who have huge respect towards their seniors or if he was just simply terrified of Pedro's strength or Pedro's existence itself.
Either way, he knew that he should take initiative because of his rank. Pedro wiped the tears from his eyes before he took a dead Flocoloso bird out of his inventory bag and said, "Since everyone is still asleep, Let me cook something to eat."
"The-There is no need for that, Captain!" Yojiro said, shaking his head and his hands to stop Pedro.
Unfortunately, Pedro had made up his mind. His pen-knife slid out of his sleeve and was about to clean the bird, free from its remaining feathers.
"No need for what?" Pedro asked, coldly, while his attention was fixated on cleaning the bird.
This, in turn, made Yojiro hesitant to respond. Only when Pedro halted cleaning the bird and glanced towards him as if asking 'You have something to say?', did Yojiro swallowed his saliva and said, "I-I mean... I am alright, Captain. I am not hungry."
"I see..." Pedro nodded his head a couple of times before returning back his attention to cleaning the bird and asked, "Do you think that I am going to cook because I think that you were hungry?"
Yojiro remained silent in response. He did not know how to answer Pedro's question. That said, Pedro did not wait for him to say a word and said, "No, I am not! Whether you... or everyone else is hungry or not, I would cook food for all of us to eat. Do you understand why?"
This time, Pedro did not answer his own question and awaited Yojiro's response. It took him almost a minute before he answered, saying, "To regain our strength?"
Pedro laughed in response and said, "Are you asking me or telling me? Anyway... You are right. I did say to prepare yourself, remember? Regaining your strength is a part of it. And so does for everyone else."
"Ah!" Yojiro gasped in amazement--thinking how Pedro had thought and realized critical or important matters a few steps ahead just from hearing his stomach grumble. However, in the next second, his face forced out a smile due to the embarrassment of not being able to see through Pedro's intentions that fast.
"Forgive me for my short-sightedness, Captain." He said.
"Yes, Captain!" Yojiro shouted as he saluted towards him.
On the other hand, Pedro responded to his salute with a nod and a smile. Then, he tossed the featherless bird to Yojiro and said, "Good! Now, help me prepare these birds. We are having a feast!"
~~~~~~~~~~
Around Twenty Kilometers north of Pedro and the Attack team, more than a thousand men had assembled along the shore where the 'ships' were supposed to dock. In front of them was a young man, seemingly in his mid-20s, who had a tight grip on his newbie sword.
His light brown skin had emphasized his dark lower eyelids that were paired with the glued smile on his face. He resembled someone who lacks a lot of sleep and seemed like he had a few loose screws in his head.
That said, his medium-sized body built could be noticed to be tensed up--ready for a battle of life or death, while marks of the newbie sword's handle started to imprint on his hand as his grip on it tightens each second.
"Help is on the way!" He shouted, whilst retaining his smile. No one amongst the thousand players spoke nor gasp as he continued speaking, saying, "However! Our enemy does not want to give us any chances. This area is of significant importance for my cousin, and we have no choice but to defend it... Even if it cost our lives!"
He glanced towards everyone else who remained silent as their faces wore different expressions but... No one dared to utter a single word. And after being able to gaze from left to right, the young man said, "I know it's just a game! But there's nothing wrong with wanting glory! So what, if they outnumber us?! So what, if they have better weapons and equipment?! Let's show them what we got! Show them no mercy! Slay those bast@rds and bring them, with us, to hell! AND GIVE GLORY TO OUR GUILD!"
"HOORAH!" Everyone erupted in response as they followed the young man and raised their newbie swords--filled with anger and, at the same time, excitement.
The young man glanced at his back--to the vast plain, and chuckled whilst retaining the smile that was seemingly glued on his face, "We are more than just a farming guild! We are... the Oran Gutan Guild!"