Later that evening, Athena did prepare dinner with the help of Arthur since Serfred and Gran went out with the hunting team.
"How is it?" Athena asked as she finished the last serving to Arthur.
"Did you use the plants in the greenhouse?" Lirius asked as he smelled the familiar fragrance.
"Hmm, how is it?" She smiled eagerly waiting for his verdict.
"It's better than the idiot's cooking."
"Hey, why can't you just praise her without adding me to your comment." Serfred glared at the man as he calmed himself to give his comment to the girl's cooking, "My Lady, what you've prepared is really amazing. I feel like all my fatigue has been washed away by your delicious cooking."
"Serfred, I think you're over praising me." Athena giggled as she found his words ridiculous and silly.
"Hmm, it's tasty." Arthur's short comment brought everyone to silent. For it was the right word to describe the food in the simplest way.
"But, did it taste really change just because of those plants?" Serfred curiously asked as he continued to munch on the food he was eating.
"Hmm, I somehow come to the conclusion that since this plant which can also be classified as herbs, can be used for cooking. It took me and Lirius a while to understand the other size of them. They aren't just used for making potions, but can also be used for cooking." The girl explained but has a different thought about everything. 'Honestly, I've already known about the plant being a herb. But, I just can't tell them that can't I.'
"That's great, so what can these herbs do? Will they have the same effects as making potions?"
The girl shook her head whilst Lirius tried to keep a straight face and not laugh by the man's ridiculous question.
"Hmm, they won't. But, with this, we can prevent food poisoning and help accelerate digestion. Also, with this we can prevent people from getting sick."
"You mean eating this can prevent people from getting the common illness?"
"That's what me and Lirius hope for."
"So, you plan to teach this to Diana and the church then?"
"Yes, so we better eat and get some sleep. Since, we need to hunt early tomorrow. "
On that same night, Athena was having a hard time sleeping. She couldn't explain as to why she felt so restless.
"Maybe, I ate too much." She groaned, being the cause of her restlessness. She did eat a lot during dinner, but she didn't expect to the point she won't be able to sleep. Since, it has been the first she finally ate food close to her home.
The girl got out of bed as she went down to get some water, she noticed the light to Lirius's study was still lit meaning he must still be awake. She didn't bother to go check on him as she directly went to the kitchen to get some water.
"Ah, that really helped."
Athena concentrates herself on the small elemental stone with a rune engraved on the faucet. It was small, yet it was a very rare stone.
... I wonder how long that stone has been there? It has been a great curiosity of mine as to who Lirius's master could be. Most of the elemental stones powering the house are very rare. What's even more amazing, is that not a single stone is not engraved with rune symbols. I wonder how much money one would need to buy one. I need to hurry up and save some money to make a good watering system for the village.
The girl was startled when someone suddenly nudged her. "Fuji, couldn't sleep as well?"
Fuji woke up from his slumber when he felt the presence of the girl vanished all of the sudden. Despite she was still close by, the fact he was still a pup, his innate need to follow her like a duckling triggered.
"Wanna go for a walk?"
Athena returned to her room and grabbed her coat. Since it was already autumn, it was quite chilly at night in the Northern Region compared to other countries as well as the empire. The two of them left without informing anyone as they headed to the village.
Once they reached the village, most houses were already shut dark as they had all gone to sleep. She headed to the guard tower which they have recently constructed in order to keep a close eye on the fields.
It startled the villagers who were on guard duty that night to see the girl appearing all of the sudden.
"Lady Tina?"
"My Lady, you frightened us."
One of the men came down from the tower to greet the girl personally, he scanned around and noticed something was oddly and missing. "My lady... Wha-why are you here so light at night? Does, does Serfred know?"
Athena couldn't answer right away, as she thought of a good excuse. She actually didn't have a clue as to why she was out so late that night. She only wanted to go for a walk, but ended up heading to the village. As if, some strange force was pulling her towards something. "Ah, I'll only be checking on something, I won't be out long..."
"Then, please, let one of us accompany you." One of the men pleaded as they worried about what might happen to her. At the same time, the fact Serfred has no idea she is out here. If something is to happen, they would be to blame by everyone.
Athena had no problem with their request. "Sure, let's go then."
As one of the men prepared to leave, suddenly something shocked them. Out of the blue, Fuji started growling for no reason.
"Fuji, what's wrong?"
Before she could even get an answer from him, the pup had already stormed off as he headed into the dark path. He was so fast that in no time, they couldn't see him anymore.
"What do you think is going on?"
"Lady Tina, where is Fuji heading?"
They both were dumbfounded by the situation, so was Athena. It was the first that Fuji acted rashly without her command. She felt uneasy about the situation as she feared something must have happened.
... Twilight Wolf has great sense, they can smell things from afar. What is even more amazing, is the fact that, unlike other creatures that smell blood, they can smell fear as well.
As she pondered on it more, she couldn't find a good reason as to why he would run off all of the sudden. Her only conclusion to this must be there must be people out there.
The girl abruptly took one of the swords as she yelled, "You come with me, while you go and call Serfred or Lirius at once. Tell them I'm on my way to the fields. Hurry!"
One of the villagers ran as fast as he could without even asking the reason as to what he needed to report. He only fears that something terrible must be out there that the girl needed some help. What's worse, was the fact, Fuji sensed it before them, meaning it must be something very dangerous indeed.
The villager who accompanied the girl did not hesitate as he followed the girl bravely. He may not be as skill as her, but he has started to manifest his aura lately. Making him one of the few villagers who have started extreme training as a knight like Serfred.
"Stay alert, we don't know what's out there."
"My lady, if I may ask. Will Fuji be alright?" He worried that Fuji might be in great danger since he was still a pup.
"What I'm more worried about is that what's out there will soon meet their death."
.... Fuji may be a pup, but without me by his side. He is a wild beast that can slaughter anything in his path. I just hope I won't be late to stop him.
Meanwhile, the soldier who was running to konav manor has finally arrived. He was banging on the door as he was catching his breath.
Lirius opened the door, "What- what is it?"
"Lady Tina told me to inform you and Serfred to meet her at the fields?"
"Hey, nerd, what's going on?" Serfred said from behind as he woke up from the banging.
"Get your sword."
Serfred didn't even need to ask why, he quickly ran back to his room as he grabbed his sword.
Lirius lifted his hand in front of him as he commanded, "Fine her."
Then a mixed, yellow wave of tiny particles appeared shortly as they vanished and started tracking the girl.