Later that very day around evening the crew of the Sovereign began to make their way towards the settlement where the feast would be held.
Most grumbled under their breaths but who could refuse to go now that Aron spoke on the matter. The only exception to this was Lady Rose who wasn't interested in the slightest and chose to remain once again.
This worked for the better because with her behind Aron wouldn't need to worry about anything happening to the airship. He wasn't worried about the Komi making any movements but rather Juliet and her faction.
Her purpose in following them here was still blurry to him. For one fact it was clear they were waiting for Aron and his crew because they were yet to leave the Komi Islands despite not having a business there.
They didn't explore, they didn't scout or try to make contact with the natives. Instead they remained stationed close to the Sovereign and just observed their actions.
This time around they couldn't do so only because Jagu hadn't extended an invitation to that group for obvious reasons.
...
"Hey Aron quick question, is it just me or is there a severe lack of mana beasts here?" Jin who was walking at the front beside Aron decided to bring up this observation many people overlooked.
"Komi are said to be evolved mana beasts after all so perhaps it has something to do with that, I'm really not well versed in the history of this place." Aron answered honestly while Jin still stroked his chin and pondered on the matter a little more.
The exact details behind Komi history was something Aron couldn't find in any of the books he'd read upon, evolution was the most obvious answer to this but as to why it was so thorough and vast was something he couldn't figure out.
"I guess I'll just have to ask the big guy when we arrive." Jin showed a toothy grin and placed his hands behind his back as they continued down the muddy path through the jungle.
This particular settlement they were going to was quite some distance away and some soon felt their stamina dwindle. Moving in the muddy path was a bit challenging and it was only made worse by the never ending down pour of rain and humid atmosphere.
? "...How much farther?" A panting member in the far back asked in curiosity but none of them knew so they collectively stared at Riya and hoped she'd ask Aron on their behalf.
Before she could even muster the courage to ask, Aron replied. "Not long." As he along with the others upfront had clearly heard their non stop complaining.
This somehow made them feel a bit ashamed as they thought that Aron considered them whiny, especially since Evanora who had a petite frame and large chains dangling from her limbs was still able to move without voicing a complaint.
"The top five are on another level..." Riya who was also panting heavily could only mutter this.
...
As they drew closer something caught their eye and immediately became the new topic of discussion...
The sides of the trail now had brunt wooden spikes lining them, each spike had the head of what looked like a forl mounted onto it. Forls largely resembled foxes but to the members seeing them they looked like smaller versions of Jagu's people and with red fur.
As the rain poured down on these, blood oozed down the spike making it known that they were freshly chopped off and placed there. It became more unsettling to some of the members when they came across heads that resembled humans, likely belonging to a evolved crimson forl who held some human features.
"Wow, Jagu's people have unique... post war habits." Jin commented while looking at the spikes without any visible discomfort.
He along with Aron and Evanora were the only ones who didn't look at all bothered by this sight as even Xavier and Claudia felt their stomachs churn slightly upon seeing how brutally deformed some of heads were.
Some had hollow eye sockets with the eye balls dangling out whilst others had the brain matter showing.
This part of the path continued on for about three hundred more meters before the settlement was finally in sight. At this point however many members had already lost their appetite and were only looking forward to the day ending.
....
Because of the rains, the feast this time around was held in a large hut that normally acted as a place to convene and discuss clan matters.
The arrangement was the same as the time with the Crown Rigars so everyone had an easier time navigating to a seat.
However something was strange, despite the hut clearly looking like it could house well over a hundred individuals, only Aron and his group were present at the moment.
"Uhm... are we early?" Claudia showed a look of confusion and turned to the komi who lead them there for answers but even he looked a bit confused as to what was happening.
"No, you are right on time." Suddenly Aella walked into the hut with Jagu by her side who looked just as confused as the guide, Aron gave a subtle glance at this and wondered just what it was she was planning.
As far as he was concerned she had already done her part and Jagu successfully played a big role in winning the war they orchestrated so all was well.
But now the confusion on Jagu's face clearly meant this isn't what he had intended when he invited them to the feast.
"Warriors of the Sovereign, you honor our clan with your presence. I have heard tales of your deeds from my son and I can only say we are pleased to have you here."
"Warriors of your stature cannot feast with our regular warriors so I personally organized this for you all as the current acting chief of the clan. With that said please enjoy our clan's hospitality..." She explained before trailing off and clapping her hands.
In that moment numerous female Komi began walking into the hut one at a time with large leaves of assorted foods in their hands. This wouldn't be strange if it weren't for the fact all of them had evolved to a point where half their features resembled humans.
Their perky bountiful breasts were uncovered and left to bounce freely as each female made their way to a member and offered to feed them. The only cloth they wore was a tiny one that barely hid their crotch leaving the male members at a loss for words.
'So that's her plan...' Aron remained unmoved and roughly concluded that she hadn't given up on trying to increase the power of her clan after the losses they suffered to that serpent.
What's more Aron had proved that outsiders held potential so if her clan were to succeed in gaining some of their seed as she called it, they would be the only clan to do so and have more variety and potential in their future generations.
Strictly speaking from a logical point of view Aron found nothing wrong with this scheme, he only felt annoyance that they assumed he would be so easily moved.
'Seems she learned her lesson the first time.' Aron thought as it became clear she intended to gather the seed from the other members since he himself proved difficult.
Jagu was genuinely surprised by this turn of events but it took only one look from his mother for him to remain quiet. "I'll oversee things here, see to it that the other feast goes on well. It is your only chance to rekindle your bonds with the others." She instructed or rather commanded of Jagu since her words left no room for refusal or addition.
Jagu began to leave hesitantly but seeing that Aron was present he felt less anxious in his heart. What he was worried about was in fact his mother having sinister ulterior motives for the crew.
But there was also a chance she was trying to win them over and have them develop close relationships to his clan, this idea seemed more believable since she purposely brought practically naked females to tend to them.
He knew such things appealed to men on the outside so it was a definite high possibility.
Meanwhile Aron was still analyzing the matter. 'She's mad.' He concluded after seeing through her plan.
Although she couldn't get Aron this trap she set for his members wasn't a bad one. Aron could of course deny his members of their enjoyment but then he would in turn garter their displeasure, they were after all old enough to make such decisions.
Worst case scenario Aron would kill her but Jagu was already here as a witness and so she knew at the very least the other women would be spared. If Aron didn't care for Jagu then why go to such lengths is probably what she had assumed.
Nove l B(in).C OM
They were some loop holes to this plan of hers but all seemed to have a few consequences that followed. Aron knew it was unlikely she planned for every detail but it still annoyed him how well this came together, given his nature he'd go for the option that brought the most benefits and that would be to go along with it and let everyone do as they please.
'Well played.' He thought as he chose to accept this...
"Won't you be feasting?" Aella purposefully asked Aron as his gaze alone made the females fear approaching him.
It couldn't be seen but right now his wills were raging, he certainly didn't like being a piece in someone's ploy and he certainly wouldn't take it lying down.
"I was hoping to feast with you." He replied in a tone deeper than his usual one, as his lips parted the subtle sharpness of his canines could be seen.
Aela didn't pay mind to such small details and casually walked over to him before collecting one of the serving leaves and sitting beside him.
"It's only natural for the strongest to dine together." She whispered while leaning closer to Aron.
Aron paid no mind to her hands and gripped her large soft asscheek through the thin cloth covering it and brought her closer to him before whispering his own words to her.
"Do you know what I'm currently craving?..."
