The Abysmal Territory

[37]

Cecilia laughs. She said, “You need to learn more about girls considering that she will be with you for many years.”

I didn’t know what Taiya’s scent was but I’m pretty sure that she smells pretty nice. Wait, what am I thinking? Teiko thought.

“So about Silica, I’m sure she really admires my father. Is there a chance that she was also inspired to be a hero?” Teiko asked.

“Hmm, I think there’s a part of her that she wanted to be one but she’s more on wanting to meet the hero, Toya. She tried to use a sword but she’s hopeless, but one time, she tried  using a bow used by our hunters and she’s exceptionally good at that thing. So for me, she wanted to take Toya’s path unconsciously,” Cecilia answered.

Oh, so what I said earlier to Silica might have fired her up? Teiko thought.

“What’s your stand about that, Auntie?” Teiko asked.

“Being a mother, I don’t want her to face any kind of danger. I think that’s all mothers would say. However, if she aspires to become one, a hero, I’ll not stop her. Actually, there’s a part of me that I wanted her to become one. She’s having fun here in the village but she’s different from the time when Toya is talking to her. I feel that if she takes his path, the joyful Silica will return,” Cecilia said.

“That’s an elaborate answer,” Teiko said.

“So, Teiko. Would you take my daughter out?” Cecilia said.

“Ahm. I’m not sure about that, I’m not that confident that I can take care of your daughter on the battlefield. I’m not that strong yet, but if she’s willing, I’ll consider it,” Teiko said.

“Mother! I’m here,” Silica shouted from the outside of the house.

Silica together with Helson went inside the house.

“Hello, Cecilia. Thank you for taking care of our honored guests,” Helson said.

“Of course, I’ll do that. He’s the son of this village’s hero afterall,” Cecilia said.

“What? You already knew? Did they say that to you?” Helson asked.

Cecilia laughs. She said, “Village chief, it seems you have poor eyesight already. Their resemblance is uncanny.”

“Ehh? I also didn’t realize that,” Silica said.

“Hmm, maybe because your mother is the one that takes care of Toya when he was here. But I look closely, they really have similar features,” Helson said.

“Ahm, Sir Helson, I hope you don’t think too highly of me and please don’t make special treatment for us. My father’s achievement is not mine, I’m still too far from when he was saving this village, but I’ll strive hard to be like him,” Teiko said.

“Oh, Teiko. Please give us this opportunity so that we can thank even his descendants. We’ll try to address all our thanksgiving to you, since he’s not in this world anymore,” Helson said.

“What? You mean,” Cecilia said then stopped.

“Yes, Cecilia. It’s very saddening but we cannot thank him in person anymore,” Helson said.

Upon hearing what the village chief said, Cecilia stands up and walks to the kitchen.

“I’ll also make something for you, village chief,” Cecilia said.

“You don’t have to do that, Ceci-,” Helson said but was interrupted by Cecilia.

“Let me!” Cecilia shouted.

The atmosphere becomes silent. Helson sat beside Teiko.

“What’s wrong with my mom?” Silica said.

“Don’t worry about that, Silica. And don’t bring it up, okay? For now, join us at the table,” Helson said.

Silica sitted on the chair opposite to Teiko.

“I want to hear what happened personally. Would you be willing to tell us about the story?” Helson asked Teiko.

“Sure, but are we not going to wait for Auntie? I think she also might want to hear about this,” Teiko said.

“That’s fine, I need to go after I hear your story. It will take a while for her to come back here. She’ll ask you if she really wanted to hear about it,” Helson said.

Teiko told Helson exactly what happened to the Hero, Toya. After a while of talking, Akeiko got back from the bath.

“Where’s Auntie? I need to thank her for preparing a change of clothes for me,” Akeiko said.

“I’m here. You’re welcome, Akeiko,” Cecilia said while walking towards them.

“Ohh, Cecilia. I’ll be going already, I hope you didn’t prepare food or tea for me,” Helson said.

“Ah, I forgot that I have to do that,” Cecilia replied.

“It’s fine, I’ll be leaving after all. Anyway, before I leave, I’ll invite all of you to a feast!” Helson said.

Everyone was shocked about the announcement.

“I thought that your village has a shortage of food?” Akeiko asked.

“Did I say that? You might have misheard what I said earlier?” Helson replied.

“That means we can stay here? Don’t worry we’ll help the village get food, we’ll just have to wait for Auntie to finish our favor,”  Teiko said.

“Oh, of course, of course. You can stay here for a week, we’ll have an event, and the festival will be called ‘Hero’s Return’,” Helson said.

“Ahmm-” Teiko said but was cut by Helson.

“Yes, you’re not Toya and you’re still not a hero. But we will declare it ourselves that the hero has already returned to the village that he once saved. Cecilia, I know you got some elegant clothes there, let them dress for the event and I’ll get going,” Helson said.

The village chief ran outside the house after he spoke.

“He really said earlier that there’s a shortage in food, right? Did we hear it wrong?” Teiko asked.

Cecilia gave Teiko a change of clothes. She said, “You might have misheard it, just take your bath already.”