Chapter 36: Looking for a Place to Belong

“S-Sorry! I didn’t mean to peek!”

“It’s a misunderstanding! A complete misunderstanding!!”

A blonde Nekomimi-san was bowing her head over and over, her face beet red, while I—just as red-faced—was desperately trying to clear up the misunderstanding. Deep in the forest, a scene of utter chaos was unfolding.

“It’s not really something I mind people seeing, so don’t worry about it.”

“You should be worrying a lot more, you know!”

Why is he acting like this has nothing to do with him? I’ll knock him out, seriously. This is mostly your fault, Master. I swear I’m going to tear apart that ‘Magical Something’ of yours!

“Do you even realize whose fault this is!? None of this would’ve happened if you hadn’t done something weird in the first place!”

“Hard to take you seriously when you’re dressed like that…”

Master gently stroked my back as I sat on his lap. …I-it’s not like I can help being limp and unable to move right now, okay?

“Don’t tell me… you actually like this position?”

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

That’s definitely a misunderstanding! And stop poking my cheek! Why are you grinning like that!? Don’t go fantasizing and making me look bad based on your own weird ideas!

“Um, excuse me…”

“Huh!?”

Nekomimi-san’s voice snapped me back to reality. This is bad—it’s like we were off in our own little world, like some lovey-dovey couple! That won’t do at all. I accidentally slipped into our usual routine… No, no, no, it’s not like this usually! It’s totally different! Anyway, listening to her should be our top priority.

“S-So, what are you doing out here?”

“Well… um, that is…”

I turned the question around on her, but she hesitated, starting to say something before quickly trailing off.

“You’re from the settlement further in, right?”

“!?”

When Master said that, Nekomimi-san visibly stiffened. Her face even went pale—so I guess it’s something that’s not supposed to be known? Though we already started chatting so casually, huh.

“A-And what are you two doing here?”

Her expression turned serious, completely different from before, as she glared at us and asked. …But with how belated this tension is, it’s honestly hard to take her seriously.

“Well, to do stuff like what you just saw—”

“CHESTO!”

I aimed a right uppercut at his chin, but he blocked it with one hand. Even for a joke, that was completely out of line! What if she had taken it seriously!? I’m not about to let myself be labeled a pervert too!

“Kidding. We ran away from Forlitz too. We’re fugitives.”

“…We, huh?” What exactly does Master know?

“Master?”

“I heard a rumor once. That deep in the northern sea of trees, there’s a hidden village where escaped slaves and persecuted demi-humans live. Adventurers went looking for it but never found anything, so most dismissed it as just a myth.”

If he had that kind of info, he could’ve told us earlier. Well, whatever. Still, if smoke was clearly visible, why hadn’t anyone found it before?

“The area around the smoke is pretty wide. There’s a complex concealment and disorientation spell set up to confuse outsiders. I hacked into it when we approached and rewrote it to make us look like insiders.”

And that’s exactly the kind of important information he needs to tell the rest of us. What if we’d accidentally triggered something!?

“You tampered with Lady Riara’s barrier!?”

Nekomimi-san, who had been eavesdropping, widened her eyes in shock. Apparently, someone named Lady Riara put up the barrier—but yeah, interfering with someone else’s magic normally isn’t even possible, so her surprise is completely understandable.

“By the way, I already told Makoto, Lulu, and Yuria. Yesterday, they were checking out potential spots in the direction we guessed, which is how we spotted the smoke and confirmed the village’s location.”

“W-Wait… Am I the only one who wasn’t told!?”

Why was I the only one not told? I suddenly had a lot I wanted to say. Is it because I’m a permanent benchwarmer? Or because I’m useless when it comes to things like this…?

“P-Please wait a moment! Lady Riara didn’t say a word about the barrier being tampered with!”

“Anyone who leaves traces is second-rate. Second-rate.”

…He’s striking a pose and acting all smug, but what is he, some kind of super hacker? Oh, but that line might come in handy for teasing him later.

