Chapter 470

“Ahh… this is great!” Eating the first proper dish she had for the last several days, Tora exclaimed . Steam came out from her gaped mouth as she tried to cool the food down while chewing — very unladylike .

Earlier, after the table broke in half, the crowd went from shock to a loud cheer . The old auntie that owned the small establishment also went crazy and urged them to pay . Hence, Aki paid her a pouch of silver which made her shut up and let them be .

After that, Tora and Aki called it quits since they might break all the tables and they wouldn’t see the victor . Regardless, that was quite a fun experience Tora never expected . Still, although it was a draw, Aki still insisted to pay for her meal as he had a fun time with her .

It’s still a free meal, so Tora gladly accepted his offer like a shameless peasant .

“You have a rather vast appetite, Yamada-san . ” Aki gracefully downed his cup of sake after he glanced at the glutton eating before him . “I wonder where that all goes?” He humored with a faint chuckle .

“Ayah, I haven’t had a proper meal for the past ten days!” Spooning the hot pottage, Tora said in a matter-of-fact tone . “This is good . ” She added after gulping down the soup that instantly brought the heat to her stomach .

“Huh?” Aki furrowed his brows upon hearing the knowledge . “Does that mean your strength earlier was marginally reduced due to lack of meals?” He frowned as he gave his all earlier . He was healthy and eating properly while Tora, on the other hand, was deprived of food for the last ten days?

“Ah, no . that’s all I have . ” Shaking her head sideways, no one knew if she was lying or stating the truth . She was too busy shoving foods inside her mouth that she nearly choked .

“Say, why are you deprived of food for ten days?” On the other side of the table, their little company that never once left Tora’s side, sweetly smiled as she asked . To Aki, he already assumed that she was Tora’s companion as she didn’t bother to shoo the little girl away .

However, why was she asking such a question as if she didn’t know?

“I traveled here, that’s all . ” Glancing at Churu, Tora shrugged her shoulders after she successfully cleared her airways . “I hunt for food on the way, but it’s still incomparable with this kind of food . So, it’s safe to say that you fought me in my hundred . ” Smiling, Tora briefly raised his brows .

She wasn’t lying though because, during the war, eating was a luxury . Hence, she was used to reserving her strength no matter how little her food intake and little rest she has .

“Are you a soldier?” Suddenly, Aki asked because of the little information she said, it was enough for him to assume that she was a soldier . After all, with her strength, her ways of thinking, and her characteristic was just like what a trained soldier .

“Huh?” Arching her brow, Tora narrowed her eyes to the inquiring Aki . “How about you?” Not confirming his guess whether or not he was correct, Tora asked in return .

“I’m a merchant from the Capital . I am here to deliver some goods and also purchase herbs that could only get from the north . ” Dropping the matter of Tora being dead hungry on their match, Aki smiled again before he poured himself a sake .

“Ahh…” Tora nodded her head in understanding before turning her attention back on her food . It would make sense if a wealthy merchant like him would travel to the north to purchase or trade goods .

After all, the northern border might be the first that was invaded five years ago, still, some rare herbs would usually grow in this place because of its weather . Hence, that helped this town to regain its prosperity, slowly but surely: plus her aid to protect its process of healing .

After Tora’s last remark, both of them didn’t utter a word as Tora chowed down all her foods while Aki enjoyed his sake . The silence has only broken when Aki spoke, “If you don’t mind, may I know the duration of your stay or are you stationed here?”

“Why?” Knitting her brows, Tora shoved the last dumpling inside her mouth .

“If I am correct, you lived near the capital . So, if you would like to join us when we return to the capital, you may . Journeying alone is quite troublesome and lonely . ” Bearing a pure intention, Aki offered with a smile .

He had figured that ten days of travel time, she probably came from the town near the capital . There are only a few towns that would take less travel time to the north . Hence, regardless of which town she came, they would still take the same route .

He had grown fond of Tora as she was a great person . It would be a waste if their ‘friendship’ would stop so suddenly . This only showed that Aki was interested in her the more they talked to each other .

Little did he know, Tora came from the Capital and her destination to return would be the same place . It only took her less time as she and Kaze rested only for a few hours before continuing on their journey .

“I will reconsider the offer—” Just as Tora was about to politely reject the offer, the great Churu that the two nearly forgotten her presence chimed in .

“We will join you!” Churu smiled brightly as she exclaimed . Both Tora and Aki turned their head to the little girl . Aki bearing a satisfied smile while Tora was rendered speechless .

Who was this child again? No, that’s not what’s important . But why was she deciding for her? For the General of this nation? Moreover, what does she mean ‘WE’?

“Alright then . We will leave in eight days . After that, you can meet us outside the town at dawn . ” Pleased, Aki reminded her with a grin .

“Okay!” Churu responded before casting Tora a glance, moving her brows in an up and down motion . This foreign word confused the two as they never heard it before, still, they heed it no mind as it wasn’t important .

“My apologies but—” Surprised by this deal that she never agreed, Tora was about to reject and explain but once again, Churu interrupted her .

“Yamada-san, you won’t go back on your words, will you?” Pouting, the side of Churu’s eyes seemed to form tears that would fall any minute . Tora contemplated whether she would succumb to her cuteness, but seeing that she’s on the verge of crying, it poked her soft spots .

“No . We will see you then . ” Sighing, Tora helplessly agreed . How hard it was to be a ruthless warrior but turning into a softie to a harmless little girl .