-Sundown. Liana's POV-
After Rigel reported a large number of beasts were gathering around the estate, Mother stayed behind him and sent her attendant, Lithia, to the window on the south while I turned back to the eastern one. The wind gusts are gradually turning into a soft wintry breeze with the approach of the night, and the screams of people become louder as large wolves march north while carrying people in their mouths.
Wolves? What are they doing here? Revenge? I wondered if Nefiru is responsible.
"More bandits?" Shaila asked remaining in bed.
"Worse--WOLVES!" Lithia revealed peeking outside.
...You clearly never encountered bandits. I objected.
"Ah..." Shaila became interested and moved under the blankets. *Swiiiisssh!* She slips out of bed dressed inappropriately and walks to the northern window.
"Wait! Don't get close to the window. We must not be detected." Rigel recommended caution with sweat showing on his face.
Fuahaha! This is fun... I enjoy watching them panic.
Little sister paid no mind as she quickly reached the right side of the healer and stared out the window while I grabbed some casual clothes from the cabinet to dress her.
"Beasts? Can't you take care of them?" Mother asked casually.
"I'm not sure... There are hundreds of wolves, and Kaido looked pretty spooked after sniffing High Ranks." The blue haired magician replied.
"Wa...wha-do we do then?! Are we safe here? What do they want?" Mother uttered inquiries losing her composure.
"...Maybe they are hungry, so let's stay wait for them to leave." He conjectured.
Meanwhile, I reach Shaila's back speak to her.
"Arms," I ask to lift her arms.
*Gosu! Gosu!* I put on her the one-piece black dress.
"Umm... I think they are gathering behind the northern gate." The attendant revealed.
"A-are you sure?" Eleonor asked confirmation.
"Ahhhh!" "Somebody help!" Heeeelp!" "Kyaaa! Don't chew!" "Help ussss!" "Don't eat me!" The people scream concentrate behind the gate which we are unable to see.
"Yes...I'm sure." She replied.
"Ugh! C-could it be they didn't have enough to eat?" Eleonor muttered looking at the healer.
Urk! Thinking of feeding us to beasts, aren't you?! Maybe standing by the window isn't such a good idea... I thought, rolling my eyes in annoyance.
"But why the people in here?" She wondered tracing my body with her gaze.
...Hey! I'm not that fat to feed those wolves! I protest when the little girl grips my arms catching my attention.
"Gasp! A large Yellow wolf is approaching!" Lithia informed getting our attention back to the window.
Oh! That's... I recognized.
"Erina!" Shaila uttered in a low voice.
"What is it now?!!" Mother questions irritated.
"My world...it's almost as tall as the wall..." The healer said slowly backing away from the window.
I look back to see the noblewoman peeking from behind her guardian who comes closer to look outside.
"Frak! That's probably a High-Rank Earthen wolf..." Rigel assumes freezing the floor. "Stay away from the walls!" He commanded going back to the middle of the room.
"B-but aren't these anti-magician walls?" Eleonor inquired.
"Earth users have difficulty controlling certain mixed materials, but it becomes easier to handle with a higher rank..." The blue haired magician explained. "These walls can't protect us..." He revealed.
"W...we are trapped?" Mother uttered with a pale face.
What a show! She still has emotions inside... I discern watching the spectacle.
"Miss... You are rather calm about this, but please get away from the window. This is no time to be curious..." The healer pleaded walking over the ice.
*Klang! Klang! Klang!--Zoong!* The iron gates unlock and open showing the golden wolf walking into the courtyard.
Wow! She opened it like it was nothing... I admired Erina's ability. Truly, high ranks are scary, and there isn't anything normal people can do about it since the disparity between the mighty and weak is immense. Surely Nefiru has an advantage in this world to become powerful, and perhaps I should reconsider my future as well or Shaila will watch me die of old age... I ponder watching the beasts following inside.
*Za za za...* The wolves start coming inside before dropping the people in the courtyard and holding them down with a paw.