“Pfft… ‘Anyone who leaves traces is second-rate. Second-rate…’ Heh.”

“That said, I couldn’t tell who cast the spell. Could’ve been a magic-using monster or some old ruin's remnant. More than anything, we were all worn out from constant travel, so I prioritized building a base-slash-fortress.”

I see. Well, we did have the luxury of time, but no one’s stress-free in a life on the run. Wanting a place to relax makes sense. So please stop stroking my face already. Doing that to someone who can’t move is just unfair.

“In any case! I can’t let you off the hook!”

Nekomimi-san fluffed up the fur on her tail. Can’t blame her. From their perspective, we’re the intruders.

“Still, if possible, I’d like to speak with your leader. Could you take us to them?”

“There’s no need.”

Just as Master asked Nekomimi-san to escort us, a young girl’s voice rang out. We turned toward it and saw a girl with golden hair stepping out from between the trees, dressed in something like a blue miko outfit.

She had a delicate face and striking blue eyes. Her golden hair fluttered in the breeze like silk, and her pale skin was flawless. And peeking out from that beautiful hair—long, pointed ears that looked just like an elf’s.

---

Surprisingly, the elf-like girl turned out to be quite friendly. After joining up with Lulu and the others, we were guided by her through their village.

The reason she let us through so easily? According to her, “He rewrote my spell without me even noticing. I’m not hot-headed enough to pick a fight over emotion alone.” She and Master had a light spark of tension, but it didn’t seem like she had any intent to start a conflict.

The village was made up of modest wooden structures and didn’t seem very large. The population wasn’t huge, but the racial diversity was impressive. Just a glance revealed cat ears, dog ears, cow ears, tanuki ears, fox ears… basically all the standard demi-human types were represented.

The girl guiding us was apparently Lady Riara, the representative of the settlement. Following her lead, we entered a slightly larger house in the center of the village. When I looked up at Master, he gave me a small nod. I guess if anything goes wrong, he’ll protect us.

The interior of the house was sparse and not exactly what you’d call wealthy. Well, given that they live in hiding, it makes sense. Up close, even Nekomimi-san’s hair didn’t look particularly well cared for. Life here must be tough.

“So then, what brings you lot all the way out to a backwater like this?”

Once everyone was seated on what looked like cushions woven from grass laid out on the ground, Riara-san began to speak.

“We fled here from the Kingdom of Forlitz.”

Master responded with an unusually serious face and tone. I had a lot I wanted to say about that, but I had to hold it in. I also wanted to ask if Riara-san was really an elf, but… it wasn’t the right time yet.

“Oh? Did you commit some kind of crime?”

“No. The king took an interest in this girl… in Sora, and even mobilized the army. We escaped to this remote place to get away from all that.”

Her sharp gaze turned toward me. It felt like she was seeing straight through me, and it made me uncomfortable.

“Hm… Is the girl an elf...? No, wait… Could she be… a high elf like me?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to me. Wait—what? Are we suddenly dropping some huge new revelation here? And “like me”? So Riara-san’s a high elf too? My head’s spinning.

“Um… What’s a high elf?”

It was our own Nekomimi-san—Lulu—who timidly raised her hand and asked. Yeah, guess we should start by answering the basics.

“…If there’s a chance she’s one of my kind, I’d like to confirm it. Would you mind listening to a bit of my story?”

“Not at all,” Master answered as our representative, giving her the go-ahead to begin.

“The race called high elves was created by ancient people—beings who sought eternal life and crafted vessels to anchor their souls. But before they could use them, a great war broke out among them. That war wiped out their entire civilization, leaving nothing behind. …However, a few survivors used those vessels to become high elves. They then bore children with the other surviving races, giving rise to the elves.”

This just turned into some full-on mythological origin story. What is this epic backstory? No one told me about this!

“That’s why elves can have children with humans. Beastfolk too, though their origin lies in something called high beasts—combat-purpose vessels.”

“So then, Riara-chan, you’re one of those ancient people?”

