Chapter 34 - Volume 4 (2/2)

“… … are you asking me to take it easy at those who came with killing intent?”

“That’s right. Isn’t that possible with your power?”

“If it was someone with ability around the level of that bear, I can’t say for sure. However, I won’t take it easy when killing each other. Although I understand your feeling, I can’t relate to your circumstances. If you don’t want your brethren to died, then seriously stop them.”

It was something he cultivated in the Abyss, sense of values to kill it if it was enemies were deeply ingrained in Hajime’s mind. Even he doesn’t know what will happen when killing each other happen. If he take it easy, even cornered mouse can mortally wound the cat. Therefore, Hajime can’t accept Alfrerick’s request.

However, Zel of Tigerman tribe intervent.

“Then, we, let us refused to guide you to underneath the Great Tree. Even though it was tradition, there is no need to guide someone which we didn’t like.”

Having heard his words, Hajime was dumbfounded. From the beginning, he was leave it to Haulia tribe to guide him and there is no intention to seek help from anyone in Faea Belgaen. Even they surely know about that. However, Zel’s next words clarified his intention.

“I don’t think Haulia tribe will be able to guide you. They are criminals. They’ll be judged by Faea Belgaen’s rule. Although we don’t know what had happened, you will be separated here. Their crime was to harbored the child who has the same power as demonic beasts. It was the same as exposing Faea Belgaen into danger. Their execution has already decided in Elders Conference.”

Shia was trembling in tears having heard Zel’s words, while Kam and his tribe were already thoroughly resigned. Even now, no one blame Shia, that’s just how depth their affection is.

“Honored Elders! Somehow, somehow please let my tribe go! Please!”

“Shia! Stop it! We are already prepared. It was not your fault. No one wanted to stay alive so much to the point of selling out a family’s member. It was already talked many times in the Haulia tribe. There is nothing for you to worry about.”

“But, Father!”

Even though Shia desperately beg while prostrating, no words of pardon come from Zel.

“It has already decided. All of Haulia tribe will be executed. Even though if you didn’t escape from Faea Belgaen, it’ll only ended with banishment from harboring the taboo child.”

Shia who cried was comforted by Kam and the others. The decision been decided in Elders Conference was the truth. The other Elders didn’t say anything. Probably because it was a taboo child, to kept concealing such factor of danger in Faea Belgaen made their crime heavy. It also can be said their strong feelings for their family worsen the situation. It was an ironic story.

“And that’s it. With this, aren’t your method to go to the Great Tree were gone? What will you do? Will you leave it to luck to reach it?”

Zel was implying that they should accept the demand if they don’t want that. The other Elders of council also didn’t give any objection. However, Hajime who didn’t even show any bitterness in his expression, told him back as if it was nothing.

“You, are you an idiot?”

“Wh-what!”

Zel raised his eyes having heard Hajime’s objection. Shia and her tribe also looked at Hajime in reflex. Yue who understand what Hajime was thinking only keep a clarifying face.

“As I said, I can’t relate to your circumstance. If you want to take them from me, then you are trying to obstruct my way after all.”

Hajime who glared at the Elders, reach out his hand and put it on the crying Shia’s head. Having surprised by it, Shia look up at Hajime.

“If you want, to take them away from me… … I hope you’re prepared.”

“Hajime-san…”

What Hajime mean by that was he won’t forgive anyone who tried to obstruct him anymore than this. However, still, for the sake of Haulia tribe he won’t hesitate to wage war against Faea Belgaen, the stronghold of demi-humans, that resolution, was piercing into Shia whose heart already sank in despair.

“You are serious, right?”

Alfrerick looked at Hajime with sharp gaze that won’t permit any deceit.

“Obviously”

However, Hajime wasn’t shaken at all. His unyielding resolve can be seen. There is no respect for this world, those who obstructing doesn’t need to be compromised and pardoned. It was his decision that he made in the Abyss.

“Even if I say that there will be guide from Faea Belgaen?”

The execution of Haulia tribe was already decided in Elders Conference. Even more, it’ll will affect the country’s prestige to overturn it by yielding to the threat. Also in the future, the card of guiding can’t be used as bargaining chip because they might attack Hajime and his party because the Elders Conference’s decision can’t be overturned.  Therefore, Alfrerick make the proposal. However, Hajime made it clear that there is no more room for negotiation.

“Don’t make me say it again. My guide is Haulia.”

“Tell me the reason, for you to stick to them. If you only wanted to go to the Great Tree then anyone can be your guide.”

