Chapter 123 (1/2)

Volume 2

CH 3

Volume 06 Chapter 03

「Doranto Village」

The doctrine of the Hiruku religion discriminated against elves and beastmen .

The secret behinds Sasuke’s transformation into an undead and perhaps the origins of that undead horde we encountered seemed to lie in the Hiruku Theocracy .

I’d personally seen some of those undead acting with purpose .

We also encountered a horde of undead skeletons under the control of spider chimera in the cavern that opened up the Wind Dragon Mountain Range .

That group of undead certainly moved with purpose .

…… Something big was happening, but I didn’t know what it was .

Maybe I’m simply overthinking things?

While I was lost in thought, Ariane declared that she would be taking part in this latest expedition .

“Me too! I will go along as well! It’s a friend’s request and I would worry if Arc was left to handle it alone . ”

While Ariane was sticking out her chest, I decided to ask her something that had been on my mind .

“…… That reminds me, Ariane you’re supposed to be a warrior of Maple right? Yet, you spent quite a lot of time in Raratoia . ”

“!? That’s……”

Ariane choked on her words and avoided eye contact instead of replying .

A full on smile appeared on Glenys’ face and she looked me directly at me as she placed her arms around her daughter from behind .

“Ara, Ari-chan? You haven’t told him yet?”

Her expression and the way she talked down to Ariane was clue enough that whatever they were talking about was important .

Interested, I decided to see how this exchange played out .

“Ari-chan, didn’t you recently change your last name? It’s now Raratoia like Arc-kun’s, right?”

Ariane tried to pull away from her mother as she spoke .

I must have imagined the tips of Ariane’s ears turning a bright shade of red…… that was it .

“Oh, I guess Ariane-dono and I are neighbors then . ”

She turned her eyes away from me after I said that .

“……The transfer is only for the purpose of monitoring you until you properly adjust to the village . Just leave it at that . ”

Dylan finally reacted to the exchange between his family .

“What was that? Arc-kun has taken Raratoia as his last name? When was the invitation offered, Glenys?”

“Hmm, Glenys offered me the invitation a little while ago . However, officiating the approval was put on hold until your return……”

Dylan gave me a satisfied smile and nodded his head after I explained the circumstance of the situation .

“Well, that’s good . It would be fine if you joined the village Arc-kun, having your strength will certainly be a convenience . Considering the special circumstances it might be for the best to have a knowledgeable person you’re familiar with by your side . ”

He looked his daughter in the eye and smiled when he said that .

Well, now I’ve officially joined Raratoia without too much of an issue .

“The conversation seems to have gotten off-topic, but since you accepted Chiome-kun’s request, why don’t you join me on a little excursion and enter the Hiruku Theocracy from Salma Kingdom on the southern coast?”

Glenys became puzzled about what Dylan had said .

“You too? You’re going on another trip?”

There was a hint of irritation in Gleny’s voice and Dylan quickly gave an explanation while trying to maintain a smile .

“No, you see, I returned to the capital just as a request for aid came from Doranto, the great elders tasked me to handle it since the village’s elder is an acquaintance . I can’t decline a direct request from the great elders . Sorry . ”

Glenys breathed out an exasperated sigh and gave a Dylan’s a downcast look .

“It’s alright . I’ll save my complaints for my father . ”

After saying that, Glenys pouted and turned away from Dylan, causing his shoulders to slump .

It was Ariane who managed to break up her parent’s discussion .

“Doranto sent out a request for aid? What happened? The village is usually self-sufficient, did you hear anything about the situation there?”

Since I’d just been accepted into the village and had no clue about the inner-workings of elven society I play close attention to the now grim-faced Dylan .

“Chiome informed me on our way here that Doranto had been attacked by undead for some reason and it seems that spider-like creatures like the ones you faced in the Wind Dragon Caverns led them……”

Ariane looked in my direct when she heard that .

“What happened to the village?”