To say that nothing of note happened between the seminar and the house head conference wasnt really truthful.


    We opened the stall in the Post Station Town one day after the seminar and sold two hundred meals.


    Sales dropped on the very next day because we only prepared 170 portions, which were sold out too.


    After one day of rest, we opened for two days and closed for two more days. The irregr operating hours stimted the demand for our merchandise. Before this, I couldnt sell 150 meals even if I did prepare them.


    Our customers were still mostly southerners and easterners, but kiba food was steadily bing the talk of the Post Station Town. When we start selling food at the inn, the fame of kiba food would spread even further.


    No matter what the schemes the Tsun n had, we must make this business seed.


    As I worked hard with these feelings in mind, the 8th and 9th day of the Blue Month shed by and it was now the day of the house head conference.


    The Tsun n vige sure is far.


    As I walked on the solid dirt path inside Forest''s Edge, I whispered to Ai Fa.


    Ai Fa walked with smooth strides like a leopard and answered quietly:


    The Tsun n vige is located at the end of the northern side, while the Wu n vige is situated in the middle of the southern side, so of course its far.


    The Forest''s Edge settlement was a long piece ofnd that stretched from the south to the north.


    A vast forest was between the Morga Mountain to the east and the wide territory of Genos to the west, resulting in such a shape.


    Tsun n vige was at the extreme north end, while the Wu n and Lutim house viges were to the south, with the smaller houses like the Fa house between them. From the bearings of the sun, I realized we had walked for two hours, but the scenery remained the same.


    Hmm This means that the Tsun n people actually walked so far on the night of the Lutim house wedding to pick a fight with us.


    After whispering to Ai Fa again, she nodded and leaned her face towards me.


    Yes, because they dont perform their duties as hunters properly, they have that much free time. How infuriating.


    Thats right. If they have the time to walk so far, they might as well go hunt kiba.


    By the way, Asuta.


    Hmm? Whats the matter, Ai Fa?


    Why are you whispering?


    Ai Fa didnt know my intention but had been whispering to me all this while.


    Its nothing serious. I simply think the atmosphere right now doesnt feel good for an idle chat.


    We werent the only ones heading to the Tsun n. We had set off together with the Wu n and their kins.


    The Wu n had six kin houses rted to them by blood. They were Lutim, Lei, Min, Mamu, Lilim, and Mufa. Each house head brought along a male follower to attend the house head conference. Together with the women helping with the hearth, we had arge group of 24 people.


    The male attendees were strong elites too, so the term intimidating was very fitting. Everyone present had attended the banquet at the Lutim house, but I only knew three people, namely Donda Wu, Darum Wu, and Dan Lutim.


    They were helping to carry the ingredients needed for the banquet tonight. No one had anyints, but I still felt bad about this.


    Sigh, Im getting sleepy.


    Someone suddenly spoke loudly beside me.


    I turned and saw the youngest man in the group yawning.


    I have not gotten up so early in a long time. Donda Wu, can I sleep for a while when we reach the Tsun n vige?


    Whatever.


    Donda Wu replied coldly.


    Great. I will get up right away if anything happens, so give me a break Hmm? What are you looking at, hearth caretaker of the Fa house?


    Ah, its nothing, pardon me.


    Theres nothing to pardon though, I just want to know what are you looking at.


    The youth didnt look unhappy, but he didnt seem to be the calm type either.


    As I was wondering how to answer, the youth sped up and started to walk beside me.


    Speaking of which, I still dont know your name. Im Rau Lei. Hearth caretaker of the Fa house, whats your name?


    Nice to meet you, Im Asuta.


    He might be younger than me, but I still decided to answer him with a humble attitude.


    At this moment, the youth showed an unhappy face.


    Asuta, Im seventeen. How old are you?


    Ah, Im seventeen too.


    In that case, you dont need to be so reserved, you can just speak to me normally.


    The youth said the same thing that Yumi did, but he had a dignified air about him.


    His light-colored hair that looked almost blonde were tied behind him, the corners of his eyes were high and their pupils were light purple. With his high nose bridge and thin lips, he looked like a matured version of Ludo Wu. He looked androgynous and had a prideful expression.


    He was a little taller than me and could be considered skinnypared to the other men from Forest''s Edge. He looked young and wasnt buffed, but the aura around him could rival that of the other men.


    Never mind, Kan Lutim mentioned to me that you are running a business in the Post Station Town, Im not sure about the details though. But if the Tsun n tries to pick trouble with you, I will do everything I can to help.


    Yes, thank you very much.


    Didnt I tell you not to be so reserved?


    I didnt mean to, its probably because of my business in the Post Station Town, so its more rxing for me to speak this way.


    I see. If you talk to me in such a formal tone again, I will punch you.


    Are you really the hearth caretaker of the Fa house?


    The youth named Rau Lei leaned in close suddenly.


    When the Tsun n barged into the banquet, didnt you tell them off loudly? You are acting like apletely different person now.


    No, I was just acting on impulse back then.


    In that case, you should act on impulse today too. If the Tsun n sees how meek you are, they will exploit you all they could.


    It seemed that this youths concept on how to deal with aggression waspletely different from mine.


    I thought the first thing that needs to be done during a dangerous situation was to calm down.


    Asuta, Kan Lutim taught the Lei house the techniques how to bloodlet and butcher the kiba. The kiba meat did be delicious, but it still couldnt match the dishes you served at the banquet. What do we need to do to turn the meat into that soft and gooey form?


    Ah, you mean hamburg steak? It needs mincing and molding the meat into a circr shape That dish is hard to exin with words. The women from the Wu n and Lutim house have learned the cooking method, you just need to learn from them.


    To avoid being punched, I answered in a normal tone, and Rau Lei turned to look diagonally back.


    Ema Min Lutim, teach the method to the women of the Lei house. I want to eat that dish at home too.


    Like everyone else, Ema Min Lutim was carrying arge bag of vegetables on her back. She bowed politely at Rau Lei.


    I understand. My skill is stillcking, but I hope the women of the Lei house and I will improve our skills together.


    Ema Min Lutim, how old are you?


    Rau Lei, Im 17.


    In that case, your tone doesnt need to be so formal, just speak casually like Asuta.


    As a kin of the Wu n, I cant speak to the head of the Lei house in such a rude manner.


    This youth was he the head of the Lei house?


    After bing the house head, the attitude of the all women became like this Asuta, you might be a hearth caretaker, but you are still a man, so talk to me normally.


    Looks like I got acquainted with a youth I wasnt sure how to get along with.


    I looked Ai Fas way quietly, but my house head averted her face nonchntly.


    Whats the matter? Does the head of the Lei house like hamburg steak? I dont think hamburg steak tastes bad, but spare ribs are the best, right?


    The head of the Lutim house interjected.


    He walked towards us as he swayed hisrge tummy. Was he going to get me out of this mess? Probably not.


    Spare ribs, huh. Theyre delicious but isnt it a pain to eat them together with the bone?


    What nonsense! Its delicious because we are eating it off the bone! If possible, I want to eat the kiba thigh with its bones too!


    Cooking the meat thoroughly seemed hard.


    However, if I researched steam grill techniques, it might be possible to realize his dream.


    Those who like hamburg steak are mostly women and children. Its admirable of you to be the house head at such a young age, but you still have a childish side, huh.


    Dan Lutimughed out loud. Rau Lei immediately showed a sour face.


    Is the Lutim house trying to provoke the Lei house? Arent you going too far to treat a grown-up hunter as a child?


    If you dont want others to think of you as a child, then dontin and eat the spare ribs. That delicacy suits hunters the best!


    Dan Lutim didnt care about the raging Rau Lei, and turned hisrge round eyes my way.


    Asuta! Did you prepare any spare ribs for us tonight? That myam and thin slices of meat might be savory, but they cantpare to the tastiness of spare ribs!


    I see. Ema Min Lutim and Molun Lutim learned how to cook Myam-roasted meat during the seminar three days ago and used their culinary skills to prepare dinner immediately.


    That was a wonderful thing, but I couldnt help tilting my head puzzledly when hearing that.


    Some of the meat here is from the Lutim house, right? Are there any spare ribs?


    I dont know. Kan did tell me something, but I was too sleepy and didnt hear anything.


    I see.


    Just the thought of the Tsun n tasting this delicious meat fills me with rage. But if that bunch will change their ways, I will let them off! If they want to eat delicious meat, they need to hunt down kiba seriously! Im going to kick them in the butt!


    No, erm, can you try to calm down?


    Hmm? Why do you look so worried? I dont mean it literally, theres no way I will act so recklessly!


    Was that true? Allow me to sigh quietly.


    I couldnt rx at all since I had seen him raging at the Tsun n during that wedding banquet.


    But if they lost their reason and tried to do anything to you, theres no telling what I might do.


