The wounds were treated by a healer, Arisugawa.
When we returned to Elana’s home, everyone except Nina had already fallen asleep. I lay down without disturbing them.
The next morning, Elana treated us to breakfast and we washed ourselves at a nearby hot spring. My wounds had mostly closed and the pain was minimal. Thanks to the healer, my fatigue was gone, and I felt reborn.
Pauline was sewing my torn cloak.
As other Sphinxes started to wake up, we hid ourselves in our tent again.
“This won’t do. Come with me,” Elana said.
Sharin and I followed Elana as instructed.
We were led through the village, avoiding notice, to a particularly impressive building. The entrance was guarded by brawny Sphinxes. Elana went ahead, leaving us, and spoke to the gatekeepers.
It seemed we were allowed to enter, as she beckoned us forward. As we passed, the gatekeepers stared intently at us from below.
Inside, the building was decorated with beautiful tapestries and ornaments. In the center, a female Sphinx adorned in gold lay elegantly. Elana bowed deeply. Her demeanor suggested she was the village chief.
She explained that we were outsiders who had saved her life, and asked if we could stay for a while.
The high-ranking Sphinx before us observed us slowly and opened her mouth with a languid sigh.
“Hmph, adventurers? Humans and Demi-humans, I see. You seem to have other companions too.”
“We are travelers. We unknowingly entered the Elf forest and were heading to the town beyond.”
She listened to my story and tilted her head again, looking weary.
“Is that so? But it won’t be for free. Tell me an interesting story. You’re from outside, aren’t you?”
As expected of a holy beast of knowledge, she sought new information as payment. I told her the story of how I came to this world, as she wished.
At first, she listened indifferently, as if it were another fabricated tale, but after a while, she became interested in my story and listened with apparent enjoyment in the end.
“Eh? And you’re here now? I want to hear more of the story. Ah, but you’re in the middle of it now. Speaking of which, where are your companions? Bring them here.”
She stood up and leaned toward us. A Sphinx guard smoothly stepped between us.
The guard instructed me to put down my weapon, so I did, placing my dagger on the ground. The guard glanced at me and then returned to his position behind.
“That’s right. My name is Lisanal, the queen of this village. And you?”
I gave my name as requested and introduced Sharin.
“This is my story so far. Are you satisfied?”
The queen tilted her head, seeming amused.
“Hmm, let me see. No, not yet. I want to know more about you.”
