Chapter 31 - Volume 4 (1/2)

Chapter 1 : Empire’s Soldiers

42 people + Rabbit-ear traveling along the canyon.

Naturally, a lot of demonic beasts tried to attack them but to no avail. Those who tried to attacked the RabbitMan tribe without any exception had their head blown with a flash.

That flash accompanied with gunshot, when looked around you can see a lot of demonic beasts’ corpse scattered around Raisen Grand Canyon that make the RabbitMan tribe dumbfounded and stare in awe at Hajime who did this.

Especially the child, they are looking at Hajime’s overwhelming strength and see him as their hero with sparkling eyes.

“Fufufu, Hajime-san. The little one are watching you know~ Why don’t you wave at them?”

Shia immediately tried to tease Hajime who’s already in bad mood because of those child’s innocent gaze.

With a vein popped on his head, Hajime silently fired his gun.

DOPANn! DOPANn! DOPANn!

“Awawwawawawawagh!?”

With rubber bullet aimed at her foot, Shia tried to evade it which make her looks like tapdancing. To that spectacle, Shia’s father, Kam only reveal a wry smile meanwhile Yue look at her with amazement.

“Ha Ha Ha, so Shia and Hajime already that close. It’s looks like… Shia already reach that age huh. It’s make father a bit lonely. But if the other is Hajime-dono, then it is a relief…”

Even though her daughter is still shotted at, Kam saw her as if celebrating her departure (as in marriage) with tear forming in the corner of his eyes. The other’s tribe member also look at her with warm gaze although her screaming “Help me~” can be heard.

“Wait, all of you. Why is that you conclusion after looking at this situation?”

“… Unbelievable”

As Yue said, it seems the RabbitMan tribe rather lack of common sense and it’s already become something natural for this tribe. Though it wasn’t known whether it’s applied only to Haulia tribe or not.

After walking for a long time, their group finally arrive at the entrance of Raisen Grand Canyon. There are finely built staircase as far as Hajime’s “Far Sight” can see. The stairs was built by cutting along the wall and it was the type that make an u-turn every 50 meters. Sea of Trees can be reached after walking around half a day after exiting Raisen Grand Canyon.

While Hajime tried looking at the distance, Shia started to talk with uneasiness in her voice.

” Are there any of empire’s Soldiers?”

” N? What can I say about. Although there are the possibility of them getting annihilated already…”

” Th, that is, supposed that there are empire’s Soldiers around… Hajime-san… What will you do?”

“? What do you mean by that?”

Hajime tilt his head because he can’t understand the question asked by Shia. Rabbit-ear of the Rabbbitmen tribe hear perked because of her question.

“Unlike demonic beasts, the enemy are the empire’s Soldiers… human race. The same as Hajime-san. … are you sure you can fight them?”

“Failure rabbit, you, didn’t you already see the future?”

“Yes, I am. Hajime confronting the empire’s Soldiers…”

“Then… What is the problem?”

“I want to confirm it. To protect us, RabbitMan tribe from the empire’s Soldiers and confront the human race. Are you really okay, fighting against humans…”

Having heard Shia’s word, the surrounding RabbitMan tribe nervously looking at Hajime. The children can’t understand what happened but guessing the serious atmosphere started to alternately looking between the adult tribe members and Hajime restlessly.

However, inside such a serious atmosphere Hajime casually said.

“What is wrong with that?”

“Eh?”

Hajime continue his talk ignoring Shia’s confusion.

“Like I said. There is no problem for me to fight against human.”

“Th,that’s, aren’t you come from the same race…”

“Didn’t your tribe also chased by the same race (demi-human)”

“That is, well, even if you put it that way…”

“Although, you’re wrong about the basic”

“Basic?”

Shia was tilting her head and the surrounding RabbitMan tribe looked confused.

“Listen, I am employing your tribe to be my guide. So, I’ll be troubled if any of you died so I’ll protect it. It’s not like I was sympathizing you, or I have any kindness to do that. Moreover, I won’t protect you forever. Didn’t you remember that?”

“Ugh, yes… I remember…”

“If so, I’ll protect you until my business in Sea of Trees over. Everything are for my own benefit. Because of that it doesn’t matter if it demonic beasts or humans, if they are tried to obstruct my path, they are enemies and enemies must be killed. Simple as that.”‘

“I, I see…”

Shia consented with a wry smile to that Hajime-like answer. Even if she with “Foresight” saw Hajime confronting the empire, because the future wasn’t absolute she didn’t know if it’ll come true or not. There are others future with higher possibility that she seen, one of it was the future where they become slave under the empire while living a life more painful than death. Because Shia think “it was her fault” even though the others didn’t think so, she tried to do with all of her might to confirm which future they’d be in.

“Ha Ha Ha, It was good to understand that. Please leave it to us to guide you through Sea of Trees.”

Kam was laughing cheerfully. Rathen than some stupid sense of justice, if everything is under the condition of give and take then it’ll be more assuring. His face said it all.

Their party approached the stairs. Hajime gone ahead of them in alert. To escape from the empire’s Soldiers, the RabbitMan tribe haven’t had drink or eat anything, but their steps are light. It seems the rumour that demi-humans who unable to use magic have higher physical strength instead is true.

And finally, Hajime’s group escaped from Raisen Grand canyon.

What they see over the cliff…

“Oioi, seriously. They are survivor. Even though I was reluctantly stay here because of commander order~ If it was like this, I can bring back some good souvenir home.”

There are around 30 Soldiers of empire. Behind them there are a lot of wagons/carriages where marks of camp remained to be seen. All of the Soldiers who dressed in Khaki-like uniform and equipped with a sword or spear and a shield, look surprised at Hajime’s group.

However, that only last for a sec. Immediately they become delighted when they saw the RabbitMan tribe.

“Platoon leader! The gray haired RabbitMan also there! Isn’t she the one commander want?”

“Ooh, it’s look like we are lucky. Even though it’s ok to kill the others old one, that’s the only one you must keep alive.”

“Platoon leader~, there are some women in there, can we taste them a little? We have waited here for 3 days after all. Please overlook it~”

“Geez. Don’t take all of them. If it was only two, no three then it’s okay”

“Hyahho~, as expected of platoon leader! You really can understand us!”

For the empire’s Soldiers, RabbitMan tribe seen only as easy prey for them to catch, they approached while licking their lips looking at female RabbitMans. Seeing those Soldiers, the RabbitMan tribe can do nothing but tremble in fright.

Along those clamoring Soldiers, the man who called platoon leader who’s currently grinning at those RabbitMans finally notice Hajime’s existence.

“Aah? Who are you? It looks like… you’re not a RabbitMan.”