"Yeah. You guessed it. That's also river crabs in there. You see, we got lucky and caught so many."
The river had probably been left untouched for a few months, judging by the number of crabs in it.
"Lucky indeed. I didn't expect you'd catch this many."
"All thanks to the hard work everyone put in."
"I see."
"Ah right, I still have to cook for everyone, so let's talk later."
"Okay, sorry for wasting your time."
I nodded and started calling out to everyone and began ordering all the children to prepare for cooking.
"Alright, everyone, listen up," Soren said, clapping his hands once.
"Troy, Masha, wash the crabs properly in the river. Make sure there's no mud left."
"Got it, Boss! I'll make sure they're clean immediately!" Troy replied, already rolling up his sleeves.
"Alright, Soren," Masha added, nodding seriously as she followed Troy into the river.
Soren turned his gaze to the youngest three—Keran, Malik, and Taren.
"You three gather firewood. Dry ones only—we don't want smoke everywhere."
"Yes!" the children answered in unison before happily running off.
Then Soren looked at the two left at his side—Eli and Erza who silently waiting.
"You two will help me cook again," he said.
Eli blinked in surprise.
"R-Really? We can do that?"
Soren nodded, a small smile forming on his lips.
Erza straightened her back, her eyes shining like star. "Leave it to us. We won't slow you down."
"Good. Stay close and do exactly as I say."
I just discovered that these two seem really like helping with the cooking work. If I teach them how to cook, it might reduce my workload in the future.
But for now, that will have to be put on hold—they need to visit Hollow Village as soon as possible. For the moment, they can tend the fire and assist me while I cook, and I can still teach them a few techniques along the way."
Meanwhile At the handcart, Ren could see everything happening.
So this is Soren…
Watching from a distance, Ren felt something twist in his chest.
The children moved around Soren naturally, laughing and listening to his words without hesitation. There was no fear in their eyes—only trust.
In the past, they were so gloomy… so pitiful
At the base, those same children barely spoke; their eyes were always dull, their expressions empty.
They rarely showed any emotion, moving only when ordered, like shadows trying not to be noticed.
But now…
Ren saw them—still dressed in beggar's attire—now smiling and laughing as they followed Soren's commands, as if they were playing.
Their movements were light, eager, nothing like the lifeless figures he remembered.
For the first time, those children looked like children again.
Just how did he do it?
From their conversations, Ren had already noticed how unusual Soren was.
The way he spoke somewhat oddly calm, thoughtful, and sometimes casual nothing like a normal child would speak.
It was as if Soren carried experiences far beyond his age, hidden behind that young face.
Watching him now, giving orders and guiding the others so naturally, Ren felt even more certain.
This kid… is different.
But Soren was unaware of Ren's thoughts
as I looked at the two small cooking pots resting over the campfire, soon ready to be cooked.
All the children had already finished their tasks.
They already sat quietly nearby, each holding a wooden bowl, eyes fixed on the pots as they waited for the crabs to cook.
The crackling of the fire was the only sound, mixed with the faint scent of river water and fresh crab meat.
After a few more minutes of waiting, the crabs were finally cooked.
Their shells had turned a bright, fiery orange, and a savory aroma of steaming meat mixed with the faint scent of herbs from earth that Soren secretly put in filled the air.
The small pots also held a few wild greens Soren had foraged, giving the dish a fresh, earthy touch.
Soren carefully lifted the pots from the fire, placing them on flat stones to stabilize them.
I began serving the crabs into each child's wooden bowl, making sure everyone received a fair portion.
Some of the crab juices mixed with the herbs, forming a light yet flavorful broth at the bottom of each bowl.
"Here you go." As i slide a bowl toward Masha first.
"Eat while it's hot."
The children eagerly picked up their bowls, steam curling upward as they inhaled the rich, savory scent.
But when they tried to eat, they glanced at one another awkwardly, unsure how to handle the crabs.
I chuckled softly, realizing it was the first time the children had ever eaten river crabs.
"Here, let me show you."
I picked up a crab and carefully cracked the shell with my fingers, showing them how to reach the meat inside.
"See?.
Pull off the legs, break the claws gently. The meat inside is the best part—don't waste it."
They leaned in, watching closely.
Masha mimicked my movements, struggling at first before finally managing to pull out a piece of meat.
"I got it!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.
"Wow, this is so good, Boss!" Troy said, chewing the crab meat happily as he followed my instructions more carefully.
Eli and Erza nodded, giggling as they picked apart their crabs.
I smiled quietly, satisfied.
"Good job. Take your time and enjoy it. There's enough for everyone."
After serving everyone, I also brought a bowl to the injured Ren, then served myself as well.
Then Ren kept praising me as we talked, saying how good it tasted. He said it was the first time he'd ever had food like this."
Soon, everyone began eating, helping themselves again and again until every crab in the pot had disappeared.
The campfire crackled softly, and for the first time in a long while, the place was filled with laughter and warmth—the sound of children learning, eating, and enjoying a proper meal together.
They didn't even notice that it was almost afternoon.