Just when I thought the barrage of questions would overwhelm me, a commanding and firm feminine voice pierced through the air. "Alright, all of you should get up, can't you see that he isn't hearing anything you're saying?"
Recognizing the voice as Fifi's, I awaited her appearance, relieved by her intervention. She entered my line of sight and began coaxing the women to their feet.
With gratitude, I took her outstretched hand, allowing her to assist me in rising.
Her broad palms brushed away the dust from my back, offering a gentle pat as if to console me. Together, we moved towards the side of the room, where my mother, Ursa, and her mother were seated, surrounded by the rest of my women.
Settling in beside them, I was on the cusp of speaking when my mother preemptively interjected, her tone was unsurprisingly harsh, "Orion, you have a lot of explanation to give us. Why didn't you tell us that you were going to meet with the Caretakers and the village chieftess this morning? Do you understand how worried we've been? You left in the morning and didn't return until now."
Her eyes were fixed intently on me, and if I didn't know my mother well, then I wouldn't have noticed the worried expression on her face.
Fortunately, I did!
With a response already in mind, I replied, "I knew you all would be worried. Since you were all still asleep, I didn't want to disturb any of you. My plan was to inform you of the results upon my return, rather than occupying your minds with it throughout the day."
"Hmph!" Gina's voice chimed in from beside me as she huffed disapprovingly. She averted her gaze, clearly miffed. "Well, we were all concerned anyway." Extending my hand to tousle her hair, I slipped my arm around her, turning my attention to my women. I watched them as they each lent their agreement to Gina's and my mother's sentiments with nods.
"Don't worry, I won't make that mistake again. If a similar situation arises, I'll let you all know in advance," I assured them, recognizing that this was the only way to ease their worries.
"Please do," Alya said, her voice tinged with a combination of weariness and relief, a sigh escaping her lips. "So, what did you discuss with the Village Chieftess and the Caretakers?" she asked. As soon as her question hung in the air, everyone in the room turned their gaze towards me, their curiosity apparent in their attentive expressions as they awaited my response.
Yet, I was acutely aware that I couldn't simply divulge the details of the newborn situation or the contents of my conversation with the Village Chief and Chieftess during the meeting.
It wasn't a matter of mistrust... I did trust them.
But I cherished them just as much as I trusted them. Hence, it would be a cruel weight to burden their hearts with such news. And so...
"Not much," I lied, flashing a convincing smile. "Our discussion mainly revolved around my training and the need for me to fully reach my potential as a six-star warrior. So, starting tomorrow, I'll be throwing myself back into intensive training." I watched as the women around me nodded in understanding, realizing the importance of honing my skills as a warrior.
I then continued, "And also, in a few....." I launched into an account of the new village construction and my role in spearheading its development.
"YOU WHAT?" Aunt Greta's scream pierced through the room, a vocalization of the shock that rippled across the faces of my mother, Gina, Alya, Sura, Reena, Ursa, Grandma Meldra, and everyone else present. Their eyes widened into a combination of disbelief and astonishment, as though they were grappling with the weight of the words I had just revealed.
"Let me finish first," I said, shaking my head at their expectant expressions.
However, this time, Grandma Meldra responded, "What else do you want to explain, Orion? If we heard correctly, you mentioned that the village will assist you in establishing a new settlement that you'll be responsible for developing in a few years, is that correct?" Her voice held a hint of tiredness as she rested her right elbow on her lap and massaged her forehead with her fingers.
I nodded and replied, "Yes." I observed Aunt Greta gritting her teeth in frustration.
"Which means that you'll have to venture to the other side of the river and establish this new settlement in the midst of Vylkr-infested lands, correct?" Grandma Meldra inquired again, her frown mirrored by the others around me.
"Yes, exactly. But before that time comes, I'll have the strength to move freely in and out of the area due to my potential," I replied, expecting her line of thought.
Grandma Meldra nodded in understanding. "We understand that part. However, what we're hesitant to accept is the idea that you'll also need to leave this village," she remarked, "Because that would also mean leaving us behind just to develop this new settlement."
"Yes," Aunt Greta added promptly, her head nodding vigorously as she aligned with Grandma Meldra's sentiments. "While I do agree with Celeste that it might have been preferable if you hadn't become a warrior or possessed such potential, the reality is different. I can come to terms with you embarking on explorations across the river. Yet, how will I manage to treat you if you're overseeing another village, juggling its responsibilities while simultaneously battling waves of Vylkr vines?"
"Or do you truly believe you can survive without my gift? Do you understand the countless warriors who almost met their demise – losing limbs, having flesh torn apart – after months of combating the Vylkr vines, whom I managed to save, or those who succumbed because they couldn't return to the village in time?" Aunt Greta's voice grew hoarse with emotion as she pressed on, "And let's not even delve into the fact that you'd be living amid the Vylrk-infested territory. How would you.....?"
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