After a month of travel, I started to see the sky growing whiter if not grayish. With the first white flake floating down, I breathed out and uttered.
"Winter..." I gazed up after I stepped down from the carriage.
In front of me was a tall stone gate, resembling the great walls of China with its uneven design stretching from the left to the right as far as eyes could see. It took a few days to arrive from the last place we stopped at and it required many detours to arrive at the main gate made from thick steel comparable to tungsten.
The guards standing by the gate presented themselves and greeted us upon noticing the emblem carved on the carriage. It basically gave out our identity as it's imbued by magic ink and Runes. Now we can pass, but...
They have something attached on their heads and back! What the heck are they!? Animal ears?!!
"Did the letter not inform you we intended to bypass into the South Territory?" Elliot asked.
"I wasn't informed of it!!" I replied with a shout.
Why!? How?! Why does my first time in Questing resulted in me going over to another Territory!? This is just sudden, and it's something hard to swallow when I was shoved with a greeting from beastmen on the get go!
It doesn't introduce them well! What the hell were you doing in your sleep, Author-sama!!?
Suddenly I heard a snort and I turned to the elven princess who was crossing her arms and sustaining those water melons of hers. Annoying! Stop showing off those damn balloons!!
The guards came over to us and Elliot was the one who greeted them. Hmm...? They looked surprised and frantic. Have they met Elliot before?
"Our apologies, but the invitation your highness has given to us only mentioned three guests, including your highness himself." A man with brown fox ears and sharp canines said.
Normally, I would have groaned at how they could not tolerate an addition of one more guest. As expected of the nobles, there were too many inflexible people with stones in their heads.
It's fortunate that I was used it, but dealing with the noble kids' daily necessities had become a real chore. Other than that, Elliot was not so good in hunting properly with a sword.
According to him, Aeinsland's hunters often used bows as they were the sacred items offered by the Hunting Goddess Ederfelt with promises in gaining fruitful hunts. Elliot even boasted (which he rarely did, according to Seina) that he could hit a target more than 300 meters away with ease.
Sadly, Elliot's bow was broken, squashed by the fallen tree which ruined his carriage so the claim became invalid.
Then, Seina was... as I had expected, she's uncooperative. Very much so. I didn't doubt her arrogance but she's been avoiding me for a while. The only times we were together would be when we bathed together but...
"Somehow, it didn't excite me anymore." I ran a hand over my head.
While it did cause a few anxious thumps, I felt nothing even when we were stark naked. I did burn the image into my memories but rather than arousal... I was downright jealous.
The girl herself possessed slender legs, plentiful hips and butt, thin waist and also ample breasts. But... her height which was not so tall and not so short but still a head taller than me annoyed me as it completed her well-endowed figure to unimaginable height.
If Fei were to meet her... I have to blind him or he will ogle her as long as he could.
"No, wait...! Why am I thinking like that!?" I held my head and cursed my foolishness!
Why why why!? Why is it always him who appeared in my mind when I'm this irritated!? Why the bastard who forced this Crest onto me!? Uuuugggh...! This is bad! My illness will relapse again if I don't restraint myself!
"Take a deep breath......" I inhaled with my nose. Then I exhaled "Huu......" steadily.
...alright. I'm calm now. I looked at Mr. Rudolph who is holding the door of the carriage bowed to us.
"It seems I shall excuse myself now. May the gods deliver you their blessings, Milady."
Ah, eh... right. I almost forgot!
"Mr. Rudolph!" I called out. "Do you mind if I ask you what my father is doing currently...?"
His face cramped, then, with a wry smile, he said.
"Currently... My lord is attending a conference in the Northern Territory along with his wife."
"I... see...... are they fine?"
"Indeed they are. Milady might be surprised at how... discontented they are due to you being not near them but it let work progressed earlier."
Ha... ha ha ha... I expected so. Father is too overprotective and mother is strict in several things. To be honest, I'm more than relieved as they were not sent to the frontline, especially when knowing how much a demon could do.
