We were finally able to return alive as a group after defeating the Beast Tamer.
As I closed my eyes, trying to ignore everything, sake was forcibly poured into my mouth.
“Gah! What are you doing? I was clearly asleep, right?”
“Haha, you’re awake, aren’t you? Come on, don’t just lie there.”
I couldn’t keep up with her energy anymore, so I decided to ignore her this time and fall asleep. In the distance, I could hear the voices of Kinnaras and Centaurs making noise. As the sounds gradually faded, another voice woke me again.
“Mr. Hiroaki, are you alright?”
I opened my eyes slightly and saw Pauline peering at me with concern. Before I could say anything, she pressed a wet towel to my cheek.
“You’re covered in scrapes all over! You can’t sleep covered in mud like this!”
She briskly stripped off my clothes and then scrubbed my body with the wet towel. The pain stung as it seeped into wounds I hadn’t noticed.
“Hey, Pauline, what are you doing? I’m naked…”
“Here, a new outfit. Please wear this and sleep.”
Pauline threw the clothes at my face and then ran off busily towards Sharin. Sharin, who was also resting with her eyes closed, was also being treated roughly. After Pauline left, Sharin blinked in surprise, wondering what had happened.
She was darting around as if she had anticipated us returning injured. The Centaurs seemed surprised by Pauline’s sudden appearance, but she paid them no mind and eventually started giving instructions to the people around her.
The next day, I went to meet Argna’s father, rubbing my aching back. Although he was supported by a wooden brace, his complexion had improved considerably.
“Good morning. How are you feeling?”
“Ah, you must be Arisugawa Hiroaki. You’re more handsome than I expected in the light. I’ve heard about you from my son. Thank you.”
I felt a little embarrassed and looked away slightly.
“I participated, but it was my companions who truly saved us. It was also thanks to the Kinnaras who agreed to help.”
“That’s right. They helped us. I’m sorry, I’ve caused trouble for so many people. I should have listened to Tad. He told me not to meet the humans.”
He leaned against the fence, his brow furrowed with regret.
“That may be true, but I don’t think a clash could have been avoided forever.”
He looked up at my words and said, “You might be right,” then sighed softly.
“So, where are you heading next? You are travelers, aren’t you?”
I briefly explained our situation to him.
“I see, that must be difficult. I don’t know about Dark Elves, but please stay here for as long as you need. If there’s anything I can do to help, I will cooperate.”
Since the chief said so, I decided to stay here for a while, about two or three days, to regroup. We had acquired most of our supplies in town, but we were running out of water, and more importantly, everyone was tired.
I thanked him and headed back to the luggage storage area to get something to eat.