To Alfrerick’s words, Hajime reveal that it’ll be troublesome, while Shia take a peek at him. From a while ago, Shia kept staring at Hajime and their eyes met for a moment. Then she felt her heart slightly throbbed. Even though their eyes met only for a moment, Shia pulse keep rising.

“I’ve promised to them. I’ll help them in exchange for their guide.”

“… … promise. If it was that don’t you think it was already fulfilled? Haven’t you protected them from the demonic beasts of the canyon and the empire’s Soldiers? Then, it’s only left with the reward to guide you. There won’t be any problem if the one who give the reward was different.”

“There is one big problem. I’ve promised to ensure their safety while guiding me. Just because there is better thing on the way, I can’t just tossed them aside and substitute them that’ll be…”

Hajime cut his words then look at Yue. Yue also looked at Hajime then slightly smile. Having told by Hajime, Alfrerick can only shrugged his shoulders while smiling wryly.

“Uncool right?”

Sneak attack, surprise attack, deceptive attack, cowardice, despicable lie, bluff. When killing each other, Hajime doesn’t think those were bad. In order to survive, it was necessary to do that.

However, because of that, other than killing each other he want to protect his honor. If that can’t be done truly he won’t be no more than a scum. Hajime is also a man. For the girl that he met in the Abyss he wanted to draw that line, to not show any disgraceful behaviour more than needed.

Maybe because he realized what Hajime was thinking, Alfrerick can only let out a deep sigh. The other Elders’ face was looked to ask what should they do. For a while, silent wrap them, before long Alfrerick made a proposal with a tired face.

“Then, let make it that they are your slaves. In Faea Belgaen’s law, those who gone outside the Sea of Trees and didn’t come back, those who catched and made slave, was assumed to have died. Though there is a good chance we can win inside fog of the Sea of Trees, there are person who can use magic outside so we hardly has chance to win. Therefore, we considered they died so that no one come after them and expand the damage. … those who already considered to be dead won’t be able to be executed!”

“Alfrerick! That is!”

It was a complete sophism. Naturally, the other Elders’ expression turned into “gyo”. Zel unintentionally leaned over then raised his protest.

“Zel. You should understand. What that boy shown and his power. If you execute the Haulia tribe then he’ll be our enemy. In that case, how many will be sacrificed… … as one of Elders, we must avoided that kind of danger.”

“However, what will it show (to the citizen)! If the rumour that we yield to power and let loose a monster child spread, then the Elders Conference’s prestige will surely fall!”

“However…”

Other Elders also joined the discussion between Zel and Alfrerick, the place became full of commotion. As expected, having overlook and let loose the risk factor, then suddenly they can’t punished them was not an easy thing. With the establishment of this bad precedence, the Elders Conference’s prestige will take a fall and there’ll be various speculation such as approval with ulterior motives.

However, inside that (discussion), Hajime made a remark without reading the mood.

“Aah~, even though it’s bad to say it now, isn’t it too late that you realized that you’re not only overlooking Shia?”

Having heard Hajime’s words, their discussion stopped, then the Elders glance at Hajime asking what he mean by that.

Hajime slowly turned over his right arm’s sleeve then he did direct magic manipulation. By doing so, red lines appear on his right arm’s skin. In addition, spark come off from his right hand that use “Lightning-clad”.

The Elders’ eyes were opened wide. Because the magic was invoked without chant and magic circle made them startled. They only thought that he was able to defeat Jin because his artificial arm was an artifact.

“I am also the same as Shia who can directly manipulate magic and use unique magic. Next is Yue. She is the one whom you call a monster. However, aren’t your tradition said “whatever that person is, don’t be hostile to them”? According to your law, you must overlook these monsters. Well it’s already too late for Shia though.”

Although the Elders was stunned for a while, before long they began to whisper to each other. Because it looks like they’ve come into conclusion, represented by Alfrerick, he began to report the result of Elders Conference with a big sigh.

“Haa~, Haulia tribe’s taboo child, Shia Haulia, was regarded as relative to Nagumo Hajime who is also a taboo child. Therefore, because Nagumo Hajime passed the qualification we won’t be hostile to them, but they are forbidden from entering Faea Belgaen and its surrounding villages. Followed by if someone tried to lay their hand on Nagumo Hajime’s family then everything will be their own responsibility… … over. Are there anything else?”