That's also one of the reasons why I want to be strong. I don't want to see my family in danger and I'm their child. I have the duty to ensure everyone can stay together and the rights to spend times at peace with them.
But... let's finish this Quest first. I bowed and gave the butler my gratitude, then I walked back to the two nobles who were standing beside the gate.
"What do we do?"
"You will know soon."
Not long after, I heard a rumbling sound and the earth shook. Why? What happened? The gate shook heavily, sending off dirt and pebbles resting on top of it and...
The walls beside the gate parted open.
"What the heck!?" I shouted in disbelief.
"It is the security mechanism." One of the guards blew air with his nose proudly.
What... Why... Why!? Why the hell is the wall which split open!? This isn't Moses' lore, dammit! Just who the hell designed this fake great wall?!! What's the point of the gate then?!
Ugh...! Forget it! I will only shame myself if I was startled by every little thing... Let's stay calm and proceed...
*SWISH!* A black shadow flew to me while I was looking away from it. But the moment it was about to hit me, I dove down and unsheathed Tyrfingg before slashing at the shadow.
With a gasp, the attacker blocked my sword and revealed himself as a humanoid figure with steel gauntlets and greaves. He flew, landed and then hopping back. Straightening his back, a weird guy with a muffler and clothes in shambles sent a mischievous smile to me.
"You're good... Unexpectedly good for being a human, much less a girl!" He said with his cat ears twitching and tail swaying around.
Uweeh... who's this guy? A pervert...?! I set a stance but Elliot stepped into my vision and raised a hand.
"It has been a while. How are you, Gramver?"
"Nyaha, if it's not the prince! Nyathing bad happened so it has been boring, nya!"
Nya... seriously, this guy's a werecat...? I lowered my sword upon exchanging glances with Elliot but the cat laughed.
"Quite a haul, nya! Are these two your concubines, nya?"
*BOOM!* A streak of light with branches struck the ground beside Gram and like a cat, he hissed while escaping.
"I-insolence...! Who in Gaia's name is this filth's concubine!?" Seina yelled.
"Nya nyah?! Nyah!? What's wrong with this—nyaaaaha!?" The cat cried while being electrocuted.
Uwah! A lightning element magic! It's the first time I saw it!
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"My apologies for the surprise, nya. Humans rarely came over to our territory and there's been horrible tension for a while, nya."
In the carriage especially prepared by the one named Gram, I looked around for the fancy looking carriage was similar to one used in Rome. Really, this is one heck of a carriage equipped with war steeds. I wonder how much gold coins were used to make it…
"Nya ha, you look like you have some fine taste, missy." The werecat snickered, then he put a hand on his left chest. "Mine name is Gramver Lin Xia, nya. I'm the prince's escort as we did a mission together before, nya! Also, I know the elf over there, nya."
He eyed Seina with a meaningful gaze full of mischief. The person herself was looking away with sullen mood and Elliot was smiling for business purpose as usual. Somehow, I think these three have complicated relationships too.
"Hm... Then, Mister Gramver—"
"Gram is fine, missy, nya."
"...very well. Gram, are you the one appointed as the delegate from the other side?"
If so, it would bring some understanding to our positions and I'd like to finish the Quest as soon as possible.
"Nyah, I'm just a simple escort." He smiled. "An insensitive person like me isn't suited for that kind of task, nya. Also, I don't really like the smell of Raumia's people, nya."
"Well... Raumia's influence had reached all the way to the Neutral Sovereignty. It cannot be helped but the new Queen is ready to enforce a change in their orthodox rules."
"Nyah, that little queen? I can't find a will to trust her nya!"
"But never did Raumia has ever tried to crown a queen, and she reigned by toppling the previous ruler unlike her predecessors."
"Still unbelievable, nya. She has weapons under her dress so I can't trust a shady woman like her, nya!"
The two boys bantered about political stuffs as if it's a daily occurrence! So confusing!!
"But the missy here ain't half-bad, nya. Who is she, nya?" Gram looked at me then to Elliot.
"She is his daughter." The prince answered.
"Say whaaaaaattt?!!"
