Emotion Taster

Arc 4 New Stage: Chapter 64 - Comb the Forest

The sun had started to rise, but the angle was still sharp and the light was dazzling.

Now we had gathered outside the inn, preparing to go through the forest in search of food. With some tools like a carry bag and lightweight clothes easy to move, we will do this short mission.

Fortunately, here Hanz has knowledge of chefs and food from a world setting. The role of the given chef has given it a special role we can get food from the forest. Coupled with Farrel who is experienced with the hobby of climbing it, the task this time should not be too difficult.

The axe that was given as a stock is still always brought by us. Somehow or it has become a rule, the object can not be left far from the owner. But, no problem, it became an advantage because all of us had at least a cutting tool to cross this forest.

I stood up front and was impressed to be leading the line. Some of the people who still join—, especially female students, are still getting ready. They put on shoes, and checked the supplies.

*glance

I finally got to meet Amalia.

"..."

I could feel the awkwardness from his gaze. He refused to look at me who somehow simultaneously also looked unpleasant to avoid. Every now and then from avoiding those gazes I could feel the peeps in his eyes.

Logically, perhaps this is not strange.

Amalia with powers that make other personalities possess does not mean not being fully aware. He still has one sense, one body, and one memory. So, when he used his strength, unsealed his mute mouth, and simultaneously used another personality, it did not mean that he did not remember anything he had done.

I also took a look at Imarine. The girl also gave me a gesture that said, 'just do your job'.

I see Imarine's like a babysitter now. He was like a guardian to Azarin and Amalia at once.

Time has passed, in the end I also gave instructions for the journey to begin.

There I might look to lead. But, it wasn't until a few minutes, that Hanz and Farrel took over as pacesetters.

I myself am not too sure about my decision when doing forest destruction. So, it is wiser if it is the experts who decide.

The food went pretty well. Fortunately, the forest is still plentiful by various food resources. Fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, leaves, and even edible stems are collected in small quantities.

At first, we were probably working together. But, as time went on, people other than Farrel and Hanz were more like errand boy and grocery bag bearer. We were simply appointed, asked to bring along, and followed directions as to where we were going.

It might sound a little evil. However, this is the most efficient way. Rather than teaching one by one, it was better to command him directly which to take and which not.

"Ivan," called Farrel from the direction that was slightly blocked by the trees.

"What's wrong?" I said as I walked over.

"Materials have accumulated a lot. Lastly, you now help cut down this tree and take it home."

"Hn?"

Farrel showed me to the banana tree. Its size is quite large with several small banana trees growing in the main. The distinctive leaves are parallel to comb the twigs, and the entire stem is composed by a lot of water is different from woody plants.

There was already Peter who took the fruit. Already finished the tree branch with the heart of the banana prospective fruit. But ....

"Why should you bring the trunk too?" I asked Farrel a little confused.

"A banana can be eaten if you know how to work. The chef said he knew the right way. So, before you go home, I think it'll be good to bring a banana tree trunk home."

I didn't know banana stems could be processed into food. My life from the beginning was always in the city does not seem to give me a chance about it.

"It looks like food until now has been a lot. Why do you still need to bring a banana?"

"Banana sticks aren't emergency food, Ivan. It's actually edible" said Farrel, who still defended his decision.

"Hoo .. If I say the hell you're just a kayak who's trying to eat a banana tree now."

"Yes, it's true, I rarely get to eat a banana stem" Farrel admitted, shrugging and starting to walk away the other way leaving me with Pero. "Okay, anyway, you carry that banana stem. Banana sticks should not be heavy to carry."

Yeah, fine. I was also quite curious about the taste of banana stems. From the texture of more water and air cavities, carrying a banana stem does not mean a very heavy task.

"Continue, Farrel. Where are you going now?" I cried out a little because of the distance the man was going.

"To that chef. I'll try to find chickens or rabbits or other animals with him. If you finish cutting the trunk, you can go home first. I might be a long time, but I'll definitely be home before afternoon" explained Farrel who gradually sank behind the forest.

So far we have taken a lot of food from the type of plants. It's a little bit of a lie if I don't want meat as an extra menu. Although not forcing, but I will not refuse if presented. So, his departure that wanted to hunt I supported straight from the heart.

For a few seconds I watched him walk away, stand up and breathe for a while, until my concentration finally recovered. My vision changed, now back to the given task. I'm with Pero, and he's just finished putting bananas in his backpack.

"Kaivan," call Pero who is half-standing, closing the backpack full of bananas.

"Why, Pero? You don't know how to cut a tree?"

"Very off the mark."

*Slash

Pero said it while swinging his axe. With that power. The weapon can penetrate the trunk of a banana tree perfectly. Not stuck, not stuck, just passing smoothly like nothing is in the way.