“Well, whatever it is as long as I can reach the Great Tree is okay. These guys were my guides, There are no problem”

“… … I see. Then, hurry and leave. Although it hurt our heart to be unable to welcome someone who passed the qualification as stated in our tradition that finally came…”

“Don’t mind it. There is no need to say everything because there will be lot of absurd remarks that I hear. Even so, to have such rational judgement I can only be thankful about it.”

To Hajime’s words, Alfrerick can only smile wryly. The other Elders have bitter and tired expressions. Rather than bitterness and grudge, Quickly go away! was what they had in mind. Having seen that, Hajime shrugged his shoulders then urged Yue, Shia, and her tribe to stood up.

Even though Yue was expressionless from the beginning till the end, having heard their talk she didn’t say anything and only stood up to match Hajime.

However, Shia and the Haulia tribe still didn’t believe it was reality and there is no sign of them standing up in their stunned state. Even though they are prepared to die until a while ago, then strangely in the end it suddenly turn into banishment. “Eh, is it okay for us to leave like this?” that’s the kind of feeling that rolled in their mind.

“Oi, when will you stoppdaydreaming? We must quickly go.”

Having heard Hajime’s words, they finally start to stand up in hurry, then Shia and her tribe follow Hajime who was quickly going outside. Alfrerick and the other Elders send them till the gate.

Shia asked Hajime while flustered.

“U-um, is it okay… for us to stay alive?”

“? Didn’t you hear the talk a while ago?”

“W-well, even though I heard it… … that is, somehow it doesn’t seems to be real to be able to go out of that kind of predicament suddenly… … it makes me feel it was an unbelievable situation…”

Her perplexed expression also shared by the surrounding Haulia tribe. That was because for demi-humans, the decision of Elders Conference is absolute. Yue then talk to Shia who is perplexed that she can’t understand how to process that.

“… … it’s okay to honestly rejoice about it”

“Yue-san?”

“… … Hajime saved you. That’s the truth. It’s okay to just accept and rejoice.”

“… …”

Having heard Yue’s words, Shia glances at Hajime who quietly walks next to her. Hajime then shrugs while facing forward.

“Well, it was a promise.”

“Uh… …”

Shia shoulder was trembling. In exchange to guide inside the Sea of Trees, Shia and her tribe were protected. It was the promise that Shia desperately attached to Hajime. Originally, using “Foresight” she saw the future where Hajime protected her family. However, that future wasn’t absolute. Depending on Shia’s choice of actions, it can change a lot. Because of that, Shia was “desperately” trying to obtain Hajime’s cooperation. The other party was humans who  discriminate against demi-human, and Shia didn’t have any fortune to offer. Her negotiation materials were only herself as “woman” and “special ability”. Even so, when it was easily discarded, she almost cried without knowing what else to do.

Even so, she somehow able to get his promise, and while talking on their way she felt that if it was Hajime then he’ll kept it, that kind feeling. That maybe because even though she was a demi-human, she didn’t felt any discriminatory glance. However, it was something she felt “somehow”, it was not something for certain. That’s why because she lose to her anxiousness, he said to the “one who promised to protect” that “even though the enemies were humans”. In fact, when he fight those empire’s Soldiers without any hesitation, it made her so relieved.

However, this time even Shia thought that even if it was Hajime, it wasn’t the same as with those empire’s Soldiers. It can be said it was the same as declaring war in front of the emperor. And the promise was protected without even flinching. Although, even if it was for Hajime himself, as Yue has said, Shia and her precious family were certainly protected.

Since a while ago, her heart kept throbbing hard. Her face was hot, a mysterious impulse that kept jumping up and down as if something stuck in her throat. Is it the joy because of her family’s safety or…

Shia tried to follow Yue’s advice to honestly be happy and left her current feeling then entrusted everything to her impulse to make the best of it. That is, she clings to Hajime with full force!

“Hajime-sa~n! Thank you very much~!”

“Uwaa!? What’s so sudden!?”

“Mu…”

I absolutely won’t be separated even if the bruise will make me cry! that’s what Shia said while pressing her face into Hajime’s shoulder then starting to rub it. Her expression started to loosen and her cheeks were  dyed in pink.

Yue who saw that was groaning in bad mood, when she think about doing something, she only hold Hajime’s hand, nothing special was done.

Having seen Shia explode in joy to Hajime, the Haulia tribe finally understood that they escaped with their life, they started to share the joy to each other.

The Elders can only see them with complex expression. Also, there are many who avert their gaze of hatred and discomfort.

Hajime while understand what was happened, can only smile wryly because for a while he was rolled into a troublesome thing.