章 17: Chapter 16: Shameless Tribe
"What are humans doing here", 2 burly-looking tiger beast men growled seeing us.
Then, they locked on to Shea, "That blue hair, you are that abominable child from the Haulia tribe. You dare bring humans into our home. This time you are not gonna go back alive, all of you will be executed."
DOPANn!!
A sudden gunshot came from Hajime's direction. The shot grazed the tiger beastmen's cheeks and obliterated the trees behind him.
All the Beastmen who had seen the tree behind them getting obliterated were scared. [If it hit me, I would have died instantly] the leader of the beastmen thought.
[What did that human do, that attack was so fast and powerful, is this something really a human can do,] all beastmen thought.
"If you say, you are going to kill them. Then I won't show you any mercy. Don't think that even one person will be allowed to survive. Here and now, I will give you 2 choices confront us and pointlessly face complete annihilation or quietly go back home. Now choose the one you like most," Hajime released his pressure to intimidate them.
"Oh, and just so you know these guys are under our protection", I quip from the side.
"It will be for your betterment if you don't cross us, and we also know about your hiding company," saying. I took out my Odachi. Then activated my <Flashing Slash> to cut down some trees where beastmen were hiding.
Those Beastmen looked scared "Don't worry this was just a warning. I haven't killed anyone yet, but if you get in our way," I used low-powered <Bloodlust> at them, adding my killing intent to Hajime's pressure. (It has been a while since I used it), I thought.
Sensing such potent killing intent. The leader of the beastmen gritted his teeth and asked "You bastards, what do you want in our home".
Hajime said, "Our objective is to complete the seven great labyrinths. From what we know, here in this forest there is one of those labyrinth entrances in the giant tree 'Ua Arto'".
The tiger Beastmen leader confusingly asked "What do you mean, don't you know? This sea of trees itself is one of the labyrinths."
"No, that's impossible the monsters in this forest are very weak compared to any monsters in the labyrinth" Hajime said adamantly.
"The seven labyrinths are trials left to us by the liberators. You demihumans are easily capable of going to the deepest parts of the forest, right? Then there would not be any trial. This means the true labyrinth still lies some were in the sea of trees."
The beastmen look very confused. What does he mean by these monsters are weak? It takes 2 or 3 beastmen to take on some of the strong monsters in this forest, and he calls them weak. But he isn't lying, they are strong enough to take over our entire country by force, that's for sure. Then if they really only want to go towards the great tree.
"I will ask this just to confirm. You people only wanted to go the depth of the sea of trees where the great tree lies am I correct", to which we nodded in response.
"Then I assume it's ok to let you people go to the Great Tree," the leader Tiger Beastmen said.
Suddenly one of his subordinates said "But captain you can't", "Shut up, I am talking" The beastmen leader hurriedly silenced his subordinate not wanting to displease the humans. Tiger Beastmen doesn't want his subordinates dead by provoking these humans. If these humans don't want to attack us then their no need to provoke them.
"As I was saying it can be arranged, but you people need to promise us that you people will not harm any of my people in any way. If you break this promise even if it kills me, we will not let you enter here ever again."
Hajime looked the beast leader in the eyes for a few seconds. Then said, "We agree". I also nodded along and stopped using the <bloodlust>.
Getting the confirmation, the beastmen looked less tense "Zam! You heard it right! Report it to the elders!"
"Yes sir," saying that a beast man ran towards the trees.
After that, someone went to inform their elders. Some of the beast men looked at us with anger and helplessness.
Seeing this might take time, I started using my <Mana Sence> with <Archmage> to check the fog properties that constantly cover this sea of trees.
In a few minutes, I finished analysing the fog.
[Hmmm, interesting this fog is made through a formation that mixes a distortion spell and illusion magic. Whoever enters this formation cannot navigate through it because of this formation. The liberator of this labyrinth must have set it so only demihumans can navigate here periodically. In certain periods even demihumans can't navigate. It's a neat way to use the distortion spell and illusion magic, it will be very handy in my arsenal.]
"Hehehe... I have learned a new skill and illusion magic. I am delighted with this new ability, as it alone is enough to make the journey to this place worthwhile. I am also aware of the potential of mastering illusion magic might bring, as is the case with a certain shinigami."
