Since they were going to take off soon, Auretin obtained special permission to spend the night outside Gu Mengmeng’s cave. He was already used to the life of a wanderer and so was completely fine to sleep somewhere other than his own cave. The temptation of being able to eat every single meal prepared by Lea was also exceptionally great, and so he immediately agreed.
Lea called Barete and Joshua to a spot near the cave to go through all the necessary things to look out for this coming year. After all, no one knew how long Gu Mengmeng would be gone for this trip.
Whether it was water rationing during the drought season, or stockpiling food and warding off raiders during the rainy season—all these matters required a flexible approach and good communication.
In addition…
There should be a wave a stray beast attacks after they leave.
Lea trusted Barete but Joshua was still under probation. So Lea did not intend to let Joshua know that Chixuan is the young master of the stray beasts. As a result, he just said that Gu Mengmeng had arranged for the females in the tribe to bring their babies up to the highest peak in Saint Nazaire. Up there, they would absorb the first rays of the sun for three consecutive days, as part of the blessings from the Beast Deity.
However, Maya was carrying a precious female fetus and the Great Messenger had specially instructed her to rest well. So there was no need for Maya to go on this blessings trip.
Barete had been with Lea even longer than Gu Mengmeng had. He naturally understood what that sing-song smile on Lea’s face meant.
But why the special treatment for Maya? Ha, it looked like they must have something particular arranged for Maya.
After all, apart from Gu Mengmeng, Lea had never bothered about the lives and deaths of the other females.
“I understand,” Barete replied simply.
Lea patted Barete on the shoulder. “Don’t forget, your life now belongs to my Mengmeng. Unless she agrees, you cannot die.”
“Mmm.” Barete grunted his reassurance.
Joshua clenched his fists. His gaze drifted over to Gu Mengmeng, who was sitting nearby sunbathing. But he didn’t have the courage to go over and greet her. Instead, he asked Lea in a soft voice, “This trip… when are you all coming back?”
Lea pretended to ponder for a moment before suddenly smiling. “I don’t know. Our trips have always depended on Mengmeng’s mood. Whether she wants to ascend to the skies or dive into the ocean—we will do whatever she wants to do, and our destination is always wherever she feels like going. I never ask, but only follow.”
“That’s right… she is the Messenger of the Beast Deity. Of course… of course…”
“You seem to be mistaken.” Lea gently tapped his own lips. “We indulge her not because she is the Messenger of the Beast Deity, but because she is the female of Elvis and I.”
With that, Lea waved his tail and walked away without even a backward glance.
Joshua looked on as Lea stepped into the warm radiance that was Gu Mengmeng’s presence. He could only silently clench his fists.
One day, he would also possess the ability to fulfill her every need and desire. Only then would he have the right to be like Lea—to be able to walk towards her and say with a smile: “Mengmeng, I am back…”
Gu Mengmeng opened her arms wide gesturing for a hug. Lea immediately drew her into his embrace to let her snuggle against his chest like a kitten.
Elvis said he would be back a bit later, but in reality, he didn’t return at all that night.
By the time Gu Mengmeng saw Elvis and Wabei again, it was already evening time on the second day.