    Dan Lutimughed heartily, and the face of a hunter shed momentarily across his cheerful face.


    I have no qualms about going to war with the Tsun n, but it would be pointless if you died. The most important thing is that you must live. Do you get that, Asuta?


    Dan Lutim seemed uninterested in my business in the Post Station Town.


    He didnt understand Ai Fas, Kan Lutims, and my goal of Letting the denizens of Forest''s Edge live a more prosperous life.


    However, when Kan Lutim told him that the Tsun n seemed to be targeting Asuta, he was so enraged that he wanted to go to the Tsun n vige and tell them off. Thats what Kan Lutim told me.


    I thought he was only infatuated with the taste of spare ribs and didnt care about me at all. I felt ashamed for harboring such thoughts.


    Yes, thank you.


    In return to my embarrassed gratitude, Dan Lutimughed loudly again and pped my back hard.


    Dont worry, the women will protect you in the stove room, leave the other ces to us! Asuta, you just need to rx and prepare a delicious meal!


    His words were filled with strength, and so were his physical actions.


    I thought I heard my ribs creaking, but fortunately, they didnt fracture.


    Hmmp, there is no need to fear the Tsun n, the ones we need to be wary about are their retarded kins. A scrawny man like you is no match for them, so dont ever agitate those people.


    Even though Rau Lei didnt mince his words, he still said that out of concern.


    I never thought the kins of the Wu n would be so friendly to Ai Fa and me.


    Aside from Rau Lei, I had yet to speak with the others. Everyone else had a serious face, and despite the additional work I had imposed on them, no one had anyints.


    They had such an attitude because they didnt want to let the Tsun n act with impunity. Even though Ai Fa and I werent the kins of the Wu n, but, judging from the atmosphere right now, everyone seemed to ept us readily.


    Maybe the reason was the Lutim house wedding banquet Rau Lei mentioned just now.


    When the three stooges from the Tsun n gate tried to crash the Lutim house banquet, all the men were fuming with anger. And some of those men traveling with us now.


    In order to defeat amon enemy, people will be united. This trope also applied to Ai Fa and me.


    If that is the case, it will be even better.


    There werent any misunderstandings between both parties.


    I might not be a kin of these men, but our detest for the Tsun n made us the same.


    As I thought about these matters, Donda Wu who was walking at the head of the group muttered:


    The vige is in sight


    I cast my gaze to the front in a hurry and held my breath a little. I could see a vague image of an incredible structure on the other side of the trees.


    No, that house wasnt big enough for the term structure. It looked like a huge pile of straws in the middle of an empty space. The appearance was simr to a half-cave building from the stone age.


    But the scale of the house was exceptional. It had a dome shaped like an inverted bowl, with a diameter of over 20 m. It might look t from outside, but the peak of the bowl was about two stories high.


    The entrance was a rectangr hole in ck color. The roof on top of the bowl was like a triangr hat, with a square hole right on top for venttion.


    The workmanship was crude, but considering the impoverished state of the Forest''s Edge, erecting such arge building was a testament to the Tsun ns power and influence.


    Thats the Tsun ns Ceremonial Hall.


    Ai Fa exined.


    The house head conference would be conducted in this hall.


    With the Ceremonial Hall as center, more than 10 familiar wooden houses were scattered around the vicinity.


    Wee to the Tsun n vige.


    A man appeared before us nimbly.


    This middle-aged man had his grey hairbed behind him and wore a grey beard. He had a buffed body but had a lifeless and quiet air about him. He was Tay Tsun.


    You are very early. I thought only the hearth caretaker would be here at noon.


    Hmmp, how can the women carry so much baggage by themselves?


    Donda Wu answered Tay Tsun with a deep voice akin to a tremor.


    Take us to the stove room of the main house. We will greet the tribe chief after that.


    Yes Before that, can we collect the tusks and horns from everyone?


    When Yamiel Tsun and I reached an agreement, all the houses were notified to pay a tribute of one kibas worth of tusks and horns when they attend the house head conference.


    In the Post Station Town, tworge tusks and horns could bring in twelve copper tes. This wasnt much for the Fa house, the Wu n, and their kins, but for the smaller houses that could miss meals every so often, this was a matter of life and death.


    Even though the forest had plentiful resources, thendlord of Genos forbade the denizens of Forest''s Edge from foraging fruits in the forest or cultivating thend. They could only exchange the tusks, horns, and hides of kiba for copper tes.


    After all the houses submitted the tusks and horns to the Tsun n, the Tsun n then passed this money to us, the hearth caretakers, as payment. I thought that by asking a fee we only increased the burden on the smaller houses.


    In order to correct the Tsun ns twisted ways, we could only go along with their n.


    In that case, I had to do everything I could to bring them hope that could make up for their losses.


    This way, please


    Tay Tsun epted 8 sets of kiba tusks and horns, strung them all up, and walked to the vige.


    He was as lifeless and meek as usual.


    By the way, I dont think a hunter should be an usher, so why was this man always taking care of such trivial matters?


    Hmm? We dont need to hand over our des?


    ording to the rules in the Wu n vige, I had to hand over my kitchen knife before heading into the stove room. But the Tsun n didnt make such a request.


    Never mind, thats one less hassle to worry about, but it also made me realize that the discipline in the Tsun n was veryx.


    Still as creepy as usual.


    Rau Lei muttered when he walked by me.


    Was heining about Tay Tsun or this vige maybe both? It was almost noon, but I didnt see a single soul.


    I heard no sound of wood being chopped.


    Nor I saw anyone drying pico leaves.


    There werent any women chatting idly or children running around happily.


    It was like a deserted vige.


    As I looked closely along the way, I found therge Ceremonial Hall to be in terrible shape. The structure had been reinforced, but the walls covered in straws were rotting away. There was plenty of rain in Forest''s Edge, so the design of this building wasnt ideal. My guess is that the denizens of Forests Edge used to live in houses like this in olden times when they were still staying in the southern jungle.


    When this building was erected, the Tsun n was still a tribal chief n capable of leading their people down the right path.


    That was my personal opinion. Only the people from Grandma Jibas generation would know if that was true.


    Over here


    Hidden behind the Ceremonial Hall that was like the corpse of a dinosaur, we could see a grand building on par with the Wu n main house.


    This had to be the Tsun n main house. I started turning tense.


    This was the home base of the enemy the base of the nefarious Diga Tsun with whom we experienced numerous bad run-ins.


    Tay Tsun walked in perfect strides like a robot and went to the back of the building.


    This is the stove room.


    The stove room of the Tsun n was just like the Wu n, a small building situated behind the main house.


    The scale matched that of the Wu n too, they also had two outdoor stoves.


    Where are the Tsun ns women?


    Mama Mia Lei asked, and Tay Tsun bowed towards us with his usual hollow eyes.


    Please wait a moment, I will call them over.


    After Tay Tsun disappeared, everyone piled the ingredients at the entrance.


    Over 90 kg of kiba meat.


    More than 400 aria and almost 300 poitan.


    Fruit wine and seasonings such as rock salt and myam.


    Kitchen cutleries and fake rubber leaves to serve food.


    When all the ingredients were piled at the same spot, the amount looked staggering.


    There would be 79 people attending the house head conference, 41 people from the Tsun n vige and 9 hearth caretakers adding ten additional portions for Mida Tsun, there was enough food for 139 pax.


    On the surface, the mens work had concluded. There was still two to three hours of free time before the house head conference began. They nned to stand by around the stove room for now.


    Even after the house head conference begins, the Tsun n branch house members can still move around freely. Asuta, dont get careless now, alright?


    Ai Fa instructed me quietly. She had reminded me of this several times already.


    I understand. No matter what, I wont act alone Ai Fa, you be careful too.


    Hmmp, I wont be in any danger. But I think its a pity that Kan Lutim wont be attending.


    Thats right, Ai Fa had to exin what led her to make the decision of having the Fa house open a business in the Post Station Town. ording to the customs of Forest''s Edge, the eldest son who was the heir had to protect the house when the house head conference was in session, so Kan Lutim was absent today.


    Donda Wu and Dan Lutim wouldnt be much help, and the second son of Lutim house wasnt as well-spoken as Kan Lutim.


    Speaking of which, Kan Lutim was the one who was too special. I had never met anyone in Forest''s Edge who spoke as rationally as he did.


    This was the nature of the denizens of Forest''s Edge. They had strong feelings towards their kin and tribe, so I had never met anyone with a more realist trend in their thinking. Among my small circle of friends, only Kan Lutim and Grandma Jiba was the realist type Jiza Wus, Sati Lei Wus, and Ema Min Lutims personalities also leaned towards being realists.


    It will be fine. The important thing is to convey your feelings to everyone.


    I whispered to Ai Fa.


    No matter how well-spoken people like Kamyua Yost and I might be, I wont be able to convey my feelings to the denizens of Forest''s Edge. You are a member of Forest''s Edge, so you will definitely do better than us.


