The Peerless Kobold - Chapter 238
During our journey, we entered through the northern part of the Easteria forest and traveled south through the trees for a day or so. By the time we reached the area by the Steele River which provided water to the pack settlement, we had already adjusted to the pace of our travel, but I couldn’t deny that it took more time to get back than usual.
(If I ran the usual way, it would only take me half a day to get there, but…)
As I recall, when I left the pack settlement a little before noon, I arrived at the outskirts of Warren around dusk even with short breaks in between.
If we’re talking about my biologic potential as a silver wolf, I could surely run the whole 80-kilometer distance from the pack settlement to Warren in 2 and a half hours.
However, Muriel, whom I had been carrying on my back, seems to already have a hard time just keeping herself upright. So much so that my ears could pick up the tiredness in her voice, so if I ran at that speed she might fall off.
“Uu, I’m sorry, but can we take another break?”
“Gauu.”
After barking in response, I stopped by an area not far from the settlement and unhurriedly laid down, keeping one ear up as I leaned in to the sound of the gurgling river.
“N, maybe I should drink for a bit…”
As I watched Muriel get down from my back and unsteadily make her way to the riverbank, I heard a faint sound coming from one of the bushes downwind.
“Kuon, wafigaruu.” (Brother, something’s coming.)
“Gaua…” (Just as I thought.)
After our short exchange, my sister who was still in her fox cub form ran up to a nearby tree and made a distraction by shaking its leaves and branches. Meanwhile, I slowly stood up to my full height and turned to the direction of the source of the sound and saw a huge wolf with mixed black fur approach without the slightest hint of vigilance.
“Gaou, gurua.” (Hey, Chief.)
“Gau, guruaau.” (Oh, it’s just Buster.)
He might have evolved and gotten the ability to turn into a stern-looking, giant wolf during my absence, but… he still carried the familiar scent of my childhood friend who had huge black arms. Buster eventually stopped at a reasonable distance and narrowed his eyes as he looked in the direction of Muriel who was coming back from the riverside before looking back at me.
“Ooa kuuoruaoun…” (She smells somewhat familiar…)
The moment he uttered those words with a meaningful look, the little fox who had been listening from the tree jumped out and fell towards him with a huge smile on her face!
“Kuoh~~♪” (Hiyaah~~♪)
“Uwoooh!?” (Whoaaah!?)
Although Buster reacted late, he turned just in time that my sister ended up bumping against his back instead and was pinned down as soon as she landed with a bounce.
“Faruonh” (You’re wide open.)
“Kuh, guau!” (Kuh, I give!)
“Wafaaoon” (What the heck are you guys doing?)
“Fufu, that looks fun,” Muriel laughed softly as if she found the whole thing amusing.
Upon seeing that Muriel had returned, I crouched down again and let her straddle my back before standing up.
“Guruvaru, kuua guaoaruu?” (I’m going home. Are you in the middle of hunting?)
“Va, guorugao guruou ruuaaouu… uruvaoru.” (Nah, I just finished practicing with the skill I got recently… Let’s head back together.)
With the little fox riding on his back, the huge, black-armed wolf turned on his heel while I walked alongside him back to the pack settlement. During our walk, I learned that two of our older pack members who had gone hunting were eaten alive by a giant scorpion.
“Garuu, guo garuguoruu…” (We made sure to avenge them, of course…)
“Gaon, waoaan.” (I see. Thank you.)
It is a given that living beings, such as man or beast, will experience thirst and hunger. Thus it is inevitable that they will fight for daily sustenance, water sources, and other lands… and in an unyielding battle such as this, it is unavoidable that some lives will be taken.
(Even if I understand that, it’s not something I can just accept… Then again, it’s still troubling.)
As the pack leader, I was in a pickle about leaving the pack right away after hearing about my packmates’ deaths. If worst comes to worst, I was thinking if I should just apologize to Muriel and refuse her request.
Buster looked subtly worried as he observed the pensive look I had on my face just as I was starting to think that it was safest to escort Muriel and leave her near the towns of Zelgra or Wyald.
“Guufaruuo… Gurua, vafukuuaruon?” (Why the long face? Is it about the female on your back?)
“N, guafuruaouu.” (Yes, that’s right.)
After hearing my casual remark, Buster closed his eyes, thought for a moment, and said,
“Kuaru kuuaaou, gauru uwooooon”
(If it’s about that female you like, then just leave the pack to us and go.)
