Chapter 87: Who Are You Going To Live With?

Sora sat on Lucas’s back, completely unaware of what was happening below. Her entire focus was on gripping Lucas’s neck tightly, afraid she might fall from the sky. Riding through the air was certainly more comfortable than traveling on land, although the occasional air current still made the journey a little bumpy. Fortunately, the weather was clear today, so the turbulence was minimal.

Flying was indeed much faster than climbing.

By the time Sora and Lucas reached the salt cave, the other beastmen and werewolves had not yet arrived. Thinking he finally had an opportunity to spend some time alone with her, Lucas’s tail feathers swayed happily.

Xavier had been showing off before, but now he was the one enjoying Kaelira’s company alone.

Remembering how elegant and magnificent his golden feathers looked, Lucas turned toward her and asked,

"Compared to everyone else’s backs... whose is the most comfortable to ride on, Kaelira?"

The question sounded so childish that Sora almost laughed.

She had originally intended to ignore him, but his bright green eyes stared at her with such hopeful anticipation that she simply couldn’t.

Sometimes, she truly felt that the beastman world resembled one enormous daycare.

After thinking for a moment, she smiled.

"Your back was very comfortable just now."

Even while complimenting him, she deliberately left herself some room. She knew this silly bird might repeat her words to everyone later.

Upon hearing her answer, Lucas immediately straightened his neck proudly.

He knew it.

No one could dislike his beautiful wings.

After a moment of hesitation, he wanted to ask about what had happened between her and Xavier yesterday.

However, when he turned around, he discovered that Sora had already leaned against a nearby rock inside the salt cave, pretending to be asleep.

Seeing that, he quietly swallowed his question.

Meanwhile, Sora had already sensed what Lucas wanted to ask.

She simply didn’t want to explain yesterday’s events.

Pretending to sleep was far easier.

Not long afterward, the rest of the group finally arrived.

Carrying bags of salt and bundles of wheat, everyone began making the journey back to the tribe.

Along the way, Sora casually chose a beastman to carry her whenever she became tired, simply to avoid the endless arguments.

Fortunately, the one she randomly pointed at happened to be Lukan.

That immediately put her at ease.

She had secretly been worried she might accidentally choose Xavier instead.

Ever since yesterday, the shameless snake had been looking for every excuse to wrap his tail around her.

She could barely handle one Xavier, let alone two.

No matter how handsome he was, she simply couldn’t keep up with his enthusiasm.

Perhaps because everyone was eager to return home, Lukan remained unusually quiet throughout the trip.

He simply carried her steadily without saying much until they finally reached the entrance of the tribe.

As soon as they appeared, a large crowd gathered around them.

Someone shouted excitedly,

"Leader Martin they are back!"

Hearing the voice, Martin immediately walked over.

His eyes swept across the bulging beast-skin bags everyone carried.

A relieved smile spread across his face.

"Good... good... good."

"It’s wonderful that you’ve all returned safely."

They had failed to return at the agreed time yesterday, and he had worried that something terrible had happened.

After all, salt was an incredibly precious resource.

If another tribe discovered the salt mine, conflict would be inevitable.

Seeing everyone return unharmed finally eased his mind.

Looking toward Sora, he asked,

"How was the salt gathering site?"

Sora smiled before pointing toward the heavy skin bags carried behind her.

"We gathered enough salt for the tribe to use for at least a month."

"Was the place safe?"

She nodded.

"For now, no one else has discovered it. Only our people know about it."

Martin let out a long breath.

"Excellent."

"The Beast God has truly blessed our wolf tribe."

"From now on, we’ll never have to worry about lacking salt again."

Then his attention shifted toward the golden bundles carried on everyone’s backs.

"What are those?"

Sora smiled.

"This is wheat."

"If it’s dried and ground into flour, it can be used to make food."

She had almost said it could become a staple food, but remembering Ryan’s skeptical expression, she changed her wording.

She planned to surprise him later instead.

Martin nodded politely, although he didn’t appear particularly interested.

Recently, Sora had already introduced countless unfamiliar foods to the tribe.

He simply assumed she had learned everything from her adoptive black bear mother.

Right now, his attention remained focused on the salt.

Turning toward the group, he ordered,

"Unload the salt first."

"Lukan, come with me."

Lukan nodded.

Immediately, the wolves carrying the salt hurried toward the storage house in the center of the tribe.

Xavier, Lucas, Ryan, and Ace also prepared to leave.

Just then, someone emerged from the crowd.

After confirming that Sora had truly returned with salt, his eyes widened in surprise.

But the very next moment, after catching her scent, he raised an eyebrow and grinned.

"Kaelira."

"I haven’t seen you for so long."

"I really missed you."

"Come sleep at my house tonight."

"I built a brand-new house."

"It’s very comfortable."

Sora blinked.

Hadn’t someone already warned this guy to behave?

Why was he bringing this up again?

She opened her mouth to refuse.

Before she could speak, another beastman suddenly interrupted.

"Your house was struck by lightning."

"It burned down completely."

Sora froze.

"...What?"

She turned toward everyone else in disbelief.

The nearby beastmen all nodded seriously.

Clare sighed sympathetically.

"It’s true."

"Kaelira..."

"Your house is completely gone."

"So... why don’t you stay with me tonight?"

Damien smiled warmly while extending the invitation.

The few people who had been preparing to leave immediately stopped walking.

Everyone turned to look at Sora.

Crossing his arms, Xavier snorted.

"Why should she stay with you?"

"Kaelira, my cave is comfortable."

"It won’t matter whether it rains or thunders."

"Stay with me."

Both Ace and Lucas immediately added,

"Our places are comfortable too."

Only Ryan quietly picked up his belongings and continued walking away.

He had absolutely no intention of sharing a home with Sora.

He couldn’t understand why everyone else seemed so eager.

As the four of them continued arguing, the surrounding beastmen stared in complete astonishment.

Meanwhile, Sora herself stood rooted to the spot.

Why...

Why did she have to choose again?

Were these people being a little too enthusiastic?

But now wasn’t the time to think about that.

The moment she heard her house had been destroyed by lightning, Sora immediately turned and ran toward her home.

She completely ignored the arguments behind her.

Although she hadn’t built the house herself, it contained nearly everything she had worked so hard to create.

The thought that all of her carefully crafted belongings might have been reduced to ashes filled her with panic.

She desperately wanted to see how much damage had been done.

Perhaps...

Perhaps something had survived.

Behind her, the four beastmen held their breath.

Every pair of eyes followed Sora’s movements, each secretly hoping she would choose them.

To their surprise, she didn’t make a decision immediately.

Instead, she simply kept walking forward.

Their hearts pounded with anticipation.

Seeing Sora moving in his direction, Xavier’s lips slowly curved into a victorious smile.

He knew she’d choose him.

After all...

They had shared such an intimate night together.

Confidently, he extended his hand, ready to welcome her.

But just as she reached him...

Sora suddenly changed direction.

She walked straight toward Lucas instead.

Xavier’s smile instantly froze.

His expression darkened.

She...

She actually hadn’t chosen him.

How was that possible?

Hadn’t she practically seduced him before?

Now that she had changed into a beast-skin skirt, was she pretending not to recognize him?

What a greedy little female.