    How can you say that after spending so much time with me? I dont understand. Never mind, at least you arent refuting my abilities.


    Ai Fa said brusquely, then rubbed her nose.


    I will do my best in my task Asuta, its time for you to work.


    I followed Ai Fas gaze and saw Tay Tsuning from the back of the house again.


    Ten women followed him. One of them hastened her pace, passed Tay Tsun and appeared before Ai Fa and me.


    Ai Fa and Asuta of the Fa house, we have been awaiting your visit. The n head Zuro and my brother Mida had been looking forward to your arrival.


    The eldest daughter of the Tsun n weed us with these words.


    This was the first time we met her inside Forest''s Edge.


    When Yamiel Tsun went to the Post Station Town, she covered her body with veils and shawls. And right now, she was dressed lightly before us, with just a tube top, cloth around her waist and metallic essories on her wrists. Compared to meeting her in town, she looked more beautiful and even more creepy.


    Her brown hair was braided into dreads.


    The corners of her eyes were high and her pupils were ck.


    Her body shape and limbs were long and slender, and her body figure was on par with Vena Wu. However, there was a strong rotting odor on her body.


    Ai Fa and Vena Wu didnt have such a scent.


    The only thing I was better at than the denizens of Forest''s Edge was my keen sense of smell. The denizens of Forest''s Edge not only had outstanding physical abilities, their eyes and ears were exceptionally honed too. However, my sense of smell was still a little better than theirs.


    That was why Yamiel Tsun put me on edge the most. That might not be human blood, but the blood stench from her did obviously make me ufortable.


    By the way, I need to inform you something.


    Yamiel Tsun said with a cold smile:


    The payment to the Fa house will be 36 kiba worth of tusks and horns instead of 40. Can I seek your kind understanding about that?


    What? We can only decide after listening to the reason.


    Its very simple. During this past year, the number of houses had decreased from 40 to 36. Four houses had died out, or joined other houses before dying out Thus, you may decrease the number of portions to prepare by 8, and we hope to amend the remuneration to 36 kiba worth of tusks and horns.


    Compared to an increase, it is definitely easier to handle a decrease in numbers. But an agreement between denizens of Forest''s Edge cant be amended so easily, right?


    Indeed, thats why we are sincerely asking for your understanding.


    What sincerity? Dont make meugh. I shrugged. They definitely had a way of informing us once they knew the number of houses had decreased. Her words reeked of so much hypocrisy that I felt retarded for treating her seriously.


    However, I could only fight within my own realm.


    We have no intentions of carrying this huge amount of luggage back either. However, we will need the Wu n and Lutim house to agree to this, since we will be splitting the remuneration equally.


    The money isnt important. Lets get right to work.


    Mama Mia Lei wasnt fazed at all and walked in front of Yamiel Tsun.


    Yamiel Tsun nced at her coldly and seemed disinterested.


    Asuta of the Fa house, I will leave the rest to you. You can order these 15 women around as you wish.


    Fifteen, that was quite a big number.


    I heard the Tsun n vige had 41 people, and they seemed to have gathered all the women. After looking at them


    I was dumbstruck.


    Whats going on?


    It was a group of Forest''s Edge women of various ages.


    The eldest was around 50, while the youngest was ten. There was a mixture of wed and unwed women. There was nothing strange with their appearance.


    However, all their eyes looked nk and hollow.


    Be it middle-aged housewives or young children, their eyes were all murky just like Diga Tsuns.


    The womens brown faces didnt have any expression. I couldnt feel the unique energy and life force of the Forest''s Edge denizens from them. They didnt seem to have any problems with their health and body. They didnt look skinny or sickly. Instead, the women wereckluster and lifeless.


    Be it the Post Station Town, or the world I was from I had never met anyone as lifeless as them who resembled wed mud dolls, standing nkly in ce.


    I have other works to attend to, so I will take my leave now Ah, the n head is still resting, would the men please visit himter?


    Yamiel Tsun turned and left after showing a venomous snake-like smile.


    As if it was expected, Tay Tsun followed her.


    After seeing them off, Mama Mia Lei pped loudly.


    Alright, everyone, go bring in the ingredients. Please start with the poitan!


    Tsun n didnt answer and walked slowly towards us.


    They werent particrly slow, but the entire group looked like walking corpse.


    Who was that disgusting woman?


    Dan Lutim muttered unhappily as he stood behind us.


    Even though he seemed to be saying to himself, I still answered:


    She is the eldest daughter of the main house, Yamiel Tsun.


    A woman from the main house, huh. She seemed morepetent than the three stooges, but I dont want to eat dinner with anyone who has such an awful stench.


    Ehh?


    I looked up at Dan Lutims huge body in surprise, and he kept twitching his round nose.


    Why was the smell of rotting blood on that woman? She looked so scrawny and didnt seem to be doing any skinning work.


    Dan Lutim, your nose is really sharp.


    Hmm? When I enter the woods, I can determine where the kiba is with my nose. In the Lutim house, only me and my father Raa can do that.


    He shook his tummy proudly and rubbed his round nose.


    Anyway, I dont like her. I despise everyone from the Tsun n, but I find her exceptionally detestable. Asuta, you must never trust that woman.


    Yes, I agree with youpletely.


    I nodded and grabbed a sack of poitan.


    I then turned towards Ai Fa.


    Alright then, Im off to work Lets both work hard.


    Ai Fa nodded silently with a serious face.


    The curtains to our battle at the Tsun n were drawn quietly.


    2


    There were eight women from the Wu n and Lutim house who came with me to the Tsun n to help.


    The Tsun n dispatched 15 women to assist.


    We had to prepare 130 portions of meal, so the numbers were adequate. The question was the quality of the helpers.


    Ermm, who here is from the Tsun n?


    I asked after carrying all the poitan and cooking wares into the stove room.


    As the stove room was too cramped for 24 people, I shifted my base to the entrance of the stove room.


    Ai Fa, Donda Wu, and the others sat on the ground some distance away, keeping a close eye on the stove room as they chewed on jerky.


    No one from the main house is here.


    One of the older women answered in a monotone voice.


    Is that so? That is troubling. For the sake of Mida Tsun, I wanted the women from the main house to learn how to cook these dishes.


    Whats the matter?


    The women from the main house dont need to tend to the hearth.


    Ehh? Then who tends to their hearth?


    We tend to the hearth in their stead.


    I see But there are three women in the main house, right?


    Kan Lutim once told me that aside from the eldest daughter Yamiel Tsun, the Tsun n main house had one more daughter. The third female was the spouse of the n head.


    That woman only repeated: We tend to the hearth in their stead.


    Alright, I understand. Well then, lets get started First, start the fire in all the stoves. I only see four pots, can you get three more from the branch houses?


    The women from the Tsun n didnt answer and started moving slowly.


    Vena Wu whispered to me as she looked at their lifeless figures:


    This is really unsettling Maybe it will be more efficient if we just tend to the hearth without them.


    Yes. But we cant do that, which is a problem.


    There were many factors which made us decide to let the Tsun n women learn my cooking techniques.


    First, since Mida Tsun had no immunity towards delicious food, they would need to satiate his appetite.


    Next, even though Asuta from the Fa house was capable of cooking delicious meals, it shouldnt mean that I was a unique existence. We had to let the head of the Tsun n Zuro Tsun understand this.


    Finally, delicious food could bring more strength to the denizens of Forest''s Edge and lead to a more prosperous life. We had to let all the house heads know this.


    However, given how lifeless these women were, could I teach them how to cook?


    Compared to the wedding banquet for the Lutim house, tending the Tsun ns hearth was an extremely arduous task.


    Please pour in water until the pots are six tenths full. Make the fire bigger When the water boils, put in 40 poitan into each pot.


    There were five stoves in the room, and I assigned ten Tsun n women, the three Wu n sisters, and Tali Wu there.


    I let the five Tsun n women and the Lutim housedies handle the two stoves outside.


    This wasnt just to instruct the Tsun n women, but also for the Wu n to watch their every move. We had to make sure they didnt sabotage the food. As the Tsun n would be eating them, so it was unlikely for them to poison the food. Yet, we had to be extra careful when dealing with the Tsun n.


    When the poitan starts drying, please stir it, keeping in mind not to burn it Alright then, lets check the next steps.


    I asked Mama Mia Lei and Sh Wu toe to the stove room entrance.


    ording to the n, we should be using the branch houses stove to make meat soup after the poitan is done. Vena Wu and L Wu will team up with me. Mia Lei Wu, Ema Min Lutim, and Molun Lutim will be in another team. Sh Wu, Leina Wu, and Tali Wu will be the third team, is that fine?


    Thats fine. But you want to leave the dried poitan here while we are cooking soup, right? That worries me the most.


