Book 1: Chapter 7-2: Dream


    Good morning Lucy


    I was preparing a fairlyte lunch as Lucy sluggishly got down from the wagon.


    I had lit a fire and ced a stone on it. On top of the stone was deer meat that was roasting.


    After an hour ofzing around under the nkets I decided to get up and finish preparing the deer. I skinned it and cut up the meat. There was surprisingly more than I thought.


    Now that it was noon the fire wouldnt stand out as much. As long as something entered the 300 meter range of my perception I could quickly get rid of the mes and smoke.


    Sorry Cyril, I fell asleep.


    It isnt surprising. You were waiting for me to get back all night yesterday right?


    Un, thats right, but I didnt wake up and keep watch.


    Lucy had sat outside shivering in the cold in fear that I would die. She was also being crushed under the pressure that if we didnt return to the vige with food, they would starve. Even as we rode the carriage her body and mind were under constant stress.


    To say it simply, her body and mind were overburdened. Unlike me, Lucy was a normal girl. In fact it was praiseworthy she hadsted so well.


    I guess youre right, it wouldve been best to keep watch properly. If we were caught by the soldiers yesterday wed both be dead. However, if they were able to make it out here yesterday then it wouldve been because they followed me. It wouldve been my fault. So its not your responsibility Lucy.


    But, I came with you here so I could help out. I didnt end up doing anything.


    You did do some. You drove the wagon and took care of things so I could preserve my stamina for the attack. If I was alone I might have gone crazy from the strain. Since Lucy was with me my mind could rx some. Plus it helped that you were there to motivate me ining back.


    All of the things I said were true. But there was one thing I left outI wouldve been too worried if I left her in the vige.


    I was afraid that if I wasnt there the vigers would turn their dissatisfaction and anger on Lucy.


    Each of them individually was a good person, but when gathered together the ugliness that usuallyy dormant may awaken.


    Im happy that youd say that Cyril, but I cant forgive myself that easily.


    Lucy was honest and stubborn. She was fairly indulgent to other people but strict with herself. I had to convince her of my words.


    Is that so? Then Ill punish you. Once we get back to the vige youll have to listen to one order I give. Ill forgive you after that.


    Okay then, what is it?


    Who knows? Im thinking about it. On the way back imagine what Ill do to you and shiver in fear.


    Its Cyril so I dont think itll be anything badbut its a little bit scary.


    Lucy smiled wryly.


    But stillshes perceptive. I wouldnt force her to do anything she really hated. But I was still going to let her feel nervous about it.


    Part of the punishment is not knowing what Ill ask for.


    Quite a light punishment


    Its your first offense. I wont easily forgive the same mistake a second time. But today it couldnt be helped. Lucy is an amateur with immature mental and physical strength. I was surprised yousted for these past few days. You have talent for it. If you trained youll be able to improve.


    But Cyril is an amateur too..Ill do my best. Ill get stronger so I dont have to be coddled.


    Im looking forward to it.


    But.if youll even forgive a second time then what happens on the third?


    Nothing. If they fail a third time then theyre incapable so I wont trust them again. Ill let them go do whatever.


    That seems harsher than just getting angry.


    Lucy said with a bitter smile.


    In my experience anyone who makes simr mistakes three times cant be used.


    They were people you could only give unimportant jobs to.


    However, Im sure Lucy would be fine.


    Okay then, the deer is finished cooking so lets eat.


    I sprinkled some salt on the meat. I ced it on Lucys te. I had scraped off the most delicious meat from around the bone, minced it, and mixed it with salt and lily wasabi. I added a small amount of cranberry juice for some sourness.


    Using this much salt two days in a row is a waste.


    I stole plenty of it so its fine. Theres nothing to worry about. Returning to the vige will eat up our strength so we have to make sure to get enough salt.


    Itll be hard to go back after this kind of luxury.


    To tell the truth, salt was fairly high on my list of priorities when I stole supplies.


    The mountainous region where we live didnt have a lot of salt. Before our envement by the empire we could buy salt from peddlers who stopped by or we could go to the Fire Fox vige for rock salt. But afterwards, the empire had monopolized all these goods.


    Salt was an essential in life, so unlike the days when you could buy it individually, the empire only gave us the bare minimum we needed. It made the vige treat salt as a preciousmodity.


    Even if its a bit too much the salt taste is delicious! Wed never used enough salt to be able to say that.


    This attack allowed me to bring along plenty of salt, but Id have to secure a supply route in the near future.


    Next Ill have to go to the Fire Fox vige. The Fire Foxes excelled inbat and were still resisting the Empire. I even had some old friends in their vige. We might be able to build a rtionship between our viges.