Seeing me creepily laughing hajime said, "he is at it again". Yue hummed in agreement. Both of them decided to ignore Rihito and went to their own world while waiting.
Watching the pink atmosphere Shea decided not to go towards Hajime knowing if she went near them, Yue would attack her. Shea then looked at the only person who was left. "Umm, Rihito you look happy did something good happen?"
I got back from my amusement and answered, "No… no nothing you need to worry about, do you need something."
Shea asked hesitatingly, "Can I join you guys on your journey?"
My lazy smile vanished, I gave Shea a sharp look after listening to her request, and she squirmed taking my gaze "Why do you want to join us? You already know what we are dealing with. The ordeal we are doing is life-threatening, one wrong move and any one of us could die, knowing this you still wanted to join us. We already helping your tribe with problems with other demihumans. Hajime might not say this but he will make sure your tribe will be taken care of. You can live with your family happily. There is no need for you to join us. So, why do you want to join us."
Shea looked a little scared, but she still responded, "I want to join you guys because you guys are similar to me. From the very beginning, I knew I was different from others in my tribe. But they instead of condemning me. They accepted me knowing it would cause us problems. But now that I have met you guys. Now I know that I am not alone I am not the only being who has strange abilities like this. I want to join you, and I will do anything to do that." Shea looked at me determinedly.
"..."
It looks like my presence has changed things. Instead of going towards Hajime, she came to me. Still, she has to prove herself.
Then I suddenly have an idea.
"I see then how about a challenge? If you were able to put a single scratch on Yue. Then you can join us. If you can't you should know what will happen then", Saying that I looked at Hajime who was looking at me puzzlingly and Yue who was looking at me with some annoyance.
Just when Yue was about to deny the challenge. Shea spoke, "A scratch, I will defeat her and force you to take me in", She spoke those words with overconfidence.
"..."
Yue's next words came out coldly "You are dead."
Hearing those chillin' words I prayed for a certain stupid rabbit [May you rest in peace.]
Shea's obliviousness to her situation. Even got pity from other demihumans who got the gist of the situation.
...
From the fog, several new figures of demi-humans appear. The elderly man who was in the middle especially attracted their attention. Beautifully flowing blonde hair along with his blue eyes that showed great knowledge, his body was thin, as if it'd blow along with the wind. To that dignified appearance, some wrinkles were carved, but that contrast only accentuated his beauty. Above all of that, his ear was long and pointed. He was from the Forest tribe the so-called Elf.
Here comes the 'elder' I guessed. That guess was right on the spot.
"Fumu, were you the human? What is your name?"
"Nagumo Hajime, Sakai Rihito. You?"
Having heard Hajime and Rihito's words, the surrounding demi-humans were like "How dare you treat elder like that!" their resentment can be seen. With one hand the man from the Forest tribe calms them down and starts to introduce himself.
"I am Alfrerick Hypist. One of elder of Faea Belgaen. Well then, I have heard your request but… before that, I have something to ask. Where did you find out about the 'Liberators'?"
"Un? From the Abyss of Orcus Great Dungeon, one of the Liberators, Oscar Orcus's hideout."
Without any purpose, Hajime answered Alfrerick who seemed to be interested in the word Liberators. On his side, Alfrerick was astonished although it wasn't shown on his face. The reason is the word Liberator and Oscar Orcus' name, only known by some of the elders.
"Fumu, from the Abyss huh… …I haven't heard it for a long time… …can you prove it?"
Alfrerick asked Hajime that question because there is a possibility that the information was leaked by the upper layer of demi-human. Hajime reveals a difficult expression. Because even though he was told to prove it, he can only show his strength. Yue while tilted her head gave Hajime a suggestion.
"… …Hajime, what about Orcus' relic such as a magic stone?"
"And the ring too," I chimed in.
"Aah! That's right if it was that…"
With "Pon" he clasped his hand, and he took out the magic stone with quality that was unobtainable the surface demonic beasts from the "Treasure Box", then passed it to Alfrerick.
"Th-this is… Magic stone with such purity, I have never seen…"
Even though Alfrerick hid his surprise, the demi-human next to him unintentionally raised his surprised voice.
