The Abysmal Territory

[44]

“And done!” Mia exclaimed.

“That’s a cool looking potion,” Teiko said.

A bright yellow liquid inside a glass bottle was given to Teiko.

“So this is what a potion looks like,” Teiko said.

“We use glass bottles since it wouldn’t react with our ingredients although it’s a one time use only since the liquid would deteriorate the inside surface of the glass,” Mia explained.

“I see, thank you very much, Mia,” Teiko said.

“No problem, it’s my job after all,” Mia said.

“It would stop the bleeding and would later heal the wound, you’ll be back to normal but you should still be careful or your wound will open up,” Mia said.

Mia opens the door of the laboratory making Helson, Silica, and Akeiko fall down to the ground.

“Eavesdropping?” Mia asked.

“Ahmm, no! We’re just concerned about Teiko’s condition,” the village chief said.

“You just gave the reason but that doesn’t even prove that you’re not eavesdropping,” Mia said.

The three got up from the ground.

Helson laughs. He said, “Well, I can’t come up with any excuse. Everyone is worried, look outside, all of my people gathered to check Teiko’s condition.”

“You just need to admit to it, village chief. Anyway, Teiko’s condition is already good. Just don’t force him to do things, okay?” Mia said.

Helson rushed towards Mia, kneeled and hugged her. He cried out, “Thank you so much, Mia! I’m so glad that we took care of you.”

“Stop that, I’m a grown woman. Don’t treat me like a child anymore,” Mia said.

Helson got up. He said, “Anyway! With this, we can have our feast!”

All of them get out of the laboratory. The crowd greeted them with loud cheers and praises.

“This is truly the return of the hero!” one of the villagers said.

“Thank you for visiting us, Teiko-sama,” a woman said.

“Hey, Sir Helson. They seem like they’re praising me like a god,” Teiko said.

“Of course, not only you defeat the savage bears, you also made it so that the problem about shortage of food will be solved,” Helson replied.

I see, as the savage bears were defeated, the normal ecosystem will go back to normal. Just like how the alpha wolf was defeated, the highest predator in the forest is gone. Teiko thought.

“Not only that, Teiko! The meat of the bears are now being cooked for the festival, all of us in the village will have their first time eating something like this in our life,” Silica said.

“Auntie Cecilia also took care of the skins so she could use it as additional material for our armor,” Akeiko added.

Helson laughs. He announced in a loud voice, “Everyone! Let’s get the feast started.”

Everyone cheered. 

They went to the village plaza which was decorated on the same day. Helson gave his speech about Toya and Teiko that fired everyone up. They spent the night full of excitement and joy. The scent of the cooked bear meat spread all over the village.

“They are really having fun,” Teiko said.

“Of course we will feel this way, the tension that builds up due to the threat of the savage bear suddenly pops out because of you. There’s no reason not to be like that. Again, thank you so much Teiko,” Helson said.

“Ahm, I’m sure that Silica is the one that killed half of the bears. Why am I getting the glory?” Teiko asked.

“Is that true, Silica?” Helson asked.

“Yup, but it’s Teiko that deserves this. He’s so brave during that time, if he’s not there, I’m sure I’ll be dead. It’s Teiko that made me able to conquer my fear that made me able to do that,” Silica said.

“I agree with that, he might have made some mistakes but he always makes something to fix it. That’s why I also think that Teiko deserves this,” Akeiko added.

“So that's what happened. That’s the reason that most of the bears have arrowed intact to their chest. Thank you, Silica. Thank you, Akeiko,” Helson said.

The two smile as a response.

“Anyway, how are you able to do that, Silica? You killed them with just one hit,” Teiko asked.

“I remember something from the myth. Savage Bears have a point in their body that when you hit them, they will be killed in an instant,” Silica explained.

“So hitting them in the chest is the best way to kill them?” Akeiko asked.

“No, every sleuth of savages has different kill points but the bear in the same group has the same place. All I had to do was to determine it, that’s why I rained many arrows to the first bear I hit,” Silica said.

“So that’s the reason, then after you determine the point, you manage to accurately hit the other savage bears at the same point. That’s amazing considering that they are fast. You’re very skilled in archery, Silica,” Teiko said.

“That’s not amazing about it, even if you determine the kill point, you need to hit it with just the tip of your sword, arrow, or even magic. If you exceed your strength in hitting the kill point, it will not die and the kill point will be reset to another location for every bear,” Saki said.

“I never thought that you’re that good, Silica,” Mia said.

“Yes, that’s why I’m thankful that Akeiko gave me the bow that I used. I was able to control every shot I made,” Silica said.

“Wow! What she did is very, very amazing! You’ll surely be a good member in a combat group,” Teiko exclaimed.

Silica blushed thinking that it could be a perfect timing to ask Teiko to let her join him in his journey.

“Are you not going to say something, Silica,” Akeiko asked.

“Ahm, thank you for praising me, Teiko,” Silica exclaimed.

She messed up. Akeiko thought.

“Anyway, we also gathered the bones and claws from the bears. We will give it to you tomorrow so it will be in good condition. But we request that you should at least leave 3 bear skulls for us, it will serve as a memorabilia for your heroic deeds for our village,” Helson said.

“That’s fine, Sir Helson. Just get everything you need from it,” Teiko said.

“Really! Thank you so much, Teiko-sama!” Helson said.

“You’re also calling me that?” Teiko said.

“Ohh, sorry,” Helson said, then laughed.

The feast ended and everyone returned to their own houses.

I’m glad that this house has two extra rooms for us to stay in. Akeiko is in the other room while I’m here with Saki. At least she’s somehow relaxed and not pestering me. Teiko thought.

As Teiko is about to sleep, he hears a voice.

“Wow, this day is very wonderful. All thanks to you, Teiko-sama!” a voice that sounds like Silica said.

Is she talking to me? Does she know how to speak with other people with her mind? Teiko thought.