    I feel uneasy too, but we cant prepare such arge amount of food in one ce. We can only check the taste of the dishes frequently to make sure they are not pulling any pranks.


    Thats true but why are all the women from the Tsun n like this


    Before Mama Mia Lei finished, the yell of men came from outside.


    I followed the origin of the sound and found several unfamiliar men beside Donda Wu and the others.


    Uwah what is that?


    Even from this distance, I could clearly see the weird outfit of that group.


    Six men were yelling at Donda Wus entourage.


    Four of them wore kiba hides over their heads, while the other two were actually wearing kiba skulls.


    They are from the northern side of Forest''s Edge. The ones with hides are from the Zaza and Jean houses. The ones wearing skulls are from the Dom house They all are the Tsun ns kins.


    So they are the Tsun ns kins


    Thats right, in a sense, they are more troublesome than the Tsun n. They are even more short-tempered than our n head.


    Ehh? They are more stubborn than Donda Wu!?


    After saying that, I thought to myself This is the end.


    The wife of the stubborn n headughed cheerfully.


    Their heads are as hard as rocks, and still swear their allegiance to the chief n. The Dom and Zaza viges are at the northernmost end and some distance away from the Tsun n, so they dont realize how depraved the chief n has be.


    I see Thats really tricky.


    Thats right, what a pain. They might even think the Wu n and Fa house are disrupting the peace in Forest''s Edge by going against the chief n.


    That would be really, really problematic.


    I had gotten cocky since the men from the Tsun n main house were all mob characters. I even thought that Donda Wu and Dan Lutim wont ever lose to them even if the Tsun n acted with impunity.


    The fierce and intimidating Tsun kins got right in the faces of the Wu ns men.


    The men wearing hides and skulls were as buffed as Donda Wu and Dan Lutim. They looked like giant kiba standing on their hind legs because of the outrageous get-up they were in.


    They showed no fear even though the six of them were going up against Donda Wus entourage of 15. I didnt know why they were so agitated, but the atmosphere was really tense.


    Uwah, I already told you to be careful not to burn them!


    At this moment, L Wus panicking voice could be heard.


    You cant just stir mindlessly! Enough, move over for now!


    Ohh.


    The other party respondedcklusterly.


    I stole a nce at the stove room and saw L Wu snatching the spat from a young Tsun n girl and starting to struggle with the poitan in the pot.


    Sorry, Asuta! The poitan is badly burned! Should we move the pot away for now?


    Yes, otherwise the charred part would be mixed with the parts that are still fine. Shift it down even if its not all done


    Uwah!


    At this moment, there was a sudden scream.


    Followed by the sound of something heavy falling onto the ground.


    It came from outside.


    Mama Mia Lei and I rushed out and saw Molun Lutim sitting on the ground and Ema Min Lutim standing beside them with a troubled look. Most of the poitan in the pot had been spilled. Two Tsun n women were standing nkly with a krilee stick used for carrying heavy items at the side.


    Ema Min Lutim, what happened?


    Ah, Asuta, sorry. Our poitan have dried, so I asked them to bring the pot down, and this happened.


    While Ema Min Lutim was nursing her temple as if she had a headache, Molun Lutim who was sitting beside a middle-ageddy roared:I was almost scalded!. Her usually amiable face was now red with anger.


    Why is your posture so unsteady? How can you tend to the hearth if you cant even move a pot!?


    She resembled her father when she was raging.


    Ohh.


    The Tsun n women nodded with their usual lifeless expression.


    This will be a long day.


    Mama Mia Lei sighed deeply beside me.


    The house heads are having a hard time, but we cant spare the effort to worry about them. The Tsun n women cant even handle the simplest poitan, can we really ask them to prepare the meat soup and steaks?


    Thats right. I need to rethink this.


    I wanted to see how capable the Tsun n women were with this dish, but it seems that I couldnt afford to take things so easily.


    After stealing ast nce at Ai Fas group who were facing off against the Tsun ns kins, I returned to the stove room.


    L Wu! Bring the pot with the burned poitan here! And thedle from the water sk too Sh Wu, take over L Wus role and assist Leina Wu.


    Alright.


    I ced the pot brought by L Wu and a Tsun n woman together with the pot from team Lutim.


    Use thedle to move the poitan that isnt burned into this pot. Then bring another new pot, no, two new pots over. We will use one of those pots to rece the spilled and charred poitan.


    From the looks of things, It might be lucky that the Tsun n canceled 8 orders of food.


    We did bring extra ingredients in case any mistakes were made, but I didnt expect such a huge mishap.


    Are they doing this intentionally to hold us back?  Probably not.


    It would make sense if they could shift some me to us for the mistakes, but all they were doing was wasting food and getting all the me.


    I thought they were just hopelesslycking in motivation.


    Alright, lets use all the poitan we brought today. L Wu, please demonstrate and handle everything.


    Yes, I dont want to waste more poitan Why are all of you looking so listless, just what do you think these important ingredients are? These are poitan bought with kiba tusks and horns, which the men risked their lives to obtain.


    Sorry


    After L Wu lectured them angrily, the Tsun n women apologized emotionlessly.


    I walked back to the stove room with those not involved here. Aside from the pot L Wu was in charge of, everyone else had finished their tasks.


    But Vena Wu and Leina Wu looked a little dejected.


    These poitan have dried up, right? Then please shift the pot outside to a sunny spot! Be careful and dont spill it!


    A few secondster, the Tsun n women grabbed the krilee sticks.


    When everyone brought the pots outside and L Wu finished the additional portions, I gathered everyone to the stove room entrance again.


    Poitan that had been dried needs to be sunned until all the moisture is gone. Meanwhile, we will prepare the kiba and aria soup. Before we work on the soup, I want to confirm the work we need to do Would thedies from the Tsun n pleasee into the stove room.


    I nced at the women moving silently, then grabbed a sack of kiba meat piled beside the door.


    Vena Wu, can youe with me? Everyone else, please watch by the door.


    Even though the Tsun ns stove room could rival that of the Wu n, it was crowded with Vena Wu, 15 Tsun n women, and me inside.


    The other members who couldnt squeeze into the stove room made faces that seemed to say What are you trying to do?


    I ced the sack on the working tform near the stove and surveyed the women who were lined up.


    This is the kiba meat we brought from the Wu n and Lutim house. We will be cooking dinner with it.


    The Tsun n women looked at me absentmindedly, their eyes were like dead fish.


    This meat had been specially processed to remove its stench. I am selling food made from this meat in a stall in the Post Station Town, have you heard about that?


    No.


    I asked a woman standing near me, and she answered.


    I see. Then do you know the background on why I who has no rtions with the Tsun n was asked to tend to the hearth here?


    I dont know.


    Okay. Ten days ago, the youngest son of the Tsun n visited my stall and bought my food. He rather liked my cooking. And so, the head of the Tsun n Zuro Tsun asked me to tend to the hearth, even if it was just for one night.


    The women didnt have any reactions.


    They didnt seem to be very afraid of the members from the Tsun n main house.


    I have to prepare food that will satisfy Mida Tsun. But that will be meaningless if it is only for one night, right? Since you will be tending to the Tsun ns hearth every night, I hope you can learn to cook delicious meals Are you willing to do so?


    I passed the topic to anotherdy.


    The older woman answered in an emotionless tone:


    I have no reason to decline.


    I see do you want to try eating delicious food?


    I dont know what that means.


    I see, what about you?


    I turned my attention to the young girl beside her.


    We need to be thankful for all the food, the taste doesnt matter.


    This was the model answer in Forest''s Edge.


    Ai Fa, the Wu n, and Lutim house all felt the same way in the beginning.


    You are absolutely right. But as you see, Im from a foreignnd. In my hometown, I worked as a chef. My job is to cook delicious food. As the head of the Tsun n will be paying me, I have to finish this job no matter what.


    I looked at another woman.


    Will you help meplete this job?


    We have already promised Yamiel Tsun that we will help you.


    Thank you, everyone But things had blown up now, so not only do I need to prepare dinner for Mida Tsun and the main house of the Tsun n, I also need to serve the participants of the house head conference too, as well as the Tsun n branch houses that means you and your family.


    And finally, I took out a pack of meat from the sack.


    I opened the fake rubber tree leaves andid out the meat covered in pico leaves onto the working tform.


    This was a kibas right rear thigh meat.


    Vena Wu, can you heat the pot up with a strong fire?


    Yes, got it


    While she was heating the pot, I started slicing the meat with the Santoku knife.


    Even though I bought the Semu made kitchen knife, I still needed to use this Santoku knife when cutting meat.


    You might be uninterested in delicious food, but my job is to let everyone enjoy a delicious meal. Its fate that we get to work together, so I hope we can get along well.


    Are you angry because we burned the food and dropped the pot onto the ground?


    The oldest woman whose hair was half white asked in a calm voice.


