CHAPTER 145: CHAPTER-145.

Everyone had gathered, each with a full bowl in hand. A few had even crafted little ladles or wooden scoops out of bark and twine—rough, but functional.

The aroma of the stew filled the camp. Rich. Warm. Comforting.

Cutie had really outdone himself.

Kaya, however, barely glanced at her bowl. She placed it off to the side and continued sorting through the leaves. She was still working—still trying to identify which were edible and which might be dangerous. She wanted to at least clear a few more before eating.

But then... a strange silence settled.

She sensed it before she looked up.

The Nikala beastmen sat in place—bowls in hand—but none of them had taken even a single sip. Their eyes flicked between the steaming broth and Kaya.

Kaya blinked and looked at them. Then, back at her leaf. She set it down.

Their cautious glances, the hesitance in their movements—the way they held their bowls as if they were doing something wrong—reminded Kaya of her old squad.

The unusual squad.

The one she used to lead.

They had been like this too. Always a little on edge. Always acting like she might snap and eat them alive. And funnily enough, they still joked about it back then.

"Careful," they’d whisper. "She’s smiling. Someone’s getting buried today."

Kaya allowed herself a small, wistful smile at the memory.

They joked. They laughed. But the fear had always lingered under the surface.

Just like now.

But it didn’t matter. She understood it. Expected it. And deep down... maybe missed it.

Still seated beside the fire, Kaya shifted her attention back to the task at hand. The soft orange glow of the flames danced on the leaves laid out before her.

She’d sorted through almost half the first basket by now.

Some she’d confidently set aside as edible—her instincts sharp from years of foraging in dangerous zones. Others she still didn’t recognize, and she wasn’t going to risk guessing.

But then—something clicked.

Her gaze landed on one particular leaf, its texture rough on one side and smooth on the other, the veins slightly reddish.

And suddenly... the pieces fell into place.

She blinked, leaned forward, and picked it up again. She brought it close, inhaled slowly.

Yes.

That scent.

She knew this one.

She knew it by name—by its ancient, regional name. And with that, she could confirm the fruit it came from. She glanced over at the matching fruit she’d set aside earlier.

Confirmed.

So it was what she thought.

She sat back, exhaling a long breath of relief.

"What?" she asked, brows furrowed. "Is something wrong?"

They quickly shook their heads. But they kept staring at her.

Confused, Kaya glanced at her bowl... and realization dawned.

"Oh," she said softly. Then she gave them a tired, amused smile. "Drink well."

With that, she picked up her bowl, gave it a small stir, and took a sip.

It was... surprisingly delicious. The lotus root had soaked up the flavor beautifully. The spices she’d carried for months were just enough to brighten the taste. And the broth—thick with wild vegetables and a hint of smoke—was richer than anything she’d eaten in weeks.

As she lowered the bowl, she noticed the beastmen staring again—but this time, not at her. They were staring down at their bowls now, silent and still.

Kaya exhaled and walked over to sit beside Cutie.

"Can I get another bowl?" she asked casually.

Cutie, already grinning, nodded. "Of course! I was waiting for you to ask."

Kaya leaned back and spoke loud enough for the others to hear.

"Well, looks like all this extra broth’s going to waste," she said with a shrug. "No one seems interested in eating."

That was all it took.

One of the beastmen finally stepped forward, bowl held a little closer to his chest. "I... I’d like a second serving."

Cutie’s grin widened. "That’s what I made it for!"

And just like that, one by one, the rest of them followed—quietly, shyly—but with a kind of joy that couldn’t be hidden.

And Kaya? She just sipped her second bowl slowly, watching them with a small, satisfied smile.

The next day arrived, right on schedule. As expected, the fox tribe appeared on the horizon.

When they first stepped onto the land, their expressions shifted—from curiosity to surprise. The vast stretch of empty plains, with barely a hint of greenery or structure, clearly caught them off guard. For a moment, some of them even looked uncertain—had they come to the wrong place?

But then their eyes caught the sight of two modest huts nestled side by side. A few people moved about nearby. Their doubts settled. This was indeed the right place.

Rean, the leader of the fox tribe, stepped forward, his gaze scanning the area before finally landing on Kaya. She stood waiting, composed and steady as ever.

With a polite smile, Kaya greeted him, "Hello, Mr. Rean." She extended her hand for a handshake, her gesture firm yet welcoming.

Rean returned the smile and clasped her hand warmly. "These are my people," he said, turning slightly as several others came forward behind him. He gestured toward a group of older individuals with calm, intelligent eyes. "And these here are our best architects. Just tell them what you envision—they’ll draw up the perfect map and even help build it."

Kaya’s lips curved into a gentle smile. She gave a small nod of gratitude.

Before diving into plans, she ushered them toward the huts, where she had already prepared a simple offering—bowls of boiled fruits and fresh water. It wasn’t a feast, but it was enough to show respect and extend hospitality.

Once everyone had refreshed themselves and the mood had lightened, Kaya finally spoke again.

"I’ll need a total of four houses," she said calmly, meeting the architects’ attentive eyes. "Functional, sturdy, and enough space to accommodate everyone comfortably."

Her tone was steady, her vision clear. And from the looks exchanged among the fox architects, it was clear—they respected her already.