"Gahhh! Let me go you stupid beast!" "Why are we here?" "The Ragefire estate?" "Are they behind this?" "Wahhhh! I wanna go home..." The people being dropped complain, accused, and children cry.
Shaila reached out to the window's locks causing the people huddling together to panic at her actions.
""Uhm... Miss!!?"" Lithia and Rigel questioned alarmed.
"No-no-don't open it!" Mother commanded.
Aww... They are adorable when frightened. I assessed the people losing control of the situation.
Meanwhile, the golden wolf looked around while sniffing, and then looked at our window.
"Guh! A High-Rank 9..." Rigel uttered from what should be a probe result.
*Klak! Giiii!* Shaila unlocked the window and leaned outside.
"SILENCE!" The girl yelled outside, getting the attention beasts and humans alike.
The golden wolf ordered the others to keep the humans quiet by forcing their faces into the dirt while some beasts glare at our window grumbling.
"Grrrowrouubwonh...?" Shaila growled back upset which surprised the wolves.
Why does this look familiar? I perceived thinking back to this morning.
The beasts conversed with their leader while the new arrivals follow the same method to keep people quiet.
"Erina! Nefi--how's Nefi? Where is he?" Little sister called out demanding after silence reigned the courtyard.
"Grulurruuol...gruuuon...Bwruruah..." The she-wolf replied.
"He won't wake up?!" The white-haired girl repeated. "Right. Nefi used a complicated Magic art on his head which I normally help with the after effects, but he overdid it this time, so if your healers don't know how to restore something that delicate, it's best to let him sleep. It could take days to wake up, so just wait with plenty meat..." She instructed.
His Head!!? Nefiru is in such a bad shape? By the Divine...just far did he go for Shaila...? At least he won't die now...we had enough tragedy for at least another year. I affirmed recalling the dragon's condition.
"Sweetie, Blue ended up burned, battered and bashed with broken scales everywhere and lodged arrows. He even requested to have some meat cooked for you that a swordsman cut from his chest and exposed the bones." I described.
"WHAT!?" She shouted looking up at me.
"You'll have Nefi for dinner! Ha-ha-ha--His idea!" I said before laughing dryly when her face scrunched.
"...I hope his scales were collected too. I'm not handing over a piece of him to anyone or any beast." Shaila declared looking below.
"Oh, your brother is doing that," I replied.
Achaa... That was meant for Erina too...possessive much? Is this beastly behavior the closest thing to love that Shaila will experience? Maybe little sister can still be happy, but it's a shame to miss out on romance like a normal girl, and Nefiru isn't human anymore...although not entirely bad since they can't be naughty Huhu. I contemplated hugging the little girl from behind. Hah... I still hold doubts about her wolf past, but a beast unable to live a proper human life seems pitiful...like a punishment... I supposed.
"Uhhh... What's happening?" Mother asked puzzled.
"They are having a conversation...with the wolves." Lithia asserted.
"..." Rigel keeps quiet observing the situation.
"Wuoorouhue?" The wolf asked.
Hmm... I don't get those growls at all...they seem short, but I'm just unable to identify sentences... I marveled. How could Shaila learn this language through something as vague as dreams? I can't even remember what I dreamt last night! I wonder, comparing to my experiences.
"I'm fine now. We...were having a good time when many humans tried to capture us in town and were prepared with high rankers and equipment to hunt beasts which made Nefiru disregard his life. It was a difficult fight against the odds..." Shaila reported what happened before touching her wrists. "Your creation saved my life. Thanks, Erina." She praised.
The golden wolf wagged her tail nodding proudly and translated to the other wolves the conversation.
"...Wrurouuroff...?" She asked something to Shaila.
"Unfortunately, I was knocked unconscious during the fight, but Sister can enlighten you..." The white-haired girl announced.
Oh, I'm up. I resolved walking around Shaila and lean out the window frame.
"...You knew the wolves...?" Rigel asking frowning.
"I only know the high ranked earth magical beast." I declared before leaning outside the window. "Hi~ Erina." I greeted waving.
The golden wolf stared at me without blinking.
