Savage Forest - Chapter 139.2

It seemed like Kiyan’s prophecy, that the forest would soon be bustling with newborns, was on the verge of coming true.

Amid the murmurs of the crowd, Enya could spot Kiyan engaged in a heated debate with someone.

Kiyan, too, noticed Enya and Tarhan holding hands and making their way into the meeting. As they moved toward the center of the room, the people cleared a path for them.

Enya still felt somewhat shy under the intense attention and focus of the crowd, but she tried her best to act calmly.

Tarhan, who was used to being in high positions, was a great help to her.

Soon, the meeting began.

The proceedings started with Ikachi’s report on the reconstruction of Nervana Forest, followed by various discussions.

Tarhan maintained a consistently rational approach, advocating for a consistent stance on the reconstruction. Enya, too, contributed significantly to the meeting. Thanks to her abilities, progress has been much faster than expected.

After dealing with a few disputes within the Kiyan and Lehijin tribe, the room had grown dim with the setting sun.

As those who had resolved their issues began to leave, only the key figures, including the leaders, remained in the meeting.

“Now, let’s discuss what to do with all the weapons produced at the Aquilea leper den.”

Kiyan spoke.

Since the discussion was about military power, Enya’s eyes were fixed squarely on Tarhan. Just as the usually silent Tarhan was about to speak, Piache raised her hand and shook her head.

“The people we sent to Aquilea still haven’t returned. I think it would be better to wait until Inaken, Cugnac, and Silanda bring the leper den people and all the weapons here before discussing this.”

Enya fully agreed with Piache’s words.

Currently, they are in the process of relocating the leper den patients still remaining in Aquilea to Nervana.

Inaken, who had experience leading large groups of people and materials, was made the leader of the mission. His status as a young man without companions or children played a key role in his selection for getting sent to Aquilea.

Naturally, the responsibility of leading Inaken to the leper den fell to Silanda.

Enya was concerned about Silanda’s health, given the long hardships she had endured in the forest, and wanted to persuade her.

“Won’t the journey back to Aquilea be too difficult for you, Silanda?”

“It’s fine. Anyway, either me or Jahan have to go back. Lomba is very cautious, so it wouldn’t be easy unless it’s one of us. I’d rather go than send that clumsy kid, Jahan. Besides…”

Enya stopped the conversation when she saw Silanda clamp her lips shut and fall silent.

She didn’t need words to know who Silanda was thinking of. At the end of their exchange, Enya was able to hand over the anklet that she had received from Senu. It had once belonged to Servia, and it was the very item that he had kept for a long time.

“Senu asked me to give this to Silanda.”

Enya said as she handed it over, making sure to relay Senu’s words as faithfully as possible. After receiving the anklet, Silanda didn’t speak. She simply stared at the anklet resting on her hand.

Recalling that time, Enya braced herself with a bittersweet feeling.

‘Silanda is a strong woman, so she’ll be fine.’

In truth, Enya’s confidence that Silanda would be okay wasn’t without reason.

It was around this time that the decision was made for Inaken and Silanda to be sent to the leper den in Aquilea. Unexpectedly, an individual decided to join their journey.

Cugnac, the young leader of the Nervana Forest’s youth group.

From the moment the people from Nervana and Aquilea began to unite, Cugnac had been observing Silanda with an intense gaze. He didn’t care about the others’ stares, following her everywhere she went and helping with whatever tasks were at hand. No matter how much she scolded or ignored him, he didn’t stop.

One time, Cugnac stared at the anklet that Silanda always wore and then muttered something.

“In Nervana, an anklet signifies remarriage.”

Silanda glared at Cugnac as if he was crazy. However, he continued to explain.

“To be exact, it’s a gift from someone who’s near death to their companion, as a way of telling them to find a new life. It’s like saying, ‘Go anywhere, with your beautifully adorned feet. Be free’.”

Enya, who had overheard their conversation, later confirmed with Kiyan whether what Cugnac said was true.

The answer was yes.

Kiyan replied to Enya’s question with,

“It’s a very old tradition, but the anklet indeed holds that meaning.”

Enya found it to be a curious coincidence.

Even though Senu was scholarly, it seemed unlikely that he would know such detailed traditions from the nearly legendary Nervana tribe. And even if he had known and given the anklet to Silanda with that knowledge, it would have carried its own meaning.

No one knew the full truth. Even Enya, who had been watching closely, couldn’t be certain.

But there was one thing that was clear.

After that incident, Silanda still found Cugnac annoying, but she no longer dismissed him as harshly as before.