Chapter 88 - Campfire (1)

Several small tree trunks stand out near the campfire, which has just been lit. While the other person prepares the meal, we move forward warily, taking turns sitting on the logs. Despite the looming danger, this short break is perfectly timed, allowing Shailly to be placed by my side and giving my back a much-needed rest.

_ Shailly: “ Thanks, Ayden. ”

_ Ayden: “ No worries. ”

Meanwhile, the Recluse takes off her backpack and pulls out some bowls and a jar filled with juice. Every one of her movements is watched with feverish attention as she pours the juice, filling each bowl one by one. Sensing our doubts, a gesture begins to take shape.

_ Orta: " Don't worry, the sauce isn't poisoned. "

Then she drinks immediately. No alarming signs appear. She sets the bowl down beside her and begins to smile again.

_ Orta: “ You see? ”

_ Individual 2: “ If you want to make them feel at ease, start by losing that moronic grin. ” he said, finishing the preparations.

_ Orta: " Whaaaat? My smile is amazing. You're just jealous. "

_ Individual 2: " If you say so. "

Unintentionally, Shailly let out a discreet laugh, unconsciously enjoying the rather soothing atmosphere. And this action, barely audible, did not go unnoticed.

_ Orta: " Hey, look Matilio, she likes this one. "

_ Matilio: " Okay. "

By the time she had given each of us a bowl, a new sound emitted.

_ Shailly: " By the way, how do you know Tutor Gwen? "

_ Orta: " It all started in 1310, eight years ago. Matilio and I had snuck out of the camp to get some fresh air. After walking for a while, we heard some strange noises. "

_ Ayden: " Why 'abnormal'? "

_ Orta: " We are in a remote part of the Forest. In principle, no one is supposed to be anywhere near our perimeter. "

_ Ayden: " I see. "

_ Orta: " There were some pretty large bushes nearby, so we hid to see who they were. And when we saw them, we were really surprised. "

_ Ayden: " You saw the guardians, didn't you? "

_ Orta: " Yes. But they were really dirty and exhausted. "

_ Shailly: " Oh, really? "

Nodding, she continued.

_ Orta : " At first, we wondered what teenagers were doing out there. "

_ Edna : " Why is that so surprising? The Forest is huge; of course kids could be outside. "

_ Orta: “ I don’t know which Zone you’re from, but things are different here. Children are supposed to be at the Moon Village or in a camp, but never out here alone. ”

_ Matilio: “ Which Zone are you from?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

_ Edna: " The Median Zone. "

_ Matilio: " I’ve heard that place is a total clusterfuck. "

_ Edna: " Exactly. Your life is constantly on the line, it’s just our everyday reality. Anyway, keep going. "

With the grilled fish finally served, we began our meal, intrigued by what would come next in the story.

_ Orta: " I’ll continue. After they informed us that they were moving locations every half-day, I suggested they come to our camp so we could host them. "

Then, look at their partner with a forced smile.

_ Orta: " But Matilio was in two minds. "

_ Hazel: " Why? "

_ Matilio: " Because they were hiding something from us. "

Everyone looks at each other in silence, without any real surprise.

_ Matilio: “ Young people lost in the middle of nowhere, trekking for countless miles... there's bound to be a reason behind it. They could easily be bringing their problems right into our camp. ”

_ Ayden: “ That makes sense. ”

_ Orta: " In any case, only the Elder had the final say, so our opinion didn't really matter. "

_ Son: " And did he end up accepting?? "

_ Matilio: " It took a lot of thought, but yes. "

_ Orta: " Naturally, I was happy because for the first time there were two kids our age to hang out with, even if Keren was younger. "

A question immediately springs to mind.

_ Shailly: " How old was Tutor Gwen back then? "

_ Orta: " We were 14 years old. "

_ Ayden: " 14... So Tutor Keren was 10 at the time, as young as we are now. "

Eyes are rolling.

_ Orta: " To be honest, the beginning with them was complicated. Between Gwen who rarely spoke and Keren who was constantly causing trouble, it was tough. "

_ Matilio: " Causing trouble? "

The woman in question, as well as most of us, turned our attention toward him, the tone of his voice having taken an unexpected turn.

_ Matilio: " He was incorrigible and disrespectful. "

A forced smile once again formed on his partner's face as she squinted and scratched the back of her head, clearly overcome with embarrassment.

_ Hazel: “ From the little we know about him, it's true that he’s intimidating at first glance. “

A few nods accompany these words.

_ Son: " By the way, what was he like when he was younger? "

_ Orta: " Honestly? "

She casts a benevolent gaze upon us, and her lips stretch into a broad smile before the words spring forth.

_ Orta: “ He was a real bastard. "

Her smiling face, like a deceptive mask, leaves us, myself included, perplexed in the face of the brutality of her words toward the guardian.

_ Son: " Wh... What do you mean?? "

_ Matilio: " He was sexist. "

Hardly had the word been spoken when an orphan spat out his soup and scrambled to his feet.

_ Maïko: " Hey! That’s not cool! "

_ Matilio: " To him, it was inconceivable that a girl could be good at fighting or lead a group; she was only good for serving men. "

Out of the corner of my eye and unsurprisingly, I catch a glimpse of the girls looking very annoyed, grimacing one after another. Only Edna doesn’t react.

_ Shailly: " And to think I actually respected him! "

_ Kaya: " What a total loser. "

_ Son: " He’s not a real man! "

_ Maïko: " What a shitty mindset! He should have stayed infected longer! "

_ Orta: " What? He got infected? "

_ Ayden: " The situation’s been sorted out since then. No issues. "

_ Orta: " Oh. "

With Maïko feeling relatively enraged, Hazel suggested she grab an extra skewer to calm down before sitting down.

_ Kona: " You said 'was', I presume he no longer is? "

_ Orta: “ We saw each other again two years ago and, to be honest, he’s matured! He still has some prejudices when it comes to girls, but it’s not as bad as it used to be. ”

_ Kona: “ I see. ”

Helping herself to a skewer in turn, she continues with a smile on her lips.

_ Orta: “ Despite the friction with Keren, I had a pretty good relationship with Gwen. ”

But suddenly, his pupils fixated on the ground, his smile frozen into a demented mask, reflecting an abyssal void in his gaze.

_ Orta: " Until the day she tells me that her brother has a demon inside him. "