Uwa. I don't like how this goes... Gram was flabbergasted and he suddenly prostrated in front of me.
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"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Please don't tell your father about me testing you, nya!!"
"Huuh?! What-what are you..."
"I'll do anything so please don't tell him, nya! I will even lick your shoes—gube?!"
I didn't hesitate to kick him. Even though we're in carriage, I could at least raise my leg and stomped the shitty catboy who declared his shameless attempt to harass me.
"There are limits in some things!!"
"Gh... blah... n... nice kick... nyah......"
In the end, the short travel went on in this manner. Of all things, there is only a question that remained: Just what did my father do to instill fears on the rumored prideful beastmen?
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The moment dusk arrived, I saw lights in a small distance away. Looking over them from the carriage, I glanced behind and noticed that the prince and the princess were fast asleep. Wow, these two are carefree and they're cuddling together.
I returned my gaze ahead and Gram's ears twitched visibly.
"Nyah, missy. Is it fine not to take your beauty sleep, nya?" He asked.
"I'm not a princess in need of beauty." I refuted his words.
The boy shrugged. His hair swayed, his cat ears twitching and he seemed to doze off at any second. I decided to sit beside him and he widened his eyes.
"Missy, you sure have the guts, nya. Ain't the first time seeing a human easily sitting next to a beastman without wariness but still impressive, nya."
Hmph. Flattery won't raise your value. Even if beastmen are known as fickle at times and that they are more intelligent than ordinary demi-humans, Gram is probably the same as Leon. Also... I heard that beastmen are nocturnal.
"Will we be okay traveling at night like this?" I asked.
"Nyathing to worry, nya. Most of us submit to the stronger ones through instincts so the probability of being attacked by weaklings are next to none, nya" Gram answered.
Hm... but what about monsters? I asked him and he chuckled.
"We live with them, nya. Anyway, we're going to arrive probably at dawn, nya. Why don't the missy rest instead, nya?" Gram offered.
"I rested enough. Rather, I would like to converse with you, Gram." I replied.
Hmm? The boy tilted his head and so I asked him about what kind of place we're going to. Gram was a bit reluctant at first but he explained in a short summary.
"Basically, Southern Territory is filled with tribes of demi-humans. One species for one tribe, a land for tribes bearing strong bonds, and a region for a Lord reigning the pieces of lands. With the hierarchy constantly changed through martial tournaments, it also gave ways for tribes to improve their livings and privileges in gaining resources while also bolstering their military power."
Ooh... that sounds like the feudal era in Japan. Hmm... sengoku period, perhaps?
"Currently, there are 216 registered tribes, 86 lands and 37 regions. All ruled by 8 Lords known as the Divine Beasts. They are the strongest of their species and tribes, and the Golden Tiger Monarchy is as missy expected."
"The feline race... so the delegate will be a Tiger beastman."
The catboy nodded. No wonder why he said he's the escort. From the looks of it, even the hierarchy shouted 'Might makes right' though I wondered how lions tribes were not considered as the top predator in the hierarchy.
"Be careful around him, nya. I'm one case but most demi-humans despised the people coming from Raumia, even if they only visited that place, nya."
"Why?"
"It will be long to explain, nya. Just think of it as the usual racial discrimination, nya."
Geh... that sounds problematic since that meant I won't be welcomed with flowers and red carpet unlike the other two.
But... there's one thing bothering me. Leon who's a demi-human doesn't have 'Marking' due to his mixed blood. Since demons have the special characteristic like that, surely beastmen, elves and dwarves possessed similar quirks to cope with threats.
If 'Marking' relied on purity of blood...
"Gram, do you have something holding you back from being able to do what you want?" I asked.
The boy dropped his jaws, then he laughed weakly.
"Nyah, that's correct." He answered. "As an 'Impure,' I hold next to no 'Intuition' of my lineage, nya."
"'Intuition'...?"
"Yep. That's what beastmen could do to cope with the situation, nya. Intuition allows us to detach a portion of our soul to touch the spirits and feeling the natural movements of the world, nya. If done right, to predict the future is entirely possible though that rarely happened even among the descendants of the Divine Beasts."
