63 – Decision

Suja's four bodyguards rushed to bring their master's palanquin. The women who were following them were also half running.

Manu and Kat, who were resting in their tent, immediately came out to see the leader of the tribe.

Before the guards had completely lowered the palanquin, Suja had already gotten up from his chair. He lost his balance and almost fell. The guards tried to help him, but the tribe leader slapped their hands away.

"Hey, there's a salt cave at your place, right?" Suja tugs Manu's collar.

The bearded man frowned. "What? How did you...."

"I know from the guardian spirit that followed the two of you!" Suja's tone is getting louder. "The guardian spirit is a divine being! He can't lie!"

Huh, that's how he thinks of us?

I lined up Manu, preparing to give instructions in the negotiations that were about to take place.

"Tell me where the salt cave is, now!" Suja sounded more and more impatient.

"You know why we came here, Your honor." Manu gulped. He started speaking according to my instructions. "We certainly can't...."

"I'll have my tribe members teach you all the things you want!" Suja snorted. "As long as you show me the place!"

"I can't go, because I have to study here. If I go on a trip to that place before training here, it will only be a waste of time, your honor."

The tribe leader pointed at Kat, who looked completely unfazed. "Then she'll take us there, while you stay here!"

"I won't let this girl friend of mine go with a bunch of guys who...."

"I'll also send some girls!" Suja's face starts to turn red. "And I will guarantee that the women I send will protect this friend of yours from the men!"

The risk will still be there. Kat is still in a group with a lot of men. Unfortunately, I couldn't do more for her. I just hope those libido-filled men don't do anything to this colonist of mine.

"Okay." Manu nodded. "Then, apart from the training, we need some other items."

"What is it!? Say it quickly!"

"A few ready-made bricks, a complete set of warm clothes for five people, the same number of sleeping bags, food supplies...."

Suddenly Suja strangles Manu with his hand. Kat was about to raise her bow, but I told her to hold back.

"Don't try your luck too far, young man." The tribe leader said with trembling lips and bulging eyes. "We also have to prepare for winter. I can only give you 50 bricks, two parkas and two sleeping bags. Sounds good, right?"

Seeing Suja's face, which looked increasingly fierce, I whispered to Manu to accept the offer. More than this, Manu could be killed by this old man.

Yes, I assume that Suja can do something like that. He might have been under the influence of his guardian spirit's whisper right now, so he wouldn't do such a thing.

Manu nods without being able to breathe. Suja removes his hand from Manu's neck. The bearded man coughed violently.

"You go inside to learn whatever you want." Suja hissed, then looked at Rox, who was ready to attack with a disgusted expression. "But don't take the damn dog."

"Just follow his wish, Manu. Leave Kat and Rox here." I sighed into the man's ear. Although worried about leaving Kat outside alone, I had no choice. I couldn't wait any longer for Manu to learn how to make a fireplace. Besides, if Kat comes in and Rox is left outside with his neck tied, who knows what bad things will happen to the dog. Kat will be worried to death too.

"Okay, I'll do it, your honor." Manu answered by rubbing his neck, then bowed.

***

Night had fallen, and Kat was sitting in her tent. She looked at the bonfire surrounded by piles of boulders in the center of that place. The smoke from the bonfire came out through a hole in the roof. So, Kat can breathe freely without being disturbed by smoke.

Hearing footsteps, Kat grabbed her bow and quiver and looked out. The girl found Tosa, who was walking towards her tent.

"Good evening, our esteemed guest. I was ordered to look after you. Ah, I'm sorry I did something impudent earlier." Tosa smiled widely. Getting no response from Kat, Tosa said again. "I'm still near the tribe area, so I can't possibly do anything to you because it'll be discovered right away. You can relax."

Even though this man's words were logical, I still couldn't believe it.

Kat still didn't speak. She just looked at Tosa, expressionless, of course.

"If you're not comfortable with me around, I'll just sleep outside." Tosa smiled. "But may I take the sleeping bag that was going to be used for Manu?"

Kat stared at the sleeping bag in question for a moment, then grabbed it and slid it out. After that, he sat back down in front of the bonfire.

The man shrugged and sat on the sleeping bag. "Well, I guess I have to thank you, guys. Whatever you do, I don't care. What's important now is that our leader will send an expedition to go to the salt cave.

Tosa glanced slightly at Kat, who was still there. Maybe he thought that the girl would fall asleep. That's because Kat has been silent all this time.

"Honestly, it's actually not worth it." Tosa sighed. "A Salt cave can be said to be a treasure that cannot be valued, so many people seek it. However, it is only exchanged for training in making bricks...."

The man stopped talking when he heard the sound of Kat's body slipping into the sleeping bag, a sign that the girl didn't want to listen to what the bastard had to say.

Tosa just sneered and entered his sleeping bag.

Not long after, the guardian spirit of this tribe appeared before me. Surely Sena power is active again. This is what I've been waiting for since leaving the cemetery.

With a hissing-like voice, the red figure asked. "What are you doing? Now that Suja can't be stopped anymore, he will order his people to fall into doom."

Without thinking, I knelt before the red figure, then took a deep breath.

The guardian spirit startled and took a step back. "What are you doing?"

"Perhaps the members of your tribe will think what will happen later is because of my people's fault. It was my people who told me the location of the salt cave." I lowered my head, pausing for a moment to find the right words. "That's why I'm begging you. Give orders to your tribe members so that they don't take their revenge on my people. You are peace-loving, right? The proof is, you really control your people so there won't be chaos?"

Seconds passed, the red figure did not answer. I lifted my face and didn't see her anywhere.

I can only hope she has heard enough of my request.