Chapter 56: A Request
The tribe leader nodded with a sharp expression as he continued. "That’s good. That’s good. We are forever grateful for the help you’ve offered to our land. We’ll never forget it."
Sunnie smiled. "You’re welcome."
"I wonder if the great one will permit me to kneel in worship of what you’ve done for us..."
Sunnie blinked. "Oh! No! Not at all. Don’t bother."
The tribe leader nodded. "The great one is so humble. I appreciate."
He added, "I’ve been thinking of a proper way to reward the great one for what she has done. I can’t seem to find the perfect way to do this."
"But I’ve been thinking, if the great one can decide to stay here in our humble tribe as part of us, we can do a lot for you in the long run and repay you better. So what do you think? Can the great one stay with us?"
Zukka and Zuna stared at Sunnie, curious. They seemed to want her to stay with them. And so did the elders. Little Black didn’t seem to approve.
Sunnie had actually given it much thought a while ago and decided that they had to go back. She had some reasons for this.
The system had insisted she go back. She had only come here for the task, so she couldn’t stay here forever or for too long.
Besides, she couldn’t continue pretending to be a goddess for them for long. What if her disguise cracked and they saw through her? She’d certainly be their breakfast or something.
It was a nice place, but it was also strange. So Sunnie preferred staying away from this unpredictable lion tribe that Little Black had told her a lot of unpleasant things about. She rather stayed at the comfort of that abandoned cave and began developing her own space with her system.
Much safer and less dramatic. Just as she wanted.
"I’m sorry, but I won’t be staying here for long. I’ve already done what I had to, so I’m actually planning on leaving."
Zukka and Zuna seemed disappointed. The elders and tribe leader also seemed so.
"And why is that?"
She smiled and said, "I have a home. So I can’t stay here. This space can’t be occupied by someone like me. So I’ll let you have it while I go to my space."
The tribe leader slowly nodded. "I see... Where is this space?"
Sunnie stared and blinked. She panicked and thought fast. "Well, it’s far far far far far far away. You can’t come," she smiled with a soft laugh.
The tribe leader and elder nodded with a sigh. "I see..."
"Too bad then. But we shall respect the great one’s wishes," the tribe leader said. "Instead, we shall present our gifts to you as you leave. You shall go with the gifts we give to you. I hope you can at least accept that."
"Of course we will!" Little Black smiled.
Everyone paused and stared at him.
He blinked. "What?"
Sunnie smiled. "We appreciate your generosity, so we shall accept it in good faith."
The tribe leader nodded as he said, "Okay, we’ll have it prepared as you leave."
"If I may ask..." Little Black briefly interrupted. "Does it include luxury rare meals...?"
They stared at him again. He blinked. "What? I’m curious."
Sunnie smiled. "We’ll accept anything." Little Black pouted.
The tribe leader smiled. "Of course, little one. I’ll include that."
Little Black’s eyes lit with a smile.
Zuna wasn’t looking so happy about the leaving. She thought within herself for a while before she quickly came before her father and went down on her knees, bowing.
Everyone was surprised and confused.
"Papa!" She started. "I know I’ve never disturbed you for anything or made any demanding requests at all since I was young. But this time, I dare to make such a daring request, and I hope you accept it!"
They said nothing. Everyone stared curiously to see what she had to say.
"Father! Please let me go with the great one! I’d like to travel with her, learn from her, keep her company, and assist her!"
She continued, "Growing up, she’s the only one who has made me feel seen and important. She has given me a purpose to pursue, and I want to happily do that. So please grant me this great request! I shall not disturb father again!"
Silence. Everyone stared at her without saying anything. They were surprised and confused at the random request. Even Sunnie. But at least Sunnie was happy she could inspire someone enough for them to leave their tribe and follow her.
After a long silence, Zuna began worrying if her father would even let it happen. But then her father suddenly smiled.
"You’ve made a wise decision, dear one," the tribe leader finally said as Zuna immediately looked up to meet his eyes.
"So father agrees to it?" she inquired, surprised.
The tribe leader stretched out his hand to meet her hair. He sighed. "All these years, I haven’t been able to really do anything significant for you. But since my daughter is now all grown, wise, and has something to go after, I shall allow her to pursue what she wants as long as it’s with the great one."
He stared at Sunnie. "I believe if you stay with the great one, you’ll also grow in her wisdom and goodness and be able to bring us goodness later too."
Zuna was shocked and excited. She had a smile hovering on her face; she couldn’t even believe what had happened and how it happened.
"Thanks, father!" she said happily.
The tribe leader smiled as he added, "It’s interesting because someone else also made this request to go with the great one on her adventures."
At this moment, everyone turned and stared at the tribe leader in shock. They had heard him right; now they were curious what he meant by that.
The tribe leader let out a soft smile as he prepared to make the announcement.