Well... She's a lot of fun...though we could get along... Then again, this situation is hardly humorous. Nah! Nefiru would lighten up. Honestly, I'm so glad we didn't get a normal Dragon. I compared before replying.
"Right. There were many casualties...most of our guards died, but it could have been worse... Anyway, the Dragon instructed us to gather the people who attacked us, then went to find you guys since we couldn't heal him. I'm glad he made it safe." I reported.
"Guarlnaror..." Erina seems to explain something.
"Wha--? Nefi was attacked in the forest?!" She interpreted.
"How's that possible!!? He killed most of the attackers in town, and we didn't see anyone in that direction." I blurted recalling our last meeting.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Then, these people...runaways involved in the attacks. I realized.
The wolf replied to my interjection, and little sister breathed in relief before turning to me.
"Thank goodness Raiga and Reylus rescued him..." Shaila translated. "...It must have been despairing getting captured after winning. I...I'm so useless...might as well be a decoration in his life." She muttered gloomily.
Eiii!! Don't feel worse! I consoled stroking her back.
"Alphonse took care of most people with ill intentions in the forest, but it seems some prepared well to avoid detection..." I voice my conjecture.
"...The Miss learned to speak with wolves!?" The healer muttered impressed.
"Hey, mind telling me why is my daughter associating with beasts?" Mother directed a question at me.
"Uh..." I hesitate.
...Because you literally gave birth to a beast? Because a dragon is her partner? Well, magical beasts are intelligent and may acquire a humanoid body, but reincarnation is different...it's something hard to accept without being proven, though it could also shatter many beliefs, so maybe it's not a good idea to spread. I mused before the high ranked water magician interjected.
"Why did you not report to the country about the wolves backing your family?" Rigel accused with an angry tone.
"They are not." Clarified Lester walking into the room.
Nice entrance~! I evaluate feeling relieved little brother came to the only translator.
"Our Dragon allied with the black wolf tribe, but the high-rank earthen wolf is obsessed with him and wouldn't take long to discover if anything happened." He said approaching the window in bloodied clothes.
"..." The blue haired magician kept silent.
"I need to go to the bathroom...it seems safe enough now..." Mother informed walking past her son.
Of course, you do~ I mock.
"Rigel, tell me everything later. Let's go Lithia," She ordered leaving the room.
"Yes, Madam." He complied before dismissing the ice in the room.
"Ah, coming." The attendant caught up.
"I guess the yellow wolf isn't happy about what happened, and she almost killed us all this morning to take the dragon away, but she's not unreasonable." Lester voiced his concern.
"It's dangerous getting involved with wild beasts... But why does a high-rank wolf from a tribe that hasn't associated to outsiders be so interested in a low ranking dragon?" Rigel interrogated.
"Our Dragon has a strong bloodline." Lester lied.
Why are you telling him?! I glare at little brother questioning.
"WHAT?! B-but that...that can't be..." Rigel blurted in shock. "Don't LIE!" He accused angered while glaring at us.
"Alphonse did a good job hiding all traces. And you didn't even notice the Dragon's rank was high for his size?" Little brother countered.
"...A sufficiently intelligent Beast can achieve that with enough resources and guidance." The blue-haired magician theorized.
"Oh, yes. Father and the wolves provided him with Mana, but the dragon is a know-it-all...really annoying sometimes." I shrugged admitting.
"You are telling the truth... This...this is inconceivable. The Dragon's value...even the king would want him!" The water user twisted his face realizing.
"I don't think the wolves would agree..." I waved a hand denying.
"But think of the benefits! The Crimson Dragon which the Sky Cavalry leader rides receives very good treatment and he's almost Rank 8 already." He reasoned.
You mean 'spoiled' that dragon because he has a bloodline... I affirmed.
"That's for Nefi to decide and he knows what he's doing," Shaila interjected while continuing looking outside.
"What a waste... And why are you telling me all this?" Rigel lamented giving up and asked.
"Because I want you to feel stupid for almost killing him." Lester declared.