"Now, this. Once it was the ring that was used by Orcus…"
As he said it, he showed him Orcus' ring. Having seen the symbol carved into the ring, Alfrerick's eyes were wide open. He starts to breathe slowly to control his emotions.
"Indeed… … certainly, you people have reached Oscar Orkus' hideout. Even though there are other things I want to ask… ...alright. For now, it's okay for you to come to 'Faea Belgaen'. Aah, of course, Haulia too."
Having heard Alfrerick's words, not only the surrounding demi-humans but also Kam and his Haulia tribe were surprised. Led by the tiger-like demi-human, they started to protest furiously. Well, that's only natural. One of them was because humans were invited into the Faeea Belgaen.
"They must be treated as guests. Well, they are qualified for that. Also, this is one of the rules that's been decided by the one with the elder's seat."
Alfrerick calmed the surroundings with his stern look. However, this time Hajime was the one who protested.
"Wait. Why the hell did you decide our schedule? We are going to the Great Tree, also we have no interest in Faea Belgaen. If there are no other questions, then we'll go to the Great Tree now."
"Well, didn't you know? That is impossible."
"What did you say?"
In the end, are you going to interfere? That is what Hajime thought. He was about to release his pressure.
"Calm down Hajime, let's hear them first," I stopped Hajime.
"Fine," Hajime grunted.
Alfrerick looks perplexed, as I was about to say, "The fog around the Great Tree is especially thick, even demi-humans will be lost there. But there are cycles when the fog becomes thinner, that's why you should go there at that time. The next time you can go will be in 10 days. … … even though it was supposed to be known by all of the demi-humans…"
Alfrerick was looking at Hajime saying, "To go there in such time, what were you thinking?" then Kam the guide was seen. Hajime who heard this fact finally understood and just like Alfrerick stared at Kam. Speaking of Kam…
"Ah..."
Exactly, he looks like he just remembers it. A vein appears on Hajime.
"Kam?"
"Ah, well, what can I say… …look, a lot has happened, I just forgot about it… I've only been there when I was a child, so I was not aware of the cycle…"
Kam who desperately tried to find an excuse started to become flustered because they couldn't take it Hajime and Yue stared at him intently and they blamed the others.
"Eei, Shia, the others too! Why, you are telling us the way! You know about the cycle right!"
"Waa, father, that's misplaced anger! I was because father was so confident, so I thought the cycle must be near… …in other words, it's father's fault!!"
"That's right, even we, Huh? Isn't that weird? Think that, but the chief was so confident about it, so we thought it was our that wrong…"
"Chief, it was because you're too excited about a random thing…"
Kam who was blamed by Shia who also blamed, while the other Rabbitmans try to avert their eyes and casually push the responsibility to others.
"Y-you lot! Is that how the family is? This, that, that is! Joint responsibility! Hajime-dono and Rihito-dono not only me but please punish all of us!"
"Ah, how dirty! Father is dirty! Because it's scary to be punished alone, you tried to drag others!"
"Chief! Please don't involve us!"
"Idiot! On our way, you already see how Hajime Dono and Rihito Dono are. I absolutely don't want to be punished alone!"
"You, how can you call yourself a chief!"
The Rabbitman tribe was known to have the greatest affection compared to other demi-humans. They are noisily tried to push the responsibility to the other. Just where did their affection go… …as expected of Shia's family? All of them were shameless rabbits.
Seeing them playing the blaming game I was amused. But its looks like Hajime is pissed now.
With a vein appearing, Hajime muttered a word.
"… …Yue"
"Nn"
Having heard Hajime, Yue takes a step forward and then holds out her right hand. Having noticed that the Haulia tribe's expression is cramped.
"Wa, please wait, miss Yue! If you want to do it just take it to father!"
"Ha Ha ha, we'll always be together!"
"The hell with together!"
"Yue-dono, please only hit the chief!"
"It's not my fault, it's not my fault, the one at fault was the chief!"
To the Haulia tribe who was in chaos, Yue quietly muttered.
"<Storm Emperor>"
Agh!!!
Those rabbit ears were flown to the sky. Their screams echo in the Sea of Trees. Even though their brethren were attacked, Alfrerick and the surrounding demi-humans weren't mad at all. In fact, they looked at the sky with amazement. From their expression, it seems the Haulia tribe's shamelessness was widely known.
"Chapter end"
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