Chapter 128: Down the evil forest.
"So what do you think?" Sunnie stared at their quiet expressions.
They slowly nodded as Elza said, "Hmm, it makes sense that that’s where we’d get better crops for the farming and all. But is it safe?"
The woman nodded as she explained, "It’s clear why we’re here. Because they don’t like or value us and cast us here to die. So going back down there, I doubt anyone would even be happy to see us. So I don’t know how safe it would be."
They all nodded in agreement.
"Apart from being safe—because I don’t really care about that," Karl said, "where do you even plan on going for the crops? It’s not like we’re going to go on a random crop-picking session around."
"We’re going to the boar tribe," Sunnie explained. "They’re having a competition, and the winning team would get their reward of crops and all. So I think that’s something we need. They’re known for having healthy and fresh crops, so getting them from there would be a good option."
Elza nodded. "I see..."
"But the point is, would they even let us participate? Let alone let us win or even take their reward?" Karl asked.
Luka slowly nodded as he said, "I know them to some extent, and I know they don’t really like us that much. Even though we haven’t done anything to their tribe or whatsoever, they still hate us. Everyone does."
Eris nodded. "So it’s impossible that they’ll let us participate, let alone hand us the reward if we win. So why bother?"
Sunnie hesitated and then said, "I’ve already thought about all this, so don’t worry. I have it under control. I’ll make sure we participate, and I’ll make sure we win. For the rest, don’t worry, I’ll handle it."
She stared at the women as she said, "You all don’t have to go. You can stay behind and look after the place. I can go alone."
"Why would you?" Azure asked. "It’s not safe for you, so we’ll come along."
The remaining beast husbands stared at him. "Huh? Who?"
"We all," Azure said to them. "We’ll go with her." It wasn’t a request; it was a demand.
Eris and Luka blinked and then sighed.
"It’s not a safe place, so she can’t go alone," Eris nodded.
"Okay... Since she gave me good food tonight, I agree to go with you. So don’t worry, we’ll protect you!" Luka said, beating a hand against his chest.
Eris nodded in agreement.
Sunnie smiled.
Karl sighed. "She wants to throw herself into danger out there. Why should we be involved?"
Zayn stood behind him, placing a hand over his shoulders. "It’s not like she’s the only one eating the whole harvest. Whatever she’s gaining is for everyone. So at least show some support." With that, it was clear that he was joining in on the trip.
Sunnie smiled at the support.
Karl folded his arms with a sigh. He shook his head and said, "Sure, whatever. I’ll go. But just because I’m bored here and want to move around."
Sunnie smiled with a nod. "Sure."
"I’ll come too!" Little Black insisted.
Sunnie smiled with a nod. "Okay. Sure, you can come too."
Sunnie requested that Zuna, Atan, and the mice stay behind and guard the area. The men would be able to protect them at least. Also, she would ask the wolf and the boar friends they had to help protect them.
With that arrangement done and agreed upon, Luka asked, "But how do you even plan on going there when it’s clear that they don’t like any of us?"
Sunnie smiled. "I already know. But desperate times call for desperate measures, so I’ll find a way to handle it." She assured.
They didn’t ask further questions. They accepted her words.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations Host! You’re improving in taming your husbands!]
[Your husbands voluntarily agree to go with you to protect you!]
[Reward: + 2,000 heart coins!]
Sunnie smiled. At least she now had 12,000 heart coins.
---
The next day, they made the necessary preparations and were ready to set off. They left early that morning while the little ones were still asleep.
Sunnie didn’t wish to leave with Maren; it wasn’t safe. So she planned on leaving her here for a safer space.
And so she set off with Little Black, Zukka, and her beast husbands, all heading down the evil forest to go compete in the competition being held at the boar clan.
---
It was a long trek. They had been quietly heading down the evil forest for a while now. Sunnie was already getting exhausted, but she held herself while they moved.
Luka was holding a huge bag while they moved down. It was a sack containing what they would eat in case they got hungry or thirsty on the way. At least they needed to have something.
"Is it just me, or did this bag get heavier?" Luka asked while pulling on the bag. "It wasn’t this heavy when I prepared it last night."
Eris scoffed. "Are you sure you didn’t add more meals or something?"
Luka shook his head. "No, I didn’t. I’m sure. It was just as it was. But after carrying it this morning, I feel it got even heavier."
Eris smiled. "Maybe because you’re tired," he shrugged.
Luka sighed. "Maybe."
And they continued moving. Soon, they were down from the evil forest. They had gone through the thick forest and found their way down the bad road until they were out of what was considered the evil forest.
Sunnie couldn’t recall the last time she had seen this space—the space outside the evil forest.
While she stood there, consuming the air and smiling at the atmosphere, Luka sat down on the floor, panting. "I can’t move anymore, no. I need to eat something first."
He said as he set the sack bag before him. He opened it to get out the meal inside. But rather, something else jumped out of it.
"Ah!!!" Luka screamed in shock, jumping backwards and rolling.