BXBX NOVEL Chapter 114 - 114 – Opinion
Several days had passed since the attack from the Congraylham colony. Manu goes inside the warehouse, finds Seb checking inventory.
"Are you feeling better, Manu?" Seb, who was sitting on the floor, asked the bearded man.
"It still hurts quite a bit, but luckily my fever has gone." Manu moved his right shoulder, grimacing slightly. "What is the condition of our supplies?"
"Not good. Even if we reduce our food rations from two meals a day to one, we can only last for less than three weeks at most."
"It's a long way from the end of winter. Plus, there won't be any merchants coming in this weather. We won't be able to buy food."
Seb rubbed his face. "And Kat also had a hard time finding animals to hunt."
"For now, give each member a smaller portion of the food than usual." I gave orders to Seb. Of course, I've been trying to figure a solution, but I can't seem to find one, and that's really frustrating me.
"Well, we have to eat less for the day." Seb got up and hugged three packs of pemmicans. "Every member has to get half of this."
Manu shrugged. "What else can we do?"
Seb came to the main room, which was very gloomy. There was only the creaking sound of the fireplace and a strong gust of wind from outside. People scattered in different corners, just sitting still.
Seb gives one pemmican to Manu. "Share this with Leva."
Manu accepts the pemmican and obeys Seb's orders. Then, Seb walked over to Kat.
"Sorry, but you have to share this with your dog." Seb gave his signature smile.
Kat accepted the nearly round food without speaking.
"Here, eat it." Seb gave the food that had been divided in half to Eric, who was sitting some distance from the fireplace.
"Thanks." Eric accepted the food while giving a small smile.
Seb sat down next to his son. "Hey, by the way, did you miss my cooking on earth, Eric?"
Ah, Seb wants to lighten the mood, it seems.
"Yeah, I missed that." Eric started to bite his share of the pemmican.
Seb chuckled. "Lies. It actually tastes the same as the food here, doesn't it? Not offensive, but very lacking in flavor."
Suddenly Manu got up from his seat, showing his share of pemmican. "Would you guys like to eat a little like this every day, before starving to death? We should have a counter-raid on them, guys."
"Shut up and eat, Manu." Leva snorted. She hadn't started eating her rations yet. "We won't be able to fight them."
"We can do it if we use the right strategy...."
"Shut up, Manu!!!" I screamed in the man's ear, growing frustrated with the situation. Fortunately, Manu immediately fell silent and sat down again, eating again, albeit with an irritated face.
However, what Manu said was true. Even if they save on food, the supplies will eventually run out before winter, and my colonists will starve to death.
Shit. Should I ask H for help again? No. He won't come no matter how many times I call him. I'd rather have my colonists discuss finding a solution again, even though I've been telling them to do so the past few days.
I glanced at Eric. The newest member of my colony never had an opinion.
"Hey, Eric. Say anything to help your new colony."
"I have a suggestion for you to consider." Finally, Eric opened his mouth. "But, it's not really for the long term. It's just to prolong the lives of all of you."
I'll accept any suggestion, Eric.
"What is it, Eric?" Seb asked his son.
Eric gulped, looking around, ended up at Kat, who was feeding Rox. Kat's portion of the meal looked less than what Rox was eating.
"There's an animal that can be used as food. And by doing it to that animal, you guys have fewer mouths to feed. And I think if you guys really want to do it, better hurry, while there's still a lot of meat."
Holy shit.
The other members' eyes were on Eric, except for Rox, who was still enjoying his meal. I could see the rare thing happening on Kat's face. Her brows furrowed, and her gaze sharpened.
I then looked at Eric's face, which was now very tense. He looked confused, perhaps not understanding why the idea had just come out of his mouth.
It's still my fault. I'm sure Eric knows his position as a new member. This man wouldn't say that cruel idea of his own accord. If he intended to do so, he would have done it long ago.
Maybe this was the reason he was always silent when there was a discussion.
Eric looked back at Kat, whose expression was now not showing any signs of emotion anymore. The amber-eyed girl was rubbing Rox's head. The dog lowered its head to the floor.
"Know your place, man." Leva hissed. "You're a new member here."
"Okay, apologize to them, Eric." I gave the man another order. It's better to press the tension, so it doesn't get bigger.
"My bad." Eric raised his hands. His tone was full of regret. "I don't know why I said that myself. I'm so sorry.... Especially to you, Kat."
Kat didn't answer. She stood up and motioned for Rox to follow.
"Where are you going, Kat?" Seb asked as Kat started walking towards the door.
Kat still didn't speak. I ordered the others to stay where they were and be quiet. Maybe Kat needed to be alone for a while. Fortunately, the cold wind outside had stopped.
As soon as she stepped into the snow, Kat moved to the other side of the building. She then sat down and leaned against it.
Sighing, the girl rubbed her dog's head again. "Sorry, I'm starving you again, boy."
Rox just let out a low shriek like a moan, the sound he makes when he's in pain or sad.
He's really become a part of my colony. Even when Seb divided the food into Rox's account, no one protested.
Incredible indeed. This dog used to be a stray dog that nearly died. I can hardly believe that the dog that used to be skinny, now has a body like this...
Eric's words just flashed through my head. At the very least, with the prolongation of their lives, they could have more time to find a solution.
But...
I pondered, kept looking at Kat, who continued to cuddle her dog. Quite a long time passed.. I finally crouched down beside Kat, intending to whisper something to her.