    If that made you unhappy, I will apologize you. We will be more careful and not repeat the mistake.


    You dont need to apologize, I just hope everyone can work hard together.


    I observed that womans exhausted face.


    Why do all your faces look so lifeless? Do you hate tending to the hearth? Or are you unwilling to help a foreigner like me?


    No one is unhappy about this job


    It felt like I was talking to an old dog that refused tomunicate.


    These women were just like Tay Tsun.


    That listless and uncaring Tay Tsun who didnt show any emotions.


    Speaking of which Tay Tsun and these women are from the branch house.


    From what I knew, the Tsun n main house members didnt look so dead.


    There must be a huge gulf between the main house and branch houses.


    I didnt know the reason, but if this goes on, our work would end in failure.


    Asuta, the pot is heated


    Thank you.


    I put down my knife.


    I then held a kiba thigh meat, which was about 5 mm thick, high up before the Tsun n women.


    Im going to grill this meat. I only seasoned it with pico leaves. The fats on the meat are equally spread out, I will grill it right now.


    I announced as I ced the meat into the pot.


    There were 15 pieces of meat.


    The aroma of the meat spread in the stove room along with white smoke.


    Vena Wu, a te and spoon, please.


    Yes


    The slices of meat were thin and were cooked in no time.


    I moved all the meat onto the te and offered it to the eldest woman.


    Please taste one piece of meat. This is kiba meat after bloodletting.


    The woman ate the grilled meat with the spoon.


    She didnt show any emotions, but her eyebrows twitched a little.


    The next woman had no reaction.


    The third closed her eyes quickly.


    The fourth opened her eyes slightly wider.


    The fifth didnt react.


    Everyone had different reactions.


    The one who reacted the strongest was the youngest girl who was about ten.


    She frowned uneasily and looked at her kins on both sides of her.


    But no one responded to her.


    I dont know if this meat suited your taste, but you can tell it is different, right? The Wu n and Lutim house think this meat is delicious. In my time in Forest''s Edge, I often heard people say that There is no distinction between food being tasty or not. But I think if we are going to eat, we should try to eat delicious food.


    That was all I had to say.


    They would need to experience the rest personally.


    We will be preparing more delicacies. In order to let Mida Tsun eat delectable food, I hope everyone can help Well then, I want everyone to split into three groups to prepare the next dish.


    3


    When I left the stove room, the men were gone.


    Where did they go? As I was pondering about that, Leina Wu came over quietly.


    The men went to the Ceremonial Hall. There is still some time before the house head conference begins, but the kins of the Tsun n wereining due to them loitering around the vige with des on them.


    I see.


    I nodded.


    Asuta, what should we do next?


    We will stick to the n and split into three groups to prepare Kiba meat soup. From then on, I hope you all can let the Tsun n women taste-test the dishes at every critical stage of the cooking process.


    Taste-testing?


    Yes. And please talk to them when you are working, even idle chatter is fine. The mood is important when cooking. If they continue to cook lifelessly, the dishes will taste nd.


    Ah I understand that. The dish will turn delicious if the one cooking wants to make the food delicious.


    You are absolutely right.


    I nodded firmly, and Leina smiled blissfully.


    I get it. We are too tense because they are from the Tsun n. As fellow women of Forest''s Edge, we all wish for the men to taste delicious food. I will work with them with this thought in mind.


    Leina Wu was smarter and more considerate than others.


    I told the same thing to Mama Mia Lei and Sh Wu and met up with my team members.


    My team consisted of Vena Wu and L Wu.


    Well then, would thedies from the Tsun n please divide into three groups. Please try to team up with your family and people you are familiar with.


    We formed groups of eight, with 5 Tsun n women and three people from our side in each group. We brought the aria and meat we needed and headed to the stove room of the branch houses.


    Lets cut the aria. Please cut them into crescent shapes, like this.


    Every portion of Kiba meat souprequired two aria and around 150 g of kiba meat.


    Each group would need to prepare 44 portions of meat soup, which was 88 aria and 6.6 kg of kiba meat.


    By the way, we are preparing ten portions for Mida Tsun because he is so big. But isnt ten portions of soup a bit too much?


    I said to a woman from the Tsun n. I was more cheerful than how I acted in the Post Station Town while operating the stall.


    The woman cutting aria answered listlessly:


    Well I dont know


    Never mind, its better to have leftovers instead of having not enough. I nned to make the presentation better Is Mida Tsun at home? Or in the woods?


    Well I dont know


    I never met the head of the Tsun n Zuro Tsun before. He is not just the head of the Tsun n, but also the tribal chief of Forest''s Edge. What kind of person is he?


    Zuro Tsun is a great man...


    Was this a waste of effort?


    Vena Wu and L Wu couldnt find anything to talk about either and turned quiet.


    I decided to change my goal.


    Hey, what do you think about the meat just now?


    That girl who was about ten was in my group.


    She chopped the aria mechanically and nced at me.


    It tastespletely different from normal kiba.


    I know, right? We let out all the blood from a kiba before it dies, then took out its innards with proper steps. That way, we can eat the delicious torso meat on the kiba.


    Yes


    Does the Tsun n discard the torso of the kiba into the forest too? Kiba thigh does taste nice, but there are many parts of the torso that are delicious too.


    The girl shook her head expressionlessly.


    We dont throw away the torso.


    Ehh?


    We eat the head and the torso Compared to thigh meat, these parts have a stronger stench.


    Oh so thats how it is.


    I said in an amiable tone, but a sense of dissonance was growing in my heart.


    So even the Tsun n branch house eats the head and torso of kiba Isnt that strange?


    Ai Fa said the Tsun n hogged all the prize money from Genos and didnt fulfill their duties as hunters properly. This meant that the Tsun n used the prize money to buy aria and poitan, and when they hunted down a kiba, they ate the entire thing. Was that their diet? In that case, they could minimize their work as hunters and spend their time leisurely.


    But only the Tsun n main house would do that, right?


    Were the branch house of the Tsun n living azy and depraved life too?


    After thinking about it, this assumption was too unrealistic.


    After I started running my business in the Post Station Town, I obtained the habit of calcting the expenses.


    Was the prize money from Genos so grand?


    After taking on this job, I learned the number of people in the Tsun n.


    The Tsun n main house had eight people, together with the 33 members of the branch houses, their n consisted of 41 people.


    Assuming none of them hunted any kiba.


    The minimum requirement is two aria and three poitan a day. That would be 1.2 red copper tes.


    For 41 people, that would be 49.2 red copper tes.


    ording to Kan Lutim, Genos gave out prize money every three months.


    Three months was ny days, and the Tsun n would need 4428 red copper tes during this time.


    In order to obtain the minimal amount of meat, they would need to hunt kiba. I included the meat into my calction.


    Assuming 500 g of kiba meat for each person, and 40 kg of meat from each kiba They just had to hunt one kiba every two days to feed everyone.


    If they sell the kiba tusks, horns, and hide, they can earn 24 red copper tes every couple of days.


    Thats 360 red copper tes per month.


    And 1080 red copper tes in three months.


    Deducting 1080 red copper tes from the 4428 red copper tes, there would be 3348 red copper tes left.


    3348 red copper tes every three months meant 13,392 red copper tes a year.


    If the 41 people wanted to enjoy life every day, they would need such a huge amount of red copper tes a year.


    Kamyua Yost once said that the prize money was trivial.


    And Ai Fa responded:Thats why the Tsun n hogged the prize money.


    But  could this amount be considered trivial?


    And this was the sum needed for the Tsun n to survive. The Tsun n main house members werent living such frugal lives.


    Doddo Tsun drank himself silly with fruit wine in the afternoon.


    Mida Tsun had an allowance of ten red copper tes every month.


    Besides, they also had to maintain their des and buy misceneous items such as clothing too.


    Hence, the Tsun n wasnt just surviving on the prize money alone, and also hunted plenty of kiba but that girl just said that they would eat the head and torso of the kiba, which contradicted that.


    Looking at it another way, if the prize money was lower than my earlier estimate, that meant the Tsun n had to hunt more than one kiba a day. Then there would definitely be excess meat.


    I felt uneasy.


    The entire thing felt off.


    I was starting to understand why the eyes of the branch house members looked so dead. I thought they were lifeless because the Tsun n main house kept all the prize money to themselves, and forced the branch house members to keep it a secret. Maybe that wasnt the case?


    Asuta, the aria is done...


    Vena Wus voice pulled me back to reality.


    Alright, we will then take care of the kiba meat. I will use the kiba thigh meat and loin meat for soup.


    I shook my head slowly and focused on the task before me.


    I didnt know how much the prize money was, or how many kiba the Tsun n actually hunted. I wouldnt get an answer no matter how hard I thought about it.


    But I still saved this doubt in a corner of my mind.