"Urgh! I--we are not happy about any of this either! There was no correct choice in this matter...at least some time passed..." Rigel complained about his frustrations. "In any case, I heard nothing of this, but I can't do anything either. Oh, and watch your tone next time." He declared.
"Noted. This conversation never happened." The blond haired man answered for us all.
"Sighs... Everything's fine when Elena is around...hurry and come back." The troubled guardian muttered nostalgically.
"Where is she anyway?" Little brother inquired.
"...In Telum continent. Something about buying Draconian slaves." The high ranked revealed casually.
Ugh... No telling when she'll be back then. I assumed.
"Ah, the dragon-human hybrids." Lester nodded affirming. "Why would grandma need those slaves?" He inquired.
"Huh-uhh..." The blue haired man shrugged. "Elena is so eccentric that nobody can understand her." He announced defeated.
Ohhh! Did brother tell him about the Dragon to find out about Grandma? I realized when the information exchange ceased.
Meanwhile, more wolves continue to arrive with people until familiar voices caught my attention.
"Damn it all! Why are wolves taking us here?!" Tayuma cursed being carried by a large black wolf.
They got Tayuma! But...er...I don't know how to feel about this. If Lester didn't kill his brother for petty reasons, maybe this wouldn't have happened, but it did, and we can't let him free anymore... I affirmed recalling the knowledgeable mercenary.
"U-unhand me, you mongrel!" A pink haired, dark skinned woman demanded.
The vice guild master? I don't think the wolves collected these people inside the guild which means...runaways! I realized before laying eyes on the last arrival.
"Senior beast, do you mind--Omph!" Alphonse pleaded before he was stomped like everyone else.
"Pfft--Hahaha!" I laughed watching the guard leader thrown around.
Something finally happened to that joker! I ridiculed in reprisal.
"...That's ironic." Lester commented.
"Hehe..." Shaila chuckled.
"Hey, Erina, you got one of us there," I informed pointing at the man in black.
The she-wolf sniffed the people and detected the assassin before growling him to be released.
"Ugh! Thanks...for releasing me and collecting the people I was pursuing..." The black-haired man offered gratitude looking around. "I'm gonna need a bath though." He muttered wiping the slobber off.
"Are these all the guilty party?" Lester questioned the guard leader.
"Some are unrelated, but this should be most of the implicated... Apparently, there are secret passages under the town..." Alphonse reported.
Hearing that, Erina said something to the wolves, and they lowered their muzzle to the people held face-down as if about to start eating them.
"Wait a moment! Senior beast, the Dragon wants them alive. At least some of them..." The black-haired man announced hurriedly.
After Alphonse called out to stop the beasts, the people made a fuss realizing what was going to happen, then calmed down while the wolves look unhappy when their leader translated.
"Nefi did?! But whyyy? We should kill them all for what they did to him! To us!" Shaila complained angered.
"And that's what we wanted too." Alphonse shrugged. "Honestly, it's more mercy than they deserve or I would be willing to give after losing many friends to an idiotic scheme, but HE said that it was a waste of abilities." The black haired person explained.
"Well, we do need volunteers to repair the damages these bastards caused." Lester acknowledged.
"I guess...the dead also can't pay for what they've done..." The white-haired girl muttered understanding.
Erina nodded approving while the wolves switch their gaze to whoever speaks.
Hehe... That's funny...wild beasts acting like this... But, I hope Hilda isn't aware...since the last thing she needs is another nightmare. I observed.
"Please allow me to fulfill that request." Alphonse pleaded.
The wolf leader thought for a moment, then nodded before explaining the beasts.
"Guilty and useless." The black-haired man said pointing at an Auramancer missing an arm while Erina translated.
The black wolf holding the person with a paw let go, and the man lifted his head to speak, but the order to keep silence was still in place.
"NO--" He cried out when a large maw closed on him.
*Whap!--Crunch!* The beast bit the head off and swallowed before continuing with the rest. *Munch! Munch! Snap! Crunch! Munch!* He chewed while wagging his tail and the other beasts look enviously.
