Chapter 319: Dalia’s invitation
Naturally, it would take time before the new house was outfitted with everything they needed.
Luke had already begun planning a handful of improvements. Nothing revolutionary, just practical conveniences that would make daily life easier. A hearth that caught fire with less effort, better methods to preserve food, and a few other refinements that would save both time and labor.
He had even sought the system’s opinion on several of his ideas, including the network of traps he intended to conceal around the house.
Only one decision remained unresolved.
Should he undergo his evolution now, or wait until their guests had come and gone?
His instincts warned him that the village would get riddled with some kind of a situation the moment they arrived. If that happened, he wanted to stay awake, alert, and ready to shield his family from whatever attention their presence might attract.
Waiting another two days felt like the wiser choice.
"Do you want more?" Ginna asked, lifting another piece of meat toward him.
Luke immediately shook his head. "I’m full."
A gentle smile spread across Ginna’s face. "Your appetite has gotten smaller somehow. Why is that?"
Luke let out a thoughtful hum. "You really think so?" He honestly couldn’t tell the difference.
But well, it could be the case.
Under the moon, his energy gets constantly replenished. Even if he was hungry for the whole day, once under the moon, his body would get all the nutrients it needed to stay in the optimal state.
That’s why, maybe his appetite has gone down.
Not that he had reached the point of no longer needing to eat.
Food was still an essential part of his life, and one he had no intention of giving up.
"You should sit down and eat too. You’ve been working nonstop ever since we came back," Monica said, a trace of guilt in her voice as she watched Ginna move from one task to another.
She had wanted everyone to rest after the journey, which was why Ginna had taken it upon herself to prepare the entire meal alone. She had even turned down Dalia’s offer to help, insisting that she spend time with the others instead.
"I’m really fine," Ginna replied with a warm smile. "Ever since Nala started coming over, most of the usual chores are already finished before I even begin my day. So a little extra work today isn’t much."
Monica let out a soft sigh. "I know... but you should still eat something."
Ginna simply nodded with a smile.
Just then, Terek, who had been quietly eating with everyone at the table, looked toward Luke.
"Luke."
The table fell silent the moment Terek spoke.
Luke looked up at him.
"If you have some time... would you go see Zuri?"
The silence deepened.
Ever since that day, the woman had rarely been seen outside her room. The lively, outspoken person everyone knew had all but disappeared.
Now, she spent most of her time alone. She no longer joined the hunts or even stepped outside for fresh air.
On the rare occasions someone crossed paths with her, she would offer a faint smile or exchange a few polite words before quietly retreating to her room once more.
Luke believed what they had done that day had eased her burden to some extent, but he also understood that not everyone carried trauma the way he did.
He had recovered because he had long grown accustomed to experiences that would leave lasting scars on most people.
He could not expect others to do the same.
Letting out a quiet breath, he nodded.
"Alright. I’ll go check on her after we’re done eating."
Relief flickered across Monica’s face. She had been worried about Zuri as well and was glad Luke had agreed without hesitation.
Just then, Dalia spoke.
"Laila, come to the market with me after we finish eating."
Laila blinked in surprise. "Me?"
It was an unusual request. Dalia rarely went out in the first place, and when she did, she almost never asked Laila to accompany her.
"I need to buy a water pot," Dalia explained. "I heard there are certain kinds that can keep the water cool even under the sun."
The request was specific enough that it no longer seemed odd.
"I... I understand. Let’s go then. I know someone who makes good ones," Laila replied as her surprise faded.
She was familiar with such things, and one of her friends owned a small shop that specialized in handcrafted clay pots.
A faint smile crossed Luke’s face as he looked at Dalia.
Dalia met his gaze for the briefest moment before lowering her eyes to her meal.
Then...
Knock.
A firm rap echoed from the front door.
Ginna, being the closest, rose to answer it.
"Who is it?" Luke asked.
She opened the door, then turned back with a startled expression.
"I... It’s the chief."
Luke’s brows rose while everyone except Terek stared in stunned silence.
Slowly pushing himself to his feet, Luke nodded toward Ginna.
"Go. Join the others."
"Luke, invite him inside first," Monica reminded him.
Luke let out a quiet groan.
He had been hoping to have a brief conversation at the entrance and send the old man on his way. Still, he understood Monica’s reaction.
This was the first time the village chief had personally come to their home. It was only natural for everyone to become flustered.
Dalia, Laila, and Ginna quickly gathered the cooking pots and carried them into the kitchen while Gustav hurried to bring over a chair for their guest.
Lex followed the women inside, most likely to fetch something to drink.
Terek, meanwhile, remained where he was, calmly finishing his meal as though nothing unusual had happened.
Luke released another slow breath before walking to the entrance.
Standing outside was the familiar, short-statured old man. A faint smile rested on his face as he asked,
"Do you have some time for a chat?"
Two people stood behind him.
One of them was someone Luke recognized.
Gary.
"Of course," Luke replied. "Please, come in."
~~~~~
A/N:- Thanks for reading. Please join the discord for the images and also, donate some PS since PS count always remain low.
Hmm, should I add milestones as well for extra Chapters?