    Like the meat slices I cut earlier, please distribute the white fats when you cut the meat, it should be about this thick.


    No one answered.


    I suggested that we should chat idly with the Tsun n women, but this was the first time we met, and they had such a lifeless attitude, so what should we talk about? I decided to y dumb and ask them about the situation within the Tsun n main house. As I was thinking about that


    Uwah!


    L Wu yelled.


    T-That surprised me! Who are you and when did youe in!?


    I was here a long while ago. You are the one who is slow for not realizing my presence.


    She spoke with a sharp voice like birds chirping.


    I was shocked too. An intruder suddenly appeared in the stove room that had eight people.


    That was a petite girl.


    I couldnt tell her age.


    She was a head shorter than L Wu, in other words, her height was at most 130 cm.


    The limbs and body of the girl were skinny, but her head was disproportionatelyrge. Her brown hair was tied at the top of her head, resembling an onion.


    She hadrge eyes with small pupils that had a dangerous glint in them. Her nose and mouth were small, and her chin had a shape of a sharp triangle.


    She was wearing a one-piece dress on her small body for some reason. The dress had swirly patterns, which were the type of clothing found in the city.


    So you are the foreigner living in the Fa house?


    She stared at me with her sanpaku eyes.


    Hmmm, from your appearance, you are a citizen of the west, right? But you have the hair of an easterner, are you a mixed blood from the east and west?


    No, I came from a nation even further away. Who are you?


    I could already guess her identity.


    If the stereotype Tsun n main house people are proud and arrogant was correct, the answer was obvious.


    The girls answer was just what I expected.


    Im the youngest daughter of the Tsun n Zwei Tsun Isnt it basic courtesy to introduce yourself when you ask someone else for their names?


    Ahh, Im Asuta from the Fa house. Are you here to help?


    I just said that when the little girl called Zwei furrowed her brows a little and admonished me:


    Why should the main house member help in the stove room? Thats the work of the branch house, right? Dont say something so ridiculous!


    Is that so? So the Tsun n had such a rule.


    Seeing that a member of the main house had shown up, I raised my guard to the highest level. However, the little girl was different from her siblings, and didnt leave too bad of an impression on me.


    She didnt seem kind or honest, but her humorous appearance felt approachable. Just looking at her gave me a sense of deja vu. Wasnt there a character like this in a manga or an anime?


    Hmmp! Very well, I forgive you since youre a foreigner Hmm? Is this the magical kiba meat?


    No, Im not a magician.


    What are you saying!? Didnt you sell the kiba meat in the Post Station Town of Genos!? The people in the city absolutely detest kiba meat, so you must have cast some spell on them!


    She screamed hysterically, then narrowed her eyes and red at me.


    Are you really a man who earned 200 copper tes in one day? I find that hard to believe


    In that case, then dont believe that.


    Enough idle talk, answer me properly! And dont lie, I will know the truth if I just check!


    She might be approachable, but she sure is noisy.


    How did everyone feel when watching a scene like this? I looked around me


    Vena Wu squinted her eyes sleepily and stared at the intruders profile.


    L Wu frowned unhappily and red at her too.


    And the women from the branch houses hung their head lifelessly and cut the meat quietly. They didnt react when they saw Zwei Tsun.


    Hey How long have you run your business in the Post Station Town?


    Zwei Tsun came near to pressure me.


    Mida started crying nonstop since ten days ago. Which means you have operated for at least ten straight days, right?


    Around there.


    I actually worked consecutively in the Post Station Town for 13 days and took one day off in between. But I had no obligation to tell her all these details.


    Ten days in a row! Assuming you earn 200 red copper tes a day, you have earned 2,000 copper tes now!


    No, half of our revenue is used to buy ingredients, and I didnt earn 200 red copper tes right at the beginning either.


    I quickly corrected her, but she wasnt listening.


    The eyes of the girl had turned into apletely different person.


    What was going on? Her eyes were shining with obsession, like a famished beast.


    2,000 red copper tes Thats 200 white copper tes And in silver tes? Two silver tes!


    Ah, well, like I said, not all the copper tes we earned belong to me...


    This is like a dream! With you around, the Fa house wont have to worry about copper tes for the rest of their lives! Hmmp, so its true...


    Wait! Can you let me exin? Whats so great about copper tes?


    Whats so great? The point of living is to earn copper tes. You are the number one hero in the Forest''s Edge! You earn 200 red copper tes a day, which is more than hunting 8 kiba! I even added the money from tanning the hide in!


    This girl was good at mathematics, which was impressive.


    The obsession in her eyes was it her obsession for copper tes?


    You think people live for the sake of earning copper tes? That doesnt sound like something a denizen of Forest''s Edge should say. The hunters in Forest''s Edge are hunting kiba for the sake of protecting the farms in Genos, right?


    What are you preaching? The hunters are hunting kiba for the sake of copper tes! If any hunter refutes that, then he doesnt have the right to sell kiba tusks and horns! No matter what you say, men cant live without copper tes!


    What you say is true but


    If the number of kiba increases, they will attack the farms and trouble the farmers? Because the kiba will ravage the crops? And the farmers wont be able to earn copper tes by selling their crops? See, in the end, its all for the sake of copper tes! Humans are living in order to earn copper tes! If we dont do that, we can only abandon the gods and live as savages in the Morga mountain!


    Savages were a type of humanoid thatpeted with Barb wolves and Madarama snakes for supremacy in the Morga mountain.


    Anyway, this Zwei Tsun girl didnt have any pride and dignity of a denizen of Forest''s Edge.


    May I ask I dont think its true, but is your mother from the city?


    Huh? You are talking nonsense again! How is it possible for someone from the city to marry into Forest''s Edge!


    Indeed. But your clothes are simr in style with the people in the city. And the way you speak is like the people there too.


    Thats because I dont like the clothes in Forest''s Edge, so I modified this dress.


    Zwei Tsun pouted her lower lips unhappily.


    The obsession in her eyes finally started dimming.


    At this moment, I suddenly remembered. Back in the days, there was an anime about a hippo-like fairy, and Zwei Tsun was like the noisy girl who appeared there.


    Never mind Compared to the others in the Tsun n, her personality isnt that bad.


    I might be thinking that way because I wasnt a real denizen of Forest''s Edge.


    If she was from the city, I wouldnt feel any dislike for her even if I couldnt understand her. At the most, I would just shrug and think:Theres no need to be so obsessed with money.


    However, her thinking was too strange for a denizen of Forest''s Edge.


    Vena Wu squinted her eyes and appeared to be more on guard.


    L Wu looked extremely unhappy too.


    If anyone refuted the pride of hunters, they would lose the respect of the denizens of Forest''s Edge.


    Excuse me We have cut all the meat


    One of the branch house women said emotionlessly.


    They all ignored Zwei Tsun.


    Thank you, everyone. Well then, lets start the fire in the stoves.


    We poured the water from the sk into the pot and lighted the firewood with rana grass.


    While we waited for the water to boil, Zwei Tsun didnt shut up.


    Really now! After Mida ate your cooking, he kept making a scene every day! He did quiet down if we fed him, but he nheless started crying when he got hungry! Of course, Diga and Doddo got mad! You probably didnt want toe here, but you caused this problem, so you better take responsibility!


    Responsibility, huh By the way, did you all really chain him up?


    Hmm? When he started throwing fits, he almost went to town by himself, so maybe thats true.


    You arent sure either? At least you didnt see him getting chained up, right?


    I didnt. Only Yamiels house has chains.


    Yamiel Tsuns house?


    Did Yamiel Tsun move out from the main house? Isnt she wearing the garments of an unwed woman?


    She isnt married. But we have too many houses, so Yamiel and Diga have their own houses.


    I see. In that case, the only one who could chain up Mida Tsun and restrict his movement would be Yamiel Tsun.


    How strange. I felt great difort when I heard about this from Yamiel Tsun, but then, I wasnt that bothered when I listened to this girl describe this event. Maybe I will get along unexpectedly well with Zwei Tsun.


    As I was tidying my thoughts, the water started to boil.


    Alright, please put the kiba meat into the pot There will be white foam forming on the surface, please scoop it out with a spoon. The soup will taste delicious if you do that.


    It had been a long time since I instructed others to cook Kiba meat soup.


    L Wu was teaching two Tsun n women at the other pot, while Vena Wu and I were training the other three.


    By the way, how old are you, Zwei Tsun? Im seventeen.


    I asked while the soup was cooking, and Zwei Tsun pouted her lower lips unhappily.


    Im twelve. What about it?


    No, I was wondering whether you are older than Mida Tsun.


    She was too petite for a twelve-year-old, and I didnt expect such a young child to say something like:People live for the sake of earning copper tes, which surprised me.


    Hmmp How can I be older than Mida? I was born after Midas mother passed away.


    Ehh?


    Midas mother died during childbirth. My mother only gave birth to me.