That's one happy wolf... I reviewed noticing Shaila on my side watching the scene with a blank face. Er... Should Shaila be watching this? I feel like we are making her into an adult before her time, or... is it circumstances? Meh! I'm sure it'll be fine...who knows what she remembers of her time as a beast. I affirmed when Alphonse continued his inspection.
"Guilty, but useful. Innocent. Guilty and useless. Innocent. Probably guilty trash. Unrelated. Useful..." He categorized walking in front of each beast holding the people down with their large paws.
The wolves ate most auramancers and all average people who were involved that we could identify while the magicians along with the innocents huddled into a group as they shake and cry being surrounded by bloodthirsty beasts.
"Hey, don't forget Tayuma over there." I reminded pointing with my finger. "He's the one who organized the raid," I revealed causing the man to tremble.
"Of course. We can't such a troublesome person live." Alphonse reaffirmed.
"WUO?" Erina growled inquisitively.
"Yes. He was the one leading the attackers." Shaila replied.
"Wait-wait-I'll talk! I'll talk!" Tayuma supplicates with a horrified expression.
"She's not interested..." The black-haired man said while the she-wolf approaches from the side.
"AAHHhhhghhh--" The auramancer screamed stopping the hairy jaws opening wide.
*Glop! Chlop!* Erina got him inside her mouth while the person struggles, slipping his hands through the fangs as if asking help. *Wruak! Wruak! Snap!--Gulp...* She chewed and gobbled him up.
"Next is...The vice-guild master who supervised all the people involved." Alphonse said walking up to the pink haired woman.
*Srush! Srush!...* Each step closer made the lightning magician more nervous under the wolf's paws.
The black-haired man squatted and the beast lifted his paw to release the person while Erina watches from the side close enough to blow the dust with her breathing.
*Cough! Cough!* The dark skinned woman sluggishly got up on her knees.
"My dear, I'm going to ask you some questions and you will answer with gestures." He declared.
"Guh!" She uttered with an ugly face knowing her fate was sealed.
Seeing her uncooperative attitude, the former spy grabbed the woman by her forehead while Erina held the legs with a paw and another two black wolves approached.
"AARRGGHHH!-Ah-ah...ah..." The pink haired woman screamed in horror until her face went blank and started drooling.
Woah...!! All three of them used darkness magic on her head! I affirmed shivering after watching the woman break and looked at Shaila on my right who noticed my gaze.
"...I don't really hate her. Even Nefi agreed that good things come from the bad and we met rather fast because of her. Plus other things..." The girl holding her white hair from being blown away commented.
Ah, yes... Nefiru told us the collar broke him at the guild, but that was probably him regaining human memories. If such a thing didn't happen, how long would it take him to get his current Rank? Maybe years just discovering Magic... I wondered.
"Now then... Did anyone managed to escape us?" He questioned holding the person by the neck.
She remained still for a moment and finally nodded barely noticeable.
"Are they all inside the hidden tunnels?" He interrogated.
She nodded again, and Alphonse let go...
*Thud!* The pink haired woman fell down while frothing.
*Clapsh! Clapsh!* Alphonse dusted his hands. "All done here. Senior beast, if you would." He requested.
Erina stopped moving and breathing heavily as if concentrating on locating the missing people, then nodded after a moment.
Aiizzz.... She killed the people hiding underground from here! I realized in awe.
*Schhlurp! Crunch! Munch!...* The wolf grabbed the woman on the ground and chewed.
"Ah, I almost forgot the Dragon wanted to eat that woman... She's the one who had him tamed." Alphonse announced causing the wolf to stop swallowing. "Well, I don't think he'll mind. But do remind him." He added.
*Gulp!* She finished eating and licked her mouth while heading for the last person.
"Well-well... If it isn't the Guild Master." Alphonse crouches in front of a red-haired man while saying.
"Hiuu..." The obese man struggled to breathe before speaking. "Release me! I haven't done anything!" He demanded.
