Summoned and Unwanted

674 Generosity, resolve, and sacrifice

Vincent was starting to become confused as to why Awa chose to risk her life to gather food. Vincent thought the risk was understandable at first, even if it was crazy to travel alone and without the power to protect her life.

However, the story became different now. Awa was going to become the wife of the man who should have the most food in the clan. In other words, Awa was going to have enough food for herself and her parents.

“My family had no food and no food income. My parents didn’t want me to become the next clan chieftain, but I disobeyed them in order to bring food to my home.”

“My parents didn’t want me to become p-pre... pregnant.” Awa stuttered at the word pregnant. *Gulp* “My parents do not want me to risk my life because many pregnant women have died because of pregnancy recently.”

Vincent and Kazumi understood the death of the mother and the child was most likely the food problem the Dullahans were suffering from.

Such thoughts brought forth a new question. If no new Dullahan were being born, couldn’t the Dullahan clan leader and the Dullahan community help save both the mother and child?

“Doesn’t the clan leader help such people in need?” Vincent asked.

*Sigh* After a sorrowful sigh, Awa gently shook her head. “The clan food is managed by the clan leader and his mother, the clan chieftain of the previous generation.”

“So, let me get this straight. The people have to fend for themselves and work to be paid food as a currency. On the other hand, the leader of your people keeps the food secured, even if mothers and babies die?”

.....

[That would sound not very pleasant if it is true.] Kazumi said. She was hoping Vincent and her were wrong with their assumption of the clan leader.

However, Awa responded as they feared. Awa said that the clan leader needs to be the strongest and the healthiest out of all the Dullahans.

One of the responsibilities of a clan leader is to be in a condition fit to lead his people at any time. The clan leader also needs to be the strongest to show the might of the Dullahans.

Similarly, his mother also needs sustenance to teach and lead the clan chieftain of the next generation.

As the next clan chieftain currently undergoing training, Awa was to be provided with food to take home under certain conditions.

Regardless, Awa could now have food to take home with her and trade the rest for herbs. Those who needed food but had herbs were able to have something to eat because of Awa.

“I was happy at first. ” Awa said. However, the way Awa said ‘at first’ sounded similar to a good beginning with a lousy continuation.

“Every time I answered the clan chieftain correctly, I was awarded food like a long-old stored fruit or vegetable. It made me happy to offer food to my parents and trade the rest for herbs.”

“Little by little, all the Dullahans were treating me well.” Awa revealed a faint smile while recalling good memories and continued, “It was as plain as day how some acted so obvious about winning my favor. But even if they wanted to skip the line or traded me a less fresh herb, I still helped them in one trade or another.”

[Awa is a great person. After hearing pride this and pride that, it was challenging to think of Awa as a kind and generous person.]

-Yeah. Not only is Awa compassionate with her people, but Awa is doing what her leader isn’t. –

[Awa traded her excess food while providing food for her family. Furthermore, Awa also gave those who couldn’t hunt ways to eat food by looking for herbs. Awa produced herb-finding jobs while the clan leader did nothing progressive of sorts.]

“Awa. Are you fine?” Vincent asked after noticing a frown on Awa’s face. The memories she was recalling didn’t appear to be good.

“Sorry.” The prideful Awa apologized for the first time. She gently shook her head and continued, “The more progress I made, the more complex the questions became. The less I answered correctly, the less food I was awarded and the fewer herbs I could trade for my father.

“Some trick questions didn’t make sense, but I couldn’t question the intelligence of the clan chieftain.”

“I had to try my hardest every day while trying to keep trading a lot of food to those pregnant at least. I did not want to see another mother and a child die.”

Awa placed one hand on her shoulder and asked, “I saw my future as a pregnant woman whenever I looked at them. I wanted to help my family and help those pregnant. But the more many depended on me to trade them food, the more responsibility I felt.”

*Clap* Vincent clapped to break the current mood. He smiled at Awa and praised, “You did the right thing, Awa. You helped those in need while also helping your family. You made more than your leader did. The mothers waiting for their child to be born will have more chances to succeed because of you.”

Awa blushed after hearing Vincent praise everything she did. When Awa heard someone telling her the way she acted was correct, Awa felt happy and proud. A tear of joy welled in her eyes.

“I have a question I can not stop thinking about. Why weren’t you offered at least pity food whenever you lost? Also, are you saying your family was not given food for having their daughter preparing herself to marry the clan leader?” He asked.

Awa gently shook her head while frowning unhappily.

“I was told the more I won, the less food was in the clan’s storage. However, I had never seen how much food was in the clan’s storage. I have secretly asked a few people, but they do not know either because only the clan leader and the clan chieftain are allowed to enter.”

[What stingy people! No wonder Awa tried to look for food herself when she could not win enough food for her family and a few other Dullahans.]

-Why do I feel the clan chieftain didn’t like the attention Awa was getting and asked impossible-to-answer questions-

[I am of the same thought if you put it that way. Awa became popular, and when the food supply given to Awa was being shared with all the Dullahans, the correct answers became too vague to have one correct answer, thus, controlling how much food Awa could win.]

[The higher Awa rose in popularity, the harder she fell. Awa was strategically given enough food for her family and one or two people.]

-I have stolen so much food Kilo paid for that I want to give her more food now. Her determination to help others is pleasant to hear.-

[I think so too, but she will not have a long life at this rate.]

‘Do I need to make Awa the clan chieftain by removing trash like her future husband and his mother?’ Vincent wondered before an idea flashed in his mind.

“Ahem. Unlike your horrible clan chieftain, I am generous with the answer rewards.” Vincent said while overlooking Awa, frowning at the comment he passed about the clan chieftain.

Vincent summoned a book Lilith asked him to keep. Lilith said she wanted Vincent to have a way of thinking about her. She also slyly mentioned smelling the book as she left some of her perfume on it.

“Can you show me your level of education since you were the best candidate to become a clan chieftain?” Vincent said before placing the book in front of Awa and asking her to read a few lines.

Awa opened the book. She became fascinated by the neat handwriting in front of her eyes. “The books my ancestors wrote had bad handwriting, but these words are very easy to read.” She said while faintly smiling.

Awa read a few sentences without pausing or stuttering. She read naturally and fluently as if she was talking to someone.

Because the book was one of Lilith’s favorite romance books, Awa commented how the woman was strangely acting too easily to win over the male lead.

Awa then commented on how a man should prove his warrior spirit to attract a woman instead of the woman begging to be his. She mentioned that this situation was bizarre and didn’t make sense.

However, Awa’s words soon made her realize how she was in the same situation.

Awa begged to be married to the clan leader, not for love, but for her family. These thoughts made Awa feel regretful. She could not acquire more food for her family and other people in need.

“I was wondering about the education of the Dullahans in general since you live alone in a secluded place. But you surprised me more than I thought. You are as good at reading and explaining as my wife, Lilith.”

After Vincent mentioned Lilith’s name, he stood up and went to bring the painting of the food contest and the statue of Sakura.

“These are my wives. One is a demon, and she could not be together with us in the picture, so she carved this wooden figure of herself. Ohh! And the white wolf in the picture can turn into a woman. She is also my wife.” Vincent gloated while pointing with his finger.

Awa heard Vincent speak in a delighted tone and saw Vincent’s expression change positively when the subject was about his wives.

Awa had never expected a person with multiple partners to treasure each of their partners instead of seeing them like tools.