Savage Forest - Chapter 135.1

‘He’s looking at the scar on my leg.’

Enya thought bitterly.

It was a long scar that pierced her left leg, a wound she had sustained when she faced off directly with the skull spider.

No matter how much time passed, the wound never fully healed.

“…Piache said that considering Nervana’s healing abilities, it would still be difficult for you to walk normally again.”

Tarhan muttered.

Piache’s words were nearly accurate.

Thanks to the influence of the Nervana forest, Enya had developed the ability to heal herself. But the wound, which had penetrated deep into her leg from her ankle to her thigh, had damaged her tendons.

On top of that, the skull spider’s venom had further complicated things. Even though her self-healing ability had been protecting her, the wound refused to heal properly.

As a result, she had begun to limp again.

It no longer caused her the intense pain it had before, nor did it ooze pus with every step, but it was enough that others could easily see that she was limping.

“Enya, I…”

Tarhan started to say something but stopped himself.

Enya could sense the pain in his voice. She could tell what he wanted to say without him finishing his sentence. He was undoubtedly saddened by the fact that her leg had suffered again.

She felt the same way.

‘I had just started walking normally again…’

Enya buried her face in his chest. More than anything, it pained her that Tarhan had never seen her walk properly on two healthy legs. How many times had she imagined walking toward him with steady steps?

She pressed her lips tightly together.

Then, Tarhan pulled her even closer. His fingers gently traced her waist and shoulders as if to reassure her, as if telling her to forget about the past.

It was a gesture that seemed to tell her to let the past go.

In the familiar and comforting embrace, she quickly forgot her troubled thoughts.

Trapped in the soft rhythm of his chest, she felt like she was floating. As they walked, naturally, her mind drifted back to the past.

‘We used to hug like this, too.’

The passing of time seemed to have lost its meaning. How long had it been since they left Aquilea and started living in Nervana Forest?

It felt like ages ago.

And so, these moments felt precious. The time when she was still cherished by Tarhan, loved without reservation, and could bask in the feeling of being wanted. Enya savored this comfort as she stayed in his arms for a while.

Tarhan walked cautiously, carrying her somewhere. She assumed they were heading to the communal resting area where people typically gathered for breaks.

‘Now that I think about it, has there been any progress with the communal well project Tarhan has been leading?’

Recalling the time when the sapwood trees had grown twisted and tangled, and she had untangled them, Enya spoke up.

“Tarhan, how’s the sapwood grove? Was the work difficult?”

“It went better than expected.”

Tarhan answered immediately. Enya was a bit surprised by his words.

“So, that’s where I’m taking you now.”

She widened her eyes and looked up at him.

“To the sapwood grove?”

“Yes. I found a small pond near the sapwood trees where warm water flows out.”

He smiled, drawing an arc with his lips, and turned to her.

“It’s a perfect spot for a bath.”

Suddenly, he pulled her closer, holding her tightly, and began walking faster. When they arrived at the location, Enya peeked her head out of his arms.

“Ah… it’s really here.”

Enya murmured.

Looking around, she saw that, indeed, there was a place at the edge of the sapwood grove where warm water had collected.

“There aren’t any animals living at the peak of the forest, so the water has stayed exceptionally clean.”

Tarhan explained, looking somehow pleased with himself.

Enya, feeling suddenly self-conscious, looked down at herself. After working all afternoon, her face, arms and legs were covered in sweat and dirt. A wave of embarrassment washed over her.

She asked him in a small voice.

“Please, please put me down now, Tarhan.”

Tarhan smiled slightly, then gently set her down. He quickly took off his own shirt, covered in dirt and sweat. Before she could react, he also reached for her shirt.

“Let’s wash together.”

Enya recoiled, unable to hide her embarrassment.

“He, here?”

Before she could protest further, Tarhan had already taken off her shirt. Her chest was exposed, and she quickly crossed her arms to cover herself. Looking down at her with a slightly awkward expression, Tarhan spoke.

“Why are you so shy?”

When Enya didn’t lower her hands, still covering her chest, Tarhan spoke again, a little embarrassed.

“There’s no one around. The construction here is done. Look. I’ve made a waterway to carry away the dirty water.”

It was true. The water was flowing clearly, making a gentle sound as it moved.

“I thought you might want to bathe, so I brought you here. Did you not want to?”

Tarhan smiled sheepishly, feeling a little sorry.

It was true that Enya did want to wash. However, it had been so long since they had washed together. Back in Aquilea, they often used the small well reserved just for them or would soak in the hot spring water Tarhan had discovered.

‘But still, this is the first time in Nervana Forest…’

Normally, bathing together naturally leads to the next step, so Enya finds herself somewhat embarrassed by the situation.