"Right... So you just happen to be out in the woods camping with the valuables of your house?" The man in black questioned sarcastically.
"Ye...yess...?" The man replied unsurely.
"Then, were you aware of any illegal dealings in your prestigious guild building?" The former spy interrogated.
The money must have been enticing to move this person, or at least, the promise of it... Don't these idiots know illegal deals usually end up with the pawns dead after they finish the job? No, maybe they didn't know nobles were behind it... I inferred.
"Nou... I wasn't!" He replied.
"Really? Because I had fun with some of your employees and they told me otherwise. But all the records in your office were still burning when I found them." Alphonse revealed playing along.
"I-I don't know anything about that!" The red-haired person denied.
"Strange indeed. Hey, aren't you a fire magician?" The guard leader casually questioned.
"Yes... One of many in the guild... They obviously raided my office searching for valuables--the thieves!" The guild master defended his case.
"Oh, okay. But I don't know if you are innocent... Oh! I know! I'll let you go after torturing your wife and kids." The interrogator proposed.
"...Y...yes... YES! Anything!" The fire magician desperately pleaded.
"Edgar?" A black haired woman uttered nervously.
"D-dad? Y-y-you wouldn't...!!?" A boy blurted unbelievingly.
"I'm...I'M SOWRY!!" He apologized groveling. "I'm a coward... I don't want to die...ku-kuuuh...ughh!" He bawled.
Ugh! I almost feel compassion for this man...almost... I admitted.
"Damn iiit!" The red-haired boy cursed.
"P-phlease...S-stop tormenting us. Please! We had nothing to do with what happened...we were scared..." A black haired woman stammered in a breaking voice.
"Alphonse, please stop it already... It's not fun to play with your prey after it's caught." Shaila admonished.
Heh~ She had enough huh? It looks like the perverted Dragon is a better influence on Shaila than her brother... I asserted looking at the young man behind us. What are you smiling about? I retorted watching his smug expression.
"Understood." The black-haired man conceded.
"You-You'll let us go?" The red-haired man asked stammering.
"...I take more pleasure in hearing about Nefi's recovery than watching the people who hurt him, suffer. Just eat him already." The white-haired girl declared requesting of Erina
The golden wolf made a smirk showing her large teeth on the side and turned to the man.
"NO! You-you won't get away with this! I'm a government official!" The pig blurted.
"I don't see why not. You can be replaced, and none of us give a Mogo's crap about consequences!" Alphonse disclosed.
The large wolf opened her mouth wide and lashed.
"No-no-no-GAAHH--!" The plump man screamed crawling away.
*Haup! Spurt! Crunchhh!* The yellow beast mauled the large person while the gushing blood soaks the soul red.
"DAD! Noo-o-ou-uwahh!" The boy shouted before crying while his Mother holds him back.
*Snap! Crack! Munch!--Glup!* Erina finished chewing and swallowed.
...I'm glad that's over with. Geez, we are going to need some time to process all this just like a year ago... Although that time was bloodier... I compare feeling mentally exhausted.
"You bastards! You'll pay for putting us through this! The country will punish you ALL!" The kid declared.
"...Did he--Did he deserve this? He was a good father and husband..." The woman said in a voice barely audible from our window.
"Perhaps not, but do you think we wanted this to happen? All I wanted was to buy new clothes this morning, and we almost died! Then we are bad guys? Nope, it doesn't work like that. We cannot free those who would cause us trouble or even show rebellious attitude...like your son." Shaila admonished.
"Wha--? Please don't be unreasonable! He's just 14! Barely older than yourself..." The woman pleaded looking up, and I avoided her gaze.
"Nefi warned me about people like him..." Shaila revealed pointing at the boy who glared back. "He will seek revenge for the death of his father without a doubt." She surmised.
Those were just stories! He's just a kid who doesn't know any better. I objected shaking my head at Shaila.
"No! He-he will NOT!" The woman defended and cradled the boy.
"Miss... The little kid just needs some education and won't cause any trouble." Rigel who has been quiet all this time pleaded as well.