Hm… so that's it. It's no wonder that he could dodge my attack by flipping around like a cat in danger.
Looks like the beastmen valued their Sixth Sense the same way demons judged strength from the purity of their blood. So... if one couldn't master it, then they aren't even worthy to hunt together as a pack.
"...Nyah. Missy, you look like you dislike our way in ruling, nya."
"Of course I do. There's no equality even though everyone is born helpless without capable of doing anything."
All is equal. I was taught that be it in my past life or in this life. What's more, it was my parents who told me that so it's definitely not a wrong thing to see everyone eye-to-eye unless the subject is a gorgon. They would petrify any who made eye contact with them.
I heard a short laugh and found Gram smiling ear to ear. He said, "Like parents, like children, nya. It seems that Master gave missy his entire wisdom without fail, nya."
"...what do you mean?"
"Nah, just talking to myself, nya. More importantly, nya. You look... unlike your parents, nyah."
Huuh? What does that mean? Gram pointed at his head and eyes then I realized.
"Ah. My hair and eyes... Well, are they strange?" I asked.
"Not just strange, nya. To be honest, they aren't ordinary colors, nya. While several did have gold hair like that, most are famous in terms of notoriety. And those green eyes resembled the eyes of a God."
...the... eyes of a God...?
"Did you know, nya? The gods are divided into two factions, nya. The Old Gods who survived the End and the New Gods who were born after the End, nya. Among those who drown the continents, bringing storms and pacifying the darkness and light, only one existence is told to have a pair of emerald eyes, nya."
Gram paused as he slowed down the carriage to turn around the corner.
"...well, mentioning him isn't something good either, nya. It would upset our Esteemed Emperor, nya."
"Huh...? Why?"
The demi-human grinned sheepishly and he said.
"Demi-humans are descendants of the Evil God, nya. Of course we don't believe in the Gods you humans believe in, nya. Especially One who Sealed Him away."
.......and so the air froze. I couldn't utter any word but it felt as if a lump was stuck in my throat.
I really wanted to deny his words. Those irresponsible words which sounded like lame excuses to escape. Something I couldn't understand or accept. But... I noticed the self-loathing in Gram's words. Similar to a certain person, the boy looked away as he smiled a thin smile full of lies to cover his guilt.
It's true that a legend existed about the end of a world. Told in the distant past where no one could ever remember, it was a gruesome legend where heroes basked with their comrades' blood and gods fought with blades set at each other's throat.
The chaotic timed induced by an Evil God shrouded the whole world with hell, which was something nobody could ever endure. But... that means the demi-humans, born and gifted by the Evil God...
Could only be treated as peons of Evil, no matter how much they wanted to live in peace.
"...I see." I muttered. "......so that's it."
I looked over the road ahead, then up to the starry sky.
If humans and elves wanted to make alliance with this person's race, then that meant something is going on behind my back. Maybe the demons are too strong for them, or maybe they wanted to acquire additional firepower before the demons could. Someone like me could never hope to overturn the decision made from masses of people and probably, I'm already used as a tool now.
In Raumia, sometimes I noticed there were people with black chokers on their necks usually ignored by most people. Sometimes, I also noticed that there were people who showed malicious smiles at them. If I thought about it, I should have realized when they were wearing hats if not hoods to hide their heads.
Slaves. Servants. Playthings. Whatever they were called with, the same practice to fulfill greed and pleasure also existed in the kingdom Fei was born in. And surely... I have yet to see the true extent of the 'Malevolence' he talked about.
But because of that, I hate this kind of thing the most.
After all... no matter which world I live in, people can't be so honest to help each other and would rather satisfy their greed more. I realized that there are things that don't change, and probably will never change. It's almost as if Haru's words were coming truer. That freak would have laughed hard before going back to his underground dwelling if he were here, that stupid skeptical bastard...
Really, there's just no easy way for me to help someone close to me. Then I felt my heart beating anxiously as a question floated in my head.
Will I also end up unable to change anything...?