Fortunately, I was able to meet the Dark Harpy woman again.
“I can’t believe you actually came. I’ll go wake up the other two.”
Sharin started walking towards the two sleeping individuals.
“What are you doing here, brat? I can’t believe it, but… were you trying to fool around?”
“I am Arisugawa Hiroaki. I came to see you. Do you know anything about Keiga, the leader of the Hunter Harpies? One of your companions went to him very recently. I want to ask you about it.”
The woman casually put a cigarette in her mouth, looking bothered.
“I don’t know anything. Go back and sleep.”
She turned to leave the way she came.
“Wait! Please! Our Flower Harpy village is in serious trouble. And you could get caught up in it sooner or later too.”
“So what? It’s none of my business.”
The woman left without turning around. Philiana rushed after her.
“Hey, you say it’s none of your business, but the Dark Harpies are involved too! Keiga is kidnapping women! You’re no exception, and besides, aren’t they your kin?”
“I told you I don’t know anything! I don’t care what happens to the villagers.”
She seemed completely unwilling to cooperate. Was the help she gave us before just a whim?
But I couldn’t back down here. If I missed this chance, I wouldn’t know when the next one would come. I got in her way, blocking her path.
“Please, so many people are being hurt. I just need you to answer one question, about the woman with red hair…”
The woman tried to brush past me, ignoring me mid-sentence. I wouldn’t let her and got in front of her again.
“Do you know a woman with red hair? She’s tall, and… Good.”
Perhaps annoyed by my persistence, she grabbed me by the collar and pulled me closer. She was about my height, with a frown that gave off a strong intimidating aura.
“Listen here, brat. I don’t give a damn about my own race or any of those women. If you understand, take those other two bitches and get lost.”
She bared her fangs, sharp like a vampire’s, and flashed her burning purplish-red eyes at me, trying to intimidate me. I could see three others nearby in a defensive posture.
If I said anything, she looked ready to lunge for my throat. My throat muscles tensed up, and I couldn’t speak. But I took a deep breath once more and opened my mouth again.
“No, I’m not leaving. I won’t move from here until I get an answer to my question.”
She gritted her teeth once, but after a moment, she exhaled smoke into my face. I held back the urge to cough and stared intently at the woman.
“You’ve got some nerve. I’ll answer your question. But there’s a condition: you have to capture me in the darkness.”
