"You're awake; that's wonderful!"
"You, healer, are somewhat useful after all, not bad!" Obsidian's delicate features softened a little.
Finally, it wasn't a waste bringing him here this time.
"She's still a bit weak. She needs proper care to recover." White Flute spoke slowly, his expression back to normal, his pale face calm to the point of indifference.
Obsidian ignored him and walked straight to Sika. His purple eyes concealed his joy, but Sika saw it clearly.
This handsome man with striking features was truly captivating!
With his black-purple long hair, tall and slender figure, and those refined features, he was so beautiful it was hard to look away.
"Thank you for bringing me back and finding a healer for me," Sika smiled weakly, her eyes bright like the stars in the sky.
"No need to thank me. You fainted at my feet, and picking you up was only natural. Besides, it's the first time I've found such a beautiful female," Obsidian paused, suddenly a little flustered, trying to appear nonchalant.
No female had ever spoken to him this way before, let alone thanked him.
In the past, other females would run away quickly when they saw him. After all, he was a rogue beast. Although he had never harmed any females or started trouble, rogue beasts were naturally despised and hated by mainland beastmen. Over time, he had grown distant, never approaching tribal areas or interacting with beastmen, avoiding them altogether.
Yet this female thanked him, and it intrigued him.
Her gaze was sincere, without a trace of pretense. His heart rippled with emotion.
He was glad he had saved her.
"But still, thank you. And thank you too, little healer," Sika smiled.
"Why were you out there? And when I found you, you had the scent of rogue beasts. What happened?" Obsidian quickly changed the subject, wanting to know what had caused her distress.
"As you can see, I was captured by rogue beasts from far away. Rogue beasts collaborated with beastmen from my tribe to ambush my village and capture me. While being held by a flying rogue beast, I used a small trick to escape, and I ran as far as I could until I collapsed. That's when you found me, and here we are." Sika shrugged helplessly.
What a mess this was.
"What! I had no idea you were in such danger. Rogue beasts do anything—steal food, capture females—without scruples. The number of females they've harmed is countless! Let me give you another checkup." White Flute's heart ached as he rushed to examine her again.
He couldn't imagine how a female so strong and rational could have escaped from rogue beasts! It was unbelievable!
Beside him, Obsidian's expression darkened after hearing Sika's words. He hadn't realized it was such a dangerous situation.
Those rogue beasts deserved to die!
Wait, wasn't he also a rogue beast? Suddenly, Obsidian nervously glanced at Sika, but thankfully, her gaze toward him was neither disgusted nor hateful.
"Not all rogue beasts are bad. There are some good ones too," Obsidian said cautiously.
The implication was clear—he was the exception.
He wasn't like the bad rogue beasts; he had never harmed any females. Never before, not now, and never in the future.
"Yes, like you. You're a kind and unique rogue beast," Sika smiled warmly.
Her smile was so comforting, so gentle, so trusting, it filled Obsidian's heart with joy.
Obsidian's lips curled up slightly. It seemed like she trusted him! He had made a good impression on her. How wonderful!
He was overjoyed.
"By the way, you said you were captured by rogue beasts working with beastmen from your tribe? Were you their target all along, or just part of it?" White Flute asked seriously.
He couldn't believe there were beastmen who would do such a thing. It was disgraceful! Such beastmen were a disgrace to the tribe.
Even though he had been bullied by other beastmen, he had never thought of betraying the tribe. In his eyes, anyone who did such a thing didn't deserve to be called a beastman.
"Whoever did this, I'll kill them!" Obsidian declared fiercely.
Anyone who harmed the female he cared for would have to pay!
"Yes, it was a female who had a grudge against me. But she probably won't live long; she was captured too. It's her own fault. I'm not sure if she escaped," Sika smirked coldly.
That's just the way she was—merciless to her enemies yet fiercely protective of her own.
Obsidian's eyes lit up with admiration. So did White Flute's.
"What kind of conflict could make someone want to kill you?" White Flute asked, his heart aching.
Thankfully, Sika was strong. Otherwise, they wouldn't have had the chance to meet such a unique and beautiful female.
In that moment, he was grateful to the gods.
"Well, during the mate selection ceremony, the male beastman she liked chose me. Coincidentally, I liked him too, so we became mates. She's hated me ever since," Sika said awkwardly.
This ridiculous love-hate drama. How embarrassing!
"Hmph!" Obsidian snorted unhappily.
Hearing that she liked another beastman made him feel jealous.
"I believe everything you've said. That female must have been terrible. No decent male would like her, and she doesn't deserve any male beastman's affection. It's better if she's dead," White Flute said seriously.
His meaning was clear—he was on Sika's side.
The female in front of him was so wonderful, and he believed every word she said.
"Hmph, the mate you chose didn't take care of you properly. They don't deserve your affection either!" Obsidian said coldly.
"I won't let you talk about my mates like that. They had other responsibilities, and one of them stayed by my side to protect me. There were too many rogue beasts, and no one can fight them all alone. Plus, the rogue beasts had a plan. Falling into their trap was inevitable. I don't blame my mates. In fact, I'm worried about them. I hope they're okay," Sika said, her voice filled with concern.
They must be so anxious and desperately searching for her right now.