I was quite shocked, seeing such a perfect movement where the tree was cut off quickly. Although the structure is a banana tree, but still the sensation is only common in samurai base films.

Bugs.

The truncated trunk of the tree began to fall sideways, Pero with his adult body holding back the direction of the collapse. From the overall weight of the banana tree, it still seems to be light to be lifted by Pero alone.

All this time I quite rarely saw Pero in his human form moving agilely. He is a raven demon who is just starting a new life using a new human body. So, naturally if the movement is very passive, more sitting attention, where the human body as if only used to talk to us humans.

I've been told that Pero says he has a hard time adjusting the way people look and how they walk. The eyes of crows have different structures, as well as feet. Therefore, Pero who with his human form is more like a sick person.

But today is different. He can swing an axe so great as a farmer. His movements were filled with confidence as if the axe was an extension of his hand. Then, it's not just that. The strength in his body could also be put to good use. Pero with his movement can lift the tree with his shoulders alone.

"I just thought a little about this condition. However, it is not important" he said, walking while carrying a tree trunk and a backpack full of bananas. "The banana tree I took, now we can go home, Kaivan."

I saw Pero passing by with the bamboo on my shoulder horizontally.

"..."

My pride as a man was a little moved. When the crow passed by, I followed behind and gave a helping hand by lifting the back side of the banana stem. At least, now the load from the tree trunk is reduced. Given the distance of the forest we traveled with the location of the inn, it would be tiring to also bring the banana trunk alone.

Our condition is now separated from each other. Some people from the group had already descended from the mountain back to the inn carrying quite a lot of supplies. Then, me and Pero were one of the last. Leaving Hanz and Farrel behind, we were actually left behind by Amalia, Imarine, and Azarin in front.

Even so, our distance does not mean that we are very far apart. The three girls were in front of us on the way home. But, they didn't really leave me and Pero just like that.

Sometimes the three girls waited, stopping their steps if I was already far behind. Then, when Pero and I started to catch up and look again, the three of them walked back. This led to a condition where both I and Pero were for a long time transporting trees.

"Pero," call me who's still helping carry the tree trunk on the back side.

"Is there anything you want to ask, Kaivan?"

"Today, Amalia has gotten weird. You know why?" ask me on Pero.

I still hold curiosity.

My condition with Amalia is certainly a little disturbed. In addition to the awkwardness, the circumstances in which Amalia could not speak made things even more difficult. So, one of the clues I can take is Pero as his partner.

"What do you expect from my answer, Kaivan? From your complaints during knowing Lia, didn't you always think of her as a strange girl?" said Pero who slightly turned the question around.

"Yes, I used to say that. But, now it's at a level where I think Amalia is acting weird for a freak like her. My standards can no longer be maintained. He shouldn't be that weird."

"Hmn .... as a reference, you can tell me what Lia has been doing lately" asked Pero who still did not show his face. Our position should be lined up horizontally transporting banana stems into a barrier.

"That's .. Last night he attacked me."

"Woah ... attack? What does that mean he's showing himself as a murderer."

"Bu-not that," I hesitated a little to explain. "I mean .. more towards the context sexually."

"Sexual ...?"

Pero uses a question, slightly wavy tone in which he expresses a guessing voice. Pause thought for quite a while, loud buzzing accompanied the rustling sound of dry leaves we stepped on in the forest. Until he finally spoke ....

"I don't see the strange side? Isn't it natural to express love for the opposite sex. Moreover, the human mating season lasts all year round without stopping."

"Not that, stupid— Ah, okay, all right, forget it. I don't care."

I've been stuck in this conversation with Pero a few times. Basically he is a raven demon, human common sense is sometimes stupid difficult to accept by him. So, asking for advice or arguing with him sometimes only results in empty talk.

"Don't be like that, Kaivan," said Pero who replied in a persuasive tone. "I see the point, the memory given to me as a human provides a clue. It's taboo for you, isn't it? You want to ask about Lia's mental state now, don't you?"

"Tch .. heh."

I narrowed my eyes, slightly frowned, and sniffed my breath in annoyance. For some reason I wanted to ask what it means to talk round.

"Yes, right."

But, that intention was discarded in order to continue the conversation more effectively, accepting it with a nod was much more energy efficient.

"So, what do you think? Aren't you the one who knows Amalia best?"

"Hmn ... what do I think, yes," said Pero a little repeat while thinking about the answer with his murmur. "I don't think about it too much. After all, the madness of Lia herself was not too surprising. She was from the beginning a witch, one fact she took the risk of becoming a witch, it was certain that her mentality was indeed disturbed."

"uh? Meanin?" I was less caught.

"Based on the losses witches incur, only a madman would be willing to become a witch."

"..."

"..."

Eh? Then, Amalia ...?