And there it was. Kasai-san, bold as ever, just dropped the “-chan” on her like it was nothing. Technically, that would make her one of the ancients who used a vessel. But if that’s the case, then how do you explain me being a high elf?

“No, I was a mage—about 300 years ago. While exploring ancient ruins, I discovered a high elf vessel. It was the find of a century. Of course, I wanted to protect it and study it… but there were others in the group who wanted to sell it for profit. We disagreed, and eventually, it escalated into a deadly fight.”

Riara-san lowered her gaze softly.

“I was gravely wounded in the chaos and had no choice but to use the high elf vessel to survive. Since then, I’ve lived as the only one of my kind. …Now, how did you come to have that body?”

Her piercing eyes locked onto me. Master looked calm, as if he already knew. Kasai-san and Lulu, on the other hand, looked utterly lost, glancing at me repeatedly. Not that I understood any of it either.

“I don’t know. I thought I’d died, and when I came to, I was… like this.”

…Maybe it’s time I told Lulu and the others too.

So I spoke honestly. I told them I was born in the same homeland as Master, that I died there, and that when I awoke, I was in this body. That I was now a slave, and that Master was my owner.

“…I see. You’ve been through a lot.”

Riara-san scooted closer as she sat and gently touched my cheek. Tears welled in her eyes as she embraced me softly.

“For 300 years, I’ve been alone. I lost my familiar body, my powers, and lived on as the last of my race. This form draws people to it… which is why I stayed far from human settlements and kept myself hidden. That’s why… meeting another of my kind means so much to me…”

I can’t understand what 300 years of loneliness feels like. But I do understand that she was truly lonely.

“…What kind of relationship do you wish to have with this settlement?”

Riara-san stepped back and asked Master.

“No one can live alone. There are things we can produce here and things we can bring in. I hope to establish trade based mainly on bartering… and if possible, friendship.”

“Hm… Very well. I will believe that you fled the kingdom. However, there is one condition in exchange for that trust.”

“A condition?”

I felt sparks flying between them again…

“Many here harbor resentment against humans. It’s impossible for humans who treat beastfolk as slaves to come and go freely. You must free those girls from slavery—that is the condition for trade.”

That’s quite an impossible demand. Master won’t let go of that easily. But it would be troublesome to cause trouble with the other residents in this new land, so I guess we’ll have to work together and prove we’re not mistreated.

“Understood.”

Right? You understand too… huh?

“Shuuya-sama!?”

“Master?”

“There’s no reason to hold on to slavery after leaving that country. The time has come. There’s one more at the base; I will free them as well.”

Master said this plainly, as if it didn’t bother him at all.

“R-Really? Is that okay? I have a huge debt, you know, yet—”

“It doesn’t matter.”

The fingers that gently touched my neck withdrew, holding a choker. I knew Master could easily cancel the slave contract, but seeing it removed so simply was surprising.

While I was stunned, Lulu’s collar was also taken off. R-Really, that easy?

“You two are free now. From here on, you’re free to do as you please. There will be no restrictions.”

“Sh-Shuuya-sama, I’m not leaving you!”

Desperate, Lulu clung to my arm. What should I do? I’m free now, right? I can go anywhere, do anything.

…but where should I go?

“Um, is it really okay? What about the debt?”

“It was just a verbal promise. The time you’ve spent with me cancels it out.”

Cancel it out? That’s no small amount—it’s enough to live on for a lifetime for a normal person. I told him I would repay it properly.

“B-But…”

“It’s fine. Didn’t I say I’d free you someday?”

The feeling of the hand stroking my head felt distant. I should be happy. I no longer have to obey Master’s orders, or call him Master—but why do I feel so lonely? I don’t understand.

---

While I was overcome with this strange emptiness, the conversation between Master and Riara-san quickly wrapped up. When Master stood, I stood too. Riara-san then spoke.

“Hey, you’re Sora, right? I want to talk a little more. Won’t you stay here for the night?”

