A Single Mother's Farm of the Gods
Chapter 223: Fateful Encounter

Chapter 223: Fateful Encounter

The response that Elaina received was what she expected from Julia. After all, if she hated her all this time, then why play nice to her until then? However, there is an underlying doubt remaining in her mind that believes Julia still hates her for being late.

However, it was only the beginning. Due to Elaina’s kindness to her, Julia forgot her hate. And this ends up making her no longer resent her in the process. It was quite a complicated feeling and even Elaina does not understand it. But she decided to accept this matter. Julia has accepted it, even if she still has a feeling of guilt.

"Thanks, Julia. Even though I don’t deserve it, I appreciate it."

Julia smiled. Despite her flaws, Elaina is still Elaina. The woman who tried her hardest to save everyone only ended up saving one.

Princess Margaux realized her question was a very serious one and went quiet after learning the truth. It was a heavy topic and even though she does not experience anything really heavy like their experience, aside from the event where her parents almost died, nothing can even top their trauma.

Although the situation became gloomy, the babies seemed to have felt the atmosphere being grim which made them cry in the process.

"Haha, Sis. Let’s stop feeling grim, alright? Everything is in the past, although it still hurts, let’s just make them part of our memories. We shouldn’t carry the negative emotions for long and bring them to our future."

Hearing Julia’s words, Elaina smiled and nodded. "You are right."

Julia and Elaina then started to make the two babies stop crying and spend the entire day inside the house, relaxing and bonding with everyone.

...

...

...

The next day, Elaina also plans to stay behind the house again but around the afternoon, Elaina was forced to go outside.

"Sis...I think we have splurged so badly on meat. We are running out of meat already," Julia said, revealing the jar that has an ice shard inside currently holding half of what was supposed to be a whole winter’s worth of supplies.

Elaina scratches her head even though it’s not itchy. It seems she overestimated the amount of supplies she had stored before winter. They have been eating meat for a few days straight and Elaina didn’t think too much of it. Not only that but they also used up some of the meat back then when everyone did a late baby shower party, further reducing the stockpile. Now, the meat in their stockpile will last only for a week or less.

"Looks like I have to hunt," Elaina picks up her sword.

"Should I come along?" Julia asked.

"I wanted to do so, but no one will stay behind to watch the kids in the meantime," Elaina shook her head.

"What about me, Miss?" Princess Margaux asked.

"I could make use of your skills, Princess. But I should do this alone. From what I heard from the locals, the animals and monsters are pretty vicious during winter. It will be dangerous so I will go alone this time around. Don’t worry. I will be back soon enough."

"If that is the case, have some of these heat barrier stones and some of the potions I made with you. You don’t know when the snowfall will occur once again and bury the ground deep."

"Thanks, Julia. But are you sure you won’t be selling these? These look like high-quality potions to me."

"No need. I have plenty of them that I can sell. And besides, they are not that effective. They can heal shallow wounds at best as that is the only what I can make from the ingredients I have in hand. But considering it you, Sis. I can tell that you will have fewer reasons to use the potions."

"Haha, don’t overestimate me, I also take some damage as well. Anyways, I should get going while the sun is still up and shining. It will be bad if I reach there in the dark."

Then, as if she realized something, Princess Margaux suggested something.

"Miss Elaina. If you won’t be bringing us on this hunt, how about bringing Shardu and Zaza with you? Shardu is very loyal and a good hunter, while Zaza might be lazy at times, but is quite a good fighter as well. He can aid you in tracking monsters and taking down a few by chasing some of them."

Seemingly waiting for their turn, both Zaza and Shardu had their heads perked up as they looked at Elaina with expectation in their eyes.

"Not a bad idea. They barely have much action nowadays due to the peace in the farm which means they must be itching for some fight and a way to sharpen their claws."

Julia nodded. "Yeah, I can even see Shardu hunt some of the rats I saw a few times around the house and easily dealt with all of them. And if Princess Margaux can vouch for Zaza, they will be good companions indeed."

Elaina rubbed her chin for a bit before smiling and nodding. "Not a bad idea. Both will act as my guardian and hunting dogs this time around. Alright, come on, Shardu, Zaza, time to see your skills."

As if waiting for their turn, the two enthusiastically got up and followed Elaina outside.

After taking off with the two beasts, the three headed to the forest to hunt for animals.

"Wolves are gonna be great if they are around. Deers would also be a good find as well if possible."

As Elaina is looking around, Shardu makes a cry that Elaina can’t tell whether it is from a fox or a cat. Still, it caught her attention, and saw Shardu look at her and into the east.

"Smell something, Shardu? Lead me there then!"

Shardu nodded and quickly ran towards the east.

"Aah!" Before Elaina can even run on the snow, Zaza bites Elaina’s shirt and throws her behind his back causing her to yelp in surprise. Still, the moment she held on his back, Zaza quickly gave chase to Shardu.

"Oh my...I didn’t think about this..." Elaina held tightly on Zaza’s fur as the two-headed far into the east.

Soon, both Zaza and Shardu slowed down and Elaina soon saw in the distance a few packs of wolves currently feasting on meat. Based on the carcass, it seems the beast that the wolves hunted is a giant boar.

Among the pack of wolves, an Alpha wolf is among them. It was quite a big wolf and Elaina could identify it even from a distance.

"Good find, Shardu. You too, Zaza. Good job following Shardu. Now, let’s hunt these beasts and divide the haul for later. The more meat we get from this hunt, the more you guys will have a good haul of food as well."

The two got excited hearing this and quickly went to the position. They are not attacking just yet and are now waiting for Elaina to do her task. Going down from Zaza, Elaina counted the wolves.

"7 smaller wolves, two bigger wolves, and one Alpha wolf. The smaller wolves will be a problem if not dealt with quickly. Zaza and Shardu should deal with the two bigger wolves as soon as possible, while we deal with the Alpha wolf together."

Elaina, Shardu, and Zaza were already in their position when the Alpha wolf sniffed something.

"Did it discover us?" Elaina frowned as she crouched with the two beasts. However, it seems that it wasn’t the main case and the Alpha wolf smelled someone else.

Soon enough, Elaina learned who it was.

A man clad in a thick black coat that looks like a parka she saw before in stores that are for men. It is perfect for winter. She couldn’t see much about who this person was but Elaina could tell that this person did not just arrive there accidentally.

The wolves are now alerted to his presence and started to surround him.

"This idiot...what is he doing? Why is he letting these wolves encircle him? Shardu, Zaza, get ready to help ou- whuh?!"

Before Elaina can finish what she is about to say, the man in the black parka pulls out two guns and proceeds to shoot the wolves with quick shots but accurate aims. It is quick to the point that Elaina couldn’t even follow his hands as he quickly dispatched the smaller wolves that all went down before they could even move around.

Seeing the smaller wolves went down quickly, the Alpha wolf quickly ordered the two bigger wolves to tag-team the mysterious gunslinger. Knowing their actions, the two didn’t hesitate and attacked the man. The gunslinger didn’t just wait for them to get close as well and started firing to the attacking wolves.

But they didn’t just stay put. They dodged the bullets without batting an eye and quickly closed their distance from the gunslinger.

"Ugh...I can’t keep watching this, Zaza, Shardu, assist the gunslinger, I will deal with the Alpha Wolf," Elaina said as she readied her sword to fight.