    Ah is that so?


    Many hunters die young because of the nature of their work. So I have heard of many women who lost their husband remarry But it was the opposite for the Tsun n main house.


    What Zwei Tsun said next shocked me.


    Yamiels mother died shortly after childbirth. So did Diga Tsun and Doddo Tsuns mother. Only my mother lived for so long, how strange. My mother isnt that strong though.


    Ehh? So all of you have different mothers?


    Thats right. What about it?


    Nothing But I didnt know the women of Forest''s Edge are so short-lived.


    Hmm? The Tsun n is probably cursed.


    Zwei Tsun shrugged when she said something so terrible and didnt seem concerned.


    Maybe they didnt long for this boring world All of you always show such lifeless expressions, you wont live long if you keep frowning your faces.


    Thetter half of her words was directed at the women from the branch house.


    They just kept on scooping the foams and grunted absent-mindedly in reply.


    Ah how annoying! I will feel moody just by staying with you all!


    You can leave then


    Vena Wu couldnt help saying that.


    You have no intention of tending to the stove, so you dont need to be here, right? Just what do you want?


    Hmmp! I only came here to see the number one hero in the Forest''s Edge!


    Zwei Tsun looked up and red at the sexy face high above her.


    Before the foreigner Asuta appeared, the number one hero in Forest''s Edge was the n head Zuro! Thats why the Tsun n can rule over Forest''s Edge...! But in the future, it might be the Fa house who will rule Forest''s Edge.


    Looks like I cant converse with you properly


    Hmmp! Because you havent seen the truth of this world yet!


    With these words, Zwei Tsun dashed nimbly out of the stove room.


    For quite a long while, an unbearable silence shrouded the room.


    The Tsun n main house sure has interesting people.


    I said to a branch house woman, and she answered curtly with a Yes..


    Zwei Tsun was easier to get along with.


    Okay, after scooping up the foam, cover it with a lid and wait for a moment. We will cook it with a small fire, then add in the aria.


    One of the women picked up a squarish board to cover the pot.


    But the board slid from her hands and fell into the pot.


    Ah!


    The youngest girl screamed and backed away.


    The boiling soup sshed onto the girls face and arm.


    Hyaa!


    The girl crashed onto the working tform, and some of the cut aria fell to the ground.


    Now wasnt the time to care about the aria. I quickly grabbed thedle in the water sk.


    Are you alright!? Dont move!


    I yelled loudly and sshed the water in thedle onto the girl.


    It was a crude way to do this, but I had no choice.


    Ahh


    The girl lost her strength and copsed onto the ground.


    Are you okay? Did it get into your eye?


    Its fine


    The girl pursed her lips tightly as she held her left arm.


    Her left shoulder, upper arm, left cheeks, and throat were all red.


    Uwah, that looks painful! Here, hurry and cool it.


    L Wu pressed a piece of wet cloth onto the girls cheek.


    Thank you


    The girl lowered her eyelids weakly.


    Sorry, Tulu Tsun


    At this moment, an emotionless voice came from above.


    Are you really sorry!? What are you going to do if it leaves a scar on her face!?


    L Wu blew her top and stood up.


    She always had a short fuse, but this was the first time I saw her this mad.


    The woman who made the mistake stood at the side with a nk expression. Tulu Tsun pulled L Wus arm and said:


    Im fine Its my fault, I shouldnt be dozing off there And I dirtied the precious aria Im very sorry


    The aria doesnt matter No, the aria is important too!


    L Wu scratched her head, and I sighed deeply.


    We had stepped on the aria that was spilled, and most of it couldnt be used again.


    It cant be helped. We will cut more aria to make up for the shortage. Never mind that, Im worried about your injury, you should put some medicine on it.


    Its fine We cant waste the precious medicine for such a small injury


    But


    Its really fine Thank you


    Tulu Tsun looked at us with tearful eyes.


    Her eyes were wavering uneasily butpared to her dead fish-like eyes, this made her more human.


    Looks like we will need to cut ten more aria I will get more from the main houses stove room


    No need.


    I shook my head in response to Vena Wu.


    Aside from me, I didnt want the other women to move alone if they could help it.


    The main house is too far away, lets use the aria from this house first. Ermm, whose house is this?


    At this moment, Tulu who was squatting before me said:


    This is my house


    I see. Excuse me, can you share ten aria with me? I will return the same amount to youter.


    We dont have any aria


    Ehh?


    We had just used up all our aria Sorry


    The light in Tulu Tsuns eyes faded away rapidly.


    Just like clear water contaminated by mud.


    I looked at her eyes that had turned murky again, then turned to the woman who toppled the pot lid.


    What about your house, can you share some aria with us? Your house is closer than the main house, right?


    Sorry The aria in our house is used up too


    I stood up and looked at the other threedies one by one.


    Anyones house is fine, can you lend us some aria?


    Sorry


    Our house has run out of aria too


    If there wasnt a house head conference, we were nning to buy some from town


    I see.


    I smiled gently.


    Im surprised that the aria in all the houses had run out. Is it the custom in the Tsun n to buy more groceries after all the ingredients had run out?


    Yes...


    By the way, can I borrow some poitan?


    No The poitan is used up too


    I see.


    I said again.


    Alright then, lets take the aria we brought here. We brought extra aria with us, so its not a problem. Can you two please go to the main house and bring ten aria here?


    Alright


    The two women slowly exited the stove room.


    I looked at their back and the dissonance I sealed away in my heart started bloating up again.


    Something was wrong.


    Something was out of control.


    Was this really a vige in Forest''s Edge?


    If Vena Wu and L Wu werent with me, I would definitely fall into panic, thinking I stumbled into yet another different world.


    Everything here was incredibly twisted.


    4


    Two hourster, wepleted the Kiba meat soup in each of the branch houses and gathered in the stove room of the main house again.


    Next, we had to grill the dried poitan and cook the meat dishes.


    The sun just reached the midpoint between its peak and the horizon. We still had 3 and a half hours, everything was proceeding smoothly.


    At this time, all the men had more or less gathered in that Ceremonial Hall and started the house head conference.


    I prayed for Ai Fa and the others to have a good fight and started instructing the Tsun n women how to grill the poitan.


    The poitan will solidify after being sunned, so add some water to dissolve it, making it gooey again. You can add water slowly with adle, but take care not to add too much.


    We didnt have any more extra poitan, so we had to be extra careful not to burn them.


    I asked Sh Wu to demonstrate, and tore the poitan apart for everyone to try some.


    How does it taste? Itspletely different from the poitan that had been cooked into a goo, correct?


    Half the Tsun n women showed a slight change in emotions, and the other half was obviously startled.


    They should find the grilled poitan tasty.


    I could only pray that the poitan could move their hearts.


    Just the bloodlet kiba meat and grilled poitan will be enough topletely change how dinner tastes. Alright then, everyone please help me grill delicious poitan.


    By instructing them one-to-one, we let all of them try grilling poitan.


    The 15 Tsun n kins kept taking turns grilling poitan. If a poitan was about to be burned, the instructor would quickly assist. As the instructor was right beside them, it was quite difficult to fail.


    And so, we spent an hour to grill 130 people worth of poitan.


    After finishing the poitan, it was finally time for the meat dishes.


    First, we had to make the marinating sauce for the Myam-roasted meat.


    This is myam. We will be dicing the myam and aria, and mix it with fruit wine. A bottle of fruit wine will need one myam and 1.5 aria. We need to make plenty, so please make the marinating sauce in the pot, and put the meat into it.


    One portion of Myam-roasted meat required about 200 g of meat, which was about the same as the ones sold in the stall.


    The Myam-roasted meat had to be served with one spare rib, 200 g of thigh steak, and fried aria.


    While we were marinating the Myam-roasted meat, we started slicing the meat for the steak. There were two more hours before dusk.


    Everything was going smoothly.


    I included additional buffer time for cooking, so I could use this chance to carefully prepare each dish.


    We should be able to finish before the conference ends But can the Tsun n women cook these dishes tomorrow?


    Mama Mia Lei said to me quietly.


    Hmm I hope some of them will want to after having dinner


    The future was dim.


    Or rather how much concern and will still lingered in these womens heart?


    If the Tsun n vige wasnt so far away, we could supervise them every day.


    Even Mama Mia Lei looked a little dejected.


    Mama Mia Lei wanted to visit the Tsun n vige to teach the arrogant women like Yamiel Tsun or Zwei Tsun a lesson. But she didnt expect to face such a situation.


    These women were like mud dolls, no matter how we admonished them, they wouldnt feel any pain. We couldnt change their attitude in one day.


    We have to see how the main house members and men will react. No matter what, Mida Tsun will be demanding for delicious dinner, and they need to satisfy him.


