Bogart, the second warrior of the tribe, had been defeated by a woman. No matter how angry or unwilling he felt, he could only lead his men away.
Even after they left the outer area and returned to the village, none of them looked happy.
Hora lightly nudged Maya, signaling her to go check on Bogart.
Maya bit her lip, forcing herself to push the image of Miles out of her mind. She put on a smile and walked toward Bogart. "Bogart, are you okay?"
Bogart turned around and saw her worried face. Suddenly, he felt like all the humiliation he just suffered was worth it.
He grabbed Maya's hand and asked her gently, "Maya, come back to the main village with me now, okay?"
He was the second strongest warrior in the tribe. Normally, he wouldn't be staying in this small village on the edge of the territory. He had only come here for her.
Before, Maya had always acted like she couldn't decide, but he knew she liked Miles more, the former number one warrior of the tribe.
But now, Miles had been seriously injured by cave lions. Even if the gods helped him survive, he was definitely useless now. No matter how great he was before, how could he compete for the tribe's most beautiful woman now?
Maya thought about Miles's injuries. She figured he would never recover. So, without hesitation, she nodded.
"Maya!"
Bogart was so excited, he pulled her into a hug and kissed her several times right in front of the others. Finally, the dark feelings in his heart started to fade.
Then he noticed Maya's unhappy expression and teary eyes. He quickly asked, "Did I hurt you, Maya?"
Maya tried to hold back her anger from being kissed in public. She pointed at her knee with watery eyes and said, "It hurts… right here."
Bogart looked down and realized it was where she had fallen earlier after being tripped by that crazy woman.
His eyes turned cold. "Don't worry. I'll get revenge for you."
Meanwhile, back at the bamboo hut, Tanya had just driven off Bogart and his men. Star and Moon were the happiest. They were full of energy, running around carrying stones to weigh down the walls.
Miles, on the other hand, was quiet and didn't look happy.
Tanya noticed and thought he was feeling sad over losing Maya. She raised her eyebrow but didn't say anything. She wasn't good at comforting people.
Besides, she was busy. The bamboo house was done, but now she needed to weave bamboo mats. The old ones in the grass hut were full of holes from bugs and wear.
Even during the end times, she had never let herself live poorly. Now in a place with rich natural resources, there was no reason to settle for less.
She waved at Star and Moon. "Come here, I'll teach you how to weave bamboo mats. Tonight we'll sleep on new ones."
Star hesitated as she put down the stone. "But… Miles's bamboo house doesn't have stones on the walls yet."
"He can do it himself," Tanya said as she kept slicing bamboo strips without even looking up.
Everyone was working. He was the only one standing there thinking about his ex?
Tsk. She didn't keep useless people around.
"I'll weave the mats. Star, go move the stones." Miles waved at the twins, who immediately ran off.
Tanya stared: … Whose siblings are they really?
"I can't carry stones. It'll tear my wounds," Miles said, then pulled out a bone knife and started slicing bamboo like her. "Also, I never liked Maya, so I don't feel like I missed anything."
Tanya looked at him strangely. Why was he telling her this?
When the bamboo strips were ready, she began weaving according to the instructions she had just received.
She had no experience in crafts, but when she collected the herb earlier, she got a reward.
[Herb: Patchouli. Family: Lamiaceae. Has value in gardening, cooking, nutrition, and medicine. Rarity: Two stars. Reward: Bamboo weaving technique guide.]
Even though it was her first time, she picked it up quickly. Soon, half a mat was finished.
Miles also learned fast. He helped slice bamboo and weave the mats. His work was actually better than hers.
When both mats were finished, Tanya suddenly heard a lot of footsteps approaching.
Several men came together, but they stayed at a distance and called out, "The village chief wants to see you!"
They were the same people who came with Bogart that morning.
Tanya ignored them. So what if the chief wanted to see her? She wasn't going just because they called.
Star looked nervous, and it seemed like Miles was thinking about going. Tanya spoke up, "If the chief has something to say, he can come here. I'm busy."
She had been the leader of the top base in the apocalypse. She was used to giving orders and people coming to her. She wasn't about to change just because this world had different customs.
Star: !!
Big sis is amazing! She even dares ignore the village chief!
Miles raised an eyebrow, surprised that she could refuse the chief's order so easily.
He turned his back to the messengers and whispered to Tanya, "Your father was once chosen to be the next village chief. They already don't like your family. You shouldn't act like this… Don't speak. Let me handle it."
Then he turned to go with the men, but they had already run away, clearly afraid of Tanya.
Tanya shrugged and patted Miles's shoulder. "Don't worry. If they really need us, they'll come back."
Miles: …
This woman really doesn't follow any rules.
And strangely, he actually listened to her and didn't go see the chief.
As Tanya expected, not long after, the village chief came himself, storming over with a group of warriors.
"Tanya! I heard you collected demon herbs and even used magic! For the safety of Little River Village, starting today, you are officially expelled!"
The chief had wanted to drive out Tanya and her siblings for a long time. Tanya was weak, and her younger siblings were cursed twins. He had been trying to find a quiet way to do it. But now, after Maya was hurt and Tanya disobeyed him, he was furious and made the decision on the spot.
"Miles! You're a tribe warrior, yet you attacked your own people. You are also expelled!"
He had believed what Bogart and Maya told him and assumed Miles was the one who attacked.
After the chief finished talking, the crowd fell silent. The crying and begging he expected didn't happen.
Only Star and Moon looked scared. Tanya and Miles were both very calm, like being kicked out meant nothing to them.
They didn't argue or resist at all.
Now the chief felt like a fool for bringing so many warriors. It was all unnecessary.
His face darkened, and he turned to leave with a cold snort.
But Tanya suddenly spoke. "Wait."