Chapter 102: Tea Leaves

The purple-red fruits hung in heavy clusters like jeweled grapes, each one plump, glossy, and perfectly ripe beneath the dappled sunlight. The moment Sora caught sight of them, her mouth watered.

Who could possibly resist fresh mulberries?

Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she patted Lukan’s broad back.

"Let’s stop here for lunch."

Lukan slowed immediately. Without a word, he crouched low, making it easier for her to climb down.

As soon as her feet touched the soft forest floor, Sora hurried toward the mulberry trees like an excited child.

"So many..."

Dark crimson mulberries dangled from every branch, their sweet fragrance drifting through the warm breeze. She reached up eagerly, plucked a handful, and tossed one into her mouth.

The fruit burst instantly.

Sweet juice flooded her tongue, carrying a faint floral fragrance and a refreshing sweetness that was far richer than any cultivated fruit she’d tasted in the apocalypse.

"So good..."

She happily stuffed another into her mouth.

After satisfying her craving, her wandering gaze suddenly landed on a cluster of vibrant green trees growing a short distance away.

"Hm?"

It was already late summer, nearly autumn. Most trees had begun turning yellow, yet these remained lush and emerald green.

Curious, Sora walked over.

The leaves were long, glossy, and serrated along the edges.

Her eyes widened.

"Tea..."

She reached out gently, rubbing a tender leaf between her fingertips before bringing it to her nose.

The unmistakable fresh aroma filled her senses.

"They’re tea trees."

Her eyes practically glowed.

"We’re rich!"

"..."

Lukan blinked.

"We are?"

She pointed dramatically toward the trees.

"Tea!"

"They’re tea trees!"

Lukan stared at the leaves.

"...Tea?"

"Yes!"

"The magical drink that wakes sleepy people..."

"...helps digestion..."

"...pairs perfectly with snacks..."

"...can become milk tea..."

"...fruit tea..."

"...flower tea..."

"...iced tea..."

She became more excited with every sentence.

Lukan understood exactly none of those words.

But judging from Sora’s expression...

These leaves were apparently as valuable as treasure.

He looked at the ordinary green trees again.

"They’re... that useful?"

Sora nodded so vigorously her hair bounced.

"Useful?"

"Lukan!"

"If salt changed our lives..."

"...tea is about to upgrade civilization."

Lukan laughed softly.

"I don’t fully understand."

"But..."

"If they make you this happy..."

"They must be something wonderful."

Sora smiled brightly.

"They are."

She gently touched one of the fresh leaves.

This primitive world truly was full of surprises.

First wheat.

Then mulberries.

Now...

Tea.

At this rate...

Maybe one day she’d even find sugarcane.

Or cinnamon.

Or pepper.

Her eyes sparkled mischievously.

Poor Ryan.

He still thought wheat was just decorative grass.

Wait until she served him tea with freshly baked bread.

The poor man was going to question everything he’d ever believed about plants.

She suddenly burst into laughter.

Lukan looked at her curiously.

"What are you laughing about?"

Sora waved her hand.

"Nothing."

"I just imagined Ryan’s face."

"..."

Lukan smiled knowingly.

"...Should I feel sorry for him?"

Sora grinned.

"Probably."

"He’s about to receive another life lesson."

"And this time..."

She looked lovingly at the tea trees.

"...it’s going to be steeped."

A smile spread across her face.

"If only I had fresh milk..."

She sighed dramatically.

"I could make milk tea."

Of everything she missed from the apocalypse, it wasn’t luxury, technology, or even modern conveniences.

It was drinks.

Bubble tea...

Milk tea...

Fruit tea...

Fresh juice...

Those simple beverages capable of washing away exhaustion with a single sip.

Unfortunately...

There wasn’t a single carton of milk anywhere in this primitive world.

Sora clicked her tongue regretfully.

"What a pity."

Not far away, Lukan had been sorting through edible herbs while quietly listening to her muttering.

He lifted his head.

"You want milk?"

Sora blinked.

"Hm?"

"That’s easy."

He stood naturally.

