Chapter 45: An unexpected Confession.
"WHY WON’T YOU MARRY MEEEE??"
The words echoed so loudly that every Magnari standing outside heard them without any difficulty, even though most of them had been preoccupied with their own thoughts.
"..."
"..."
Gree Ma Go slowly blinked.
"Did... did I hear that correctly?"
One of the elders shrugged nonchalantly, as though it neither bothered nor surprised him at all.
"It’s almost a daily occurrence ever since the expedition started."
"R-Really? That voice didn’t sound like Sister Gre Ka Chu’s... so I believe it’s someone else? Who... would dare?"
Gree Ma Go was profoundly shocked by the revelation. He had witnessed firsthand just how possessive—and downright psychotic—Gre Ka Chu could become whenever Gre Ka Go was involved. Her relationship with almost every other Magnari female, save for a select few, resembled that of a cat and a mouse. They feared her... and, for that very reason, many of them hated her as well.
The very notion of someone confessing to Gre Ka Go had never once crossed Gree Ma Go’s mind.
"Well..." the elder pointed out with a shrug, "she isn’t here right now, is she?"
"..."
"Right... she’s supposed to be at the Northern Ridge."
"They’re taking advantage of that and... disturbing him?"
Another younger Magnari awkwardly glanced toward the others before quietly pointing at the closed wooden door.
"...There’s more."
Before anyone could react to his words, another desperate plea came from inside.
"Please! Just once! At least consider it!"
The voice rang out again, sounding even more pitiful than before.
Gree Ma Go instinctively exchanged glances with the other Magnari as they continued eavesdropping. However, before they could focus entirely on the conversation, a loud thud echoed from behind them.
Thud!
"Ah... that woman’s screwed."
The young Magnari blurted it out unconsciously as his gaze drifted toward a lone figure standing at the entrance of the clearing.
She was smeared in blood, a massive predatory claw hanging over her shoulder before slipping free and crashing onto the ground..the source of the loud thud.
Her expression was a terrifying mixture of fury, jealousy, and an almost imperceptible trace of sadness, though the latter was nearly swallowed by the overwhelming storm of emotions twisting across her face.
[Character’s mental stability is deteriorating!]
A few minutes earlier, Gre Ka Chu had been happily carrying the enormous claw on her shoulder as she made her way toward the Tribal Chief’s house, eager to impress him with proof of her capabilities.
Surely he would pat her on the head...
Surely he would praise her...
The thought alone had filled her heart with such profound happiness that she couldn’t stop giggling as she imagined the scene.
Only to arrive and find several Magnari gathered outside...
...and to hear an unashamed marriage proposal directed at her Tribal Chief.
"Ah... ah... fuck, it’s over."
As the scene unfolded before Gree Ma Go, the words escaped his mouth before he even realized he had spoken them.
Gre Ka Chu’s head slowly turned toward him.
Her death glare alone was enough to make his entire body stiffen.
"MIND SHARING WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?"
Sweat immediately beaded across Gree Ma Go’s forehead as he desperately tried to squeeze out an explanation but nothing came to his mind.
Meanwhile...
The door remained firmly shut.
Another voice calmly answered from inside.
"No."
The response was composed.
Everyone outside recognized it immediately.
"The Tribal Chief."
They muttered almost in unison before instinctively glancing toward Gre Ka Chu, whose teeth were tightly clenched as her grip around the massive claw slowly tightened.
Inside, the desperate voice nearly wailed.
"But why?!"
"...Because I’ve already told you. I’m not interested."
Another long silence followed.
"Is it because I’m not pretty enough?"
"No."
"Then... is it because I’m weak?"
"No."
"Then why?!"
A faint sigh escaped from inside the house.
"...Because marriage isn’t something I’m interested in."
The answer was so straightforward that everyone outside instinctively looked at one another.
"Liar! You’re the one who introduced Nigairo! You taught us about lifelong partners, yet you’re saying you have no intention of marrying?"
"..."
"Is it because of Gre Ka Chu?"
Hearing her name called, Gre Ka Chu immediately halted her spiraling thoughts.
Gre Ka Go remained silent for several seconds.
"No."
"...Marriage is simply not something that compels me."
"That long pause! It has to be..."
"Enough. You’ve had your answer... you may return."
The young Magnari female stood frozen for several seconds before reluctantly turning around.
Crackle.
The moment the door opened, every gathered Magnari instinctively shifted their attention toward it. Most of them immediately recognized the young woman, yet not a single one called out her name. The atmosphere simply didn’t allow it.
However...
Gre Ka Chu was glaring daggers at the woman, her bloodlust seeping out almost tangibly.
I’ll end her life...
I’ll end her life...
I’ll end her life!!
[Character’s mental stability is deteriorating!!]
Blood slowly trickled down her arm as her nails dug deep into her own flesh. Yet the fresh blood was almost impossible to notice against the crimson stains already covering her body.
Gree Ma Go quietly monitored the situation, his expression growing increasingly cautious as the atmosphere became heavier by the second. He was prepared to step in the moment something went wrong.
The young Magnari woman also noticed the terrifying bloodlust directed at her.
Without lingering any longer, she hurried away, instinctively tucking her tail between her legs.
The unusual atmosphere lingered for a long while...
"Ah... err... so... shall... we head back for today?"
The young Magnari’s question immediately broke the tension, bringing everyone back to reality and reminding them why they had gathered here in the first place.
"No."
"That would be unwise. If we return today... I’m afraid we won’t have the courage to confront him about our questions another time."
The Magnari paused, briefly glancing toward Gre Ka Chu before continuing.
"So... I must act now... even though...the mood is a little sore."
The remaining Magnari pondered his words before slowly nodding in agreement.
They all felt the same knot within their hearts...and the same desire to have their questions answered.
Just as they were about to gather their courage and approach the door, it slowly creaked open.
Gre Ka Go stepped out of his humble abode.
His gaze quietly swept across each Magnari gathered before him...
Before finally settling upon Gre Ka Chu.
[Character’s mental stability is deteriorating!]
"..."
He simply smiled.
A warm, humble smile.
"So..." he asked, his voice as calm as ever.
"...Would any of you mind explaining why you’re all gathered in front of my house?"