124 Episode 2 "Aldrin Great Forest".txt (2/2)

Quite a few species live in this great forest.

With that many species living here, aren't there many quarrels?

'I'm sure that's part of it. But the great forests are divided into 'wards' for each species to live in.

The forest is divided into several parts: the elf species (elf) is the ward of the elf species (elf), the werewolf species (werewolf) is the ward of the werewolf species (werewolf), and so on.

Therefore, conflicts caused by differences in culture and habits are unlikely to occur.

Even though they live in the same place, they are able to coexist firmly.

'Yeah, the living arrangements are pretty solid. It's not that they don't get involved at all, just that they seem to go across the ward to visit each other and cooperate with each other.

In the past, it seems that there were turf wars and such, but when I came to this world, each tribe had its own division and lived together.

Perhaps they had no choice but to cooperate in order to prevent attacks from humans and demons.

However, even after they were divided into different sections, the Great Forest did not try to get involved with humans and demons.

Because of its exclusivity, the Great Forest stood in a neutral position, not belonging to the humans or the Demon King's Army.

However, the Demon King's army wouldn't allow it and waged war on the Great Forest as well.

As a result, a lot of casualties seemed to have occurred.

So it seems that they signed a sort of truce agreement with the humans due to their interests.

Still, the sub-humans didn't try to get actively involved with humans as they had been doing until now.

It was just about thirty years ago that such relationships changed.

The Great Forest of Aldrin was under attack from the Void Labyrinth, and we, the heroic party, saved it.

As a result, the Aldrin Great Forest formed an alliance with the Kingdom.

Nowadays, they are gradually increasing their relationship with the United Kingdom and the Empire.

It seems that they are still in conflict with the Church State due to their religious affiliations.

''So humans and sub-humans are living together in cooperation, thanks to Iori?

Elfi said, somewhat happily.

'...... separately. It just happened.

Still, the saved should be grateful to you.

”...... Iori. He's pretty amazing. Great.

...... Shut up.

Itching, I turn away from Elfie.

'Oh, you're embarrassed?　You're embarrassed, aren't you?

”...... Iori, pretty.

Shut up .......

Ignoring the two of them, I look down at the great forest.

The overgrown forest is somewhat nostalgic.

You and the sub-people worked together to defeat the demons that came down from the void labyrinth, right?

The sub-humans who stared at us in the beginning had smiles on their faces at the end and said, 'Please come back.

I wonder if the sub-people we met back then are still doing well.

...... It's been 30 years since then.

I'm sure it was just a moment in time for me.

When I thought I was killed, I was in the world 30 years later.

But for others, it's different.

I can only imagine.

The weight of these thirty years that passed in an instant.

............

My head hurts.

I feel so bad, I feel like I'm going to throw up.

'But don't some of us know what it was like back then, in about thirty years?　Maybe Iori knows someone who knows Iori: ----

Elfi is saying something, but I couldn't hear it well because of my headache.

I was in a daze, but Elfie still looks at me with a worried expression on his face.

'Are you okay from earlier?　You look very pale.

Yeah, ...... okay.

'Don't take it too far. Are you drunk?　Do you want me to rub your back?

Thank you. I was just doing some thinking. ...... Anyway, we're getting there.

I could see an open area that looked like an entrance.

I didn't remember much of the terrain because I was just following the kingdom's directions at the time.

If I remember correctly, there must have been a section of some race in this area.

A short distance away, Verdia descended to the ground.

I'll have her return to her human form immediately.

Elfie also changed into his human form, firmly.

'Some sub-humans have a keen ability to detect lies. I think it's safe to say, but be wary of them. I'll handle the negotiations.

Along with the two of them, they approached the entrance.

After a while, they began to feel the eyes of several people.

It grew stronger and stronger, and that was when they were very close to the entrance.

''This is the entrance to the Aldrin Great Forest and Third District!　From the looks of it, you're not from the kingdom, but where are you from!''

From somewhere, such a man's voice can be heard.

I can't see him, but the atmosphere is quite tense.

It seems to be quite alarming.

...... I didn't expect to be so alarmed. Maybe there's something going on here.

'Hmm ...... apparently in a bondage situation.

Don't tie me up.

Tone it down.

Elfi makes me lose strength.

I regained my composure and said the sentence I'd prepared in advance.

'We are adventurers of the Confederacy!　I'm here to investigate the void labyrinth!

”The Allies ......?

A quizzical male voice.

'We have received no such news!

We're working in secret!　This is what makes us adventurers!

Then he held up his guild card.

Elfie also showed it to me in the same way.

The guild card is made by a special process and cannot be easily forged.

It's a good enough substitute for an identity card.

On top of that, we're A-ranked adventurers.

If you're a high ranking adventurer, it would be convincing to say that we're working in secret.

And it's not a lie.

''Who are you?''

'I'm not an adventurer, but I'm with us!　They're working with us to carry out the request.

As for Verdia, who doesn't have a guild card, I'll make this excuse.

This isn't a lie either.

'............'

The owner of the voice was silent for a moment, as if thinking.

”Now, we are in dire straits!　I'm sorry, but I can't let you in right now!'

After a moment, he replied.

So, something's wrong.

I'm getting somewhere.

So how long do I have to wait for you to let me in?

I can't answer that!　I'll have to talk to the wardens and there's no guarantee that they'll let me in!'

............

I didn't get as much sting as I thought I would.

But it's a hassle not knowing when to let them in.

Either there's a problem inside, or the Great Forest has been attacked ...... or something nasty is going on.

We're in trouble at the time we came in ...... and I don't know if we can take that as a coincidence.

It's now possible that we'll have to block out the signs and force our way into the great forest.

Nevertheless, it looks like we'd better retreat here for once.

It was time to look around for Elfie and the others and try to open my mouth.

''Eh, that ....... ''Wait a minute.''

Suddenly, I heard another voice.

This time it was a woman's voice.

'What, eh?'

”Hey, what are you doing?　What are you doing?

With such an upsetting voice, a sub-human emerged from the gap in the trees.

It's a brown-haired woman with a sword in her back.

Two ears sprouted from her head.

Probably a human dog breed (wardog).

The human dog woman comes up to you, sniffing and sniffing.

'Eh ...... lie. No way.

Yes, it was right after I muttered something.

Suddenly, the human dog breed woman dashed furiously towards us.

''Mu!

''......!''

Elfi and Verdia brace themselves.

But in no way do I sense any hostility or killing intent from this human breed.

'......!'

Then I looked at the woman's face at point-blank range and froze.

While I was doing that, the human dog breed woman tackled me.

I strained to withstand the impact.

She didn't mind me, and happily rubbed her face against mine.

Then she called out, ”Amatsu-san, Amatsu-san.

”Amatsu-san, Amatsu-san, Amatsu-san!

I know this woman who is right in front of me.

Her name is Qu Raymer.

She's the daughter of the former warden of the breed, 30 years ago.