Chương 50: Chapter 46

Sobelle hadn't expected that the chief would agree to her suggestion of still training even while injured. Chael had resisted the idea for as long as she could, and even threatened to not heal Sobelle, but the old man just said yes because he reasoned that if Sobelle did it, then it would be fine. She was shocked, but not angry. She was happy about the decision.

"Can you tell me why? You're a soldier right? Or at least you knew how to fight." Although Sobelle was happy to have been allowed to train, she was still curious as to the reasons behind why the chief decided to do so. He knew things she didn't, so maybe she'd learn something from his reasoning and be able to train better in the future?

'Knowing what to do when training while injured sounds like something I need come to think of it.' Because if she were to really learn something from the chief through this, then it made asking worth it. Sobelle wasn't a stranger to being treated in a stupid way, so she did not mind even if the chief thought she was when she asked for the reasons behind such a strange decision. And she also really wanted to know the answer, and her curiosity easily trumped her caution or her pride.

"You're a smart girl, Sobelle. So I trust that you know how to limit yourself when you truly need to, if you wish to train, then I believe you already know that you wouldn't harm yourself by doing so." This was not what Sobelle expected at all, she also never thought that she'd ever hear the chief talk like this. He sounded like a noble, or Chael whenever she acted all smug when correcting Sobelle about a misconception. Sobelle's head metaphorically swelled to great sizes when she heard the old man's praise.

Then, just as quickly, Sobelle quenched her emotion and reminded herself that she shouldn't think so highly of herself. Sobelle remembered the chief's advice about how she should never underestimate greenskins and applied that to her own sense of being; she believed that she should overestimate her own capabilities. Her strengths, intelligence, or similar things were not something she should casually treat as superior over everyone. Even if they clearly were.

Arrogance was a poison she should never willingly consume, and that? That was something that would make her capabilities truly worthwhile. Or at least she believed as such. [+1 Wisdom!] Sobelle resisted the urge to smile and silently inhaled. She calmed herself down. This too was something she needed to watch out for, as even if the Gods themselves chose to compliment Sobelle. She still needed to remind herself that she was only mortal. And those limits defined her very existence.

She was not as perfect as the Gods.

"So it's because you trust me, then." Sobelle's tone was somber rather than excited. A sign that she had truly taken her new beliefs to heart.

"I thought it was because you knew something I didn't, can I ask if it's truly fine to train while I'm injured?" Injury or not, Sobelle was going to finish the routine the Gods had given her. She would not be convinced to do otherwise. Even if the chief's answer was something that truly agreed with the notion that training with injuries was a bad idea, Sobelle would still do it. She had to.

"Of course it's bad." Just as she thought, stressing your body while being injured was never a good thing. It was an obvious conclusion in hindsight, and Sobelle had considered the idea to stop. Then decided not to.

"You'd only worsen your wounds if you do something like that, they open up and then make things even worse. Your sweat would also cause them to start filling with pus."

'Sweat causes infection then.' Sobelle silently concluded.

"Don't worry about me, I know what I am doing." Sobelle smiled and stood up to clean her wounds once more. She knew it was a bad idea to remove the poultice Chael placed over her wounds, but what other choice did she have? She wished it could be replaced as well, but that was impossible for the time being.

"Chael wouldn't be able to come tonight I believe, we got into an argument while in the forest so..." Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Utter something evil and it will beckon them. This was a saying that was passed down to Sobelle by her mother, back then, it was meant to be a lesson and a reminder to always stay optimistic. Though Sobelle felt that it was also applicable to what was happening. Knocking coming from the door could only mean one thing.

And well, Chael wasn't really evil but Sobelle found it amusing that the merchant somehow managed to time her arrival with Sobelle's verbal doubts.

"She'd forgive you, Sobelle. You should as well." The chief stood up.

"The two of you should be friends, you are the only two people in this village who support each other. Without her, you'd be left in the dust by everyone, and the same could be said for Chael."

"I guess so." She hadn't really planned to hold a grudge to begin with. Sobelle viewed herself as the type of person to never do that. But she also wanted to respect Chael's decision to never talk to her so if the merchant hadn't reconnected with Sobelle, then Sobelle assumed that Chael simply hated her now.

"Sobelle!" Chael screamed and she thought that the merchant might just want to attack them.

"If you're going to train, then let me heal you after!" This was not a declaration, but an ultimatum. Sobelle could read between the lines, she didn't need [Vibe Check] and would be fine even if it did not activate. Right now, Chael wanted her to choose: agree to be healed after she finished the routine or say no and lose the merchant forever. What other choice could Sobelle choose? Of course she said yes.

"I'd appreciate that." She also indirectly said thank you at the same time because it was only right to do so. Chael offered to heal her and that deserved something positive.

"You'd make things easier if you did."

"Yeah, I know." Chael barged in with a huff. She poked Sobelle on the chest and accidentally hit one of her breasts, this made the merchant even angrier for some reason as her face turned outright crimson.

"And this means that I-I'll have to start taking care of you, which leads me to say that you and I will be staying in the same room so I can keep watch!"

"Would your parents allow that?" Yes, Sobelle hadn't asked if Chael was fine with it or she was just sacrificing her own time for Sobelle's sake. She also didn't ask whether or not the chief would say yes, nor did she push Chael away and said no. Chael had decided to stay and Sobelle wouldn't mind sharing her bed. It was big anyway.

"Yes?" Chael looked at the chief, or rather, she stared at the darkening skies outside the door.

"They'd allow it. Well, he would allow it. I only have one parent."

"Then you can stay." Sobelle had been cared for by Chael back when she fainted in the forest and she genuinely believed that the merchant had great skill in healing. Chael even knew how to make poultices, which made everything better.

"Great!" Chael placed the basket she carried on the table and looked at the chief. Unlike Sobelle, she meekly asked the old man for permission, "can I stay?"

"Yes, of course." The chief readily agreed. He laughed.

"If you wish to stay, then you don't need to ask me, that room belongs to Sobelle now."

"I know that, but this is your house." Chael cleared her throat and faced Sobelle once more. She poked Sobelle's wounds, which made her wince.

"You need to regulate yourself. You are hurting and yet you still wish to train?"

"I'll be fine." Sobelle trusted the Gods and their decisions. If they believed she could still train despite her injuries, then they must be right.

"You don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself."

"Of course you can." Chael let out a sigh. She sat down and slowly took out the contents of the basket. Instead of food, she took out fish skin, some strange mix of egg white, vinegar, oil, and herbs, as well as several fabrics.

"I've already made poultices, the fish skin has also been smoked with herbs. Your wounds would be able to heal even if they're that deep."

"Thank you." Sobelle wondered why Chael went so far for her for a second. Then decided that it wasn't important and then she promised herself that if the time ever came, then she'd do everything to help Chael too. She would not be stuck with words when showing her appreciation, she'd show it through action.

"Don't mind it." Chael waved Sobelle off. She looked at the chief, "you said that there will be a feast?"

"Yes, it's outside." Werren walked out the door.

"It's going to be for the whole village, that boar is too big to keep to ourselves. We're not selfish." Chael and Sobelle met each other's gaze. A silent conversation passed between them and they made a non-verbal promise to never reveal what they do in their camp.

"Yeah, you're right. It's a bit selfish." Chael agreed before heading out.

"Exactly. Who would do such a thing?" Sobelle tailed after the merchant, ashamed at the fact that she had kept several boars from everyone.