She looked sad, like a child about to part from a friend. I hesitated and tried to ask Master, but he didn’t even look at me.

“…Sora is free now. Decide for yourself what you want to do.”

Why, why do you have to push me away like that…? After clinging to someone so much, you just toss them aside when it counts? Or is it because you found a new elf and no longer need this “used” one? Slowly, my vision begins to blur.

“Sigh…”

My trembling fists clenched tightly when suddenly I was embraced.

“I just can’t do it. The more I try to let go, the colder I sound.”

The hand stroking my back felt unusually gentle.

“I’m sorry, Riara-san. Today, I’m taking Sora home. We’ll talk again another time.”

What do you mean, taking me home? I only wanted to consult with her, but once again my will is ignored. So much for freedom—it’s all a lie. What a liar.

“…It seems it’s not entirely forced after all. As an elder, I suppose I should step back. Sora, come visit when you’ve calmed down.”

“Okay, I will… definitely.”

I grabbed Master’s clothes, turned back, and nodded. After all, she is finally a fellow of my kind, so there are many things I want to say and hear.

“Well then, until next time.”

“Yeah, see you.”

Master took my hand, and we left Riara-san’s house. The wind brushing my cheek felt strangely cold.

---

After we all returned home, Yuria joined us, and we talked as a group. We were officially no longer slaves. Although we haven’t gone through any formal paperwork in the Kingdom of Forlitz, so their treatment of us probably hasn’t changed, here we truly have freedom.

Yuria and Lulu immediately decided to stay by Shuuya-sama’s side, just as before—nothing changed for them.

I was given several choices.

Like Yuria and Lulu, I could continue living beside Shuuya-sama as before, or I could go and be taken care of by Riara-san. Shuuy a-sama promised to support me fully no matter which I chose, and I agonized over it.

I agonized and agonized, over and over. Finally, I made my decision.

That night, when I went to Shuuya-sama’s room to tell him my conclusion, to my surprise he was sitting alone at the table making something. I had assumed he was with Lulu and Yuria, getting along.

“What’s up?”

“…I’ve decided what I’m going to do.”

He stopped what he was doing, cleared the table, then poured some fruit juice into a glass and handed it to me.

“I see…”

I hesitated over my words and nervously let my gaze wander… then suddenly noticed Shuuya’s expression had stiffened.

…Why is the one who wrapped things up quickly now the tense one? After all this, maybe he really is just a human kid after all.

I took a small sip of the juice, then collapsed onto the bed and burrowed under the sheets. Shuuya looked a bit stunned by the unexpected move, so I glared at him.

“…From now on, it’s my free will, so today I refuse. You absolutely must not do anything, got it? Master?”

…Having grown up in modern Japan and lived comfortably with cheat abilities, there’s no way I can stand this simple rural life anymore.

---

◆◆ ADVENTURE RESULT ◆◆

【EXP】
NO BATTLE
◆【Sora Lv.81】
◆【Lulu Lv.31】
◆【Yuria Lv.29】
◇―
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
Sora Lv.81 [812]
Lulu Lv.31 [317]
Yuria Lv.29 [299]

【RECORD】
[MAX COMBO] >> 34
[MAX BATTLE] >> 34

【PARTY-1 (Main)】
[Shuuya] [Lv.77] HP1432/1432 MP2530/2530 [Normal]
[Sora] [Lv.81] HP55/60 MP733/733 [Fatigued]
[Lulu] [Lv.31] HP735/735 MP36/36 [Normal]
[Yuria] [Lv.29] HP1540/1540 MP88/88 [Normal]

【PARTY-2 (Sub)】
[Fere] [Lv.25] HP252/252 MP830/830 [Normal]

【PARTY-3 (Sub)】
[Makoto] [Lv.40] HP1450/1450 MP128/128 [Normal]
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

【Comment】

“You two are just flirting after all! Haaaaa—this is why senpai is like this!”

“My patience is running out. You do realize this, right? It’s about time, right?”