"Wait here."

Before she could ask another question, the tall wolf beastman disappeared into the forest.

"..."

Sora stared after him blankly.

"Milk?"

Where in the wilderness was he planning to find milk?

Shrugging, she decided not to overthink it.

The clearing was wide and bright, with excellent visibility. Dangerous predators rarely approached open spaces during daylight, especially when a powerful fifth-rank beastman had recently passed through.

She wasn’t worried.

Instead, she began searching for ingredients.

"If he’s getting milk, then I’ll prepare lunch."

The forest was unbelievably rich.

Within minutes she discovered clusters of wild mushrooms sprouting beneath ancient trees.

"Matsutake!"

She quickly knelt down.

"And porcini!"

Her eyes shone.

These were premium ingredients even before the apocalypse.

Carefully cutting them near the roots, she sorted them into different piles.

"The fresh matsutake can be grilled..."

"The porcini will be perfect stir-fried."

"And the smaller mushrooms can go into soup."

She nodded with satisfaction.

Some distance away, cheerful chirping echoed overhead.

Birds.

Which meant...

Eggs.

Following the sounds, Sora climbed onto a sturdy branch with surprising agility.

Several nests rested among the leaves.

She carefully gathered the tiny bird eggs one by one.

"I definitely don’t want to mistake snake eggs for bird eggs."

That would be disastrous.

After collecting around twenty eggs, she climbed back down.

"These can be boiled..."

She counted them thoughtfully.

"A few can be chopped and fried with wild vegetables."

"The rest can become mushroom egg soup."

Just imagining the meal made her stomach growl.

Using her water ability, she extended her senses through the moisture hidden beneath the earth.

A faint stream of flowing water appeared within her perception.

"There."

A spring.

Perfect for washing vegetables.

"And maybe..."

Her lips curled upward.

"If I’m lucky, there’ll be wild honey nearby."

Without sugar, honey would be the perfect substitute.

Meanwhile...

Lukan moved swiftly through the forest.

Earlier, while carrying Sora, he’d noticed a small herd of wild yaks grazing on a nearby hillside.

Ordinary beastmen might have overlooked them.

But his enhanced eyesight easily spotted creatures several kilometers away.

Soon he reached the grassy slope.

The shaggy yaks raised their heads warily.

Lukan calmly took out the ceramic bowl Sora had made.

His movements were careful.

After soothing one of the gentler females, he skillfully collected fresh milk into the bowl.

The creamy white liquid slowly filled the pottery.

Once it was nearly full, he protected it carefully with both hands.

He couldn’t spill it.

Sora wanted milk tea.

Just as he turned to leave—

A crisp female voice called from behind.

"Hey, Werewolf!"

Lukan continued walking.

"If you become my beast husband..."

The voice became louder.

"Our Snow Tiger Tribe definitely won’t treat you badly."

Lukan didn’t even slow down.

He simply changed direction slightly and continued forward.

Seeing herself ignored, the beautiful female stomped her foot angrily before chasing after him.

"I’m talking to you!"

"Didn’t you hear me?"

Only then did Lukan answer without turning around.

"I heard."

"But I’m not interested."

"...Not interested?"

Tisha froze.

This was the first time in her life a male had rejected her.

Usually...

She was the one refusing others.

As the most beautiful female of the Snow Tiger Tribe, she already had nine devoted beast husbands.

Any male she fancied eagerly accepted her invitation.

Yet today...

Someone actually said he wasn’t interested.

She stared blankly.

"Am..."

"...am I not beautiful?"

The words escaped before she realized it.

Immediately afterward, she shook her head vigorously.

"No!"

"When did I become so insecure?"

She was beautiful.

Everyone said so.

Otherwise, why would nine outstanding beastmen willingly become her husbands?

If this handsome wolf agreed...

She would soon have ten.

Unwilling to accept defeat, Tisha hurried ahead and blocked Lukan’s path.

"What exactly makes me unworthy?"

She crossed her arms proudly.

"Forget everything else."

"I’m much prettier than that fat female beside you."