Chapter 15
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"Hm… it sure doesn't feel like we were entering an elf's village, doesn't it?" I muttered as I saw various tailfolk like Lily, dwarves, and chained humans. All of them looked at Mattheus with reproach. They really hate humans here, huh?
"Welcome to the village center. Please come in." Lhorne guided us, "But the others may wait outside."
"Oi! Why did you bring these monkeys to the village center? New slaves?" Some elves shouted at Lhorne.
"Well, the talk is going to be a little long… may I talk to uncle?" Lhorne said.
"Inside. But leave these here. Humans may not come in." He said.
Then we were guided by Lhorne inside. Despite being a village, they lived well. The village chief's house is a two-story building. The first floor is for processing work for this village while the second floor is for the meeting hall. We were guided to the second floor and talked to another man. They look the same. It's like they were brothers. Elves had a reputation for long lifespans. Maybe they stopped growing at this age.
"So, why do you call me? If you want to process new villagers and new slaves, you can do it downstairs. You already know the procedure, right? Humans go to the slave section while tailfolks or dwarves become villagers. If they refuse, kill the humans or give a temporary permit to other races."
They are polite, but their attitude towards humans was even worse than I thought. Now, how do I tell them? They hated humans so much that they refused to talk to or look at them. While I agree with their policy, Mattheus and Jack are good guys. Not all humans are evil. Should we escape? But where else could we go? Mattheus and his five friends will die if we do not accept their terms.
"Uncle, we have two Tailfolks here. They are warriors. I believe they might be useful to our cause." Lhorne said directly.
"Oh, how good exactly? Are you hurt? Please don't risk your life saving them. We are terribly short-handed here. So, I would appreciate it if you don't take such a risk."
"Well, this foxkin was able to notice me in the forest. And I think they passed the spider's dungeon before meeting me. They are with some human bandit group. I have apprehended the bandits." He spoke.
"Well, may I see your status?"
"Sure." Nora and Lily gave their status
"I see. You had a manslayer job." He smiled in satisfaction. "How rare. Good job. This foxkin may join directly as forest guardians. But this catkin needs to be trained for 3 or 6 months."
"Emm… about Mattheus," Lily spoke softly.
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"Who?"
"Uncle, They are talking about the humans. What about him, Lily?"
"What's going to happen to him?" Lily asked
"Well, either slave labor as a farmer or miner. Or maybe some meatshields against monsters."
"Wait! He didn't do anything to you. Please don't do that! Can't you at least put them as some villagers? We were tricked by humans, so we have criminal jobs, but none of us have killed anyone! Meatshields is going too far…." Nora protested.
"Yes… at least let them work as farmers!" Lily also chimed in.
"Hmm… it's rare to see tailfolk defend humans. But just because you like them doesn't mean we will allow it. Moreover, they have criminal jobs like bandits. We will not let them roam free. To circumvent these, you may buy them as slaves, but assigning them to be your slaves will be troubling since you are new and don't have any money except 20 fey crystals. That is only enough for one of them." He replied.
"Be grateful that we don't kill them on sight. We especially hated humans. After what they did recently." Lhorne added in.
"Umm… I know that the tailfolk country has been occupied by humans, but why do you hate humans soo much? Do we have a close relationship?" Lily asked
"Oh. Sorry. You are still just a teenager. We often forget that." Lhorne replied.
"Okay. Our history was quite long, but I will try to make it short. I am Lhorne's uncle Wharnebald. I will start before your country is destroyed. Our country doesn't have that close of a relationship. There were many small skirmishes between our borders with your hunters trespassing and hunting near our territory, but there were no casualties. We just don't like how unorderly your country is. We call you tailfolks as a whole, but there are many tribes among you." Wharnebald explained
"There were lizardman, mousekin, catkin, foxkin, wolfkin, and dogkin. All of them live in their own society or country. Sorry, our records about how your society works are not complete. Then humans invade. With how unorganized your country is, they can't defend against organized full-scale assault from humans. Then the entire tailfolks were turned into slaves." Lily nodded. So far, it has been quite the same as what Lily knew.
"Well, so far, it is not our business. But the human action proved to be concerning. Your country's refugees were then sent to farming towns like this since we elves don't like to mingle, and your fur tended to cause a sanitary problem in our city." Lily immediately pouted. A slight displeasure runs through her body at the mention of her tail.
"Since humans have invaded your country, that means they now have 2 LeyLine centers. We then reluctantly held a meeting with dwarves. Those dirty cavemen kids… we formed a defensive pact with them. But then humans invaded us about 20 years ago."
"Ah. The expedition of Northlangard? Mattheus spoke about it." Nora chimed in
"No, the previous one. Northlangard has two expeditions, isn't it?"
"I am not sure about that… Mattheus only spoke about the one where he was in charge f protecting the supply lines."
"Well, in short, that province was now desolate. The Leylines are corrupted beyond recognition, and now undead began spawning from that province. We have looked into our Leylines center in our capital but to no avail. Any expedition sent by both sides to that area was met in demise. And that is our history. Sure, you understand why we hate humans so much now?" Lily tilted her head.
"Northlangard was a home of more than 150 unique species of animals and flowers. Our flag insignia, The Blue Tailmoon, was a flower from Northlangard. That flower was now almost extinct. Only five of them exist in Royal Capital. More animal fur or herb were eradicated due to the fall of Northlangard." Lhorne added in.
"Unlike humans that invaded your country unprovoked, we have justification for our dictates in humans. We will not rest easy until humans pay for their crimes." Wharnebald said. With that, I was assured that the elves would not become our enemy. Their hatred shined through their eyes in intimidation.
Now the negotiation will begin.