historical

Shioko clutched the yellowed sheet that covered the bed in her hands, resisting pain like a true war veteran. She did not say a word, covered in a cold sweat and gritting her teeth.

"I drew a map some time ago. It shows the Blackvault Mines and the surrounding areas," a man from the stairway exclaimed. "I... well, I could give it to you" he smiled, hoping to help. ??

Yoichi smiled back, seeing in that gesture a sincere offer of help. "You'd make our task easier, my friend. Knowing the layout of that place, we will look for the source of that dark energy more easily, avoiding losing the way", he replied, accepting the offer.

"There's only one problem... the map I was talking about is somewhere in my house, and... uhm... I should check through the rubble," the bearded man continued, looking a little creepy but with a docile and sociable character.

"You can go out. The threat has been contained. I know a lot of huts have been destroyed, but we've been able to save the others," he affirmed. "I suggest you to retreat to your homes and recover a few hours of sleep", he exclaimed aloud, addressing the crowd.

"You have nothing to fear. As long as we stay here, no monster can attack you. We will be back from the Blackvault Mines on time, and slowly, you will be able to rebuild the village. I promise", the young tamer repeated, speaking with the confidence of a true experienced leader.

The people around him calmed down, lowering their voice and looking at Yoichi with hopeful eyes. That unknown warrior, along with the other members of his team, had saved them and their families from certain death.

The help he asked for was the slightest thanks for his gesture of disinterested solidarity. One at a time, each of the villagers who had more or less useful information about the Blackvault Mines came forward.

Before exiting the front door of Uncle Kuno's house, men and women of all ages thanked Yoichi and Enatsu in person. The two travellers learned that in addition to the Komoerus, other species of demons such as dark and rock types inhabited the dungeon. Besides, the interior of the caves stretched for almost two square kilometres, and they would not have missed the chance to meet rare and dangerous demons.

None of the citizens seemed to be a tamer: Blackborough welcomed ordinary people who had decided to spend their lives exercising the ancient arts of fishing and agriculture, building a solid community.

Despite recent events, which had darkened the faces of all those who had lost their loved ones, the united family vibe had never disappeared, making a damp hut like that a warm and welcoming place.

Kuniaki's house emptied noticeably, and about a dozen people remained upstairs. Yoichi, without saying anything, realized that they were the most unfortunate.

"The snake demon took everything from them. I know them; they're going to take a while to get back on track. I think I'll host them here for as long as they want," the village chief explained, uncorking a jug of sakè and filling his empty cup.

Yoichi and Enatsu drank with him, looking out of the corner of their eyes Shioko, still in the corner of the room. One of the fat women who had taken care of her was intent on dipping a cloth into a bucket of hot water, washing away the blood.

The red-haired tamer wound had been carefully sutured, and the skin was well stretched and cauterized. The scar would have hardened and the memory of that fight would remain indelibly written on her body.

The youngest of the three housewives cleaned her face and fixed her hair, giving her a feminine and composed appearance.

"It often happens that our fishermen get injured with the tools of the trade or that the farmers get hurt while cutting wood. Those three women are used to closing cuts and suture wounds. Their ability would rival Tentochu's greatest healers," Kuniaki commented. Noticing that his two guests were silently worrying about their partner, he told them a few words of comfort.

After greeting the half-sleepy Shioko, the three women got up and prepared to join their husbands outside the village leader's house.

They cordially greeted Kuniaki and the two young warriors beside him with a bow of their heads, showing deep gratitude. As Yoichi politely answered the greeting, the fattest of them approached him.

"If that tooth had been stuck in her arm for longer, it would have severed the artery, and she would have bled to death. Congratulations, boy... you saved her life," she smiled. Her tiny brown eyes looked like two small buttons hidden by prominent red cheeks.

"I... I... I don't know what to say, " Yoichi stammered, happy for the news. "How soon can we leave?"

"The ointment she swallowed will make her sleep for a few hours and heal the wound from the inside. I think right after the early hours of dawn, she'll be able to get back on the road," the fat housewife promptly replied. "Don't hesitate to call me if you notice anything strange. Stay close to her, boy. She needs a friend to assist her," she added, amicably clutching Yoichi's shoulder. Together with her two colleagues, she walked out of the hut, closing the door.

Yoichi approached Shioko, looking at her with thoughtful eyes. Her hair was neater than usual, tied in a braid that hung from the side of the bed, and her face seemed devoid of any suffering.

The wound just got out of surgery was facing upwards to ensure the proper transpiration, and the leather armour that covered her chest had been untied, leaving her lungs free to fill with air.

Yoichi's gaze inadvertently fell on Shioko's uncovered belly, just below the laces. To his amazement, he noticed that under the fabric band used as a bra, a huge black tattoo ran almost her entire body, from the middle of her chest to the sides of her abdomen.

Trying to keep a lid of his hormones as an eighteen-year-old boy, Yoichi touched his hand, hoping, within himself, that Shioko could soon go back to fighting and travelling.