Ep 138. I Did? (6)

Ep 138. I Did? (6)

Ep 138. I Did? (6)

“Chief.”

“...”

Peska counted a grand total of 3 seconds as he watched Urgus rolling about the cold stone floors of his cabin. Despite having a perfectly functional bed inches away, the chief warrior was on the floor for some reason, fast asleep.

A small sigh escaped Peska’s lips. From all the years he’d spent at Urgus’ side, he’d developed a golden rule about waking up his superior.

‘One calling is enough.’

After the 3 seconds had passed, Peska proceeded to take the deepest breath he could muster. He simultaneously pulled back his arm in an arc, his hand gripped into a tight fist.

Then, in one swift motion, the warrior struck down at the sleeping figure’s lower stomach.

A series of coughing sounds filled the cabin as Urgus jolted awake, furiously rubbing his sore belly. Meanwhile, Peska softly blew on his fist, nodding in satisfaction of the strike’s result.

“Chief, I told you drinking last night was a bad idea. Do you even know what you missed?”

“Cough, cough...ugh, what is it? Did Brother Orkaan return?”

“No. The rear gates have been broken. There was a monster attack.”

“A monster attack? How many? Was anyone hurt?”

“...Only one, but...”

Peska trailed off his words as he pondered on how to best explain the situation at hand. But in the end, the warrior opened the cabin door, beckoning his chief outside.

“...Better you see it yourself. Come.”

✧ ✧ ✧

As soon as Aymeia had arrived, Chell’s warriors had been quick to fix up a temporary throne for their guardian deity. But when they took notice of the creature she was sharing the throne with, none of them dared approach her too close – and ironically, Aymeia was finally able to gain some semblance of personal space.

The wriggling black worm in her hand was keeping away any villager that dared approach her.

Though, Karas still remained relatively close at her side – as well as Ilias and Light, who were watching the creature with a mix of curiosity and disgust.

“Ew, look at all that teeth...this thing was inside the bear?”

“...From what I saw, yeah. I don’t know what it is though...professor, do you know?”

“It’s certainly not a species we can find in Wayla, but I’m afraid I can’t say much otherwise. Peska’s told us that he’d be back shortly, I’m sure he can tell us more soon.”

“...”

Upon Peska’s request, Aymeia had agreed to keep the wriggling creature alive while he went to go fetch Urgus. Although he’d skipped over explaining why or what the creature was, judging from the locals’ reaction, it wasn’t difficult to tell that the creature wasn’t something a person would normally want to be near.

The answer soon became clear as Urgus approached the group with Peska in tow, his eyes wide with surprise.

“Stars above...is that a parworm?”

Aymeia’s puzzled gaze darted between the chief warrior and the wriggling worm in her hand.

“...A parworm?”

Urgus and approached closer for a better view. Meanwhile, Peska knelt down apologetically before the guardian deity.

“Lady Aymeia, my apologies for asking you to hold such a foul creature. I thought the chief should see it beforehand.”

“It’s alright. More importantly...is ‘parworm’ this creature’s name? It sounds rather familiar...”

“Why, I would assume so. You were the one who bestowed them their name.”

“I did?”

“Indeed. I believe you’ve also taught our ancestors the dangers they pose, as well as how to best cull their headcount.”

“...I did???”

“I see...?”

Meanwhile, Ilias leaned in towards Karas, her whispering voice just loud enough for the professor – and Aymeia – to hear.

“Hey, professor? How much would that go for?”

“Here? Apparently nothing.”

“In Partivine, I mean.”

“...Considering that the crystal’s from a species we don’t even find in Wayla...at least a thousand gold, purely from an academic perspective.”

“...”

“Depending on other qualities, it could be more. You never know a mana crystal’s worth until it’s in the hands of an alchemist.”

...And no one would ever know their worth if they’re constantly being thrown away.

‘Hm? Wait a minute...’

Karas frowned as a new, dreadful curiosity struck his mind. He warily eyed the chief warrior before hesitantly opening his beak.

“Say...Urgus, was it? You said your people hold a yearly hunt as tradition?”

“Yes. What of it?”

“How many of these ‘stones’ do you tend to find in your hunts?”

“Hm. We don’t particularly count them, but...perhaps a hundred?”

At Urgus’ rough estimate, Peska chimed in from the side.

“Several hundred. I’ve counted before.”

The professor’s frown deepened at the warriors’ answers. He then looked towards Peska, his voice audibly shaking as he asked his next question.

“And what do you...do with them?”

“We toss ‘em into the fire. They’re too fragile to be used for our crafts, but we’ve found that they burn quite well, surprisingly.”

“...You’ve said this year’s hunt hasn’t happened yet, yes?”

“Not in any proper form, no. Why do you ask?”

“Well...”

Karas’ goal had remained ever the same since he’d volunteered to help restore Aymeia’s memories. Asardans throwing away items of enormous academic and alchemic value was none of his concern.

But with that thought in mind, Karas looked towards the former deity behind him.

“Lady Aymeia. Perhaps it’d do well for us to...I mean, for you to participate in this year’s hunt.”

“Huh?...Me?”

“Why, yes. You’d be doing your people a great service, I’d imagine. Your presence alone would provide immense support for Asarda’s warriors.”

Before Aymeia even gave her answer, both Urgus and Peska nodded at the professor’s remark with hope-glinted eyes.

“Legends do tell of a time when Lady Aymeia led the Frosthunt herself.”

“Ah, yes. A legend retold! I can only imagine Brother Orkaan’s reaction.”

“...”

Despite the warriors’ conjoined comments, Aymeia failed to recall such events ever happening. Only vague memories floated within her mind, and she couldn’t tell if participating in this hunt would even yield her any clarity.

...But with her followers’ expectant gazes upon her, there really weren’t many feasible answers Asarda’s guardian could deliver to her people.

In fact, within a certain feathered figure’s head, the conversation’s outcome was likely decided from the start.