The old shaman crossed his arms, looking at Enatsu. "That's a keikemon, isn't it?" the merchant asked, looking at the strange fruit in Yoichi's hands.
"Correct" Kuniaki answered, his closed eyes pointing towards the object. From the way he looked at it, he seemed not very happy to get rid of it.
"Um... does anyone explain to me what makes this lemon so special?" Yoichi interrupted, referring to that citrus fruit.
"The keikemon is a rare fruit. It is said that it only grows in remote islands off the east coast of Tentochu. At the Old Bazaar, it would be worth a fortune!" Enatsu boomed, immediately imagining the profit they would be able to make.
"It is also called the 'fruit of experience'. Half for you and the other half for your demon. By eating it together, it will receive twice as many XP points for a period of 24 hours," Kuniaki explained.
"Double XP points? Wow! Thank you! It's a wonderful gift... I don't know what to say!" Yoichi rejoiced, looking closely at the rough surface of the blue fruit.
"I believe this is the least that the Blackborough chief can do on behalf of his people. It's not much, but that's all I can offer you," the old shaman nodded, looking away.
In front of them, the village ruins slowly took shape under the red rays of the sunrise sun.
"Are you sure you want to give it to me? Are there no tamers from this village who can use it?" Yoichi asked. The young tamer hoped for a positive response in his heart, knowing that that magical fruit would substantially benefit his growth as a professional tamer.
"It was given to me by an old friend who owed me a favour. Now, it belongs to you" Kuniaki smiled. He put his hands on the wooden bench and, emitting a verse of effort, used them to bring his feet back to the ground.
Enatsu and Yoichi remained a more few seconds still to watch that strange lemon-shaped fruit with an unnatural colour. Although they had not arrived in time to save all the villagers who died during the attack, the gratitude shown by the village chief was like a breath of fresh air for their heartbroken hearts.
A gesture of kindness from a man much older than them gave hope to the two travellers. After all, protecting the weakest from the wild demons lurking at night was quite rewarding.
Not knowing what else to add and not wanting the old village chief to change his mind, Yoichi slipped the keikemon into its pouch and then into his leather bag.
The sunlight finally illuminated his face, and his lungs filled with fresh air coming from the sea. A sea breeze blew towards the mountains, bringing with it the noise and smell of the waves.
As Yoichi remembered that strange black substance that came out of the Hebigure scales, someone else walked out the door. The wooden wing opened, squeaking, stopping after about thirty centimetres due to the rust of the hinges.
Shioko's white hand grabbed the side of the door, helping the rest of the body out of the hut. As predicted by the fatty lady who had stitched up her wound, the Nightblades' tamer and the sun woke up from their sleep almost simultaneously.
Limping slightly due to her sore legs, Shioko looked around, opening her eyes still full of sleep. With the other hand, she tore away from his hair the lace that held the braid still.
Shaking her head, she let her red hair freely float around: Shioko was a wild, unruly girl, and those long hair somehow represented her untamed and strong character.
Like her, her hair didn't need order and laces to stay still. When the densest lock waved in Yoichi's direction, it unleashed a pleasant smell, similar to that of freshly flowered roses.
The young tamer and the other two were motionless watching the scene as if they did not want to interrupt the girl's awakening abruptly. During those moments, Yoichi was able to see Shioko's fragile side. A wave of femininity and sweetness enveloped her, making her watchers forget that they were in the presence of one of the strongest warriors in the Nightblades guild.
"How do you feel?" Yoichi asked suddenly, breaking the magic and drawing her gaze. Against all expectations, Shioko looked at her travelling companion with a half-smile painted on her lips.
"I'm fine, thank you. The women who took care of me were amazing, and the ointment they gave me was miraculous," she replied, moving her arm and stretching her shoulder. She seemed to be particularly happy to see Yoichi and Enatsu again.
"We were waiting for you. Oh, even Taya!" Yoichi added, pointing to his partner's mare with his hand. It had remained all night huddled at the corner of the hut, faithfully waiting for its knight.
After greeting her horse and kissing her muzzle as she usually did, Shioko took a deep breath. "Because of me, we're behind schedule. Thank you for your hospitality, Kuniaki, but we must get back on the road immediately", she affirmed with conviction, restoring her serious expression.
Yoichi and Enatsu looked at each other, sharing their confusion. None of them could decipher that girl's cryptic attitude, but both were glad she was safe and sound.
"You don't have to apologize, Shioko. It could have happened to anyone. You fought on the front line, and that giant demon exceeded your expectations. Anyway, Uncle Kuno... my colleague is right. We have to go," Yoichi concluded, standing up and keeping on stretching his arms.
As soon as he got up, Kenji, crouching under the wooden bench, did the same. Both the dragon pet and Sora were ready to follow their masters on the journey. No sign of Nobu.
"Gentlemen!" a distant voice called, drawing the attention of the three travellers. "I believe this belongs to you. My wife found it just a few minutes ago as it was drinking some water near my farm," he continued, holding the bridles of a horse in his hands.
Enatsu's dispersed horse followed the gentle villager slowly, heavily breathing from its large nostrils with his gaze down. "Oh, thank you so much! Without my horse, I wouldn't have known how to do it! I mean it!" – contrary to what he had just said, the absent-minded merchant had not even thought about that detail, hoping that his companion's strong Inoshuma would carry both of them.
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