CHAPTER 40: FORMAL REQUEST TO STAY

The next day, Theo set out early to find the right wood to smoke the rest of the meat, leaving Serena and Kiro behind. It took him about an hour to collect the wood he needed and prepare everything for smoking.

Serena helped out with this and by noon, they were heading out to find Elder Samuel. As they walked to the village center, Serena carried Kiro in her arms, not wanting a repeat of yesterday.

As they walked, the trio passed some beastmen and a few beastwomen. Almost everyone kept out of their way and would nervously glance at them. Clearly the village was not used to visitors.

But that made it all the more better in Serena’s eyes. They’d have less problems if the village rarely had outsiders come by.

When they got to the busy center, they spotted Elder Samuel chatting with a few beastmen. He too spotted them and waved them over.

Once they got to him, Elder Samual exclaimed, "Good morning! Was the hut alright?"

"Yes. Thank you for all the help cleaning it up." Serena replied. She glanced over at the other beastmen by his side before she added, "We’re here to chat about us being here. I hope we’re not interfering in anything..."

"Ah. Of course, come this way." Elder Samuel smiled, immediately catching her drift. He turned to the other beastmen and murmured, "We’ll chat later."

They all nodded eagerly before hurrying off, leaving Elder Samuel with the trio. He then quietly made them follow them to a small hut near the village center.

He pulled back the beaded curtain covering the doorway and gestured for them to enter. Serena went in first, setting down Kiro as she scanned the single room. It was plain with a simple wooden table and matted carpet underneath.

"By the way, I must once again apologize for yesterday." Elder Samuel said as he waved for them to sit down. "Becky didn’t mean any harm."

Serena moved to sit down on the matted carpet with Kiro moving to sit in her lap. Meanwhile Theo took a seat to her right while Elder Samuel sat opposite them.

"It’s all forgiven, right Kiro?" Serena glanced down at the young cub.

"Okay if she doesn’t do it again." Kiro pouted, making Serena ruffle his hair a bit.

The whole thing had scared him at first, but it seemed like today he’d mostly forgotten all his anger today. He was mostly sulking to get more attention from Serena, not that she really minded obliging.

"I see..." Elder Samuel coughed. He then asked, "So, what did you want to discuss? I know we did say we’d have a proper chat today."

Serena glanced over at Theo, nodding for him to do the talking since they already hashed out the details yesterday during dinner.

"There’s two things we wanted to talk about." Theo stated. "First is if it’s possible to send a message to the Forest City. I’d like to let my uncle there know that we’re alive and well."

"Well, we do have a Mimic Bird that you can use." Elder Samuel said. "I can let you use it since no one else is using it right now... What’s your second request?"

Theo was quiet for a moment before he replied, "We’d like to make a formal request to become a part of the village."

"Y... you wish to live here?" Elder Samuel questioned with a frown. "But aren’t you part of a caravan going to the Forest City? Wouldn’t that be a better place?"

Serena could see the countless questions in the older beastman’s eyes. The Forest City would seem like a much better place to live compared to this small village. He clearly couldn’t understand why they would want to live here.

Not to mention he probably thought Serena was one of the beastwomen belonging to the Forest City. Meaning she couldn’t just go where she wanted.

"I just traveled with the caravan." Serena explained, wanting to clear the confusion. "I’m technically a wandering beastwoman ever since I split up with my tribe... As for why we want to live here, well, city life isn’t really my thing. I quite enjoy the peacefulness this village has to offer."

"I see..." Elder Samuel mused, looking at Theo before turning back to Serena. He was quiet for several moments before he sighed, "Could you allow me some time to think this over... Our village never has had anyone that’s wanted to join before."

While he was being calm about this, Serena could read the undertones of his words. The elderly beastman wasn’t sure what to make of this situation and wanted to make sure they weren’t trying to join for the wrong reasons.

After all, it was strange that they wanted to settle here of all places.

"Of course." Theo nodded, both of them knowing better than to push it. "Take the time you need. I assume we can keep using the hut?"

"Yes, you can use it as you." Elder Samuel nodded. "I’ll be sure to have someone send you the Mimic Bird too so you can get your message sent in the meantime too."

The rabbit beastman then stood up and the others followed suit. They headed out with Kiro wanting Serena to carry him again. She agreed to, thinking it was a great way to work out her arms.

Elder Samuel headed to go get the Mimic Bird as promised while Serena, Theo and Kiro headed back to the hut. Serena went to grab her basket before they headed out to the perimeter of the village.

Theo would take Kiro hunting with him since the cub was of age to start learning while Serena would do some foraging of wild vegetables nearby. She wanted to use this chance to expand more on her plant knowledge.

As they were walking out, one of the guards called out, "Where are you guys heading?"

"Just doing some foraging and hunting." Theo replied. "We’ll be on the southside."

The guard nodded his head in understanding, "Alright. Just come back before sunset then..."