    If they want to enjoy tasty kiba meat, they would need to learn how to bloodlet and butcher, and finish their work as hunters properly. This required a change in the will of the Tsun n men. What would the final results be?


    I wondered if things were going smoothly on Ai Fas end.


    Asuta, we have cut all the kiba meat and aria.


    Sh Wu notified me.


    Thank you The marination is almost done, go ahead and grill the meat. Everyone, please gather at the stove outside.


    Arge amount of smoke and aroma woulde out when cooking Myam-roasted meat, so we decided to do the demonstration outside.


    We will put the meat into the pot, stir it with a spat, and take care not to burn it. A small amount will be fine for a start. Sh Wu, would you please?


    Okay.


    Sh Wu grabbed a small piece of meat and ced it into the pot.


    The fragrance of myam and fruit wine spread out, and the shoulders of several women quivered in surprise.


    It smells nice, right?


    I asked Tulu Tsun who was standing beside me with a warm smile.


    Tulu Tsuns ss-like eyes wavered mindlessly.


    Its very fragrant.


    Yes, I have yet to meet a denizen of Forest''s Edge who hates this smell.


    Myam had a strong aroma simr to garlic and was beloved by all the denizens of Forest''s Edge.


    After grilling, pour some marinating sauce on it. That will make the taste stronger.


    By the way, I sliced the meat thicker than the ones I sold in the Post Station Town, and I reduced the marination time a little.


    Besides, the participants for the house head conference only bought bowls for drinking soup, so I had to use fake rubber tree leaves in ce of tes to serve Myam-roasted meat. Hence, I had to prepare arge amount of sauce right now for each serving.


    Alright, its done. Everyone, please try a bite


    I heard a strange noise mid-sentence.


    Woaahhh It had a very high pitch, like a bird on the verge of death.


    Whats that sound?


    I walked away from the crowd and listened carefully.


    The sound was heading straight for the stove room.


    Ah! Could it be!


    The moment that idea appeared in my mind, my ominous prediction turned true. Arge object akin to a meat bun rolled out from the shade of the houses.


    It was about ten meters away from me.


    The meat bun was aiming right for me.


    Whhoooaahhhh


    He charged as he yelled.


    At the same time, someone yelled:Asuta! and pounced on me.


    I fell to the ground and felt an incredibly soft object holding me tightly.


    I could see the vague figure of the meat bun through the strands of ck hair in my field of view.


    I will be trampled!


    While I was paralyzed by fear, someone appeared with a ck and long object.


    It was a krilee stick used to carry pots.


    A woman with chestnut hair threw the stick to the legs of the meat bun gracefully.


    With a sharp Swoosh!, the krilee stick tangled the elephant-like leg of the charging man.


    Whoaahhhh!


    The meat bun shouted again and fell to the ground.


    He kept rolling right by us and stopped after hitting a tree.


    What the Is he really human?


    Our savior muttered angrily and then turned her drowsy eyes our way.


    Its fine now You better get up before he does...


    Yes Thank you, Vena-nee.


    The person on top of me got up slowly.


    Asuta, are you fine?


    I was correct, the one smiling at me right now was Leina Wu.


    I-Im alright, what about you?


    Im okay. Sorry for bumping into you so suddenly.


    She lowered her head in apology while straddling my stomach.


    That bodys warmth and soft sensation.


    No matter what, this posture reminded me of what happened during the wedding banquet in the Lutim house.


    And finally, Leina Wu stared at my face and intentionally got up slowly.


    How retarded the way you protected him will just get the both of you trampled...


    Yes, Vena-nee. Im no match for you after all.


    Vena Wu looked unhappy while Leina Wu lowered her head bashfully. After ncing at the two sisters withplicated feelings in my heart, I got up quickly.


    Both of you, thank you. You saved my life.


    After Vena Wu red at me sharply, she looked at the meat bun.


    The meat bun Mida Tsun propped up his huge body with a nk expression, then stood up.


    Huh What was Mida doing?


    His voice was as shrill as a toddler.


    It was Mida Tsun.


    That was definitely him.


    Great, he was safe. But he still looked like a monster.


    Ah! Thats right! Nice smell! There was a nice smell, so Mida rushed over here to see?


    You can only eat dinner after dusk! Before that, please wait patiently!


    A strong voice cut off Mida Tsuns puzzled words.


    It was Mama Mia Lei.


    Mida Tsun kept scowling his t nose and got up by pulling on a tree.


    But Mida is hungry?


    If you are hungry then chew on jerky! The other men are also bearing with it, you wont get any special treatment!


    Mama Mia Lei spoke sternly and stood before Mida Tsun.


    Among the women of Forest''s Edge, Mama Mia Lei could be considered burly, but she was like a petite child before Mida Tsun.


    Even so, Mama Mia Lei still held her head and stared at the scary Mida Tsun who was two heads taller than her without being fazed.


    You are so uncultured! I have been meaning to ask, isnt your figure too outrageous? If you keep stuffing down food whenever you are hungry, you will mess up your body! Learn restraint!


    Uhmm


    Mida Tsun grunted as if he was throwing a tantrum.


    But Mida


    No buts! The sun is still high, what are you doing!? The hunters should be in the forest chasing kiba now, right?


    She was right.


    Mida Tsun puffed his round cheeks which made his face shake a little, and said unhappily:


    Todays job is done Didnt Mida catch arge kiba?


    Hmm? Is that true? Where is the kiba?


    Its hanging in Yamiels house Look, Mida is telling the truth


    Mida Tsun reached for the club on his waist suddenly, and I unconsciously strode forward.


    Leina Wu grabbed my right arm and Vena Wu grabbed my left.


    Mida Tsun moved the tip of the club to Mama Mia Leis nose.


    Hmm I see kiba fur and blood on it.


    Thats right the kiba fell into a trap, and Mida finished it off


    When she heard him say that, Mama Mia Lei smiled and pped Mida Tsuns trunk-like arm.


    You did your job as a hunter properly. We will prepare a delicious meal for you, so wait patiently in your house. We are going to roast the meat now.


    Hyyee


    Mida Tsun made a revolting sound, and his cheeks started shaking again. He was too fat, so there wasnt much change in his facial expression.


    Vena Wu was still grabbing my left arm, and her grip was so strong that it hurt terribly. She was probably holding her emotions in.


    And then, Mida Tsun looked my way.


    His little pig-like eyes seemed lively.


    You are really here Yamiel didnt lie to Mida


    Hello, its been a while.


    Mida is so happy You will make yummy food for Mida, right?


    Yes. In order to let you eat delicious food from now on, Im teaching the Tsun n the way to make food more delicious.


    Mida Tsun seemed to understand what I was saying, and repeated himself:Im so happy


    If you understand me, then go home and wait patiently. We still have loads of work to do.


    Yes


    After hearing Mama Mia Lei say that, his jaw shook a little.


    He probably wanted to nod, but the fats stopped him from moving his neck.


    Promise? Will you prepare loads and loads of yummy food for Mida?


    Yes, look forward to it.


    Mida Tsun slowly turned and started to leave.


    I sighed in relief in my heart


    At this moment, inspiration struck.


    Mida Tsun! I want to buy aria from you with copper tes, does the main house have any?


    Mama Mia Lei turned her head back in surprise.


    Mida Tsun turned his entire body towards me.


    We spilled aria onto the ground by ident, so we are a little short. I want to buy any extra aria you have Is that okay?


    The food store is barred


    Mida Tsun said in a high-pitched voice.


    To stop Mida from stealing the food, they barred the food store


    I see, thats a pity Aria tastes good, right?


    Mida Tsun blinked his animal-like eyes which didnt show any emotions.


    Mida doesnt know the name of the vegetables though?


    I see. The food you bought in the Post Station Town had aria in them.


    Yes


    Mida Tsun pouted his small mouth disinterestedly.


    If you want to take down the bar, Mida can get Yamiel toe over


    Ah, its fine. We will try to make do with what we have on hand, thank you.


    Mida is hungry


    Mida Tsun muttered depressedly, then turned and left.


    He isnt a bright kid But he has an adorable side, right?


    Dont joke with me


    Vena Wu was still clinging to my arm as she slid down onto the ground.


    Ugghhh, how disgusting Why is that youngest son always showing up


    Haha, Vena-nee really hates the youngest son of the Tsun n.


    Leina Wu showed an innocent smile as she held onto my right arm.


    By the way, Asuta, are we really short on aria? We should have enough toplement the meat dishes, right?


    Mama Mia Lei asked puzzledly, and I squeezed out a smile in a hurry.


    Thats right, its fine even if the Tsun n doesnt have any aria. We can manage with our supplies.


    As eight portions had been canceled, there was still plenty of aria in stock.


    The two beautiful sisters still clung to my arms as I looked behind me.


    The food store beside the stove room was always closed.


    He said that the food store is barred Then how do they ess it?


    The unanswered question in my heart started taking vague shapes.