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Return of the Fallen Volume 2 Chapter 37

Author: Blue_Rat

ch37

Tsura went silent while she cooked the meal in deep thought. Everyone thought she was simply being careful with the food, as to not upset anyone.

After a while, with a big pot simmering over a fire, an enriching aroma enticed everyone and the sound of stomachs rumbling spread around. Asuna sniffed at the air.

“Ah, this smells fantastic.”

Shin as well inhaled deeply.

“If this tastes half as good as it smells, it’ll be the best soup I’ve had since coming here.”

Mei stood up proudly and declared.

“My mom is the best cook in the world, just wait and see what she can do.”

No one really took her words seriously. Simply the words of a child they thought. Only Kimi and Danny knew the reality and their mouths began to collect drool in anticipation.

40 or so minutes later, Tsura removed the lid and with a small but heavy stone spoon, she gave the soup a taste test.

“Hm, perfect.”

Everyone had a bowl in front of them and a few audible gulps were heard.

Staring at Tsura and Mei, the others couldn’t help but be a little nervous about the food. Technically Tsura and Mei were prisoners and you could never fully trust someone in such a desperate situation.

Tsura could see the look in everyone’s eye and released a long sigh.

*Haaaa*

Scooping up a spoon full, Tsura blew on the soup a few times to cool it down before taking a bite. Both her cheeks went rosy as the flavors of the soup blended perfectly together and the meat of bird, squirrel, and rabbit melted in her mouth.

*Mmmm*

Nunully had seen the ingredients that Tsura had put in and knew that they weren’t poisonous, so she was the second to follow. Cooling down her soup she sipped at it briefly before her plain expression turned into a pleasant surprise.

“Hmm, this…this is actually delicious.”

Nunully threw away her usual cool demeanor and without a care for the hot temperature, she tipped the bowl up and started to drink the soup down with large gulps. The meat and vegetables were so tender and juicy that no chewing was required and everything was swallowed without incident.

In only a few seconds, Nunully’s entire bowl was drained and a burp escaped past her lips.

*Belch*

Eyes focused on her with a bizarre look but she simply waved them away.

“What can you expect, I’ve grown up with some of the best cuisines in Treia and I haven’t eaten anything decent in weeks. No offense, Danny. This soup though is extraordinary. Were you to be in a city, there’s no doubt you could work at some high-class restaurant.”

Nunully ignored the stares and got up and refilled her bowl.

“You all better hurry up and stop staring, otherwise I might just eat this all by myself.”

Danny and Kimi were next. They took a few sips before smiling with bliss and draining their bowls. Similar thoughts ran through their minds.

(Her cooking yesterday really wasn’t a fluke, this food is amazing.)

Danny started to seriously contemplate within, whether or not a broken arm and hand was worth such cooking. Suffering for several weeks eating bland food to now having this fantastic soup. In the end, all he could gather was that hunger was a mysterious thing and that it could change the way you feel about someone all in one go.

Eventually, everyone tried it and all shared similar looks of amazement. Nothing but praises followed afterward.

Though Tsura was glad to receive compliments on her food, she was in no mood for it. Her situation still did not change, and she and Mei would be caged for the rest of their lives.

———————————————-

A few hours later, Kazuki and the others arrived outside of the cave. Sam and Shin went in to retrieve Atoh and Aboh.

Seeing their fast arrival, Atoh was at first shocked and felt dread, assuming the worst had happened. It was hard for him to believe that Kazuki and the others had gone out and captured Mei and returned so quickly but after Sam explained the situation, Atoh became impressed.

(They actually managed to convince Tsura and Mei to return on their own without bloodshed, how incredible. They didn’t even need the last of our magic rope then.)

Atoh though was confused about something. Sam said that Kazuki wanted to speak with him about something and called specifically for him and his sister Aboh to step out of the cave and speak with them.

Atoh found this quite odd. Especially since Kazuki knew how dangerous it was for any of the Mangshi to leave the cave or return. Were they to step out and Mei use her powers, she could take control of them quite easily but even if she didn’t, the cave had the repelling power on it as the village did. Leaving the cave was easy but going back in would rob a Mangshi of their senses even in human form and could drive one to madness, as the body lost all feeling and concept of time in that void of blackness.

One of the only ways around that is to enter the cave or village unconsciously or for someone to drag you in. If you are unconscious though the way you would move forward is for someone to drag you in.

Kazuki knew of this difficulty for the Mangshi people yet he was still insisting that Atoh and the weak Aboh come out to talk. Atoh felt something was amiss.

“Sam, was it? My sister and I will join you shortly, first we have something to discuss with one another, if you don’t mind.”

Sam simply nodded and he and Shin turned and headed out first.

A moment later they met back up with Kazuki.

“Well, where is the old man?”

Shin shrugged his shoulders.

“The chief said he had to talk with his sister first for some reason. He said after that he would come on out. So I guess we wait.”

Danny found this odd and whispered into Kazuki’s ear.

“Shouldn’t he be welcoming us back in triumphant return, why talk to his sister and make us wait? This is supposed to be something that is extremely important to him and his village and should be handled post-haste and yet he has time for tea. Does this not feel odd to you.”

“It’s probably because I asked them to come out of the cave. They would have much difficulty reentering.”

Danny shook his head.

“Even so, this is the most important time for the future of their village. Tell me, would you wait?”

Kazuki narrowed his eyes before he said.

“Everyone be prepared to fight.”

Everyone looked at Kazuki as though they misheard him.

“Eh, you said fight, but why?”

“Asuna, It’s not like we are actually going to be fighting. This is all just in case our talk doesn’t go so well.”

“You mentioned that you wanted to talk with Chief Atoh earlier, but for what? We already have Mei with us, doesn’t that mean the mission is over, what more do you need to discuss?”

Asuna couldn’t understand what more needed to be said and was left confused.

“I made a promise and I intend to keep it.”

Asuna nodded along.

“That’s what I’m saying, your promise to capture Mei has already been fulfilled, so what more do you need to do?”

“You’re right, my promise to Chief Atoh I have already fulfilled, Asuna, but that’s not the promise I was referring to.”

No one could understand what he was talking about but after giving it some thought, something clicked into Danny’s mind.

“Ryuta, you’re not talking about your promise with Chief Atoh…no, the promise you speak of, could it be referring to Tsura. If that’s the case, what the fuck are you thinking?”

Danny’s words went off like a bombshell in everyone’s ears. Ryuta remained silent and didn’t deny it, causing their minds to swirl.

Tsura as well fell to her knees.

“Are you serious, do you really mean to say…”

Kazuki thought for a moment before he grabbed Mei by the hand and stood in front of Tsura. Mei was a little scared at first but standing before her mother, once again being so close to her brought joy to her.

Kazuki looked at everyone and spoke calmly.

“At first I had many thoughts about Mei. The way she felt nothing after killing all those adventurers. One could easily mistake it for a cold blooded nature. At such a young age that can be considered quite dangerous. Come to find out though, the reason she felt nothing I believe is because she is a bit similar to me. Why should I feel anything for killing those that threaten my life and the life of my friends? I take no joy in it nor do I feel any guilt and that’s just how it goes. However, someone at such a young age should not get used to something like that or they could warp into something truly bloodthirsty. Therefore, in my opinion, I believe she should stay in this forest. After proper guidance and maturity, when she reaches adulthood, she should be allowed out. Mei, since you grow faster than the other Mangshi, you will reach adulthood like a normal human girl. In 10 years when you turn 18, on that day, you can leave this forest.”